Minutes Housing Comm. 10 24 06
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MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
24 October 2006
4:00 p.m.
Housing and Community Development Department
1805 Central Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001
Commissioner Kapler called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present:
Angie Mozena
Char Eddy
John Plein
Dorothy Culbertson
Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
Jim Holz
Dave Kapler
Rachel Savage
Commissioners Absent:
Bill Helling
Staff Present:
David Harris
Joleen Patterson
Janet Walker Jean Noel
Cpl. Chris Gorrell Cpl. Jeremy Jensen
Public Present:
Cynthia Sanders
Review and Certification of Minutes of 26 September 2006 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Holz moved to approve the 26 September 2006 Housing Commission meeting
minutes. Commissioner Mozena seconded. Roll Call. Commissioners Kapler and Schwendinger
abstain. All others present in favor. Motion passed.
Resianation: Commissioner Neustadt
David shared the letter of resignation on behalf of Commissioner Neustadt. He noted that there
will be an open house in honor of his retirement on November 9, 2006 from 12:00 noon to 1 :30
p.m. at the Housing and Community Development Department. Commissioner Holz moved to
approve the letter of resignation. Commissioner Plein seconded. Roll Call. All present in favor.
Motion passed.
CorrespondencelPublic Input
Commissioner Schwendinger wanted to thank everyone for the cards, thoughts, prayers and
support in the passing of her father.
Old Business
Project-Based Vouchers Application: Salvia House SRO
David discussed the proposal for Project Based Rental Assistance regarding the Salvia House
SRO Apartments received from Michelle Mihalakis on behalf of Salvia House, LLC.
The original plan for the project was to convert the former Holy Ghost Church convent into an
SRO for women, but church officials decided that it should be tom down and the property utilizer!
for church parking. Based on that decision, an existing vacant lot was made available for sale for
this project.
Salvia Housing, LLC proposes to build a 20-room SRO apartment building for low income tenants.
Priority admission will be women who have been through treatment for substance abuse and/or
mental illness. Construction would begin in August, 2007, if funded.
David noted there were no other applications submitted at this time. However, Ms. Mihalakis has
decided not to pursue this project this year. Accordingly, she asked that her application be
withdrawn.
Review: FY 2004-2006 Section 8 Close-Out Reconciliation
Janet explained the Section 8 close-out reconciliation for FY 2004-2006. A communication
recently received from HUD notified us of their calculation of the total costs for the Section 8
program from June 30, 2004 through December 31, 2005 at $6 003 495, with disbursements
at $5 909 769. The difference equals $93 726, which will be credited to our administrative
reserves.
New Business
Request for Appeal: Thelma Anderson
Janet explained the letter received from Thelma Anderson requesting a hearing to determine
termination of Section 8 Benefits due to violent criminal activity in her household. A hearing was
scheduled for August 8, 2006 at which Thelma failed to appear. She contacted the Housing
Department to inform them that she was unable to attend the hearing due to the death of her
mother. Another hearing was scheduled for September 27, 2006 for which notice was sent by
certified mail. Thelma again failed to attend stating she did not realize the certified letter was from
the Housing Department, therefore refused to accept it. Co missioner Holz moved to deny the
request for an appeal, terminating Section 8 benefits effective November 1, 2006. Commissioner
Mozena seconded. Ron Call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Administrative Plan Amendment: Refusal by participants to accept certified mail.
Janet asked the Commission if she could propose other ways to inform participants of information
due to refusal to accept certified mail. The Commission advised her to leave the certified mail
process as is.
Family Self-Sufficiency Program Award
Janet announced the award from HUD in the amount of $67,493 to fund the Family Self
Sufficiency Program. The grant funds are used to employ Carroll Clark, our FSS Coordinator; and
to contract with the ISU-County Extension office to provide homeownership and financial
counseling to FSS participants.
Change in length of loan term for townhouse sales in Eagle Valley Subdivision
Joleen asked the Commission to change the loan terms for the townhouse sales in Eagle Valley
Subdivision from $5,000, 0% interest, 3-year deferred payment loan to $5,000, 0% interest, 5-year
deferred payment loan. Commissioner Eddy moved to approve the term of the loan to 5 years.
Commissioner Holz seconded. Roll Call. All present in favor. Motion passed
First-Time Homebuyer policy change to allow owners of acquired Bee Branch homes to
qualify.
Joleen asked the Commission to consider changing the First-Time Homebuyer policy to allow any
owner being displaced for the Bee Branch Project to be eligible to receive First-Time Homebuyer
CDBG funds. Commissioner Holz moved to approve the policy change. Commissioner Eddy
seconded. Roll Call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Policy change for loan terms for first-time homebuyers, earning 50-80% area median
income, in Washington Neighborhood
Joleen asked the Commission to consider changing the loan terms for the Washington
Neighborhood Rehab Loan Program from $5,000, 0% interest, 3-year deferred payment loan to
$10,000, 0% interest, due upon sale. Commissioner Eddy moved to approve the term of the loan.
Commissioner Schwendinger seconded. Roll Call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Information Sharina
High-Flying Commissioner Culbertson
David shared the article printed in the Telegraph Herald regarding Commissioner Culbertson's
sky-diving debut at the Dubuque Regional Airport.
Washington Neighborhood Up-Date
Tabled until next meeting.
Adiournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Eddy motioned
to adjoum the meeting. Commissioner Mozena seconded. Motion passed by acclamation.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:52 p.m.
Minutes taken by:
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Housing Secretary
~"~tm~'d by
David Harris
Department Director
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