Minutes Housing Comm. 10 25 05
MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
25 October 2005
4p.m.
Housing and Community Development Department
Vice-Chairperson Eddy called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Absent:
Harry Neustadt John Plein
Angie Mozena Char Eddy
Danita Grant Jim Holz (by phone)
Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
Bill Helling
Dorothy Culbertson
Dave Kapler (by phone)
Commissioners Present:
Staff Present:
David Harris
Joleen Patterson
Janet Walker
Cate Richter
Tusdee Blus
Kelly Larson
Public Present:
Julie LeClere
Sara Davidson
Todd Bagby
Steve Drahozel
Zamira Merdonovic
Matthew Mago
Shea Schreiber
John Gronen
Len Sandler
Commissioner Grant arrived at 4:02 pm; Commissioner Mozena arrived at 4:05 pm; Chairperson
Kapler arrived at 5:35 pm.
David Harris requested on behalf of Legal Aid to have their clients' appeals be heard as the first
items on the agenda.
Review and Certification of Minutes of 27 September 2005 Commission MeetinQ
Commissioner Schwendinger motioned to approve the 27 September 2005 minutes with noted
change to heading to read "Minutes of Housing Commission Meeting." Commissioner Plein
seconded. Roll call. Commissioner Holz abstained. All others present in favor. Motion passed.
Correspondence I Public Input
None
Old Business
LeClere Loan; Request for Co-Signer
Shea Schreiber of Legal Aid spoke on Ms. Leclere's behalf, asking for the Commission members
to review her request for a co-signer and approve it. Commissioner Holz asked if Randy
Theobald, the co-signer, is a household member, to which Ms. Schreiber responded that he is
not. Commisioner Holz stated that he does not see the benefit of a co-signer, and Ms. Schreiber
stated that he would take over the loan if Ms. LeClere could not pay. David explained that it is
standard practice to allow a co-signer option, and then to make the determination if it is feasible
for that particular loan. Commissioner Grant asked why it is before the Commission at this time if
this is normal practice. Chairperson Kapler stated that he wanted the Commission to be
informed and .if it were to be determined to be within normal guidelines, it would be referred to
staff. Commissioner Grant stated that she would support sending it to staff for their decision.
Commissioner Holz stated that once it has gone through the co-signer due diligence process
with staff, it will then need Commission approval to exceed the normal limits.
Commissioner Grant motioned to send it back to staff to perform the due diligence and to make a
recommendation to the Commission for final approval. Commissioner Neustadt seconded. Roll
call. Commissioner Eddy - Nay. All others present in favor. Motion passed.
Request for Hearing: Zamira Merdanovic
Ms. Schreiber spoke on Ms. Merdanovic's behalf, stating that she is a Bosnian refugee who
speaks limited English. When Ms. Merdanovic received a notice of termination of her benefits
from the Housing Department, she called and was told of her rights to an appeal of the decision.
In the opinion of Legal Aid, she did not understand and failed to file her appeal in the allotted
timeframe. Commissioner Holz asked Janet Walker to explain the circumstances of the
termination. Janet stated that it was due to unreported income. Cate Richter, Ms. Merdanovic's
caseworker, provided further clarification. She said that in the conversations she had with Ms.
Merdanovic she made no mention of not understanding and did not ask for clarification from
staff. Ms. Schreiber then referenced Kelly Larson and the City's compliance with the Department
of Justice requirements to explain the process to her in her native language. It was further noted
by Cate that at this time, Ms. Merdanovic has still not reported any change in income. Ms.
Schreiber stated she felt that since the termination, Ms. Merdanovic did not understand she
should provide any additional information, further indicating a lack of understanding.
Janet made the request of Legal Aid to in the future, make their request letters clearer so that
Staff may understand and address the issue prior to it being necessary to be heard by the
Commission.
Commissioner Schwendinger motioned to allow the appeal. Commissioner Plein seconded. Roll
call. All in favor. Motion passed.
