Housing and Human Welfare Committee - Regular Meeting

You. Okay. I was just being sure I didn't see us there. We're calling to order the, housing, human, welfare committee meeting. This is our last meeting, with the current council as it stands, so it's relatively light agenda. It is October 20. The time is 06:35PM. First, start with the roll call starting with alderman Huntley.

Present.

And Alderman Schandelmeier. Present. And myself, Alderman Guy. I'll then move on now move on to the approval of the agenda. Is there a second? Second. Or I'm sorry. Is a motion? Second. So moved. Second. All those in favor say

aye. Aye.

Those opposed, none. Item on the agenda is approval of the amendments. Our last meeting was 09:10 twenty five. Is there a motion to approve the amendments from the last meeting? So moved. Second.

Oh, second. Sorry.

No problem. All those in favor, say Aye. Aye. Aye. Next item on the agenda is reappointments and appointments starting with AP fifty six twenty five appointment of, miss Janine Tasker to the Human Relations Commission.

Is miss Tasker, joining us this evening? I do not believe so, and I don't see a screen coming forward. So what we'll do is make a motion to approve AP fifty six twenty five for the full council. And next Monday, if there is an opportunity for questions or concern at that point, then we can pull it from the agenda. But I'd rather keep it going than hold it in a null and void spot. So is that fine?

Well, actually, mister chair, before we make that motion Mhmm. There there must have been some issue with the uploads because, miss Tasker's resume was not attached to the AP link, at least on Legistar. Perhaps on Guernicus, it was, but I have not been able to access it. Same thing with miss Britton.

Here. Yeah. On Guernicas, it is available. Both the application, and I believe the resume. I'm trying to scroll here quickly. The resume is

not access the application, but not the resume for both our applicants tonight. That's not me calling their qualifications into doubt. I just I can't see their resume.

No. You know, you're correct, and and I stand corrected. It's just the application, the resume. It it it it just says, please, answer here or attach your resume. So I'm assuming they attach the resume, and, the ombudsman's office keeps their resume on file. And so, I I I know in the past that is sometimes available, but we can have that sent over.

So what we did in, economic matters for a meeting where an applicant did not show up, but because we did not want to hold it up, is we made no recommendation and then just asked for a request for them to come to the full council meeting be made. And especially considering they are not here and I cannot see their resume. While I'm very sure and confident they are qualified, I don't feel comfortable making a positive recommendation without at least seeing the resume in front of me. So I cannot, in good consciousness, vote in favor of a favorable recommendation just because of that. Do any of my colleagues share my sent sentiment?

Or

Alderman Huntley.

I get where you're coming from, Alderman Schandermeyer. I did read through their responses beforehand, which delve into a lot of their qualifications. I mean, explaining what kind of work they currently do and their education. So I don't feel like there's a ton of marginal difference with getting the resume. But if you want would prefer to wait, then I am fine to defer to you.

Well, here's what we'll do, for in the case of AP fifty six twenty five. I will allow for, it to move forward with no recommendation. I'm I'm I'm not gonna put a request that she show up to a a or the applicant show up to a council meeting. I don't know if that is even, feasible, for the applicant. So what we'll do is just, Caitlin, if you could make a note then that we, ask miss Ravtovich to get us the resume or ask the applicant to attend if the if she, you know, doesn't have a prepared resume. Is that fine?

Yeah. I'll look into that because it should be attached.

Okay.

I'll take a look at the paper, her, appointment tomorrow to make sure that it was scanned through correctly.

Okay. And I don't wanna jump ahead, but on AP 5725, it's I know that the resume for example, for missus, Bonham, I know that the resume is attached because it says upload a resume, and I I can see that she's uploaded, you know, her document. And so that's why I'm thinking, like, the resume, it would, it it would have to just be put put printed separately. And I can

all parts of that. What what happens is is that it's redacted from Hillary Ms. Ravnovich redacts it. So there could be a missup with this the paper that I have, you know, that one she gave me that I scan in for you all and upload it to Legendstar. But I can check that tomorrow.

Okay. I am also not able to access miss Bonham's resume, just her application. But miss Bonham is here, so I'm I'm much more excite amendable to going forward on recommendations for her when we get to that point. But Okay. So, mister chair, if if we'll entertain it, I'd like to make a motion for no recommendation recommendation on, shoot. I just accidentally deleted the assessment. I'd like to make a recommendation for no rec a motion for no recommendation on AP fifty six twenty five.

Second.

All those in favor?

Aye. Aye.

Opposed? None. Fantastic. And either we'll get you the resume or, we'll have miss Rasavich reach out, and we'll clear that.

Sure you guys have it before Monday.

Awesome. Thank you. Next item on the agenda is AP fifty seven twenty five, appointment of missus Valerie Bonham to the Commission of Aging. And missus Bonham is present tonight.

It's true. I am present.

