Minutes_Housing Commission 8 25 15 MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE: August 25, 2015
TIME: 4:00 p.m.
PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department
350 W. 6th Street, Suite 312, Dubuque, IA 52001
Assistant Chairperson Schwendinger, following staff assurance of compliance with Iowa Open
Meeting Law, called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Robert McDonell Amy Eudaley
Patricia Foster Rick Baumhover
Sister Dorothy Schwendinger David Wall
Commissioners Absent: Ricardo Woods
Staff Present: Kim Glaser Janet Walker
Alvin Nash Jerelyn O'Connor
Teresa Bassler
Lisa Barton (to present Rehab report)
Public Present: None
Review and Certification of Minutes of July 28, 2015 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Eudaley commented regarding the wording on the second page under Reports:
Crime Reports. The sentence reading: "That does not mean that a landlord can ignore
information On invSe Ch6CKa and au0'vd the inulv/diialo to move 1:1-1, but ulc vuy t,annul. Ignv^rc^ that
information."The Commission suggested changing this to "That means that a landlord can
ignore the checks and allow individuals to move in but the City cannot ignore that information."
Commissioner Eudaley motioned to approve the minutes with the above change. Commissioner
McDonell seconded. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Correspondence/Public Input
None
Old Business
Commissioner Schwendinger suggested we discuss the election of a new Housing Commission
Chairperson. This was not on the agenda so the discussion was deferred until the next meeting
on September 22, 2015. The Commission can discuss items not on the agenda but cannot vote
on any item not listed on the agenda. It was determined it would be "cleaner" to discuss and
vote at the next meeting.
New Business
SEMAP Certification
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is scored every year using this Section 8 Management
Assessment Plan report. This was completed and submitted August 19, 2015. The
Commission does not need to improve the report;the Housing Choice Voucher Program just
wanted the commission to be aware of the report and how we were scored and performed.
Teresa Bassler explained the different components the assessment plan reviews. First, on the
SEMAP report we were reviewed on how we remove individuals from the waiting list. In this
category we scored 100%, meaning in all samplings we were following procedures correctly.
Secondly, we were reviewed on how we calculate the monthly rent. In this sampling we scored
90%, which is acceptable. Commissioner McDonnell asked the errors found that caused the
90%. One example Teresa Bassler explained is it could be the participant's income and assets
were not calculated correctly or earnings on a bank account might not have been included or
child support not calculated correctly. The third area for review is calculation of our utility
allowance schedule. Files were sampled and reviewed to make sure our utility allowances were
calculated correctly. Next, we were required to do a specific number of quality control
inspections. We scored 100% in this area as the Program did the correct number of quality
control inspections based on our"universe". We were also reviewed on the follow-up
inspection enforcement such as response on life threatening issues such as no smoke alarm.
We scored 100% on that category.
Commmissioner McDonell requested the information from the quality control report be shared
with the Commission. Teresa Bassler stated she would share the data from the study at the
next meeting and would bring supporting documents.
OATH OF OFFICE
Robert McDonell —Commissioner McDonell read his Oath of Office.
Reports
Crime Reports - Scott Koch was unavailable for an update.
Alvin Nash is working on a narrative format that will explain Scott's data and statistics. Scott will
use that narrative format going forward to explain his stats and numbers and draw conclusions
from the data.
Commissioner Eudaley shared an observation that the number of total arrests goes up when the
number of unauthorized Section 8 arrests goes down except in February. She thought it would
be interesting to know why this occurs. An explanation of this correlation was requested by the
Commission from Corporal Koch at the next meeting.
Nuisance Property Report_- Nothing to report.
CDBG Advisory Commission Report - Erica Haugen was unavailable for an update.
Rehabilitation Reports Kris Neyen was unavailable for an update. Lisa Barton manages the
Rehabilitation loan portfolio and was called to explain what she does. She gave a synopsis of
the Rehabilitation loan portfolio and how it is managed. She reported the portfolio is
approximately $8,000,000 and consists of approximately 575 loans. These loans have a
payment between $42 and $200.00 per month and an interest rate of 0% to 3%. Some of the
loans are forgivable but the Program is no longer offering an option of a forgivable loan.
