2026-09-15 - Housing & Economic Development Committee

Summary

Built from the official minutes (final, approved October 6, 2026). A video is posted on the city portal; no transcript has been processed.

Held by Zoom. Members present: Councilor Ali (Chair), Councilor Phillips, Councilor Michniewicz and Councilor Sykes. Staff: Dena Libner, Michael Goldman, Pat Finnigan, Mary Davis, Heidi McCarthy, Laken Chapin, Nancy Martin and others. Adjourned 7:29 PM (4-0).
Approved minutes of July 21, 2026 (Phillips, Michniewicz) 4-0.
Recommended to Council 4-0: the Lambert Woods North funding ($375,000), the Boyd and Cumberland tax increment financing district amendment, and the CDBG task force report.
Discussed the entertainment sector benefit fund and held a second workshop on public support for the arts. No formal action.
Next meeting: October 6, 2026.

Mary Davis: Preservation of Affordable Housing asked for about $1.3 million more; staff recommends $375,000, bringing the City's total to $735,000 (after $360,000 in October 2025) and leaving $1.28 million in the fund. Sykes moved, Michniewicz seconded, 4-0. No public comment.

Heidi McCarthy: combine the two districts approved in August 2025; no financial impact. Jay Waterman thanked the Committee. Sykes moved, Phillips seconded, 4-0.

Task force Chair Tae Chong and Co-Chair Kristen Dunphey described scoring changes. Sykes moved, Michniewicz seconded, 4-0.

Goldman sought guidance on who would manage the fund; Sykes said the PDC is not the right entity and favored updating the cultural plan; Michniewicz listed who pays, who accesses and who decides. Staff will send a follow-up memo.