HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Housing Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 6/27/2005 MINUTES
HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF GLENDALE,ARIZONA
5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE
ROOM B-3
MONDAY,JUNE 27,2005
5:30 p.m.
Members Present
Donnell Gentry, Chairperson
Madelin Page, Vice-Chairperson
Carole Marx, Commissioner
Larry Bonner, Commissioner
Roslyn Abramowitz, Commissioner
Staff Members Present
Erik Strunk,Director, Community Partnerships
Karen E. Russell, Community Housing Administrator
Jim Witkowski,Housing Maintenance Manager
Officer Anthony Haney, Public Housing Police Officer
Lois Brooks, Senior Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Donnell Gentry called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 28, 2005 COMMISSION
MEETING
A motion was made by Vice-Chairperson Madelin Page to approve the minutes, and
seconded by Commission Larry Bonner. The motion carried unanimously.
3. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
None
4. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
None
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5. AGENDA ITEMS
A. QUARTERLY CRIME STATISTICS FOR COMMUNITY HOUSING
Staff member Karen Russell introduced Officer Anthony Haney, the public housing
police officer, who then presented the public housing crime statistics through March
2005. Officer Haney also gave the commissioners a brief description of his background,
and what he does in the public housing communities. No further action was required.
B. FLAT RENT FOR PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS
Staff member Karen Russell presented this item. Once a year, at annual reexamination,
public housing residents are given the choice of paying rent under the income-based
method or by paying a flat rent. Because the flat rent payments had not been looked at for
several years, the Community Housing Division (CHD) contracted with a consultant to
review the schedule. Some of the areas looked at to calculate the new flat rents include
the location and age of the complexes, the amenities offered, and the existing fair market
rents in the same areas. Chairperson Donnell Gentry asked for a motion to approve the
new flat rent schedule; Vice-Chairperson Madelin Page motioned to accept the
recommended changes to the public housing flat rent schedule; Commissioner Carole
Marx seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
C. UPDATE ON ROSS GRANT
Staff member Karen Russell presented this item. The CHD was notified in April 2005
that HUD approved the application for the 2004 Resident Opportunities for Self
Sufficiency (ROSS) grant. The CHD will receive $250,000 to continue the program for
another 36 months. No further action was required.
D. QUARTERLY CAPITAL FUND PROGRAM UPDATE
Staff member Jim Witkowski presented this item. The reroofing project at Glendale and
Lamar Homes is now complete. All the old coolers that had been replaced with air
conditioners four years ago were removed from the roofs. The ductwork at Lamar Homes
was discovered to be deteriorated; therefore, all existing ductwork and plenums have been
replaced, which should result in a savings on energy costs for the tenants. It was
explained that the CHD applied for and received CDBG funding and will use the monies
to install ceiling fans at Glendale and Lamar Homes. No further action was required.
E. REVITALIZATION STRATEGY
Director Erik Strunk presented this item and gave the commissioners an overview of the
upcoming creation of a new Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy. The following
questions were then presented to the commission.
Question#1: In your opinion, when you think of neighborhood revitalization/services in
Glendale over the past 10 years, what has been successful?
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o Commissioner Marx: the revitalization of vacant properties and the dog parks,
but need more of them. Concern over vacant gas stations and other commercial
lots; traffic control.
o Chairperson Gentry: beautification of streets, the special events makes for a better
image of the city and project a sense of community, ownership, and togetherness,
and continue to show the good side. The stadium is a good thing. Keep making it
look attractive—more public relations.
o Commissioner Page: people love dog parks—build more. Glendale is changing
from a bedroom community to a destination. -
Question#2: What would you change?
o Commissioner Marx: continue in-fill programs.
o Commissioner Abramowitz: more grant monies for older homes to be fixed up,
smaller lots for residential, more marketing of programs
Question#3: If you were given unlimited authority and a large pot of money to "fix the
neighborhoods,"what would you like to see accomplished? What would be your top
priorities?
o Commissioner Marx: fix the bad roads, and need more police; create a separate
image. Commented how great the city's fire department is.
o Commissioner Page: build more libraries.
o Commissioners Page&Abramowitz: build a professional or community-based
performing arts center.
Question#4: Are there areas in the city in which you would like to see more
neighborhood activity?
o Commissioner Marx: reach out to the newer developments and be sure they get
involved.
Question#5: Looking ahead,what will be the critical issues in neighborhoods over the
next 5 years?
o Chairperson Gentry&Commissioner Marx: traffic speed and congestion,
controlling the city's growth.
o Commissioner Bonner: too many investment and rental properties. HOA's can
help control this.
Question#6: Are there other types of services you would like us to explore that we do
not currently provide?
o Chairperson Gentry: why not make more corners residential;there are so many
vacant corners with weeds; involve Planning and Zoning.
o Commissioner Bonner:• more pools in existing neighborhood parks.
No further action was required.
F. APRIL 2005 MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT
Staff member Karen Russell presented this item. It was noted that there were very few
changes. No further action was required.
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- 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, September 26,
2005. No action was required.
9. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Vice-Chairperson Madelin Page, and seconded by Commissioner
Roslyn Abramowitz, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously, and the meeting was
adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
ATTEST:
LJ
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Chairperson Secretary
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