HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Housing Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 1/24/2005 MINUTES
HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
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CITY OF GLENDALE,ARIZONA
5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE
ROOM B-3
MONDAY,JANUARY 24, 2005
5:30 p.m.
Members Present
Donnell Gentry, Chairperson
Madelin Page, Vice-Chairperson
Carole Marx, Commissioner
Larry Bonner, Commissioner
Staff Members Present
Erik Strunk,Director, Community Partnerships
Karen E. Russell, Community Housing Administrator
Elaine Adamczyk,Management Assistant
Jim Witkowski,Housing Maintenance Manager
. 1. (CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Donnell Gentry called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 25, 2004 COMMISSION
MEETING
Motion by Vice-Chairperson Madelin Page to approve the minutes, and seconded by
Commissioner Larry Bonner. The motion carried unanimously.
3. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Chairperson Donnell Gentry acknowledged the holidays and gave all present the opportunity
to comment as well.
Erik Strunk presented Madelin Page with her Vice-Chairperson certificate, and thanked her
for her service.
4. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
None
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5. AGENDA ITEMS
A. SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS
Staff member Karen Russell presented this item, and gave a summary of recent HUD
funding cuts. It is estimated the city will lose$460,000 in revenue since HUD changed
the funding formula in May 2004. Glendale Community Housing has suspended rent
increases with its landlords, implemented interim reexaminations, raised the minimum
rent for the Section 8 voucher program from$0 to $25, and determined a new method of
calculating bedrooms per family size.
HUD no longer pays the full amount of subsidy, and will now pay based on a per-unit-
cost average for all families. The federal budget year has also shifted from October-
September to January-December. Also, the housing authority's reserve monies will now
transition from monthly to weekly.
Current considerations for the upcoming agency plan include restricting outgoing
portables based on insufficient funding. Reasonable accommodations will be made for
families that must move for health reasons, etc. The other consideration is to assess
current employment requirements to receive ongoing assistance,by requiring individuals
or families to remain employed to continue receiving assistance. This has not been a
requirement in the past. No further action was required.
B. QUARTERLY CRIME STATISTICS
Staff member Karen Russell presented this item, reporting that out of 101 calls for
service, only 21 resulted in reports. It was explained that public housing tenants are
encouraged to contact the police department for any issues they may feel need police
attention. Staff reported that the tenants have a good rapport with the police and they
work together to keep the communities safe. No further action was required.
C. QUARTERLY CAPITAL FUND PROGRAM UPDATE
Staff member Jim Witkowski presented this item. It was explained that the domestic
water system upgrade at Lamar Homes has been completed. Notices have been sent to
the Public Housing residents for their input on suggestions for upgrades or improvements
to add to the five-year plan, which will be included in the Agency Plan. No further action
was required.
D. BUSINESS SECURITY SURVEY REPORT
Staff member Karen Russell presented this item. In December of 2004, community
housing asked the police department to do a walk-through of our administrative office
building, and the three housing communities in the evening, to check on lighting and
security. They gave housing an excellent rating regarding our current efforts. The
Glendale Community Action Team (CAT) and the crime prevention specialist had some
recommendations, which would upgrade and increase the safety measures already in
place. No further action was required.
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6. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
f f Erik Strunk presented this item and gave an overview of past and current projects within the
Community Partnerships Department,which consists of Community Housing,Neighborhood
Revitalization, and Neighborhood Partnerships. The activities are done through
neighborhood improvement grants and community volunteer activities, to revitalize and
rehabilitate neighborhoods throughout the City of Glendale.
In addition to Community Housing, the department's areas of responsibility cover topics and
issues such as the community education program consisting of Glendale University and
Homeowners Association Training; involvement of the Community Development Advisory
Committee and the Commission on Neighborhoods;preparation of newsletters and flyers for
registered neighborhoods; and community mediation which helps neighbors resolve conflict
in a professional manner. Community revitalization activities cover the distribution of
Community Block Grant Funds (CDBG), HOME funds, Emergency Services Grant(ESG)
funds, and most recently the American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) for first time
homebuyers. No further action was required.
7. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
There were no written communications to discuss. No action was required.
8. MISCELLANEOUS
The next Housing Advisory meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday,February 28, 2005.
No action was required.
9. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Larry Bonner, and seconded by Commissioner Carole
Marx, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:45
p.m.
• ATTEST:
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Chairperson Secretary
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