February 28, 2013 Minutes (City Commission Room)
|
MEMBERS PRESENT: |
|
Deron Belt, Linda Bush, James Minor, Aimee Polson, Patrick Wilbur |
|
|
|
|
|
MEMBERS ABSENT: |
|
Quinn Miller, David Teixeira, Julie Mitchell, Vern Norwood |
|
|
|
|
|
STAFF PRESENT: |
|
Danelle Dresslar, Margene Swarts, Rhonda Peterson |
|
|
|
|
|
PUBLIC PRESENT: |
|
Jeremy Farmer, Elena Ivanov, Melinda Toumi, Jen Unekis
|
Chair Polson called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
1. Introductions.
Members introduced themselves.
2. Approval of the February 14, 2013 Minutes.
Minor moved to approve the CDAC meeting minutes from
February 14, 2013. The motion was seconded by Belt and passed 5-0.
3. Continued Discussion of 2013 Capital Improvement Allocations.
Swarts passed out the Step Up to Better Housing strategy, which outlines the goals and priorities associated with the CDBG and HOME grants.
Polson asked for confirmation that the remaining balance to allocate in CDBG Capital Improvements is $353,050. Dresslar confirmed the amount and asked permission to provide additional information on the City’s Community Development Division (CDD) and its associated funding request.
Dresslar explained there are many programs that are supported with Community Development funds. Tony Hoch showed several before and after photos last week of the successful rehab projects, but he did not address the staffing requirements. The CDD also funds staffing necessary for program delivery. Jessica Roberts and Tony Hoch are both responsible for overseeing many programs including emergency loans, furnace loans, weatherization and comprehensive rehabilitation loans. They also provide all the project site monitoring, inspections, reporting and environmental reviews in conjunction with those programs. Additionally, the CDD also pays for advertising, lead testing, filing fees and mortgage registration fees.
The comprehensive rehabilitation program at the City of Lawrence began in 1976. The CDD does not receive staff salary or benefit funding from the City’s general fund as it is completely funded by this grant money. Funds are also brought back into the program through loan repayments. The CDD has taken a lot of funding cuts recently, which has forced some areas of the programs to be scaled back and has not allowed as many homeowners as before to be helped. Dresslar asked the committee to consider funding the CDD at one hundred percent.
Bush asked if the funding request applies to item 15a specifically. Dresslar responded yes, it does.
Polson asked which, if any, of the program funding could be cut. Dresslar responded that item 15b First Time Homebuyers Rehab Program could be cut and the CDD would still be able to help the people they need to assist, they would just not offer that particular program for the 2013 program year.
Belt inquired if the program would no longer happen if it was cut. Dresslar responded no, the program would be back on the funding application next year.
Belt asked if all the money from last year had been spent. Dresslar responded that it will be.
Polson mentioned that $115,000 was cut from last year’s amount that was allocated to the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program, but there is also $300,000 less this year to allocate.
No one had any further questions for Dresslar.
Belt inquired if anyone had any questions about the allocations made so far.
Wilbur stated the discussions about Beacon and Breezedale were good.
Minor wondered if the Beacon project could go forward with less than the $40,000 allocated. Belt responded most of the money requested was for the actual cost of the beacon, and Cronin had indicated in his presentation they would possibly use any funds left over for sidewalk improvements adjacent to that project.
Dresslar said Cronin did mention that, however under the regulations, funds can only go toward projects specifically recommended by the committee and approved by the City Commission. Any other use would require a Substantial Amendement.
Belt mentioned Branson and Cronin both spoke for the Beacon project and were present when the committee recommended funding it. If the committee changes its mind, it should have a good reason for doing so.
Minor said Branson and Cronin should know everything is subject to change until the allocations are finalized. He also wondered if the sidewalk/ramp construction project was necessary this year, or if it could be pushed off.
Dresslar said she would check, but it may potentially be required to be completed with the project if ADA requirements dictated its necessity.
Belt stated the proposed repairs are just a temporary fix to the larger sidewalk problems. The sidewalk repairs should include repairs to extended areas, not just in the area of the ramp.
Belt moved to fund 15a, City of Lawrence Community Development Division, Comprehensive Housing Rehabilitation, in the amount of $353,050. Minor seconded the motion.
Polson said she is frustrated that the city department that administers the grant asks for the most money, and the City general fund does not contribute any funds towards the division.
Swarts responded that it is not fair to say the City doesn’t contribute anything. They provide services including the City Attorney, financial services, payroll and the use of city facilities. It is true they do not pay for salaries for the Community Development Division, but that is also true for the program structure for the other 1,000+ grantees around the nation.
