NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

May 20, 2004 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:     Jeannette Collier, Donna Duncan, Janet Gerstner,

                                                Paula Gilchrist, Carrie Moore, Greg Moore, Vern

                                                Norwood, Terri Pippert and Kirsten Roussel

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:        James Dunn

 

STAFF PRESENT:             Monica Cardin, Dan Johnson, Cindy Nau, Margene

                                                Swarts and Barry Walthall

 

PUBLIC PRESENT:           John Hoyt, 830 Alabama Owner; Helen Moritz,

                                                Citizen; Robert Pearson, Citizen; and Jim Vanderbilt,

                                                Hoyt’s Attorney

 

G. Moore called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.

 

Introductions

Staff and public introduced themselves.

 

Approval of the April 22, 2004, NRAC Minutes; April 22, 2004, 830 Alabama Appeal Minutes; and Receive April 22, 2004, Public Hearing Comments

C. Moore moved to approve the April 22, 2004 minutes.  Pippert seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

Norwood entered the meeting.

 

Pippert moved to approve the April 22, 2004, 830 Alabama Appeal minutes.  C. Moore seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

Pippert moved to receive the April 22, 2004, Public Hearing comments.  Gerstner seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

Consider 830 Alabama Appeal Resolution

G. Moore asked for the staff report.

 

Johnson advised that immediately after the April 22 appeal meeting he and Vanderbilt began discussing a possible timeline for repairs at 830 Alabama.  Johnson stated he met with Vanderbilt several times at 830 Alabama and there has been significant progress since the April 22 meeting.  The accessory structure has been demolished and removed and the second story porch/sun room is completely painted, although there is some small trim paint that needs finishing and the east side of the house is painted.  Johnson noted that the work was completed before the timeline was even started.

 

Johnson advised that Vanderbilt drew up the timeline, “Schedule of Events to Cure Allegations of Environmental Blight at 830 Alabama.”  This timeline is acceptable with staff.  By June 15, 2004, all of the house except the extreme middle north face of the house will be painted.  According to Vanderbilt, the middle section is very north and cannot be painted unless a ladder is placed on the north neighbor’s property.  The timeline also included items above and beyond the scope of work needed to bring the house into compliance.

 

Johnson stated the second item Vanderbilt distributed is a resolution that could be sent to the City Commission, if needed.  Johnson noted the staff does not think the resolution is needed at this time.

 

G. Moore asked if any members had any questions.  He agreed with staff and noted it appears all parties are working in the right direction.

 

Pippert moved to concur with staff that the timeline is acceptable.  Norwood seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

There being no further comment from staff or the Committee, G. Moore closed staff and Committee discussion and moved to Public Comment on the timeline for 830 Alabama with a limit of three minutes.

 

Public Comment

Jim Vanderbilt, attorney, stated he understood that the directive from the Committee was to establish a timeline.  There are other issues he would like the Committee to address on the second page of the resolution he drafted.  Vanderbilt provided a brief description of the five items and reasons he would like the Committee to address them.

 

John Hoyt, 830 Alabama owner, thanked the Committee for allowing them to do the work without pressure.  He is very grateful and noted his concerns regarding stress the situation has caused his family.

 

Helen Moritz, neighbor, noted a correction to the appeal minutes.  She was not the one to bring the lawsuit.  She also stated that she is not an unreasonable neighbor and provided a brief defense.  Lastly, she stated that she did not want Hoyt on her property for anything.

 

There being no further Public Comment, G. Moore closed Public Comment on the timeline for 830 Alabama.

 

Swarts suggested the Committee could direct staff to keep the Committee informed of meeting the timeline by providing regular staff reports.  If the timeline is not met, the issue could then be brought back to the Committee for further action.

 

Walthall suggested staff provide a memo after each date as noted in the timeline.  He asked if that would be reasonable.  G. Moore stated that it was.

 

G. Moore suggested e-mailing the reports to the Committee.

 

Pippert stated she would like to see progress reports after each date and moved to direct staff to communicate with the Neighborhood Resources Advisory Committee regarding the July 1, August 1, and October 1 deadlines with a progress report on the renovations of 830 Alabama Street.  Roussel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

Norwood inquired about what Vanderbilt wanted the Committee to address.  Vanderbilt clarified that he would like a motion or something to that effect regarding the Committee’s approval of the proposed resolution.

 

Pippert stated that she did not feel comfortable with several aspects of the proposed resolution.  She believes the Committee has gone as far as it can at this time.  Norwood and Roussel concurred.  The Committee elected to take no further action beyond staff reports regarding compliance with the timeline.

 

Discuss calendar and plan for future discussion

The Committee watched a brief video celebrating 30 years of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.  Swarts distributed an overview of CDBG regulations and provided a brief history of the program.

 

Gilchrist asked about the criteria for funding programs.  Swarts advised the Committee that most recently, allocations have been recommended based on the “Step Up to Better Housing” strategy.

 

Gerstner inquired about how the neighborhoods have changed over time.  Swarts stated the original five neighborhoods of Brook Creek, East Lawrence, North Lawrence, Oread and Pinckney are still eligible for CDBG funds on an area-wide basis.  North Lawrence was originally eligible under a slum and blight designation, but as of the 2000 census, it is now eligible by virtue of being low and moderate income.  Old West Lawrence, Barker and University Place Neighborhoods were eligible previously as low and moderate income, but are no longer.

 

There followed a discussion regarding strategic planning and decision making.

 

Gilchrist left the meeting.

 

There was brief discussion regarding transitional housing activities as well as economic development with CDBG funding.

 

G. Moore moved discussion to the Calendar. 

 

Swarts suggested the Committee meet May 27, 2004, which would be a regular meeting and then meet once in June, July and August.  The meetings would be the second Thursday of each month, which are June 10, July 8 and August 12.  Swarts briefly reviewed the strategic planning handout.

 

Norwood stated she would not be at the May 27, 2004 meeting.

 

C. Moore stated she thinks the idea of strategic planning is good.  Gerstner concurred.

 

Pippert stated she would be out of town on June 10, 2004.  Roussel will also be out of town on June 10, 2004.  Swarts suggested the Committee could discuss the summer Calendar at the next meeting.  It was agreed the next meeting would be held in the Neighborhood Resources Department Conference Room 1.

 

Miscellaneous Items

There were no miscellaneous items.

 

Adjourn

There being no further business, Pippert moved to adjourn the meeting.  C. Moore seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.