HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10-02-2008
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Meeting
Meeting Minutes-Thursday, October 2, 2008
Attendees
Skeet Jernigan, Community & Economic Development Council of South Florida
Louise Hubbard, Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council
Diane Weslowsi, St. Lucie County Citizen
Scott Wingfield, Realtors Association of St. Lucie
Stephanie Morgan, All About You
Al Rivett, St. Lucie INTACT
Colleen Jeeves, Workforce Development Board
Kenneth Fuchs, SDZ Construction
Staff
Jessica Parrish, St. Lucie County Community Services
Jennifer Hance, St. Lucie County Community Services
Others In Attendance
Beth Ryder, St. Lucie County Community Services
J.P. Gellerman, UF IFAS Extension
Excused Absences
Don Green, St. Lucie County Habitat for Humanity
Rick Carreno, St. Lucie County Fire District
Mike Smith, Riverside National Bank
Peter Jones, St. Lucie County Growth Management
Minutes
The meeting was opened at 2:00 PM. Stefanie Morgan stated that the first order
of business was approving the minutes from August 12, 2008. Skeet Jernigan
made a motion to approve the minutes. Scott Wingfield seconded the motion.
Scott Wingfield made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 16,
2008. Skeet Jernigan seconded the motion.
Ms. Morgan stated that the first thing to do is bring everyone up to date. She
stated that at the last meeting items 1,3,5,6, and 7 were reviewed. She stated
that after discussion it was a consensus that the committee go with Peter Jones’
suggestions.
Jessica Parrish stated that the committee wanted to see the list of lots included in
the land bank, and that item was included in the CD that was given to the
committee members at the first meeting.
Skeet Jernigan asked what the current status of the land-banked lots was. Ms.
Parrish stated that some of the lots are under construction for approved clients
and some of the lots are in the process of having clients assigned to those lots.
Al Rivett asked if all the lots have clear title. Ms. Parrish stated that that the lots
did have clear title and housing worked with the City of Fort Pierce to clear the
liens. Scott Wingfield asked whether the lots had structures on them or if they
were clear. Ms. Parrish stated that they are all empty lots. Louise Hubbard asked
how impact fees would affect those lots. Ms. Parrish stated that if a structure was
on the site in the past, then impact fees would not apply.
Diana Weslowski asked if the committee leaves the task for someone else, how
we are going to complete our report. Skeet Jernigan stated that at the last
meeting it was talked about how to give “something” to the next committee that
meets the requirements of the statute. Mr. Jernigan stated that Peter’s memo
said there are no goals and/or objectives for items 1,3,5,6, and 7. He stated that
the task of making detailed recommendations for all 11 items between now and
December 31, 2008 was an impossible task. Mr. Jernigan stated that the
committee meet its statutory requirements by reviewing the items and
recommend that the next committee have the responsibility of developing policies
for those items.
Diana Weslowski made a motion to adopt Peter Jones’ memo and the
committee’s recommendation on how to move forward with the report to the
Commission.
Louise Hubbard stated that there was a source of potential recommendations
based on the work done by Workforce Housing Task Force.
Skeet Jernigan stated that the affordable housing strategy was adopted at the
first meeting and should be a part of the recommendation. The strategy also went
to the Commission’s Informal Meeting.
Mr. Rivett stated that our recommendation to be made speaks specifically to the
comprehensive plan and the recommendations made by the Workforce Housing
Task Force were overall strategies.
Skeet Jernigan asked Beth Ryder what significance the Affordable Housing
Strategy has at this present time and what significance does it have in the future.
Ms. Ryder stated the goal of that document was to inform the commission where
we are, where we are going, and how we understood what they guided us to do.
Mr. Jernigan asked if the strategy is sanctioned or voted on by the commission.
Ms. Parrish stated that it does not until the documents get finalized. Ms. Parrish
stated that the strategy is a broad outline of everything that staff is attempting to
accomplish and little by little it will go before the commission for approval.
Jessica Parrish then went over Peter Jones’ memo of items 2, 4, and 8. Skeet
Jernigan then made a motion to include item 8 on the previously approved list.
Diana Weslowski seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Skeet Jernigan asked how impact fees were held, and if they were held in an
interest bearing account, how the interest is utilized. Mr. Jernigan suggested that
a percentage of the amount of interest earned be put towards paying for waived
impact fees. Mr. Jernigan also suggested that some of the County’s 4%
administrative fee from the school board be put towards a fund to off set the
waiver of impact fees. Another option that Mr. Jernigan brought up is some
communities have talked about is doing a silent third mortgage on the property
that reflects the impact fees that can be paid upon sale of the home. The
committee asked staff to provide information for the next meeting about what
limitations we have with impact fees.
Peter’s memo stated that there is certain language in the housing element that
could be “construed” to include the reservation of infrastructure. The land
development code does not address the reservation of infrastructure capacity.
Skeet Jernigan made a motion to also include number 4 on the previously
approved list. All were in favor.
Stephanie Morgan suggested that we discuss meeting times for future meetings.
At the next meeting items 2, 9, 10, and 11 will be discussed. The committee
asked that Peter Jones provide a list of comprehensive plan cycle dates.
The committee agreed that the next meeting date would be Wednesday October
22, 2008 at 4:00 PM.