MAMMOTH LAKES HOUSING, INC.
Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, May 7, 2018
Regular meeting at 6 p.m.

COUNCIL CHAMBER, 437 OLD MAMMOTH ROAD
MINARET VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER, SUITE Z

Minutes

I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM.

II. Roll Call
Members present: Stacy Corless (arrived at 6:08 PM), Zoraya Cruz, Tom Hodges, Jiselle Kenny, Donna Mercer, Kirk Stapp, John Wentworth
Members absent: Lindsay Barksdale and Bill Taylor
Staff: Jennifer Halferty, Executive Director and Patricia Robertson, Grant & Financial Associate

III. Public Comments
There were no comments from the public.

IV. Approval of minutes from the March 19, 2018 special board meeting.
Jiselle Kenny made a motion to adopt the minutes. Kirk Stapp seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0. Donna Mercer, Tom Hodges, and Zoraya Cruz abstained.

V. Approval of minutes from the April 9, 2018 regular board meeting.
Kirk Stapp made a motion to adopt the minutes as amended. Tom Hodges seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-0.

VI. Conference call, further discussion and staff direction on succession planning for the potential recruitment for the Executive Director position.
The Board participated in a conference call with two executive search firms. Key concerns included: 1) finding a cultural match, someone who wants to live, work, and play in our rural community with extreme weather; 2) marketing processes and utilizing housing-specific networks; 3) transition planning; 4) experience with nonprofit recruitment.

Both firms noted that they would not start a full recruitment process until there was a job position to fill.

The Board agreed to reschedule the June meeting to June 11th, after the election on June 5th.

There was staff direction to bring more information back regarding The Forest Group’s proposal and if they could incorporate a transition planning phase to the scope.

Dan Holler commented that the Town is still willing to assist if needed.

VII. Board Member reports
Tom Hodges reported that he attended the Town Council meeting on May 2nd. At this meeting the Town Council reduced the Development Impact Fees (DIF) for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) of 600 square feet or less by 25% through the end of 2018. He explained that this reduction only applies to the Town fees and not to special districts such as School, Fire, Water, etc. He didn’t think that this was a sufficient incentive and that the Town might consider waiving the fees entirely if the owner agreed to charge an affordable rent. He agreed that there needs to be a strong campaign to drive interest in the program. He emphasized that more funds need to be dedicated to housing.

Kirk Stapp announced that ESTA selected a final candidate for the position of Executive Director and was currently in negotiations. He attended the April 24th meeting regarding climate change and thought it was very informative. He also attended the graduation of four police academy students which is important for public safety in the region. He requested that the Town’s Livability Standards be revisited in light of the ADU discussion and the imminent development of The Parcel.

Stacy Corless announced that the Board of Supervisors was working a lot on commercial cannabis and short-term rental regulations. She stated that people want to see short-term, on the ground action in regards to housing solutions.

VIII. MLH Monthly Status Report
Jennifer Halferty noted that it may be beneficial to have Town staff present on the ADU program to the Board.

She had two additions to the Status Report:

  1. Staff walked Aspen Village apartments and distributed trash bags and door hangers for Town Clean Up Day to 48 units.
  2. Annual Occupancy Tracking of deed restricted and homebuyer assistance loans has begun.

IX. Review and discussion of the Third Quarter Financial Statements for MLH and Sierra Housing Advocates – informational item
John Wentworth asked for staff to work on making the financial statements and budget more clear.

X. Review and possible adoption of the draft Mammoth Lakes Housing 2018-2019 Fiscal Year Operating Budget
John Wentworth asked for a staff report explaining the budget. He also noted that he was going to recuse himself from participating in the Town contract negotiations committee to discuss the MLH-Town contract since he is running for re-election.

Dan Holler, Town Manager, noted some comments from their June 2017 financial audit including: grant administration funds, payable rates, and the Local Housing Trust Fund.

Dan Holler announced that the Town may consider cutting the contract amount to MLH by between $50,000 – $100,000 in order to move quickly on the implementation of the Housing Action Plan and potentially hire a Housing Coordinator at the Town.

There was consensus to bring back the 18/19 Draft Operating Budget to the June 11th meeting.

XI. Adopt Resolution No. 18-05, A Resolution of the Board of Directors of Mammoth Lakes Housing, Inc. Supporting the Veterans and Affordable Housing Act of 2018
Kirk Stapp read Resolution No. 18-05 into the record. Stacy Corless made a motion to adopt the resolution. Jiselle Kenny seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-0.

XII. Status Update of the Mammoth Lakes Community Housing Action Plan: Live, Work, Thrive “Foundation Structure”
Jennifer Halferty gave an overview of the prescriptions in the Foundational Structure. MLH has completed the task to expand the Board of Directors. Additional tasks include updating the MLH-Town contract. There was consensus for a group of Board members to meet with the Town to discuss an initial prioritization of Action Plan strategies, and what can happen to make the fastest and greatest impact.

XIII. Update on The Parcel, formerly known as the Shady Rest Parcel, for workforce housing owned by the Town of Mammoth Lakes – informational item
Jennifer Halferty gave an update on the Shady Rest Parcel. On May 2nd the Town Council met to discuss the next steps. They agreed to change the name to “The Parcel” as a temporary placeholder. Next steps for The Parcel include:

  1. Complete the topographic map,
  2. Update the wetland delineation,
  3. Map existing utilities and surrounding land uses, and
  4. Remove dead trees.

XIV. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 PM.