Minutes_Housing Commission 3 29 11DATE: 29 March 2011
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 4:01 pm.
Commissioners Present:
Commissioners Absent: Lynn Sutton
Staff Present: David Harris Janet Walker
Ericka Lessears Cpl. Scott Koch
Public Present: Jerry Maro
Review and Certification of Minutes of 22 February 2011 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Root moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Woods seconded.
Commissioners Culbertson, Kapler and Holz abstained. All others present in favor. Motion
passed.
Correspondence/Public Input
None
MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF Dorothy Culbertson
Lisa McAllister Ricardo Woods Jim Holz
Judie Root David Kapler
Jessica Kieffer
Old Business
Fair Housing Survey/Forum
This item was tabled until April 2011 meeting when a representative from the Human Rights
Commission is present.
Landlord Survey
The Commissioners received a summary of the landlord responses to the on -line survey of the
Section 8 program. Staff is still receiving responses from the landlords and will be posting the
responses on -line.
Project -Based Vouchers; response to request for proposals
David stated that after the previous Housing Commission meeting the RFP for developers
interested in developing an `affordable assisted living facility' in Dubuque with the possibility of
project -basing vouchers in connection with the facility was posted. One developer, Evergreen
Development responded. Commissioner Schwendinger motioned to approve a Letter of Intent to
the Iowa Finance Authority stating that it is the intent of the Housing and CD Department and its
Housing Commission to proceed to enter into an agreement to enter into a HAP Contract with the
Applicant for 17 dwelling units in the proposed facility, subject to Applicant's satisfaction of
applicable underwriting criteria and program guidelines for HAP contracts, and selection based
on a qualifying proposal. Commissioner McAllister seconded. All present in favor.
New Business
Public Hearing to hear comments on the Public Housing Authority (PHA) Plan
Commissioner Root motioned to open the Public Hearing. Commissioner McAllister seconded.
All present in favor.
Janet explained that the PHA Plan was submitted to the Resident Advisory Board (RAB) at their
last meeting and she did receive feedback from the board members.
Commissioner Holz motioned to close the Public Hearing. Commissioner Root seconded. All
present in favor.
Commissioner Schwendinger motioned to approve the PHA Plan. Commissioner Holz
seconded. All present in favor.
Approval of a Housing Rehab Loan exceeding guidelines
This agenda item was tabled until a later meeting.
Information Sharing
Complaints Received
Commissioners received a summary of the complaints the Housing Department has received
since the last meeting.
Vacancies
David reminded the Commissioners that there are three vacancies on the Housing Commission.
Commissioner Root explained that she has referred two people and Commissioner McAllister
stated she has also referred someone to possibly fill a vacant position.
Dubuque Area Landlord's Association letter to the Mayor and City Council
The Commissioners received a copy of a letter submitted by Jerry Maro, President of the
Dubuque Area Landlord's Association addressed to the City Council and Mayor. The letter was
in regard to the new housing ordinance mandating criminal background checks. The letter stated
the landlords did not create the crime problem in Dubuque. It stated that the crime problem was
brought on by the mismanagement of the Section 8 program by the Housing Department. After
reading the letter, Commissioner Root stated that crime is a breakdown in family, not any
department's fault. Commission Schwendinger did not agree with the language used in the letter
saying the Section 8 program is mismanaged. She felt that the letter is strictly an opinion and
words like `we think, it seems, could it be, or maybe" would have been better used in the letter
instead of stating it as a fact. She challenged Jerry Maro to provide a study that proves Housing
is mismanaged. Commissioner Woods stated that the letter was written as an absolute and not an
opinion. He did not feel that the letter was based on fair and reasonable ground. Commissioner
McAllister added that the Section 8 program has helped families in more ways than others may
ever know. Jerry stated that the letter was prepared by a sub - committee of the Landlord's
Association and had not been approved by all of the members of the Landlord's Association.
Ames Iowa Section 8 Program
The Commissioners received newspaper articles regarding Ames Iowa Section 8 program. The
City's rental assistance program has been turned over to a Regional Housing Authority due to
funding. Janet said that she will try to set up a call with Ames Housing Authority Director and
Ames Mayor. This item will be discussed at the next Housing Commission meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at
5:1Opm.
Minutes taken by:
Jessica Kieffer
Recording Secretary
espectfully submitted by:
David arris
Department Director