Minutes Housing Comm 7 22 03
MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE:
22 July 2003
TIME:
4 p.m.
PLACE:
Housing and Community Development Department Office
Chairperson Kapler called the meeting to order at 4:09 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present: Bill Helling John Plein Jim Holz
Dave Kapler Danita Grant Joe Suarez
Dorothy Culbertson
Commissioners Absent: Harry Neustadt Char Eddy
Staff Present: David Harris Tusdee Blus Janet Walker
Joleen Patterson
Public Present: None
Review and certification of Minutes of 27 May 2003 Commission Meeting
Tusdee Blus noted change under “New Business” section: “…the time for scheduling
appeals” should read from “5 to 20” instead of “10 to 20”. Commissioner Holz moved to
approve the 27 May 2003 Commission meeting minutes with the correction.
Commissioner Plein seconded. Roll Call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Correspondence / Public Input
No public correspondence or input.
Old Business
Predatory Lending Policy
This was presented at the Board of Realtors meeting last month. They were concerned
that they were being held responsible for the actions of other parties to the loan. This
will apply to appraisers and lenders also. The next step will be to present to appraisers
and lenders to obtain their reaction to policy.
New Business
Amendment to Section 8 Program Administrative Plan: Mailing of Applications
Janet Walker noted the word “remove” on the first page.
On second page, Janet recommended to stop mailing applications, and also to stop
conducting the criminal background checks until applicants come to the top of the
waiting list. This is due to the cost of running these checks and the fact that by the time
the applicant comes to the top of the list, which could take 1 – 2 years, we will need to
repeat the criminal background check again at that time. The cost ranges from $7.00 -
$26.00 per check, depending on where the applicant has lived. Each state’s fees vary,
and we must obtain a background check from each state the applicant has lived in
within the past 3 years.
Commissioner Holz moved to amend as proposed. Commissioner Plein seconded.
Roll Call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Approval for Homeowner Loan Exceeding Maximum Amount
Joleen Patterson stated that this is for the family who lost their home on Madison Street
in the fire. It was proposed to turn the Stafford residence into a single family home and
allow this family to purchase it. Her parents own the Madison Street residence and
plan to sell it.
Per Joleen, the family will be provided no rehab funding from the City, but will be using
monies from their insurance after the fire to rehabilitate the Stafford Street home. They
will also be obtaining a First Time Homebuyers Loan.
Commissioner Holz moved to approve the sale to the family. Commissioner Helling
seconded. Roll Call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Assignment of Appeals
There are two fraud cases. David Harris recommended against the appeals of both,
and both cases appealed.
Commissioner Culbertson will hear the appeal of Tawana Hunt on August 27, 2003 at
8:00 am. Chairperson Kapler will hear the appeal of Veronica Jones on August 29,
2003 at 10:00 am. Commissioner Plein will attend both hearings as an observer.
Commissioner Helling will be an observer at the Jones hearing only.
The question was raised as to how the message of our program rules enforcement
practices can be better publicized to prospective clients. Janet stated that the Housing
Department will be more specific in future briefings regarding dual residency and its
consequences. She also said that the application will be available on-line in the near
future, and we may be able to post this type of information as well. Furthermore, we
may begin to turn fraud cases over to the Attorney General.
Information Sharing
Commission Vacancies
David noted that all Commissioners whose term is ending must apply for another term if
they wish to remain on the Commission: Commissioner Plein, Commissioner Holz,
Commissioner Culbertson and Commissioner Grant.
Also, David mentioned that Gina Bell has submitted her name to the Council, which
th
would then fill the remaining 10 position on the Housing Commission.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Holz
moved to adjourn. Commissioner Suarez seconded. Motion passed by a voice vote.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
Minutes taken by:
Tusdee Blus
Housing Department Secretary
Respectfully submitted by:
David Harris
Department Director