I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 P.M.

II. ROLL CALL
Sherman, Elliott, Tuck, Tlou, Crawford and Anderson were present. Hanratty, Ross and Handy represented staff.

III. AGENDA ADOPTION
Sherman moved to adopt the agenda. Anderson seconded. The motion passed (6-0).

IV. APPROVAL OF APRIL 2, 2009 MINUTES
Sherman moved approval of the minutes. Anderson seconded. The motion passed (6-0).

V. PUBLIC ADDRESS
There was none.

VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ms. Elliott turned the agenda over to Mr. Hanratty.

A. Habitat for Humanity
The Executive Director position has been vacant for a couple of weeks. Habitat has expressed an interest in working with the Town on the Nellie’s Cave Project in the near future. The NRV Chapter is currently working with the Roanoke Chapter and Habitat International in order to begin work on the project. Staff’s suggestion to the Board is to maintain contact and work with Habitat in the future to complete this project and benefit two low-income households. The Board agreed.

B. Commercial Façade Update
Tom Koontz has been chosen as the architect for both the Cabo Fish Taco building commercial façade project and the Cellar building commercial façade project. Mr. Koontz is preparing a master plan for each building envelope. It will take approximately two months to complete this phase of design. Applications for the next four awards will accepted until 5:00 pm on Thursday, June 18, 2009.

C. Farmers Market
The project is on schedule for construction to begin in July. Staff has developed a strategy for minimizing the impact on surrounding businesses and Virginia Tech offices. There was a suggestion to have school children create art on the construction fencing to make it more aesthetically pleasing. The Market will relocate to Roanoke Street between Draper and Otey during construction.


VII. NEW BUSINESS

A. Marching Virginians Home
Beginning on Monday at 7:00 am the Marching Virginians and Community Housing Partners will be constructing a home in honor of Ryan “Stack” Clark. A dedication for the house with the Clark family has been scheduled for June 20th at 1:00 pm at the site on Cedar Hill Drive. The theme for the project is “Structurally Sound.” Habitat for Humanity of the NRV has refunded over $41,000 to the Marching Virginians to make this project possible. The location of the project is 615 Cedar Hill Drive. The Town and CHPC are partnering to find a family to occupy this home prior to the dedication.

B. House Bill 2096 – Fee Waivers
State legislature has passed House Bill 2096 giving localities the ability to pass legislation which can waive fees for non-profit developers with the goal of affordable housing. Waiver of these fees would be a great source of leverage for HOME funds and lowers the cost of the unit to make the home more affordable. Staff will check with the Town attorney on if some fees can be waived without waiving all and whether or not each project can be waived or if every project must be waived. Sherman suggested recommending to Town Council adoption of the Fee Waivers Bill for affordable housing. Sherman moved to recommend to Council adoption of legislation authorized by House Bill 2096 to waive fees for affordable housing. Anderson seconded. The motion passed (6-0).

C. CDBG-R Funds
Staff reported that HUD guidelines have come down regarding the approximately $170,000 in CDBG-R funds the Town is to receive in June. It was moved by Sherman that the Board recommends to Town Council approval of the 2008 Annual Action Plan amendment for the addition of the CDBG-R funds to be divided with $60,000 for two additional commercial façade projects and the remainder to be used for the Blacksburg Affordable Housing Program. Crawford seconded. The motion passed (6-0).

VIII. OTHER BUSINESS
Hanratty informed the Board that the new HUD allocations had been released with the Town receiving $716,677 in CDBG funds which is an increase over last year of approximately 1%. Also, the HOME funds increased to $989,298, of which the increase will go to Montgomery County.
The Rehab guidelines will be updated in June.
HUD is coming to monitor the CDBG and HOME programs next week.
Anderson reported that there is a vacant lot on Airport Road up for auction. Staff will look into the possibility for affordable housing at this site.
Janaka Casper will do a letter of interest for the 613-615 Lee Street property to see what can be done about preserving affordability in this neighborhood.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 PM.

The next Housing and Community Development Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 12:00 PM in the Town Council Conference Room.