Rehabilitation Review Committee

MINUTES OF THE REHAB REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 13, 2011 8:45 AM Members Present: Jim Troeger, Joe East, Kevin Lin, Tucker Braddock, and Gary Evans Absent: Chairman Rodney Bowie, Jim Roberts Others Present: Greg Arpin, Building Official, Wayne Sharkey, Denise Blake and Linda Lee Smith In the absence of Chairman Rodney Bowie Jim Troeger called the Rehab Review Committee meeting to order at 8:52 a.m. A quorum was determined. Motion was made by Tucker Braddock and seconded by Kevin Lin to accept the minutes of the April 13, 2011 meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Old Business None New Business Discussion on Homeowner Appeal Letter An appeal letter from a homeowner was handed out. The homeowner was requesting an additional $11,290 in lead funding, to make up the shortfall needed to move forward with her project. The lowest responsible bid received exceeds the total combined lead and rehab funding necessary to begin the project. Greg Arpin, Building Official did the original code inspections on the project. He noted in a report to Wayne Sharkey there were some floor joists have pulled away 3½” from the sill with little or no bearing left to the first floor, and it has since worsened. Garry Ferrari from CLA Engineers performed a structural inspection of the property, and noted there was one wall that was leaning over, and the only way to stop it was to have a good connection on both sides with some metal brackets and 2-by blocks. This is not an expensive, or difficult structural repair but more than the amount allowed for the project. Wayne Sharkey said that the lowest bid was $57,290 and it includes: lead; an entire restructure of the existing entryway to the rear three floors with the porch and deck areas; windows; exterior trim for lead hazards; repairing some knob and tube wiring that is exposed in several upper floors of the property. Two thirds of the overall cost of this project is on the lead side and funding is available; and they’ve met the goals as required by the HUD grant. There is no loan-to-value with the Lead Program. Wayne Sharkey explained the property was originally a three family, rezoned to a single family and converted in 1975 before she purchased it. That is one reason why this size property could have a shortfall of lead funding. The family of six has lived there since 2002 with three children, the youngest being 12, but now there is also a newborn baby. Greg Arpin, Building Official, said that in 2010 there was a flood in the basement and 1 the Fire Dept. was called in to pump out the basement, which may have had a lot to do with the damaged foundation. Mr. Arpin stated that due to the combination of the first floor being unsafe and the extremely poor/unsafe condition of the back stairs, the property would have to be condemned. Wayne Sharkey said that the specifications have been stripped down to bare necessities to include lead or code required items. The heating system couldn’t be accommodated because of the lack of funding. On the rehab side Wayne does not feel comfortable signing contracts without a buffer of $5,000 for unforeseen rehab funds if needed to finish this project. The rehab funds include the $3,500 to fix the foundation. Wayne said that for the Lead Program they committed to complete 72 units and have met their goal with 100 units. The cost for the units is well below what they had initially anticipated. The funds are available for the potential increase in lead, if approved by the committee. Wayne Sharkey said with basic eligibility anyone may appeal to the committee for exceptions when taxes are owed, increased funding, etc. If additional funding is needed the homeowner should take the initiative to see if he or she qualifies for available equity or financing options. Guidelines need to be put in place. Criteria should be based on a child under the age of six occupying the property, a child with an elevated blood lead level, or possibly the frequent visitation of the property by children under the age of six; no other considerations should be given. The lead funds are to protect children in hazardous situations. Motion was made by Joe East and seconded by Tucker Braddock to increase the lead funding for project #RLP0931 by $11,290 in order to begin the project. Motion carried unanimously. Gary Evans left at 10:07 a.m. At the next meeting Wayne will give an update on the Lead Program, and discuss possible guidelines for similar appeals in the future. Wayne will put together a potential list of criteria. He would also like to discuss how to address unforeseen rehab issues that may arise when there is not enough funding to cover the lowest responsible bid on a project. Also, policy needs to be set on how to equitably accept 5-6 new applications. Open Discussions None New Applications None Adjournment A motion was made by Jim Troeger and seconded by Joe East to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m. 2