HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Housing Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 5/24/2004 A.
MINUTES
- HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF GLENDALE,ARIZONA
5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE
ROOM B-3
MONDAY,MAY 24,2004
5:30 p.m.
Members Present
Rita Vacca, Chairperson -
Marlene Shipley,Vice-Chairperson
Michele Tennyson, Commissioner
Madelin Page, Commissioner
Donnell Gentry, Commissioner
Staff Members Present
Gloria S. Espino,Director, Community Housing&Revitalization
Karen E. Russell,Housing Administrative Manager
Elaine Adamczyk, Management Assistant
Lois Brooks, Senior Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Rita Vacca called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 24,2004 COMMISSION MEETING
Motion by Commissioner Michele Tennyson, seconded by Commissioner Donnell Gentry, to
approve the minutes. The motion carried unanimously.
3. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
None
4. REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE OR WITHDRAWAL OF AGENDA ITEMS
None
5. AGENDA ITEMS
A. QUARTERLY CRIME STATISTICS
Staff member Karen Russell presented this item. The commission stated they like the
new format for reporting crime statistics. The new report, provided by the Glendale
Police Department and in their format, provides a comprehensive list of all calls and
reports for the public housing communities. No further action was required.
B. MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT
Staff member Karen Russell presented the March 2004 Monthly Activity Report.
Commissioner Tennyson commented positively on how much money the program puts
back into the community. No further action was required.
C. QUARTERLY CAPITAL FUND PROGRAM UPDATE
Staff member Karen Russell presented this item. It was explained that the underground
utilities upgrade project at Lamar Homes is near completion, and that it will enhance the
safety of the residents by placing all existing, overhead electrical and telephone services
underground. The domestic water service (the lines going into the houses) at Lamar
Homes will then be replaced, after which the exteriors of Cholla Vista and Lamar Homes
will be painted. These projects are being funded not only with Capital Fund Program
monies, but also with CDBG funds. The Commission asked to recognize Jim Witkowski
for all his hard work in getting the CDBG funding.- No further action was required.
D. SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER FEDERAL FUNDING RENEWAL
CUTS
Staff member Karen Russell presented this item. The U.S. Congress placed a provision
in the federal fiscal year 2004 Appropriations Act that modifies funding to public housing
authorities for the renewal of existing Section 8 vouchers. The provision alters the
method HUD uses to calculate the amount of Section 8 funds each housing authority will
receive. In order to maintain the program and continue to assist low income families with
rental assistance,procedural changes are necessary. Staff then explained each of the areas
that Glendale Community Housing is recommending to change, which will be effective as
of July 1, 2004. The changes include: reduce the payment standard amounts for the
program, suspend rent increases, increase the minimum rent amount, reinstate interim
reexaminations, and review the Community Housing Division occupancy standards used
to determine the bedroom size. The commissioners stated that the changes are reasonable
and are necessary to continue the Section 8 program's success.
Commissioner Marlene Shipley motioned to accept the housing authority's recommended
changes; Commissioner Madelin Page seconded the motion. The motion carried
unanimously.
E. CHANGES TO THE CONVENTIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING LEASE
Staff member Elaine Adamczyk presented this item. Due to changes in federal
regulations that control language requirements in the Conventional Public Housing Lease,
Glendale Housing has made modifications to the lease document. The changes include
9
adding language that allows for acknowledgement in the Lease of the tenant rent choice
of either Flat Rent, which is looked at every three years, or Income-based Rent; notifying
tenants of nonrenewal of Lease or Termination for violent or drug-related criminal
activity by tenant or members of tenant's family listed on the Lease, or of a guest of the
tenant; nonrenewal of Lease for failure to perform community service requirements;
utility allowance payments will go directly to the utility company; adding language that
notifies the tenant of their rights to know specific grounds for adverse action taken
against them; adding language to notify residents that it is grounds for termination'if the
resident is fleeing to avoid prosecution, confinement, or custody; and language that states
the public housing program complies with all Nondiscrimination laws.
The changes are effective July 1, 2004, and tenants will sign a new lease at their annual
recertification.
Commissioner Madelin Page motioned to accept the housing authority's recommended
changes; Commissioner Marlene Shipley seconded the motion. The motion carried
unanimously.
•
6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
There were no written communications to discuss. No action was required.
7. MISCELLANEOUS
The next Housing Advisory meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday, September 27,
2004. No action was required.
8. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Vice-Chairperson Marlene Swedlund, and seconded by
Commissioner Michele Tennyson,to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously,and the
meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
ATTEST:
8.
Chairperson ecretary
3