Pima County Housing Commission

August 21, 2006 – 3:00 pm

 

DR Horton, Inc.

5255 E. Williams Circle, Suite 1030

 

 

 


     Members Present:                            Members Absent:                                Staff and Guests:

 

     Ken Anderson                                     Henry Boice                               Art Cuaron

     Kathleen Buske                                                                                                 Efrat Feferman

     Steve Craddock                                                                                                Chris Fournillier

     Tim Escobedo                                                                                                   Terry Galligan

     David Greenberg                                                                                               Jakenna Lebsock

     Jon Miles                                                                                                           Noemi Navarro

     Frank Moreno                                                                                                   Nick Sussillo

     Scott Place                                                                                                        Daniel Tylutki

     Ed Taczanowsky                                                                                               Betty Villegas

     Frank Thompson                                                                                               Marcos Ysmael

 

 

I.  Welcome and Call to Order:

 

Commission Chairman Frank Moreno called the meeting to order at 3:05 pm with a quorum present.  Appreciation was extended to David Greenberg for hosting the meeting at DR Horton.  Betty Villegas noted that the next Commission Meeting would be held at the regular location – Kino Recreation Center. 

 

II. Approval of Minutes from May 22, 2006:

 

            Motion by Ken Anderson to approve the May 22, 2006 minutes

            Seconded by Kathleen Buske; motion carried unanimously. 

 

III. Staff Report:

           

A.     Update on Housing Agreement for Roof Top fee contribution process –

 

The Housing Agreement has been back and forth between the Department and Pima County Attorney’s Office.  Betty Villegas reported that the main issue concerns the collection of the fee for minor land divisions (fewer than 6 lot splits which are common with private land owners).  She stated that staff is working with the County Attorney’s office to try and come up with an agreement that will make sure these (minor land divisions) are included in the fee collection process.  Ed Taczanowsky stated that the way it was set up was to put a condition at the time of plat on all new rezoning or final plats, whether there are 2 or 20 lots, then collect fee at closing.  He also stated that the condition should follow that plat until time of sale.  Frank Thompson stated that payment should be made on the building of a house.  Betty verified and said that the problem is how to collect a Roof Top fee on the plats if they are not developed.  There was discussion of whether the fee was on land or on building permits. Frank Thomson and Ed Taczanowsky both agreed that the fee should be tied to a building permit, and only applicable to rezoning that go before the Board of Supervisors. Betty Villegas ended the discussion by stating that staff will express the Commission’s comments to the County Attorneys and continue to work on the final Agreement. 

 

B.     Presentation on Board of Supervisor Housing Commission Report –

 

Betty Villegas reported that an annual report regarding the Housing Commission and its activities is due to the Board of Supervisors; Pima County staff will be assisting with the document.  A draft copy was provided to each Commissioner for their review; any additions or changes should be sent to Betty before the next meeting.  Daniel Tylutki will assist with changes as needed.  Additional pictures, projects, and recommendations could be added. 

 

The Commission discussed marketing and the General Obligation bond funds building affordable housing. Frank Thompson stated that the application process deters the major builders from using the funds, and recommended revisions in order to bring them to the table.  Ed Taczanowsky suggested looking into a seminar for applicants, potentially obtaining a targeted mailing list, and also the need to address risk and red tape encountered by both large and small builders.  The Commission also discussed ways in which they can get the for profit builders to use these funds. 

 

Steve Craddock mentioned that his company participated in a program with the City of Tucson and while there was some risk, the projects such as these can be a positive experience; it is just time consuming.  Frank Thompson suggested that a simpler application process along with collaboration with the City may be more advantageous to getting applicants.  Betty cautioned that there is a very limited scope of use for bond funds, which is partially the reason for the complex application.  Commissioner Craddock suggested that the Commission work with the County and City of Tucson Development Services Departments to assist in working through the development stage process; Frank Thompson volunteered to work on language for a proposal.  Ed suggested that a Pima County staff person become an Ombudsman for the process; the option will be research and discussed at a later time. 

 

The Commission determined that feedback about the application process should be solicited from prior/current applicants in order to determine how to streamline the process.  Ed moved to have Betty contact applicants and compile responses to be discussed at the next meeting. In addition, services that support the application process should be evaluated as well.  Steve seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

Betty asked that all Commissioners review the document and submit any corrections or additions prior to the next meeting.

 

C.     Update on Bond Projects –

 

The project updates are listed in the Annual Report mentioned in item III-B (see above).  Commissioners will review the Annual Report, including the projects and provide any feedback to Betty Villegas. 

 

 

 

 

IV. Future Agenda Items

 

Ken Anderson suggested that a formalized discussion of a Pima County Ombudsman staff person should be discussed in detail, including feasibility, functions, and funding for the position.


Feedback from past/current bond fund applicants should be available at the next meeting and a discussion about the application process is desirable. 

 

 

Ken Anderson mentioned that items from the previous agenda still needed to be discussed including a scheduled time for Elezebeth Cameron to speak and the recommendation by Scott Place to amend the scoring sheet and allow more points for homeownership projects, which could be included in the application process discussion.

 

V.  Call to the Audience:

           

·        Nick Sussillo, from the City of Washington D.C. asked to speak briefly.  He stated that Washington D.C. is facing similar issues to those discussed at the meeting and that D.C.’s application has numerous facets that make it a time consuming and somewhat complicated process.  He provided some suggestions on how the Commission could move forward with working with builders to develop affordable housing.

·        Chris Fournillier spoke on behalf of Tucson Urban League (TUL), stating that TUL currently have two projects that they are putting together for consideration.  He asked the Commission to consider asking all potential applicants to file a letter of intention if they are working on a project.  He asked what happens if an organization spends a year or more working on preparing an application and gathering required documentation, only to find out the Commission has no more money?  The time and financial resources that go into planning for such a project would be wasted if there are no funds and he would like some sort of recognition built into the process that allows the Commission to become aware of potential projects and their magnitude. 

 

VI.  Adjournment:

 

            Kathleen Buske made the motion to adjourn.

            Motion seconded by Ken Anderson.