Minutes Housing Comm 11 23 04
MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
23 November 2004
4 p.m.
Housing and Community Development Department Office
Chairperson Kapler called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance with
Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present:
Danita Grant
Angie Mozena
Dorothy Culbertson
Jim Holz
Harry Neustadt
Char Eddy
Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
John Plein
Bill Helling Dave Kapler
Commissioners Absent:
None
Staff Present:
David Harris
Tusdee Blus
Janet Walker
Public Present:
John Gronen
Review and certification of Minutes of 26 October 2004 Commission Meetina
Commissioner Neustadt moved to approve the 26 October 2004 Commission meeting minutes.
Commissioner Plein seconded. Roll call. Commissioners Eddy, Helling and Kapler abstained. All
others present in favor. Motion passed.
Correspondence I Public Input
John Gronen was present at the request of Commissioner Neustadt to discuss a proposed historical
preservation project to turn the Dubuque Casket Company into a housing complex. His presentation was
deferred until the end of the meeting.
Old Business
None
New Business
FY'06 Operating Budget
David Harris gave an overview on the proposed FY'06 Operating Budget for the Housing Department.
Regarding the building remodeling project, we still plan to do the design work this year; however, we will
have to revisit it next year for a final decision due to possible budget constraints.
He also stated that we have questions for HUD regarding our reduction in administration fees and our
settlement statements.
David also mentioned the mandated per unit cost (PUC) is $307.00, but we are currently running over
that. Janet Walker spoke about voucher payment standards (VPS) which affect this. He also noted the
possibility of instituting minimum rent amounts for tenants in an attempt to combat Section 8 program
funding cuts.
He stated that we are currently issuing smallest bedroom size vouchers in an attempt to keep our costs
down. The next few months will be crucial to determine how we are doing. Commissioner Neustadt
suggested use of Block Grant fund as a source for administrative costs. David suggested additional
revenue sources (i.e. develop housing projects like ECIA) and we should really consider these other
options.
Amended Voucher Payment Standards
The Fair Market Rents (FMR) were published by HUD. Their proposed FMR's were higher than what
was ultimately published. Therefore, keeping our Voucher Payment Standards the same did not
calculate as we had anticipated. The three bedroom units are going to be the largest difference. Staff
will bring a revised proposal to the December meeting for Commission review.
As of October 1, 2004 Janet requested the Commission retroactively adopt the Voucher Payment
Standards presented. This will primarily affect new participants, but will also affect current participants if
they decide to move. We will be required to provide one year's notice to our current tenants, particularly
those who are not currently moving, as they will see the affect in their rental payments one year from
now.
Commissioner Holz motioned to reduce the rents of the 4 and 5 bedroom units but to leave the other size
units the same. Commissioner Eddy seconded. Roll call. All in favor. Motion passed.
Amended definition of family; eligibility of non-elderly, non-disabled persons
Janet spoke to the Commission, stating that our current policy on single persons application eligibility
violates HUD regulations. The changes to the Administrative Policy were noted in bold (Section 5). The
recommendation is that single persons be allowed to apply, but elderly and/or disabled persons will
always be placed ahead of those single persons on the waiting list. Janet also addressed program
eligibility (Section 2), in which changes again were noted in bold.
Commissioner Holz moved to make the necessary changes as proposed by Staff regarding eligibility.
Commissioner Eddy seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Request from Dubuque County Stakeholders Housing Sub-Committee; bedroom subsidy for non-
related persons with disabilities
Janet stated that in our Administrative Plan we can assign two persons to a bedroom. Area Residential
Care (ARC) wanted us to allow some disabled persons to share an apartment, but have separate
sleeping rooms. They have asked us to revise our policy to accommodate this request.
Janet noted that we had written the policy as it currently stands because of the many misrepresentations
we had been experiencing. She said that we may currently allow a doctor's statement as evidence that
separate sleeping accommodations are required due to disability. Commissioner Grant and Chairperson
Kapler felt that we should keep the policy as it is as to not open ourselves up to potential problems.
Chairperson Kapler suggested that Lori Anderson (ARC's representative) be present to state their case
before making a decision. Janet noted that with the current policy, we were able to accommodate all of
the current ARC applicants.
Commissioner Holz moved to deny ARC's request for a policy change. Commissioner Neustadt
seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Request for Commissioner Appeal: Barbara Lee
Commissioner Helling volunteered to hear Ms. Lee's appeal. Ms. Lee has waived her rights to the 20
day waiting period and would like the appeal to be heard as soon as possible.
Information Sharing
Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP)
Dave mentioned the memo to the City Manager, noting our designation as a High Performer housing
authority. This is our fourth year in a row receiving this acknowledgement. Chairperson Kapler
recognized and congratulated staff for their outstanding efforts.
Stewart Case
Janet provided an overview of the Angela Stewart case. The case was found in our favor and Ms.
Stewart has 20 days to appeal the decision. As a footnote, we had presented additional information at
this last hearing regarding unreported income, information obtained through an investigator that we were
able to utilize. Also, the Department of Human Services is now prosecuting Ms. Stewart as direct result
of information we uncovered and provided to them.
Public Input: John Gronen
At Commissioner Neustadt's request, Mr. Gronen was present to provide information on a project he is
proposing to the Community Development Commission (on which Commissioner Neustadt sits). Mr.
Gronen passed out his proposal and provided an explanation of what they would like to do. He said they
want to turn the Dubuque Casket Company into a housing complex, historically renovating it, and
creating 36 units in total- 12 two bedroom units and 24 one bedroom units. The cost of the proposed
project is estimated at $5.3 million.
The first floor of the building would be made available as a commercial property to community
organizations. They may make donations of the space with an agreement to assist them in the cost of
rehabilitating the spaces they would occupy. They have gone to the CD Commission for help with this
funding. Commissioner Neustadt asked for a resolution from the Housing Commission in support of this
project.
Also, the Housing Trust Fund Committee met this morning and discussed the Mid America Housing
Project. A total of $44,000 was recommended by the Committee to support the project, which would
construct 16 town homes in the Eagle Valley subdivision.
David also noted the Washington Neighborhood project, for which he provided an informational packet.
Adiournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Eddy moved to adjourn.
Commissioner Holz seconded. Motion passed by a voice vote. Meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Minutes taken by:
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