ROARING FORK HOUSING AUTHORITY INITIATIVE MEMORANDUM To: Roaring Fork Housing Authority Initiative Steering Committee From: Andy Knudtsen, Economic & Planning Systems 303-623-3557 Subject: Summary of Discussion July 11, 2002 Participants Steering Committee Members: Tracy Bennett, Town of Basalt, Town Council Scott Chaplin, Town of Carbondale, Town Council Russ Criswell, Town of Carbondale, Town Council Tom Stone, Eagle County, Board of County Commissioners Walt Stowe, Garfield County, Board of County Commissioners Susan Hunke, Mountain Regional Housing Corporation Geneva Powell, Garfield Housing Authority Andrew McGregor, City of Glenwood Springs Tim Sarmo, State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs Jim Spehar, Rural Resort Region Project Team: Colin Laird, Healthy Mountain Communities Kathy McCormick, McCormick and Associates Andy Knudtsen, Economic & Planning Systems This memo summarizes that discussion and decisions made by Steering Committee members at the July 11 Roaring Fork Housing Authority Initiative meeting Purpose of Regional Housing Authority Steering committee members expressed unanimous interest in creating a regional housing authority with a broad purpose that could address housing issues on a number of levels. Examples include providing basic services such as administrative functions, research, and policy development. In addition, the new regional housing authority would have the potential to do project development and establish permanent funding sources, which could be used by a variety of housing organizations to construct housing. In general, the group is interested in establishing a regional housing authority that can perform all functions outlined in the enabling legislation, although it may not choose to act in all areas. Relationship to other Existing Organizations Many of the elected officials and others present expressed concern about redundancy. It was suggested that coordination will be the key to avoid duplication. The potential benefits that the proposed regional housing authority could offer the valley include: * Providing consistency for all jurisdictions in the valley. The authority could help local communities apply recently adopted standards that pertain to developers as well as prospective renters or homebuyers. The authority could add value by simplifying all processes related to housing funding, development, occupancy, enforcement, etc. * Enabling partnerships to form among different housing providers. Particularly if the efforts to create a permanent funding source are successful, there is the potential to leverage the skills and resources of the existing housing providers. Concerns expressed about the proposed organization include: * Local housing organizations may compete for limited resources. * The public (i.e., the electorate) will not support another layer of housing bureaucracy. Unless roles are clearly defined and efforts are not competitive or duplicative, voters may not support the proposal. It was recognized that it is critical to work together and avoid duplications. One participate suggested that the bottom line is additional affordable housing units, regardless of “who” and “how” they are created. Boundaries All those attending the meeting were supportive of a “Lower Roaring Fork” boundary, extending from Basalt to Glenwood Springs. Technically, the boundary would be co-terminus with the RE-1 school district that extends over the same geographic area in both Garfield and Eagle Counties. There is a small portion of Pitkin County in the RE-1 school district in Basalt. The effort needs to determine how to best handle the housing authority boundary in the area. Participants agreed that the larger areas of western Garfield County and eastern Eagle County are sufficiently different to leave them outside the boundaries at this time. In the future, as needs and resources warrant, the proposed organization could be expanded to address housing needs elsewhere. New Castle and Silt were two specific examples given. Governance The participants concurred that a proposed board made up of the five jurisdictions located within the boundary would be best (Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Eagle County, and Garfield County). Each of the five jurisdictions will appoint one of the elected official to serve on the new housing board. Additionally, each of the jurisdictions will appoint a citizen representative of its choice that will function as an alternate. There will be a total of five votes and a requirement that a majority of votes cast be made by elected officials. There was discussion about the board composition with an emphasis placed on the desire for involvement from elected officials, as they will be held accountable by their electorate and by their colleagues on their respective Boards and Councils. There was a suggestion to include the RE-1 school district, with an ad hoc representative. The consensus of the group was to engage the school district frequently in dialogue, but not to provide it with a seat on the board. Following the meeting, it was recommended to create an advisory board that could handle administrative issues, such as personnel matters. This type of board could be established under the ten-member board discussed above. Staffing The participants believe that hiring one staff member immediately is critical to the success of the organization. Future staffing needs will be discussed at the next meeting on August 7. The staff would be needed to coordinate the internal functions of the organization with the board, engage with the staff of the area towns and counties, and coordinate efforts with existing housing organizations within the valley. ROARING FORK HOUSING AUTHORITY INITIATIVE HEALTHY MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES