MINUTES
 
Subcommittee Members present:  Joe Borja (CLTC), Jeremy Rojas (Guam Housing Corp.), Benny Pinaula (GHURA), Victor Torres (BSP), Maryann M. Parteko (representing Eddie Benavente, Ancestral Lands Comm.)
 
Guests present:  Tony Lamorena (Director of BSP), Miki L.G. (BSP), Carlotta Leon Guerrero (Lt. Gov’s COS), Elaine Dell’Isola (Lt. Gov’s Office)
 
 
I. Welcome & Introduction:  

• Meeting called to order by Carlotta LG at 2:40 p.m. April 17, 2007 at the Guam State Clearinghouse conference room at the Governor’s Office Complex in Adelup, Guam. 
• Agenda, Navy EIS/OEIS for DOD expansion (As of: 4/12/07), Scoping Meeting Handouts, Introductory CMTF PowerPoint presentation, & the Guam Integrated Military Development Plan was distributed . 
• Round table introduction of members present
• Sign in sheet circulated.

 
II. Status of Housing Subcommittee:

• Interim Chairperson Joe Borja stated that the Housing subcommittee began in 2006, has met several times, but has not met since Sept/October 2006.  No more than 4-5 members have been attending meetings despite notices sent.

• COS Carlotta noted that due to pressing issues and timelines, the Housing subcommittee should move forward with its plan for written comments for the EIS military expansion.  All members were encouraged to attend the Scoping meetings on either Tuesday (4/17) or Wednesday (4/18).  Hand-outs on information was disseminated to all members.

• COS Carlotta noted that Mr. Ron DeGuzman has agreed to Chair the Housing Subcommittee for the next two months or until the written statements for the EIS is completed.

• Suggestion was break the Housing Subcommittee down further by creating a Land subcommittee in case the proposed highway is an option the military will consider.

• Proposal for a Natural Resources subcommittee was raised.  Tony Lamorena noted that the Environment subcommittee will cover those issues.  More importantly, a lot of issues will overlap between subcommittees.

• Joe Borja noted that the Housing subcommittee binder will be officially turned-over to the next Chairperson, Mr. Ron DeGuzman via Elaine Dell’Isola.  He also recommends to bring onboard secretarial support for the subcommittee for consistency purposes.
 
III. Members offered their thoughts on what the concerns of the subcommittee are faced with, relative to the  military build up.  Summary of comments follow:
 

• There’s a lot of speculative home buying, which is driving the appraised value higher.
• Average affordable homes in California today cost $500,000
• Average affordable homes in Hawaii today cost $800,000
• Housing study does not take into account the military build-up
• According to the GIMDP, there is a need for approximately 3,500 military housing units needed
• The Guam Integrated Military Development Plan, dated July 2006, was produced by the military as their draft plans for military installations on Guam.  It is speculated that 80% of this plan will be the military’s final Master Plan.
• Leo Palace may be a PUD that the military may consider.  All necessary infrastructure is there in which is only 1/3 of the proposed project.  There is speculation that the Japanese government may purchase the PUD for a price of under $3b.
• There is concern on the current Base Housing Allowance.  Currently, single military personnel are entitled to $1,700 per month for off-base housing allowance.  This will have a dramatic impact on the rental rates.
• Guam Housing Corporation
• Homeless Study conducted

 
IV. Other:

• Additional invites for committee membership include: Realtors (Anthony Godwin, Nick Captain, Chris Felix), Carlos Camacho (low income tax homes)

• During Joe Borja’s tenure at Land Management, he met with title companies, realtors, and others on a quarterly basis.  The subcommittee may consider these members as part of the subcommittee.

• HW2

• Chair thanked everyone for sharing their views and thoughts, as well as attending the meeting at such short notice.  
 

V. Timelines:

• May 4th – Each member submits agency’s report to Chairperson.
• May 11th – Subcommittee report due to Governor (via BSP)
• May 21st – DEADLINE for written comments to the Joint Guam Program Office.
• July 1st – First Comprehensive Report Due (Attn: BSP)

 
VI. Adjourn:  Chair thanked everyone for sharing their views and thoughts, as well as attending the meeting  at such short notice.  With no further item on Agenda, meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m