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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 8/7/2010 Meeting Minutes CITY OF GLENDALE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION ON NEIGHBORHOODS Special Summer Meeting Foothills Recreation &Aquatics Center, Raven Room Saturday, August 7, 2010 8:00 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharon Sprague, Chair Vickie Loya , Vice Chair JoAnn Caufield Sharon Heatwole-Chicks Hugh Leonardo Judy Atkins Sharon Brown Matthew Versluis Frank Hinds Barbara Cole MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Jocewicz STAFF PRESENT: Matt Cohrs, Neighborhood Partnership Administrator Patrick Krause, Neighborhood Services Coordinator Angie Wilkie, Neighborhood Services Coordinator Josie Romero, Neighborhood Services Coordinator Erik Strunk, Community Partnerships Director I. Call to Order Chair Sprague called the meeting to order at 8:50 a.m. Prior to Call to Order, breakfast was served and an informal icebreaker was held. II. Roll Call Chair Sprague conducted roll call and noted that Commissioner Jocewicz was absent. III. Approval of Minutes — June 9, 2010 Commissioner Atkins noted that in the minutes, she is reported as motioning to adjourn the meeting, however, was not present at the meeting. Commissioner Loya motioned to approve the June 9, 2010 meeting minutes including a correction to the name of the Commissioner motioning for adjournment. Commissioner Brown made the second. The motion passed 10 - 0. [A follow-up review of the meeting notes revealed that Commissioner Jocewicz motioned to adjourn the June 9, 2010 meeting.] IV. ODenina Comments and Objectives Chair Sprague thanked the Commissioners for their dedication to the City of Glendale and specifically thanked Staff for its continued support and guidance. Mr. Cohrs announced that without the neighborhood improvement grant funds this year, the Commissioners and staff will need to look at other opportunities for supporting, connecting and improving neighborhoods. Citizens Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods Meeting - Minutes August 7, 2010 Page 2 of 5 Mr. Strunk gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Community Partnerships Department which included the following highlights: • Commission Mission o Address the physical and social needs of older neighborhoods; develop and implement a five-year strategy to address the redevelopment and revitalization of older neighborhoods in Glendale, including the continuation of redevelopment in the downtown area. • Community Partnerships Department o Three Key Divisions: Community Housing, Community Revitalization and Neighborhood Partnership Office o $17.3 million operating budget o 40 employees o Three Commissions: Housing Advisory Commission, Community Development Advisory Committee and Commission on Neighborhoods. o The Housing Advisory Commission and Community Development Advisory Committee will be combined this fiscal year. • Community Revitalization Division o Connecting People: Homeless Prevention, Domestic Violence, Youth and Senior Programs, Services for the Disabled, Roof and Home Replacement, Emergency Services Repairs, Homeownership Assistance o Connecting Community: Community Development Advisory Committee [makes recommendations for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds], Infill and Affordable Housing, Elimination of Blight, Physical Improvements o Funding Sources: CDBG, HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI), Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) Program, Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), City General Funds • Community Housing Division o Connecting People: Safe, Decent and Sanitary Housing, Public Housing Referrals, Section 8 Program, Property Management, Social Service Information, Rental Property Information, Housing Advisory Commission V. Roles and Functions of the Community Partnerships Department Mr. Cohrs discussed the Neighborhood Partnership Office: • Connecting People o Leadership Forum, Glendale University, HOA Academy, Communication/Newsletters, Neighborhood Special Events, Community Mediation Program • Connecting Community o Community Volunteer Program, Neighborhood Action Plans, Commission on Neighborhoods, Other City Departments Mr. Cohrs announced the following changes in the Neighborhood Partnership Office: • Mr. Krause had been handling the Glendale University program but this will now be transferred to Ms. Wilkie. • Mr. Krause will perform certain duties for the Housing Division due to his construction expertise. • Ms. Romero will now be responsible for the HOA Academy. Ms. Romero commented that the HOA Academy is a very good program for HOA Board members or residents to learn about the inner workings of an HOA. Ms. Romero stated that industry professionals, such as attorneys and property managers, teach the classes. The HOA Academy will be offered once a year. Citizens Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods Meeting - Minutes August 7, 2010 Page 3 of 5 Mr. Cohrs stated that neighborhood newsletters will be published twice a year, down from four times a year. Staff will work on encouraging neighborhoods to set up a webpage as another form of communication. Mr. Cohrs stated that, due to the dissolution of the $500 Community Connection Grant, staff and the Commission will need to encourage neighborhoods to think outside of the box when planning a neighborhood activity. Mr. Cohrs praised the Mediation Program, noting that the program can make a significant impact on neighbors. This year, the Glendale Police Department will be partnering on the program. Ms. Wilkie discussed the Community Volunteer Program. Highlights include the following: • Established in 1998 by Mayor and Council. • 500 volunteer groups are in the database. • 75 to 100 volunteer projects are coordinated each year. • Projects include