January 22, 2004 minutes
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jeanette Collier, Donna Duncan, James Dunn,
Paula Gilchrist, Carrie Moore, Greg Moore,
Vern Norwood, Terri Pippert and Kirsten Roussel
MEMBERS ABSENT: Janet Gerstner
STAFF PRESENT: Monica Cardin, Amanda Holloway, Cindy Nau,
Margene Swarts, and Victor Torres
G. Moore called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Introductions
Swarts advised the new at-large member was Janet Gerstner and there was no North Lawrence Neighborhood Association representative. Thereafter, staff and committee members introduced themselves.
Approval of January 8, 2004 minutes
Gilchrist moved to approve the January 8, 2004 minutes. Roussel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Begin Deliberations
Staff Report
Swarts summarized the amount of funds the City of Lawrence was getting from HUD. She noted that the HOME funds increased, but CDBG decreased by $27,000. There is no reallocation of funds.
Swarts advised the Committee that Bert Nash, 8a, Homeless Management Information System staff position was withdrawn. The HMIS systems did not get funded and the Practitioners Panel was looking at other possibilities.
Norwood entered the meeting.
Swarts explained the handouts showing what the Committee funded in 2002 and 2003.
G. Moore asked for public comment before the deliberations began.
Public Comment
Candi Davis, Oread Neighborhood Association representative thanked the Committee for its continuing support. She noted the steps project at 12th and Mississippi Streets was quite nice. She reiterated how important the neighborhood coordinator was.
Deliberations
Dunn moved to fund 4d, Oread ONA Neighborhood Clean-up-$50. Norwood seconded motion.
Pippert asked Dunn to amend his motion to include 4e, ORA Neighborhood Landscaping.
Norwood also asked Dunn to amend his motion to include 1c, BCNA Brook Creek Park and Neighborhood Clean-up-$150; 2d, ELNA Work Day-$1,550; 2e, ELNA Spring Clean Up-$517; 3b, NLIA Neighborhood Clean-Up and Brush Removal-$1,800; 4d, ONA Neighborhood Clean-Up-$50; and 5d, PNA Neighborhood Clean-Up-$1,680.
C. Moore recommended funding 2e, ELNA Spring Clean-up from $517 to $232 because $285 was for t-shirts.
Dunn amended his motion to fund 1c, BCNA Brook Creek Park and Neighborhood Clean-up-$150.00; 2d, ELNA Work Day-$1,550; 2e, ELNA Spring Clean Up-$232; 3b, NLIA Neighborhood Clean-Up and Brush Removal-$1,800; 4d, ONA Neighborhood Clean-Up-$50; and 5d, PNA Neighborhood Clean-Up-$1,680. Norwood accepted the amendment.
Gilchrist asked how the brush removal is conducted.
Swarts stated that North Lawrence hires a person to chip brush at the curbside. Other neighborhoods arrange with the city to do that. Brook Creek tried a voucher system that would allow them to leave the branches and debris at the Parks and Recreation location at 11th and Haskell for free. Initially, neighbors were very excited about that program but in actuality, there was no participation.
The motion passed unanimously.
Pippert moved to fund 4e, ONA Neighborhood Landscaping-$250. C. Moore seconded the motion, which passed.
Roussel moved to fund 1a, BCNA Operating Expenses-$2370; 2a, ELNA Operating Expenses-$3152; 3a, NLIA Operating Expenses-$1900; 4a, ONA Operating Expenses $3985; and 5a, PNA Operating Expenses $3684. C. Moore seconded the motion.
Dunn inquired if neighborhoods were using the City’s bulk mailing permit for mailing newsletters. Swarts stated that Brook Creek, Oread and North Lawrence use the City’s bulk mailing permit. East Lawrence and Pinckney Neighborhood Association use the bulk mail permit through Kansas Key Press.
Dunn inquired if that has helped with operating expenses. Swarts stated she assumes so, since it is cheaper than first class.
The motion passed unanimously.
C. Moore moved to fund 1b, BCNA Coordinator Salary-$3530; 2b, ELNA Coordinator Salary-$4881; 3c, NLIA Coordinator Salary-$1500; 4b, ONA Coordinator Salary-$6758; and 5b, PNA Coordinator Salary-$3830. Rousell seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
C. Moore moved to fund 4f, ONA Dumpster Pad Screening Repair-$200. Dunn seconded motion, which passed unanimously.
Roussel moved to zero-fund 3e, NLIA New Sidewalks around Lyons Park; 3f, NLIA New sidewalks around Lyons Park; and 3g, NLIA New Sidewalks around Lyons Park. Gilchrist seconded the motion.
Norwood inquired if the City installs sidewalks. Swarts stated that the City does not.
