MINUTES OF A STUDY SESSION MEETING

OF THE

LAWRENCE-DOUGLAS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

August 6, 2007                                                                                     Marceli’s

6:10 p.m.                                                                                                          1031 New Hampshire

            Barbara Huppee, Secretary for the Board of Commissioners, conducted the swearing in ceremony for David Clark, newly appointed LDCHA commissioner.

1.         Call of Roll.

            Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.  Upon call of roll the following Commissioners answered present:

Sonya Johnson

            Brenda O’Keefe

            Charlie Dominguez

David Clark

            Wes Smith.

            Also present were Nancy McMechan, SRS Caseworker; Natalie Mulryan, Milton Scott, Carrie Lindsey, Vickie Butler and Barbara Huppee, LDCHA staff members.

2.         Discuss Daycare Proposal for the Use of Edgewood Homes Units 159 and 160, take Action as Appropriate.

            At its June meeting the Board discussed that it would have to make a decision on the use of Edgewood Homes units 159 and 160 and whether those units would be used for a childcare center or converted back to dwelling units. The Board decided to cancel the July Board meeting and to hold a study session to discuss the options for unit 159 and 160. 

            Chairman Smith began the discussion by stating that it was understood that the Ballard Center had withdrawn their proposal, so the only proposal to be considered would be the one given by Head Start. 

            The first issue the Board discussed was the number of 107 reported on the waiting list. They expressed their interest in the breakdown, whether the bulk of the list was seniors or families, and the question of what would be the best use of the units, converting them back into dwelling units to serve the families on the waiting list, or providing a day care center.  Commissioner Johnson stated she would be interested to know the breakdown of the 107 as the agency’s only expansion and recent purchase has been for seniors. 

            Head Start will be able to serve 16 children in the space provided by unit 159.  Currently they are serving 15 households out of 78 that are public housing children.  The Board was in agreement that with the 15 Head Start already has they would only need one more to be in compliance if given the same requirements as Brookcreek. 

            The question arose of the 15 public housing children at Head Start, are they morning or afternoon children?  Head Start had made it clear that the children in the afternoon may not be the same mix of children they are serving in the morning; is the agency going to require Head Start to serve 16 in the afternoon? It was pointed out that all of the children served in the afternoons are from their morning programs but they may be from one of their other three sites.

            There was also discussion of the Head Start program following the school calendar and the school district inclement weather policy wondering if that would cause a problem for LDCHA residents.  It was pointed out that Brookcreek had that same schedule and the majority of the day care centers close when school is closed.

            The Commissioners asked how much income would the agency lose if the units were day care centers. Ms. Huppee responded that the rent is predicated on income with the exception of the MTW program, and whatever the tenant pays will be a function of their income. The market value is $1,293 for both units. The agency is receiving subsidy on the units and will continue to receive subsidy as a day care center.  The LDCHA has not had rental income on unit 159 since 1980 and on unit 160 since 2003.  The subsidy is about $1500 per unit per year.

            Again the discussion centered on the best use of the units.  The consensus being that the LDCHA would only be serving two families, by getting them off the waiting list, as opposed to helping many families with children and child care needs.  It was mentioned that obviously there is a need if people are on the waiting list for nine months to two years, that perhaps the Board should be considering in the future expanding or providing housing opportunities for those that are not seniors.  

            One concern discussed was the use of 160; if not used for a day care center, then what would Head Start do with that unit or should it be converted back to a dwelling unit. 

            Ms. Huppee stated that Head Start eventually would like to have an infant/toddler center in unit 160 as it is already licensed to meet requirements. In the interim they would be using 160 for other day care programs; for example, they have collaboration with the Lawrence Arts Center for an arts based program. 

            To summarize discussions the Board felt that 16, the number of public housing children that could be served, would meet the agency’s requirements but want Head Start to report back within a certain time frame their plans for 160.

            Chairman Smith moved to accept the proposal by Head Start with the requirement that they serve 16 public housing children across all their sites, allow Head Start the use of both units, 159 and 160, and have them report back to the LDCHA in September 2008 with compliance numbers and a proposed use for unit 160.  Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Resolution 971.

            There being no further discussion of the Head Start proposal, Chairman Smith moved to adjourn   Commissioner Dominguez seconded the motion.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

_____________________________                             _____________________________

Chair                                                                               Secretary                                 Attest