house painting, neighborhood clean-up, fruit gleaning, and trash pick-up. • Great relationships between the city, neighborhoods and businesses are created. Mr. Cohrs stressed that partnerships with businesses, non-profits and faith-based organizations are critical opportunities to be explored, especially in these difficult economic times. Ms. Wilkie highlighted the Leadership Forum partnership with the Vineyard Church and noted that the Vineyard Church was crucial to the ability to even have the event. Commissioner Hinds inquired about other successful partnerships with local businesses. Ms. Wilkie mentioned that Vanguard has done some volunteer projects in Glendale and staff does seek these types of relationships with businesses. Ms. Wilkie explained that some cities do not have such a highly organized community volunteer program and some non-local businesses have worked with Glendale due to the ease of finding a project to become involved in. [A five minute break was taken.] VI. Five-Year Revitalization Plan and Review Mr. Cohrs provided the Commissioners with a brief written report on the Five- Year Neighborhood Revitalization Plan along with recommendations from the Commission workgroup that reviewed the plan. Mr. Cohrs suggested that discussion be tabled in the interest of time and to allow the Commissioners to read the full report. Questions or comments can be forwarded to Mr. Cohrs at any time. VII. Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Commission Direction and Goals Discussion Mr. Cohrs stated that historically the neighborhood grants program had been the driver of this Commission. Now that the grants program is on hold, the Commission must look at other methods of connecting and engaging communities. Mr. Cohrs discussed the purpose of the Commission: • Create neighborhood fabric in Glendale • Connect citizens • Network with the community and neighborhood groups Citizens Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods Meeting - Minutes August 7, 2010 Page 4 of 5 • Pursue partnerships • Help define revitalization • Share information with the community • Help frame the conversation Commissioner Loya wondered if there were other opportunities for the Commission to apply for grant funds outside of Glendale. Mr. Strunk stated that there are Civic Pride Grants available and there may be an opportunity for the Commission to raise funds in this manner to distribute to a neighborhood. Mr. Strunk commented that some corporations distribute neighborhood awards. Mr. Cohrs agreed that this was a path of opportunity. Commissioner Caufield wondered if the Commission was legally able to apply for grant funds. Mr. Cohrs replied that the Commission could not necessarily do so, however, the Commission could partner with a 501(c)(3) in order to better leverage a grant request or the Commission could be a liaison for a neighborhood's grant fund pursuit. Mr. Cohrs noted that there are a variety of funding sources, but the task is finding them. Commissioner Loya asked how the Commission could find out about other types of available grants. Mr. Cohrs will invite a city grant coordinator to speak at a future Commission meeting. Mr. Cohrs shared comments and feedback received from the Commissioner's 2010 Summer Retreat Survey Results. Future agenda topics suggested included information on 501(c)(3) status, neighborhood capacity building, information on the roles of other city Commissions and other city departments and a presentation by the Community Revitalization Division. Commissioner Caufield stressed the need for more follow-up on the previous neighborhood grant projects, especially those that were more unique such as the neighborhood leadership training grant and the computer lab grant. Commissioners Atkins and Hinds agreed. Commissioner Heatwole-Chicks commented that it is important to keep continuous connection and energy in a neighborhood even after a project is completed, such as suggesting the next steps for a neighborhood. Commissioner Versluis felt that it was important for the Commission to approach local businesses for neighborhood support. Mr. Strunk pondered a "Neighborhood of the Month" program which could be a great point of pride program that local businesses could support. Commissioner Hinds wondered if the Council Members could discuss the role of the Commission on Neighborhoods at their District Meetings or if there could be a presentation on the Commission at the meetings. Mr. Cohrs will follow-up on opportunities for participation in the District Meetings. Mr. Cohrs thanked the Commissioners for their feedback on the Commission direction and will prepare a draft workplan for review. VIII. Commissioner Comments and Suaciestions Commissioner Hinds enjoyed the meeting. Commissioner Atkins felt it was a good meeting. Commissioner Versluis agreed. Citizens Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods Meeting - Minutes August 7, 2010 Page 5 of 5 Commissioner Heatwole-Chicks suggested that if future meetings are running late, agenda items be tabled for the following meeting. Commission Loya stated that the meeting was very productive. Commissioner Brown agreed. Commissioner Cole thanked Staff for all of the information presented. Commissioner Leonardo commented that the meeting provided worthwhile information for the focus of the Commission. Chair Sprague thanked all of the Commissioners for their attendance. Chair Sprague commented that for this year, opportunities for focus include follow-up on neighborhood projects, using past neighborhood successes to encourage future participation and to spark webpage use by neighborhoods. Chair Sprague thanked Staff for their hard work. IX. Adjournment Commissioner Atkins motioned to adjourn the meeting at 11:15 a.m. Commissioner Loya made the second. The motion passed 10 - 0. Respectfully Submitted, IAA Denise Kazm'-rcz- Recording Se ret- y acD