The Sammamish City Council unanimously decided Tuesday to reconsider its contribution to A Regional Coalition for Housing approved in the city’s 2016 updated budget last week.
The coalition, referred to as ARCH, strives to bring affordable housing to the region; it’s made up of a partnership between 15 Eastside cities, including Sammamish.
Since it was during a special council meeting Tuesday, council members could not take any final action on the item. The council will officially vote to reconsider the $100,000 next year, likely in February 2016.
Councilmember Ramiro Valderrama-Aramayo made the motion, with outgoing councilor Nancy Whitten seconding it.
Valderrama-Aramayo said he wanted a presentation on how the earmarked $100,000, up from $10,000, would be spent.
Additionally, Valderrama-Aramayo and Whitten called for another look at the city’s in-kind donations, such as mitigation fee waivers and the donation of the Habitat for Humanity property.
Deputy City Manager Lyman Howard preempted the decision for reconsideration by saying city staff would not disburse funds without further details and the council’s authorization, which would typically take place later in 2016.
ARCH Program Manager Arthur Sullivan is scheduled to give a presentation to the council Feb. 16, Howard said.
City staff first introduced the increase at the Nov. 10 council meeting.
