HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_09.21.2020City of Georgetown, Texas
Housing Advisory Board
Minutes
September 21, 2020, at 3:30 p.m.
Teleconference: httvs://bit.ly/318Gi
The regular meeting convened at 3:30PM on September 21, 2020 via teleconference at
https://bit.ly/318GmZs. Webinar ID: 963-9574-1966. To participate by phone: Call -In number:
(346)248-7799, (253)215-8782, (669)900-6833, (312)626-6799. Password: 915259. Public Comment
was allowed via the teleconference option; no in -person input was allowed.
Board Members present: Lou Snead, Chair; Mary Calixtro; Wendy Cash; Grayson Smith; Linda
Sloan; Nikki Brennan; Charles Collins
Staff present in -person: Susan Watkins, AICP, Housing Coordinator; Nat Waggoner, AICP, Long
Range Planning Manager; Sofia Nelson, Planning Director; Mirna Garcia, Management Analyst
The Meeting was opened by Chair Snead at 3:33 p.m.
Regular Session
A. Discussion on how the Housing Advisory Board virtual conference will be conducted, to
include options for public comments and how they public may address the Commission - Sofia
Nelson, Planning Director
Public Wishing to Address the Board
B. As of the deadline, no persons were signed up to speak on items other than those posted on the
agenda.
Legislative Regular Agenda
C. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the July 20, 2020 meeting.
Mima Garcia, Management Analyst
Motion to approve Item C as presented by Smith. Second by Brennan. Approved (7-0).
D. Presentation and discussion on the City of Georgetown Housing Tax Credit Resolution Request
Process - Susan Watkins, Housing Coordinator
During the meeting, the Board will review the updated Housing Tax Credit Resolution Request
application based on recommendations from the Board at the July 20 meeting. Additional
questions include:
- Will there be a non-profit or government partner? Please provide the partner information
details of the community benefit. If the partner is yet to be determined, please provide
scenarios of who the partner might be, criteria for selecting the partner, how funds will be
reinvested in the community and examples of previous partnerships.
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Minutes September 21, 2020
Do any of your other RTC developments have PILOT agreements? If so, please provide
information about the agreement.
- Please provide information on factors that influenced the selection of this site.
Modified questions include:
- Provide two letters of support from existing developments similar to the proposal. If seelcing
a tax exemption, provide a letter of support from a non --profit or government partner from a previous
tax-exempt development.
Chair Snead commented that these questions are a step in the right direction. The Board
discussed the objectives for the application, and items to keep in mind for answers we want to
obtain. The Board also discussed obtaining more information related to market feasibility. The
Board discussed the intent of the letters of support. Watkins explained they are meant to
provide more information, and often speak to property management or development quality.
E. Presentation and discussion of planning activities for the San Jose and Track Ridge
Grasshopper neighborhood plans — Nat Waggoner, PMP, AICP Long Range Planning
Manager and Susan Watkins, AICP, Housing Coordinator
Watkins read a public comment received from Landon Smith into the recording.
Watkins introduced newest member to the Board, Chuck Collins. He has filled the vacant
position from Bob Weimer's resignation.
Waggoner introduced the item. On August 11, staff provided the Council an update on the
outreach and budget activities completed since the July 14 workshop including feedback
from neighborhood representatives. Staff sought support from the Council to begin formally
engaging both neighborhoods. Staff will provide the feedback from Council including:
- Identify neighborhood representatives and leaders
-- Broad initial outreach
- Share examples of neighborhood plan -- what a neighborhood plan is/does
- Ensure that feedback will translate to action
- Explain implications of plan, both sides of possible restrictions
Waggoner also provided information on the initial survey efforts to the neighborhoods.
There were 24 surveys completed for the San Jose surveys, 81 addresses visited with a 30%
response rate. Por the TRG initial survey, there were 91 surveys completed, 417 addresses
visited with a 22% response rate. The next steps include calls with neighborhood
representatives to discuss the insights from the survey and obtain feedback. Waggoner also
explained there are Spanish resources on the 2030 website.
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Minutes September 21, 2020
Chair Snead wanted to know how the neighborhood boundaries were identified, and if
community leaders include residents, or business owners? Waggoner explained with the
TRG neighborhood, staff started with the boundaries the University of Texas graduate
students identified in 2019. Some representatives of the neighborhoods recommend the
boundaries be extended to Leander Road. Staff stated they would like to get direction from
the Council to make the decision on the boundary lines for these neighborhoods.
F. Presentation and discussion on the FY20 Home Repair Program. - Susan Watkins, AICP,
Housing Coordinator
Staff will provide an update on the progress of the Home Repair Program for FY20 and funding
budgeted for FY21. The Home Repair Program had a total allocation of $130,000 from City of
Georgetown ($55,000) and CDBG funds ($75,000) for FY20.
Watkins explained that external -only repairs were made during Covid. In addition, income
eligibility is proposed to increase from 50% to 80% AMI, a recommendation from the 2030 Plan
Housing Element that allows more workforce homeowners to apply. Sloan provided more
information about the repairs, and what happens when funds run out. Calixtro asked if there is
a waitlist now. Sloan explained there is, and they have tried to slow down with how the funds
are used to ensure the funds last for the year and more homes are served. Calixtro asked if the
owners are asked to help. Sloan added that they are asked to help by doing some hands-on
work and be willing to commit some time.
Collins asked if there is a way for people to contribute to the fund. Sloan explained that the
organization does receive funds from various sources. However, some of the money is to be
used for specific areas.
G. Presentation and discussion of 0-2 year implementation items from the 2030 Plan Housing
Element. - Susan Watkins, AICP, Housing Coordinator
The Board will review the 2030 Plan Housing Element Implementation Items with a term of
0-2 years. Staff introduced information for items included in the Board's work plan for the
remainder of 2020.
H. Update from the Housing Advisory Board Chair. Lou Snead, Chairperson
No update at this time.
Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn by Collins. Second by Sloan. Approved (7-0). The meeting was adjourned at
5:20p.m.
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Housing Advisory Board
Minutes September 21, 2020
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