Minutes_Housing Commisson 4 9 13MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE: 9 April 2013
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department
350 West 6th Street, Suite 312, Dubuque, IA 52001
Chairperson Holz, following staff assurance of compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law, called the
meeting to order at 4:02 pm.
Commissioners Present:
Jim Holz Rick Baumhover
Amy Eudaley Judie Root
Anna Fernandes Ricardo Woods
Commissioners Absent: Lisa McAllister Sister Dorothy Schwendinger
Patricia Foster Dorothy Culbertson
Staff Present: Alvin Nash Teresa Drury
Janet Walker Jessica Kieffer
Public Present: Amanda Guthmiller David Wall
Joe Ferrentino
Review and Certification of Minutes of 4 December 2012 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Root moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Baumhover seconded.
Commissioner Woods abstained. All others present in favor. Motion passed.
Correspondence/Public Input
None
Old Business
None
New Business
Public Hearing to receive public comment and approve PHA Annual Plan
Commissioner Baumhover motioned to open the public hearing and Commissioner Root
seconded. Roll was called. Jim asked if any of the public had any comments on the PHA plan.
Joe Ferrentino mentioned that he needs a written invitation from our office to comment on
agenda items. No other public had comments. Janet Walker stated that there was a notice
published in the newspaper inviting the public to attend the meeting and make comments.
Public Hearing to receive public comment
1. The mission statement of the PHA Annual Plan was discussed and revised.
Commissioners Amy Eudaley and Ricardo Woods suggested specific changes that
would make the mission statement make more sense and create a better flow. It
now states: "To improve the lives of people living in poverty in order to help
make a sustainable community with opportunities for all by engaging people
across class barriers. Utilizing approaches to improve family and housing stability
by building community partnerships and creating a community where all have the
opportunity to succeed and contribute."
2. Jim Holz asked if the staff needed to report on anything during the public hearing.
Janet Walker pointed out the goals and objectives in the PHA Plan.
a. Attahcment A of the PHA Plan and the Circles progress was mentioned
and read through, VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) was covered,
and what we do for the limited English speaking persons was mentioned.
b. At the time the PHA Plan was created we had 550 people on the waiting
list and the demographics were pointed out on the chart on Attachment A.
The preference points changes were included in the PHA Plan and briefly
mentioned. The Resident Advisory Board meeting comments were
attached to the PHA Plan and it lists the member that were present and the
comments they made. They did not have any comments on the current
PHA Plan but did have input in the future discussions on the
Administrative Policy.
A motion was entertained to close the public hearing by Chairperson Holz. Commissioner
Root motioned, Commissioner Woods seconded. Roll was called.
Approval of changes to PISA Plan
Commissioner Root motioned to approve the changes made to the mission statement that
Commissioners Eudaley and Woods discussed. Commissioner Eudaley seconded. All present in
favor. Motion approved.
Reports from Guiding Coalition Circles Initiative
1. Janet Walker stated that this item was one the agenda for informational purposes
only at this point in time. Chairperson Jim asked if there were any questions on
this item. Director Nash stated that there were some concerns surrounding a full
time coordinator for the Circles program and right now it is divided between two
people. The circles program needs or could use its own committee. Alvin asked if
the Housing Commission members would approve a committee and give a
recommendation. Chairperson Holz explained that it could be set up as a
committee that would be under the Housing Commission and that they would
report to the Housing Commission on their meetings, etc. Alvin agreed with that
approach. Janet Walker mentioned that this has been in discussion and we wanted
the Housing Commission to be more aware of what is happening.
Chairperson Holz entertained a motion to create a Circles committee that would report to
the Housing Commission that would be made up of at least one Housing Commissioner
and other appointees as the council sees fit. Director Nash added that he would like to
see at least two people from the Guiding Coalition. Chairperson Holz suggested a 5
person committee and director Nash agreed. Commissioner Root motioned to approve a
committee and Commissioner Baumhover seconded. All present in favor. Motion
approved.
Proposed Administrative Policy Change for Phoenix Housing Program
Each Commissioner received a copy of the changes in the policy.
1. Amanda Guthmiller started with Section 4: Eligibility and denial of assistance. A
timeline of 3 years was added to the policy for how long an applicant can be
denied for committing fraud. Ineligibility due to criminal background was added
to the policy and a list of convictions was listed. Other changes were read aloud,
commented on, and recommendations were made.
Chairperson Holz entertained a motion to make the changes to the Administrative Policy for
Phoenix Housing Program. Commissioner Root motioned to approve the changes.
Commissioner Baumhover seconded. All present in favor. Motion approved.
2. Amanda Guthmiller proceeded with Section 15: Termination. The policy now
states that all participants for whom Phoenix Housing intends to terminate
assistance will be provided a written notification informing them of the reason for
the proposed termination and the appeal procedures. Other changes were read
aloud, commented on, and recommendations were made.
Chairperson Holz entertained a motion to make the final changes to the Administrative Policy for
Phoenix Housing Program. Commissioner Eudaley motioned to approve the changes.
Commissioner Woods seconded. All present in favor. Motion approved.
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 adjourned at 5:01
pm.
Minutes taken by:
Teresa Drury
Recording Secretary
Respectfully submitte
Alvin Nash
Department Director