AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE XI OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD (2006-03-27/O-3)

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill as follows:

Section 1.  Article XI of Chapter 2 of the Town Code of Ordinances is hereby revised to read as follows:

“PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD

Sec. 2-160. Created; named.

A public housing program and community development advisory board is hereby authorized for the Town of Chapel Hill.

Sec. 2-161. Membership, terms.

The public housing program and community development advisory board shall consist of nine (9) members appointed as hereinafter provided. The terms of board members shall be three (3) years, or until their successors are appointed and qualified, except that, the initial terms of members first appointed shall be as follows: three (3) members shall be appointed for a period of one (1) year; three (3) members shall be appointed for a period of two (2) years; and three (3) members shall be appointed for a period of three (3) years. Members may be reappointed in accord with the town council's procedures. Terms of all members shall expire on the 30th day of June.

The public housing program and community development advisory board shall be representative of the entire community. Three (3) members shall be current residents of public housing of Chapel Hill or Carrboro, one (1) of whom shall be a representative from the residents' council. One (1) member shall be a citizen of the Town of Carrboro.

If a seat designated for a resident of public housing remains vacant after one year of recruitment efforts, the council shall assess the quality and effectiveness of the recruitment efforts and, if dissatisfied with those efforts, shall direct further, more direct recruitment. Should the council be satisfied that reasonable recruitment efforts have been conducted and no suitable public housing resident is available, then 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 (3) seats on the board are held by public housing residents.

Sec. 2-162. Appointment, vacancies.

The members shall be appointed and vacancies filled as prescribed in the council's procedures manual.

Sec. 2-163. Meetings, chairperson.

The public housing program and community development advisory board shall regularly hold meetings at such times and places as it shall determine. It shall annually elect one (1) member to serve as chairperson and preside over its meetings. The board may create and fill such other offices and committees of the board as it may deem necessary. All meetings of the board shall be open to the public in accord with the Open Meetings Law of North Carolina, and reasonable notice of the time and place thereof shall be given to the public in accord with Chapter 143, Article 33C of the North Carolina General Statutes. The board shall keep a record of its meetings, including attendance of its members; its resolutions; findings, recommendations and actions. A quorum of the board, necessary to take an official action, shall consist of five (5) members. The concurring vote of a simple majority of those members present shall be necessary to take any official action.

Sec. 2-164. Duties and powers.

The public housing program and community development advisory board shall have the following powers and duties:

            (1)        Approve Recommend public housing procedures, in accord with HUD regulations and within the budgetary and service levels authorized by council, regarding terms of lease, occupancy, late rent fees, pet policy, resident transfers, and other applicable regulations.

            (2)        Assess and update the public housing needs of the community and alert the council to changes in these needs.

            (3)        Serve as liaison with the public housing residents' organization. Provide time at each meeting for a report from the residents' organization and remarks by any resident(s). Hold an annual meeting with residents to hear needs, concerns, complaints, ideas.

            (4)        Recommend a tenant grievance policy, in accord with HUD regulations, for the council's consideration and adoption. Serve as grievance panel for those tenant grievances not settled at the staff level.

            (5)        Advise the council with respect to public housing funding needs at the beginning of the budget cycle and make recommendations to the council regarding the recommended budget and fiscal policies.

            (6)        Work with other human service organizations in the community and coordinate services to residents of public housing and help assure that residents are provided with social services to which they are entitled.

            (7)        Advise the council regarding housing initiatives, programs, and services.

            (8)        Advise the council regarding matters involving community development grant funds, including but not limited to three-year and one-year plans for using these grant funds and proposals and requests by citizens and community organizations desiring to receive community development funds for special projects and programs.

Section 2.  This ordinance shall become effective upon enactment.

This the 27^th day of March, 2006.