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6.A.
City Council Combined Special Meeting/Work Session
Meeting Date:
06/25/2019
From:
Sarah Darr, Housing Director

TITLE:

Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2019-25: An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, Arizona, amending the Flagstaff City Code, Title 2, Boards and Commissions, by adding a new chapter 2-25, creating a Housing Commission; providing for repeal of conflicting ordinances, severability, and establishing an effective date.

STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:

At the June 25, 2019 Council Meeting:
1) Read Ordinance No. 2019-25 by title only for the first time
2) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2019-25 by title only (if approved above)
At the July 2, 2019 Council Meeting:
3) Read Ordinance No. 2019-25 by title only for the final time
4) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2019-25 by title only (if approved above)
5) Adopt Ordinance No. 2019-25

Executive Summary:

City Council directed staff to create a Housing Commission consisting of members of the professions involved in the housing industry and other members of the community. Based on Council feedback, Ordinance 2019-25 was written reflective of Council direction and goals.

Financial Impact:

There is no associated direct financial impact.

Policy Impact:

Ordinance 2019-25 will create a Housing Commission with the following Purpose and Duties:

"The purpose of the Housing Commission is to guide the implementation and creation of housing and housing programs for the benefit of Flagstaff and its citizens. The Commission shall also provide oversight to any funds approved by the general electorate for housing purposes. The purpose of the Housing Commission is to serve as an advisory board to make recommendations to Council with respect to housing needs and programs in Flagstaff, including but not limited to, potential funding sources and oversight of any funds approved by the general electorate, and to guide the implementation and creation of housing and housing programs for the benefit of Flagstaff and its citizens. The Commission shall also provide oversight to any funds approved by the general electorate for housing purposes."

 
  1. The Housing Commission shall:
    1. Examine funding sources available for housing in Flagstaff and make recommendations to City Council on bond measures and provide oversight of funds approved by the electorate.
    2. Serve as an advisory board to City Council and furnish the Council with information and recommendations through the Housing Director.
    3. Advise and assist the City Council on ways to educate the community on the role housing plays as infrastructure in Flagstaff.
    4. Guide implementation of housing policy and programs."

Connection to Council Goal, Regional Plan and/or Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan:

City Council Goal:
Support development and increase the inventory of public and private affordable housing for renters and home-owners.

Regional Plan Goals:
Goal NH.1. Foster and maintain healthy and diverse urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods in the Flagstaff region.
Goal NH.3. Make available a variety of housing types at different price points, to provide housing opportunity for all economic sectors.

Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:

Council provided specific direction on June 11, 2019.

Options and Alternatives:

  • Provide staff with additional direction regarding the creation of the Housing Commission.
  • Do not adopt Ordinance 2019-25 and not create a Housing Commission.

Background and History:

Housing and affordable housing has been a recognized area of need in Flagstaff for many years. Council directed the creation of a Housing Commission to serve as an advisory board to make recommendations to Council with respect to housing needs and programs in Flagstaff, including but not limited to, potential funding sources and oversight of any funds approved by the general electorate.

Key Considerations:

The Housing Commission shall have fifteen (15) voting members; fourteen (14) members appointed by the City Council and one (1) representative from the Flagstaff Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. All members shall reside within the Flagstaff City limits.

Specific membership of the Housing Commission is proposed as follows: 
  1. "Members shall be appointed to fit into one of the professional categories listed below. Any member may satisfy more than one (1) of the below qualifications and any "professional" category may be filled by a person who is retired from that profession.
    1. Community Representatives (3 members)
      1. Low Income Representatives
      2. Homeowner
      3. Renter
    2. Building Professionals (3 members)
      1. Builders
      2. Developers
      3. Architects
      4. Land Use Experts 
    3. Real Estate Professionals (3 members)
      1. Realtors
      2. Lenders
      3. Multi-Family/Property Management Industry
    4. Other (3 members)
      1. Housing Nonprofits
      2. Private Business Representatives
      3. Neighborhood Associations/HOA Representatives
    5. At Large Members (3 members)
      1. Flagstaff Housing Authority Board of Commissioners member (required)
      2. General Public
      3. Workforce Representatives
  2. Appointed members shall have an interest in housing and be committed to represent not only their specific areas of expertise, but also the community at large."

Community Benefits and Considerations:

There is no associated direct financial impact.

Community Involvement:

The creation of the Housing Commission will assure that an open, inclusive, and transparent process is utilized in the discussion, prioritization, and presentation of recommendations that address the community’s housing needs.

Expanded Options and Alternatives:

There has been no direct community involvement in the creation of this commission.

Attachments