Minutes Housing Commission 6 24 08MINUTCS OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE: 24 June 2008
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department
350 West 6'h Street, Suite 312, Dubuque, IA 52001
Commissioner Kapler, following staff assurance of compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law, called
the meeting to order at 4:05 pm.
Commissioners Present:
John Plein
Linda Frommelt
Dorothy Culberston
Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
Judie Root
William Helling
Dave Kapler
Commissioners Absent:
Staff Present:
Public Present:
Jim Holz Char Eddy
Angela Mozena
David Harris Jessica Cole
Janet Walker Joleen Patterson
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Representatives:
Tara Nelson, Megan Heffernen and Nancy Van Milligen,
Review and Certification of Minutes of 10 Anrii 2008 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Plein moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Root seconded. Roll call.
Comrrtissioner Helling and Commissioner Frommelt abstained. Alt others present in favor.
Motion passed.
Public Input
None
Old Business
None
Ne~v Business
Request from Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque for Section 8 Administrative
Policy Change for Preference Points
Tara Nelson opened the discussion by noting that there are after-care funds available until the
foster children that age-out of the foster program come up on the Section 8 Waitlist.
Commissioner Culbertson asked that-when the children are 18 years old are they kicked out of
the current foster home that they are in and Tara Nelson responded that it is the choice of the
youth and the foster family if the youth stays in the foster home past 18 .years of age.
Janet Walker added that foster cluldren can apply for housing, however without the requested
Preference Points Policy change they can be on the Wait List for 12 - 24 months.
Tara Nelson noted that the foster applicants would not need to submit then lease, driver's license
or birth certificates; this information cotttd be verified by the Department of Human Services.
Commissioner Kapler asked how many children age out of the foster program per year and what
that number represented. Tara Nelson provided the number of approximately I S youths will age
out in 2008. Janet Walker added that in 2007 this office took in over 800 applications for
Housing Assistance.
Commissioner Schwendinger and Commissioner Root moved to approve the motion to pass the
Administrative Policy Change for Preference Points. Commissioner Plein seconded. All present
in favor. Motion passed.
Housing Commissioner AppointmentslTerms
Commissioner Kapler noted that Angela Mozena sent an email that she will not continue with the
Housing Commission when her term is complete. He also mentioned that there is someone else
who may be interested in joining the Commission.
Commissioner Frommelt stated that she would be happy to stay on as a commissioner. She noted
that she would like additional orientation. David Harris offered that he and Janet would go over
the orientation packet with her. Commissioner Raot and Commissioner Kapler stated they would
like to sit in on that discussion as well.
Washington Neighborhood Plan Update
Joleen Patterson opened the discussion by passing out a list of homes on the Washington Street
Programs. The list had the four addresses that the Commissioners would be able to tour at the
end of the day's meeting: 1567 Elm, 1767 Washington, 2060 Washington and 2064 Washington.
Joleen had a map of the Washington Neighborhood Program area that she explained and she also
had a display board with before and after pictures of homes on the program.
Joleen discussed that Dubuque Bank & Trust is purchasing units in a seven-rout row house on
Washington Street far resale as Town Homes. The home at 1567 Elm, purchased by DB&T,
already has three candidates interested. Joleen pointed out that they have reinvested
$2,142,043.00 in the Neighborhood between city and private lending.
Housing Trust Fund Committee Report
Commissioner Kapler asked if there was anything to report. David Harris noted that Dubuque
Bank & Trust has committed to be the Tax Credits investor for the Step by Step project but has
requested a guarantor. The Tnist Fund will commit $75, 000 and would like the Community
Foundation of Greater Dubuque to make up the difference.
Report from Section 8 Program Investigator, Cpl Ramirez
It was noted that the Investigator, Cpl Pablo Ramirez was on vacation and unable to attend.
Commissioner Kapler asked what the participants' reaction to the program has been. Janet added
that the Depa~•tment of Corrections is in favor as it has created better communication between the
departments.
Commissioner Kapler questioned how it was affecting the budget and David shared that the
projection is the reserves will be depleted in about two years. Commissioner Root wondered if
the Federal Government was able to assist•~uvfth the :money and Janet responded :that. hey could
not. Janet noted that other housing agencies are impressed with the program.
Adiournment
There being no further business to come before the Coirunission, Commissioner Root moved to
adjourn the meeting at 4:45 pm. Commissioner Plein seconded. Motion passed by voice vote.
utes taken by:
t
essica Co e
Recording Secretary
Res ectfully submitted by:
vid an•is
Department Director