Minutes Housing Comm. 3 28 06
MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
28 March 2006
4 p.m.
Housing and Community Development Department
Vice-Chairperson Eddy called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present:
John Plein
Angie Mozena
Harry Neustadt
Dave Kapler
Char Eddy
Danita Grant
Dorothy Culbertson
Jim Holz
Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
Commissioners Absent:
Danita Grant
Bill Helling
Staff Present:
David Harris
Carroll Clark
Janet Walker
Tusdee Blus
Public Present:
Betty Simon
Janice Craddieth
Review and Certification of Minutes of 24 Januarv 2006 Commission Meetina
Commissioner Holz motioned to approve the 24 January 2006 meeting minutes as submitted.
Commissioner Schwendinger seconded. Roll call. Commissioners Kapler and Neustadt abstained.
All others present in favor. Motion passed.
New Business
Public Hearing: To Receive Public Comment Regarding the FY2006 PHA Plan
Commissioner Holz motioned to open the Public Hearing. Commissioner Eddy seconded. Roll call.
All present in favor. Motion passed.
Janet Walker provided an overview, including comments from the Resident Advisory Board meeting
and an explanation of their role.
There being no further discussion, Commissioner Holz motioned to close the public hearing.
Commissioner Eddy seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Commissioner Holz motioned to approve the PHA Plan as submitted. Commissioner Eddy seconded.
Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Housing Authority Governing Board
Chairperson Kapler explained the changes to the Housing Board regarding the HUD requirement to
have a Section 8 participant on the Commission. Janet explained HUD's reasoning for the change,
which resulted from various Public Housing Authority complaints about having this as a requirement.
However, it is not required that we change our Commission make-up. There was no decision required
for this agenda item; noted as "receive and file".
Request for Appeal: Stephen Terry
Janet provided background on Mr. Terry's case. He had failed to appear at his scheduled hearing,
which was then held in his absence and was based upon the documentation staff presented. Per
Janet, Mr. Terry was evicted from his unit and therefore, was ineligible for housing for a period of 3
years. He is currently off of the Section 8 program.
Commissioner Culbertson motioned to deny Mr. Terry's request for an appeal. Commissioner Mozena
seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Request for Appeal: Latrice Saunders
Janet provided background on Ms. Saunders' case. She had a scheduled hearing for which she
arrived late. The hearing had already taken place in her absence, with the original denial by staff
being upheld by the hearing officer. Her termination from the Section 8 program was based upon an
eviction she had received, leaving her ineligible for the program for a period of 3 years.
Ms. Betty Simon from Hillcrest Family Services spoke on Ms. Saunders' behalf. She stated that, in her
defense, Latrice did not understand the program rules. She also stated that the reason Latrice was
late was actually Betty's fault.
Commissioner Eddy motioned to grant Ms. Saunders' request for an appeal. Commissioner
Schwendinger seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Amendment to Administrative Plan: Pro-ration of Housing Assistance Payments
Janet noted the change in item #4 regarding new wording, changing it to if a unit passes on or before
the 20th of the month, we will pro-rate the rent to the landlord. She explained the reason for this is to
try and alleviate last minute inspections and help tenants with their portion of the rent upon move-in. It
could also help us with our occupancy rate.
Commissioner Schwendinger motioned to approve the change as submitted to the Administrative
Plan. Commissioner Holz seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Information Sharing
David Harris and Janet gave an overview of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities Housing
Voucher Program presentation.
David distributed a news article regarding block grant funds. The Commission will send a thank you
note to the Telegraph Herald for their article.
David noted the April 25, 2006 grand opening of the new Teresa Shelter for the homeless.
Chairperson Kapler stated that funds are coming in for the Step-by-Step project.
David gave an overview of the Washington Neighborhood project. He stated that the work on the park
is on-going. Janet addressed the issue of portable vouchers; Janice Craddieth asked if there is
anything we can do as a housing authority to keep people here. She stated that she sees more
people moving out of the neighborhood than are moving in and that there are quite a few vacant
buildings. Janet noted HUD restricts us to the 1 year rule, which is the limit to how long we can
require someone stay within our jurisdiction before asking to port to another location.
5:04 pm - Chairperson Kapler left meeting.
David presented the FY2007 Housing/CD Department Budget PowerPoint.
Adiournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Chairperson Holz motioned to
adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Plein seconded. Motion passed by acclamation. Meeting was
adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Minutes taken by:
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Tusdee Blus
Assisted Housing Secretary
Respectfully submitted by:
\~t~
David Harris
Department Director