AGENDA #15
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Amendment Regarding Filling Public Housing Resident Vacancies on the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board
DATE: June 30, 2004
The attached ordinance would amend the Town Code regarding appointments and filling of vacancies on the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this memorandum is to respond to issues discussed during the February 11, 2004, budget work session regarding filling vacancies on the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board that are designated for residents of public housing.
During the February 11, 2004 budget work session with the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board, Board Chairperson Tracy Dudley stated that during the past three years one of the three seats designated for residents of public housing has been vacant (please see Attachment 2). Ms. Dudley asked if the vacant seat designated for a resident of public housing could be filled by an at-large Chapel Hill applicant.
DISCUSSION
Section 2-161 of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Chapel Hill, states that three of the nine members of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board shall be current residents of public housing. However, filling public housing vacancies on the Board has been difficult. For the past four years, one of the three seats designated for residents of public housing has been continuously vacant.
Members of the Housing and Community Advisory Board and Housing staff have worked to recruit public housing residents to apply for participation on the Board. Efforts to recruit public housing residents to apply for participation on the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board have included:
These recruitment efforts have not been successful in filling vacancies on the Board that are designated for residents of public housing. We believe the following process would address the issue of filling current and future vacancies on the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board that are designated for residents of public housing.
Process for Filling Vacancies Designated for Residents of Public Housing
Vacancies on the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board would be publicized in area newspapers in the same manner as vacancies on other Town boards and commissions. Community meetings to provide information about the duties of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board would be used as a way to solicit applications from public housing residents. Every leaseholder would be provided with information through a letter from the Board Chair. Material would be hand-delivered to each residence.
If a seat designated for a resident of public housing remains vacant after one year of recruitment efforts, the seat would be filled by an at-large Chapel Hill applicant. Any future at-large vacancy could be filled by a resident of public housing, providing there is an application from a public housing resident on file with the Town Clerk and the Council voted favorably.
Review by Housing and Community Development Advisory Board
The Housing and Community Development Advisory Board reviewed the process for filling vacancies designated for residents of public housing on April 27, 2004. The 5 members of the Board who were present included Tracy Dudley, Carol Siebert, Daniel Brisson, Richard Loeber and Elizabeth Welsby. Sarah Donahue and Evangelee Shuler were absent. The members of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board believe this process would be appropriate in filling vacancies that are designated for residents of public housing. The members of the Board voted 5 to 0 to recommend that the proposed process be approved by the Council.
Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council enact the attached ordinance amending Chapter 2-161 of the Town Code.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Section 2-161 of the Town Code (p. 4).
2. Membership of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board for the past four years (p. 5).
AN ORDINANCE AMMENDING SECTION 2-161 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD (2004-06-30/O-10)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill as follows:
Section 1. Section 2-161. Membership, terms. Article XI., Chapter 2 of the Town Code, is hereby amended by adding a new paragraph to read as follows:
If a seat designated for a resident of public housing remains vacant after one year of recruitment efforts, the seat shall be filled by an at-large Chapel Hill applicant. If this occurs, any future at-large vacancy shall be filled by a resident of public housing, providing there is an application from a public housing resident on file with the Town Clerk and the Council votes to make the appointment, until such time as three seats on the Board are held by public housing residents.
Section2. This ordinance shall become effective upon enactment.
This the 30th day of June, 2004.
Membership of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board for the past 4 years
|
2003-2004 |
2002-2003 |
2001-2002 |
2000-2001
|
|
* Tracy Dudley |
* Tracy Dudley |
Marywinne Sherwood |
Marywinne Sherwood |
|
Carol Siebert |
Carol Siebert |
* Tracy Dudley |
* Tracy Dudley |
|
Daniel Brisson |
Evonne Bradford |
Chris Beacham |
Chris Beacham |
|
Sarah Donahue |
Henry Clark |
Henry Clark |
* Margaret Edwards |
|
Richard Loeber |
Richard Loeber |
Richard Loeber |
Alice Faust |
|
* Evangelee Shuler |
Marywinne Sherwood |
* Dorcas Roberson |
Michelle Johnson |
|
Elizabeth Hollers-Welsby |
Elizabeth Hollers-Welsby |
Carol Siebert |
* Dorcas Roberson |
|
Vacant |
Vacant |
Elizabeth Hollers-Welsby |
Vacant |
|
Vacant |
Vacant |
Vacant |
Vacant |
* Public Housing Resident