Thank you for joining us again. And I appreciate you for, you know, applying to serve on this commission. We have here your, just a brief background of of explaining why you're interested in serving on the board of of commissions. I won't ask you to repeat that verbatim, but if you, you know, just like to briefly sum something up Yep. Then I'll, entertain questions from the committee.

Sure thing. So first, thank you all so much for your time this evening. I appreciate it. Second of all so my name is Val Bonham. I was actually born in Annapolis when the hospital was still downtown in 1969, and I grew up here.

And then I spent a fair amount of time over in the Bethesda area. Then my husband and I moved back here about five years ago. Now the reason why I am interested in serving on this commission is because so my professional background is actually medical ethics medical ethics and law. My youngest child is a high school senior this year, which means I like to envision a world in which I have a little bit more free time. And, my, sort of, again, motivating force is integrating ethics and law and trying to support people.

And while my professional focus is on children, I have a personal interest in older folks as well. My father lived with us here in our house until he passed at 88 earlier this year. So my whole reason to wanna do this is it it is strictly, I I can't think of a of a not aggrandizing term, so just forgive me. You know, it's been a long day. Strictly out of, like, wanting to do a good thing.

It's Altruistic.

Thank you. I knew there was a word for what I was searching for. Thank you kindly. So it's pretty much strictly altruistic again. My husband's not convinced that I'm gonna have more time in my life, but I am. And so, so it just seems like a good time and somewhat serendipitous. But happy to answer any questions you might have.

First and foremost, incredibly sorry for the passing of of of other

Thank you. I didn't mean to make you sad. I was very lucky, and he lived here. I lived with him for a long, long, long time. Very, very lucky. And I will tell you, as somebody who is exceptionally picky about health care providers, those folks on, Milkshake Lane were just so great. I mean, anyway. But

Yeah. And and I

the last times, the last months of his life.

Yeah. I know exactly which place you're talking about. And, yeah, just wanted to extend those condolences, there, obviously. And I see Alderman Shandermey has a question, so I'll turn it over to him. Thank you.

Thank you, miss Bonham. So thank you again for joining us and your interest in this position. So, unfortunately, because, again, the weird tech issues with the resume access, I unfortunately can't see some of your professional background. If you wouldn't mind giving, like, three professional highlights that you're comfortable sharing with us and the public that you would like to highlight for someone who cannot see your resume, but you're really proud of on it.

Yeah. Not a problem. So, I went to Rice University in Houston, Texas. I majored in medical ethics. I went to the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville. I major in law. And I have worked in the area of health care law and ethics for my whole career, which is give or take thirty years. And I did spend a couple years there as the executive director for President Obama's bioethics commission, the first executive director of that commission. So so again, I I there used to be this New Yorker cartoon. I live in that space between law and medicine, but that's that's pretty much what I do.

And I I believe, that I bring a practicality to trying to find solutions and speaking relatively plainly with folks. As I said, you know, I'm older now than I used to be, by which

am I.

As we all are every day. But, you know, I I'm pretty passionate about individuals' rights, and individuals' rights in the health care system can be especially complex and challenging. And look, to be fair to health care providers, again, I represent health care providers today. I work at Children's. And it's hard.

There's a lot of things about contemporary society and day to day that are tough. But I believe pretty strongly in, trying to look out for folks who who, I'm I'm just gonna loosely say elderly folks for lack of a better word, in in the issues that they face near the end of the life near the end of life or before then, hopefully, many decades before then. Before I went to law school, I worked as a research assistant to this sort of famous lady in medical ethics world, maybe not famous for the whole world. And she was a geriatrician. Right?

So she she worked with people later in in life. And she wrote all these books about end of life, decision making and, denying, food and hydration and and various things like that. And I just you know, I don't know. I'm sort of that was a very moving opportunity for me before I went to school. And I think that there's a lot I happen to believe in the idea that individuals can make a big difference, particularly if they get in the game of any particular challenge maybe before it gets worse. So that's that's longer than three highlights, but hopefully, gives you a sense of my background and interest.

I appreciate details. So thank you very much for that that run runner. Fantastic.

I I appreciate that as well. Alderman Huntley, did you have any questions?

No. I'm I I've read the materials ahead of time, and that it was really just just from the little bit that taught here, I was very impressed. And, so was I'm absolutely ready to make a motion to approve.

Second.

Fantastic. And, again, miss Bonham, we appreciate you joining this commission. I think, in particular with the population of Annapolis, an active older population, I think, you know, this commission in particular, could be a strong, and a vocal point for them. And so look forward to the participation there, and there's been a a motion, a second. I'm calling for a well, actually, we're just making a favorable recommendation. So, is there is is all in favor say yes. Aye. Aye. Opposed? No. Thank you. Miss Vaughn, we appreciate it. If you wish to join us next Monday in person, you can.

Thanks so much. I really appreciate you all and all that you do as well. Take care.

No problem. Thank you. Yep. I just wanted to be clear that there was a motion for a favorable recommendation. I'm sorry.

