City of Lawrence, KS

Community Development Advisory Committee

April 10, 2014 Minutes (City Commission Room)

MEMBERS PRESENT:		Linda Bush, Alex Delaney, James Minor, Vern Norwood, Patrick Wilbur

MEMBERS ABSENT:		Steven Koprince, Quinn Miller, Julie Mitchell, Travis Weller

STAFF PRESENT:		Danelle Dresslar, Brad Karr

PUBLIC PRESENT:		Robert Baker (Tenants to Homeowners), Shannon Oury (Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority)

Chair Minor called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

1. Introductions.

Members introduced themselves.

2. Approval of the February 27, 2014 Minutes.

Bush moved to approve the CDAC meeting minutes from February 27, 2014. The motion was seconded by Wilbur and passed 5-0.

3. Discussion of allocation amounts.

Dresslar told the committee that the final allocation amounts were received from HUD. CDBG funds were cut by 2.53%, while HOME funds were increased by 2.59%. A spreadsheet was provided to the committee showing what the allocations would be if an even 2.53% reduction was applied to all of the previously allocated CDBG applications. Item 12a, Willow Domestic Violence Center Playground Improvements was not shown as reduced since they had a specific invoice amount needed to complete their project. The 2.59% increase in HOME funds was shown as increased across the previously allocated HOME applications, leaving a surplus of $6,822. These remaining HOME funds would need to be allocated by the committee.

Wilbur indicated that while he was open to discussing each CDBG allocation again, he felt the even 2.53% reduction to all allocations was fair. Minor stated that he also understood the justification of an even reduction, excluding 12a since they had provided an invoice listing the exact amount needed to fund the project. Bush suggested that maybe next year the beginning allocation amount be reduced by a certain percentage over the previous year. Then the committee would not have to reduce any applications when the final allocation was announced; instead maybe have a surplus of funds to distribute. Dresslar said that would be possible, and indicated that HUD is already discussing a 5% reduction for next year over this year’s allocation amount.

Wilbur moved to fund 1a, Brook Creek Neighborhood Association, Operating/Coordinator Expenses at $6381; 1b, Brook Creek Neighborhood Association, Neighborhood Survey at $0; 2a, East Lawrence Neighborhood Association, Operating/Coordinator Expenses at $7891; 3a, North Lawrence Improvement Association, Operating/Coordinator Expenses/Clean Up at $4774; 4a, Oread Neighborhood Association, Operating/Planning Coordinator Expenses at $0; 5a, Pinckney Neighborhood Association, Operating/Coordinator/Neighborhood Activities Expenses at $7541; 6a, Ballard Community Services, Emergency Service Council at $9743; 7a, Common Ground, Pearl Clark Garden Improvements at $0; 8a, Douglas County AIDS Project, Emergency Assistance Program at $4148; 9a, Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc., Tenant-Landlord Counseling and Education Programs at $11905; 10a, Lawrence Community Shelter, Operating Expenses at $38,970; 11a, Success by Six, Housing Assistance Fund at $9744; 12a, Willow Domestic Violence Center, Playground Improvements at $1,963; 13a, Independence, Inc., Accessible Housing Program at $32,397; 14a, City of Lawrence (Public Works Division), Sidewalk Gap Project at $85,900; 15a, City of Lawrence Community Development Division, Housing Rehab/ EL/ FL/ Weatherization at $464,029; 15c, City of Lawrence Community Development Division, Administration (CDBG) at $137,414; 16a, Social Service League, Building Repairs at $14,726; 17a, Tenants to Homeowners, Cedarwood Infrastructure at $24,543. Norwood seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

Wilbur wanted to confirm that the spreadsheet was correct in listing an increase in HOME funds. Dresslar confirmed that there was an increase in HOME funds, and after distributing an even 2.59% increase to all of the regulatory HOME allocations for capped categories, there was still $6,822 for the committee to allocate. This money could be used for a new initiative, or added to a previously allocated project. Delaney said he thought it made sense to add the money to 18a, Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, Homeless Transitional Housing Program (TBRA). The surplus funds would not be enough to pay for an entire foundation for Lawrence Habitat for Humanity, but it could provide housing for a homeless family if allocated to TBRA.

Delaney moved to fund 15b, City of Lawrence Community Development Division, First Time Homebuyers Program-Law Comm. Land Trust at $70,000; 15c, City of Lawrence Community Development Division, Administration (HOME) at $38,615; 18a, Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, Homeless Transitional Housing Program at $200,304; 19a, Lawrence Habitat for Humanity, Home Foundations at $0; 20a, Tenants to Homeowners, Inc., CHDO Project Funds at $57,922; 20b, Tenants to Homeowners, Inc., CHDO Operating Funds at $19,307. Bush seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

4. Public Comment.

Robert Baker (Tenants to Homeowners) thanked the committee for all of their hard work and for the money allocated to TTH. Shannon Oury (Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority) also thanked the committee and indicated that they currently have 19 applicants on the waiting list for housing. Baker indicated that a recent market study showed that there is an almost 100% occupancy rate for low income rentals in Lawrence. Every year there are fewer funds available to provide low income housing, so all of these allocations help provide needed affordable housing.

5. Miscellaneous/Calendar.

Dresslar explained to the committee that the next meeting will be the public hearing on April 24, 2014. Before this hearing, an email will be sent to all of the applicants listing the final allocation amounts. The CDAC meeting will start at 5:45 p.m. on April 24, 2014 to approve the minutes and conduct any other needed business. The public hearing will then begin at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the final allocations. There will be a thirty day public comment period, after which the Action Plan will then be finalized and sent to the City Commission in May. The approved Action Plan is then sent to HUD by June 15, 2014. Bush asked if any further allocation discussion is held after the public hearing. Dresslar indicated that the committee could re-open discussion of the allocations after the public hearing if needed. All public comments are documented and sent to HUD along with the Action Plan. Minor asked if any changes to the allocation would have to be made at the April 24, 2014 meeting, or if another meeting would be held to discuss and vote on changes. Dresslar said another meeting could be held, but that would be in May and could cause problems in the submittal timeline. The point of the public hearing is to receive comments about the final allocation recommendations.

Dresslar indicated that she will let the committee know the exact date of when the Action Plan goes before the City Commission. Chair Minor will be there along with Dresslar to present the allocations.

The next meeting of the CDAC will be April 24, 2014.

6. Adjourn.

Delaney moved to adjourn the April 10, 2014 meeting of the CDAC at 5:51 p.m. Weller seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

Attendance Record

Members

Jan 9

Jan 23

Feb 13

Feb 27

Apr 10

Apr 24

Linda Bush

Alex Delaney

Steven Koprince

Quinn Miller

Julie Mitchell

James Minor

Vern Norwood

Travis Weller

Patrick Wilbur

E Excused Absence

U Unexcused Absence

X Meeting Cancelled – Weather Conditions

- Meeting Cancelled – Committee Vote/No Business

* First meeting after appointment

** Last Meeting Prior to expired term

^ Last Meeting