Pima County Housing Commission

October 16, 2006

 

Pima County Recreation Center

2805 E. Ajo Way Room 104

 

                       

Members Present:

Members Absent:

Staff & Guests:

 

Frank Thomson               

Steve Craddock

Hank Atha

Kathleen Buske

Scott Place    

Betty Villegas

David Greenberg             

Ken Anderson

Gary Bachman

Frank Moreno                               

Tim Escobedo                 

Marcos Ysmael

Jon Miles

 

Daniel Tylutki

Henry Boice    

 

Margaret Kish

Ed Taczanowsky

 

Pat Benchik

 

 

Terry Galligan

 

 

Noemi Navarro

                                  

           

I.        Welcome & Call to Order


A quorum was established and the meeting was officially called to order by Chair Frank Moreno at 3:10 P.M.

 

II.      Approval of Minutes from August 21, 2006

 

Motion by Mr. Greenberg to approve the minutes.

Motion seconded by Henry Boice.

Jon Miles Abstained.

Motion carries.

 

III.    Discussion and possible action on Housing Commission Report

Betty Villegas requested the Housing Commission approve the final draft of the Housing Commission Report to the Board of Supervisors which had been sent out, via email, to the Commission for review.  After a very brief discussion, the Commission members present agreed upon the finalized draft.  Amongst other Commissioner praises, David Greenberg stated he thought the Housing Commission Report was great!

Motion by Henry Boice to accept final draft.

Motion seconded by David Greenburg.

Motion carries unanimously.

 

IV.    Discussion on Housing Agreement for Roof Top Fee Contribution

Betty Villegas provided background information regarding the current draft of the Affordable Housing Agreement and Lien which was also previously provided to members of the Commission via email.  Betty Villegas stated that the draft agreement would be the document that would be used to secure the “Rooftop Fee” to be placed into the Housing Trust Fund (HTF).  Ms. Villegas also addressed the Commission’s concern that the draft agreement not be a lien; however, noted that a lien was the only mechanism the County Attorney could utilize in order to bind improvements to a lot, in addition to, a fee to be collected at escrow. Jon Miles asked who drafted the agreement and Betty stated that CDNC staff and Development Services both worked on the process in conjunction with the County Attorney.  Kathleen Buske mentioned that the Commission would not be ready to vote on this agenda item.  Chair Moreno agreed, he stated that it is the consensus of the Commission, and staff, to initiate the appropriated discussions necessary to finalize the Affordable Housing Agreement and Lien.

 

Mr. Miles questioned why, “sales price,” language was highlighted in the draft document and Betty Villegas stated it was probably an editing mark.  Mr. Greenberg interjected mentioning he agreed with the “sales price”—making reference to the rooftop fee being calculated utilizing the final “sales price” of an improved lot—however, questioned language pertaining to “unimproved lots.”  Frank Thomson also expressed concern to the “unimproved lot” language stating that the fee was to be based on a house and the value of a house—“when there was an impact”—as the “improved lot” language suggests, not raw land or “unimproved lots.” 

 

After some discussion, the housing commission clarified its earlier position to capture the fee from all rezonings, including minor land divisions not subject to subdivision plat.  Betty Villegas stated that the “unimproved lot” language was the only way the County Attorney could capture minor lot splitters whom have rezoned and intend to sell lots; however, encouraged a the Housing Commission to further review the language and make recommendations.  Furthermore, Mr. Greenburg stated that the agreement needed further clarification especially regarding the “unimproved lot” language. The commission agreed to have Mr. Thomson work with the language in the Affordable Housing Agreement and Lien draft and to make it available to Betty for further distribution and discussion for the next Housing Commission meeting.  It was also agreed by the Commission to continue discussion of the document at the next meeting.

Motion by Ed Taczanowsky to place the [Affordable Housing Agreement and Lien] as an agenda item for discussion for the next Housing Commission Meeting. 

Motion seconded by David Greenburg.