Next item on the agenda is general discussion starting with ID 14625. This is just a closing out overview of, all things going on with HACA, as, we close out, our year. And and miss Maddox Evans is with us. Actually, miss Maddox Evans, before you start, if we just really wanted to because some of our guests are just here for ID 14725, which is the affordable housing and community equity development commission. If we could carry that first, I don't know.

Caitlin, is do we have to make a motion to do so, or it's just general discussion? Can I just move that?

I think you can exercise your chair's prerogative.

Yeah. I was just about to say you can exercise your chair's prerogative prerogative. Can't even say it right and and do that.

Fantastic. Okay. We'll just do that quickly. I just obviously wanted to, extend a sincere thanks to, the committee members of, or the commission members of the housing, or how affordable housing community equity development which was previously our joint commission. We worked with them, and voted together, up until about three years ago.

And then things, kinda, you know, had this had this we had to part ways, you know, due to the law. And, but I I I I just wanted to extend a a sincere appreciation, to you all for your work on affordable housing. You know, it may seem, you know, at times that the work seems unnoticed, but it's really, really a difficult, sacrifice, a time crunch, and trying to put ideas together, and policy together for a council that you're just not sure really, you know, sometimes how they're feeling on, housing affordability. And so, you all have done a lot. And in particular to me, what means a lot is, the housing affordability task force, obviously, which I thought at the time really shifted the conversation and helped us pinpoint a lot of holes in housing.

And so, to you, miss Britton, for joining and jumping on and and and and being fantastic in that transition, and miss Ruffin who joined, later on through her role with our office of community, development, or housing and community development. So, just as, again, sincere thanks to you both. And please pass that on to the rest of the team. And if any of my colleagues would like to say anything as well, please now is the time. I think they may see you again soon. So Alderman Schandelmeier.

Yep. Thank you, mister chair. I just wanna say thank you to HACA and the commission tackling housing issues in this city is hard. Anytime you try to disrupt the status quo, it brings people up in arms. But you guys come to work every day, roll up your sleeves, and try to make this city just a little bit more of an even place for our working families.

And, we see the work that you do. The folks in the neighborhood see the work that you do, and they appreciate it. They may not have time to come to city council meetings, but they know and appreciate it. And they know you're trying and working hard.

Alderman Huntley?

Gosh. I well, I don't think I can say better than that. Yeah. I I guess, to kinda echo some of what Alderman Channellweier just said, I talk a lot about this distinction between what people say when they come to you and what people say when you go to them. And, housing is the issue that we really see that discrepancy on, where the people who are who come to you, don't have the same needs on housing as the people who you have to go to.

And, I mean, that's true empirically. Right? We have all sorts of evidence to show that that's a fact. But, just I think it can make things very dispiriting that you feel like, too often, you hear about how we don't need any improvement. And in fact, when you go out and actually talk to people, they'll tell you about all of the things that are impacting them. Alderman Chettemeyer can lift list a half dozen heart wrenching examples of people who desperately need, additional housing that they can afford. So, yeah, I really can't say it much better than him, but I appreciate the effort that all of you have put in. And I really hope that, two months for now, I'll be sitting around talking with you some more.

Yeah. And and so, miss Britt miss Ruffin, if you, wish to speak, you can you can as well.

Well, now that I'm off mute. I was making comments before, and I was completely on mute. Of course, I'll miss you. I love working with you right from the lighthouse all the way through now. I, the whole the whole commission, the whole committee, everything you guys do, so we will keep working and look. What now that I find out we really can work together, is that what you're telling me?

Well, this the the we don't know the, committee assignments. And so, this, yeah, this is our last meeting, with this group, altogether. And, also, let me extend, and we'll wrap this up quickly because I don't wanna hold miss Maddox Evans, for too long either. But, also, I wanna extend, gratitude to miss Tierney who served on this commission for, and, you know, gave her all, from board one. And, also, Alderman Rodriguez was here, and he actually, was, you know, a a main sponsor in making sure that the, affordable housing and community equity developed commission could stand alone, alone and had teeth.

And so I also wanna send, some gratitude to them. And please, miss Britton and miss Ruffin, I'm sorry.

No. All good. I'll let, Denise talk, but I just wanna say great job. I'm I'm hopefully, we can work with whoever's the new members in the future and and be a little bit more action oriented this time. It's I mean, it's tough out there to get things done.

Absolutely. And and that's why we are banking on some things, Ms.

Rogers. Gotcha.

I just wanna say thank you. This is Theresa. Theresa Wellman ran this committee, and I was just the support behind her. So I have to attribute most of what this committee has done to her.

Absolutely.

She has been a wonderful teacher, and she's made me understand a lot about Annapolis. And you can really see the need out there. I think that people just walk through the blind design, and they just don't wanna see the real need of the constituents, your constituents here in Annapolis. And I think this upcoming year and I'm so looking forward to Ms. Maddox Evans and her redevelopment of housing, and I'm a 100% behind her. I'm a thousand percent behind her

Same.

