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HomeMy WebLinkAboutED Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing____________________________________________________________________________________ FOR CITY CLERK ONLY Council Meeting: December 6, 2021 Disposition: Resolution 15003 Agenda Item No: 5.e Meeting Date: December 6, 2021 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: Economic Development Prepared by: Danielle O’Leary, Economic Development Director City Manager Approval: _______ TOPIC: CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING DISSOLUTION SUBJECT: RESOLUTION DISSOLVING THE CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC) ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING RECOMMENDATION: Accept report and adopt resolution to dissolve the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) on Economic Development and Affordable Housing. BACKGROUND: California Redevelopment Agencies started in the 1940s and continued until the State of California terminated Redevelopment effective February 1, 2012. Many Redevelopment Agencies had Citizens Advisory Committees (CACs) that provided feedback on how funds were being allocated. CACs were typically discontinued when Redevelopment Agencies were dissolved in 2012. The City of San Rafael’s Redevelopment Agency started in 1974 and also had a CAC. In January 2012, with the end of Redevelopment, the City of San Rafael reconstituted its CAC into the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing with Resolution 13287. The goal of the CAC was to provide resident and business feedback on economic development and affordable housing projects and policies. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CAC met monthly to provide input on proposed housing and commercial development projects. As the pandemic continued, CAC monthly meetings were put on hiatus due to the public health emergency and staffing constraints. In March of 2021, the city began surveying its established boards and commissions to re-examine committee roles, with the goal of improving representation and inclusion on city boards and commissions. The online survey was disseminated to all current and past city commissioners to receive feedback on their experience serving as a city commissioner, as well as receiving feedback on inclusion and community representation opportunities. ANALYSIS: After reviewing stakeholder feedback, staff’s recommendation is to retire the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) on Economic Development and Affordable Housing because other bodies now exist that focus on the same topics. As an advisory committee, the CAC is not required for SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 development review. Current CAC members wanting to provide feedback on housing and commercial projects are encouraged to participate as members of the public in monthly Planning Commission and/or City Council meetings. In addition, CAC members are also encouraged to participate in the development of San Rafael’s Housing Element led by the Community Development Department. More information can be found at www.sanrafaelhousing.org. CAC commissioners interested in ongoing city economic development efforts can participate as members of the public in the City Council’s monthly Economic Development Subcommittee that meets the second Thursday of every month. More information on City Council subcommittees can be found here. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact to the City if the resolution to dissolve the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing is approved. OPTIONS: 1. Adopt the resolution. 2. Request further information. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt the resolution approving the dissolution of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution Dissolving the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) on Economic Development and Affordable Housing RESOLUTION NO. 15003 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL DISSOLVING THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC) ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHEREAS, the City Council originally established the Redevelopment Citizens Advisory Committee to oversee city redevelopment programming efforts; and WHEREAS, in January of 2012, the City Council reconstituted the Redevelopment Citizens Advisory Committee as the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing to provide input on commercial and housing development activities; and WHEREAS, in March 2020, the COVID-19 Pandemic created a public health emergency and staffing constraints that put the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing on hiatus pending further review; and WHEREAS, in March 2021, the city conducted outreach through an online survey to all city boards and commissions to receive feedback on commissioner experience and to look for opportunities to improve community representation and inclusion; and WHEREAS, the culmination of survey responses and stakeholder feedback, lead to a staff recommendation to dissolve and retire the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing and encourage commissioners to participate in alternative public forums as a member of the public, including Planning Commission, City Council meetings, Economic Development Subcommittee meetings, and the City’s development of a new San Rafael Housing Element; NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the City Council dissolves the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing, effective immediately. The Council further extends its gratitude to the Committee members for their dedication and service. I, LINDSAY LARA, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on Monday, the 6th day of December 2021, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None Lindsay Lara, City Clerk