Housing Commission

JOINT WORK SESSION City of Manistee Housing Commission and the Manistee City Council January 9, 2013 A Joint Work Session of the City of Manistee Housing Commission and the Manistee City Council was held at 7:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers to discuss issues regarding a CMHC Board Member appointed by the Manistee City Council. Mitch Dietsch, City Manager called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. indicating that this work session was called by the Manistee City Council to get more information on this issue. Our attorney, George Saylor addressed the Manistee City Council addressing both the legal and ethical issues of the Board Member’s contact with HUD. These contacts have been making like more difficult for the Housing Commission. That is the reason that the City of Manistee Housing Commission is asking for approval of Resolution 2012-27 by the Manistee City Council. The Mayor and City Council can remove any person that has been appointed to a Board or Committee. At the last City Council Meeting there was a motion to table Resolution 2012-27 AF until the City Council had more information. Since people volunteer for board’s and committees the City Council wants to be sure the process is fair and they have a good understanding of the facts. T Clinton McKinven-Copus, Executive director of the City of Manistee Housing Commission was asked to describe what has been going on in this case. He reported that a Board Member has been going directly to HUD with complaints that had not been reported to him or discussed D locally with other Board Members, which should occur except in a case of malfeasance. Due to R this direct contact with HUD and accusations made, a great deal of staff time has been taken up in providing extra information to HUD which could have been avoided. Issues that were reported to HUD were issues that had been discussed at previous meetings and voted on by the board. The City Manager asked the board member in question to provide information on the accusations that he had before they make any decision on Resolution 1012-27. The board member shared issues that he had with the council, and indicated there should be more oversight of the City of Manistee Housing Commission Board by the Manistee City Council. Government agencies are difficult to deal with as they have their own stipulations and frequently do not have good explanations of their requirements. Therefore, we need a board that can work well together and work with HUD. The board should just be an oversight, not micro-manage the Housing Commission. City Council Members asked if City of Manistee Housing Commission Board Members would consider a censure instead of removal of the board member in question. Could this relationship possibly improve over the next three months, if not, removal could be considered at that time? The board member offered to resign if the board relationship did not improve in the next 90 days. Joint Work Session January 8, 2013 Page 2 City Manager Mitch Diesch asked Attorney, George Saylor about how to address this issue at the next City Council Meeting. There will need to be a voted of the Manistee City Council at their next regular meeting on Resolution 2012-1 7. There was no further business to discuss at this meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. ____________________________________ ______________________________________ Dale Priester Clinton McKinven-Copus President Executive Director Commission Secretary AF T DR