APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
| HOUSING COMMISSION THURSDAY April 22, 2021 |
VIRTUAL MEETING MICROSOFT TEAMS MEETING 1:00 P.M. |
1.
Call to Order
Chair Ellman called the meeting to order at 1:03pm.
2.
Roll Call
| NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| ERIC DAVIS - Present NICOLE ELLMAN - Present KAREN FLORES - Arrived at 1:11pm SANDI FLORES - Present KHARA HOUSE - Present |
CHRIS KEMMERLY - Arrived at 1:04pm DEVONNA MCLAUGHLIN - Present MOSES MILAZZO - Present ERIN O'LOUGHLIN - Present ADRAH PARAFINIUK - Present |
TAD RIGGS - Arrived at 1:42pm ROSS SCHAEFER ALTENBAUGH - Present JOANNA WHEATON - Present |
3.
Public Comment
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject within their jurisdiction that is not scheduled before the Commission on that day. Due to Open Meeting Laws, the Commission cannot discuss or act on items presented during this portion of the agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard.
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject within their jurisdiction that is not scheduled before the Commission on that day. Due to Open Meeting Laws, the Commission cannot discuss or act on items presented during this portion of the agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard.
None.
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Consideration and Approval of Minutes: Housing Commission Meeting, March 25, 2021
Approve the minutes of the March 25, 2021 Housing Commission Meeting.
Approve the minutes of the March 25, 2021 Housing Commission Meeting.
Moved by Khara House, seconded by Erin O'Loughlin to approve the Housing Commission's March 25, 2021 meeting minutes.
Vote: 10 - 0 - Unanimously
5.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.
Discussion and Input: Arizona Housing Coalition's Presentation Regarding Federal, State & Local Advocacy on Affordable Housing & Homelessness.
An informational presentation by Joan Serviss, Executive Director of Arizona Housing Coalition.
An informational presentation by Joan Serviss, Executive Director of Arizona Housing Coalition.
Ms. Joan Serviss, Arizona Housing Coalition's Executive Director, presented on homelessness and affordable housing in Arizona, and provided information about federal, state, and local advocacy.
Commissioners asked questions and provided input regarding eviction protections, the resources available in rural Arizona, if and how the coalition advocates for those outside of Maricopa County, and asked for suggestions about how to show legislators and directors that Flagstaff is broader than Phoenix. Ms. Serviss answered all Commissioner questions.
Commissioners thanked Ms. Serviss for the presentation and all she does for the community.
Commissioners asked questions and provided input regarding eviction protections, the resources available in rural Arizona, if and how the coalition advocates for those outside of Maricopa County, and asked for suggestions about how to show legislators and directors that Flagstaff is broader than Phoenix. Ms. Serviss answered all Commissioner questions.
Commissioners thanked Ms. Serviss for the presentation and all she does for the community.
B.
Discussion and Input: Introducing the Flagstaff Sustainability Program and the Carbon Neutrality Plan
A presentation by Jenny Niemann, Climate and Energy Specialist, City of Flagstaff -Sustainability Section
A presentation by Jenny Niemann, Climate and Energy Specialist, City of Flagstaff -Sustainability Section
Ms. Jenny Niemann, Climate and Energy Specialist for the City of Flagstaff's Sustainability Section, provided a presentation about the Carbon Neutrality Plan and requested input from Commissioners.
Commissioners asked questions about how the County is involved, the costs of electrification, the need for electrification considering the impact of trees in the removal of carbon dioxide, and how the plan addresses affordability while achieving sustainability milestones. Ms. Niemann answered all questions.
Commissioners provided input to:
Commissioners asked questions about how the County is involved, the costs of electrification, the need for electrification considering the impact of trees in the removal of carbon dioxide, and how the plan addresses affordability while achieving sustainability milestones. Ms. Niemann answered all questions.
Commissioners provided input to:
- highlight that electrification is more expensive than fossil fuels;
- encourage language in the plan about how affordability will be achieved with the cost of carbon neutrality;
- suggest addressing equity and housing first since they are vital to achieving sustainability;
- encourage the involvement of the Zoning Commission in housing concerns;
- propose education expansion to provide residents with tips on how to make small sustainable changes in their daily lives;
- recommend having a bicycle registration fee to generate income for this effort;
- suggest addressing the size of homes by a reasonable amount first to reduce the square footage that needs to be lit and heated.
6.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
A.
10 Year Housing Plan and Informal Working Group Update
Informal working group liaisons provided their updates and Chair Ellman facilitated a thorough discussion about the progress made and methods utilized.
Ms. Bloom thanked all informal working group volunteers for their time, provided additional comments, and provided her updates as informal working group facilitator.
Ms. Bloom thanked all informal working group volunteers for their time, provided additional comments, and provided her updates as informal working group facilitator.
B.
Update from Housing Authority Commission Member
Commissioner Milazzo provided a brief verbal update about the most recent Housing Authority Board meeting.
C.
Update from Housing Commissioners and other informational items
Commissioners requested a chalkboard/Jamboard brainstorming session to obtain ideas for the creation of affordable housing.
While Ms. Bloom indicated in-person meetings are not yet an option, she would like to find out what Commissioners' preferences about the format of the Housing Commission Meetings. Chair Ellman obtained the following votes from Commissioners:
Votes: 10 of 10 Hybrid; 6 of 10 In Person; 4 of 10 Virtual
While Ms. Bloom indicated in-person meetings are not yet an option, she would like to find out what Commissioners' preferences about the format of the Housing Commission Meetings. Chair Ellman obtained the following votes from Commissioners:
- Hybrid: Chair Ellman, Vice Chair House, and Commissioners Davis, K Flores, McLaughlin, Parafiniuk, Riggs, S Flores, Milazzo, O'Loughlin.
- In person: Chair Ellman and Commissioners Davis, K Flores, McLaughlin, Parafiniuk, and Riggs.
- Virtual: Vice Chair House and Commissioners S Flores, Milazzo, and O'Loughlin.
Votes: 10 of 10 Hybrid; 6 of 10 In Person; 4 of 10 Virtual
D.
Update from Housing Staff
Ms. Costa, Housing Manager, provided a brief update about the a Housing bond.
Commissioners requested an update on Council's decision to move forward a Housing bond and information about what other bond items are being considered.
Commissioner S Flores indicated Vice Chair House was nominated by the Arizona Multihousing Association for corporate employee of the year.
Commissioner McLaughlin shared that two proposed Flagstaff Low Income Tax Credit applications were received by the Department of Housing for consideration for award year 20-21.
Commissioners requested an update on Council's decision to move forward a Housing bond and information about what other bond items are being considered.
Commissioner S Flores indicated Vice Chair House was nominated by the Arizona Multihousing Association for corporate employee of the year.
Commissioner McLaughlin shared that two proposed Flagstaff Low Income Tax Credit applications were received by the Department of Housing for consideration for award year 20-21.
7.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 2:57pm by Chair Ellman.