HomeMy WebLinkAboutAHTFMinutes_2017_03_09Brookings Affordable Housing Task Force
March 9, 2017 Minutes
A meeting of the Brookings Affordable Housing Task Force was held on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 1:00
p.m. in the Brookings City and County Government Center. Members present: Patty Bacon, Kelan
Bludorn, Mike Lockrem, and Angie Boersma. City staff and others present: Jeff Weldon, City Manager,
Kevin Catlin, Assistant to the City Manager, Mike Struck, Community Development Director, Staci
Bungard, City Planner, Joy McCraken, Executive Director, Dakota Land Trust, Brenda Schweitzer,
Executive Director of BATA, and Nels Granholm, Brookings resident.
Chair Bacon called the meeting to order at 1:08 p.m.
The minutes from February 9, 2017 will need to be approved at the next meeting, as there was not a
quorum in attendance. The meeting proceeded as there were no action items needing a board decision.
Next Scheduled Meeting. Center for Community Change will be here on April 19, 2017 from 6-8 p.m.
and April 20, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to discuss housing trust funds. The session on April 19th will
include public participation and the meeting on April 20th will be with the Taskforce and City Council
members.
Presentation on Dakota Land Trust.
Chair Bacon introduced Joy McCraken, Executive Director of Dakota Land Trust, from Rapid City, SD to
the group. Joy gave a presentation and answered questions on land trusts. The presentation and
discussion focused on the following:
Dakota Land Trust is a nonprofit that was started in 2007 in the Rapid City, SD area to assist with
long-term affordable housing options.
Dakota Land Trust acquires land for homes to constructed and sold to qualifying
individuals/families. Recipients are at 80% or below area median income.
Dakota Land Trust retains ownership of the land and recipients own the homes.
There is shared equity for both parties.
Rural Development and FHA finance the homes.
Dakota Land Trust works with private developers and cities to acquire land. Homes are
constructed by Neighbor Works or Governor homes are brought in.
TIF Districts have been utilized for these projects.
Land trusts keep homes affordable over time whereas ICAP/Habitat homes are sold without any
restrictions.
How was the land acquired from developers and cities? The City of Spearfish gave surplus City
land and bought lots from the developer for cost and sold them to Dakota Land Trust for a
discounted cost.
There are condo and multi-family ownership opportunities lacking in Brookings.
A manufactured home subdivision might offer lower priced options here.
Dakota Land Trust is also doing a pilot project for small home development that does not have
income restrictions but homes need to be owner occupied.
Discussion on Affordable Housing and Transit.
Brenda Schweitzer, Executive Director of BATA, spoke to the group about transportation options in
Brookings. The group discussion focused on:
The demand for BATA is strong with a 25% increase in ridership last year and drives 600,000
miles annually.
BATA added an evening shift that runs until 11 p.m. and the Safe Ride program runs until 2:30
a.m. on select days.
BATA runs to Sioux Falls three times per day.
BATA cannot compete with private enterprise because of federal funding.
BATA needs to dictate times and locations and advertise them.
BATA buses can be used for City functions.
A fixed route system has been considered but it is a major capital investment to acquire the
buses.
There is also an increasing demand for transportation around SDSU. This could help with the
parking issues around campus.
There are partnerships with SDSU and local businesses but Brenda would like to strengthen
these ties as funding is tight.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:10 p.m.