Housing Opportunities Commission Agenda Packet 9/9/26

Housing Opportunities Commission Agenda September 9, 2026 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that there will be a meeting of the City Housing Opportunities Commission on September 9, 2026 at 5:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 203 S. Farwell Street, Eau Claire, Wisconsin on the below agenda items. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of meeting minutes of August 12, 2026 (Action Required) 4. Open Public Comment Period The HOC desires to hear the viewpoints of residents of the City of Eau Claire on ideas or concerns with a housing focus. The Public Comment Period will be for up to 20 minutes (eligible to be extended by 2/3 vote of the HOC members present). Each speaker shall be permitted no more than 3 minutes to speak and shall speak only once per session. Below items are Public Discussion and do not have public comment periods. All public comment should occur during this allotted time. 5. Public Hearings 6. Business Agenda items A. Flexible Housing Fund Update (30 min) B. First Time Home Buyers Event Planning Update (30 min) C. HOC Ordinance Review (30 min) 7. Staff updates (10 min) 8. Discussion and Direction A. Future Agenda Items B. Announcements a. Next meeting: October 14, 2026 (in person) 9. Adjournment _________________________________ Christina Thrun, Chairperson c: News Media Housing Opportunities Commission Minutes August 12, 2026 1. Call to Order at 5:22 pm 2. Roll Call A. Commissioners present: Stokes, Thrun, Theisen, Peterson, Scwartz, Hanson B. Commissioners absent: Schoen, Lash, Buechner C. Staff present: Hufford, Oleson-Bue, Sperber 3. Approval of meeting minutes of May 13, 2026 - Motion to approve made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Peterson, passed unanimously. 4. Open Public Comment Period – no one came forward with comment 5. Public Hearings - none 6. Business Agenda items A. Flexible Housing Fund (45 min) i. Education Sessions – Discussed scheduling education sessions. Stokes recommended allocating $785,000 to the RFP and doing the education sessions after the release. HOC requested an end of October/beginning of November due date and education sessions by the end of September. Hufford will schedule education sessions. ii. RFP Allocation (Action Required) - Stokes moved to allocate $785,000 seconded by Schwartz, passed unanimously. iii. 2027 CIP – Hufford shared that Council allocated $750,000 in the CIP housing fund for 2027. B. Developer Education Event – Various Housing Fund Programs (10 min) - HOC decided to cancel this event due to difficulties organizing speakers. Hufford will work on a flier with various funding links. C. First Time Home Buyers Event Planning (10 min) - HOC discussed planning a first-time home buyers education session. Schwartz, Peterson, and Theisen volunteered to work on a presentation/materials. D. Neighborhood Improvement District Presentation (30 min) - Hufford shared what a NID is and how it may be used for housing. E. Staff updates (10 min) i. Housing Projects Update - Hufford updated HOC on the excess land project. ii. Data Update iii. Other Updates 7. Discussion and Direction A. Future Agenda Items - Review HOC ordinance B. Announcements a. Next meeting: September 10, 2026 b. Momentum West conference October 29, 2026 8. Adjournment at 6:57 pm 2.66.040 Procedure. A majority of the committee shall constitute a quorum. The committee shall adopt such by-laws as appropriate to further govern its proceedings. (Ord. 7215, 2017) 2.66.050 Duties and responsibilities . The committee shall be accountable to the city council. The committee shall provide advice to the city council that reflects community values on bicycle and pedestrian practices relative to the city. Annually, a designated staff liaison shall develop a draft work plan for the committee, which shall be based on the city council’s Strategic Plan, the Comprehensive Plan or the city manager’s work plan. The staff liaison may work with the committee until a mutually agreeable work plan is complete. The work plan may include new ideas or projects not specifically enumerated in the city council’s Strategic Plan, the Comprehensive Plan or the city manager’s work plan. Staff shall evaluate new ideas or projects for their efficacy and the expenditure of city resources, including staff time. Annually, the staff liaison shall present the committee’s work plan to the city council at a regularly scheduled city council meeting for approval. Progress on the work plan may be reviewed mid-year with the city council or the city manager. (Ord. 7215, 2017) 2.66.060 Meetings. The committee shall hold regular meetings as may be provided by its by-laws, and may hold special meetings at the call of the chair or at the request of the city council. (Ord. 7215, 2017; Ord. 6692, 2006). Chapter 2.67 HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION Sections: 2.67.010 Creation. 2.67.020 Definition. 2.67.030 Purpose and intent. 2.67.040 Composition. 2.67.050 Procedure. 2.67.060 Duties and responsibilities. 2.67.060 Meetings. 2.67.010 Creation. A Housing Opportunities Commission for the City of Eau Claire is hereby created. 