Sarah Dhar, the housing director, briefed the board on operational impacts from the recent HUD shutdown, staffing transitions, organizational changes and redevelopment planning.

Dhar said HUD front-loaded monthly housing-assistance funds and local staff worked to document submissions during federal system outages so deadlines would be evidenced. She told the board that, had HUD funding not been available, the City of Flagstaff has historically agreed to temporarily carry the housing authority until federal funds arrive; staff did not need to call on that support during the most recent shutdown.

On staffing, Dhar announced the housing authority director position will open following Calebs departure. She said Charisse Ferretto Agalar is now voucher program manager, Anna is the new public-housing program manager, and two housing-services specialist positions have been filled with start dates pending.

Dhar reported she pulled a Belmont/expanded-area agenda item to better refine the geographic boundaries for a proposed local preference; current local-preference geography includes Dona Park, Kachina and Mountain Air but not Munns Park. She also described progress integrating Williams vouchers and residents into the authoritys systems, with staff conducting monthly visits for inspections and phased recertifications.

Dhar announced that City Council approved elevating Housing to its own division, separating it from Community Development; she said the move reduces bureaucratic layers between housing staff, city management and council. On redevelopment, Dhar said the authority issued a solicitation for technical assistance and project management for a RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) redevelopment and is in final contract negotiations; staff plans to bring a contract to city council in January (tentatively Jan. 6) and provide board education on RAD before any critical decisions.

The board had no public commenters, and the meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.