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City of Mesa
Housing Advisory Board
Mesa City Council Chambers, Lower Level
57 East 1st Street
September 4, 2008
6:00PM
-Meeting Minutes-
Members Staff
Diana Yazzie Devine Ms. Constance Bachman
Mr. Christian Karas Ms. Mary Brandon
Siri Amrit Kaur Khalsa (absent) Mr. Scott Clapp
Mr. Conrad Morin (absent) Mr. Chris DeCaluwe
Mr. David Ricks Mr. Tim Johnson
Mr. Marv Turley (absent) Ms. Carolyn Olson
Ms. Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo Ms. Alicia White
Mr. Jon Scott Williams
Welcome and Introductions
Chair Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo convened the meeting at 6:01p.m. and a quorum was declared. Dave Richins was introduced from the City Council representing District 1. David Ricks was introduced as the newest board member to the Housing Services Advisory Board. Mary Brandon was introduced as the new Administrative Support Assistant II for Housing and Revitalization.
Approval of Minutes from May 1, 2008, HAB Meeting
Jon Scott Williams made a motion to approve the May 1, 2008 HAB meeting minutes. Christian Karas seconded the motion, and the Board unanimously voted to approve the May 1, 2008, HAB minutes.
Items from Citizens Present
No items were presented to the Board at this time.
Discussion Items/Action Items
Discuss and Take Action on an Election of Officers (Chair and Vice Chair)
Every Fiscal Year a new chair and vice chair are elected. Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo, current chair has termed out as chair so a new chair will need to be nominated and elected. Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo nominated Jon Scott Williams as chair. Christian Karas seconded the motion. All board members approved the motion as Jon Scott Williams as the new chair. Jon Scott Williams nominated Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo as vice chair. Christian Karas seconded the motion. All board members approved the motion as Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo as the new vice chair.
Hear a Presentation and Discuss the Affordable Housing Project – located at 1746 S. 78th Street, Mesa, AZ, presented by Tim Johnson, City of Mesa, Housing and Revitalization Division
Mr. Tim Johnson shared the presentation highlighting the new program. The citizen, Sylvia Cox, contacted the City of Mesa, Housing and Revitalization Division. The presentation showed pictures of the citizens existing home, demolition, grading of the site, home being built, transportation of new home, setup, and footings. The carport, shed and driveway will be completed next week. Everything is planned to be completed on September 15, 2008 and the Open House is planned for September 18, 2008.
It was suggested that City of Mesa Housing Authority research other cities in the US to see if they have programs with smaller models that are used on the small lot sizes that we have in the City of Mesa. Could possibly partner with ASU and use an intern for the research.
Staff Reports/Announcements
Ms. Carolyn Olson, Director of Housing and Revitalization for the City of Mesa, reported the following:
Annual PHA Plan/Administrative Plan Updates
On Monday, August 18th, 2008, the Mesa Housing Authority Governing Board unanimously passed two resolutions. The first, HGB 09-03. Amended the Housing Authority’s Administrative Plan and increased the payment standard from 90% to 100% of HUD’s allowable Fair Market Rents (FMRs). The second, HGB 08-04, authorized approval of the addendum to the City of Mesa Housing Authority Family Self Sufficiency Action Plan Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing for the Family Self Sufficiency Program and submission to the Addendum to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Ms. Olson also discussed how she would like the Housing Advisory Board to assume the role of the Housing Authority Governing Board which would mean they’d be responsible approving all Administrative Plan Updates. Furthermore, this would allow the Housing Authority to be in compliance with HUD regulations by holding regularly scheduled Governing Board meetings. She also mentioned that she had spoken with the Mayor regarding this option, and he had seemed to be receptive. It was agreed that this should be added to next month’s agenda as a discussion/action item.
Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher Program
Currently, the Section 8 Voucher Program waiting list is closed. The plan is to re-open the waiting list January 1, 2009. This will give an idea of what the City of Mesa need is for Section 8. More about this will be discussed in future meetings.
Security Deposit Program
Currently, the tenant based rental assistance (Security Deposit Program) helps 10-15 households monthly.
Escobedo Apartments/Site Seventeen
Currently, the Escobedo Apartments are vacant of any tenants and Real Estate Services is overseeing all future plans.
Update on the Move of Housing Authority’s Administrative Offices to South Center Campus
The project and plan for Housing Authority’s Administrative Offices to South Center Campus is planned for Spring of 2009.
FSS Graduation Event – October 7th, 2008, Chandler Center for the Arts
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program will host the annual “Dare to Dream” Graduation & Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, October 7, 2008. The Housing Advisory Board members are invited to attend. Invitations were distributed to board members.
Report on Meetings and Conferences – Attended and/or Upcoming
Several of the Housing and Revitalization Division staff went to the Arizona NAHRO Conference in August held in Scottsdale. Carolyn Olson was named Arizona Representative for NAHRO and will be part of the Pacific Southwest Board.
Carolyn also participated in a teleconference meeting regarding the recent Federal Foreclosure Bill. There will be approximately $3.9 billion in CDBG-type grants for localities and states to reoccupy, purchase, and/or rehab foreclosed homes. It’s unclear how the funds will be dispersed; however, there will be a short window of time to spend the allocations (approximately 18 months).
The Governor’s Affordable Housing Conference is September 10-11, 2008 in Flagstaff.
Arizona Town Hall Conference is November 2-5, 2008. The topic this year is Affordable Housing. It was suggested that Carolyn Olson and Dave Richins may want to attend.
ADJOURN
With no other agenda items to be discussed, Chair Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:50 p.m.
Approved and respectfully submitted,
Jon Scott Williams, Chair October 2, 2008