Minutes_Housing Commission 4 2 7 10Correspondence/Public Input
None
DATE: 27 April 2010
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department
350 West 6 Street, Suite 312, Dubuque, IA 52001
Chairperson Kapler, following staff assurance of compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law, called the
meeting to order at 4:03 pm.
Commissioners Present:
Commissioners Absent:
Staff Present:
Public Present:
MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
Linda Frommelt Lynn Sutton
Char Eddy David Kapler
Sister Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
William Helling
Dorothy Culbertson
David Harris
Jessica Kieffer
Judie Root
Jim Holz
Cpl. Mike Kane
Carol Asong Tina Bowers
Review and Certification of Minutes of 23 March 2010 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Schwendinger moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Frommelt
seconded. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Old Business
Public Relations/Landlord Incentives/Resident Advisory Board
Commissioner Kapler suggested that this agenda item be discussed at the May meeting when
more of the Commissioners are able to participate in the discussion.
New Business
Administrative Plan Change — Section XII (B) — Portability
Administrative Plan Change — Section XIV (D) — Authorized Moves During First Year
David explained the Administrative Plan currently requires a participant of the Section 8 program
who did not have legal residency at the time of application to lease a unit in the City of Dubuque
for one year before becoming eligible for portability. The proposed policy change would allow
participants in good standing to have the right to request portability to lease a unit outside of the
PHA jurisdiction within the initial lease term. Requests to exercise portability may be considered
and approved if the family receives a mutual rescission agreement from the landlord and has not
violated any program rules and/or family obligations.
Ms. Asong and Ms. Bowers explained their current situation. Ms. Asong has a health condition
that requires Ms. Bowers to assist her at times. Ms. Asong is currently able to port to another
PHA jurisdiction however with the current administrative policy Ms. Bowers is not eligible to
port until October. The policy change would allow Ms. Bowers to speak with her landlord and if
agreed upon, port to another PHA jurisdiction now with Ms. Asong and continue to care of her.
Commissioner Eddy motioned to approve the policy changes. Commissioner Schwendinger
seconded. All present in favor. Motion approved.
After the motion was approved, Ms. Asong shared with the group that she lives in a beautiful
apartment however the neighborhood is becoming a place for crime and violence. She shared
that there are fights, drugs are being sold and kids are in the park at 9:OOpm until midnight.
There was a lengthy discussion among the group regarding crime, how Dubuque has changed
over the past 30 years and getting involved with neighborhood groups.
Information Sharing
Commissioner Eddy shared that she would like another commissioner to take over her position
on the Community Development Commission. She explained that her schedule does not
coordinate with the meetings at 5:30pm on Wednesdays.
David explained that he would be meeting with the Landlord Association to discuss the
Administrative Law Judge Concept.
David shared that Lisa McAllister should be appointed by the City Council to the Housing
Commission on May 3 and will be joining the group at the May meeting.
Complaints Received
Commissioners received a summary of the complaints the Housing Department has received
since the last meeting. Outcomes of the complaints were discussed.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at
4:48pm. All present in favor.
Minutes taken by:
'1
Jessica Kieffer
Recording Secretary
Respectfully submitted by:
David Harris
Department Director