MAMMOTH LAKES HOUSING, INC.
Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
6:00 p.m.
Mammoth Lakes Housing, Inc. Office
587 Old Mammoth Rd. #5
(Ground Floor Sherwin Plaza 3)
Minutes
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
Board Members: Mark Carney, Rusty Gregory, Byng Hunt (Director), Kirk Stapp (President), and Rob Clark (Treasurer)
III. Public Comment
None
IV. Approval of Minutes of February 7, 2005, Board Meeting
Action: Moved by Board Director Hunt, seconded by Board Director Clark, and carried by a 5-0 vote to approve the Minutes of February 7, 2005.
V. Executive Director and Board Reports
a. Recent Funding Submittals
Executive Director Andrea Clark itemized the recent grants that Mammoth Lakes Housing, Inc. submitted applications for:
1. HELP Program: Funded by CalHFA – MLH is requesting $2,000,000.00 for a Home Buyers Assistance Program for eligible applicants.
2. BEGIN Program: Funded by HCD – MLH is requesting $540,000.00 for a Home Buyers Assistance Program, specifically to be used for prospective residents of the Meridian Court project.
3. CDBG, General Allocation (Town): Funded by HCD – MLH is requesting $1,500,000.00 for land acquisition and a Home Buyers Assistance program for eligible applicants
4. CDBG, General Allocation (Mono County): Funded by HCD – MLH (in conjunction with Mono County) submitted a request for $1,500,000.00; the majority of this grant will be used for a Home Buyers Assistance program.
Ms. Clark explained that as soon as the money is awarded, MLH will begin a public relations campaign to promote the Home Buyers Assistance programs. MLH will also have the details and program guidelines in order. The recipients of the Home Buyers Assistance programs will be applicants who meet the MLH eligibility requirements and who have income levels of 120% AMI or less.
b. Construction Update
Ms. Clark informed the Board of the progress of the Aspen Village and Meridian projects. The Aspen Village project will be removing snow the following week; Meridian Court was also undergoing snow removal.
President Stapp reported on the recent letter from Marshall Minobe, Advocates for Mammoth member, addressing the Town’s General Plan, specifically the Housing Element. Mr. Stapp requested MLH and the Board to respond to the issues addressed and asked if MLH should assist the Town with doing so.
Ms. Clark explained that the Housing Element was the most regulated Element by the State and that the Town used the State template for compliance purposes. In addition, she stated that the Town received the State Compliance letter. She also stated that if the Housing Element was not in compliance, the Town of Mammoth Lakes is not eligible for grant funds. Ms. Clark stated that Deputy Community Development Director Bill Taylor addressed issues presented and would continue to do so.
The Board directed MLH to let Town staff reply, as that was proper protocol, and they approved MLH staff to assist the Town if necessary.
Board member Rusty Gregory advised the Board that it would be beneficial to acquire a better relationship with groups like the Advocates for Mammoth and support open discussions in an open session forum.
Mr. Stapp discussed the possibility of creating a list of bonded individuals, possibly from the MLH waitlist, who could “housesit” at second homeowner units in order to aid in the Town’s workforce housing issue. Ms. Clark stated that MLH or the Town might be held liable for matching homeowners to renters, whether they were bonded or not. She suggested that the Board place an ad in the paper to encourage second homeowners to rent to legitimate renters.
Board member Mark Carney inquired as to whether MLH should advocate for granny units and whether this was a missed opportunity. Ms. Clark stated that state law prohibited any deed restrictions on granny units.
VI. Review and Confirm Board Approval to Proceed with Oaktree Place Mixed-use Project
Ms. Clark presented the Board with a current fact sheet for the Oaktree/Old Mammoth Rd. project. She described the project and discussed its progress, including grant application status and the planning and permit timelines. She discussed the previously held public and future meetings. Thus far, neighboring residents voiced concerns regarding architectural consistency, traffic on Oaktree, and meeting the same requirements as the “Red Barn” project.
The Board voted unanimously to move forward with the project.
VII. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Condominium Acquisition Strategy
Ms. Clark presented the Board with a Condominium Acquisition Policy Issue Matrix. She opened up discussion with the Board in an effort to create a condominium acquisition purchasing and quality standard plan, under which new development can satisfy its housing mitigation requirements by acquiring and rehabilitating existing housing.
The issues discussed and conclusions reached were:
1 Types of units acquired
The Board decided that a developer is not limited to the purchase of units, as to the location, type or occupancy. Any condominium, apartment or combination thereof may be acquired, regardless of whether the condominium is available for nightly rental. If a long-term renter currently occupies a unit, relocation assistance measures will be required. The Board agreed that allowing acquisition of all unit types would avoid market pressure and facilitate redevelopment of degraded properties.
2 Unit quality standards
The Board decided that developers would be required to rehabilitate the acquired units to a standard similar to the one that would be provided if the units were newly constructed onsite. Specifications and requirements for this “new” standard will be developed and implemented administratively. The “new” standard would be simplest to manage and would place a greater burden on the developer seeking offsite mitigation, rather than on MLH or the community.
3 How units would be sold/rented
As required/allowed by the Housing Mitigation Ordinance, the Board decided that developers would first offer the rental and sales units to the employees of the project being mitigated and then offer the units to the Communitywide Waiting List. All Rental and Sales Income shall remain with the developer/owner.
4 Number of units required by developer to purchase
The Board recommended that if a developer chooses to acquire existing housing stock, rather than mitigate housing impacts onsite, a substantially greater community benefit must be demonstrated. A developer will be required to provide housing for the Full-Time Employee Equivalents (FTEEs) generated, according to the Housing Mitigation Ordinance, plus and additional 75%.
VIII. Closed Session
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, the Board will hold a conference with its representative regarding property acquisitions pertaining to:
Property: APN 35-100-03
Negotiating Parties: Andrea Clark, Executive Director, representing MLH; Caleb Roope, representing Pacific West Communities
Under negotiation: Terms of purchase/exchange agreement
No action taken
IX. Adjourn
Next Board Meeting Scheduled for May 2, 2005, 6:00 p.m., MLH Office.
Due to the rescheduling of the April Board meeting, staff recommends the Board cancel the May meeting and reconvene on June 7, 2005.