February 12, 2015 Minutes (City Commission Room)
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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Linda Bush, Jenna Coker, Alex Delaney, Jonathan Holley, Steven Koprince, James Minor, Vern Norwood, Travis Weller, Patrick Wilbur |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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None |
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STAFF PRESENT: |
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Danelle Dresslar, Brad Karr |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
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Emily Matteson (PNA), Pat Miller (PNA), Terry Leatherman (HCCI), Ted Boyle (NLIA), Sara Lissauer (CCNEK), Nickie Daneke, (CCNEK), Rich Minder (SB6), Ali Edwards (HCHC), Jacquie Anderson (WDVC), Brooks Dozier (LCS), Brian Blevins (LCS), KT Walsh (ELNA), Josh Davis (ELNA)
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Chair Wilbur called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
1. Introductions.
Members introduced themselves.
2. Approval of the January 22, 2015 Minutes.
Coker moved to approve the CDAC meeting minutes from January 22, 2015. Norwood seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-0.
3. Discuss of 2015 Public Service applications.
Holley arrived.
Dresslar announced that HUD released the 2015 program year funding allocations for CDBG and HOME. While CDBG funding was only cut about 1%, HOME funds were cut by 15%. The previously voted on allocations for HOME funding will have to be discussed at a future meeting to adjust for this decline.
Wilbur asked the members of the public to briefly introduce themselves, in case the committee has specific questions about the Public Service applications.
Wilbur informed the public that there is $102,014 in available funds to allocate, while $198,808 has been requested by public service agencies and neighborhood associations.
Wilbur began the discussion with the Neighborhood Association applications. Coker discussed with the committee that she is on the board of the Brook Creek Neighborhood Association (BCNA), and the application they submitted was not reviewed by the newly elected board members. The budget line item amount for Coordinator salary is higher than they had agreed to pay the coordinator, and they would like to reduce that amount by $720. They would like to use the $720 for other expenses. Bush expressed concern that the amount to be awarded for Coordinator salary was going to be used for other projects. Dresslar said that in past years, after deliberating on individual budget line items from the Neighborhood Associations, ultimately a single amount has been awarded for Operating/Coordinator expenses; Additional projects were deliberated on a case by case basis by the committee. Bush was still concerned that money allocated for Operating/Coordinator expenses could be diverted to another project, such as a neighborhood survey discussed last year. Dresslar explained that all of the Neighborhood Associations have to turn in documentation to receive funds from their allocation, and if the documentation indicated a project that was not approved by the committee, staff would deny the request for funds. Holley stated that he is not a board member, but is a member of the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association (ELNA) and asked if any other committee members were board members or members of a Neighborhood Association. Coker stated that she is the Treasurer of BCNA; Bush stated that she is the outgoing Treasurer of the Pinckney Neighborhood Association (PNA); Weller indicated that he is the low/mod representative of North Lawrence.
Norwood reminded everyone that the allocations approved tonight were not final, and that these items might change and be voted on again in the future.
Holley asked if BCNA would like the Coordinator salary reduced by $720, and that money shifted to another item in the budget to be discussed by the committee. Coker agreed to provisionally adjusting the application by moving the $720 to the budget line item “Other Publicity”.
Wilbur moved to fund 1a, Brook Creek Neighborhood Association (BCNA), Operating/Coordinator Expenses at $6,230. Weller seconded the motion. The motion failed 4-4.
Bush said that in the past the committee has tried to identify the priority expense items in the Neighborhood Association budgets, usually consisting of the Coordinator salary and communication expenses such as postage, printing the newsletters, website fees, etc.
Delaney arrived.
Bush said that by only allocating 85% to 90% of the requested amount seemed to match the budget line items for just Coordinator salary and communication expenses, but it would require a more detailed look at each budget. She suggested that they shift to the Public Service Agency allocations and come back to the Neighborhood Associations.
Bush asked what the money would exactly be used for in 11a, Willow Domestic Violence Center, Laundry equipment. Jacquie Anderson (WDVC) explained that the laundry equipment would be for their emergency shelter. The current washers/dryers are not commercial grade equipment and often need repair due to the non-stop use; the requested funding would be for 1 commercial washer and 2 commercial dryers.
Wilbur moved to fully fund 11a, Willow Domestic Violence Center, Laundry Equipment at $3,000. Weller seconded the motion. The motion passed 8-0 with 1 abstaining.
Weller suggested funding all of the Public Service Agencies that supply emergency assistance at a flat amount, since they all provide similar services and he would have a hard time telling one agency that they get less money than another. Coker said she doesn’t completely agree with a flat rate, but does not know another way. Delaney said that while they all provide similar services, they serve different people; He would be more comfortable with a flat percentage rather that a flat rate. Weller said he suggested a flat rate rather that a flat percentage to avoid agencies in the future inflating their request knowing they would get a flat percentage. Delaney agreed, but felt that the current committee does a good job at reviewing each application to determine need, rather than just automatically allocate a percentage of last year’s funding.