The motion passed 5-0.
Bush moved to zero fund 15b, City of Lawrence Community Development Division, First Time Homebuyers Rehab Program-Lawrence Community Land Trust. Wilbur seconded the motion.
The motion passed 5-0.
Polson reiterated there are zero funds left to allocate, and that additional funds of $21,950 were still needed for item 15a if that item were to be fully funded.
Polson asked if any of the audience members would like to make a presentation.
Jeremy Farmer with Just Foods addressed item 9b, Refrigerated Box Truck. He apologized for being unable to attend the previous committee meeting, when the committee voted to change their original vote and zero fund the truck.
He stated his organization provides a service which contributes to the overall goal of the housing-related funding. Often when people cannot afford food, they are unable to afford stable housing as well; they cannot afford to pay for both at the same time.
Farmer pointed out on page 2 of the Step Up to Better Housing handout, the last bullet point under Permanent Housing Strategies says “Support agencies that provide housing stabilization services”. Farmer said that Just Food is one of those agencies that assists with housing stabilization for its customers.
National and local statistics indicate that 1 in 6 families struggle with being able to afford food. Just Food enables those families to have good, nutritious food they would not be able to afford otherwise. Just Food also provides training in the way of cooking classes, which teaches the families how to do more with less. While Just Food and the purchase of the refrigerated box truck does not impact housing direct, it still affects a significant number of people indirectly by freeing up money for the other necessities besides food. Farmer asked if there were any questions.
Bush asked Farmer if he had the specs that had been requested at the January 24 committee meeting. Farmer responded that because the specs are for used trucks, they are constantly changing. The three trucks indicated on the original estimate from the application are no longer available for purchase as the inventory fluctuates regularly. He will provide a link to Dresslar which outlines the details on the range of trucks available.
Belt apologized for missing the January 24 meeting, but indicated the he was the one who initiated the vote at the previous meeting to reverse and remove funding for the truck. He pointed out that a similar project for the Boys and Girls Club (BGC) bus had been vetoed in the past. The committee is concerned there would be a precedent for funding a truck that would open the way for others to submit requests for non-housing related projects.
Farmer replied that Colby Wilson with the Boys and Girls Club is a good friend of his. However, there is a difference between their request and Just Food’s request for funding. The bus for BGC is for daycare. The bus for Just Food is about food, which is a life and death issue; it will be assisting with a basic human need, which is food. Farmer said that families do not typically decide if they are going to spend money on rent or daycare; daycare is not a necessity. Families do, however, have to choose sometimes between paying for food versus paying for housing.
Belt said this is one of those hard decisions that has to be made. He cannot debate the need for food. Belt asked if partially funding the truck would help.
Farmer responded it would not. They do not have additional funds available in the budget this year to spend on a truck purchase. They have only budgeted for annual maintenance for the vehicle. He added that Just Food has requested this funding for a while. Without the refrigerated truck, they are not able to capitalize on the $5,000-$10,000 of food that is being thrown away every week. He also said that they would take whatever funding they could get, but that they would not be able to make up the cost difference this year.
Wilbur asked if a capital drive could be completed to help with funding this year.
Farmer replied they would prefer to find someone to fully fund the truck so they can put it in operation immediately. Just Food only has two full-time staff members, so it is difficult to organize a drive. The potential is there to get a significant amount of food, and to save a significant amount of money. Having the truck would allow them to put expensive food like dairy products, eggs and produce in the hands of families that otherwise would not be able to afford it. Three to four gallons of milk in one month can add up to $20. Farmer said that amount may not seem like much money, but to some it can be a significant amount.
Belt asked what other funding sources have been pursued.
Farmer responded they have applied with Wal-Mart, the Kansas Health Foundation the Westar Energy Efficient program, The Westar program will be giving them a van, but that does not address the need for refrigerated transport. Certain stores have a mandate requiring a minimum temperature to maintain during transport. If the temperature cannot be maintained, they will not release the food.
Polson said everyone supports the truck at a basic level. The problem is the practical reality that the amount available for funding needed programs is decreasing every year.
Bush stated she is troubled about not funding something like this truck with is at an urgent need level, as compared to funding something like the Breezedale monument restoration.
Wilbur said he agrees with Bush; he appreciates funding a program that addresses an immediate need. People will not be out of a house if funding were not approved on the Breezedale project.
Minor asked would people be making a choice if the Breezedale project were not funded.
Polson commented that options for monument funding are not as plentiful as is funding for food programs. The monuments are falling down, which perpetuates a decline in the community when you see the area around you decaying.
