Rehabilitation Review Committee

MINUTES OF THE REHABILITATION REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING September 9 , 2015 2:15 PM Members Present: Rodney Bowie, Jim Troeger, Jim Roberts, Joe East & Gary Evans Absent: Terell Wilson Others Present: Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary Chairman Rodney Bowie called the Rehab Review Committee meeting to order at 2:19 PM. A quorum was determined. Rodney Bowie asked for approval of the June 11, 2015 Meeting Minutes. Motion was made by Rodney Bowie and seconded by Gary Evans to accept the minutes – unanimous . Old Business – None New Business – Wayne Sharkey stated that the City did not receive lead funding in this round. He confirmed that Waterbury, New Haven and the State did. He also said that there is the potential of another round of lead funding coming in either November 2015 or January 2016 and we would know more once we have the debriefing from HUD. Mr. Evans stated that since the office is losing lead funding he will be unable to staff the office; Jacquie will lose her position in November; Sue will be laid off in January and Wayne will be laid off in June if we aren’t funded in the next grant cycles. He also stated that his position is funded mostly by CDBG so he will remain without staffing. Due to the lack of funding and the timing of future grants, he suggested a temporary suspension of the existing program and requested a modified program to replace the current program until the City can apply for another lead grant. He stated there is a very high probability to be awarded funding in the next cycle which would be in the spring of 2016 and we would bring back the existing program. Wayne explained that CDBG funds have certain criteria that have to be followed if work is done that could disturb lead paint. In order to avoid a comprehensive lead inspection he suggested the Property Rehab component concentrate on replacement/conversions to high efficiency heating systems. He stated that 36 heating systems were completed in the past 3 years under the current program so the demand is there and he felt confident that there was an 80% chance of the City being awarded funding in the next round. Gary stated that based on the bid/costs the office has seen, he suggested amounts of funding for heating units for 1 to 3 family owner occupied properties as follows: $12,000 for 1 unit, $18,000 for 2 unit and $24,000 for a 3 unit. Wayne confirmed that the average cost for a heating unit for a 1 family has been between $7,500 and $10,000. There was a brief discussion on NPU rebates and if the City could get the rebate since it was purchasing the units. Gary stated that HUD accounting methods make that difficult and the customer is paying the City back; it is not a grant program, it’s a loan. Wayne stated the temporary policy is to buy more time (approx. 6 months) until the next round of funding when we will know if we can restore the original program. Gary stated this also allows the department to work with some of the properties on the wait-list that needed new heating systems. Jim Troeger asked how people would be qualified. Gary stated it would be the same application process that we currently have and HUD guidelines would be enforced. Gary made a motion to suspend the existing Property Rehab Program as well as to create and begin implementing a temporary heating program for up to 3 family owner occupied homes with a 10 year repayment: $12,000 – 1 family, $18,000 – 2 family and $24,000 – 3 family. Elderly occupants will remain deferred. Second by Jim Roberts – unanimous. Gary suggested meeting as scheduled in October to approve the revised temporary rehab policy that was presented. Mr. Evans made a motion to allow the remaining staff members of the Community Development Office to approve applicants under the temporary new criteria for heating systems and to provide reports to the Rehab Review Committee; properties will be limited to 1-3 family owner occupied. The committee will focus on policy/procedures and appeals until future funding is determined. Jim Roberts seconded – unanimous. Appeals/ Requests - None Final Payments - None Open Discussion – None Adjournment Motion to adjourn by Rodney Bowie - unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 3:21 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jacquie Barbarossa Recording Secretary