December 8, 2005 Minutes (City Commission Room)
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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Jeanette Collier, Donna Duncan, Paula Gilchrist, Curtis Harris, Carol Nalbandian, Kirsten Roussel and Patti Welty |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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marci francisco, Janet Gerstner, Greg Moore, Mike Randolph |
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STAFF PRESENT: |
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Lesley Rigney and Margene Swarts |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
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Introductions
Members and staff introduced themselves.
Carol Nalbandian was present as the new member at-large.
Approval of October 13, 2005 minutes
Gilchrist moved to approve the October 13, 2005 minutes. Collier seconded the motion, which passed.
Receive CDBG/HOME grant applications
Roussel stated that the notebooks that each member had received contained the 2006 CDBG/HOME applications of 23 agencies.
Swarts said that the applications were also available on the web this year for the first time. Staff will update the Table of Contents on the web after each NRAC meeting to reflect the allocations. She suggested that members come to the next meeting familiar with the applications so that they can begin deliberations. Staff can answer questions and gather any additional information that would be helpful to members.
Roussel suggested the Committee discuss a process for deliberations.
Gilchrist stated that last year the group addressed capital improvements first. She said that it helps the process along when members come to each meeting with a plan and an idea of the merit of each application.
Harris asked if the Committee can choose to fund part of an agency’s request or less than they requested.
Swarts said yes and pointed out the question on the application asking how partial funding will affect the project.
Nalbandian asked if neighborhood associations were separate.
Swarts said that every applicant is competing against all other applicants. There are no separate pots of money.
Roussel asked the group if they would like to determine how the January 12 meeting will proceed.
Gilchrist suggested starting deliberations at that meeting.
Roussel instructed members to get any questions or requests for information to staff in plenty of time before January 12.
Swarts said that staff would e-mail a list of the questions and answers to all members.
Gilchrist asked if staff could provide numbers from last year.
Swarts said it is available on the 2005 Investment Summary.
Harris asked if agencies are able to plead their case at NRAC meetings.
Roussel said that they could attend and plead their case during the public comment period. They have not in the past but they may choose to now that allocations are being continuously posted on the web.
Establish timeline/meeting calendar
Swarts reminded the Committee that they also serve as the appeals board for issues regarding housing and environmental blight. She stated that the Committee was scheduled to meet the second and fourth Thursday through the beginning of May, but may be called to address housing appeals.
Swarts discussed the timeline for allocations and said that there would be a Public Hearing during the first part of April at which the Committee would have a preliminary decision. The Committee may choose to make changes after the Public Hearing and will then send their final recommendations to the City Commission. The City Commission can either adopt the recommendations or send them back to the Committee.
Harris asked about conflicts of interest.
Swarts said that it is an issue if a member is sitting on the board or monetarily involved with an applying agency. The Committee wants to know about it. Personal opinions are not considered a conflict of interest.
Swarts stated that there would be a Study Session with the City Commission to discuss priorities at Van Go Mobile Arts on December 14 at 9:00 am.
Roussel stated that she had notes from the preparation last year and would talk about the allocations process, NRAC goals and the “Step Up to Better Housing Strategy.”
Miscellaneous Items
There were no miscellaneous items.
Public Comment
No public were present.
Adjourn
There being no further business, Nalbandian moved to adjourn the meeting. Welty seconded the motion, which passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.