Minutes_Housing Commission 10.22.24City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
February 17, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of February 3, 2025; Airport
Commission of December 17, 2024; Housing Commission of
October 22, 2024; Resilient Community Advisory
Commission of Jaunary 9, 2025; Zoning Advisory
Commission of January 8, 2025; Proof of Publication for City
Council Proceedings of January 21, 2025.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2 3 25 City Council Proceedings
2. Airport Commission Minutes
3. Housing Commission Minutes
4. Resilient Community Advisory Commission Minutes
5. Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes
6. Proof City Council Proceedings 1.21.25
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MINUTES FOR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
(UNAPPROVED)
DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
TIME: 4:00 p.m.
PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department
350 W 6'" Street, City Council Chambers, Dubuque, IA 52001
Chairperson Rick Baumhover called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. following staff assurance
of compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present: Rick Baumhover, Cathy Dickens, Amy Eudaley, Ross Janes, Rick
Merfeld and Julietta Scott
Commissioners Absent: Renee Kehoe (excused absence)
Staff Present: Alexis Steger, Gina Hodgson, Hollie Ohnesorge, Stacey Weeber and Mary
Bridget Corken-Deutsch
Public Present: None
Oaths of Office — Ross Janes
Gina Hodgson (Assisted Housing Supervisor) administered the Oath of Office to Ross Janes at
4:04 p.m. and both signed.
Certification of Minutes — July 23, 2024
Commissioner Rick Merfeld motioned to approve the Minutes for the July 23, 2024, Housing
Commission Meeting. Commissioner Eudaley seconded. Six (6) in favor. Zero (0) not in favor.
Zero (0) abstained. Motion carried 6-0.
Correspondence/Public Input
There was no correspondence or public input.
New Business
a. Appointment of Renee Kehoe to the Community Development Advisory Commission
(CDAC)
Commissioner Eudaley motioned to appoint Renee Kehoe to the Community Development
Advisory Commission (CDAC). Commissioner Dickens seconded. Six (6) in favor. Zero (0) not
in favor. Zero (0) abstained. Motion carried 6-0.
b. Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing RFP
Mary Bridget Corken-Deutsch (CDAC Specialist) provided an update on RFP Analysis. The
Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing is a report that is culminated through the analysis of
census data, local data, and community input. A Request for Proposal was posted twice. Once
on the city's website on May 1, 2024, with a closing day of May 31, 2024. No proposals were
submitted. The Request for Proposal was posted again on the city's website on June 3 with a
closing date of June 21, 2024. MSA Professional Services (MSA) was the sole responder to the
second Request for Proposal. All services shall be performed in accordance with the Master
Professional Services Agreement currently in force. Corken-Deutsch is requesting City Council
approve the selection of MSA as the consultant to conduct an Analysis of Impediments to Fair
Housing and authorize the City Manager to sign the Task Order with MSA in the amount of
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$25,000. The project schedule is as follows: July 15, 2024, City Council awards contract for
preparation of the 2026-2030 Analysis of Impediments. October 7, 2024, MSA provides
summary of Draft Analysis of Impediments to City staff. October 17, 2024, Public comment
period opens for summary of Draft Analysis of Impediments and November 17, 2024, closes.
November 20, 2024, City Staff presents summary and Draft Analysis of Impediments to
Community Development Advisory Commission (CDAC) including any comments received.
CDAC sets public hearing for Final Analysis of Impediments in January CDAC meeting.
November 21, 2024, Public comment period for Final Analysis of Impediments opens and
January 3, 2025, closes. January 15, 2025, MSA submits Final Analysis of Impediments to City
Staff for CDAC. City holds Public Hearing for Final Analysis of Impediments. January 22, 2025,
Final Analysis of Impediments is submitted to Housing &Community Development Department
Staff. There was discussion with Commissioners around Criminal History and background
checks. Commissioner Merfeld wants MSA to meet with Hodgson and Ohnesorge.
Commissioner Scott motioned to approve the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing RFP.
Commissioner Merfeld seconded. Six (6) in favor. Zero (0) not in favor. Zero (0) abstained.
Motion carried 6-0.
c. Adopt PHA Conflict of Interest Policy
Steger spoke on the PHA Conflict of Interest Policy to adopt as a City Policy. The policy
establishes a standard of conduct to protect the financial well-being, reputation, and legal
obligations of PHA. The policy also establishes a method to protect the PHA community from
questionable circumstances that might arise and to resolve any real or apparent conflicts.
There was Commission discussion surrounding family members or what HUD's determination
was surrounding a conflict of interest. Steger gave some examples of what a conflict of interest
would look like. Janes asked if a discovery was made later, if that could be added into the
language in the policy. Steger stated she would get with the City Attorney- Crenna Brumwell to
have that language added to the policy. There was no motion to Adopt PHA Conflict of Interest
Policy as changes needed to be made first. It was agreed that the revised policy would be
shared with Housing Commissioners via email for review upon completion.
d. Administrative Plan — Voucher Payment Standards Update
Hodgson reported, no action needed to be taken as voucher payment standards up by 120%. A
market analysis to compete with market rate needs to be added to the plan. Council set hearing
for November 4, 2024, for public input.
Reports
a. Community Development Advisory Commission Report
Commissioner Kehoe was absent and not here to administer the report.
b. Assisted Housing Waiting List Statistical Summary
Ohnesorge shared good news and efforts paid off on the two in -person waiting lists. As of
August 2024, there were 871 applicant's total. The lottery average was 300-325 with 60
applicants selected. September 2024 the lottery average was 408 and 20 applicants selected.
October 2024 numbers will be shared next meeting. There was discussion with Commissioners
about the market of availability of places to rent and increase in rent costs. Commissioner Scott
asked if they were still serving all race levels. Ohnesorge responded, yes, they are. Ohnesorge
stated they are proud of the staff and the numbers. Commissioner Merfeld asked for a sample
letter to be provided to the Commission with a pretend scenario. Hodgson and Ohnesorge
acknowledged they would have an email sent with the information to the Commission members.
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Commissioner Merfeld asked about the Security Deposit Assistance (SDA) program. Weeber
spoke about the program currently being closed but may re -open in the future to select number
depending on how much funding is left.
Information Sharing
a. Hodgson shared LaMetra Murdock was promoted to the Multicultural Family Center
Director. She was formerly the Family Self -Sufficiency Coordinator in Housing. One
case worker for Assisted Housing will be moving into her former position and they will
add an additional position to the Family Self -Sufficiency Program. That position will be
posted. That will leave 3 caseworkers in Assisted Housing.
b. Hodgson stated she received permission for name tags for Commission members and
she should have them by the next meeting in January.
Adjournment
Commissioner Merfeld motioned to adjourn the meeting at 5:24 p.m. Commissioner Eudaley
seconded. Six (6) in favor. Zero (0) not in favor. Zero (0) abstained. Motion carried 6-0.
Minutes prepared by:
j wat&,�,
Stacey Weeber
Housing Financial Specialist
Respectfully submitted:
Gina Hodgson
Assisted Housing Supervisor
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