Minutes Housing Commission 5 26 09MINUTES OF HOUSING COM11fIISSION MEETING
DATE: 26 May 2009
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department
350 West 6`h Street, Suite 312, Dubuque, IA 52001
Commissioner Kapler, follotiving staff assurance of compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law, called
the meeting to order at 4:04 pm.
Con~nissioners Present. William Helling (via telephone) Lynn Sutton
Dorothy Culbertson Jim Holz
David Kapler Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
Commissioners Absent:
Staff Present:
Linda Frommeh
David Harris
Lt. Pablo Ramirez
Judie Root
Char Eddy
Public Present;
None
Janet Walker
Cpl. Mike Kane
Jessica Kieffer
Revie~v and Certification of Minutes of 24 March 2009 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Schwendinger requested that the minutes be amended to show her comments
regarding the Amendments to Administrative Plan regarding Hearings and Appeals. At the
March meeting, Commissioner Schwendinger had commented that she thought the
Commissioners should conduct the hearings as it was a learning experience and the only
opportunity the Commissioners have to be face to face with the clienks. Her comments validate
why Commissioner Schwendinger voted against keeping the current policy an Appeals and
Hearings tl~e same.
Commissioner Culbertson moved to approve the minutes as amended. Commissioner Holz
seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Public Innut
None
Old Business
Administrative Plan Change -Calculating Excess Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) for
unauthorized household member
Janet explained thak at the suggeskion of the Housing Commission at the March 2009 meeting,
the proposed calculation for excess HAP has been redrafted. Ik was previously proposed that it
be calculated based upon the assistance provided to the number of individuals in the household
for whom eligibility has been affirmatively established. It is now being proposed that the excess
HAP be calculated by khe number of adult household members instead of the entire household.
Commissioner Holz motioned to approve the new calculation. Commissioner Schwendinger
seconded. All present in favor.
New Business
iYlunicipal Governing Board
The ivlunicipal Governing Board was created in response to a directive from HUD in 2002 r~vhich
requires a designated Section S Program participant member of the Housing Commission to join
wi#h the City Council when certain actions are taken concerning the Section 8 Program. In
practice, this board has convened only to approve annual operating budgets.
Tn 200b HUD changed the requirement, eliminating the need for a governing board. In its place a
Resident Advisory Board (RAB) of Section S Program participants has been established and
meets at least four times annually. Commissioner Kapler commented that he would like
Commission members to attend the RAB meetings if they are available.
Commissioner Holz moved to request that the City Council amend the ordinance and eliminate
the use of the governing board as HUD no longer requires the board to convene. Commissioner
Culbertson seconded. All present in favor. Motion approved.
Increase in X35, 000 Home Rehab Loan Cap
David explained that this is being withdrawn for action. It will be discussed at a fiiture
Commission meeting.
tiVashing#on Neighborhood Development Corporation
David explained that this is for informational purposes only. The Staff Oversight Committee
dretiv up guidelines for the board of directors of Washington Neighborhood Development
Corporation. Some of the prospective board members have been contacted and there has been a
100% acceptance rate for the offers to sit on the board. The nest step is to hold the first meeting.
David commented that the first year's funding is provided. An off ce space has been offered at
the cost of utilities only and other facilities will also be considered.
Information Sharin6
Commissioner's Corner
David shared that the Commissioner's Corner was a new feature in NAHRO's magazine and he
would continue to share the articles with the Housing Cozxamission.
Road to Success
Janet explained that the Road to Success would be held on June 10~' at Prescott School. The
Road to Success is an annual Job Readiness fair that is hosted by'the City of Dubuque's Family
Self Sufficiency program and the Housing and CD Department. Those invited to participate in
the RTS are Family Self Sufficiency participants, Getting Ahead In A Just-Gettin'-By World
attendees and graduates, residents of the 1~Iaria House, Teresa Shelter, Manasseh House,
Dubuque Rescue IVlission, the Dubuque YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter and participants of
some selected Iowa Workforce Development Programs. Participants complete various stations
of job readiness (preparing for an interview, resume assistance, clothing, and mock interview)
they will then have the option to attend a small employer fair that will be held on site specifically
for the RTS participants. They will get the skills they need -build their confidence and then have
the oppoa-tunity to directly apply all of this during the employer fair. Janet requested that if the
Commissioners have any clean ready to wear clothing suitable for a job interview ar to wear on
the jab the clothing could be dropped off at the Housing Department.
Washington Neighborhood Initiative
David distribrited a sr~mma~y of the Washington Neighborhood Strategic Plan. He shared that
the Washington Neighborhood was recognized by the Iowa Historic Preseivatian Alliance for
their preservation initiatives.
Adiournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Carnmissianer Helling moved
to adjourn the meeting at 4:39PM. All present in favor.
M~~utes taken by:
,~,
~ '~
Jessica Kieffer
Recording Secretary
Respectfi~lly submitted by:
JV
David Harris
Department Director