Minutes Housing Comm. 8 22 06
,
MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
22 August 2006
4p.m.
Housing and Community Development Department
Chairperson Kapler called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present:
Dave Kapler
Char Eddy
John Plein
Dorothy Culbertson Harry Neustadt
Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
Jim Holz
Commissioners Absent:
Angie Mozena
Bill Helling
Staff Present:
David Harris Janet Walker
Cpl. Chris Gorrell
Tusdee Blus
Public Present:
Michelle Mihalakis Catherine Bamer-Parish
Review and Certification of Minutes of 25 Julv 2006 Commission Meetina
Commissioner Schwendinger motioned to approve the 25 July 2006 meeting minutes as
submitted. Commissioner Eddy seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Old Business
Housing Element - Comprehensive Plan
The Commission reviewed the memorandum from David Harris and discussed revisions added by
Planning Department staff based on community meetings. Another draft will be prepared by staff
and forwarded for Commission review next month.
New Business
Request from Catherine Barner for Hearing
Teresa Hartman was present to review the case for the Commission. She stated that Catherine
had called to let us know the hearing would not be necessary, but was informed that we would still
need to proceed with it. She did not attend, and staff proposed termination. Ms. Barner stated
that she could not get hospital documentation to support her claim that she was unable to attend
due to the fact she had to go to the hospital at the time of the hearing . Teresa then provided
additional suggestions to Ms. Barner for possible items she could provide for proof of the hospital
visit.
Commissioner Eddy motioned to grant the appeal subject to her providing adequate
documentation (written documentation or a call from her doctor) within ten days. Commissioner
Schwendinger seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Proposed Voucher Payment Standards
At the present time, Section 8 is under-spending, and our future funding depends on our current
spending. Therefore, staff recommended increasing the voucher payment standards (VPS) to
110% of the fair market rate (FMR).
Commissioner Holz motioned to approve the increase of VPS to 110% of FMR. Commissioner
Culbertson seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Request from ICHH for Support of Reauthorization of McKinney-Vento Act
Chairperson Kapler provided an overview, stating that we are being asked to show our support of
the reauthorization of the act by Congress. He also noted that some of the funding for Michelle
Mihalakis' Salvia House project will come from this source.
Commissioner Schwendinger motioned to approve the Commission's support for the
reauthorization. Commissioner Plein seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Section 8 Management Assessment Program Report for FY2006
Chairperson Kapler and David Harris reviewed the document and signed it for submission.
Information Sharina
Introduction: Jodi Heim, Section 8 Program Secretary
David introduced Jodi to the Commission.
Congressional Staff Visit
David spoke about the annual visit by Harkin, Nussle and Grassley staff to Dubuque, and
provided some of the information that was prepared for their visit, specifically regarding the
Washington Neighborhood and the Block Grant funding cuts. Also noted was the HEART homes
project.
Unified Development Code Citizen Advisory Committee
David noted the memo from Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager, regarding the
preparation of a Unified Development Code. David inquired as to the pOSSible interest
Commission members may have in participating on one of the committees and directed them to
contact Laura if they are.
Iowa Housing Conference
David will be speaking at the conference, which will be held on September 19th and 20th.
Miscellaneous
David stated that 4 persons applied for the 3 open positions on the Housing Commission. The
incumbents, Commissioners Holz and Culbertson, were re-elected. Commissioner Grant's
position is still open. Rachel Savage and Linda Frommelt have applied for this position.
Commissioner Plein was reappointed as the Section 8 representative to the City Council.
HUD has released a disbursement schedule for the balance of the fiscal year. In September HAP
was cut by 2/3. In November it was virtually eliminated. According to our field office, this reflects
unspent monies. The concern is that the administrative fees have also been eliminated. HUD has
not yet finalized the budget at this time.
David noted a HUD correspondence received regarding the denial of portability. We do not have
the ability to deny portability based on whether or not the receiving housing authority is absorbing
the voucher. We must base our decision on funding issues only. Our administrative plan must be
changed to address this in the September meeting.
David discussed project-based vouchers (PBV). He stated that SRO projects are eligible. He told
the Commission they must determine what the target populations would be for PBV assistance.
They also must determine how much of the budget to commit and length of commitment. Michelle
Mihalakis reviewed her SRO plan - a 9 bed facility for women with substance abuse problems
that have been in treatment. An RFP will be required for her project. Michelle gave a brief
description of her ideas for Salvia House.
Commissioner Schwendinger provided a response from Todd Swift, Habitat for Humanity,
regarding a potential project in the Washington neighborhood.
Adiournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Holz motioned to
adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Eddy seconded. Motion passed by acclamation. Meeting
was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
Minutes taken by:
:Lu/ee 8k
Tusdee Blus
Assisted Housing Secretary
~,"bm;1Ied by,
David Harris
Department Director