Wilbur moved to fund 8a, Heartland Medical Clinic, Inc (HCHC), Emergency Assistance for low income persons living with HIV/AIDS at $4,148. Norwood seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-3.
Delaney suggested next discussing 9a, Lawrence Community Shelter (LCS), Operating Expenses. Wilbur asked about the LCS increased request over last year. Brian Blevins (LCS) said they have had an increase in operating expenses to provide the needed services. He indicated that staff increases alone are far greater than the increased amount they are requesting; the number of people they are housing and servicing has gone up. The shelter is at maximum capacity of 125 people, and goes to 140 people during the winter months. Wilbur asked if there was a percentage increase that could be given to indicate the number of people assisted. Brooks Dozier (LCS) indicated there was a 12% increase over last year.
Delaney moved to fund 9a, Lawrence Community Shelter (LCS), Operating Expenses at $40,000. Holley seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0.
Bush asked about 5a, Ballard Community Services, Emergency Service Council. Dresslar said that Ballard administers the Emergency Service Council, which is accessed by several agencies in town to provide emergency assistance for rent and utilities.
Bush moved to fund 5a, Ballard Community Services, Emergency Service Council at $10,000. Delaney seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0.
Nickie Daneke of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (CCNEK) spoke to the committee about their application. CCNEK has recently brought in $265,000 to the City of Lawrence through state and federal funding for housing and preventing homelessness. With these funds they have housed over 200 individuals in the last 17 months. Other agencies in town send people in crisis to them to assist with their housing needs. These funds are limited to a very specified, HUD defined situation. The requested CDBG allocation would be used to assist others who do not qualify for those funds; the $10,000 would assist 40 families who are on the verge of homelessness.
Ali Edwards of Heartland Community Health Center (HCHC) spoke to the committee about taking over the case management services of DCAP. They provide rent and utility assistance for persons with HIV/AIDS. They currently have 57 low income clients in a three county area that qualify for assistance of up to $250 every quarter. Dresslar confirmed with Edwards that any CDBG assistance is only for Lawrence residents.
Rich Minder of Success by 6 Coalition of Douglas County (SB6) spoke to the committee about their Housing Assistance Fund. They partner with other agencies in Lawrence to provide needed assistance for families with young children.
Bush moved to fund 6a, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (CCNEK), Lawrence Emergency Assistance Center at $5,000. Weller seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0.
Bush moved to fund 10a, Success by 6 Coalition of Douglas County (SB6), Housing Assistance Fund at $7,000. Delaney seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0.
Terry Leatherman of Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. (HCCI) spoke to the committee about the tenant/landlord counseling they offer for Lawrence residents. Dresslar confirmed with Leatherman that any CDBG assistance is only used for Lawrence residents.
Minor moved to fund 7a, Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. (HCCI), Rental Housing Counseling and Education Programs at $10,000. Holley seconded the motion. The motion passed 8-0 with 1 abstaining.
The committee discussed that there was only $22,866 left to allocate, and they had not even discussed the Neighborhood Associations yet. Bush suggested they look again at the allocation provided to WDVC for the laundry equipment. She suggested that they might have to reduce the amount by only providing funding for 1 dryer instead of 2. That would free up $750 to be allocated elsewhere, while still providing 1 washer and 1 dryer.
Bush had questions about the Traffic Calming Device in the NLIA budget. Dresslar said that item would be on the Capital Improvement allocation, but was included in the NLIA total budget.
The committee agreed to continue with the Public Service allocations, and revisit the WDVC laundry equipment allocation at the next meeting.
Holley asked if all of the applicants understood that even if a motion is passed for a certain allocation amount, that amount is not final and could change at a future meeting. Dresslar stated that all of the applicants will be notified of the final allocation amounts before the public hearing.
Bush indicated that she will not be able to attend the next meeting. She would like to provide the committee some notes on her application concerns. Dresslar said Bush could write out her concerns and they would be attached to the agenda for public record.
6. Public Comment.
There was no public comment.
7. Miscellaneous/Calendar.
The next meeting of the CDAC will be February 26, 2015. Public Service allocations will continue, along with discussion of reallocating the HOME funds due to the reduction in funding.
8. Adjourn.
Wilbur moved to adjourn the February 12, 2015 meeting of the CDAC at 7:00 p.m. Minor seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0.
Attendance Record
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Members |
Jan 8 |
Jan 22 |
Feb 12 |
Feb 26 |
Mar12 |
Mar 26 |
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Linda Bush |
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Jenna Coker |
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Alex Delaney |
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Jonathan Holley |
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Steven Koprince |
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James Minor |
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Vern Norwood |
U |
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Travis Weller |
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Patrick Wilbur |
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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