Minutes_Housing Commission 10 22 13DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
22 October 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 4:01 pm.
Commissioners Present:
Commissioners Excused:
Staff Present:
Public Present:
Jim Holz
Amy Eudaley
Judie Root (phone)
Patricia Foster
Rick Baumhover
Anna Fernandes
Sister Dorothy Schwendinger
Ricardo Woods
Robert McDonell
Teresa Bassler Teresa Drury
Janet Walker Erica Haugen
Trisha Federspiel David Wall
Review and Certification of Minutes of 27 August 2013 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Baumhover motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Eudaley seconded. All
others present in favor. Motion passed.
Correspondence/Public Input
Janet Walker informed the staff and public present of the request for Iowa Legal Aid to work with us
on the revision of the Administrative Plan. Iowa Legal Aid accepted and will provide their feedback in
writing. Erica Haugen introduced herself as the new Neighborhood Development Specialist taking
over Aggie Tauke's position. Teresa Bassler introduced herself and announced her new position as the
Assisted Housing Supervisor.
Old Business
None
New Business
Community Development Commission Member Renewal: Ricardo Woods
Housing Trust Fund Committee Member Renewal: Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
Commissioner Woods read the Oath of Office aloud and signed the document. Vice Chairperson
Schwendinger administered her own Oath of office and signed the document.
Review and comment on the New Administrative Plan Draft
The first 7 chapters of the Administrative Plan draft were provided to the Commissioners.
The purpose is to have all the regulations coincide with the policies. Staff along with everyone else
should be able to read and understand the language better. Janet Walker mentioned the Housing
Department recently purchased the Nan McKay Model Plan to help us along with the changes. Before
it can be adopted, HUD will receive a copy of the Administrative Plan. The most significant change
pertains to doing away local preference points to make it equal by date and time of application.
The Housing Choice Voucher program must ensure to have at least 75% of the new admissions at the
very low income level. We have been averaging 80% at the very low income level on the waiting list.
Commissioners will receive a summary of all of the changes when complete.
Participants cannot be forced to participate in the Family Self - Sufficiency program but, we may
strongly suggest participation. Last year we had 153 families participating in the FSS program. Amy
Eudaley requested an FSS presentation at the next Housing Commission meeting to see exactly what
we present to participants on the program.
New Affordable Housing Definition
A copy of the New Affordable Housing Definition was provided to the Commissioners at the meeting.
Janet Walker stated that the document was a draft to help define what Affordable Housing is and how
it is encompassed in the City of Dubuque. Comments and suggestions were requested to be brought
back as a group or individually by the next meeting.
Information Sharing
Crime Reports
Commissioners received a summary of Cpl. Koch's crime reports.
Poverty Simulation Invitation
Commissioners were invited to the Poverty Simulation at Prescott School.
Erica Haugen briefly explained the Poverty Simulation. The Circles Tnitiative and Operation New
View partnered together to try and simulate what it might be like to live in poverty and make people
aware of the barriers that others in poverty face on a daily basis.
Update on Government Shutdown
Many HUD employees are back to work. We are still under sequestration and haven't received any
budget i n foiniation.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 pm.
Minutes taken by:
Teresa Drury
Recording Secretary
Respectfully submitted by:
Alvin Nash
Department Director