Minutes Housing Commission 3 27 07
MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE:
27 March 2007
TIME:
4:00 pm
PLACE:
Housing and Community Development Department
1805 Central Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001
Commissioner Kapler called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm following staff assurance of compliance with
Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present: Dorothy Culberston Dave Kapler Jim Holz
OSF
John Plein Rachel Savage Dorothy Schwendinger,
Bill Helling
Commissioners Absent: Char Eddy Linda Frommelt Angie Mozena
Staff Present: David Harris Janet Walker Cpl. Chris Gorrell
Tami Ernster
Review and Certification of Minutes of 27 February 2007 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Holz moved to approve the 27 February 2007 Housing Commission meeting
minutes. Commissioner Culberton Seconded. Roll call. Commissioner Helling – Abstain. All
others present in favor. Motion passed.
Correspondence/Public Input
None
Public Hearing: To Receive Public Comments on the FY2007 PHA Plan
Commissioner Holz moved to open the public hearing. Commissioner Plein seconded. Motion
passed. Commissioner Kapler asked for public comments. Receiving none, Commissioner Kapler
asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Holz moved and Commissioner
Culbertson seconded. Motion carried. Commissioner Holz moved to approve the plan.
Commissioner Culbertson seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Old Business
Washington Neighborhood Visioning Process
David Harris stated the RFP was published. This process should be convened no later than the first
part of May. David would like to see a Commission member representative involved.
Commissioner Culbertson recommended that a letter be sent to the Mayor thanking him for his
supportive comments about the Washington Neighborhood in his state of the city address.
Commissioner Kapler will draft a letter to the Mayor; he also volunteered to be the commissioner
representative in the visioning process.
HUD Voucher Program Funding FY2007 and FY2008
David reporting that they are still trying to clarify administrative fees for FY07 and there are even
more questions for FY08. The budget formula has been returned to the 12-month lease-up
performance from the previous “3-month snapshot” approach. Janet reported we are still trying to
make adjustments in spending so that we are neither over spending or under spending.
New Business
PHA Governing Board
Commissioner Kapler summarized the handout. Under the former regulations, we are required to
have a governing board with a Section 8 participant on that board. We are no longer required to
have that board, however, it was recommended that we continue with the status quo.
Commissioner Plein is the board representative. There is a requirement that if the setup is switched
to a Resident Advisory Board, this board is required to meet quarterly. Janet will get clarification at
the NAHRO conference if the current Governing Board is required to meet quarterly, or if the board
could still meet as needed. The preference would be to continue to meet as usual unless there is a
financial penalty for non-compliance.
Request for Assistance from Four Mounts/HEART Program
David reported that the request for financial assistance has been temporarily withdrawn. Four
Mounds costs have exceeded budget on the last HEART house. They are currently looking at other
various options to make up their deficit. They would not be able to receive CDBG funding because
their expenditures would fall under the public service category. There is only a 15% allowance
under this category and we are already capped for the year. They are exploring other options,
looking to the lender for some forbearance in construction interest, meeting with representatives of
the home builders association to talk to them about a weekend blitz-build, continuing to approach
vendors for donations, and mechanical trades people for donated labor.
Request from Shamanique Rogers for Section 8 Appeal
Commissioner Holz moved to deny her appeal. Commissioner Culbertson seconded. Roll call. All
present in favor. Motion carried.
Information Sharing
Closeout Statement for FY2006 Section 8 Operations
The audited version of the closeout differs from the staff report, as it reconciles the differences
between the City’s and HUD’s accounting systems. This results in some confusion in attempting to
understand the final reports. It was suggested that the Finance Director or Budget Director be
invited to the next meeting to explain the cash versus accrual accounting as it relates to the
operating statement and balance sheet for the Section 8 program.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Holz motioned to
adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Helling seconded. Motion passed by acclamation. Meeting
was adjourned at 4:30 pm.
Minutes taken by: Respectfully submitted by:
Tami Ernster David Harris
Lead Paint Assistant Department Director