Minutes Housing Comm 4 22 03MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
22 Apd! 2003
4p.m.
Housing and Community Development Department Office
Chairperson Kapler called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present:
Harry Neustadt
John Plein
Danita Grant
Char Eddy
Jim Holz
Joe Suarez
Bill Helling
Dave Kapler
Commissioners Absent: Dorothy Culbertson
Staff Present:
David Harris
Officer Gorrell
Tusdee Blus
Officer Simpson
Janet Walker
Officer Olson
Public Present:
Julie Woodyard
Review and certification of Minutes of 25 March 2003 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Holz moved to approve the 25 March 2003 Commission meeting
minutes as reviewed. Commissioner Neustadt seconded. Roll Call. All present in
favor. Motion passed.
Correspondence / Public Input
No public correspondence or input.
Old Business
Lending Policy
It was not possible to schedule a presentation with the Board of Realtors for their April
meeting. David Harris will contact the board office again for a meeting date.
Resignation of Commission Member
Tom Swift 11 sent a letter of resignation, effective immediately.
The suggestion was made that it may be beneficial to solicit a landlord as a possible
member of the Commission. David was directed to send a letter to the Landlord
Association.
Orientation
It was agreed that the orientation packet would be reviewed at the next Commission
meeting, to be held on 27 May 2003 at 4:00 pm at Dubuque Bank & Trust. This will be
a dinner meeting. Chairperson Kapler will provide room location to Tusdee Blus prior to
meeting date.
New Business
Request from Hillcrest Family Services for Preference Status for Transitional
Housing Program
Juiie Woodyard presented information to the Commission regarding their request for
local preference points to be given to those eligible for their new "HOPES" program.
They received their 3-year grant, and the facility, located at 1995 Asbury Road, is
scheduled to open the first week in May.
This program is designed to meet the housing needs of homeless families with male
children over the age of 12. The family's primary difficulty to be addressed by this
program is their homelessness; however, it will also address their needs for job training,
supportive se,~,ices and child care. They must participate in assessments and will work
on goals to become self-sufficient. The program can accommodate 4 families at one
time, and each family can stay on the program for a maximum of 24 months.
Commissioner Holz moved to approve the request to provide preference status for
Section 8 participants in Hillcrest Family Services' Transitional Housing Program.
Commissioner Suarez seconded. Roll Call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Policy Change for Limitations to Section 8 Program Waiting List
Janet stated that the waiting list is getting longer, and that according to HUD directives,
if there is a chance that applicants will not be assisted for 1 - 2 years, we may close the
waiting list. If the list were to be closed, a public notice would need to be published
pdor to doing so.
Commissioner Ho!z moved to approve the request to close the waiting list to singles
(unless disabled), and all others without at least one set of preference points.
Commissioner Neustadt seconded. Roll Call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Information Sharin,q
Angela Stewart Appeal
Commissioner Neustadt reviewed the appeal hearing held this day at 2:00 pm
regarding Ms. Stewart. Ms. Stewart was represented by legal counsel provided by
Legal Aid. He will review all information, including all additional documentation
provided by Ms. Stewart's legal counsel, and will make a decision.
it was suggested that the appeals process as a whole be reviewed. A draft of
suggestions will be compiled by David, Chairperson Kapler, Commissioner Grant and
Janet, and will be presented to Bill Blum for review. Janet will be asked to make
suggestions and Chairperson Kapler and Commissioner Grant will assist David and
Janet draft them. Federal regulations and local policies must be considered. These
suggestions wilt be reviewed by the Commission at the July meeting.
New Agenda Item for Next Meeting
Per the request of Chairperson Kapler, we will add income limits for 2003 to the agenda
for May 2003 meeting.
Storm Water hiitigation
David is currently writing the policy and procedure manual for the acquisition activities
to start buying homes in July for the first phase of the stormwater mitigation program.
basing DOT's manual, nu w~
Housing Trust Fund Committee. David will present this to the City Manager.
Adiournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Eddy
moved to adjourn. Commissioner Hoiz seconded. Motion passed by a voice vote.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
Minutes taken., by:
Tusdee Blus
Housing Department Secretary
~'~.. esp. ectfully submitted by:
D~id'Narri~
Department Director