January 8, 2015 Minutes (City Commission Room)
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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Jenna Coker, Alex Delaney, Jonathan Holley, Steven Koprince, James Minor, Travis Weller, Patrick Wilbur |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Linda Bush, Vern Norwood |
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STAFF PRESENT: |
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Danelle Dresslar, Brad Karr |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
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Rebecca Buford (Tenants to Homeowners), John Harvey (Habitat for Humanity), Shannon Oury (Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority), David Rhodes, Suzanne Rhodes |
Chair Minor called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
1. Introductions.
Members introduced themselves.
2. Approval of the September 25, 2014 Minutes.
Delaney moved to approve the CDAC meeting minutes from September 25, 2014. Weller seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-0.
3. Tax Credit Project Presentation – Bethel Estates of Lawrence
Dresslar introduced David and Suzanne Rhodes of Wheatland Investments LLC, and reminded the committee that this was the same proposal that was recommended for approval in January 2014. The project was not awarded state tax credits from the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation last year; Bethel Estates of Lawrence are reapplying this year and need a resolution of support from the community to include in the application.
David Rhodes explained that applications for state tax credits from the KHRC are rated on a scoring system, and they feel that have improved their application over last year. The property is located at the NW corner of E 25th Terrace and O’Connell Rd. The project consists of 15 buildings with six apartments per building (4 two bedroom units/2 one bedroom units). The apartments will be for seniors 55 and older and will be built in two phases. Phase one will consist of eight buildings plus the leasing office/meeting room. The property will be owned and managed by Wheatland Investments LLC, and the state tax credits are a 30 year commitment.
Weller asked if any written comments were provided from the KHRC about last year’s application. Rhodes said no written comments were provided; 53 project applications were submitted, and 19 were awarded the state tax credits.
Wilbur asked what improvements were made to the application this year. Rhodes indicated that they were going to try to structure the project with more equity/less debt involved, and lower income limits required for those living in the units. Coker asked what the monthly rents would be. Suzanne Rhodes said that the monthly rents are in relation to the tenant’s monthly income; one bedroom units would range from $450 to $700 per month.
David Rhodes said they have been developing and managing similar projects since 1975. Other projects are 100% rented, with a waiting list.
Minor moved to recommend approval of the submission of the Wheatland Investments, LLC application to the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation for the Low income Housing Tax Credit Program to construct affordable senior rental housing at E 25th Terrace and O’Connell Road in Lawrence. The motion was seconded by Weller and passed 7-0.
4. Discussion of Chair and Vice-Chair positions.
Dresslar reminded the committee that the Chair and Vice-Chair positions would need to be voted on. Minor said traditionally the committee has voted the Vice-Chair in as Chair, but a new Chair could also be nominated. Wilbur (current Vice-Chair) indicated that he would not be offended if someone else was nominated.
Delaney made a motion to nominate Patrick Wilbur as Chair of the CDAC. The motion was seconded by Coker. Wilbur accepted the nomination. No other nominations were made. The motion passed 7-0.
Weller made a motion to nominate Alex Delaney as Vice-Chair of the CDAC. The motion was seconded by Koprince. Delaney accepted the nomination. No other nominations were made. The motion passed 7-0.
5. Discuss of 2015 CDBG/HOME applications and timeline.
Dresslar said the reallocation and program income amounts could change, so she suggested that the deliberation of the capital improvement allocations be conducted last. Weller asked where the program income came from. Dresslar explained that the emergency/furnace program and the comprehensive rehabilitation program are loans that require repayment, which goes back into the capital improvement allocation.
Staff reduced the grant estimates by 5% from last year, but the final amounts have not yet been determined by Congress.
Karr explained to the committee that the application cover sheet for Community Living Opportunities has been amended to match the project described in the narrative.
Weller asked about the Overland Park, KS address listed on the application for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. Dresslar said the Overland Park address is their main headquarters office for all of NE Kansas, but they do have a Lawrence address on 13th St. and Kentucky St.; any money allocated will be used for the Lawrence community only.
Weller asked if anyone from last year had not spent their allocation. Dresslar said we are only halfway through the grant year, but spending has been steady.
Weller asked if there was any information on the traffic calming device application in North Lawrence. Delaney said the device was approved by the City for installation, but no funding was available. Koprince serves on the Traffic Safety Commission and agreed that the project was approved, but no City funding exists for a long list of traffic calming devices that have been approved.
Coker stated that she sat on this board in the 1990’s and the grant amounts for allocation were about five times higher back then, and every applicant came to speak to the committee about their application.
Delaney suggested that they start with the HOME allocation deliberations. Wilbur agreed that HOME should be first, then public service, with capital improvements last.
Dresslar suggested that they stick to one category for each meeting, in case the applicants want to come and speak to the committee. Allocations are usually wrapped up by March, with the public hearing in April, and to the City Commission in May.
The committee agreed to discuss the HOME applications at the next meeting on January 22, 2015. Dresslar asked the committee if they would like her to notify the applicants as to what date each category will be discussed. Minor agreed that would give the applicants a chance to speak with the committee if they would like.
Coker asked about locating the allocation amounts from last year. Dresslar said the historical information is on the City’s website, and staff would email Coker a link to the data.
6. Public Comment.
There was no public comment.
7. Miscellaneous/Calendar.
The next meeting of the CDAC will be on January 22, 2015 and will begin the HOME allocation deliberations.
8. Adjourn.
Weller moved to adjourn the January 8, 2015 meeting of the CDAC at 6:02 p.m. Minor seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-0.
Attendance Record
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Members |
Jan 8 |
Jan 22 |
Feb 12 |
Feb 26 |
Mar12 |
Mar 26 |
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Linda Bush |
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Jenna Coker |
+* |
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Alex Delaney |
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Jonathan Holley |
+* |
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Steven Koprince |
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James Minor |
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Vern Norwood |
U |
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Travis Weller |
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Patrick Wilbur |
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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
^ Last Meeting