Community Development Committee - December 15, 2020 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Community Development Committee of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held virtually in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
The Community Development Committee Members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Commissioner John Strand, Mayor Tim Mahoney, Linda Klebe, Michael Redlinger, John Gunkelman, Matthew Pike, Samantha McDonald, Ken Enockson, Thomas Hill (United Way), Mark Puppe (HBA FM), Melissa Brandt (DCP)
Absent: Robin Nelson
Chairperson Strand welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 1. Approval of Agenda and Minutes
Member Mahoney moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the October 20, 2020 Community Development Committee meeting be approved as presented. Second by Member Hill. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2. Public Comment
No public comment provided.
Item 3. Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Presentation
Assistant City Administrator Michael Redlinger presented a brief overview of the new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion position and provided a proposed timeline for the interview and hiring process.
Discussion was held regarding outreach for the search, the selection committee, and details of the contract position.
Member Brandt present.
Member Mayor Mahoney overviewed how the position could go from a contract position to a permanent position, and the importance of the position to help voices be heard.
Chair Strand stated Fargo is becoming a bigger city and this will be a good gap filling position.
Item 4. HUD Program Updates – Presentation
a. 5-Year Plan
Planning Coordinator Tia Braseth gave a brief overview of the 5-year goals and priorities through HUD (Housing and Urban Development) programming. She reviewed the timeline for submitting the draft plan to the City Commission and HUD.
b. 2020-2021 Program Years
Ms. Braseth noted the NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) has been conducted, and reviewed the 2020 activities and proposed 2021 activities.
c. CDBG-CV (COVID-19 funds) Funding Allocations Review
Ms. Braseth provided an overview of the CDBG-CV COVID-19 allocations and projects they funded.
Member Hill praised the work and effort to get funds to those most in need during this time.
Member Mayor Mahoney and Chair Strand commended the skill set of the team.
Item 5. COVID-19 Update - Planning Department Impacts
a. Review of Funding Sources & Activities
b. Landlord/Tenant Rental Assistance Program
c. Engagement Center/Homeless COVID-19 Quarantine & Isolation Unit Update
Ms. Crutchfield provided an update on expenditures and programming and noted the importance of filling in the gaps. She highlighted the landlord/tenant rental assistance program, and the engagement center for homeless quarantine and isolation due to COVID-19.
Member Redlinger spoke on the complex funding process due to the variety of funding avenues.
Discussion was held on bills in Congress, fragility of poverty, the depth of those seeking rental assistance, and barriers to sheltering.
Item 6. Land Development Code & Core Neighborhoods Plan Update
Planning Coordinator Aaron Nelson shared an update, proposed next steps, and highlights from the Core Neighborhoods Plan and Land Development Code Diagnostic.
Member Gunkelman acknowledged the importance of the many pieces coming together between the Core Neighborhoods Plan, the Land Development Code Diagnostic, the Community Land Trust, and the many good things happening in the City of Fargo.
Item 7. Announcements
Member Brandt noted the Downtown Fargo Holiday Headquarters is operating out of the old Swanson Health location, and work is being done to activate some of the empty downtown storefronts with décor.
Member Puppe shared the new President of the HBA (Homebuilders Association) is Kim Hochhalter, and encouraged Members to support the Career Workforce Academy.
Member Pike shared an update that three RFP’s received for the High Rise are under review, and extended thanks to all for the hard work put in this year.
Item 8. 2021 Calendar
Chair Strand noted the 2021 meeting calendar is included in the packet.
Item 9. Staff Report – See Attached Memo (COVID-19 Research & Homeownership Study Updates)
Ms. Crutchfield shared the staff report is included in the packet, and noted the two research projects are currently on hold, but should move forward soon.
Item 10. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 3:33 p.m.