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FAIR HOUSING
ADVISORY COMMISSION
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here for minutes from MARCH 18, 2002 Click here for minutes from APRIL 22, 2002 |
Click
here for minutes from MARCH 17, 2003 |
APRIL 21, 2003
ATTENDANCE: Nathaniel Shipp, Chairman (7:45pm); Heather Rodin; Bernadine Tatem; Mary Corcoran; Lori Torrano (8:00pm).
STAFF: Margaret Suib, Fair Housing Officer.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:45pm, by the Chairman.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
AUGUST 26, 2002
** MS. RODIN MOVED TO TABLE THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 26, 2002, FOR ONE MORE MONTH PER MS. TORRANO'S REQUEST TO BE PRESENT WHEN IT WAS REVIEWED
** MS. CORCORAN SECONDED
** MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MARCH 17, 2003
Corrections:
Page 2, 1st full paragraph - change the spelling of "Re-Development agency…" to "Redevelopment Agency…"
Page 2, amend the motion made by Ms. Rodin to read as follows:
** MS. RODIN MOVED THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FHAC SPEAK TO MR. SHEEHAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, AND INFORM HIM THAT IT WAS THE SENSE OF THE COMMISSION THAT THE BUDGET ITEMS WERE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE FHAC
Page 3, amend the motion made by Ms. Rodin to read as follows:
** MS. RODIN MOVED THAT IF A COMMISSION MEMBER MISSED THREE CONSECUTIVE AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES FROM THE FAIR HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETINGS, A LETTER WILL BE WRITTEN TO THEIR AGENCY ADVISING THEM OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVE'S ABSENCE. THIS IS TO BE EFFECTIVE AT THE NEXT MEETING.
** MS. TATEM MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MARCH 17, 2003, AS CORRECTED
** MS. CORCORAN SECONDED
** MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
III. FAIR HOUSING OFFICER'S MONTHLY REPORT
Ms. Suib reviewed the attached monthly summary. She stated that she had conducted a training for individuals who had been found to be in violation of Fair Housing rules. She also reported that the Commission had held a press conference on April 3rd at which a proclamation was read on behalf of the Mayor, which declared April to be Fair Housing Month. She also announced that the anti-predatory campaign had been launched and passed out a copy of the flyer that would be distributed. She added that Ms. Rodin had contacted the Norwalk Clergy Association and the IMF prior to the press conference. Eleven churches had responded and agreed to assist with distribution of the flyers. Ms. Suib further added that Mr. Langhorn, the Executive Vice President and Director of the AIC program at NEON, had also offered his volunteers to help out with distributing the flyers door to door. She stated that flyers had also been distributed by her and Ms. Rodin, to churches and synagogues in targeted neighborhoods with a letter that highlighted the main points of the flyer. She pointed out that the primary concern facing the campaign was the cost of getting the flyers printed. She said she had contacted the DPW and they agreed to allow the use of their machines as long as paper and ink cartridges were provided. She also said that another option would be to have color copies made at a copy center at a cost of 25˘ per copy.
Ms. Torrano arrived at 8:00pm.
Ms. Rodin inquired if it were possible to have some of the flyers in Spanish, delivered to St. Joseph's by the end of the week, even if it were in black and white. Mr. Shipp indicated that he would be able to deliver them in black and white. Ms. Suib commented on how it would be perceived to have the English version in color and the Spanish version in black and white. Ms. Rodin then requested to have 50 copies made in color for St. Joseph's only, as they were the only ones that had requested the flyer in Spanish so far. Mr. Shipp said that he did not see a problem with that.
Ms. Suib stated that there was already one loan that had come in, which qualified as a predatory lender. Ms. Suib said that she had found out through NCRC, which the lender, which operated out of Florida, was as a major predatory lender.