Belt said it is a matter of civic pride, both in heritage and community, to maintain neighborhoods.
Bush said there is an urgent need for housing and support.
Minor asked are people hurting for food or for a monument?
Bush queried how many people are directly affected? Over 40,000 cars pass the Breezedale neighborhood area monuments every day.
Wilbur moved to zero fund 14a City of Lawrence Planning & Development Services, Breezedale Monument Restoration and to fund 9b, Just Food of Douglas County, Refrigerated Box Truck, in the amount of $25,000. Bush seconded the motion.
Belt said historic preservation is a rich society’s leisure. Funding should be going to those most in need. However, someone will get left out despite the committee’s best efforts; the committee cannot help everyone. Belt feels the $25,000 is better suited to funding the need for the truck. However, members should also consider historic and civic pride. Belt reiterated that is does not want people to starve, but that there are compelling points to support funding for the truck.
The motion failed, 2-2.
Bush said funding the truck strikes her as a good investment. Just Food’s plan is great, especially when combined with the cooking classes they offer. People are trying to improve their situations, and the food is free for getting with the proper transport.
Belt pointed out that $25,000 is still under-funding the request.
Bush said the committee was given a range of $25,000-$35,000.
Minor asked what the difference is between a $25,000 truck and a $35,000 truck. Farmer responded that the mileage on the truck would most likely cause the difference in price.
Wilbur asked if that meant Just Food would not have to return next year with additional funding requests. Farmer responded no, Just Food would not need to return for more funding for the truck.
Minor thought a local dealer might be able to provide a better price. Farmer responded that local dealers do not carry refrigerated box trucks as they are a specialized item. They have contacted dealers in Kansas City, Topeka, and Missouri.
The motion was voted on again and failed, 2-2. Polson said the committee will revisit this item at the next meeting after everyone has had time to think about it some more.
Polson asked if any of the committee members had any thoughts about the Beacon project.
Wilbur replied that he does not want to remove funding from the Beacon project. Bush agreed with Wilbur.
Minor said the project is in line with the policies.
4. Discussion of 2013 CDBG Public Services.
Belt proposed allocating a percentage of funds across the board to all applicants.
Bush responded doing that does not allow for any changes to be completed by the applicants.
Belt asked if Ballard had submitted an application in 2012 as they were not funded. Dresslar responded that they had missed the deadline last year.
Bush moved to fund 7a, Douglas County AIDS Project, Emergency Assistance Program, in the amount of $4,633. Belt seconded the motion.
The motion passed 5-0.
Wilbur moved to fund 8a, Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc., Tenant-Landlord Counseling and Education Programs, in the amount of $24,990. Belt seconded the motion.
The motion passed 5-0.
Belt asked how the Lawrence Community Shelter (LCS) has done with their fundraisers.
Swarts responded LCS had a scheduled fundraiser in recent months that had to be cancelled. They had to refund what had been raised in conjunction with that event.
Belts inquired if LCS had achieved its capital goals.
Swarts responded she believes they did. There was not much excess in the capital fund anyway, but they raised enough to do their project.
Polson asked if LCS is still making dog biscuits.
Swarts responded yes they are. She added the new facility is approximately 35,000 square feet, with 20,000 being used as the shelter and the remaining 15,000 being proposed as warehouse space. It would be used to continue making the dog biscuits and provide other services, including training along the same lines as job training. LCS has only been in the new space for a couple of months; plans are still under way to complete the work for the space usage.
Wilbur asked if LCS gets funding through the City.
Swarts replied that it gets some money from the general fund through Outside Agency funding. This source also funds the Salvation Army, Willow and Housing and Credit Counseling.
Bush said she had made some calculations based on last year’s funding and allocations, and it looked like the neighborhood associations got 67% of 2011 funding, and 63.5% in 2012. LCS was funded at 50% in 2011, and 75% in 2012. She made the comment if the committee funded everything, some projects would be completely gutted, like the neighborhoods. She suggested the committee could fund LCS for $52,500 versus $70,000, which would be the same percentage allocation as last year.
Bush moved to fund 10a, Lawrence Community Shelter, Operating Expenses, in the amount of $52,500. Minor seconded the motion.
Wilbur said that was not leaving a lot to fund other programs.
Belt proposed zero funding LCS, and allocating 100% funding to everything else. He then asked Dresslar to show the committee what a 63% funding allocation of all programs would look like across the board.
Bush withdrew the motion. Minor seconded removing the motion.
Polson opened the floor to the public for comment.
