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safe and sanitar~ garden apartments for 60 of PIeasanton's elder citizens. He supported the Housing Conunission's recommendation that Council establish a task force. He indicated that the directors of Pleasanton Gardens have expressed their willingness to participate in the task force and will be bringing with them 34 years of their organization's successful operation. He believed there might be some answer with regard to financing. He recently attended a seminar where he was able to speak about this matter with Stillman Knight, HUD's Deputy Under Sec~ary for Multi Housing. Mr. Knight did not believe there would be anything standing in the way of this project, but did say that a new directive on mixed financing for new and renovated facilities would be finalized this month, which might significantly expand the possibility of collaboration between cities and other organizations. This would result in preservation and expansion of Pleasanton's affordable housing stock. He believed current residents of Kottinger Place and Pleasanton Gardens should be made aware that anything growing out of these discussions might be years away. If Pleasanton wanted affordable housing that was a positive addition to the community, and if the members of Council meant what they said tonight and on previous occasions about the need for affordability in housing for all groups within the City, it was time to get started. He repotted that Pleasanton Gardens is accepting applieatious for studio apartments through November 14th. In response to an inquiry by Ms. Ayaia, Mr. Fiedler indicated he had no preference who made the appointments for the five at-large members to the task force. He suggested Council take into consideration the directors he directly works with and access their strengths, personalities and contacts. Besides providing information, he believed the task force needed to be a good, cohesive working group. Howard Neely, 448 Amador, provided a brief history with regard to the proposed task force. He concurred with Mr. Fielder's comments and voiced his support for the formation of the task force. Christine Steiner, 596 Hamilton Way, supported staff's recommendation. She indicated that she had served on the Assisted Housing Facility Task Force and that the appointments to that task force were by the Mayor. She believed it was important to have a broad base of knowledge un the task force. She reported that a meeting of the residents of Kottinger Place was held and this matter was discussed. The major concern of the seniors was related to who will do this and will their rent go up? The first priority would be in maintaining the same rent level that the seniors are currently paying. She believed one of the key factors for its success was in moving the seniors as a community. If the seniors were to be relocated, she asked that Council maintain the same sense of community and move the seniors in groups. There were no further speakers. Pleasanton City Council 22 11/4/03 Minutes