HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.16.2001• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 16, 2001
4:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Anders, Jordan, Krizek, Murphy, Gronen, Getty, Berry.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Berry that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
Rich Earles, Community Development Director, reviewed the Consolidated Plan. Mr. Earles
stated that the process to approve the Consolidated Plan starts in January and goes through May
when the Plan is submitted to the HUD. A public hearing is scheduled in January, a Community
Development Board hearing in March, the Plan is forwarded to the council in April for their
approval and then the Plan is sent to HUD in May for approval.
Mr. Earles stated that Community Development priorities changed in FY 99 when the Community
Development Board determined that housing would be the first priority in Community
Development activities in the city. Community Development funding is directed toward housing
related activities until such time as the housing needs have been adequately addressed. It has been
determined that the city needs 1,296 additional housing and there are over 5,000
deteriorated/dilapidated houses in the city.
Mr. Earles stated that 105 properties have been purchased using the Downpayment Payment
Assistance Program. Through the Downpayment Assistance Program, 733 persons completed
home buyer training of which approximately 184 of those have purchased home, 105 homes have
been purchased using downpayment assistance, 37 properties have used GAP financing,
$93,861.89 in downpayment assistance, $3,694,327.00 in private investment with $332,326.00
additional community economic benefit.
Community Development Block Grant and O.T. Target Area funding include:
Rehab 117
New 15
EDI 45
GAP 42
Mr. Earles reviewed a map of the city showing the Target Area, Enterprise Zone, Consolidated
Urban Revitalization Area and Brownfields area. The Brownfields housing occupancy includes
12 percent contract buyer, 38 percent rental and 50 percent owner occupied. Mr. Earles reviewed
the Brownfields housing value.
Mr. Earles asked if the city should continue targeting its specific area or is it time to transition to
another area.
Eric Johnson, Chairperson of the Community Development Board, stated that the initial goal for
the targeted area was three years. Mr. Johnson commented that the targeted area has seen a big
improvement. Mr. Johnson stated that he feels targeting a specific area has a significant impact
rather than funding a little here and there for the service organizations. Mr. Johnson stated that
$2 million goes pretty quickly when it comes to large requests. Mr. Johnson stated that the
Community Development Board would like to partner with the Riverfront Renaissance Plan.
Councilperson Anders stated that he supports targeting the funds for housing and would support
targeting another area. Councilperson Anders stated he would like the Community Development
Board to consider other areas such as Parker Street.
Mr. Earles stated that staff is recommending that the Brownfields be the next targeted area
because along with the grant this seems the next logical area..
Council Work Session
January 16, 2001
Page 2
Councilperson Getty stated he supports the housing program 100 percent and is in favor of
staying with the housing program.
A member of the Community Development Board stated that there is not enough money, and that
a lot of the citizens confuse the Community Development Board with the Waterloo Housing
Authority. If there are neighborhoods that need help, perhaps the Housing Authority could look
at that or work with the Community Development Board to help these neighborhoods.
Don Temeyer, City Planner, stated that through efficient administration of the program there are
some funds in the Waterloo Housing Authority Program that staff is looking at how to best layer
with other city functions. The city council will review and make recommendations on to use the
funds.
It was the consensus of the council that Community Development Block Grant funds continue to
be directed toward housing related activities.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Anders that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk