(a) Purpose and Duties. In order to fulfill the requirements of Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) Section 3735.69, or any successor section including such requirement, and to enhance and promote the preservation and development of the City, there is hereby created a Housing Council for the purpose of making an annual inspection of properties within any designated CRA in the City, as defined by R.C. Section 3735.65, for which a tax exemption has been granted under R.C. Section 3735.67, and to report to the State of Ohio summarizing the activities and projects for which an exemption has been granted. The inspections of properties are for the purpose of ensuring that the properties are properly maintained. The designation of any CRA shall be reviewed biennially by the Housing Council to determine whether housing conditions justify the maintenance of the CRA. The Housing Council shall make a recommendation to City Council as to whether the designated area should remain the same, be amended, or be eliminated. The Housing Council shall hear appeals from the denial of certification or the revocation of tax exemptions made by the Housing Officer.
(b) Membership. The Housing Council shall consist of seven members. Two members shall be appointed by City Council; two members shall be appointed by the Mayor; one member shall be appointed by the City's Planning Commission; and these five members shall appoint two residents of the City of Shaker Heights as members. Terms for each member shall be three years. An unexpired term resulting from a vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment is made.
(c) Membership Representation. The appointing authorities for the Housing Council shall work together to ensure in their appointments, as supplemented pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, that there is balanced representation from each of the following groups located within the City, as required by ORC Section 176.01:
(1) Institutions that lend money for housing;
(2) Nonprofit builders and developers of housing;
(3) For-profit builders and developers of housing;
(4) For-profit builders and developers of rental housing;
(5) Real estate brokers licensed under Chapter 4735 of the Revised Code;
(6) Other persons with professional knowledge regarding local housing needs and fair housing issues within the subdivisions served by the board;
(7) Residents of areas of the subdivisions served by the board that could receive housing assistance from such subdivisions;
(8) Any metropolitan housing authority operating within the subdivisions served by the board;
(9) The elected officials of the political subdivisions served by the board;
(10) Such other groups or individuals that the appointing authority determines are necessary to provide balanced advice on housing plans and programs.
(d) Meetings. The Housing Council shall meet at least annually, or as needed, as determined by City Council or the Chairperson of the Housing Council. The annual inspection of properties granted tax exemption by the Council shall constitute a meeting for the purpose of the annual meeting requirement. The Housing Council shall choose from among its members a Chairperson, and such other officers as it determines are needed. At least four members present at a meeting shall comprise a quorum of the Housing Council.
(e) Housing Advisory Board. The Housing Council is designated to serve as the City's Housing Advisory Board pursuant to the authority of ORC Section 176.01(E)(2), or any successor section, for the purposes set forth in Section 130.01 of the Codified Ordinances and as required by ORC Section 176.01, or any successor section including such requirement. The Mayor, with the approval of Council, shall, if necessary to achieve the balanced representation required by subsection (c) of this Section, appoint additional members for three year terms to serve with the Housing Council when it meets as the City's Housing Advisory Board.
(Ord. 16-133. Enacted 12-19-16.)