Minutes ofthe Townd of1 Bedford  Thel Redevelopment and Housing Authority  The Redevelopment and Housing Authority held a regular meeting on' Thursday, March 14,2024, at 5:55 p.m. in the Town Municipal Building Council Hall. Prior to the start oft the Authority meeting, the Hilltop Redevelopment and Housing Authority members present: Jim Messier, Chair; Rusty Mansel, Vice Chair;  CDBG Management Team meeting was held.  Frances Coles; Ann Duncan; Georgiann Watts; and David Foster Redevelopment and Housing Authority members absent: Gail Davis Building Official; and Cathy Johnson, Clerk to the Housing Authority Town Staff absent: Anne Cantrell, Finance Director Other present: CG Stanley, Town Council CALLTOORDER:  Town Staff present: Mary Zirkle, Director of Planning and Community Development; Gary McIver,  Mr. Messier opened the meeting and asked the Clerk for the roll call. The Clerk gave the roll call and it was  determined that there was a quorum, APPROVALOF MINUTES:  Mr. Mansel made a motion to adopt the February 8, 2024, minutes and Ms. Coles seconded. The vote  carried 6-0 to approve the minutes as presented.  CONSENT AGENDA:  Ms. Zirkle gave the financial reports on behalf of Anne Cantrell, Finance Director. She stated that since last month 0.13 cents interest on investments and a $19.60 expenditure were reported, and currently there is $30,548.35 cash on hand in the Housing Authority account. The Authority reviewed the Year-to-Date Budget Report for the month of. January. Ms. Zirkle stated that Fiscal Year 2025 Budget is being reviewed for. July 1 and the Authority will take action on the budget at its next meeting.  INFORMATIONITEMS:  Mr. Mansel asked for an update on properties owned by the Housing Authority on South Street and Plunkett Street. Ms. Zirkle stated that Mr. Mike Lockaby the Town Attorney sent a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Moon at 530 Otey Street regarding the fence encroachment on the South Street property on behalf of the Housing Authority. She stated that the Town Attorney had not heard back from them. Collectively, the Authority understood that it did not want a response but tos send a letter to rectify the fence encroachment. Ms. Zirkle mentioned that she met one oft the heirs oft the property on Plunkett Street but no other work  has been done on the title. ACTIONITEMS: Authority.  Ms. Zirkle handout the revised "RHA Strategic Plan Status and Schedule" dated March 12, 2024, to the Mr. Messier left the meeting at 5:58 pm and the meeting was turned over to the Vice Chair Rusty Mansel.  3/14/24 Redevelopment & Housing Authority Minutes Page 1 of3    After the introduction, Ms. Zirkle turned over the discussion to Mr. Andrew Friedman with Progressive Housing Solutions, LLC. Mr. Friedman joined via Zoom and gave al briefoverall review. He stated that the strategic plan should take about 3% months to complete. He mentioned that the revised schedule will be covered at two Board meetings. As he directed attention to the revised schedule, he stated that Virginia Housing (VH)plan Items 1-3 [l. Mission, 2. Vision, and3. Values] will be discussed at this meeting with aj possible "in principle" approval. He stated that VH Items 4-5 [4. SWOT and 5. Competitive Advantage] will be open for discussion at this meeting but he will compile a document for Mr. Friedman read into record the draft Mission, Vision, Values statements dated March 14, 2024, as After Mr. Friedman re-read the "Mission Statement", the Authority suggested removing the words "entire" and "all" in the Mission Statement. During the discussion, the Authority did not want the Mission Statement to be wordy or too detailed but wanted the Mission Statement to reflect its primary goals for the community. It was discussed not just toi focus solely on existing low-income homeownership. The Authority discussed ifiti is able to create a partnership or affordable rental options are available, whether that should become part ofi its mission. Mr. Friedman stated that the Authority does not have to approve the Mission Statement tonight. He will discuss revising the Mission Statement with Mary Zirkle and Next, the Authority gave its input on the draft "Vision Statement". Mr. Friedman stated that the Vision Statement is based on the Virginia Housing guidance. Mr. Foster asked what does "larger" mean? Mr. Friedman explained during a previous discussion, the Authority needed a larger budget, more staff, additional partnership, but that he could make the term "larger" more specific. The Authority discussed the main focus is to help low-income homeownership and to helpi improve the quality of their homes. Again, the need for suitable low-income rentals came up in the discussion. One being the need to expand senior living by giving a developer the opportunity to look at available land to provide more affordable rentals. The Authority agreed to put both low-income homeownership and possibly low-income rental in the Vision Statement. Ms. Zirkle informed the Authority that the new zoning ordinance has "Accessory Dwelling Unit" as a secondary dwelling for rental as a conditional permitted use. She stated the need for more workforce housing in Town. She stated the need for clarification when putting both low-income homeownership and rental in the Vision Statement. Mr. Friedman agreed to work on the emphasis and insert some wording for clarification. The Authority wanted to consider the term "affordability". Mr. Friedman stated that "affordability" is defined per DHCD, yet he can make it clearer who the Housing Next, after reading the draft "Values" into the record, Mr. Friedman agreed to take the Board's comments into consideration and modify the text. The Authority suggested striking "to the people we serve"to eliminate duplicate wording in the "Accountability" statement and stronger verbiage to get publicity out int the "Community" statement. The Authority stated that it was okay with the other values listed on the draft. Mr. Friedman stated that he will return with an additional draft for discussion at the April meeting. Lastly, the Authority discussed the "SWOT" Analysis known as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats and the "Competitive Advantage" while Ms. Zirkle wrote the pros and cons on a whiteboard for future reference. Mr. Friedman stated he will create a document from the list for the Board to review on  the Authority to review at its April 1 meeting. presented to the Authority and asked for its input.  bringi it back before the Board.  Authority serves.  April 11.  Ms. Johnson left the meeting at 7:00 pm. NEXTMEETING DATE:  The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 11,2024, at 5:30 pm.  3/14/24 Redevelopment & Housing Authority Minutes Page 2of3    ADJOURNED:  There being no further business, the Vice Chair adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.  Respectfully submitted, Cathy Johnson, Clerk of the Authority Approved on May 9,2024  T. Messiér,  Ale  3/14/24 Redevelopment & Housing Authority Minutes Page 3of3