Minutes - 04-11-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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these housing groups would meet. She said that the way the committees were formed it did not matter as long as it works. Commissioner Gordon said that the University is such a huge force in how they drive the housing market. She feels the University should be included in the big group. Chair Carey made reference to the CCC that the Chancellor serves on and said that this was one way to get to discuss the issue of affordable housing at a level to influence those who make the policy. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he feels it is an opportunity of which the County can take advantage. He would not like for the University to miss being involved with the County an this issue of affordable housing. Commissioner Brown suggested setting up one group with very specific people that are representatives from the government and officials from the University. Commissioner Halkiotis asked that Commissioners Brown and Jacobs bring this item back with a composition for this task force with representatives from the University and the government. They will also work on the composition of the second group to advise the Board of County Commissioners. John Link suggested articulating back to the University what the major issues are countywide that the local governments are addressing to indicate to them that the County is very much involved and what some of the challenges are that they can help address. With reference to the CCC, when the Chancellor and others from the University come to the meeting, this would be a good core group to begin with. The Vice Chancellor of Business needs to be there as well as the person in charge of University construction. Commissioners Brawn and Jacobs will come back with the composition for the task force. c. Affordable Housing Bond Program Tara Fikes said that this information is being provided to help the County Commissioners with the next steps towards full implementation of the Affordable Housing Bond Program. She went over the status report on page two in the agenda abstract. She pointed out the projects that were delayed in November and December 1999. These pending projects total $830,000. She asked for direction from the Board on how to continue with the allocations since there are some projects waiting to be funded. Commissioner Brown is interested in using this band money to set up a revolving loan fund to support the long-term affordable housing policy. She would like to see some other possibilities and models. She said that rather than having proposals come to the Board that the Board should say what they want and then ask far bids to be submitted. Commissioner Jacobs said that before the County Commissioners commit money, he wants to know what will be accomplished with the money. He feels there may be a need to work on the criteria for the application process to try to get higher scores from the projects. He is not sure these criteria are identifying deficiencies or opportunities for improvement in the projects. Chair Carey asked Geoffrey Gledhill about the use of the bond money and if the County Commissioners could use it to establish a loan pool. Geoffrey Gledhill said that it was not clear to him and he feels the Board needs bond counsel on this issue. He will contact the bond counsel. Chair Carey said that even if the County Commissioners know precisely what they want, they would still need to da a request for proposals. Commissioner Brown said that what is left out of the criteria is the need and how it addresses affordable housing. Commissioner Gordon agrees with what the other commissioners have just said about this issue. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the legislative conference he attended in March. At one affordable housing session, the governing body decided what they wanted to see done and then sent out proposals. He likes the idea of looking at existing housing instead of new construction in an effort to stretch the County's dollars.