Housing task force seeks solutions

SANDPOINT— Members of the Sandpoint Workforce Housing Task Force were introduced at the Oct. 6 council meeting.

Rognstad revealed the task force members are an ever growing board which act as an advisory body to the mayor to help identify and vet new ideas to solve the area’s workforce housing issues.

The goal of forming the task force was to reach employers, non-profits, local government, developments and planners, said Rognstad. Among those on the task force are County Commissioner Dan McDonald, councilwoman and Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce member Kate McAlister, restaurateur Justin Dick, Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent Tom Albertson, Ponderay Mayor Steve Geiger and Kootenai Mayor Nancy Lewis, a representative of Kaniksu Land Trust and many others.

He said the task force's broad array of members is to represent the community and bring their expertise and knowledge of their fields to find solutions collectively and collaboratively.

“Employers have the most to gain and lose with the housing issue. If we can’t house the workforce then we can’t do business,” said Rognstad.

He said that he hoped the task force would also address housing for unincorporated areas of Bonner County and partner with the incorporated cities of Sandpoint, Ponderay, Dover and Kootenai. They are looking at what has been tried in other towns across that nation that have had similar housing issues, said Rognstad.

“We [the city council] serve Sandpoint, but can’t look at ourselves as isolated from the region and state,” said Rognstad. “The problem is bigger than us and affects our neighbors and we need to look at this collaboratively.”

He said that the bulk of the housing solutions will come in the form of recommendations to the comprehensive plan to land use regulation. A variety of other solutions can be explored as well through private industry and partnerships with business and in collaboration with local government, said the Sandpoint mayor.

Councilman Joel Aispuro thanked Rognstad for his presentation and reminded those in attendance that government and politics aren’t a quick process.

“It takes time and citizens getting together and figuring things out [to find solutions],” said Aispuro.

Councilwoman Deb Ruehle asked if the task force’s meetings were available to the public so they are aware of what is being said.

Rognstad said the meetings are recorded but at this time are not released to the public since it isn’t known if there would be sensitive information discussed by businesses in regards to staff, vulnerabilities in terms of employment and future business plans.

“I wanted everyone to feel comfortable being open and honest in the forum and not feel under a microscope,” said Rognstad. “I’m trying to protect our sources and make sure we are getting good information.”

The task force has only met twice. The mayor said he will pose the question to the task force members if they would feel comfortable with the meetings being available to the public at the next meeting.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Frytz Mor said that public-private partnerships are riddled with crony capitalism and a way into backroom deals. Mor said that when he hears Rognstad is not open for the public to examine what is being said in meetings, he sees why the public believes there is a lack of transparency.

“When I hear terms like workforce housing and affordable housing and high density living it reminds me of China,” said Mor. “Not the American dream, not what anyone wants. It behooves us to start paying attention to what people of the community want and are asking for.”