Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2020.10.07 @4001 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO COMMISSION ON RACIAL AND SOCIAL EQUITY Meeting held at: Teleconference meeting Wednesday, October 7, 2020 4:00 p.m. Call to Order Meeting called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chair Nicolas Roll Call COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Edith Arias, Jeff Azzopardi, Gladys Balmas, Norm Faria, Mike Futrell, Cheska Ibasan, Vanessa McGovern, Hermes Monzon, Patricia Murray, Mark Nagales, Flor Nicolas, Kayla Powers, Liliana Rivera ALTERNATE PRESENT: Andrea Fernandez ABSENT: Bobby Vaughn Welcome/Introductions Chair Flor Nicolas welcomed the Commissioners to the meeting and noted the new name of the Commission “South San Francisco Commission on Racial and Social Equity”. She noted the meeting with have simultaneous Spanish translation. Liliana Rivera noted Change SSF released its demands on its website. Consent Calendar 1. Approval of the meeting minutes of September 16, 2020. Moved by Mike Futrell, seconded by Edith Arias to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2020 meeting as submitted. Motion passed 12 in favor. New Business 2. Overview of Today’s Aims, Review Updated Meeting Schedule and Introduce Sharron Watts Chair Nicolas noted the next meetings are scheduled for November 4, 2020 and December 2, 2020. Chair Nicolas introduced Sharron Watts, Management Fellow, working for the City to assist on this project and next steps. Sharron Watts introduced herself to the Commission. Chair Nicolas reviewed the goals for this meeting to discuss economic development and housing and discuss approaches. Kym Dorman reviewed the Commission group agreements. 3. Review Local Context of Racial Inequities and Opportunities to Advance Equity in Economic Development and Housing Kym Dorman provided an overview of the meeting topics. She reminded the Commission 2 that we are nearing the end of Phase I which is to gather information about context, community concerns and best practices. She noted that Phase II will take on a different format as we work to develop and refine the recommendations. Phase III will be to finalize the recommendations. a. Local context for Inequities in Economic Development and Housing Paige Kruza provided an overview on the high cost of living and not enough high paying jobs resulting in cost burdened homeowners and renters. There is also not enough housing for low-income families. Paige Kruza noted the racial disparities in median income and described the State mandated housing requirements. Paige Kruza reviewed areas potentially subject to displacement due to pressure on the housing market. Paige Kruza provided information on renter assistance due to COVID through the YMCA. Paige Kruza provided an overview of business owners by race in SSF. The CCCS report noted the need for living wage jobs for youth. b. Housing Choices Presentation on How Intersectional Inequities Impact Housing Kalisha Webster, Housing Choices, provided an overview of disability, race and housing discrimination. Her organization works on inclusive housing for residents with disabilities. She noted the intersectionality of race and disability compounding the housing challenge. Ms. Webster reviewed strategies to reduce housing inequities in SSF. c. Presentation from Sustainable Economic Law Center on Opportunities to Promote Equity Ricardo Nunez, Sustainable Economies Law Center, discussed models relating to housing and economic development. He noted racial barriers to home ownership and historical context. Community self-determination models; including community land trust (owned by nonprofit organization) to make housing permanently affordable; and housing cooperatives (resident owned housing). Some options/tools for cities include; Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act and SB 1079; banning land grabs by venture capitalists. Other ideas include; creating funding mechanism for patient capital to give tenants a change to purchase the buildings they live in. He also reviewed models to increasing economic opportunities including worker cooperatives (employee owned and controlled business). City can help with outreach, education and reduce barriers to city services and programs. d. Commissioner Question and Answer Mike Futrell, appreciated the ideas from Sustainable Economies Law Center with great strategies to pursue. Mike Futrell noted that there is an Equity Element to the General Plan and the work of this Commission will inform the General Plan that guides the City for the next 20 years. He also noted affordable units currently for sale in SSF. Noted short term need to address evictions due to COVID. Mark Nagales noted his interest in Community Land Trust and learning more on how it could work in SSF. He asked if it possible to include preference with affordable housing policies to assist persons with disabilities. Need to get more youth engaged in jobs youth program that will be launched next year. He would also like to further policies relating to worker collaborative. Need to consider assistance to residents affected by COVID and ability to pay housing. 