2.67.020 Definitions. As used in this chapter: A. "Commission" means the Housing Opportunities Commission created under this chapter. B. “Affordable housing” refers to housing units, and their related expenses, that cost no more than thirty percent of the average median gross annual income of a resident of Eau Claire to rent or finance utilizing prevailing home mortgage lending practices. C. “Lived Experience” refers to the knowledge gained by those individuals who self - identify as currently experiencing, or having previously experienced, the challenge to find affordable housing. 2.67.030 Purpose and intent. It is hereby declared a matter of public policy that all citizens of Eau Claire deserve fair and equitable access to safe, stable, affordable housing. It is a public necessity and in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, and welfare of the community to ensure that all Eau Claire residents have the ability to rent or own a home. The purpose of the Commission is to advise city council and further city housing policy as follows: A. Recommend and review ordinances and other policies of general application that best ensure the availability of affordable housing in the city of Eau Claire. B. Facilitate access to programs and funding for groups, including but not limited to, developers, builders and residents that contribute to Eau Claire’s affordable housing, and especially to reduce costs for those who face the greatest need. C. Promote public-private partnerships that stimulates the development and revitalization of local housing units, expands the diversity of housing types, and improves housing affordability. D. Review civic strategies that increase home ownership opportunities in the city of Eau Claire. E. Regularly, but no less than annually, convene a regional meeting of industry and community stakeholders to share the Commission’s progress and direction on strategies for affordable housing and to receive feedback that may be incorporated into their work and recommendations to the City Council, staff and wider community. 2.67.040 Composition. A. The Housing Opportunities Commission shall consist of 11 members, 10 of which shall be recommended by the advisory committee on appointments and confirmed by city council upon creation of the Commission and 1 member shall be a city council member appointed by the city council at its organizational meeting. B. The Commission shall include city of Eau Claire residents with backgrounds as local developers, realtors, property managers, public health, social service providers or other applicable lived experience and moreover at least one member with student housing lived experience. The city especially seeks members with an interest in providing local affordable housing through their expertise in the areas of real estate and development, social services, finance, economic development, lived experience, design and architecture, urban and regional planning, property management and community service leaders. C. The members of the Commission shall serve a three -year-term; however, initial appointments to hold office for staggered terms of one, two and three years, res pectively, as indicated for each member in the city council appointment resolution. The council member shall be appointed annually during the April city council organizational meeting. D. At the first regularly scheduled meeting following the city council organizational meeting shall elect a chair and vice-chair to a one-year-term. 2.67.050 Procedure. A simple majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. The Commission shall adopt such by-laws as appropriate to further govern its proceedings. 2.67.060 Duties and responsibilities. The Commission shall have the following duties and responsibilities: A. Support goals of the City Council Strategic Plan, the Comprehensive Plan, and the city manager’s work plan related to affordable housing. B. Review affordable housing policies and provide recommendations and comments to the Plan Commission and City Council. C. Recommend any affordable housing program eligibility criteria to City Council. D. Initiate and recommend guidelines for development of Eau Claire affordable housing policy, including expanded home ownership and transitional housing opportunities in the city. E. Annually propose to city council for its review and adoption affordable housing goals and Commission work plan based upon documented community need consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, Strategic Plan, and Regional Housing Task Force recommendations. F. Provide advocacy for establishing and maintaining a diversity of housing types and opportunities in the city. G. Promote a greater community understanding and acceptance of affordable housing through public education and public events. H. Review and advise the city council on affordable housing priorities in the capital improvement plan for the city. I. Explore strategies to minimize the cost of utilities, parking and transportation as factors impacting the affordability of housing. 2.67.070 Meetings. The Commission shall hold regular meetings on a monthly basis as may be further provided by its by-laws, and may hold special meetings on the call of the chairperson or at the request of the city council. (Ord. 7360, 2020) Chapter 2.68 OFFICERS' BONDS Sections: 2.68.010 Treasurer relieved of bond. 2.68.020 Obligation assumed by city. 2.68.030 Comptroller. 2.68.040 Chief of police. 