Minutes Housing Comm 8 23 05
MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
23 August 2005
4p.m.
Housing and Community Development Department
Chairperson Kapler called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present:
Harry Neustadt John Plein
Dave Kapler Jim Holz
Char Eddy Danita Grant
Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
Dorothy Culbertson
Angie Mozena
Bill Helling
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present:
David Harris
Cpl. Pablo Ramirez
Joleen Patterson
Janet Walker
Off. Chris Gorrell
Tusdee Blus
Kris Neyen
Public Present:
Jerry Maro
Natalia Blaskovich
Julie LeClere
Review and Certification of Minutes of 28 June 2005 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Holz motioned to approve the 28 June 2005 minutes as submitted.
Commissioner Plein seconded. Roll call. Commisioners Mozena, Grant, Eddy and Helling
abstained. All others present in favor. Motion passed.
Correspondence I Public Input
None
Old Business
HUD Voucher Payment Standard Waiver Request
Janet Walker reviewed the letter received from HUD, denying our waiver request. The denial is
based upon our drop in occupancy, which, from HUD's perspective, effectively solves our
financial deficit.
LeClere Loan - Hempstead Street; Request for Waiver for Judgment
David reviewed the letter sent to the Commission regarding Julie LeClere's request for an
exception to the requirement for satisfaction of judgments. Natalia Blaskovich, from Legal
Services, represented Ms. LeClere and spoke on her behalf. She reviewed the circumstances
surrounding the judgments against Ms. LeClere, which were due to back payments for child
support. Ms. Blaskovich stated that Ms. LeClere has attempted to establish a payment plan to
erase the debt, but her ex-husband has not been willing to work with her. She stated that Ms.
LeClere is planning to get a bank loan in the next month to payoff the debt, using her car as
collateral. However, at this time, our loan has been approved only if the debt has been paid in
full. As it currently stands, when the debt is paid off, and she has fulfilled all requirements, the
loan has been approved by the Commission.
The Commission discussed the request, and asked for a cash flow analysis to be done by staff,
analyzing what her financial status would be should she take out the new loan to payoff the debt
and how would that affect her ability to repay our loan. The Commission would like to revisit their
decision to grant the loan at the next meeting based upon the cash flow analysis information
provided by staff.
Commissioner Eddy motioned to deny the waiver request, with a friendly amendment (by
Commissioner Holz) to take a second look at the loan application next month to determine final
loan approval decision. Commissioner Mozena seconded. Roll Call. All in favor. Motion
passed.
New Business
Request for Homeowner Loan Exceeding Maximum Amount
Joleen Patterson requested the Commission to approve a rehab loan of $50,259, 0% interest
with a repayment of no more than $140/month as long as the homeowner lives in the home. The
loan is for a disabled man living on Gandolfo Street. His current gross household income is
$10,152, and his credit is excellent. His current mortgage is $100/month.
The proposal is to completely gut the home, providing new plumbing, electrical, kitchen cabinets,
insulation, drywall and flooring. An accessible bath would be installed on the first floor. The
exterior would be completely re-done, and all work would be done according to Rehab and Lead
standards.
Commissioner Eddy motioned to approve the loan as presented. Commissioner Grant
seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Section Eight Management Assessment Plan (SEMAP) - FY2005
Janet noted that we again achieved a 100% SEMAP rating for the fourth consecutive year.
David commended this outstanding effort by staff to achieve this performance.
Section Eight Annual Close-Out Report - FY2005
Janet reviewed the report and noted that it is better than had been anticipated. She noted that
although our occupancy is down, we lost $32,000 for the year, which is a considerable
improvement compared to initial projections.
Amendments to Administrative Plan: Live-In Aides for Disabled Persons; Subsidy
Standard; Waiting List Selection
Janet reviewed a memo from HUD regarding reasonable accommodation for Live-In Aides,
giving them an extra bedroom. She stated that we have been directed by HUD to provide this
accommodation immediately as long as it meets our criteria for Live-In Aides.
Janet noted that because our recent occupancy is dropping, our numbers will be down.
Therefore, because our funding is based upon number of units leased, we are hoping that HUD
will base funding on full calendar year 2005 occupancy to fund 2006. She proposed to increase
the occupancy standard by allowing the head of household a bedroom (if there is a parent/child
relationship within the household). This will primarily affect those who were downsized to a one-
bedroom voucher. Also, the budget proposed is a 6 month budget, to increase our occupancy by
year-end. We would like to continue closely monitoring this, making changes going forward
based upon the numbers as they progress.
Janet addressed the waiting list and its current status. She proposed to open the program to
single, non-elderly, non-disabled persons. The greatest advantage for allowing single persons
on the program is that they cost the program less than families do. Janet also explained the
difficulties our participants are currently having finding units.
Commissioner Eddy motioned to accept all three amendments to the Administrative Plan as
submitted. Commissioner Holz seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Appointment of Liaison to Housing Trust Fund Committee; Commissioner Neustadt's
term expiring September '05
Commissioner Eddy motioned to nominate Commissioner Neustadt to another term as Liaison to
Housing Trust Fund Committee. Commissioner Culbertson seconded. Roll call. All present in
favor. Motion passed.
Information Sharing
FY -2006 - 2010 Consolidated Plan I Strategic Plan
Aggie Tauke provided materials on the Consolidated Plan. Commissioner Neustadt stated that
the CD Commission took action to approve it previously. He noted the many hours of
preparation that went into this Plan. He also noted that the CD Commission will meet on 8
September, and Staff will present the CAPERS report. He requested a copy be sent to Housing
Commission members.
Minutes from Atty. Tim O'Brien's In-Service on Conduct of Appeal Hearings
The minutes from Mr. O'Brien's presentation on Conduct of Hearings by Commission members
were distributed. These will be put in the hearing packets to Commissioners for use at future
hearings.
David noted the Washington Neighborhood Heart project open house to be held Tuesday,
August 30th at 3 p.m. at 2046 Washington Street. Commissioner Neustadt requested from David
a copy of the original proposal for this project.
David also noted the Center for Independent Living will be holding two town hall meetings on 1
August at 1 :30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Adiournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Eddy moved to
adjourn. Commissioner Helling seconded. Motion passed by a voice vote. Meeting was
adjourned at 5:08 p.m.
Minutes taken by:
Zudee ELM
Tusdee Blus
Assisted Housing Secretary
Res~ectfully submitted by:
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David Harris
Department Director
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