Minutes 03-21-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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23 c. Extension of Development of Affordable Housing in Orange County Utilizing County Owned Property (RFP #5229) Deadline for Submission of Proposals The Board considered a 60-day extension of the deadline to submit proposals for the Development of Affordable Housing in Orange County Utilizing County Owned Property Request for Proposal ("RFP") # 5229 and adopt the revised timeline at Attachment 2. Travis Myren said when the original timeline was approved in February 2017, staff envisioned issuing two RFPs: one for the bond funds, and one for a list of 10 County owned properties that would be available for affordable housing development. He said staff anticipated these proceeding along the same time line until a couple of weeks ago, when staff received a request from the Affordable Housing Coalition to extend the RFP deadline for the County owned properties, while maintaining the RFP deadline for the bond funds. Travis Myren said the County owned land requires a bit more due diligence than was originally anticipated. He said the 60-day delay would make these RFPs due at the end of May, and they would return for the Board's recommended approval at the first meeting in September. He said the only wrinkle is that there may be projects using County owned land that also seek bond funds to subsidize the development. He said in this case the Board may wish to hold back some amount of money at the June approvals. He said alternative-funding sources could also be pursued. PUBLIC COMMENT: Dan Levine said he works with Self Help and is here to speak on behalf of the Affordable Housing Coalition. He said the extension was requested because the County owned parcels of land are new to the housing development partner providers, and he said there is a desire to study the parcels properly and meet the request of the BOCC to collaborate and be creative. Commissioner Burroughs said she is in support of this extension. Commissioner Rich asked if applications are still going to be accepted whenever, and what will happen while waiting on the other applications in June. Travis Myren said yes, and this will follow the timeline in Attachment 1. He said staff and stakeholders will evaluate proposals that come in on March 31st, and no time will be lost on the bond fund portion of this two-phased approach. Commissioner Rich asked if there is a plan for the second phase. Travis Myren said it would be the same process as the first. Commissioner Rich asked if money will be held back. Travis Myren said staff will have to discuss what, if any, amount gets held back with the BOCC when it makes recommendations about the bond funding. Commissioner Jacobs referred to the idea of holding money back, and asked if this is $2.5 million. Travis Myren said the Board may choose not to award the entire $2.5 million in June. Commissioner Jacobs said he would like to have a conversation about a long-term strategy for the other $2.5 million, since there will probably not be another affordable housing bond any time soon. He said there is not a lot of leeway in the operating budget, and there will be a desire to do more projects, but the County must not run out of money. Commissioner Marcoplos said he agreed with Commissioner Jacobs, and he said there was a well-attended presentation about a project that saved a trailer park in Charlottesville, VA. He said he would like to talk about such an idea here, as well as other creative ideas. Commissioner Price asked if a decision has been reached about a limit per applicant for bond funds.