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PRESENT:
Noel Blencowe,Sam Grover, Fran Hoban, Hamish McCracken, Tony Morton,
Sharryn Muir, Adam Tiller, Maya Ward
APOLOGIES:
Paul Adams, Cathy Nixon, Mara Ripani, Vyv Rodnight, Jane Ward Chaired
by Maya Ward. Minutes by Noel Blencowe.
1. INTRODUCTIONS
As representatives of Community Housing were present it was agreed to
move this item to the top of the agenda.
2. COMMUNITY HOUSING
Community Housing Ltd. is a company that develops affordable housing
in Melbourne. Simon and Steve from Community Housing were present and
led a wide-ranging discussion on their possible participation in the
Merri Cohousing project. Community Housing are interested in the overall
project due to its potential for getting "affordable housing" built.
If they were involved their primary purpose would be to finance and
secure the land, after which everything else would fall into place.
It was noted that they would need a supportive local authority in order
to get involved. The extent to which banks would lend for the project
was a concern; someone suggested 50% but AT said he had spoken to the
Commonwealth Bank and they were happy to lend 80%. Community Housing
said they were not big enough to be the principal backer for a project
of this size. AT noted that we have already approached the Office of
Housing and they are not prepared to put up any money upfront. The discussion
then turned to possible ways of securing the $1 million seed capital
for the project, which would be used as the 20% leverage for borrowing
and also to service the debt. Suggested possible backers included cohousing
investors (if we can find any), ‘community housing’ providers known
to Simon and Steve, and a loan from the Council’s housing fund. We would
probably build the project in three stages to ease the financing task.
The question was raised of who owns the Community Housing projects when
they are developed. In the past the Government has owned some through
the Office of Housing, or they have been owned by ‘common equity’ rental
cooperatives. ‘Affordable housing’ is a wide-ranging term meaning ‘affordable
to residents’ and is not restricted to government-owned public housing.
3. ADMIN
3.1 Minutes of meeting 1/2000
The minutes were circulated. As members had not had the opportunity
to read them previously, it was agreed to defer acceptance of the minutes
to the next Committee meeting.
3.2 Treasurer’s Report
TM presented the inaugural financial statement for July 2000. We have
received $1,140 in membership fees of which $15 has been spent on an
incorporation kit. Some other members have spent money on behalf of
the association (Robyn for catering, Hamish for title searches) and
were asked to give receipts to TM for reimbursement.
3.3 Progress of Incorporation
MW reported that this was proceeding. We will open a bank account as
soon as we are incorporated.
3.4 Planning for 30 August General
Meeting
MW will ask PA about the arrangements for Urban Ecology to present at
the general meeting.
4. PROCESS WORKING GROUP
4.1 Process for adopting discussion
papers
HM asked all to read and comment on his proposal for formally adopting
‘discussion papers’, which would become de facto policy statements for
the group. This proposal was e-mailed to everyone on the committee and
was circulated again at the meeting.
4.2 Discussion papers for tabling
This is anticipated to become a regular agenda item, where any member
can ‘table’ a discussion paper for discussion and formal adoption at
a subsequent Committee meeting. The following discussion papers were
tabled:
a. Discussion Papers Process (HM)
b. Membership, Structure and Decision Process (HM)
c. Meeting Procedure for Fun and Function (SG)
d. Investors and Renters—Two Models for Ownership (HM)
All are free to write and circulate their own discussion papers, and
to comment on discussion papers others have written. Paula has indicated
a desire to work on our vision statement at a future general meeting.
It was decided to schedule this for the 27 September meeting.
4.3 Business Plan—Community Housing
Ltd.
NB will follow up with Council the financing of the business plan. If
finance is not forthcoming from Council we will ask Community Housing
to prepare a ‘financial plan’ (core component of business plan proper).
4.4 Poola Foundation
There was nothing to report on this issue.
4.5 Communication with Lawyers
and Other Parties
Jay Jethra-Adam is still interested in working with us on legal matters.
He will need the business plan before he can proceed further.
4.5 Purchasing Strategy
4.5.1 Communication with Vendors
Nothing to report.
4.5.2 Alternative Sites
The Abbotsford Convent Coalition is urgently seeking submissions on
possible uses for a portion of the convent site, on the Yarra next to
the Collingwood Childrens’ Farm. MW will write a submission to suggest
a cohousing development. SG has seen a vacant site off Sydney Road near
Anstey Station (the ‘Whelan the Wrecker’ site) and will follow up. AT
will ask Frances Grindlay of Council about the possibility of developing
the Council-owned ‘Maria Berry’ land. HM is keen on finding a big building
and retrofitting it. The old Tip Top bakery on Weston Street could be
a possibility, though perhaps too large for our needs. AT noted the
existence of a site ‘tucked away’ behind Merri Parade in Westgarth,
next to the railway line. The site is apparently institution-owned which
could simplify purchase negotiations. HM will do a title search to determine
ownership.
5. FINANCE WORKING GROUP
5.1 Funds Available from Members
TM noted that according to Expressions of Interest lodged so far, 12
people are prepared to invest $2.4 million in total, and three or four
of them have money available now, about $250,000 between them. We have
many other members who have not indicated any possible financial commitment.
There is clearly a need to encourage people to commit financial resources
to the project. This would be easier if we had a trustworthy financial
entity in which money could be held. It was suggested we set up a cash
management trust, which would earn 5% interest on contributions people
made now. HM noted there is already money available to start this off.
We should also have some legal/contractual structure to cover investors.
ACTION: TM and NB to get information on financial entities, and contact
all members to check possible financial commitments.
6. DESIGN WORKING GROUP
6.1 Design Process Proposal
PA and MW will work on a process and present to Committee at a later
date.
6.2 Acceptance of David Oppenheim
as Project Architect
This was deferred to the general meeting on 30 August. We have had input
from urban designer Chip Kaufman who has queried some aspects of David’s
proposal. Carparking is still a concern; we cannot afford to build an
underground carpark. There appear to be many more houses on the block
(?). Ceridwen has raised the possibility of self-designed buildings.
This will need further discussion.
7. EDUCATION WORKING GROUP
7.1 Media Reports
Nothing to report.
7.2 Information Meeting
This has been postponed to Sunday 3 September at 11am, at ACF (30 Gore
St Fitzroy).
8. COMMUNICATION WORKING GROUP
8.1 Finalising the Lists
This was left to PA to handle. TM will prepare a discussion paper on
membership categories and fees.
9. CLOSE
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 10:00pm.
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