DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Housing Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Verónica R. Soto, FAICP, Neighborhood and Housing Services Department Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUMMARY:
Discussion and possible action on the development of subcommittees of the Housing Commission
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
With the acceptance of San Antonio’s Housing Policy Framework on September 6, 2018, City Council recommended the Housing Commission become the oversight commission for the Framework implementation.
Per Ordinance 2018-11-15-0919, passed and approved November 15, 2018, Section 9: In order to support its work, the Commission may also seek voluntary technical or specific professional assistance from individuals in the community representing certain technical disciplines or areas of special expertise.
On April 7, 2021, the Housing Commissioners elected to create the following subcommittees to support the Commission’s Charge:
• Public Engagement and Outreach Committee
• Dashboard and Annual Report
The Housing Commission also discussed the continuation of the Agenda Working group as another subcommittee called the Agenda Subcommittee.
Many city boards and commissions adopt codes of conduct or by-laws to govern the rules and procedures that govern the board/commission. Within these documents the structure not only of the commission, but of the subcommittees to support the commission, are laid out.
ISSUE:
During the April 28 regular meeting, the Commission selected members to sit on a workgroup which would determine details such as:
• The purpose and charge of each subcommittee
• The number of members in each subcommittee
• Whether the subcommittee will have non-commission members on the subcommittee
• Whether appointments to the subcommittees will be made by commissioners or some other method
Three Commissioners, Robert Abraham, Jeffrey Arndt, and Paul Furukawa met on May 10 to identify the makeup of the two subcommittees. The following are the suggestions from the working group:
|
|
Dashboard/Annual Report |
Public Engagement and Outreach |
Agenda |
|
Charge |
Measure and report on the progress of Housing Commission and NHSD specifically related to the progress of Housing Policy Framework and SHIP for purposes of oversight, communication, and annual report on progress. |
Efficiently engage the public through guidance, support, and oversight of NHSD’s public engagement as it relates to policies developed in response to HPF and SHIP. Support refers to Commissioner work and help. Give voice to parts of the community traditionally underrepresented but who make up a significant segment of the population. Including but not limited to those most impacted by housing insecurity |
Select the topics and set the agenda for monthly meeting and special sessions as needed |
|
Goals |
Dashboard- Posted online and updated as needed. Focused on ongoing communication between Housing Commission and the public. Staff will help update the dashboard. Subcommittee to recommend to Housing Commission what should be reported on and how frequently. Housing Commission to formally direct. Decided what it should look like based on what other cities are doing. Also, recommend what it should include based on best practices. Annual report- Produced once a year. Will include some but not all of what is on the dashboard. May include extra information not included on the dashboard. Will also be posted online. Might include information the commission doesn’t have direct control over such as funding at state or federal level. Include funding requests or recommendations. To be released ahead of or with NHSD budget presentation. |
Assist staff in outreach to communities, increase public comments related to agenda items, engage media, draft Housing Commission statements |
Create monthly and special meeting agendas designed to stay within meeting time limits. |
|
Terms |
Charge to be reevaluated during the retreats. Terms to overlap to maintain institutional knowledge |
Charge to be reevaluated during the retreats. Terms to overlap to maintain institutional knowledge |
Charge to be reevaluated during the retreats. Terms to overlap to maintain institutional knowledge |
|
Members |
4 Commissioners max; Technical Experts as needed |
4 Commissioners max; 5 community experts with lived experience |
4 Commissioners Max |
|
Length |
2-year terms, 2 term max |
2-year terms, 2 term max |
2-year terms, 2 term max |
|
Composition |
Max. 4 Commissioners |
Max. 4 Commissioners and 5 community experts |
Max. 4 Commissioners |
|
Selection |
Self-nominate, if more than 4 interested Chair picks |
Self-nominate, if more than 4 interested Chair picks Commissioners For community experts, an application. Housing Commission votes in members. |
Self-nominate, if more than 4 interested Chair picks |
|
Frequency |
Quarterly, more as needed |
Every other month, more as needed |
Once a month, more as needed |
They are to present their recommendations for approval to the Commission.
ALTERNATIVES
If Commission does not agree with the proposed subcommittee guidelines, the workgroup can take the recommendations to continue working on the terms.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact at this time.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Commission approve the working group’s recommendation. Staff will support to create guidelines for the subcommittee with full Commission’s approval.