The Housing & Human Services Commission met in a regular session in the West Conference Room at 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale City Hall, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, on October 26, 2005 at 7:02 p.m. with Chairperson Chad Steward presiding. 

ROLL CALL

Commission Members Present:  Chair Chad Steward, Vice-Chair James Callan; Commissioners Charles Keeler, Patrick Meyering and Timothy Persyn

Commission Members Unexcused Absent: None

Commission Excused Absent: Commissioner Jana Seshadri

Staff:  Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer, Coryn Campbell, Neighborhood and Community Manager and Alice Gamboa-Navas, Administrative Aide

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS        

None

CONSENT CALENDAR

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD

None

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

A.     Presentation of Study Issue on Zoning Tools to Encourage the Development of Ownership Housing

Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer, introduced Jaime McLeod, Associate Planner.

Jamie McLeod, Associate Planner, presented the study issue.  She provided the background of the study issue including the housing composition of Sunnyvale, and the percent of ownership versus rental housing.  She reported that staff held focus groups with developers and received feed backs from Planning Commission and staff members.  She also discussed key questions contained in the Study Issue.  These questions include the proper balance of homeownership and rentals, legal constraints, what zoning can do to encourage homeownership and what are the key conditions of the condominium conversion ordinance.  Ms. McLeod provided the Commission with suggestions of the focus groups on incentive options for new developments and condominium conversions.

Commissioner Persyn suggested adding tools to encourage development of more affordable housing and financial assistance.

Commissioner Keeler suggested providing down payment assistance and shared equity financing to existing tenants for conversion projects.  Annabel Yurutucu noted that the City has a down payment assistance program in place that is available to City employees and teachers.

Chair Steward commented that a duplex conversion should be encouraged as it is a win-win approach to encourage home ownership.

B.     Consideration of 2006 Study Issues and Budget Items for City Council Workshop

Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer, presented the 2006 Proposed Study Issues and explained the goals and impacts. The Commission considered the 2006 Study Issues and discussed the elements, goals and impacts. After discussion the Commission ranked the following study issues;

Commissioner Meyering departed at 8:40PM to attend a business meeting.

C.     Discussion of the 2006 Work Plan

Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer, presented the draft 2006 Work Plan and explained how the work plan is prepared.  She noted that the 2006 Work Plan would differ from Calendar Year 2005 but would be similar to the Calendar Year 2004. The difference is due to the review and update of the Consolidated Plan that occurred during Calendar Year 2005.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

·         Commissioners Oral Comments

Commissioner Keeler suggested adding accessory living unit as a tool toward homeownership development for the 2007 Study Issue list.

Commissioner Persyn announced that there will be a homelessness panel scheduled on Sunday, November 13, 2005 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sunnyvale from 12:30pm to 1:45PM.  The panel is to raise awareness and understanding of homelessness.

Annabel noted that staff has prepared responses to the study prepared by Santa Clara County on the “Ten year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness” and that it will be discussed at the next meeting.

Vice Chair Callan inquired about the conversion of apartments to condominiums.  Annabel Yurutucu gave an overview of the activities currently occurring in Sunnyvale.  She also noted that one of the driving factors for developers to convert apartments into condominiums is the minimal cost versus development of new homes.

·         Staff Comments

Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer, reminded the Commission about the invitation they received from Senior Day Program Alliance on its launch and demonstration of its new website: www.seniordaycare.org on Thursday, October 27, 2005 from 4PM to 7PM at 1147 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose.  She noted that the agency is one of the agencies receiving City’s Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG). 

Further, she reported that Project Sentinel, another CDBG recipient will be conducting classes on “Predatory Lending Practices – Don't Borrow Trouble Silicon Valley.” A kickoff event is scheduled on Friday, November 4 at 9:30AM at the City of San Jose City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, San Jose.  Ms. Yurutucu added that the workshop is free and that current BMR owners will be notified of these classes.

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS

None

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Steward adjourned the meeting at 9:09 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Annabel Yurutucu

Housing Officer