3 Edith Arias expressed concern with potential displacement of low income residents. Education needs to be a strategy to focus on and being prepared to attend college. She noted partnership with organizations like the Habitat for Humanity program for home ownership. She also noted support for housing for residents with disabilities. Hermes Monzon would like to know more about Community Land Trust. Ricardo Nunez offered to connect the Commission with resources. Kayla Powers asked about regional housing needs allocation and if the City will be hitting housing goals. She asked about the consequences of not meeting goals. Mike Futrell responded that the state has not yet established penalty for not meeting housing production goals. City does not have a housing fund (abolished by the State). Nell Selander, SSF Housing and Economic Development, she referenced the City’s annual housing progress report by income level and what projects have been approved but not yet completed. She noted that the City has met with above moderate income category, and if the approved projects are built, it will help achieve the lower income categories. Gladys Balmas noted that the City’s role is to approve the project, but doesn’t have a role in building the housing and supporting lower income housing. Mike Futrell noted that the City has established a commercial linkage fee, with those funds being dedicated to affordable housing. He also noted that requires a percentage of lower income units with market rate development. Nell Selander noted that the City’s inclusionary housing ordinance requires housing at a range of income categories. The Rotary project was City-owned land that is 100% affordable units at very-low income category. In response to the question relating to COVID evictions, Ricardo Nunez noted he can connect the City with other staff members. Kalisha Webster noted she is working with individuals to understand the protections and options to pay rent in the future. Vanessa McGovern asked if the City’s ordinance with 15% affordable is based on legal requirements. Mike Futrell noted that if you require a higher percentage, it requires State approval and at a certain point, would result in the project being infeasible. 4. Review and Discuss Example Approaches to Addressing Inequities in Economic Development and Housing Kym Dorman reviewed example approaches to address inequities resulting in short term results and well as longer tem results. She reviewed economic development approaches; expand career pipelines; support residents of color and low-income in starting and retaining small business and expand support for low-income residents to receive available benefits to increase household self-sufficiency. She reviewed the following approaches to reduce racial inequities relating to housing; strengthen policies to increase support for low-income renters; expand support and information to address housing insecurity and homelessness; continue to leverage available land assets and public and private resources to increase affordable housing; and leverage school district assets to provide housing affordable. 5. Identification of Approaches for Further Investigation & Discussion During Phase I Committee members discuss the approaches: 4 Mike Futrell suggested focusing on jobs to youth program, including mentorship and wrap around services for at risk youth. Information on programs needs to penetrate into community. Edith Arias agrees in supporting education and supporting individuals with disabilities. Suggested also consider a program providing a second chance for adults to further education and job opportunities. Gladys Balmas suggested addressing low rate of Latinx owned businesses. Kayla Power suggested supporting approach 5 and 6. Noted people have jobs, but can’t afford to live. Would like to focus on housing. Chair Nicolas would like to consider home ownership opportunities and expand career pipelines for all residents. Supporting approach 1 and 2 (closely linked) and 3. Myra Jolivet should get more insight if there are discrimination barriers the Commission needs to be aware of. Mark Nagales asked about city’s rental assistance program. He would like to support approach 5 and 6. He is concerned with persons affected by COVID and housing, noting it affects persons of color. Staff can review where in the community the YMCA funds are being utilized. Mike Futrell suggested furthering all approaches into Phase II for further research and analysis. Vanessa McGovern expressed interest in approach 1 and get youth engaged in early career development. Also supported approach 5 and leverage with new opportunities. Norm Faria supported retaining all example approaches. Appreciated learning about new approaches and would like to reduce barriers. Patricia Murray agreed with moving all approaches forward. She noted the school district has looked at options to assist youth with career development. Commission consensus to move all approaches forward for further study. Public Comments  Eddy Holman appreciated presentation from Sustainable Economic, and should look into community land trust in SSF to create affordable housing. He also supports providing assistance directly to renters in need in light of COVID and not funds to landlords.  Marcela noted here on Ohlone land, should recognize at the beginning of meeting. Appreciated presentations and support community land trust. With the General Plan, would like to see high density housing distributed in the City and not just in the east side. Concern with resident displacement. Would like to see renter assistance and not landlord assistance. Further home ownership for people of color.  Olga Perez commented on approach relating to more high density housing and concern with traffic and displacement. Would like to address affordability of housing though partnerships. Preserve Old Town. More funding and partnerships with biotech industry to help address 5 housing.  Aristel De la Cruz need to look at policy to raise wages for workers. Use funds for SLOs for partnerships for job training and internships. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.