Placement: Resolutions
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
title
Resolution 21-R83, A Resolution to Appoint Alternate Board Member to Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC)
body
Submitted By: Alessandra “Alex” Tasca
Strategic Plan Link: The City’s Mission to be responsive to our community.
Executive Summary (General Business): This Resolution serves to amend the list of members appointed to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) via Resolution 21-R62. One member, Nicole Fisher, that was previously appointed resigned on June 17, 2021. Daisy McGinnis has been selected as an alternate that was approved by Council during the initial appointment of candidates and alternates in Agenda Item 2021-381 on May 10, 2021. The City solicited residents to apply for the AHAC. The goal was to identify eight (8) board members with various backgrounds and one (1) elected official to review housing policies, procedures, ordinances, and land development regulations and make specific recommendations to the City Council for incorporation into the Local Housing Assistance Plan. Per Section 3.05 of the City Charter the applications were reviewed by the Mayor and city staff and their recommendations are being brought to the City Council for approval.
Presentation Information: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the attached resolution appointing the alternate board member to the City’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC).
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and provide staff direction.
2. Move that the Council deny the recommendations and provide staff direction.
Background: The City receives funding from SHIP and as a condition of receiving these funds, the City is required by Chapter 420, Florida Statutes, to establish an AHAC. The City is required to adopt a Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) and submit the Plan to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for approval. The LHAP is developed for a three-year period and sets forth the local strategies and requirements. The primary objective of the AHAC is to update this plan as required. The Committee must consist of eight (8) members who reside in the City and one (1) elected official. The Committee shall include one representative from at least six (6) of the following eleven (11) categories.
(1) A citizen who is actively engaged in the residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing.
(2) A citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage industry in connection with affordable housing.
(3) A citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing.
(4) A citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing.
(5) A citizen who is actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing.
(6) A citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing.
(7) A citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.
(8) A citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency pursuant to section 163.3174, Florida Statutes, notwithstanding any City ordinance or resolution to the contrary. Only one citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency may serve on the affordable housing advisory committee.
(9) A citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments.
(10) A citizen who represents the employers within the jurisdiction.
(11) A citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.
The Committee is required to have a minimum of four (4) meetings to review eleven (11) affordable housing incentives and make recommendations to the City Council before December 31, 2021. The Neighborhood Services Department will incorporate the approved recommendations into the City’s LHAP which is due to the State by March 31, 2022.
The AHAC report identifies incentive strategies and recommendations for implementation by the City. The recommendations should seek to remove regulatory barriers that limit the development or preservation of affordable housing or drive up housing costs.
The City staff will present the final AHAC report to the Mayor and City Council. The Council may:
• Discuss the report and vote to adopt only one of the recommendations,
• Adopt all the recommendations,
• Use the report as a springboard to generate their own ideas for incentive strategies; or
• Read the report and take no further action.
Upon receipt of the AHAC report, the City will have 90 days to amend its LHAP to incorporate the recommended incentive strategies that it plans to implement based on the recommendations of the AHAC Committee.
Issues/Analysis: The Neighborhood Services Department solicited volunteers from the community and has received 20 applications from citizens interested in serving on the Committee. Pursuant to Section 3.05 of the City Charter and in accordance with the regulations of the State, this memorandum serves to appoint an alternate member to the AHAC following a recent resignation. The Committee's membership must satisfy at least six (6) of eleven (11) categories.
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: AHAC meetings started in June 2021. The next meeting is scheduled for July 15, 2021. A minimum of four (4) meetings are required to be held by December 31, 2021. The LHAP is on schedule to be updated by March 2022.
Location of Project: The City of Port St. Lucie
Attachments: Resolution
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 6819
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Ella M. Gilbert, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.