What she's trying to do. Because I've been in this business a long time, and I see how changing of the bricks and the mortars change people's outlook on where they're going and where they're heading in life. Fantastic. My comment. Thank

you, great.

For inviting us.

No problem. Thank you all very much, and feel free to stick around if you'd like to hear miss, Maddox Evans' presentation. But if not, I I totally understand. And and, again, we, really, really appreciate you all in. We'll see see you, in the future as well.

Alright. I'm definitely listening in. I'll get off camera, and I'll mute myself and try not to talk through it.

No problem.

Well, I'll repeat this. Thank you, guys.

We'll move on to our next item on the agenda ID one forty seven oh, I'm sorry. ID one forty six twenty five, HACA overview starting with somatic sevens, who we're also, incredibly grateful for. And I'll turn the floor over to you, to, kind of walk through, any main points you'd like to share with us, and we appreciate you joining us today.

Thank you for inviting me back, to speak with you, and it is great to be able to share some really positive things that have been happening in the past few months. But before I get into that, I just want to extend personally extend a sincere, gratitude, towards you, Alderman, Duongay, for really being a a a steadfast advocate for HACA and really all affordable housing communities. Because I I do not think without your determination that we would be able to you and along with your fellow commission members, Alderman Chandelmeier and Alderman Huntley. Particularly, this commission was the most, had the most strongest advocacy for our needs. And I think understanding of the challenges that our organization has had and really a lot of affordable housing organizations have had.

So I look forward to meeting the new commission members and getting to know miss Britton and others. And, of course, it's always a pleasure working with Denise as the liaison. She serves as a great liaison between HACA and the city. I can always rely her on her to tell us the truth of what needs to happen either way, and she's incredibly, supportive, which I think, as a preface to the updates I wanna provide is really key that there be a mutually supportive relationship between, the city of Annapolis and between the housing authority of the city of Annapolis. And, because the challenges of of affordable housing are are so vast and deep, and they require a a great deal of collaboration in order to see, some progress.

On the development end of things, I'll give you a brief overview. We are happy to be recently awarded a nine percent tax credit award from the state for a Robinwood neighborhood. And along with a 4% tax credit application, we're gonna apply for a twinning project for Robinwood, which means that there will be the possibility of adding some density. We had, our goal was to add at least 50 or so new units, hopefully, up to 70. We know there may be some issues with current zoning, but, you know, that's a little bit far away.

And there there'll be some things that we can more projects we can work on to get to the zoning goals, but we have some incredible legroom funding wise to be able to add density. Why adding density is so important is because in order for an affordable housing portfolio portfolio to be financially sustainable, it must be supplemented by various income ranges within that portfolio. And historically speaking, HACA has not had the benefit of having that mixed income portfolio, which has led to there being long term challenges in keeping the properties up, keeping the rents where they need to be so we can sustain the properties, etcetera. So but with that funding, with, we have a $1,500,000 dedication from the state, to rebuild the community center at Robinwood. So we look forward to utilizing that.

And, of course, all of all of the other, investments from the county and the city, so on. So we're in the process of solidifying the financing for, Robinwood. We're also in the process of solidifying the financing to, upgrade Bloomsbury Square. Even though it's one of our newest properties, it's still aging because it was built in 2003. And so we're in the midst of applying for a 4% tax credit for that project.

We hope to close on both projects either by the end of next year or the beginning of 2027. Once we close, that's when all the renovations begin and or new construction begins. So we anticipate that starting, those spaces starting somewhere in 2000 mid two thousand twenty seven. For Eastport Terrace in Harbor House, we have, just introduced the select the selected development team, which is Genesys and Monotonac and who are also using local architects, with the Winsect Group and also local builders, the Hamill builders, to tackle the Eastport Terrace Harbor House project, which we also intend to apply for Choice Neighborhood Funds. So we're very excited.

We had our first resident meeting a couple weeks ago at Harbor House. And this year, we're also doing the work of solidifying the financing, and we'll hopefully close on that project also 2027. So we're we'll be simultaneously moving three major projects, at one time, which is, awesome. And that's that's our future path and what we're working towards right now. So I'll answer any questions about that.

Thank you so much so much, Ms. Maddox. I mean, that that's, clearly fantastic work and and and why I've been a huge, huge supporter. My one question, density obviously impacts how much you are financed. Correct?

Correct. And so with the uncertainty in, you know, the city zoning code, and how are you shoring up the the financing in particular for a project like Eastport Terrace and Harbor House? I'm not sure if we've gotten to the point, at least I don't recall where planning has come to us and have asked for specific changes for a project like that or something. And so is that I mean, obviously, that'll be something that you'll need in the in the next, council. Correct?

Correct. And those are great questions. The under the current zoning limits, we can increase density up to 626 units. We would like we can build more, And that's and for our Choice Neighborhood criteria, we needed to hit around the $6.22 range, which is why we wanted to incorporate the Sabah Road site.