Elena Ivanov with Douglas County AIDS Project (DCAP) introduced herself. She stated that the funds requested by DCAP have already been accounted for in their budget and spent. If the total allocation is lumped in as a flat percent with the rest of the applicants, it would cause a shortfall in their budget and would pose a hardship.
There were no questions for Ivanov.
Melinda Toumi with the Pinckney Neighborhood Association (PNA) introduced herself. Toumi stated the Pinckney neighborhood is growing, with 80% of the families at the federal poverty level. Several families are recipients of the Just Food program and their children receive backpacks from the schools. The PNA has introduced several community events including a June picnic, trunk or treat and a Just Food drive. Toumi pointed out that having neighborhood associations gives individuals and families a sense of community. After catastrophic events, it is the neighborhood and community network that provides the most assistance, not the government.
Toumi indicated because there are more people in the neighborhood, there are more needs. Many of the residents in the community rent their homes; less than half are homeowners. As a result, the water bills are typically paid by the owners of the homes, so the residents do not receive the city newsletter. Toumi stated PNA provides a neighborhood newsletter, but printing costs are expensive. PNA also would like to continue to provide green spaces in the neighborhood, including nature trails and similar things. Funds are also needed for a coordinator.
There were no questions for Toumi.
Polson asked Farmer if he would like to make a presentation on the funding request for 9a, Just Food of Douglas County, Enhance Access to Healthy Food Program.
Farmer gave a brief overview of the program. He said that it provides a way for families to get healthier food. It features a choice-based system which makes healthy food alternatives available and provides instruction on what to do with it. The overall goal is to help families save money so they don’t need to come back.
There were no questions for Farmer.
Wilbur asked for confirmation the committee had currently fully funded items 7a and 8a.
Dresslar responded yes, both were voted to be fully funded.
Polson moved to fund 10a, Lawrence Community Shelter, Operating Expenses, in the amount of $45,000. Bush seconded the motion.
The motion passed 4-1.
Belt commented that Toumi made a compelling argument to fund the neighborhood associations. He suggested looking at each application for items 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a and 5a to see how much each neighborhood association had budgeted for coordinator and newsletter costs, and to fund each item accordingly.
Minor asked for clarification that Belt meant to fund only those two targeted items for each neighborhood but not to fully fund them.
Belt responded yes, to only fund those specific line items for each association.
Bush suggested the neighborhood allocations be addressed at the next meeting. Belt agreed the committee should wait and discuss them in March.
6. Miscellaneous/Calendar.
The next meeting is March 14, 2013.
The public hearing is at the first meeting in April. Swarts said that a preliminary decision needs to be made for April, and then presented to the City Commission in May. There is a timeline to take into account for grant applications, and the proposed allocations must be presented for public comment before they can be awarded.
Dresslar said Hethcoat resigned from his position on the committee.
Belt added he is moving to Washington state next week, so this will be his last meeting.
Dresslar said that leaves 3 openings on the committee: one at-large and two from low/mod neighborhoods.
Polson asked why is it neighborhood specific if the committee members are not identified by neighborhoods.
Swarts responded the Citizen Participation Plan outlines the requirements for committee members.
Bush followed up by asking if that meant that there could be three members from the Old West Lawrence neighborhood.
Swarts replied conceivably yes, but having representatives from a single neighborhood is not recommended.
Minor added there is not a quorum without five members being present, which could be a problem.
Swarts said yes, that’s true. Current committee members need to show up for the meetings. With eight current positions filled, five people must be present for a quorum.
Swarts encouraged committee members to reach out to people they know who might be interested in serving on the committee. Potential candidates cannot currently be from the East Lawrence, Pinckney or Brook Creek neighborhoods as those areas are already represented.
7. Public Comment.
There were no additional comments from the public.
8. Adjourn.
Polson moved to adjourn the February 28, 2013 meeting of the CDAC at 7:07 pm. Minor seconded the motion.
The motion passed 5-0.
Attendance Record
|
Members |
Jan 10 |
Jan 24 |
Feb 14 |
Feb 28 |
Mar 14 |
Mar 28 |
Apr 11 |
Apr 25 |
May |
Jun |
July |
Aug 8 |
Aug 22 |
Sept 12 |
Sept 26 |
Oct 10 |
Oct 24 |
Nov 14 |
Dec 14 |
|
Deron Belt |
+ |
E |
+ |
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linda Bush |
E* |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eric Hethcoat |
+ |
+ |
E |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quinn Miller |
+ |
E |
E |
E |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Julie Mitchell |
+ |
+ |
+ |
E |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vern Norwood |
+ |
E |
+ |
E |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aimee Polson |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Teixeira |
+ |
E |
E |
E |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick Wilbur |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James Minor |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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