PRESENT AT CONVENING

Members of the Affordable Housing Board present were: Ms. Mary Ann Draut, Mr. Miles Circo, Ms. Sindy Reyes, Mr. Larry Neviaser, Pastor Leon Hall and Mr. Otis Sampson.

IN ATTENDANCE

Also in attendance were Mayor Robert C. Willey, President of the Council Mr. Ford, Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis and Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe.

CONVENING

At 5:30 p.m. the meeting was called to order.

MEETING

The recommendations made at the last meeting were reviewed.

Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed her opposition to the guidelines for the offsite properties. She stated that she has no objection to the on-site guidelines.

Mr. Neviaser stated that part of the reason affordable housing is needed is that people that work here cannot afford to live here and are often driven out of the county to find a place to live.

Mr. Circo clarified that the residents in the west side of town are given first choice or the right of first refusal.

Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that families that have had to live in substandard conditions in that area and have had to leave should also be given priority.

Mr. Circo stated that the Board will submit the recommendations to the Council and they can modify the recommendations if they so choose.

The Town Attorney stated that it may be a good idea to define the west side.

Mr. Neviaser stated that this is just the criteria for applying and does not necessarily guarantee acceptance.

Mr. Circo made a motion that the recommendations for the selection guidelines should be in harmony with the agreement that at the time of application, the applicant must be a legal resident of Talbot County for at least one year. For Elm Street off-site the right of first refusal is given to residents who currently reside in the west side or who have lived in the community within the last five years as of the date the conditions of approval were dated.

The Town Attorney recommended that Council Member Jackson-Amis define the west side. The boundaries are Bay Street on the north, Berrie Street on the south, Washington St. on the East, and the Bypass on the west.

The Town Attorney discussed the process of dislocation out of the west end due to properties being so run down that they are inhabitable.

Mr. Circo amended his earlier motion to change the wording for Elm Street off site, the right of first refusal will be given to individuals who currently resides or has ever resided in the west side; seconded by Mr. Neviaser and carried unanimously.

Income categories were reviewed due to Mr. Neviaser’s absence at the previous meeting.

Mr. Neviaser made a motion that the off site category requires that the applicants fall into the low or very low category and the on site construction applicants will fall into the median category seconded by Mr. Circo and carried unanimously.

The Town Attorney discussed control period, foreclosure and the provision of having a second mortgage. He agreed to return to the next meeting where these two issues will be discussed further.

It was also suggested that one-on-one contacts be made by several of the Housing Board with several of the local banks that have been involved with Habitat and other projects assisting low & moderate income persons to determine how they could assist with the Elm St. project. A suggestion was made by Council Member Jackson-Amis that the mortgage bankers be invited to come as a group to one of the Housing Board meetings following these initial contacts so the entire board could benefit from this information that was agreed to by the Board.

The next meeting will be held on November 21 at 5:00pm in the Front Room of the Town Hall. Delegate Rudy Cane will meet with the Board at approximately 6:00pm to discuss several housing ventures he has been responsible for developing in the District he represents. Prior to his arrival the Board will continue their discussion of the Elm St. project.

ADJOURNMENT

The Affordable Housing Workshop was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

______________________________________

Town Clerk