Okay.

To build additional units to help offset. We we designed that project, not assuming we could get any zoning changes.

Fantastic.

But with that in mind, we're all we will all you know, there are always variables, and there are things that change and needs that change as we go about doing the project. But that's the initial planning set projected utilizing two different sites to build the overall project.

Thank you for that. Alderman Schendelmeyer, see your hand.

Thank you, mister chair. So, director Maddox Evans, just wanna make sure I understood. So you'd said we, have finalized a builder, a developer for the Esports Terrace and Harbor House renovation?

Yes.

That is wonderful news. Can you repeat who they are?

Genesis. Genesis. And, the information is on we the city is helping us with a website. It's called Eastport C N I Dot Org, and we posted all the information about the developers on that page. So you can review it. We even posted a couple of their presentations that they've given so far.

Now you said we're I'm sorry. Now you said we're going with local builders, local architects. Are we trying to recruit local labor as well, or are we just going you guys know what you're doing? You have that in No.

That's absolutely part of actually our solicitation when we select developers is evaluating their ability to hire locally. Okay. For many of the trades that are involved in, in apprenticeships that could be, performed during our project. So yes.

Prevailing wage?

Mhmm.

I'd like to hear that.

There we go. Okay. Cool.

Just a second. I have a not that I disagree. But my question, because the the are there federal does the the feds have? Do they cap that in any of that because this would be a federal federally funded project?

We do have we do have Davis Bacon requirements, that are associated. But I will say, because this is a multi use, multi phase project, the fund the funding and requirements may be slightly different per phase in what's included in that phase. And so how much residential versus commercial building, whether some of the commercial aspect will be a separate phasing. So we haven't gotten quite there, with regards to identifying the type of structures that are gonna go in each phase. But because there's going to be a variety of mixing, all of the requirements that are attached to those different types of housing and or commercial build will have to be attached to it.

So whatever state or federal requirements are.

So, director Maddox Evans, when you get the opportunity, I would love to find time to, do a virtual meeting or a phone call or an in person meeting with you to talk a little bit about, those wage requirements, etcetera. But I won't hold up the meeting for that here. Thank you.

No problem.

That's a it's a fantastic point, Aldo, share my something that I know you will focus on in this project, as well as I think what's important is that there is often language signed into contracts that say that says, yes. We will hire local. And one thing that I noticed in particular on and I don't wanna bash the project, but, yeah, I'm on my way out. We're he opened my garage. You know?

They there was it they they you know, there were requirements to hire local. But when we say local, I mean, like, residents of Eastport Terrace and Harbor House. Finding them the appropriate, program and and grant funding, necessary early on enough so they they can take the courses to have the skills necessary to actually be hired on these projects. And and, Elder Michonim, I know that's something that's really close to your heart, I know that you have great relationships. And so I I I'm I'm glad that you were able to, to ask that question.

Well, one of the great parts about prevailing wage and apprenticeship programs is people get paid to learn skilled trades. Amen. I've been taking some of our colleagues and future colleagues out to tour some of the wonderful wonderful schools that the hardworking men and women of organized labor have around their wonderful state. And I'm happy to take, the director out to any of the schools if she's interested as well. They love to show

them off their good work. Fantastic.

Can I chime in here for a minute, you guys?

One second, miss Ruffin. I see, the alderman, has his hand up from one one.

I couldn't find the hand in the hand put up, so that's why I spoke up. I'm sorry.

Miss Ruffin has some of the time sensitive. I I'm I don't mind letting her go first.

Well, in my experience of the redevelopment, I just wanted to share what my experience has been where when we redeveloped a lot of the housing in Baltimore, and I know it's been many years, but I watched them actually set some residents up in businesses. I've watched them hire residents to work, train them. And so I'm almost certain that under this Choice Neighborhood Initiative that there will probably be be similarities. And so what, Melissa and Brooks is concerned about, I think that that will probably I'm hoping it will be part of this redevelopment project. And it really was successful because it gave people opportunities to have jobs.

And I know about four or five residents, actual people that were living there, set up businesses and continued after the development was over.

So That's

fantastic. I I appreciate that very much. And, again, I think some stuff that makes all of these, our team special is that there's lived experience, in all capacities. Alderman Huntley?

Director Evans, I just have two questions for you, but they're both super broad. So two buckets. I think let's take it one by one. The first is for all these projects. How are we thinking about well, first of all, let me say, really excited about these projects, and and they're great. But how are we thinking about mixed uses? Right? I love that we're doing mixed income. My philosophy to put it in slogan is at all of our development should be mixed income and mixed use. And so, wonderful to have more people.

I don't want a situation where we end up with 600 people and they they got nowhere to go and nothing to do. So, whether that's a more public amenity like a recreation center or a more private amenity like a grocery store, Could you just tell us a little bit more about for each one of these maybe you wanna think of it as two or maybe you wanna think of it as three developments who we're talking about. How are we factoring in that aspect of what are the people who are going to live here going to do? Sure. Especially considering that a lot of them don't have cars.