G. Moore asked if Parks and Recreation would handle this project since it was adjacent to the park. Swarts advised that she did not think this was a joint request between Parks and Recreation and NLIA. She also stated that right-of-way sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner. The property owner must also maintain existing sidewalks.
G. Moore noted that there is an existing sidewalk on the west side but none on the north side. Asphalt sidewalk exists on the west edge. He also stated that he was not sure if it was a new installation or a repair.
Nau stated that it is explained on page 13, number 35.
Gilchrist stated that it is for installation and repair.
The motion passed unanimously.
Norwood moved to zero-fund 2c, ELNA Van Go Mobile Arts Building Acquisition. Dunn seconded the motion.
Rousell stated that Van Go Mobile Arts does tremendous work for the community.
When asked why the proposal was an ELNA proposal, Swarts advised that she encouraged them to work with the neighborhood on the proposal. It seemed to be an anchor for stabilizing the neighborhood and had neighborhood support.
Pippert stated that she had read the proposal and supports it. There are good support letters from attorneys and court personnell that Van Go provides a good thing for the public.
Collier and G. Moore agreed with Pippert.
Collier stated that she supports all of their projects and that children are able to utilize their proposals.
The motion failed.
Pippert moved to fund 2c, ELNA Van Go Mobile Arts Building Acquistion-$50,000. C. Moore seconded the motion.
Duncan suggested that they could give them part of the money, rather than all of it.
Collier inquired what would happen if it was totally funded and the organization were to go bankrupt.
Swarts explained how the city would protect its interest in the project.
Nau commented that a motion could be made later to change the amount funded. This decision is not final.
The motion passed unanimously.
Pippert moved to fund 4c, ONA Tennessee Street Curb Repairs-$85,000. Dunn seconded the motion.
Dunn stated that the 1000 block of Tennessee is in the historical district and that the 10th and 11th block looked really rough.
Nau inquired if it had been submitted for the City’s Capital Improvement Project consideration.
Dunn stated that he was not aware of it.
Duncan inquired what dollar amount the City is looking at for Capital Improvement Projects.
Torres stated that it is a five-year plan and applications are recieved on an annual basis. Priority is based upon need. The list is reviewed annually and projects may be bumped up or down.
Dunn inquired if this is an eligible project.
Nau stated that she believes it may be.
Swarts stated that if the project were on the Capital Improvement plan, with other funding dollars, it might move up the list because it will take less money out of the Capital Improvement pot.
Dunn inquired if this proposal should be made for the CIP as well.
Swarts stated it was probably a good idea.
The motion passed unanimously.
Pippert moved to fund 3d, NLIA 400/500 Block Walnut Drainage Tubes and Ditches (N. end)-$3200. Gilchrist seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
C. Moore moved to fund 5c, PNA Clinton Park Restoration-$82,000. Gilchrist seconded motion, which passed unanimously.
Norwood moved to fund 22a, Lawrence/Douglas County Housing Authority, Tenant Based Rental Assistance-$200,000; 28a, Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. Operating Expenses-$33,000; 28b, Tenants to Homeowners, Inc., CHDO Set Aside $99,000; 31c, NR, HOOT First Time Homebuyers Program- $250,000; and 31k, NR HOME Administration-$46,000. Pippert seconded motion.
Since this motion did not allocate all the available funds, Pippert inquired about allocating more funds to Tenants to Homeowners, Inc.
Swarts stated the committee allocated additional funds to both TTHI and LDCHA in 2003 and that was possible again for 2004.
Norwood amended her motion to increase 22a, LDCHA, Tenant Based Rental Assistance-$267,530; add 22c, LDCHA Administration-$20,000; 28a, Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. Operating Expenses-$35,900; 28b, Tenants to Homeowners, Inc., CHDO Set Aside-$207,700; 31c, NR HOOT First Time Homebuyers Program-$250,000; and 31k, NR HOME Administration-$51,800. Pippert seconded motion, which passed unanimously.
Pippert moved to fund 31a, NR Comprehensive Housing Rehabilitation-$400,000; 31b, NR HOOT First Time Homebuyers Rehabilitation Program-$125,000; 31d, NR Property Acquisition Program-$150,000; 31e, NR Weatherization-$40,000; 31f, NR Furnace Loans-$30,000; 31g, NR Emergency Loans-$30,000; and 31h, Voluntary Demolition-$15,000. Norwood seconded motion, which passed unanimously.
Norwood moved to fund 31i, NR Voluntary Clearance-$5,000. Pippert seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Miscellaneous Items
Swarts stated that 31j, NR CDBG Administration could not exceed $192,600 due to the 20% administrative cap. Staff will change the listing.
G. Moore stated the Committee would continue deliberating on Capital Improvements proposals at the February 12, 2004 meeting.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Adjournment
C. Moore moved to adjourn the meeting. Norwood seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.