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HomeMy WebLinkAbout042424M y ort ��t o{p - Townsend still NG� MINUTES HOUSING FUND BOARD Regular Meeting — Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. Commissioners' Chambers, Jefferson County Courthouse 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (Hybrid) CALL TO ORDER: Jefferson County Commissioner Greg Brotherton called the Joint Jefferson County/City of Port Townsend Housing Fund Board (HFB)to order. The following HFB members participated in the meeting: City of Port Townsend Councilmember/HFB Vice Chair Amy Howard, Jefferson County Commissioner Kate Dean, Members Julia Cochrane and Viki Sonntag. Also present: Jefferson County Finance Manager Judy Shepherd. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Brotherton called for public comments, and no comments were received. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chair Brotherton noted a correction to the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 27, 2024. Clerk Gallaway will review, make edits and bring forward at a future HFB meeting. DISCUSSION re: AMERICAN LEGION EMERGENCY SHELTER: Chair Brotherton provided an update on the current situation regarding the Emergency Shelter. He explained that the County intends to take over the Emergency Shelter at the American Legion, and will be hiring a Shelter Manager. The goal is to use the recording fee kickback funds from the state,to assist with funding of the shelter. Finance Manager Judy Shepherd will look into the possibility of accepting donations from the public as another means to fund the shelter. After discussion, Member Cochrane moved to create a hiring committee for the Shelter Manager position,that will consist of Kate Dean, Julia Cochrane, someone from the City of Port Townsend, and Carolyn Gallaway. Member Dean seconded the motion. Chair Brotherton called for public comments on the motion, and no comments were received. He called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried. Member Dean requested increased communication between the County and City of Port Townsend on this issue. DISCUSSION ITEMS: The HFB members discussed the following items: • Financial Update: Chair Brotherton noted that before the HFB posts the 2025 Request for Proposals (RFP), we should have a sustainable RFP budget. Member Dean provided an update on potential incoming funding, which included the Consolidated Homeless Grants that have several funding sources, including State general funds and document recording fees. HFB members and Finance Manager Judy Shepherd participated in discussion. • Housing Coalition meetings; potential HFB Special Meetings in the future. 1 Housing Fund Board—Regular Meeting Minutes of April 24, 2024 DISCUSSION re: EXTENSION OF HOUSING CONTRACTS; HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Finance Manager Judy Shepherd explained rolling over of funds, and how that affects the County's budget. She noted that Habitat for Humanity's unused 2023 funds, were not appropriated into the 2024 budget. She added the hardship of rolling contracts forward. HFB members participated in discussion. Clerk Gallaway was asked to read what the current language is in the housing contracts regarding extensions. She read as follows: "Contract Expiration. This contract will run until the project is complete and until the County has made all payments required under this Grant Agreement, except that the project must be completed no later than the date listed in Paragraph 2.b. above, unless extended by mutual agreement." After discussion, Member Dean moved that the HFB allow awardees to extend their contracts and roll over their funding for a maximum of one year. Member Cochrane seconded the motion. After further discussion, Member Dean asked for a friendly amendment to include "...with the approval of the Housing Fund Board." Member Cochrane agreed to the friendly amendment. Chair Brotherton called for public comment on the motion, and no comments were received. He called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried. Chair Brotherton explained that Habitat for Humanity requested to extend their contract and use unused funding from their 2023 award, into 2024. Vice Chair Howard noted that she is a paid Habitat for Humanity employee, and in the interest of fairness, will be recusing herself from the conversation and voting on this issue. After discussion Member Cochrane moved to recommend that we honor the request made by Habitat for Humanity. Member Sonntag seconded the motion. Member Dean noted that she is concerned about committing funds, when the County is unsure about recording revenues to fulfill contractual obligations for 2024. Discussion followed. Chair Brotherton called for a vote on the motion, and no comments were received. After further discussion, he called for a vote on the motion. Chair Brotherton, Member Dean, Member Sonntag, Member Cochrane voted in favor of the motion. Vice Chair Howard recused herself from voting. The motion carried. DISCUSSION re: 5-YEAR PLAN: Member Sonntag provided an update. HFB members will reach out to Washington State Department of Commerce with questions. DISCUSSION re: SCHEDULING GRANT RECIPIENT UPDATES: HFB members indicated they would like to hear updates from grant recipients. Chair Brotherton stated that he will start scheduling updates on future HFB agendas, approximately two per meeting. COMMITTEE UPDATES: The HFB members listened to updates from the following committees: • Data and Needs Assessment: Member Sonntag will send out notes from their last meeting. She noted that the HFB will need to reshuffle committee assignments with new Member Morford coming on board. • Community Conversations Committee: no update. • Coordinated Entry Advisory Board (CEAB): CEAB previously requested that they branch off from the HFB, but HFB generally agreed to not have the committee branch off at this time. • Funding Opportunities Committee: no update. 2 Housing Fund Board—Regular Meeting Minutes of April 24, 2024 NEXT STEPS/CLOSING REMARKS: Chair Brotherton recapped discussion items during the meeting. He noted that the 5-Year Plan can now go on the back burner, but will be available for HFB members to review. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: After closing remarks, Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 4:11 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. Respectfully submitted by: eig/ �h% c/22272,4., Carolyn G laway, Clerk ofh B oard Date 3