Minutes_Community Development Advisory Commission 3 18 20City of Dubuque
ITEM TITLE:
SUMMARY:
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION:
Copyrighted
April 20, 2020
Consent Items # 1.
Minutes and Reports Submitted
City Council proceedings of 4/6; Historic Preservation
Commission of 3/19; Library Board of Trustees Council
update No. 196 of 3/26; Proof of publication for City
Council proceedings of 3/9, 3/16, 3/17, 3/23, 3/25.
Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
City Council Proceedings of 4/6/20
Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes
of 3/18/20
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of 3/19/20
Library Board of Trustees Council Update No. 196 of
3/26/20
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
3/9/20
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
3/16/20
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
3/17/20
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
3/23/20
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
3/25/20
Type
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
MINUTES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
(UNAPPROVED)
DATE: Wednesday, March 18, 2020
TIME: 5:30 p.m.
PLACE: City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor of the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th
Street, Suite 312
Chair, Gerald Hammel, called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m., following staff assurance of
compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present: Dean Boles (by phone), Janice Craddieth, Hilary Dalton, Kelly Fox
(by phone), Jerry Hammel, Michelle Hinke (by phone), Tom Wainwright
Commissioners Absent: Julie Woodyard
Staff Present: Alexis Steger, Chris Lester, Kris Neyen, Jerelyn O'Connor, Lisa Barton, Jill Connors
(by phone)
Public Present: Tom Barton, Whitney Sanger
Oath(s) Of Office
Gerald Hammel, Chair, administered the Oath of Office to Kelly Fox.
Certification of Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Dalton to approve the February 19, 2020 Commission meeting
minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Craddieth. Motion carried 7-0.
Correspondence/Public Input
None
New Business
a) Community Development Block Grant Application Review
No applications were received
b) Public Hearing for FY2020 Annual Action Plan Amendment 1
Chair Hammel inquired if there was a motion to open the public hearing. Motion by
Commissioner Craddieth to open the public hearing for the FY2020 Annual Action Plan
Amendment 1. Seconded by Commissioner Dalton. Motion carried 7-0.
Whitney Sanger, Co-founder of Project Rooted, was in attendance and spoke about her
interest in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to help fund their No -cost Grab
and Go Sack Lunch Program. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Project Rooted
partnered with Convivium Urban Farmstead and developed this program to provide no -cost
lunches to all children 18 and under. Lunches served will align strongly with their mission and
will include nutritious items in each sack lunch. Whitney stated they are estimating
approximately 250 lunches per day and are initially requesting $2,500 to help cover the costs
for the first three weeks. If the lunch program is extended, they would like to be able to request
additional funds. Sanger provided handouts to the Commission detailing the above.
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Alexis Steger, Housing and Community Development Director, stated this program would
qualify under the Microenterprise program as Project Rooted is a new business. Steger
explained that in the Annual Action Plan Amendment 1, there is a contingency of $154,265
listed at the bottom of the page. These unallocated funds are available to reallocate as
needed.
After discussion, motion by Commissioner Craddieth to Set aside $25,000 of the unallocated
CDBG funds for the Microenterprise Program to be utilized by Project Rooted for the No -cost
Grab and Go Sack Lunch Program. Seconded by Commissioner Wainwright. Motion carried
7-0.
Steger also explained that Staff is recommending two other options to assist with the COVID-
19 Pandemic. The first option is a shelter to quarantine the homeless. Steger reported that
costs associated to rehab a building or facility are estimated to be $200,000. Staff is
recommending using the funds allocated to the Renal Unit Rehabilitation for this project.
The second option is a diagnosis facility for testing. The facility would be used for coronavirus
testing versus individuals seeking assistance from area hospitals. Steger stated staff is
recommending operational costs associated with this project to be funded from the remaining
$129,265 of the unallocated funds listed in Amendment 1.
After thorough discussion, motion by Commissioner Dalton to close the public hearing for the
FY2020 Annual Action Plan Amendment 1. Seconded by Commissioner Craddieth. Motion
carried 7-0.
Motion by Commissioner Dalton to approve FY2020 Annual Action Plan Amendment 1 with
funding recommendations as presented by staff. Seconded by Commissioner Craddieth.