Item 4b was moved to the end of the agenda.
New Business
Request from Young Lawyers Association, Dubuque County Bar for Seminar Sponsorship
Chairperson Kapler provided an overview of the proposal for outreach sessions for 2006, and
asked for the Commission to provide their thoughts on co-sponsorship by the Housing
Commission. They would work with Housing, Human Rights and Legal Aid to make these
seminars more substantial and to hopefully increase attendance. Commissioner Grant
expressed concern for staff time, and Chairperson Kapler stated that it is not required.
Communication from Historic Preservation Commission Regarding Prescott School
Parking Alternatives
The Commission discussed the request from the HPC to address proposed parking options for
the new downtown school. Commissioner Schwendinger stated that the decision should remain
with the School Board and there be no involvement from the Commission. The other
Commission members agreed and no action was taken.
Set Public Hearing for HOME Program Application for Step by Step Residential Project for
Persons with Disabilities
David introduced Sarah Davidson as the inspiration for this project and then noted the letter sent
to Dan LoBianco for the Main Street Challenge Grant, which explains the project in a conceptual
form. We would seek HOME Program funds from the State Department of Economic
Development, which will require us as a City applicant to hold a public hearing, which would be
held by the Housing Commission for that purpose. He suggested we, the City, be the applicant
and we schedule the public hearing for the November Commission meeting.
Commissioner Holz motioned to set the public hearing for the next Commission meeting.
Chairperson Kapler seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Request for Additional Loan Amount for Henry Stout Place - Accessibility Rehab Program
An accessibility loan in the amount of $11,871.26 for retrofit of a kitchen at Henry Stout Place for
tenant Sarah Davidson was discussed. David stated that we expect to share this cost with
MetroPlains, but if we can't, then the action before the Commission is to make an exception and
grant the entire amount less the amount for the appliances. The loan is a 5-year forgivable and
for one unit only.
Sarah spoke to the current needs of disabled persons, referencing the kitchen specifically. Hers
is galley shaped and is not 5' wide in any point in the kitchen. She actually had her stove
removed because it was not accessible to her. At this time, she cannot use her kitchen at all
because she cannot us it in her wheelchair.
Commissioner Holz motioned to approve up to the $11,871.26, and to go ahead with the project
and loan. Chairperson Kapler seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Consideration of Resolutions in Support of HOME Program Applications for Women SRO
Housing at 21st and Elm Streets; and Davis Place IV on Garfield Avenue
David provided information, stating that there will be two HOME applications prepared by the
private developers, Michelle Mihalakis for women's housing and Scott Potter for Davis Place.
David explained that the Council is requested to pass a resolution of support, which is needed for
the processing of their application by IDED. It will be on the November Council agenda. He
provided this information to the Commission for their input.
Commissioner Holz motioned to recommend to the Council the approval of the resolutions of
support. Commissioner Grant seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Casket Company; Presentation by Len Sandler, Director, University of Iowa Clinical Law
Program Universal Design Project
Todd Bagby, Matt Mayo and Len Sandler were present from the University of Iowa Clinical Law
Program to present their review of the schematic designs for the Casket Company. They
described their mission to determine new and innovative ideas to make the project exceed
minimum requirements to ensure whatever disabilities an occupant may have, their ability to use
their living space would be maximized. They gathered input from around the state to determine
how livable the project would be, developing a universal design check-list. The issue of parking
was addressed and after discussion with the Commission, it was determined that additional stalls
would be required due to the number of tenants and health clinic clients.
Commissioner Grant left meeting at 5:02 pm; Commissioner Mozena left meeting at 5:17 pm.
Adiournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Schwendinger
moved to adjourn. Commissioner Culbertson seconded. Motion passed by a voice vote.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:53 p.m.
Minutes taken by:
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Tusdee Blus
Assisted Housing Secretary
Respectfully submitted by:
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D'avid Harris
Department Director