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FAIR HOUSING
ADVISORY COMMISSION
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MARCH 21, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Heather Rodin; Jeffrey Ingraham,
Chairman; Mary Corcoran; Lori Torrano
STAFF: Margaret Suib
CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
The Chairman reported the Mayor has asked him to serve as Commissioner. He is appreciative of the leadership of Mr. Grant. He is confident that team effort and spirit will prevail, and thanked everyone for their vote of confidence. .
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Corrections to the minutes dated February 9, 2005 should read the date of February 14, 2005. Ms. Rodin stated that on page 1, it should read “the FOI complaint, not FOI requirements”. On page 2, Ms. Rodin stated that it should read as the “FHAC’s views, not Ms. Rodin’s views”. The same information appears again on the same page, and the same correction would apply. On page 3 in the last paragraph, it should read as “signed release, not signing”. On page 4, where it says “Ms. Suib replied that many lenders say they don’t need lawyers”, it should read “prospective borrowers, not they”. The next correction at the bottom of page, before Old Business, should read “Ms. Suib asked, not Ms. Rodin asked ”. On the next page, in the motion statement, it should read “the FOI complaint, not FOI requirement”. Ms. Torrano said that on page 4, it should read “Ms. Suib said she had spoken about the negotiation of the Reed/Putnam project”.
** CHAIRMAN INGRAHAM MADE MOTION TO APPROVE
FEBRUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 17 MINUTES
** MS. TORRANO SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMISSION REPORT ON FAIR HOUSING OFFICER’S ANNUAL REPORT
Chairman Ingraham reports that the Annual Report had been received from Ms.
Suib and the Committee had done an initial review. Ms. Rodin reported that they
had not accepted the report. There was discussion surrounding specific information
vs. broad picture. All changes were from Ms. Rodin. The report dealt with the
2003-2004 fiscal year and some discussion followed whether it should be continuum.
The issue was raised regarding Ms. Suib being employed by the Redevelopment
Agency. Ms. Torrano suggests that it is an opportunity for Ms. Suib to showcase
her talents, and she admires Ms. Suib greatly for her passion and heart.
Chairman Ingraham reports that as Chairman, he must revisit the document to
be better informed. Suggestion made for more discussion to take place in order
to get a better understanding before the fiscal year ends.
FISCAL YEAR 2003-2004
Ms. Suib reported that she had looked at the City’s recommended operating budget for the Fair Housing Office and they had received a totally flat recommendation. This is the third year in a row without an increase. The effect of that is that insurance costs are their biggest fringe increase each year. There is $4,000-5,000 in operating funds, but $5,300 had been requested. The gross operating budget is $918. The Redevelopment Agency funds the office expenses for a total of $683, leaving $235 as the net operating budget. Ms. Torrano asked if budget had been passed. Ms. Suib replied that Common Council had not yet voted on it. The expenses are relevant to knowledge and training to provide services. Options are to go to Mayor. Chairman Ingraham said that he would place a call to the Mayor tomorrow for a few thousand dollars to be added to the Budget. $80,847 has been approved by BET. Suggestion made to increase it to $85,274. Ms. Rodin made additional comments regarding resolution for next year and the 2nd Amended Consent Decree.
MONTHLY REPORT
Ms. Suib reported that HUD had sponsored a free conference in Manhattan recently. Fair Housing Acts Accessibility requirements is for people with disabilities. It has been a law since 1991. There have been minimal changes made to it. Currently 80% of new construction doesn’t comply. Compliance slips through cracks because of new and confusing language (Type A and Type B) not being equal to the FHO. Ms. Rodin asked if there will be a change in the building code. Ms. Suib replied that the City follows the State building code. Ms. Rodin suggested that a letter be sent to Legislature for change. Ms. Suib reported that enforcement is done after building is completed. Ms. Rodin stated she still wants to start a state information service. Ms. Torrano inquired as to the awareness level at the state level. Ms. Rodin suggested writing a news article for publicity awareness. Ms. Suib stated that the remedy is at Hartford. Ms. Suib had been interviewed by HUD and Hartford as part of a focus group on Fair Housing. She stressed to HUD that they should work in conjunction with the Fair Housing Office. Fair Housing needs to be enforced at the City level if the Federal Government wants it in place. Ms. Suib reported that the predatory lending case has come back and hopefully will be resolved soon. Chairman Ingraham asked about the meeting locations. Ms. Suib replied that they are not always in Rocky Hill. Sometimes they are held in Hartford or Waterbury. There is some difficulty in understanding the terminology. They have formed a pipeline of information and that has been beneficial. Ms. Suib is on the Education Subcommittee and they are working on how to educate people.
** MS. RODIN MADE MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY REPORT
** MS. TORRANO SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
OLD BUSINESS
Ms. Suib reported on the barriers to affordable housing. The cost of land is expensive, and there are zoning impediments because of multi-family buildings only being allowed in certain areas. There is 10% affordable housing and 100% are fair market value. The builder is taxed. Chairman Ingraham asked if Ms. Suib can provide numbers to him for affordable housing, specifically sale price vs. rent price, and median income. Ms. Suib asked how affordable housing is defined. It had been a debate for years in Norwalk. Affordable housing is that which people who earn 80% of state median income.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Ingraham reported that Ms. Rodin had spoken of revisiting the work plan that had been drafted a while ago. He suggested to stay on course, be proactive, and start a work plan for next year. He also suggested to put current work plan on agenda for next year. Ms. Suib asked the committee if they wanted to have a commission event before the end of the fiscal year. The hot topic is still predatory lending. Suggestions were made that mid-May would be the preferable time-frame, and to invite architects, builders, developers, bankers, and realtors.
** CHAIRMAN INGRAHAM MADE MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING.
** MS. CORCORAN SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Marr
Telesco Secretarial Services
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