Lisa Barton reported the loan portfolio delinquency is traditionally very low. The repayments
from the loans go into a revolving loan fund to finance new rehabilitation projects. Currently the
loan portfolio generates $280-300,000 in funds. The Rehabilitation Program is focusing on
growing the loan portfolio and increasing the loan paybacks as the CDBG funds delineated to
the City have been reducing each year. The Rehabilitation Program is trying to achieve a
greater return on their loan paybacks, possibly average $500,000 in repayments to help
purchase of service events or other CDBG projects.
Commissioner Eudaley asked for an update on the new loan policy procedure manual. Alvin
Nash stated it has been written up but it has not been finalized or approved. He stated it may
be available by the next meeting. He reiterated it is important to have a specific policy and
procedure manual. He stated we are abiding by the rules currently but it is not formally in
writing. Robert McDonell stated he would be interested in reviewing the procedure manual.
The manual will be used to ensure there is a clear separation of duties.
Robert McDonell questioned why all the listings are not posted outside the housing office. He
stated many are posted but some are not. This will be brought to Kris's attention.
Neighborhood Services Report—Jerelyn O'Connor reported on the Block Party that
Operation: New View held on August 2, 2015. This was well attended with good outreach
provided.
The National Night Out was held August 4, 2015 with several downtown associations
participating. It was primarily a public safety event sponsored by the City Police Department in
cooperation with the corporate sponsor; Target. Many other City departments participated with
outreach and engaging activities. The Housing Department participated with a Frozen movie
activity. It was a very well represented event.
There was A Back to School Bash with activities and services for kids. A barber was available
to give free haircuts. The first Tuesday of every month a salon will offer free haircuts to school
aged children.
The North End and Downtown group is sponsoring an ice cream social
Make a Difference Day is actively recruiting volunteers and homes to participate In the day,
October 24th. Last year there was over 400 volunteers. it will focus on weatherization, yard
work, painting and other light maintenance.
Jerelyn O'Connor is planning on submitting a Housing Iowa Award application. The application
will focus on the work that has been specifically done in the Washington Neighborhood over the
last few years. Commissioners commented many citizens do not realize or see the great work
the City has done in the Washington Neighborhood and overall in the downtown area.
Alvin Nash commented the Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation will either
dissolve or regroup and redevelop itself. It did not achieve the results it was intended to do. It
had a great strategic plan but it was never a "how to" plan with measurable results. Alvin Nash
is advocating to redevelop the Development Corporation and have it reach the measurable
goals as it should. It may not be the "Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation" but
just a "Neighborhood Development Corporation".
City Life will seek new participants for their September group. This is a 6 week program that
educates the citizen on a broad overview of the City organization
Information Sharing
Teresa Bassler reported she received an email that Commissioner Woods is stepping down
from the Housing Commission. Commissioner McDonell stated we have 4 vacancies currently
on the Commission with Anna Fernandes not yet recommitting. Alvin Nash suggested more
aggressive recruitment as a strategy or reduce the Commission to a lesser number of
commissioners that reflects more the average of how many you typically have attending. Alvin
suggested possibly reducing the Housing Commission to 7 commissioners. Commissioner
Schwendinger thought this may reduce the commitment and increase absenteeism. Rather
than look at changing things at this time Alvin suggested looking at more aggressive recruitment
by the City Clerk's office and the City Council. The only criteria is the Housing Commission
members have at least one member from Housing Choice Voucher and the Continuum of Care
Program.
Adiournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Baumhover
motioned to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner McDonnell seconded the motion. All were in
favor and the meeting adjourned at 4:55 pm.
Minutes taken by:
Kim Glaser
Recording Secretary
Respectfully submitted-
Alvin Nash
Department Director