Motion carries unanimously.

           

V.      Staff Reports

a.    Summary of presentation by Elezebeth Cameron

Daniel Tylutki provided a brief summary of Ms. Cameron’s Enable 2000 demonstration and presentation.  Daniel stated the Enable 2000 suggests that all entryways, both external and internal, and hallways have at least a 48” clearance opposed to the 32” entryways and hallways currently standardized by the building industry and regulated by the County’s Inclusion Design Ordinance.  Replicated diagrams to scale were also provided to the members of the Commission and staff for their records.

Motion by Ed Taczanowsky to have it on the record that the Housing Commission accepted the report and presentation by both Elezebeth Cameron and staff.  

Motion seconded by Kathleen Buske.

Motion carries unanimously.

 

b.    GO Bond Project Status Report

Brief updates on Commission recommended 2004 Bond Projects—including Casa Bonita, Corazon delDel Pueblo, and Curley School and MLK were provide by Marcos Ysmael.  The City of Tucson MLK project was the main focus and concern of the report. 

 

Marcos Ysmael briefed the Commission on the changes to the original plan including the existing MLK structure being converted to market rate condominiums as opposed to being demolished and rebuilt.  Marcos continued to elaborate that the City still intends to build MLK, and its offsite component at Silverbell and Goret Roads; however, the main MLK structure would now encompass a tower located on the northwest corner of the lot with the existing rehabilitated MLK structure to the south and a another, mix-used, tower to the east  abutting 5th Avenue.  Both towers would share an underground parking garage. The number of affordable units would not be changed. 

 

Nonetheless,Discussion  theon the changes in scope greatly concernedby the Housing Commission and many questions arose regarding $1.2M originally contracted and how interior and exterior amenities would be changed or compromised, especially without the consent of the Housing Commission—as appointed on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator.  Staff stated that the new plan does decrease exterior amenities to cover increasing costs for interior amenities.  Staff further confirmed stated that the City intends to retain most of the exterior amenities utilizing Rio Nuevo funding; nevertheless, these changes may necessitate a contract amendment.  After further discussion, the Commission came to the conclusion that the City of Tucson should be invited to re-present—and possibly reapply—present the updated the MLK project as soon as possible in order to answer questions, address concerns, provide an updated site plan and project timeline.  Mr. Taczanowsky stated that the Commission could also hold a special meeting, if necessary, to accommodate the City.

 

After discussion and consultation by staff the Housing Commission produced following motion and request:

                         

Motion by Ed Taczanowsky upon referring with the Housing Commission’s legal council, and binding we have the legal authority, to recommend to the Board of Supervisors, that until such time this Commission can reconsider the [MLK] project, with its changed parameters, that the funding will be on hold. 

Motion seconded by Kathleen Buske.

Motion carries unanimously.

           

Request by Kathleen Buske to place on the November agenda a discussion on setting parameters, processes, and rights the Housing Commission can employ in order to address previously recommended projects that have changed in scope. 

Request granted.

 

VI.    Call to Audience

Noemi Navarro, CPLC, addressed the Commission to convey that CPLC is engaging in a mixed use, mixed income, project called the Iowa Project.   The project will produce a commercial use in addition to a 21 unit subdivision—15 market and 6 affordable homeownership units.  CPLC will be submitting an application for Bond funds in the coming months for the affordable units.  The Iowa project located in on Irvington Road and Liberty Avenue in Tucson’s Southside. 

 

VII.  Adjournment

Prior to adjournment Betty Villegas requested the Commission engage in discussions and meetings/subcommittee meetings to develop action plans to carry out the recommendation and strategies documented in the Housing Commission Report to the Board of Supervisors, specifically the recommendation to find additional funding streams to fund the HTF.  Mr. Taczanowsky asked staff to provide information and to place this request on the next agenda. 

 

Motion by Frank Thomson to adjourn.

Frank Moreno adjourned the meeting at 4:15 P.M.