Sure. Those are very those are great questions and ones in which we contemplate when we, think of and plan for these redevelopment projects. So for Robinwood, we are, of course, going to build a community center, but it's going to be also served as a multipurpose center, where we're hoping there could be different organizations that are housed within that structure and that they be organizations that serve the community. We have long standing relationships with particular organizations. We with the Boys and Girls Club, with pastor Menendez Group, and several other groups also, who are very interested in having more of a permanent space there.

We are also, we are also interested in, commercial aspects and are exploring what, if any, could be performed at Robinwood, whether it be even a child care center or, some other type of amenity that's not already provided within the area, but definitely not a gas station. But for Eastport Terrace and Harbor House, we're doing the same. We actually have already begun relationships with the, for example, the Y head start program. We began a pilot program which launched this year. We allowed them to convert part of the community center with the hopes of that they will also join us in the overall redevelopment project to build a much larger Y head start center that can serve the local community.

We plan for there to be some sort of retail, maybe, a small convenience store of some sort or or some type of entity that can provide some groceries, to the area. We know the site's not suitable for a large scale supermarket, but some sort of convenience store, that would be helpful to the residents. We've also, the residents have also expressed a need for some sort of health clinic, health center, and so we are all in communications with all of these various entities, including the school district. We're in communication with Annapolis Anne Arundel, Public School System as well to see what we can envision going forward. It could be a local training center for adults, you know, for example, or something that we work with with the, workforce development organizations.

The possibilities are really endless, but that is what is incorporated in our overall plan to try to introduce various elements that are needed recreationally, health wise, education, job training. So those are some of the core categories. And now is the time in which we are forging those relationships to see who would like to join us when we go into those, various phases. So we also welcome suggestions and input. So if you know of an organization or a business entity that might be interested, please give us their contact information.

We'll reach out to see if there's synergy there, if their ideas work well, you know, with the community. We're always open. And so but those are just a few of the ideas so far.

Thank you. No. That's, very interesting, Ray Sharnier. The other question I had for you, and you started to allude to this most in your most recent answer and previously, is about zoning and the requirements in the code. And, obviously, we had a bill before us on a week ago, that dealt with zoning and density. So wondering if you can just speak to sort of how the current state of our zoning impact seat has has shaped these projects. What will or will not have to change based on the changes for Monday and any future changes you might be interested in with the city zoning code.

Well, thank you, for that. I think under the recent proposed changes, I think we at Robinwood, we can increase our density by 35 additional units. We were sort of targeting about in the 70 range, for Robinwood. And so

I'm sorry, director Evans. Do you mean with what passed or with what was originally proposed? Because we did have that amendment.

What so I I believe with what passed, that was last week. Right? Last

Yes, ma'am.

Monday. Right? I think with that increase I

I think the the challenge is

35 additional in in addition to the Yeah. We have we're zoned for one fifty. So we're we're trying to get to at least, like, $2.26 is sort of the sweet spot.

And there was a, and I'm so sorry to cut you off, director, Evans, and I'm sorry, Alderman Huntley. But just point of clarification here. There was a unintentional error that contributed to the additional density not being included. And, you know, that's something that will either be fixed before we leave or hopefully after we leave. Just, you know, point of clarity there. But please continue. I'm sorry.

Sure. Looking forward to hearing more about

that. Yeah.

So our sweet spot is about two twenty six in terms of units for Robinwood and what we think, the neighborhood and how it's currently, designed can, can bear and what would meet the market need. We will we will continue to monitor and hopefully work towards that. Obviously, if we can't get to that number, if it's a little less, we will continue we will work with what we have. Keep in mind within that two twenty six number, we are adding, including, homeownership. So we are in each of our new phases, you know, and also, because we're we received the 9% tax credits, we're able to consider some some different things in the overall project.

And all of us want homeownership options that could be a natural progression for our residents or new families coming in that, you know, there's somewhere to go once you reach certain income limits because we what we don't want is the dis disincentivize people to increase their income, and then they're sort of phased out of housing.

Right.

And then they have to move out of their neighborhood. And it it that's a lot. And so, having another option, that's affordable within the homeownership realm is important because it's such a huge leap to go from affordable housing rental to homeownership or even private rental market.

I was gonna say, yeah, it's tough to go from market rent rental to homeownership.

Almost a mortgage in and of itself, some of our rents here. But I also wanted to briefly mention to you, give you a report on the progress we made based on the grant that you all worked so hard for us to get last year of $500,000. So far, we've expended, all well, we have fully expended $307,000. We have an outstanding invoice with the city of 393,000 with about 53,000 remaining of which we plan to send another invoice in very soon too. All of the grant funds will be, utilized.

