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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05. May 2022 minutesNew Hanover County-City of Wilmington Workforce Housing Advisory Committee May 4, 2022 Regular Meeting Committee Members Present: Sharm Brantley, Tom Gale, Eric Knight, Kristen Keser, Katrina Knight, Katrina Redmon, Frank Smith, Paul Stavovy Staff Present: Tufanna Bradley (NHC), Melissa Huffman (CoW), Rachel LaCoe (NHC) Margaret Peth (NHC), Suzanne Rogers (CoW), Rebekah Roth (NHC), Ron Satterfield (CoW) Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 3:07 pm by Chairperson Brantley and quorum was established. Agenda Approval and Minutes Katrina Redmon made a motion to approve the agenda seconded by Eric Knight. Katrina Knight made a motion to approve the minutes form March meeting seconded by Eric Knight. Public Comments Cynthia Gierer A resident of Wilmington spoke to her concern about repairs after major weather events and the lack of requirements for contractors. Ms. Gierer stated her concern that there is no cap on increases in rent. Ms. LaCoe informed Ms. Gierer that rent control caps are illegal for municipalities in the State of North Carolina. Ms. Gierer stated her concern that without rent increase caps many people will be priced out of the community. Ms. Keser stated that landlords are experiencing increased costs that are being passed on to the residents. Ms. Geirer concluded her comment by telling the committee about her situation and her concern for the sustainability of the rising cost of housing in New Hanover County. New Business Item: Committee By-Laws Ms. LaCoe noted that in order to change the committee bylaws the committee would need to review the interlocal agreement to see what changes could be addressed by the city and county manager and which ones would need to be brought before the board. Ms. LaCoe clarified that changing the AMI would relate to the interlocal agreement and would need to be changed by the governing board. The committee established that in order to change the AMI to 0- 120% AMI it would need to be changed in the interlocal agreement by the governing board and would need to be initiated by the managing level. Ms. LaCoe read aloud the duties of the committee as stated in the bylaws. Committee members discussed requesting edits to the bylaws to more precisely flesh out the duties of the Committee. Ms. Huffman explained that the committee could vote on changes as resolutions, which could then be taken to the governing board to be voted on. The committee discussed the possibility of moving towards quarterly meetings. Members of the committee noted that it would depend on the scope of the work as described in the bylaws. Committee members requested more clarity on what the charge of the committee is and noted continued frustration about uncertainty of the committee in informing affordable housing initiatives. Ms. Roth clarified that the committee could make recommendations to the board for action, but that ultimately the board would decide the action and it would be the committee’s duty to implement that decision. Ms. LaCoe stated that one change that could be made to the bylaws at the managerial level would be addressing the assignment of the education and outreach committee and chairperson or their designee. Ms. Roth clarified that there would be a need for the bylaws to address remote meeting now that the pandemic order is no longer in place. Committee members discussed the content and relationship between the bylaws and the interlocal agreement. Ms. Huffman noted that it would likely be easier for changes to be made to the bylaws as opposed to the interlocal agreement. Committee members discussed concern over the ongoing existence of the committee and Ms. Redmon asked if changes would need to be made to extend the committee as described in the interlocal agreement. Items to Address in the Committee’s Bylaws and Interlocal Agreement Interlocal Agreement changes to be made • Income Range • Duties of the committee 3.5.5 (Article 5.2 in the bylaws) • Chair or designee for community relationship advisory committee Bylaws Changes to be made • Chair or Designee for the Relations Advisory Committee (3.2) • Allow for Remote participation for committee members Announcements Item: Workforce Housing Program Staff Update by Rebekah Roth Ms. Roth provided a presentation updating the committee on the county’s recent housing initiatives. The presentation included information on the county’s housing workplan including amendments to encourage affordable housing and the implementation of housing programs with the recently approved $3 million annual funding for affordable housing. Ms. Roth provided information on the new staff the county is adding staff for the Housing Planner and Housing Program Manager positions. The county is also hiring a housing program coordinator and fiscal support specialist. Ms. Roth provided information on the planning and programmatic components for the housing program framework. Including the Workforce Housing Services Program which will be the RFP component of the housing programs. Ms. Roth provided information on the program timeline. Ms. Rogers announced that the city’s proposed budget is now available online and discussed some of the housing related additions and changes to the budget. The committee discussed the county’s needs and the kind of projects that are needed to improve the affordable housing stock. Adjournment Tom Gale asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Eric Knight made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Katrina Knight. The meeting was adjourned at 4:51 pm.