Motion carried 7-0.
c) Neighborhood Grant Review Subcommittee
Jerelyn O'Connor, Neighborhood Development Specialist, reported the Large Neighborhood
Grant application period is now open. O'Connor is requesting two to three volunteers from the
Commission to serve on the Large Neighborhood Grant review committee. O'Connor
explained the committee will meet on either April 13th or 14th and report their recommendations
to the Commission at the April 15th Community Development Advisory Commission (CDAC)
meeting.
Commissioner Dalton and Commissiner Craddieth volunteered to serve on the Large
Neighborhood Grant review committee.
d) In -Home Childcare Startup Assistance using CDBG Microenterprise funds
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director, spoke about the lack of quality, affordable
childcare in the community. Connors would like the Commission to consider another option
for the use of Microenterprise program funds in conjunction with the current Step Up Program.
Connors reported the current balance of the Microenterprise program is approximately
$37,570.
Connors stated the Dubuque County Early Childcare (DCEC) recently received funding from
the County assisting with new in -home childcare centers. Connors would like to replicate their
model and develop a similar forgivable loan program for providing up to $5,000 of startup
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assistance for in -home childcare providers. Connor explained applicants would be referred to
Childcare Resource and Referral to begin training, background checks, and submission of
application. Once approved, the applicant would receive $1,000 to assist with purchasing
start-up materials approved by Department of Human Services (DHS). Once the applicant is
provided a registration, the provider will receive an additional $2,000. After 6 months, they will
receive another $1,000 and then a final payment of $1,000 at 18 months of operation.
After lengthy discussion, motion by Commissioner Dalton to approve the development of a
forgivable loan program to provide up to $5,000 of startup assistance for several in -home
childcare providers within the Microenterprise Program. Seconded by Commissioner Boles.
Motion carried 6-1, with Commissioner Craddieth voting Nay.
e) Review and Approve Additional Funds for Accessibility Rehab
Kris Neyen, Rehabilitation Programs Supervisor, reported she is working with an elderly
disabled family and is requesting additional funds of $5,000 to complete accessibility upgrades
so they can remain in the home.
Total project costs are estimated at $19,625. The current Accessibility Rehabilitation Program
provides $5,000 per person for a total amount of $10,000. The additional request is for $5,000
which would bring their loan amount to $15,000 as a 3-year forgivable loan. The family will
also be receiving a loan in the amount of $4,625 from the Home Repair Program, where
payments are deferred until the sale of the property.
Motion by Commissioner Dalton to approve additional funds for a Rehab project for
Accessibility purposes in the amount of $5,000 in the form of a 3-year forgivable loan.
Seconded by Commissioner Wainwright. Motion carried 7-0.
f) Set a Public Hearing for Amended Citizen Participation Plan
An amendment was made to the Citizen Participation Plan, so a public hearing is required.
Motion by Commissioner Craddieth to set a Public Hearing for the Amended Citizen
Participation Plan for the April 15, 2020 Community Development Advisory Commission
meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Dalton. Motion carried 7-0.
Reports
Rehabilitation Program
Neyen reported 2320 Mineral will be closing in April. Neyen also stated there are families
interested in 2033 Washington and 2320 Jackson Street.
Housing Commission
Commissioner Craddieth referred the Commission to the Housing Commission minutes as
they were very detailed. She explained some of the changes to the 5-year plan and the Annual
Public Housing Authority (PHA) Plan
Resiliency Community Advisory Commission
Commissioner Boles reported one of the main topics of the meeting was the Public Works
automated waste collection.
Human Rights Commission
Commissioner Hammel reported goal -setting has been a top priority for the Human Rights
Commission. He also explained the budget for the Race in the Heartland Conference funding
request was put before council and is still pending.
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Kelly Fox left the meeting at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Information Sharing
Steger stated that the CDBG FY2021 actual allocation was $19,731 over what was initially
budgeted. Steger stated that staff is recommending setting aside $5,000 for the Race in the
Heartland Conference.
Motion by Commissioner Dalton to allocate $5,000 of the $19,371 in FY2021 Annual Action
Plan contingency funds to be earmarked for the Race in the Heartland Conference. Seconded
by Commissioner Craddieth. Motion carried 6-0 with one abstention from Chair Hammel
because he was the one that presented it to council.
Adjournment
There being no further business, motion by Commissioner Dalton to adjourn at 6:55 p.m.
Seconded by Commissioner Boles. All in favor, motion carried.
Minutes transcribed by:
Atatud-o-,
Lisa Barton
Housing Financial Specialist
Respectfully submitted by:
Chris Lester
Community Development Specialist
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