And how it's improved our operations, we were able to hire a management team, Allegiance Management, to help with the day to day maintenance and management issues of the site, Bayview Construction Services to help oversee our contractors and give guidance to our maintenance crews. We're about 90% occupancy, for our public housing units overall. We are a 100% licensed at Bloomsbury Square, Robinwood Yeah. Eastport Terrace, and we're about, I would say, 96% licensed at Harbor House, which is, phenomenal compared to what it was, even prior to receiving, those funds. We have a great, relationship with the city, with the inspections team.

Miss Jeanette Roeder does an outstanding job with the our inspections, communications, and particularly helping residents understand their part in providing that education as well. We are 94%, complete with our recertifications for public housing for our HCV program. We're a 100%, caught up for all outstanding research of, prior to 2024 and prior, and we're about, I would say, 8088% done with 2025, which means we're on we're on target. And, with regards to our court proceedings, we had become more successful in gaining judgments. We've had over 70 judgments so far, which is increasing responsiveness with regards to residents in terms of paying rent.

And, and although it's still a challenge, I think the message is getting out that HACA, is able to take these matters to court. We could not before because we had difficulty receiving the licenses, And you can't file in court without a license, and you can't lease a unit for an unlicensed unit. And so the licensing issue was sort of the key in trying to figure out that piece, because it impacted everything, our ability to lease up, our ability to enforce our lease. And so, but handling, addressing that has really helped us out. We wouldn't have been able to do it without the funding.

The funding to prepare the units and the funding to, continue the monitoring. It's still a work in progress. There's still a lot of work to be done. There's still units that need to be dressed. There's still a lot of resident education that needs to happen in terms of the collaboration, but things are vastly improving. So I wanted to let you all know that that your contribution in, assisting us in, receiving those funds has has been, remarkable in terms of our progress.

That is, all of this is seem like very, very good news. I know that, the housing seems you know, the news is not often good, but this is, fantastic. I have, just two quick questions, and I'll turn it over to alderman Huntley. My first, if a unit was unlicensed and a tenant was living in the unit and they can't be charged Mhmm. I just need clarity on that.

So is the judgment from pre is is the judgment from what what from when the license was unit so let let's just for example, the license was on, you know, from January through March. And then let's say it was unlicensed from March through, you know, like, October, and then it's licensed now November through December. Are they being only charged for, let's say, the, January through March when it was licensed and they may have missed rent then?

We can only file on months that the unit was licensed. Okay. We cannot file for unlicensed months. We would have to remove that from the filing. And

I don't wanna turn this into court, but Mhmm. What do who is monitoring that or checking that? Because some units have been offline for for for, you know, longer than others. And so when a tenant is taken to court Mhmm. You know, one thing I I've learned from from state senator Shanika Henson that she put out in her literature is that 99% of the time, a a tenant doesn't have a lawyer. And so if they don't have a lawyer saying, hey. You know, my tenant was offline actually during these times. How is that could you just clarify, and and not getting yourself into too much, how is that, handled?

So we usually, they may not have a lawyer, but there's usually a legal aid representative that is, stationed at the courthouse. So if at any point during a proceeding, a judge will will always ask the rest of, do you want representation? Even before we you really get into the hearing, have to say, Everything has continued and stayed until that person gets representation. And so but if for whatever reason they wanna go on their own or they don't access legal representation, we have to conduct almost a near audit on every file before we even file because of the stringent rules that are in the Maryland courts with regards to the notices, the method of notice, like what needs to be mailed first class certified items that need to be literally fixated to the doors, at different stages of the, ejectment process or termination process, coordination with the sheriff's office, the type of information that needs to be provided from their office and our office. There's there's a there's a lot that has to be right in order to for a judgment to even be considered, let alone awarded.

So and in that, we have to parse out all of the months that a unit isn't licensed, and which is why one of the things we also did was hire a, rent rent coordinator, a rent court coordinator. All the purse that person does is review the files to see if they are proper for filing in court on our end

Okay.

Before we file. That's their whole and it is a full time job, to do that because you could have, like you said, a resident have several different periods where there was compliance or not in terms of the the rental license. And so so that's that's but, yeah, it is it's highly technical, report.

I just I felt that that was important just because I get that question, and I I've actually just recently emailed you about that. I get that from constituents all the time. And I think just having, you know, this explanation out for the general public is good and knowing that

And also

Yes. There is process for you to you know, for for those things, those concerns to be handled. Yeah.

And one thing I think that is it also prudent for residents to understand too, we can file for all those months, but, also, we can file for just one month at a time. And so if you were late with last month's rent, we might be only filing on just last month's rent.

And so just there might not be transparency there. But, hey, I I didn't wanna turn this know, make you put

you on the

on the defense. I just wanted clarity there because you had mentioned that, you know, there'd been an uptick in in those cases, and, obviously, that's a huge constituent services thing, the city will be asked about that. Just, really quickly again, you mentioned also with the Robinwood development, the gas station, obviously, I know that's been a hot topic. The remediation, and I'm sure you haven't maybe gotten that far, but I know with the Spy Road site, that was a huge cause for concern. And so, I'm not telling you something you don't know, but I just I I'm wondering, you know, at what point will I I know it costs a lot, when we were considering spirodin. So at what point does that come into consideration there?

