HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-03-minutes-consider-recommendation-from-hahc
2016-11-03 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
COMMISSIONER’S AUDITORIUM
SPECIAL MEETING
FRIDAY 3:00 P.M. NOVEMBER 03, 2016
Board members present: Chairman Obie O’Brien; Vice-Chairman Paul
Jewell and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Brett Wachsmith, County Treasurer; Jerry Pettit, County
Auditor; Neil Caulkins, Deputy Prosecutor; Susan Grindle, Craig
Kelly, and John Raymond with HopeSource; Nancy Goodloe & Robin Read
with the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Committee; Roxi and
Harvey Nanto with CC Consulting; Tony Buhr with the Daily Record,
Ann Shaw with Accolade Property Management; Elizabeth Tutsch with
Northwest Justice; Jose Chavez, Centerpoint Language Services; and
approximately 9 members of the public.
SPECIAL MEETING HOMELESSNESS & AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE COMMISSIONERS
At 3:05 p.m. Chairman O’Brien opened a Special Meeting to consider
the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Committee’s recommendation.
CC CONSULTING
Roxi Nanto with CC Consulting gave an update on the information they
have collected regarding potential expansion of mobile home parks,
units available, affordable housing projects, housing and relocation
resources, housing market reviews, poverty levels and median income
for Kittitas County, preliminary tenant information, housing costs,
and the needs to keep up with the projected population growth for
the next 25 years.
Chairman O’Brien asked if they took into consideration that ½ of the
Ellensburg population is transitional. Vice-Chairman Jewell asked
if the housing information is based on OFM information.
Harvey Nanto with CC Consulting commented that with the mobile home
situation you see the difference between working with the County and
a private industry. He said with a private company, residents would
have one year to vacate after the property is sold, and that the
County is working to make this as painless as possible for residents
of Shady Brook.
Vice-Chairman Jewell said they are meeting today to hear the
recommendation from the HAHC but thought it was important to hear
the report from CC Consulting. He said the information was good,
2016-11-03 MINUTES 2
the research was helpful, and he said they have done a good job for
the County.
Chairman O’Brien said he has a conflict of interest regarding the
proposal from HopeSource as some of his family members work for
HopeSource, so he will be not be participating in the discussion and
turned the meeting over to Vice-Chairman Jewell.
HAHC RECOMMENDATION
Commissioner Osiadacz, HAHC Chair, said the Committee had met on
October 31, 2016 to discuss the proposal from HopeSource on the 50
unit project; with one, two, and three bedroom units. She said
after hearing the proposal from HopeSource, the HAHC voted
unanimously to recommend the BOCC supporting the funding of $500,000
over a two year span, in 2017 and 2018. She also said the committee
liked the green space in the project plans and thought the residents
would like the environment.
Vice-Chairman Jewell asked if any other HAHC members wished to
comment on the proposal. Nancy Goodloe, HAHC member said the
housing project would have 10% designated for disabled people, 10%
for homeless people, and homes for 20%, 30% or 40% of the median
income. She said the committee liked the design with the green
space in the middle of the units with the parking behind the
residences and would really like to be able to provide 50 units of
housing.
HOPESOURCE & SRI
Susan Grindle, HopeSource CO gave a brief overview of HopeSources
mission and programs. She said Shelter Resources (SRI) does a nice
job helping the clients with moving. They move them out then move
them back in when the project is finished. Ms. Grindle said they are
aware of the need for low income housing, homeless housing and
affordable housing in the County. The Spurling Place Apartments
proposal would provide a mix of one, two and three bedroom units.
Craig Kelly with HopeSource said they are applying for tax credits,
but the tax credit market is competitive. Shelter Resources has
been in business for 40 years, and HopeSource has worked with them
for 14 years. In HopeSources experiences with SRI they have been
knowledgeable, honest, and personally worked with individuals to
make sure their needs were met, and they used high quality materials
in the projects. With the County’s participation the project would
be more competitive and get more points. They are looking for state
and federal funds and hopefully private investors as well.
Commissioner Osiadacz asked what the timeline would be if the County
votes to support the project?
2016-11-03 MINUTES 3
Janelle Salinas with Shelter Resources (SRI) said once they have
County support then they can leverage to get support from other
resources. Matt Chancely with SRI said you have to bring in soft
money or equity and with the soft funds take that and garnish
funding and earn points towards tax credit. He said the first step
is to obtain local support. Vice-Chairman Jewell asked about other
funders and private money. There was discussion on tax credits, new
construction, 538 & 515 funds, USDA programs, private investors,
financing, utilities, engineers, boundaries, permitting, legal fees,
mitigation and partnerships.
Vice-Chairmen Jewell asked where the proposed project would be
located. They advised the proposed location is on Pfenning Road,
and the property is currently bare land.
Commissioner Osiadacz asked how long from receiving the funding to
the finished project.
There was discussion on the construction window of thirteen months
with a possible three year window to completion.
Vice-Chairman Jewell said the County is looking to help Shady Brook
residents find housing when the mobile home park eventually closes.
He said the residents expressed an interest in living together and
desired to be close to the schools, grocery stores, doctors etc. and
be affordable. He said as he looks at the proposal before them, it
looks like every one of those needs can be met with this project,
and asked if there are any guarantees for those residents. Susan
Grindle with HopeSource said Dial a Ride and Central Transit route
can be extended to the proposed location. The larger question of
bringing the whole group to the location and guaranteeing their
housing; she said the fair housing guidelines will not allow them to
do that, but they could give a pre-notice of housing availability to
the residents.
Nancy Goodloe, HAHC member said the residents of Shady Brook often
struggle with language and advocacy, but hopes that HopeSource can
help address those needs. Susan Grindle said HopeSource’s materials
are translated into Spanish and they have four or five employees
fluent in Spanish, and they work to make sure communication is
clear.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Elizabeth Tutsch with Northwest Justice said she didn’t know if this
project will serve all the people from Shady Brook, and that the
restrictions will most likely restrict the people from Shady Brook.
2016-11-03 MINUTES 4
Vice-Chairman Jewell said they received the recommendation from the
HAHC and there are some concerns. He suggested working on the
proposal and bringing it back to the BOCC for consideration at
another scheduled meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 4:32 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
HAHC CLERK KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Debbie Myers Obie O’Brien, Chairman