Minutes Housing Comm 4 23 02MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
23 April 2002
4:00 p,m.
Housing & Community Development Department Office
1805 Central Avenue / Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Commissioner Holz called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present:
Jim Holz Dorothy Culbertson John Plein
Tom Swift, II Harry Neustadt Char Eddy
Commissioners Absent: Danise Miller John Henning
Dave Kapler
Staff Present:
David Harris Janet Walker
Kathy Andrews
Guests:
Kelly Larson, Director, Human Rights Department
Review and Certification of Minutes from 26 March 2002 Meeting
Commissioner Eddy moved to approve the 26 March 2002 Commission meeting minutes.
Commissioner Culbertson seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Correspondence / Public Input
A letter was received from Commissioner Danise Miller stating she wished to resign as
Commissioner. Commissioner Neustadt moved to accept Commissioner Miller's resignation.
Commissioner Eddy seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
A letter was received from Earl Mitchell, Vice-President of Commissioners, North Central Regional
Council - NAHRO citing the lack of standard training for Housing Commissioners, and inviting all
Housing Commissioners to attend the N.C.R.C. Training on May 5th -7th, 2002.
David stated that there were funds in the budget to allow for this training.
A written request for special hearing by Scyquiatta Harris was discussed. Commissioner Neustadt
moved to deny the request. Commissioner Swift seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion
passed.
Introduction of Kelly Larson, Director of the Human Rights Department.
A written request by Chiquitta Webster for reinstatement of her Section 8 Housing Voucher was
discussed. Commissioner Culbertson moved to deny !he request. Commissioner Swift seconded.
Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
New Business
Reasonable Accommodations Policy Regarding Verification of Disability Status
Janet stated that clients sometimes ask for exceptions to our policies due to special needs
associated with certain disabilities. Housing then asks for a written statement from the doctor
stating that the change is necessary. Ketly Larson was asked to address what specific things
Housing can and cannot ask the client who cites the need for reasonable accommodation for
disability.
David asked if the requirement of obtaining two doctor statements to establish disability could
possibly be a hardship for some clients because of their lower income. Commissioner Neustadt
moved to amend the policy by incorporating the guidelines used by Human Rights. Janet will work
with Kelly to develop the policy changes.
Mortgage Lending Policy; Refer to Housing Trust Fund Committee
David stated that with the rise in number of non-traditional lenders, Housing sometimes denies
requests for mortgage assistance, yet there is no written guideline stating what is or is not
considered predatory lending practices. He stated that by referring this matter to the Housing Trust
Fund Committee, hearings could be held and input obtained. Commissioner Eddy moved to have
the Housing Trust Fund Committee put together a mortgage lending policy and bring it back to the
Housing Commission. Commissioner Culbertson seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion
passed.
Old Business
Commission Vacancies
Possible candidates were discussed. David reported that Patrisha Bddges was still interested as
was David Cox. Commissioner Eddy stated that she felt Sue Duehr, who until recently had worked
in mortgage lending at DB&T, would be a good candidate. Commissioner Eddy ',vas asked to
contact Ms. Duehr. A written statement was received from Commissioner Piein requesting to fill
Danise Miller's vacated seat on the Housing Authority Governing Board. Commissioner Culbertson
moved to recommend Commissioner Plein be appointed to this position. Commissioner Neustadt
seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
New Business
Amendment to Section 8 Homeownership Plan
After discussion, Commissioner Eddy moved to amend the Section 8 Homeownership Plan to read
"Preference shall be given to Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Participants." Commissioner
Neustadt seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Application for FSS Homeownership Coordinator Funds
After discussion, Commissioner Swift moved to forward an application for FSS Homeownership
Coordinator Funds to HUD. If funded, this will establish a partnership with the ISU County
Extension office to work with FSS families toward the goal of homeownership. Commissioner
Culbertson seconded. Roll call. Commissioner Eddy abstained. All other members in favor. Motion
passed.
In. Service Training for Commissioners
Commissioner Neustadt stated that because we have two Commission vacancies it may be best
to wait until those vacancies were filled before holding a Commissioner training. Commissioner
Neustadt moved to table this item until the May meeting. Commissioner Eddy seconded. Roll call.
All present in favor. Motion passed.
Information Sharing
Five Points Rehab Award from IDED
David announced that we had received a $202,500 HOME program award from the Iowa
Department of Economic Development for a comprehensive housing rehab program for housing
in the Five Points Area. This will include about 30 residences in the area bounded by Elm, 21%
Washington and 20th streets.
Review of Appeal Hearings
Commissioner Neustadt reported that he upheld staff decision on a damage claim appeal
Commissioner Culbertson reported that she upheld the staff decision on an appeai of termination
for unauthorized occupancy.
Commissioner Holz suggested that there is a need to develop a standard agenda for appeal
hearings.
Comments on the City Council Meeting of April 15, 2002
Commissioner Neustadt commented on the most recent City Council meeting and the need to
educate the Council members and the general public on the difference between Iow-rent housing
and affordable housing. This was in response to the Raven Oaks tax credit housing request.
Adjournment
There being no fu~her business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Eddy moved to
adjourn. Commissioner Plain seconded. Motion passed by voice vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:18 p.m.
Minutes taken by:
Kathy A~drews
Assisted Housing Program Secretary
~,Resp(~ctfully submitted by:
David Harris
Department Director
KMA