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131 <br /> <br />noted that Council has structured contact with other major boards such as the School <br />Board and Planning Commission, but no direct link with the Housing Authority. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards added that Council has approval power over the Planning <br />Commission and budget- control over the School Board. Ms. Richards suggested that <br />checks and balances between the City and the Housing Authority be formalized. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he thinks having Councilors on the Housing Authority is overkill <br />and feels that others can be entrusted and can bring their expertise to the management of <br />the Authority. Mr. Cox said that an annual strategic plan is now required of the Housing <br />Authority by HUD and Council can give them feedback on that. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty said she would like to see a representative from business and <br />education on the Board. <br /> <br /> Ms, Jeanne Cox, Clerk of City Council, said that experience has shown that it is <br />often difficult to find applicants for narrowly defined categories on boards, and suggested <br />that the ordinance be written in such a way to provide flexibility to Council when they <br />make appointments. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano agreed that the ordinance should be flexible, and suggested that if a <br />category is created it could be for tenants. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards also agreed with building flexibility into the ordinance, and <br />suggested at least one public housing resident and at least one Councilor, with the rest <br />filled by members of the community. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he feels that as long as Councilors are present on the Board it <br />restricts leadership by others. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty suggested that the Board consist of at least one Councilor, at least <br />two current or former public housing residents, or current or former Section 8 holder, and <br />citizens at large, for a total membership of seven. Ms. Daugherty noted that over the <br />years there has only been a limited field of applicants for the Housing Authority, <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he thinks the field has been limitedbecause of the presence of three <br />Councilors on the Board. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati suggested that a public hearing on membership of the Housing <br />Authority, as proposed by Ms. Daugherty, be held at the next meeting andCounciIors <br />agreed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty asked that staff explore a resolution incorporating ideas of lines of <br />communi~:ation between the Council and the Housing Authority. <br /> <br /> Councilors also agreed that the current ordinance, which sunset on June 30, 1999, <br />be extended in order to allow time to advertise for membership on the Board. <br /> <br />PROPERTY REHABILITATION TAX ABATEMENT PROPOSAL <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty said she would favor adopting a tax abatement for owner-occupied <br />property that had been rehabilitated. Ms. Daugherty said one question is whether to <br />apply the abatement to commercial property. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell explained that tax abatement programs have had mixed reactions <br />in other communities, and suggested that if such a program is adopted that it apply only <br />to residential properties initially in order to determine its effectiveness. Mr. O'Connell <br />explained that other programs explored.require that the house be at least 25 years old, that <br />the improvement be at least 25% of the value of the property, and be for a period of five <br /> <br />years. <br /> <br /> <br />