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Minutes_Housiing Commission 7 26 11MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING DATE: 26 July 2011 TIME: 4:00 PM PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department 350 West 6th Street, Suite 312, Dubuque, IA 52001 Chairperson Kapler, following staff assurance of compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law, called the meeting to order at 4:07 pm. Commissioners Present: Dorothy Culbertson Amy Eudaley Judie Root David Kapler Lisa McCallister Patricia Rogaskie Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF Regine Ronek Commissioners Absent: Ricardo Woods, Jim Holz Staff Present: David Harris Kris Neyen Ericka Lessears Public Present: Kelly Larson, Mike Elliott, Carrie 0' Connor, Alex Kornya Review and Certification of Minutes of 22 February 2011 Commission Meeting Commissioner Root moved to approve the April minutes. Commissioner Rogaskie seconded. Commissioner McCallister abstained. All others present in favor. Motion passed. Commissioner Root moved to approve the May minutes. Commissioner McCallister seconded. Commissioners Schwendinger and Culbertson abstained. All others present in favor. Motion passed. Correspondence/Public Input None Old Business HUD Fair Housing Review Commissioner Schwendinger reported on her interview by HUD officials. She said that the experience was not unpleasant. David stated that HUD said their report will take 60 days or longer to publish. 15 August Commissions Summit Kelly Larson, Human Rights Department Director, explained that the Human Rights Commission will issue the public notice and facilitate the meeting. The Human Rights Commission is developing a press release and flyers to market this joint event on August 15, 2011. The evening of the 15th there will be a ribbon cutting with the Transit Board. The forum will be open until 5:00 for people to talk to the Commissioners. The Housing Commission will have a table that we should staff. New Business Re- opening Section 8 Applicant Waiting List David explained to the Commission that we have cleared the waiting list and there was no longer a justification to keep it closed. This means that applicants no longer need local preference points to apply. Our goal is 900 participants and to rebuild the waiting list, which HUD requires. We are having trouble leasing, with a lease up rate of 50 %. Section 8 Administrative Plan Changes Alex Kornya asked for the clarification of the term "warrant" in the proposed change. Commissioner Kapler felt uncomfortable voting on this change without more information. Commissioner Root motioned to table until next meeting. Commissioner Culberson seconded. All others in present in favor. Motion passed. FSS Recruitment Report FSS program currently has 89 participants and projects to be at 120 by the end of December. Commissioner McCallister stated that she is on the FSS Program and that it has been a tremendous help and support. She has a great relationship with her caseworkers and appreciates how they take a personal interest in everyone, making the Housing Department different from other service agencies. Commissioner Eudaley said that the Getting Ahead Program is a great program and that she is a graduate. Commissioner Schwendinger suggested that the Commissioners give accolades to the staff for the FSS Programs. Commissioners commended staff for the increase in number of participants over the last few months and also acknowledged the benefits from the Bridges Out of Poverty Program for people in the community. Commissioner Schwendinger moved to approve. Commissioner Root seconded. All others present in favor. Motion passed. Rehab Loan Exceeding Allowed Maximum Amount Kris Neyen, Rehab Programs Supervisor, asked the Commission for an exception for $17,000 additional funds to rehab the home of a 73 year old owner. Cost for the rehab exceeds the $35,000 loan guidelines. Commissioner Root moved to approve. Commissioner Rogaskie seconded. Commissioner Culbertson was concerned about the appraisal. Commissioner Rogaskie withdrew. Kris said that the assessed value of the home covers the total debt. Commissioner Root moved to approve. Commissioner Eudaley seconded. All others present in favor. Motion passed. Information Sharing Complaints Received Commissioners received a summary of the complaints the Housing Department has received since the last meeting. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjoumed at 5:01pm. Minutes taken by: Ericka Lessears Recording Secretary espectfully submitted by: David Harris Department Director