HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_06.24.2019City of Georgetown, Texas
Housing Advisory Board
Minutes
June 24, 2019, at 3:30 p.m.
Historic Light and Waterworks Building, 406 W. 81h Street
Georgetown, Texas 78626
Members present: Bob Weimer; Lou Snead, Chair; Mary Calixtro; Randy Hachtel, Nikki Brennan
Members absent: Nathaniel Bonner; Jeannyce Hume
Staff present: Susan Watkins, Housing Coordinator; Mirna Garcia, Management Analyst; Patrick
Lloyd, Community Resource Coordinator; Nat Waggoner, Long Range Planning Manager
Chair Snead called the meeting to order at 3:37pm.
Public Wishing to Address the Board
A. As of the deadline, no persons were signed up to speak on items other than those posted on the
agenda.
Legislative Regular Agenda
B. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the April 29, 2019 meeting. —
Susan Watkins, AICP, Housing Coordinator
Motion by Hachtel, second by Weimer to approve the minutes as presented. Approved
common consent.
C. Discussion on existing conditions of homelessness in Georgetown. — Patrick Lloyd,
Community Resources Coordinator
Lloyd provided the Board an overview of his role at the Georgetown Public Library. He shared
data collected by the library on patron needs including emergency housing and affordable
housing needs. Lloyd provided further detail as to library social work, and explained the
assistance provided by staff outside the traditional scope of what library staff do. Data collected
from 2017 to date indicates the top social service needs of patrons are financial assistance,
emergency housing, other (transportation, education, grief/loss support, elder adult resources),
mental health, and affordable housing. Lloyd provided interviewee data and indicated that no
other City of Georgetown department is currently tracking social service/homelessness data.
There was discussion among Board members regarding organizations that provide assistance,
and further discussion about the top issues identified by tracking patron needs. There are issues
with transportation, because many patrons live outside the city center, and the bus system does
not travel far outside the city center. It is also inconvenient for patrons to use the bus because
many are older adults who are not able to walk long distances to the closest bus stop/drop off.
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Board members had several questions regarding the number of interviewees, referrals provided
to patrons, and responses from other organizations that may be able to provide assistance to
patrons.
Chair Snead commented on the significance of capturing an accurate count of the homeless
population to better address the issue. There was discussion between Weimer and Brennan
about seeking volunteers to conduct a point -in -time count.
D. Discussion on rental housing education. — Chuck Collins, Interim Executive Director,
Southeast Georgetown Community Council
Collins provided the Board an overview of rental housing education including tenant rights and
landlord relations. Collins is working with an attorney who is a former landlord and is
providing training to tenants about their rights and issues to be aware of. The attorney wants to
create a tenant council made up of lawyers or law students, to provide information and
assistance to tenants. Collins indicated a language barrier for Spanish speaking tenants and lack
of material in Spanish language available. Collins provided information about the meetings,
which will be held at local churches to ensure a safe space.
E. Presentation and discussion of Williamson County's 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan priorities
and eligible activities for the 2020 application cycle. — Susan Watkins, AICP, Housing
Coordinator
Staff presentation and report provided by Watkins. Watkins reviewed the priorities outlined in
the 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan. The listed funding priorities are: increase access to affordable
housing, decrease homelessness, public facilities and infrastructure improvements, public
services, affirmatively further fair housing choice, planning and administration. Land
acquisition is an eligible activity for CDBG funding. CDBG funding can purchase land and pay
for infrastructure but cannot be used to build the structure.
Chair Snead had questions related to funding, zoning, and if staff has a list of undeveloped
property areas. Waggoner provided clarification and indicated that there may not be a list but
staff can research and compile information for the next meeting.
F. Review of 2019 HAB Work Plan. — Susan Watkins, AICP, Housing Coordinator
Watkins provided the Board a draft schedule for the remainder of the year's activities. Watkins
also explained City Council's workshop on Tuesday June 25. The schedule: July — Housing
Toolkit Schedule, overview of range of tools for confirmed policies from policy guide; August —
review tools for confirmed housing policies, growth scenarios; September — Review Draft
Housing Element; October — Review Draft Housing Toolkit; November — Land Use and
Implementation, Home Repair EOY Review.
Watkins also informed the Board of Tuesday's City Council meeting, where recommendations
from the Steering Committee policies will be reviewed and housing policies confirmed.
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G. Update on the 2030 Plan Update process. —Nat Waggoner, AICP, Long Range Planning
Manager and Lou Snead, Board Chair
Waggoner provided an overview to the Board on the recent and upcoming activities related to
the comprehensive plan update. The Steering Committee voted to recommend several housing
policies at the June 171h meeting, which will be discussed at the June 251h City Council meeting.
The Steering Committee will review land use element policies at the next meethags. Waggoner
also reviewed the Gateway Overlay Districts map with the Board and went over the steps to
update the Land Use Element. There is an upcoming joint Session meeting where a draft FLU
map will be presented with land use scenarios; Public Meeting #2 is scheduled, where staff will
present work to date, housing, scenarios, Gateways and the Williams Drive Subarea Plan.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Weimer, second by Brennan. Meeting adjourned at 5pm.
App ved, Lou Snead, Chair Attest, Randy Hachtel, Secretary
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