MAMMOTH LAKES HOUSING, INC.
Board of Directors Meeting
Monday, February 2, 2015
6:00 p.m.
Mammoth Lakes Housing Conference Room
587 Old Mammoth Rd.
Minutes
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
Members present: Kirk Stapp, Larry Johnston, Colin Fernie, Lindsay Barksdale, and Tom Mazaitis
Members absent: Bill Taylor
Staff: Jennifer Halferty and Patricia Robertson
Town staff: Jen Daugherty
III. Public Comments
There were no comments from the public.
IV. Approval of Minutes from the January 5, 2015 regular BOD Meeting
Lindsay Barksdale made a motion to approve the minutes with corrections. Larry Johnston seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0 with Colin Fernie abstaining.
V. Review and discussion of the Town of Mammoth Lakes’ Measure 2002-A Funds
Jennifer Halferty presented the item in response to Town Council’s desire to create a “middle” income program. She briefly explained the history of Measure 2002A allocations to Housing, Transit, and Tourism. She noted the unequal allocations of funding to the political commitments and concluded that the Town Manager would make some adjustments due to some Town staff time being funded through grant administration funds and the deduction of penalties and interest from the original amount of total TOT collected.
Colin Fernie clarified that after the legal settlement, it was his understanding that all political commitments should have been funded at 90% due to the 10% cut in funding across the board. Jennifer Halferty confirmed that to be true. He also asked for clarification on what the remaining 38% of Measure 2002A allocated to Housing is used for if Housing is only funded at 62%. Jennifer Halferty explained that it goes to the Town’s General Fund. He believes there is consensus on the Town Council for a program to assist the middle income group.
Kirk Stapp asked the group what we would want to use the money for if the Town increased the funding allocation to housing programs. He went on to recognize the gap in the programs we offer for the middle income group. What are the impacts and tradeoffs to funding the General Fund versus funding a middle income group, for example? What are the criteria for such a program? Kirk Stapp reminded the group of the many benefits of keeping the local workforce in the community such as reduced vehicle miles travelled and therefore, better air quality. He also mentioned that other peer resorts are far ahead of Mammoth in terms of providing both ownership and rental opportunities for local employees. He concluded that in a competitive market, it will be difficult to find employees if there aren’t housing opportunities for them.
Tom Mazaitis expressed the desire to develop a program to bring to the Town Council that outlines the criteria for participation and a funding source. Who are the people that will benefit? What will the assistance look like?
Larry Johnston pointed out that MLH has acted altruistically in the past. He said that MLH was a successful organization with a proven track record.
The Board directed staff to develop guidelines for a “middle income” program for further Board discussion.
VI. Review MLH FY 14-15 Second Quarter Financial Statements
Jennifer Halferty presented the financial statements. She mentioned that the contract with Alpine County to draft their Housing Element Update will offset the grant administration funds that MLH may not receive from Mono County to administer their HOME award. Additionally, she mentioned that there may be a decreased realization in grant administration funds since the Town has allocated some of that funding to Town staff time.
VII. Board Member Reports
Tom Mazaitis reported that he attended the January 21st Town Council meeting for the preliminary discussion of the inclusionary housing policy. He mentioned that he saw some support for housing although many people spoke out against the “inclusionary” aspect of the policy. He noted that there is limited land in Mammoth, and that’s why some inclusionary may be beneficial; otherwise, the fee will have to incorporate the cost of purchasing land in order to provide the housing. He described the developer community as frustrated with the Shady Rest parcel since it will never make money as it is currently zoned for low-income households. Larry Johnston said that the cost of the land should be associated with its zoning and it seems that there is a lot of speculation going on. Jennifer Halferty explained that there are many mechanisms that non-profit developers use to make an affordable project pencil including tax credits, HOME funds, and others. Colin Fernie mentioned that it may be beneficial to the Town to gain control of the parcel.
Larry Johnston reported that he was reappointed to the MLH Board of Directors. Everyone expressed their gratitude for his ongoing service.
Lindsay Barksdale reported that MMSA instituted a 15% pay cut to salaried employees and a 30-hour/week maximum. She said that the Grand Prix course looks phenomenal and hopefully it will bring people to town. She explained that Bear Mountain seems to be doing well for the company.
VIII. MLH Monthly Status Report
Jennifer Halferty reported that the HOME Program is currently being advertised in the Inyo-Register, El Sol, and the Mammoth Times. She confirmed that the CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization) application is with the State awaiting review.
CLOSED SESSION
IX. Pursuant to Government Code Section 24956.8, the Board will hold a closed session to discuss property negotiations and possible action – APN 295-018-000-000
Announcement of action taken during closed session: Kirk Stapp made a motion to approve Option 1. Tom Mazaitis seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
X. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957, the Board will hold a closed session to discuss a performance evaluation, title: Executive Director
Announcement of action taken during closed session: Colin Fernie made a motion to approve the compensation package as presented. Larry Johnston seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
XI. Adjourn