Minutes_Housing Commission 3 24 09MINUTES Ol+ HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE: 2~1 March 2009
TIME; 4:00 PM
PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department
350 West &`~' Street, Suite 312, Dubuque, IA 52001
Commissioner Char Eddy, following staff assurance of compliance with lows Open Meeting Law,
called the meeting to order at 3:56 pin.
Commissioners Present;
Jahn Plein
Lynn Sutton
Char Eddy
Judie Root William Helling
Dorathy Culberston Jim Holz
Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
Commissianez's Absent:
Staff Present:
Public Present:
Linda Frormnelt
David Harris
Cpl. Pablo Ramirez
None
David Kapler
Janet Walker Jessica Kieffer
Jaleen Parterson
Review and Certification of Minutes of 27 January 2069 Commission Meeting,
Commissioner Root moved to apprave the minutes. Commissioner Plein seconded. Roll call.
Conunissioner Halz abstained. All others present in favor. Motion passed.
Public Innut
None
Old BUSlne55
Response from HUD regarding Shelter Plus CRre Program review
Janet explained that the City of Dubuque had just completed their fist year of the Shelter Plus
Care Program and HUD performed a review. The review had only one finding in regards to the
rounding of a dollar, which has been corrected.
New Business
Public Hearing: To receive Public Comment Regarding the FY2009 PHA Plan
Conunissioner Holz moved to open the Public Hearing. Commissioner Root seconded, Janet
discussed that the Resident Advisory Board (RAB) met and discussed the PHA Plan. It was
asked how the members of RAB are recruited and Janet explained that there are some standing
members as well as a letter mailed fo each Program participant, inviting them to join RAB and to
participate in the meeting. Commissioner Eddy requested that the RAB meeting comments be
amended to include all names of those that are RAB members. Conrtnissioner Holz motioned to
approve the PHA Plan as amended. Commmissioner Plein seconded. All present in favor, Motion
approved.
Administrative Plan Change -Calculating Excess HAP far iznauthoa•ized household
member
Janet explained that if the Housing Authority determines that a family intentionally committed
fraud ar deliberately misrepresented household members, the family shall be responsible to repay
excess Housing Assistance Payments (HAP} benefits received. HUD does not allow the PHA to
require repayment of the full HAP, sa the proposed ne~v calculation of excess HAP benefits shall
be based upon the assistance provided to the number of individuals in the household for whom.
eligibility has been affirmatively established. Commissioner 1•-1olz suggested that the excess HAP
be calculated by the number of adult hausehold members instead of the entire hausehold.
Commissioner Holz motioned to approve the Administrative Plan change as amended.
Commissioner Plein seconded. Sister Dorothy requested to see a written proposal at the meeting
next month and to vote on it at that time. Commissioner Holz motioned to withdraw lus motion
and to table the vats until next meeting. Commissioner Root seconded. All present in favor.
Consideration of policy to exceed Loan - to Value -Lending Guidelines
Joleen explained that the rehabilitation department would like to take the loan-to-value ratio
above 100% of the appraised value for homes in the tiVashington Neighborhood due to the fact
that the rehabilitation work is exceeding the appraised value. Until neighborhood appraised
values catch up with costs, they're going to have to turn people away that are asking for
assistance. Joleen explained that owners don't want to boz~a~v more money on a property than
what it's ~varth but X5000 of the loan is forgiven in five years and they feel that by the time that
five years has passed, the neighborhood values will catch up. Rehab is tzying to create a Green
Community with energy efficient windows, furnaces, air conditioners, etc and the homeowners
can take advantage of the rebates that are available for these upgrades. Commissioner Hoiz
motioned to increase the loan-to-value ratio to 110% of appraised value. Comnssioner Root
seconded. All present in favor. Motion approved.
Amendments to Administrative Plan regarding Hearings and Appeals
Commissioner Helling explained that he requested that the Commission discuss the policies on
hearings and appeals. He feels it's the duty of the Commissioner to conduct the hearing and by
the policy change at a previous Housing Commission meeting, only one hearing is allowed and
it's heard by the Housing Director. Cpl. Ramirez commented that by having only one hearing it
minimizes the length of time that a person is abusing the Section $ program and it minimizes the
workload of the staff. He feels eve owe it to the community to put an end to the abuse of the
program in a timely manner. Cpl. Ramirez also explained that after the hearing the person has 30
days to go to the Court and file for an appeal after the Director's decision. Commissioner Holz
stated that he feels that in the past when a second appeal was requested the person frequently did
not Shaw up for the second hearing and had only made the request to get 30 days additional
assistance. Janet commented that the Commissioners are always welcome to sit-in on a hearing.
Commissioner Helling stated that after the discussion today he feels the previous policy change
to have only one hearing to be heard by the Housing Director is the best policy and feels that the
policy should remain as it is. Commissioner 1•-Tolz moved to keep the policy the same and
Commissioner Helling seconded. Roll call. Commissioner Schwendinger nay. All others
present in favor. Motion approved.
Infarmatian Sharing
David invited Commissioners to stay and watch the Budget Presentation to the City Council for
FY2010. No Commissioner stayed.
Acliournment
There being no fiarther business to come before the Cojnn~ission, Commissioner Helling moved
to adjourn the meeting at 5:09PM. All present in favor.
Miputes taken by:
;tj j ~~ •C.~~ ~C l~~t~
Jessica Kieffer
Recording Secretary
espectfi~lly submitted by:
,~ -
~~ ~~
vid : arris
Department Director