IV. BUSINESS
A. DISCUSSION OF "NEXT STEPS" IN ANTI-PREDATORY LENDING CAMPAIGN
Mr. Shipp commented that they needed to see how much they had in the budget to spend. Ms. Suib then reviewed the attached monthly budget report. She commented that there would be approximately $3,000 left. She explained that the amount under Operations was $932, though she was not sure if she had access to funds allocated for the supply line. She continued to explain that the figure stated for expenditures under Personnel, which was $17.5K, was an average quarterly amount. She added that the fourth quarter would be slightly higher as there was an extra week, but the amount would still not exceed $21K, which left a little extra money in Personnel. She pointed out that she normally went to a National Fair Housing Alliance Conference, but had not signed up for it due to the uncertainty of the amount available.
Mr. Shipp asked what would preclude having the total amount available. Ms. Rodin asked if the money could be moved over from Personnel. Ms. Suib indicated that anything that was not a line item could be moved.
Ms. Rodin expressed that having the flyers professionally done for $250 was a good idea. She also stated that there should be money budgeted to allow Ms. Suib to attend the Fair Housing Conference.
Mr. Shipp concurred and inquired about the cost. Ms. Suib stated that she would pull the receipts from last year's trip in order to get an exact number for Mr. Shipp.
** MS. RODIN MOVED TO ALLOT $300 FOR COPYING THE TWO- SIDED, COLOR FLYER
** MS. TATEM SECONDED
** MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
** MS. RODIN MOVED THAT MONEY BE USED FROM THE BUDGET FOR MS. SUIB'S ANNUAL TRIP TO THE NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING ALLIANCE CONFERENCE
** MS. TATEM SECONDED
** MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
B. REPORT BY HEATHER RODIN AND FAIR HOUSING OFFICER ABOUT MEETING WITH STAMFORD'S DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE RE: AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Ms. Rodin reminded the Commission that the meeting had come about as a result of the Inclusionary Zoning Regulation. She stated that Mr. Barnes, who was currently the Head of Affordable Housing and Director of Public Health, Safety and Welfare, held a cabinet level position; which meant that he had direct access to the Mayor. She commented that he was very interesting and knowledgeable, but that both she and Ms. Suib were still considering who the audience would be, if he were to come to Norwalk.
Ms. Torrano commented that maybe Mayor Knopp could benefit from the information Ms. Rodin and Ms. Suib gathered.
Ms. Suib stated that there appeared to be parallel paths on affordable housing occurring in Norwalk: one being headed by the Mayor and the other by the Planning Committee. She stated that both were good possible audiences for Mr. Barnes. She further added that she believed the Planning Committee was currently drafting an Affordable Housing Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance.
Ms. Rodin said that it was her understanding that the Mayor was drafting the Inclusionary Zoning Regulation.
Ms. Suib stated that since they could not invite Mr. Barnes to meet with the Mayor or the Planning Committee that a letter could be drafted instead to introduce Mr. Barnes and his work to both parties. More discussion took place on trying to figure out the best way to introduce and utilize Mr. Barnes so that Norwalk could benefit.
Ms. Tatem speculated on how Mr. Barnes would possibly be received (or not) by The Mayor.
Ms. Corcoran stated that a more diplomatic approach might be to draft a letter from the Commission to the Mayor highlighting the meeting with Mr. Barnes. The letter should clearly state that the Commission was simply passing the information on to the Mayor because they were aware of his interest in the subject. If the Mayor expressed an interest, then more information could be provided by Ms. Suib or Ms. Rodin. The Commission agreed collectively, that this was a good approach.
** MS. CORCORAN MOVED TO DRAFT A LETTER TO THE MAYOR FROM THE FHAC ADVISING HIM OF THE MEETING WITH MR. BARNES, KNOWING OF HIS INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT, MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN UTILIZING HIM AS A RESOURCE
** MS. RODIN SECONDED
** MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Ms. Rodin then stated that there was also another speaker who might be a good resource: Mr. McGhee. She stated that Mr. McGhee had spoke recently at a charitable function and emphasized that there could not be economic development without an affordable housing component.
Ms. Suib added that Mr. McGhee also had emphasized that affordable housing was a necessary element, in stating that an educated, housed workforce would attract more businesses.