Well, really, we'll be, we would be awaiting the results of the assessment. I think the city was pursuing a grant to engage in a further study of the area, and that would better inform how viable an option the Spiro site really is. We we don't know. We know there needs to be some remediation. We don't know the extent, and we don't know the feasibility.

But And that was for, I'm sorry, for public clarity. That land was signed over in a lease from the city to the resilience authority to handle, the cost associated with that project just for public clarity.

So we would probably have more of an idea maybe sometime next year or once the study is performed or the work of the resilience authority is performed. That phase is completed, that part. Then the information from that will inform, how we proceed or not with SPA Road.

Thank you. I I appreciate that. And Alderman Huntley.

I gotta be honest with you. You guys chatted long enough that my question went out of my head, so I'll pass.

I I I I appreciate that. I, any other questions from the committee, in regards to they were, I think, Alderman Huntley, your question, hand may have went up when we were discussing, the properties and licenses. Oh,

yeah. Yeah. So this will take this long answer. But director Maddox Evans, my question is just it it almost seems like a miracle that you guys have been able to get so many of these properties licensed from a time when they were not in if if I have a resident ask me about that and and maybe think that they're skeptical, we're cutting corners or something, and I trust you we're not, but, you know, that's the kind of question I might get asked. In just a couple sentences, how would you explain to someone how we were able to take such a dramatic jump in the percentage that was licensed.

Funding.

Okay. There we go. That's a short answer.

So we needed funding to pay contractors to repair units and to pay our maintenance team to keep the units up. And with an influx of funding, I can send maybe 10 to 12 contractors at one time to work on a number of units at different sites at the same time as opposed to working on single units here and there as funding allows. So we can bring online maybe 10 to 12 units a month as opposed to a quarter or half a half a year, six months period with only a handful of, contractors to be able to assist. So that's the difference. We receive funding from the state, from the county, from the city, and we're utilizing all of it to repair our properties.

Okay. I'll take it. Thank you.

Mhmm. Yes. And you can both add to add to your public comments. You your your committee sponsored the catalyst of funding there. Okay? It was the 500,000, then it was the 1,500,000.0 from our partners. And so, you know, make sure you advertise that, Alderman Huntley and Alderman Shandermeyer, as you go about your business and your personal capacity, if you know what I mean. Missus Maddox Evans, did you have anything else to add or or I'm sorry. Alderman Schandermeyer, any other questions for missus Maddox Evans?

No, mister chair. I think we pulled out of the spiral, and, things are looking up. I'm very excited with the work and the progress that our director here has made, and I'm very happy at the small role that we and the committee played a part of, under your leadership.

Absolutely. Alderman Huntley?

Nothing more for me.

Fantastic. Miss Maddox Evans?

Well, thank you all very much again for your commitment, to our families and our communities. And so we wouldn't be able to do this work without your support. So we are appreciate your service greatly. And wishing you well, Alderman Gay, in your future endeavors.

Fantastic. I appreciate you very much, and I will definitely be seeing you around. So thank you very much for coming this afternoon. Alright. Bye bye. Alderman Huntley?

Oh, I was waving goodbye.

Oh, okay. I forget what was your dog's name again? I'm sorry.

My dog? It's Toby. Oh, is she in the background there?

This this he everything for the, good of the order?

Yeah. He'd like some supper. Yeah.

I'll do that. Chair, sir. For the good of the order, I just wanna say thank you for the hard work that you've put into this committee. I know you put blood, sweat, and tears into it. These issues aren't academic to you. It's personal. Your constituents are impacted by housing issues and everything surrounding them on the daily. And, you don't just talk. You walk the walk here. And, whether it's bringing in, property managers for failing to maintain their properties adequately and actually threatening subpoenas to finally get them to sit down with us or deep diving into the issues around affordable housing redevelopments in Haka.

You were like a dog hunting the bone to use the hobby metaphor, which we all know and your constituents certainly know. So thank you for your service, mister chair. We're gonna miss working with you.

For the third time tonight, I'll say that I can't say it better than Alderman Chattanweier. But in short, mister chair, dozens and dozens, maybe hundreds of people are sleeping as you tonight because of your work.

I greatly, greatly appreciate that. And it's been fantastic working with you both, working with this and everybody that's on right now, and looking forward to seeing you all next Monday. And so is there a we don't really need a motion to adjourn, but is there a motion to adjourn the meeting?

So moved. Second.

All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Aye. Awesome. I will see you on Monday. Thank you all so much. See you, folks. Bye.

Thank you for having us.

Have a good one, everybody.

Awful tragedy. Tamron was a regular at this site, someone who spent many hours here doing what he loved best, doing new tricks, filming videos, and making video montages.