The meeting’s primary focus was on budget contingencies for tenant protections and staffing within the Housing & Redevelopment Authority. Concerns were raised about two contingencies linked to the housing trust fund, with a clear emphasis that all conditions and questions outlined in a previous memo must be addressed before releasing these contingencies. The importance of resolving these issues ahead of the 2026 budget discussions was stressed, and it was noted that no immediate action is required until the contingencies are met.

A point of clarification was made regarding the status of funds, emphasizing that the money has not left the housing trust fund due to a lack of an accounting unit. There was also mention of an inadequate response from a key director who was unaware of a previously communicated deadline. This deadline is important for moving forward with budget planning for the next fiscal year.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the broader challenges of budgeting for new positions, such as those needed for tenant protection and permit staffing. There was support expressed for these positions, but the discussion highlighted the complexities of budgeting, such as cash flow and hiring timelines.

The meeting also touched upon the need for future transparency when placing items into contingency. The contingency process is relatively new and still being refined, causing some confusion.