2.68.010 Treasurer relieved of bond. The city elects not to give the bond on the municipal treasurer provided for by Section 70.67(1) of the statutes. (Prior code §1.20(1)). 2.68.020 Obligation assumed by city . Pursuant to Sec tion 70.67(2) of the Wisconsin Statutes, the city shall be obligated to pay, in case the treasurer thereof fails to do so, all state and county taxes required by law to be paid by such treasurer to the county treasurer. (Prior code §1.20(2) (part)). 2.68.030 Comptroller. The comptroller shall be covered with a fidelity bond of ten thousand dollars. The city shall pay the cost of such bond. (Ord. 4942, 1989; Prior code §1.15 V). 2.68.040 Chief of police . The chief of police shall be covered with a fidelity bond of ten thousand dollars. The city shall pay the cost of such bond. (Ord. 4942, 1989). Chapter 2.70 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES Sections: 2.70.010 Department created. 2.70.020 Appointment--Duties. 2.70.010 Department created. There is created a department of human resources under the supervision of a director of human resources. (Charter Ord. 3778 §10(part), 1977). 2.70.020 Appointment --Duties. The city manager shall appoint a director of human resources who shall be respon sible for matters involving the personnel of the city, in cluding the hiring, firing, compensation, promotion and demotion of employees. The director shall administer the affirmative action programs of the city and all other programs involving city personnel. The director shall be responsible for city employee labor relations and negotiations and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the city manager. (Charter Ord. 3778 §10(part), 1977). Chapter 2.72 EMPLOYEES' REGULATIONS Sections: Housing Opportunities Commission Bylaws Amendments REMOTE ATTENDANCE – STANDING RULES Remote attendance at City of Eau Claire Housing Opportunities Commission meetings is permitted through full compliance with Wisconsin Open Meetings Law, City of Eau Claire Ordinance 2.04.055, and by the adoption and application of these rules. The Housing Opportunities Commission recognizes that Wisconsin Open Meetings Law requires the public have the fullest and most complete information regarding the affairs of government as is compatible with the conduct of governmental business.1 As such, Housing Opportunities Commission will strive to provide as much advance notice of meetings with virtual attendance as is reasonably possible and all proceedings shall be open and accessible to the public. Pursuant to City of Eau Claire Ordinance 2.04.055, and acknowledging the necessity of full compliance with that ordinance, the Housing Opportunities Commission establishes the following standing rules governing remote attendance: 1. Understanding that Wisconsin Open Meetings Law requires transparency and accessibility for the public, the preference for meeting attendance by committee members shall be in person. Remote attendance shall be utilized only when a committee member is unable to attend a meeting in person to allow for the greatest public access and understanding of Housing Opportunities Commission proceedings. 2. A request to add a virtual attendance option to a meeting shall be considered from the Housing Opportunities Commission chairperson or if submitted from at least two members of the Housing Opportunities Commission Requests must be submitted to the staff liaison or City Clerk at least 96 hours (4 days) prior to the scheduled meeting. 3. A request for virtual attendance made in a timely manner and properly publicly noticed shall result in a meeting held entirely virtually. 4. Committee members attending remotely shall be located in an environment with technology that allows the member to hear and speak in the meeting. 5. Committee members attending remotely shall remain on screen with video on in order to vote and count for quorum. 6. As required by City of Eau Claire Ordinance 2.04.055, virtual attendance shall not be permitted for meetings involving quasi-judicial proceedings, closed session, or any other proceeding where in-person attendance is necessary to fully participate in the proceedings. Adopted July 12, 2023. 1 Wis. Stat. §19.81(1). REMOTE ATTENDANCE Housing Opportunities Commission will meet in-person a minimum of two (2) meetings per year. Meetings occurring in May and October are required to be in-person only. Adopted August 9, 2023. CODE OF CONDUCT The Committee Code of Conduct provided to all new committee members in their welcoming packet and reviewed during new-member orientation has been affirmed by the Housing Opportunities Commission Commissioners. Adopted August 9, 2023 Housing Opportunities Commission Meetings 2026 Council Chambers, City Hall 5:15 p.m. 2nd Wednesday of the month January 14 February 11 March 11 April 8 May 13 (in person only) June 10 July 8 August 12 September 9 October 14 (in person only) November 11 December 9 Wisconsin Open Meetings Law, City of Eau Claire Ordinance 2.04.055: Housing Opportunities Commission will meet in-person a minimum of two (2) meetings per year. Meetings occurring in May and October are required to be in-person only. Adopted August 9, 2023. https://www.eauclairewi.gov/government/boards-commissions-committees/housing-opportunity-commission Interested in serving on the Commission? Resource Bank Form: https://www.eauclairewi.gov/government/our-divisions/city-manager/online-citizen- resource-bank-form