Ms. Rodin said that it would be interesting to have Mr. McGhee make a presentation as a keynote speaker with the business community and political community as the audience.
More discussion took place on the need for affordable housing for everyone and whether Mr. McGhee should be invited to speak. It was decided that Mr. Shipp would follow up on the matter as well as speak to the Head of the Chamber of Commerce.
C. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT ON MEETING WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Mr. Shipp reported that his meeting with Mr. Sheehan had gone well. He expressed that he felt many of his concerns were sufficiently addressed and he was very pleased in general with the meeting.
Ms. Rodin asked if a copy of the budget had been forthcoming from Mr. Sheehan, as promised. Mr. Shipp indicated that he had not received a copy of that.
D. DISCUSSION OF WAYS TO MOVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, INCLUDING INCLUSIONARY ZONING, FORWARD IN NORWALK
There was no additional discussion on this item as the Commissioners felt it was addressed in earlier discussion.
V. OLD BUSINESS
Ms. Rodin expressed concern regarding the lending study. She stated that if the old format were adopted of including local banks, then she was conflicted about including or excluding Fairfield Savings Bank, with the outstanding issue of the $600 luncheon they previously sponsored. She suggested that it might be best to refund the money in order relieve the Commission of any possible obligation or hint of impropriety.
Ms. Tatem disagreed.
Ms. Suib commented that Fairfield Bank had voluntarily sponsored a luncheon over two years ago. She stated that the lending study would be looking at separate and more recent data.
Ms. Tatem stated that the matter was over with and did not agree that there was any need to refund the money.
Ms. Rodin said that if the funds were returned, the slate would be clean, and the bank could freely participate in the lending study without there being any conflict of interest. She also suggested that Corporation Counsel should be consulted further on the matter.
Ms. Suib stated that Corporation Counsel had already been consulted and they stated that they would opine not to accept funds in the future from banks. She added that it was old history.
Ms. Rodin continued to express discomfort with the general perception of the situation. She said that the opinion from Corporation Counsel indicated that there could be a problem with accepting funds. She also commented that she was not sure, based on the general response however, that Corporation Counsel had fully understood that the monies had already been accepted.
Ms. Suib said that she was not sure that the Counsel could opine about future consequences. She suggested that the other option was to not have the lending studies.
Ms. Rodin said that she would not like to take that option.
Ms. Torrano said that a more in depth lending study had to be done, which would cost more money.
Mr. Shipp said that he was in favor of revisiting the issue in order to get
a clearer idea about accepting funds. He stated that if the decision came back
that it was OK to accept money from banks, then that would be a way of getting
some well needed funds to operate with. He further stated that if the decision
came back that the money should not have been accepted, then he agreed that
the money should be returned so everyone could move forward with a clean slate.
Extensive discussion took place.
** MS. RODIN MOVED TO WRITE A LETTER FROM THE FHAC TO THE CORPORATION COUNSEL STATING THAT SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE FHAC HAD ASKED FOR AND RECEIVED MONEY FROM FAIRFIELD COUNTY SAVINGS BANK TO SPONSOR A LUNCHEON FOR THE FHAC. THE FAIR HOUSING OFFICER CONDUCTS STUDIES OF BANK MORTGAGE LENDING, INCLUDING FAIRFIELD COUNTY SAVINGS BANK. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF INCLUDING FAIRFIELD SAVINGS BANK IN FUTURE LENDING STUDIES? SHOULD FAIRFIELD COUNTY SAVINGS BANK BE EXCLUDED FROM ALL FUTURE STUDIES? NOTE: FUTURE STUDIES WILL LOOK AT ANNUAL DATA FOR YEARS OTHER THAN THE YEAR THE MONEY WAS RECEIVED. IF ACCEPTING THIS MONEY WAS A PROBLEM, WHAT WAS THE SOLUTION?
** MS. TORRANO SECONDED
** MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to discuss.
** MS. TATEM MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING
** MS. TORRANO SECONDED
** MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Michele Montgomery
Telesco Secretarial Services
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