Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

• Mandy Dalrymple, Public at Large, Chair
• Heather Simmons, Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chair
• Justin Holstlaw, COBA
• Ian Karasz, Public at Large
• Tony Levison, Real Estate community recommended by COAR
• Isabel Mikovich, Tenant of affordable housing
• Nadia Kelem, Public at Large
• Todd Prior, Member with Experience in Lending/ Financing
• Lynne McConnell, Member of the building and development community
• Steve Platt, Councilor

Below are standard definitions of the roles typically represented on an advisory body at the City of Bend. A chart outlining various responsibilities is also shown for reference. These standard roles may be modified or adapted to meet the specific needs of a particular board, committee, or commission.

Chair
The advisory body Chair (Chairperson) is responsible for presiding over meetings and ensuring that they are run effectively. This includes working with the staff liaison to prepare meeting agendas, prepare documents and correspondence, and delegate tasks to other advisory body members. They facilitate decision making by guiding the advisory body to consensus and ensuring that they are staying within scope and in alignment with the goals and purpose of the advisory body. The Chair often serves as the primary spokesperson of the advisory body, interacting with City Council, other agencies, elected officials, and the community.

Vice-Chair
The Vice-Chair supports the Chair and collaborates closely to maintain effectiveness of the advisory body. The Vice-Chair assumes the duties of the Chair in their absence. In certain advisory bodies, the Vice-Chair may also focus on certain topics or sub-committees.

Member
Members actively participate in advisory body discussions and decision-making, including voting.

Alternate Member
Alternates serve as a “bench” that the Mayor and Council may go to in the case of a vacancy on an advisory body. With some very limited exceptions, such as the Landmarks Commission, alternates do not participate in meetings, deliberations, or any decision-making before they are formally appointed to the advisory body by Council action.

Ex-Officio
Ex-Officio members hold their position on the advisory body by virtue of another role (e.g., mayor, city counselor, representative of another public entity, or staff expert). They can provide valuable insights based on their primary role or expertise. Ex-Officio members do not have voting rights, but generally may ask questions and offer their input during discussion or deliberations.

Staff Liaison
City of Bend Staff Liaisons are assigned to each board, committee, and commission and are responsible for providing necessary staff support. This includes providing materials, reserving and coordinating meeting spaces, providing administrative support, acting as a connector to City resources and processes, providing new member orientation and training, and as needed, providing input as a subject matter expert. Most advisory bodies are also assigned a staff support, in which case the above duties are shared between the liaison and support personnel. Generally speaking, staff liaisons do not have their work or program responsibilities directed by the advisory body they support.

City Attorney’s Office Liaison
Most advisory bodies will have a regular liaison from the City Attorney’s Office. That attorney should be consulted as needed when drafting agendas for advisory body meetings. They are also able to assist with review and / or drafting language for advisory body action, reports for advisory body discussion, etc. Any item that may result in Council action, and any decision or recommendation from the advisory body to Council should be reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.