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