Loading...
Minutes Comm. Devel 10 17 00COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION City of Dubuque, Iowa MINUTES DATE: TIME: PLACE: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 7:00 p.m. Carnegie Stout Public Library Auditorium 360 ~,/est 11th Street Dubuque, IA 52001 C~ O. (D r~ ATTENDANCE Present: Bill Daugherty, Sister Lynn Fangman, Jim Giesen Michael Kelley, Harry Neustadt, Walter Pregler, and Tom ~,X/ainwright Absent: Dan Shireman Staff In Attendance: Jim Burke, Aggie Kramer, David Harris and Joleen Patterson CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Kelley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MINUTES Motion by Neustadt, seconded by Fangman to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2000 meeting as submitted. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Daugherty, Fangman, Giesen, Kelley, Neustadt, Pregler and ~X/ainwright Nay: None HISTORIC BLUFFS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION PRESENTATION Carleen Schroeder, president of the Historic Bluffs Neighborhood Association, reviewed the' activities currently undertaken by the neighborhood association. She noted that they have undertaken a tree planting along Loras Boulevard with 12 trees to be planted this weekend. She stated they are workin8 with Loras College in regard to improvements in the area, with Housing Services in regard to vacant and abandoned buildings in the area and have currently begun review of a street lighting project for the area. She noted the Association meets the first Thursday of each month and currently there are 30 active members. The Commission discussed the proposed lighting and tree project for Loras Boulevard and the '~est 11th Street historic district. Kramer noted that the City will be establishing a committee to establish standards for sidewalk and street scape amenities in the downtown area to insure conformity and consistency of public improvements in the neighborhoods. Page 2 CD Advisory Commission Minutes October ]7, 2000 AMENDMENT TO FY 2001 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN Kramer reviewed the proposed amendment to the current annual action plan which combines the allocations from the previous year with the current program year and redistributes the funds to new and existing programs. She discussed with the Commission the draft plan which includes prior year encumbrances and carry overs and anticipated funding needs. Burke noted that the proposed amendment includes the addition of $245,000 for the possible acquisition of the brewery in addition to the previously approved $780,000 for acquisition in the 4th Street Peninsula. He noted the plan also includes neighborhood park improvements of ~120,000 for playground equipment at Audubon School and improvements to Flat Iron Park. The proposed amendment also shows the addition of ~;1,500 for the Deer Management Food Program as previously reviewed by the Commission. Burke noted that Sue Davison of the Department of Human Services has requested $3,700 for a downtown resource guide. Sue Davison, Department Coordinator for the Department of Human Services, requested on going funding of ~3,700 for the downtown resource guide. She noted the guide is used by Iow and moderate income people throughout the City. She noted that Project Concern has expressed an interested in being a lead on the updating and printing of the guide. Steve Jacobs, Director of Project Concern reviewed the Information and Referral program and noted the downtown resource guide could be updated using current information with additional funds for printing costs. The Commission discussed with Ms. Davison and Mr. Jacobs the coordination of efforts required for updating the guide. Sue Davison noted her concurrence that Project Concern could print the guide with the input by the Department of Human Services and St. Mark Community Center. The Commission discussed the proposed cost of ~;3,700 for 10,000 copies and the need for yearly updates. Motion by Pregler, seconded by Daugherty to set the proposed amendment for public hearing on November 21, 2000 at 7:00 pm with the proposed changes of increasing neighborhood support grants to ~30,000 and adding ~3,700 to Information and Referral for a downtown resource guide update.. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Daugherty, Fangman, Giesen, Kelley, Neustadt, Pregler and Wainwright Nay: None FY 2002 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN Kramer presented a worksheet to the Commission and public for the proposed Fiscal Year 2002 Annual Action Plan. She noted the City departments are currently preparing the FY 2002 budget and figures will be available at the November 21, 2000 meeting. She noted the recently approved Consolidated Plan provides guidelines, goals and outcomes which should direct the use of Community Development Block Grant Funds. The Commission requested input from those present in regard to the Annual Action Plan preparation. Gary Carstens, Executive Director of the Dubuque Area Lifetime Center, requested ongoing funding of ~;25,000 for the Senior Center. He reviewed the services and programs provided by the Center and the need for funding of operational costs. He noted that Dubuque County has recently forgiven a $20,000 loan. In response to a Commission question, he noted that their landlord, Mercy, is very cooperative with them in regard to rent for the facilib/. The Commission discussed the users of the Senior Center and use by low and moderate income persons. Larry Friedman, Board member for Dubuque Area Lifetime Center, stated the Center provides many social contacts for senior citizens and elderly and thanked the Commission for their support. Page 3 CD Advisory Commission Minutes October 17. 2000 Lu Koethe, Secretary for the Dubuque Area Landlord Association, requested funding for residential property owner assistance for exterior improvements. She noted a task force has met for the past year to review options for improving blighted homes in various areas of the City. ltv Koethe, President of the Dubuque Area Landlord Association, stated the funds would alleviate an ascetic problem in the neighborhoods. He noted that the details of the funding program have yet to be finalized. The Commission directed staff to provide a funding estimate for the exterior improvement program. The Commission noted that a letter was received from the Department of Human Rights in the amount of ~;1,000 for the Dispute Resolution Center for FY 2002. Staff Iq'amer note that due to the reduction in program income anticipated for FY 2002 the limited resources will reduce the funding available for CDBG programs. The Commission reviewed various options for funding programs in FY 2002. They discussed funding for the Senior Center and possible reduction in the Community Partnership Program. The Commission requested additional information on the administration costs for the CDBG program and requested a list of employee positions and cost for the Administrative positions funded. The Commission also requested that City Departments prioritize the programs to assist the Commission and funding. The Commission also directed staff to prepare a budget for a neighborhood center. Kramer noted that a proposed budget will be available at the November 21, 2000 meeting for Commission review. The Commission discussed a public hearing meeting date and concurred that December 6, 2000 at 7:00 pm would be appropriate. They directed staff to schedule St. Mark Community Center or the Senior Center for the public hearing location. The Commission also discussed a change in their established meeting dates due to a request by Commissioner Shireman, who has difficulty attending the Tuesday meetings. The Commission determined that the second Thursday of the month would be suitable for Commission meetings if acceptable to Commissioner Shireman, otherwise the meeting date of the third Tuesday would remain. Klm Fisch, 406 Almond presented a letter to the Commission requesting additional funding for the Valley View Neighborhood Association. She noted that a fall clean up had occurred with funding from a neighborhood grant with outstanding results. CDBG CITIZEN GUIDE The Commission reviewed a draft of the Citizen Guide. They suggested a possible outline form or a calendar format may be more user friendly. They also requested review of the document by various neighborhood residents. Kramer noted the document could be presented to neighborhood residents by the Neighborhood Development Specialist. She also noted the format will be modified and improved in house prior to distribution. OTHER The Commission expressed their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Jim Burke for his many years of service to the City and the Commission and wished him well in Connecticut. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m. lO-17-O0.cdacmin.doc