Affordable Housing Ordinance

      0-108-17

Introduced by Chris Fahl, Chair
Planning & Development Committee

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ATHENS CITY CODE TITLE 3, ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, CHAPTER 3.07, ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS; BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, TO ADD SECTION 3.07.76 TO ESTABLISH THE ATHENS CITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMISSION. 

WHEREAS, the City of Athens/Ohio University Affordable Housing Task Force was created to review best practices, investigate community affordable housing models, and identify needs and opportunities within the Athens’ city limits to advance sustainable affordable housing for city residents, and

WHEREAS, Athens City Council has reviewed and approved the December 1, 2016 Recommendation Report of said Task Force; and

WHEREAS, the Affordable Housing Commission shall use the guiding principles set forth in the 2016 Recommendation Report to successfully develop an appropriate housing strategy; 

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, OHIO:

SECTION I:    Athens City Code Title 3, Administrative Provisions, Chapter 3.07, Administrative Departments; Boards and Commissions, is hereby amended to add Section 3.07.76 to establish the Athens City Affordable Housing Commission.  

3.07.76.  ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMISSION

  1. THERE IS HEREBY CREATED AND ESTABLISHED A COMMITTEE TO BE KNOWN AS THE ATHENS CITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMISSION CONSISTING OF A MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL,THE MAYOR OR HIS/HER DESIGNEE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE METROPOLITAN HOUSING AUTHORITY OR HIS/HER DESIGNEE, A DESIGNEE BY THE OHIO UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT, AND SEVEN (7) ADDITIONAL MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL WHO ARE, WHEN POSSIBLE, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FOLLOWING:  REAL ESTATE, NEIGHBORHOODS, FINANCE, TENANTS, SENIOR CITIZEN, AND TWO AT LARGE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY CITY COUNCIL.  

  2. INITIAL APPOINTMENTS OF THE SIX (6) REPRESENTATIVES SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:  TWO (2) OF THE APPOINTED MEMBERS SHALL SERVE

TERMS OF ONE (1) YEAR; TWO (2) OF THE APPOINTED MEMBERS SHALL SERVE TERMS OF TWO YEARS; AND TWO (2) OF THE APPOINTMENT MEMBERS SHALL SERVE TERMS OF THREE YEARS.  AFTER THE INITIAL APPOINTMENTS ESTABLISHING THE AFFORDABLE 

HOUSING COMMISSION, ALL MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED TO THREE-YEAR TERMS COMMENCING ON MAY 1ST. MEMBERS MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR REAPPOINTMENT AND MAY SERVE CONSECTIVE 3-YEAR TERMS.  VACANCIES ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMISSION OCCURRING OTHERWISE THAN BY THE EXPIRATION OF TERMS, SHALL BE FILLED FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM AND APPOINTED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS.  ALL MEMBERS SHALL SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION.

(C) ALL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

A QUORUM FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMISSION SHALL CONSIST OF A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS.  A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE FULL VOTING MEMBERSHIP IS NECESSARY TO TAKE ANY OFFICIAL ACTION.  VOTING MAY BE DONE BY BEING PRESENT AT THE MEETING, BY REAL TIME CONFERENCING, OR BY PROXY VOTE.

THE COMMISSION SHALL ELECT ITS OWN CHAIRPERSON FROM AMONG ITS MEMBERS, SHALL MAINTAIN A RECORD OF ITS PROCEEDINGS, AND SHALL ADOPT SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS OF SELF-GOVERNMENT AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES AND PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.

A MEMBER WHO MISSES THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE MEETINGS, WITHOUT AN EXCUSED ABSENCE, SHALL AUTOMATICALLY CEASE TO BE A MEMBER AND HIS/HER SEAT SHALL BECOME VACANT.

3.07.77.  POWERS AND DUTIES

  1. REVIEW AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ATHENS CITY GOVERNMENT ON POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATED TO HOUSING ISSUES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • ZONING PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION

  • FIRE, POLICE, AND SAFETY SERVICES

  • RECREATIONAL SERVICES

  • HOUSING CODE AND ENFORCEMENT SERVICES

  • ATHENS CITY TRANSIT, STREETS, AND PARKING SERVICES

  • UTILITIES SERVICES:  WATER, SEWAGE, GARBAGE, RECYCLING

  • EXISTING PROGRAMS AND NEEDS

  • SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS

  • ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

  1. ACTS AS LIAISON BETWEEN MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

  1. RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND COMMUNITY.

  1. CONSULT WITH CITY OFFICIALS, COUNCIL CITIZENS AND INSTITUTIONS OF ATHENS IN IMPLEMENTING SPECIAL PROJECTS.

  1. INFORM THE CITY OF GRANT OPPORTUNITIES.

  1. PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT OF ACTIVITIES TO ATHENS CITY COUNCIL AND TO MAKE SUCH OTHER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO ATHENS CITY COUNCIL FROM TIME TO TIME AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY.

SECTION II:   This Ordinance shall be in effect and full force upon its passage and approval by the Mayor.

_________________________President of Council

ATTEST:APPROVED:

__________________________________________________

Clerk of CouncilMayor