Pima County Housing Commission

January 28, 2008 – 3:00 pm

 

Pima County Kino Recreation Center

2805 E. Ajo Way, Room 104

Tucson, AZ

 

 

 

Members Present:         Members Absent:                        Staff & Guests:

Steve Craddock               Scott Place                                    Betty Villegas 

David Greenberg              Frank Thomson                            Margaret Kish

Ken Anderson                 Kathleen Buske                               Hank Atha                                      Jon Miles                                                                           Marcos Ysmael       

Frank Moreno                                                                          Gary Bachman                                Ed Taczanowsky                                                                        Martha Martin             

Henry Boice                                                                            Samantha Romero                       

Tim Escobedo                                                                                    Chris Fournillier

                                                                                                Marcy Brell

                                                                                                Noemi Navarro

                                                                                                Mary Hardin

                                                                                                Neil Konigsberg                                  

                                                                                                Michael McDonald                                                                                                                               Sarah Nusser 

                                                                                                Pat Benchik

                                                                                                Jack Siry

                                                                                                Terry Galligan

                                                                                                Karen Friar

                                                                                                Teresa Bommarito

                                                                                                Joseph Silins

 

 

 

I.                    Welcome & Call to Order

Commission Chair Frank Moreno called the meeting to order at 3:04 pm.

 

II.                  Approval of Minutes from November 19, 2007

Motion made by Ken Anderson to approve the minutes from November 19, 2007. 

            Motion seconded by Ed Taczanowsky. Motion carried unanimously.

 

III.                Discussion on possible use of bond funds for improved/unimproved land acquisition with Deed Restrictions

 

Pima County staff Gary Bachman presented to the Commission a report of the development of a program that will allow the use of County Bond Funds for prime real estate, and presented the idea of a community land trust as a way of acquiring the properties. He informed the Commission that with the current program, there is no affordability requirement or long-term affordability after initial occupancy. Should the program expand to purchasing land with bond funds, there will be a 30-year affordability requirement, per the Arizona Revised Statute. The purpose of the community land trust would be to insure a minimum of 30 years affordability for investment in affordable housing.

Neil Konigsberg, the County Attorney for the Real Estate Division, gave a presentation to the Commission that informed them of the possible uses of bond funds for improved and unimproved land acquisition, and the deed restrictions available for use. He explained that the law states that Pima County can sell, lease, exchange, or purchase property for less than fair market value without a public auction, provided that there are dwelling units provided for families with low-income, as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The land also must be restricted by regulatory agreement to remain continually affordable to low-income persons for the longest feasible time, but not less than 30 years. Neil Konigsberg commented that the legislature left the statute open for Pima County to decide how to develop an affordable housing program for buying and selling property. He stated that in other states one method of insuring long-term affordability, when the property is sold prior to the 30-years the term resets for the next buyer for another 30 year period. This method can possibly insure long term affordability. He noted that the statute allows for the County to purchase land with homes already on it, as well as raw land. He also noted that this model is different than a Community Land Trust.

He also discussed what happens when deed restrictions end, the issues regarding eligibility requirement, informed consent of the purchasers, and questions regarding occupancy, housing maintenance and improvements, mortgages and foreclosures.

 

Motion made by David Greenberg that the information presented by Neil Konigsberg be looked at by the Marketing Strategies for Bond Program subcommittee.

Motion seconded by Ed Taczanowsky. Motion carried unanimously.

 

IV.        Staff Report

Pima County staff Marcos Ysmael presented the Commission with an update on the 1997 and 2004 Bond Projects. He stated that Balboa Laguna is about 80% complete, with all elements complete with the exception of pocket park, which should be completed during the current fiscal year. Marcos Ysmael informed the Commission that Copper Vista II met delays in their final plat approval, but once approved, construction should begin in March. As for the West Ochoa project, he explained that offsite improvements are about 55% complete. Marcos Ysmael stated that the intergovernmental agreement for the MLK Revitalization Plan had been amended and approved by both jurisdictions, and plans to begin construction are moving ahead. The Iowa Project is about 35% complete, and is expected to be complete in September 2008. Sylvester Drive is about 20% complete, and should be finished in August 2008. 

Pima County staff Betty Villegas informed the Commission of the retreat held by the City of Tucson Metropolitan Housing Commission that she and Margaret Kish, Director of Pima County Community Development and Neighborhood Conservation, attended. She commented that it was very informative, with a guest speaker who addressed what is necessary to start a Community Land Trust, and guest speaker  Fred Karnas, the new director of Arizona Department of Housing. Betty recommends possibly having a retreat for the Pima County Housing Commission to talk about plans for the year, and taking a tour to the sites of the approved projects.

Pima County staff Betty Villegas stated that the Tucson Metropolitan Housing Commission has requested a joint meeting with the Pima County Housing Commission, possibly in April. Betty asked for Commission to consider such meeting, and think about what they outcomes they would want from it.  Commissioner Taczanowsky commented that he wouldn’t agree or disagree to a joint meeting until he was provided with a proposed agenda.

 

V.         Subcommittee Reports

Pima County staff Marcos Ysmael informed the Commission that the subcommittee reviewed the substantial change request for the Lessons from Civano Project. He explained that just over $21,000 in additional funding was requested to cover the costs of added electrical improvements that needed to be made in order to bring power to the construction site. Marcos Ysmael commented that the project subcommittee recommended that the Commission approve the substantial change request. 

 

Motion made by Jon Miles to accept the subcommittee’s recommendation to approve $21,000 of additional funding for the Lessons from Civano project.

Motion seconded by Ed Taczanowsky. Motion carried unanimously.

 

No reports at this time.

·         Identifying Solutions to Zoning and Other Barriers to Affordable Housing

o        Report on meeting held for Manufactured/Affordable Housing Strategies

Commissioner Ken Anderson requested that Noemi Navarro from CPLC give a report from the Manufactured/Affordable Housing Meeting. Noemi explained that during the meeting they toured various housing projects and talked about how funding was produced for the projects. She commented that the committee was interested in the possibility of using inclusionary zoning, Community Land Trusts. Commissioner Taczanowsky commented that inclusionary zoning was not a process endorsed by the Pima County Board of Supervisors, and should not be considered.  He asked staff to send out the adopted policy memo that specifically talks about that issue.

    

·         Marketing Strategies for Bond Program

No reports at this time.

 

VI.        Meeting as Affordable Housing Bond Subcommittee

 

·         Report on 2008 Housing Bond presentation scheduled for final review by committee

Pima County staff Betty Villegas informed the Commission that the 2008 Bond is continuing its process, and the Housing Subcommittee is scheduled to present on March 28, 2008 at 8:30.

 

VII.       Call to the Audience

Noemi Navarro commented that she attended training in Portland on Community Land Trust, and was concerned about how it could affect property values in the surrounding areas. 

 

VIII.      Adjournment

Motion made by Tim Escobedo to adjourn meeting.

Motion seconded by Ken Anderson. Motion carried unanimously.

 Meeting adjourned at 4:45 pm.

 

Next Meeting to be held on February 25, due to the third Monday falling on a legal Holiday.