Pima County Housing Commission
Pima County Kino Service Center
2797 E. Ajo Way Rooms 123
Tucson, AZ
Members
Present:
Members Absent: Staff
& Guests:
Henry
Boice Scott Place Betty Villegas
Frank
Moreno Gary
Bachman
David
Greenberg Daniel Tylutki
Jon Miles Marcos
Ysmael
Kathleen
Buske Martha Martin
Ken
Anderson Samantha
Romero
Frank
Thomson Nicole Fyffe
Steve
Craddock Terry Galligan
Ed Taczanowsky James Brooks
Tim
Escobedo Gerald
Porter Richard
Salaz
Ruben
Villa
David
Ruelas
Michael
McDonald
Danny
Knee
Marcy
Brell
Commission Chair Frank Moreno called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.
II. Approval of Minutes from
April 16, 2007 and May 21, 2007
Motion by Ken Anderson to approve the April
16, 2007 minutes.
Seconded by Frank Thomson. Motion
carried unanimously.
Motion by Kathleen Buske to approve the May 21, 2007 minutes.
Seconded by Ken Anderson. Motion
carried unanimously.
No
comments from the audience.
Pima County staff Marcos Ysmael provided the Housing Commission with
updated spreadsheets for both the 2004 and 1997 Bond projects. Updates for the
2004 bond projects included activity with the Sylvester Drive Estates project,
Corazon del Pueblo completing phase one of development, and the completion of
the Curley School Apartments. The updates for the 1997 bond projects included
resumed construction on the We-Chij Estates project, and the approval of the
final plat in the West Ochoa project.
Commissioner Taczanowsky asked for an update on the Ghost Ranch Lodge
project, and Marcos Ysmael explained that the project was on hold until they
secure their additional funding sources. Pima County staff Betty Villegas
explained that although the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution for
funding in the amount of $476,364.00, no contract exists and no funds have been advanced.
Continuing the discussion, Commissioner
Taczanowsky asked whether anyone else was interested in acquiring the property,
should the project fall through. Pima County staff Gary Bachman stated that the
property could go into foreclosure by the end of the month and thought there
may be non-profit organization interested. There was further discussion on possible
solutions for saving this project.
Motion made by Ed Taczanowsky for Pima County staff to actively participate in getting
the word out to potential interested parties on the status of the Ghost Ranch
Lodge project.
Motion
seconded by Ken Anderson. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Moreno asked that the agenda item VI in which the Commission meets as the Affordable Housing Bond Subcommittee be moved up.
The Committee heard a presentation from Ruben Villa on behalf of the City of South Tucson which requested $5,000,000 in bond funds to fund a proposal that would develop affordable housing in the City of South Tucson through the acquisition of vacant land and demolition of vacant, dilapidated structures. The city would work with several non-profit organizations in developing affordable housing. According to the presentation this project would aide in distributing affordable housing throughout the city, whereas now it is concentrated in one area.
The Committee discussed the proposal from the City of South Tucson. The Committee expressed concern over the lack of specificity related to this project, and remarked that the proposal presentation did not follow all of the approved criteria for reviewing proposals. Representatives from the City of South Tucson explained that they had not seen the criteria and developed a general proposal to present the Committee. The Committee requested they come back and present their proposal once they made changes in line with the criteria.
The Committee also emphasized that it will be very important for the spokesperson to be specific and have data to support the need for affordable housing in Pima County when presenting the recommendation to the full Bond Advisory Committee.
· Project Review Committee
Commissioner Greenberg explained to the Commission that a subcommittee had reviewed Habitat for Humanity’s request for approval of leftover bond funds from their Balboa Laguna project to be used for a pocket park in the neighborhood. He stated after hearing the proposal, the subcommittee was not unanimous in their decision. The subcommittee requested that representatives from Habitat for Humanity come to the Commission meeting and present their request.
Michael McDonald from Habitat for Humanity explained to the Commission that they were 26% under budget for Balboa Laguna housing project. They requested to have the remaining bond funds, roughly $211,000.00 used on a neighborhood park that the City of Tucson would manage. Mr. McDonald explained that the high cost of the park is associated with the regulations of building a city-managed park.
The Commission discussed this request, with Commissioner Buske explaining why she was the dissenting vote when the subcommittee initially reviewed the request. She stated that at 8,000 square feet, the park is too small to spend that much money on it. She also stated that the park could be built for a lot less if a homeowners association, rather than the City of Tucson managed it. She felt that this would not be a wise investment of affordable housing dollars.
Chair Moreno called for the question.
Motion made by David Greenberg to approve
the request from Habitat for Humanity.
Motion seconded by Ed Taczanowsky.
Motion carried with a vote of eight in favor and two opposed.
·
Identifying Solutions to Zoning and Other Barriers to
Affordable Housing
Pima County staff Daniel Tylutki explained that their main focus was trying to find a way to expedite bond projects through the system by identifying barriers. He said they came up with some ideas including developing a checklist in the application process, working with nonprofit agencies on certain types of site conditions, and having an ombudsman.
· Identifying other Revenue Streams for Housing Trust Fund
Commissioner Jon Miles explained that the subcommittee had met and had come up with a lengthy list of ideas that might generate other revenue streams for the Housing Trust Fund. The list included various taxes, recording fees, tax-exempt bonds, possible deals with the casinos, escrow interest, condo-conversion fees, and numerous other ideas.
· Marketing Strategies for Bond Program
This subcommittee did not meet due to conflicting schedules.
VII. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn made by Tim Escobedo.
Motion seconded by Frank Thomson
Meeting adjourned at 4:45