During a recent government meeting, city officials discussed the allocation of a $1 million fund aimed at supporting affordable housing projects. The funds are intended to be used for loans to developers, with the expectation that these loans will facilitate the creation of affordable housing units. Council members emphasized the importance of ensuring that these developments remain affordable in perpetuity through land use restriction agreements. The loans, which can range from $600,000 to $2.5 million, will be awarded based on a competitive request for proposals (RFP) process.

Council member Arias expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting its potential for a significant return on investment for the city. He also inquired about how developers could access these funds, to which officials responded that they would be happy to assist and direct inquiries appropriately.

In addition to housing discussions, the council addressed a proposal for a $100,000 study to implement Wi-Fi in 19 city parks. Initially met with skepticism regarding the expenditure on a study, council members acknowledged the necessity of identifying optimal locations for Wi-Fi infrastructure. The study aims to assess the feasibility of connecting parks to the internet, with a focus on enhancing public safety through improved surveillance capabilities.

Technology Solutions representative Wanyoni Kendrick clarified that the study would involve engineering design to determine the best placement for Wi-Fi equipment. The council is also exploring competitive bidding to reduce costs, with hopes of lowering the initial budget from $100,000 to around $50,000.

Council member Howland raised concerns about the implications of providing free Wi-Fi in parks, suggesting that it could set a precedent for treating Wi-Fi as a public utility, which would entail ongoing responsibilities for the city. He urged caution in considering the long-term impacts of such a decision.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote in favor of the affordable housing funding initiative, while discussions on the Wi-Fi project will continue as officials seek cost-effective solutions for enhancing connectivity in city parks.