City of Lawrence, KS

Community Development Advisory Committee

March 28, 2013 Minutes (City Commission Room)

MEMBERS PRESENT:		Linda Bush, Alex Delaney, James Minor, Julie Mitchell, Vern Norwood, Aimee Polson, Patrick Wilbur

MEMBERS ABSENT:		Quinn Miller

STAFF PRESENT:		Danelle Dresslar, Rhonda Peterson

PUBLIC PRESENT:		Rebecca Buford, Jeremy Farmer, Brandon Fowler

Chair Polson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

1. Introductions.

Members and staff introduced themselves.

2. Approval of the March 14, 2013 Minutes.

Mitchell moved to approve the CDAC meeting minutes with revisions from March 14, 2013. The motion was seconded by Delaney and passed 7-0.

3. Review of Allocation Decisions.

Dresslar indicated the recommended allocations have been completed, and this item is on the agenda just in case the committee desires any final discussions regarding the allocations made. There will be people attending the public hearing; changes can be made then, too. If there is no additional discussion, the committee can move on to the next agenda item.

Norwood asked if any members of the public present would like to make a comment on the allocation decisions.

Rebecca Buford with Tenants to Homeowners (TTH) introduced herself. She said she did not have comment on the allocation decisions made, but wanted to thank the committee for its support of TTH and to report good news and give follow up on what the funds allocated to TTH have been used for.

Buford said Prairie Wind, TTH's 18 unit development of single family houses, had sold five homes at the end of 2012 and had two currently on the market. In the last month the market has picked up and TTH has gone under contract with the two houses on the market plus three they just started building. Last month one of their contracts was to a family of four that makes only 31% of median family income (MFI). TTH is seeing a lot of its homeowners qualifying below 60% of MFI because of the federal subsidy and low interest rates that allow families to afford ownership. All of these homes are built Energy Star 3 with $10,000 in upgraded energy efficiency. This means TTH is saving families $150 a month on energy costs when compared to an older rental. Total utilities for one of TTH’s 2-bedroom homes are under $80 per month. Their 4 bedroom homes appraise at $168,000 and are for sale for $130,000. Many families qualify for an additional $5,000 FHLB grant which means at $125,000 with a 3.75% interest rate, the house payment is around $798 including insurance and taxes. With energy bills under $115 per month for a house this size, it is very affordable. The average fair market rent in 2013 for a 2 bedroom is $860 and for a 4-bedroom it is $1384. This means with utilities, TTH is saving families up to $800 per month to own rather than rent. They still build equity and live in a brand new house that is truly affordable.

Norwood asked about the homes that have sold and gone back to trust.

Buford said there are currently 69 homes in trust; five have resold successfully. Of those five, three moved on to the unrestricted home market, and two avoided foreclosure after job loss; however, they were able to move on to rental options. Fair market rent costs have increased by $100 per unit over the past year. The average rent in Lawrence for a four bedroom property is $1384 per month. TTH’s program allows the program’s participants to build equity, and they could not do it without federal funding.

Polson thanked Buford for her comments and asked if there was further public comment.

Jeremy Farmer introduced himself and thanked the committee for being willing to invest in Just Food’s project. He added he did not feel the committee is setting a dangerous precedent by funding a project that is not a traditional housing activity, but is offering another viewpoint giving people options to be able to stay in their homes. Farmer said there is a tangible link between housing and food, and that Yale University has shown through research there is a correlation between affordable housing and food security. He indicated he would be happy to provide that information to the committee at its request. He added that Just Food will provide the committee with measurable outcomes from the benefit of having the refrigerated food truck.

Polson said she received approximately fifteen emails from various people in support of the truck funding.

Farmer responded he sent out information to the Just Food Board, its Facebook page, and friends of the agency. There will be a strong contingent at the public hearing in April to show their support, and they will be available to answer questions as well. He added committee member Linda Bush came to the facility for a tour, and he invited other committee members and staff to come by for a visit, as well as to interact with Just Food’s clients and ask them questions about how the program affects them.

Brandon Fowler with Just Food also thanked the committee for its support of their program.

Polson thanked Farmer and Fowler for their comments and asked the committee members if there was additional discussion needed for the allocation review.

Mitchell said she did not think there is anything that needs to be changed.

Dresslar added the allocations will not be official until after the public hearing and they have been presented to the City Commission. After public comment at the next meeting, the committee can decide to make changes at that time or leave the allocations as they are now. Dresslar said she has not received the final numbers from HUD yet, so the estimated numbers will be presented at this time.

4. Public Hearing/Consolidated Plan Discussion.

Dresslar said the next meeting is April 11, 2013, which is also the public hearing. She has been working on the Five-Year Consolidated Plan, along with the needs/market analysis and strategic/one year action plan. A notice for the public hearing will be in the Lawrence Journal World next Thursday, and Dresslar plans to send a copy of the plan document to the committee at the same time. Dresslar asked that the committee members advise her of any typos or errors they find, but the content cannot be changed until after the public hearing.

There will be a brief committee meeting before the public hearing, starting at 5:45 p.m. The public hearing will start at 6:00 p.m. The committee can decide to hold a second meeting in April after the public hearing, if it is determined there are items that need discussion after the public comment.

The Consolidated Plan will be presented to the City Commission the third week in May. Dresslar said Chair Polson will need to attend the City Commission meeting to speak, but other committee members can add comments as private citizens. Dresslar will make the staff presentation, and Polson’s comments will discuss the allocation process.

5. Miscellaneous/Calendar.

The committee can discuss the May meetings at the next meeting. Dresslar said the Chair’s term is up in September, so members will need to discuss a replacement.

Delaney asked when do meetings resume after the summer.

Dresslar responded a meeting is usually held in September to look at any upcoming issues that may require a meeting.

Polson asked if meetings then resume in January. Dresslar responded yes.

Norwood asked if the committee could get an update on appeal hearings held so far.

Dresslar responded she would talk to Brian Jimenez, Code Enforcement Manager, and see about getting that information.

Dresslar said Teixeira had informed her of his intention to resign from the committee. He has accepted a position that will require a move out of state. Dresslar said the current openings for the committee include: three from low-moderate income neighborhoods not already represented on the committee.

6. Public Comment.

There were no additional comments from the public.

7. Adjourn.

Delaney moved to adjourn the March 28, 2013 meeting of the CDAC at 5:52 p.m. Wilbur seconded the motion.

The motion passed 7-0.

Attendance Record

Members

Jan 10

Jan 24

Feb 14

Feb 28

Mar 14

Mar 28

Apr 11

Apr 25

May

Jun

July

Aug 8

Aug 22

Sept 12

Sept 26

Oct 10

Oct 24

Nov 14

Dec 14

Deron Belt

Linda Bush

Alex

Delaney

Eric Hethcoat

Quinn Miller

Julie Mitchell

Vern Norwood

Aimee Polson

David Teixeira

Patrick Wilbur

James Minor

E Excused Absence

U Unexcused Absence

X Meeting Cancelled – Weather Conditions

- Meeting Cancelled – Committee Vote/No Business

* First meeting after appointment

** Last Meeting Prior to expired term

^ Last Meeting