Minutes_Housing Commission 7 25 13DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
25 June 2013
4:00 PM
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:
Commissioners Excused:
Staff Present:
Public Present:
Jim Holz Rick Baumhover
Amy Eudaley Anna Fernandes
Sister Dorothy Schwendinger
Lisa McAllister
Alvin Nash
Janet Walker
Joe Ferrentino:
Iowa Legal Aid
Ricardo Woods
Teresa Drury
Cpl. Scott Koch
Patricia Foster
Robert McDonell
Judie Root
Jerry Maro: Mary Sawyer
Landlord Association
Review and Certification of Unofficial Minutes of 28 Mav 2013 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Baumhover motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Eudaley seconded.
Commissioner Femandes, Schwendinger, and Foster abstained. All others present in favor.
Motion passed.
Correspondence/Public Input
None
Old Business
None
New Business
New Housing Commission Member Robert McDonell -Oath of Office
Chairperson Holz administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner McDonell.
Proposed Changes to Administrative Policy- Subsidy Standards
Janet Walker (Assisted Housing Supervisor) explained the housing assistance payments shortfall
in funding and noted the proposed changes are recommended by HUD in an effort to prevent
termination of subsidy for current families and offer an opportunity to serve more families in the
future. The proposed changes to the subsidy standards pertaining to minimum/maximum number
of bedrooms /persons and subsidy amount were discussed. Vice Chairperson Schwendinger
voiced her concerns with the shortfall funding falling onto the backs of participants. Janet
Walker explained how we receive our HUD budget annually. We have an agreement with HUD
to stop pulling from the waiting list at this time and in retum they will grant us funds to carry us
through this calendar year. There will be a minimal effect on the participants.
Alvin Nash (Housing Director) offered a copy of HUD's letter of finding of noncompliance. He
briefly explained, gave his thoughts on the findings, and mentioned that we were not issued a
fine. Chairperson Holz suggested waiting on making any changes to the Administrative Plan
right now and requested a standard administrative plan from HUD. Janet Walker stated that we
do not have a standard plan from HUD to distribute but, we recently purchased a model plan and
are currently in the process of incorporating it into our Administrative Plan. As part of our new
"Action Plan", Alvin Nash mentioned that employees and Boards and Commissions members
need to attend a 3 -bour Fair Housing Class every year for 5 years.
Proposed Changes to Administrative Policy- Minimum Rent
Janet Walker explained the proposed $25 Minimum Rent for participants and the gnalifrcations
for taking a hardship for temporary/long -term issues if participants cannot pay the minimum.
Proposed Changes to Administrative Policy- Reexaminations
Janet Walker explained the proposed changes to the Annual Reexaminations and the proposed
requirement for participants to report all increases in income, with the exception of annual cost of
living allowance increases from the Social Security Administration.
Proposed Changes to Administrative Policy -Asset Verification
Janet Walker explained the proposed changes to Asset Verification and the option for
participants to self - certify all assets under $5,000.
Vice Chairperson Schwendinger motioned to approve the changes to Asset Verifications and
Reexaminations and table the Subsidy Standards and Minimum Rents. Commissioner Eudaley
seconded. All others present in favor.
Information Sharing
Complaints Received
Commissioners received a summary of the complaints the Housing Department has received
since the last meeting. After some discussion of the current way complaints are recorded and
distributed to the commissioners; Alvin Nash suggested we include Cpl. Koch's crime reports
going forward.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 5:04
pm.
Minutes taken by:
Drury
Recording Secretary
Respectfull submitted b
Alvin Nash
Department Director