HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.05.2004• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 5, 2004
4:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Cole, Greenwood, Clark, Gunderson, Welper.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Clark that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Motion carried.
Rudy Jones, Community Development Director, reviewed the FY2005 Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs. Community Development Block Grant applications
must meet the following specifications: benefiting low- and moderate -income persons,
preventing or eliminating slums or blight, or meeting other community development needs
having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to
the health or welfare of the community and other financial resources are not available to meet
such needs. The city received an estimated $1.6 million in CDBG funds last year.
The HOME program has the following eligible activities: homeowner rehabilitation, homebuyer
activities, rental housing and tenant -based rental assistance. Last year the city received around
$700,000 HOME funds.
The city has received HUD lead -based grant in the amount of $2.1 million. The grant is for 3.5
years and allows hiring of staff, education and training of contractors and partnering with other
agencies regarding lead hazards in our community.
Over the past three years, the CDBG and HOME funds have been redirected from social
concerns to owner/occupied housing, using the targeted neighborhood approach. The city has
worked with Unity and We Care Neighborhood Associations and guided them in the targeted
neighborhoods. A positive affect has been seen by the increased assessed value of properties in
the targeted areas This has been accomplished through demolition, new construction and
neighborhood involvement. In addition over the past two years, the city has also focused on the
Rath Brownfield area. This is the last year for the targeted Unity and We Care areas, and
Community Development will be planning the location of the next targeted neighborhood.
Community Development is in the process of accepting applications for the FY 2005 CDBG and
HOME program funds The deadline for accepting applications is January 5, 2004. The
Community Development Board will hold a public hearing on January 13, 2004 to gain citizen
input for preparing the city's Consolidated Plan. A subcommittee of the Community
Development Board has been selected to review proposals and formulate a recommendation on
the use of the funds by early February. The second public hearing will be held on February 17,
2004, March 1, 2004 is the start of the 30-day comment period, the city council will hold a
public hearing on April 26, 2004 and the application will be submitted to HUD on May 10, 2004.
Economic development funds have been received to address roofs city-wide. Over 100 requests
for owner -occupant rehabilitation and rental rehabilitation were received, with 90 percent of the
requests within the Brownfield area. Twenty percent of owner -occupied funds are used city-
wide. According to the State Housing Task Force, homeowner maintenance is a major problem,
and Waterloo has an old housing stock.
Applications are primarily individual driven even though we have targeted neighborhoods.
Applications from individuals are reviewed for locations, and if the property is located in the
targeted area, they are given a higher priority. If the home is located outside the targeted area,
the applicant is put on a waiting list. The Rehab Specialist and Rehab Supervisor inspect the
property to see how critical the repair is to the overall of the house. Rental rehabilitation is an
eligible activity for funding if the Community Development Board and City Council approve
funding in that activity. Approximately 200,000 to 240,000 Housing Authority funds have been
put in the Brownfield Area.
Another housing study may be performed to see where we are at since the last study. The study
may be blended with the Highway 63 study.
Council Work Session
January 5, 2004
Page 2
The Section 8 rental assistance program helps low-income citizens. Approximately 1,000 units
per year are assisted through the Section 8 rental program, using approximately $2 million in
funds.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Clark, seconded by Welper that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:19 p.m. Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk