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Minutes Housing 8 28 01MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING DATE: TIME: PLACE: 28 August 2001 4:00 p.m. Housing and Community Development Office 1805 Central Avenue / Dubuque, Iowa 52001 Commissioner Kapler called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law. Commissioners Present: John Plein John Henning Char Eddy David Kapler Paula Stenlund Danise Miller Harry Neustadt Commissioners Absent: Tom Swift, II Jim Holz Dorothy Culbertson Staff Present: David Hards Laurie Bushman Janet Walker Public Present: Melissa Hopkins Review and Certification of Minutes of I May and 17 July 2001 Commissioner Stenlund moved to approve the 1 May 2001 Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Commissioner Neustadt seconded. Roll call. Commissioner Eddy, Plein, Henning, and Stentund abstain due to being absent. All others present in favor. Motion passed. Commissioner Stenlund moved to approve 17 July 2001 Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Commissioner Kapler seconded. Roll call. Commissioner Eddy, Plein, Henning, and Stenlund abstain due to being absent. All others present in favor. Motion passed. Indroduction-New Commissioners Commissioner Char Eddy is a financial counselor for the Iowa State Dubuque County Extension office. Commissioner John Henning is the president of the Historic Bluffs Commission. Commissioner John Plein is a member of the resident advisory board for the Section 8 program. Commissioner David Kapler is currently a member of the Housing Commission and has been rs-elected for another term. Public Input Correspondence included a letter from the City Clerk advising of the remov~f D~_ Teply from the Housing Commission. Bea Bisenius-Soens also submitte~sL:~tte~[~of ~ resignation from the Housing Commission. c~ ¥.~ ~ Old Business Section 8 Homeownership Program Janet Walker m-introduced the proposed program, explaining some recent changes to the document reflecting changes in the HUD regulations. Commissioner Neustadt requested the page one overview (owing of monies) include page three, section F. Commissioner Kapler motioned to accept the changes and Commissioner Eddy seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed. Amendment to Section 8 Administrative Plan regarding Continuing Criminal Activities Janet Walker explained that if participants completed a Batterer's Education Program after being charged with a violent cdme, they are eligible for the Section 8 program. Commissioner Stenlund requested the change to state that a person who assaults and subsequently completes the BEP again is not eligible for Section 8 assistance. Commissioner Stenlund moved to approve the change. Commissioner Eddy seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed. Request from Melissa Fondell regarding Renewal of Restraining Order Carroll Aitalibi spoke on behalf of Melissa Fondell regarding the restraining order against the father of her child. Commissioner Stenlund requested Melissa renew the restraining order for another year and the issue will be addressed again by the Housing Commission when this order expires. Commissioner Eddy motioned to require the continuance of the restraining order. Commissioner Stenlund seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed. New Business Housing Trust Fund Committee Report Commissioner Neustadt stated that requests for proposals were recommended for funding in the amount of $44,680. The Maria House requested $14,680 with a match of $2,850. Eligible items cost $7,980. The committee recommended a grant of $5,130. The Davis Place SRO submitted an application for a grant of $15,942 and a ten year deferred payment loan of $15,942. This was recommended for funding. The Potters also requested funding in the amount of $53,950 which was ineligible due to the costs being associated with new construction. The owners of Washington Park Place requested a $450, 000 combination loan/grant. The Committee recommended no funding for this project. The Dubuque Food Pantry applied for $8,075 to install a fire- rated ceiling as required by code. A recommendation was made by the Committee for a grant of $7,671 with $404 in applicant matching funds. All applicants stated that work would be completed by May 1,2002. Commissioner Neustadt moved to accept the recommendations. Commissioner Stenlund seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed. Appointments to Trust Fund Committee Commissioner Neustadt stated that he wanted to continue participating in the Housing Trust Fund. Commissioner Henning also stated his interest in becoming a member of the Housing Trust Fund Committee. Commissioner Stenlund moved to elect Jim Holz and John Henning for three year terms and Harry Neustadt for a one year term (replacing the seat vacated by Bea Bisenius). Commissioner Kapler seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed. Amendments to Housing Commission By-Laws David Hards explained the changes of the Housing Commission by-laws, including the amendment from nine to ten members of the Housing Commission. Commissioner Stenlund moved to approve the changes and Commissioner Eddy seconded the motion. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed. FY01 Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) Certification Janet Walker explained SEMAP is an audit of the Section 8 program. Particular areas that are assessed include the waiting list, reasonable rents, income verifications, utilities, and quality control inspections. Other assessments include verification that inspections pass before payments are made, opportunities are available for participants to move from poverty, annual reexaminations, and Family Self Sufficiency program statistics. Family Self Sufficiency Program Report Janet Walker explained that Carroll Aitalibi has increased the number of families participating in the Family Self Sufficiency program from twenty four to thirty six. Carroll explained that the Family Self Sufficiency program started in 1990 to help families gain independence from welfare. Carroll schedules monthly meetings with her clients and provides referrals to resources and goals. An escrow account is also created for each participant to assist the client with saving money for their graduation from the program. Information Sharing FY01 Section 8 Programs Close-Out Report David Harris explained that Section 8 programs cleared over $20,000 total in excess of expenses this year, complimenting the staff for their efforts to keep utilization levels high. HUD Requirements for Section 8 Participant to serve on Housing Authority Governing Board Janet Walker stated that Senator Harkin has proposed an amendment that would exempt Iowa housing authorities from the requirement to have a resident on the governing board. Commissioners requested to be kept informed on this issue. Downtown Vision Workshop David Harris stated that the next Downtown Vision Workshop will be September 15, 2001 at Five Flags. The meeting will involve discussion of the results of the first Downtown Vision Workshop and c'~-wide survey. Assignment of Appeals David Kapler and Harry Neustadt volunteered to hear two appeals. A notice is to be sent to the new members so they may attend the hearings. Adiournment There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Neustadt motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Eddy seconded. Motion passed by voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 5:18 p.m. Minutes taken by: Laude Bushman Section 8 Secretary Respectfully submitted by: David Harris Department Director LKB