City Council

City of Peoria 419 Fulton Street Peoria, IL 61602 Meeting Minutes Tuesday, May 20, 2014 5:30 PM Special City Council Meeting Gateway Building 200 NE Water Street, Peoria, Illinois 61614 City Council AGENDAS AND PROCEEDINGS ISSUED BY: BETH BALL, MMC, OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CITY HALL, ROOM 401 (309) 494-8565 Agendas/Minutes and supporting documentation are available online at www.peoriagov.org. City Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2014 ROLL CALL Present: 10 - Council Member Grayeb, Council Member Jensen, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Montelongo, Council Member Moore, Council Member Riggenbach, Council Member Spain, Council Member Turner, Council Member Weaver and Mayor Ardis Absent: 1- Council Member Akeson INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Jim Ardis requested a moment of silent prayer or silent reflection, and then he led the Pledge of Allegiance. PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES & COMMUNICATIONS – CITY OF PEORIA 14-201 PRESENTATION by the PEORIA HOUSING AUTHORITY on the TAFT HOMES PROJECT. Mayor Ardis introduced Peoria Housing Authority Chairman Ken Zika who presented a PowerPoint presentation with an overview of the Peoria Housing Authority and the proposed Taft Housing Project. A copy of the PowerPoint was distributed to the City Council Members. Chairman Zika discussed the Peoria Housing Authority's function in the community and the current demographics of the Taft Homes complex. Chairman Zeka reviewed the current and future steps that would be taken by the Peoria Housing Authority Board with regards to the Taft Homes Project . Peoria Housing Authority's Executive Director Brenda Coates discussed the challenges and inspections of the Taft site. She discussed the condition of the property and the amount of funds that was needed to maintain this property in order to pass inspection. She explained the new Housing Urban Development (HUD) Program called Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), which would convert public housing units to Section 8 property-based assistance. 14-202 DISCUSSION by the City Council and the PEORIA HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. Mayor Ardis asked Chairman Zika about a timeline for the proposed Taft Homes Project . Chairman Zika stated that the PHA was focused on the old Greeley School site, which would be the first phase of the project He stated the timeline for completion of the entire Taft Home Project would take years to complete. In response to Mayor Ardis, Chairman Zika explained that there has not been a site selection except for the current Greeley site. He stated that the PHA would continue to hold public meetings to determine future sites. Council Member Spain thanked Chairman Zika for the presentation and inquired about the Greeley site and the potential tax credits involved with this project. Chairman Zika responded that the Greeley site was the proposed first phase to relocate Taft Homes. He said the PHA and the City would need to work together to make this a successful project . In response to Council Member Johnson, Chairman Zika said the PHA would review the characteristics and support services of potential sites that would meet HUD standards and provide better support for the residents. Council Member Montelongo thanked City Manager Urich and the Peoria Housing Authority Board for arranging this meeting. He expressed concerns about the overall process and potential relocation of PHA Housing into the 4th District. In response to Council Member Montelongo, Chairman Zika explained that the Greeley site had to be chosen in order to qualify for tax credits and to be eligible for the RAD City of Peoria Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2014 Program. Executive Director Brenda Coates stated that meetings in the community were necessary in order to hire a co-developer in regards to the potential relocation of the Taft Homes Project. She stated that no large development was planned, and that the PHA was only discussing a 30-unit housing project. Council Member Montelongo expressed concern that a 30-unit project would be detrimental to a neighborhood. Council Member Moore stated that the City Council encouraged the PHA to approach the community for input regarding plans for redevelopment of the Taft Project . Council Member Riggenbach thanked Chairman Zika for the informative presentation. He said cooperation between the PHA and City Council was needed in order for this project to be successful. He further remarked how important and valuable communication from the citizens was in order to accomplish this project. Council Member Jensen questioned the PHA Board's plans for community involvement. Chairman Zeka responded that the PHA would need the City's cooperation in order to move forward in that process. In response to Council Member Jensen's question whether the PHA would consider a mixed income development. Chairman Zika stated that the PHA would consider that type of development if the financing was available. In response to Mayor Ardis' question regarding the voucher system, Chairman Zika said there were two types of Section Eight Housing Systems: the voucher system, where a person qualified because of income and family size and could approach a landlord that met certain PHA criteria to obtain proper housing; and Section Eight Housing, which was called Project Based, where a business or individual made an agreement with HUD to build a complex that would meet criteria for subsidized housing. Council Member Weaver expressed concerns about balancing the needs of the community, specifically noting the middle class who provided the City's tax base. He questioned the financial stability of the PHA to continue to maintain the current managed units. He also stated what the process included the PHA educating the Council and the community on the management skillsthat would be needed to accomplish this project. In response to Council Member Weaver 's question, Chairman Zika stated that the PHA failed inspection two years ago, but recently passed inspections, which indicated that the PHA had taken matters seriously and would continue to improve the managed properties. Chairman Zika answered Council Member Spain about the difference between the current Taft and Riverwest and how the management styles compared between the two properties. Chairman Zika said the PHA did not manage Riverwest, but did manage Riverwest South; therefore, he was unable to compare management styles. He indicated that PHA management had improved and would continue to improve. Council Member Spain voiced concerns about problems at Taft and asked how the PHA would approach those problems, Chairman Zika indicated that with continued cooperation with the Peoria Police , implementation of a No Trespassing List and following internal procedures would help improve these problems. Council Member Spain indicated that transformation was needed in order to resolve these issues. Peoria Housing Authority Commissioner John Williams agreed that performance and management issues needed improvement, and that the PHA would continue to work on addressing these issues . In response to Council Member Spain's questions about programs and the need for participation of these programs, Chairman Zika and Executive Director Coates indicated that the PHA endeavored to provide various programs to residents and families who resided in PHA housing. They said these programs were provided by volunteers and that the PHA could not force participation in these programs . Council Member Spain indicated that the selection of potential sites was not confined to the boundaries City of Peoria Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2014 of the City. Chairman Zika stated that the PHA was able to go outside the boundaries of the City of Peoria, but there would be concerns for accessible transportation and services. Council Member Grayeb stated he was concerned with the community meetings held regarding the relocation of the Taft Homes. He voiced opposition to rebuilding the Taft Homes at another location . Council Member Turner expressed his views about public housing and stated the need for positive communication about the future of public housing Mayor Ardis stated that the PHA Board would continue to work diligently to balance the federal government and community needs. He further requested City Manager Urich to develop a model communication tool to educate the community with regards to the Taft Project. In response to the Mayor's request, City Manager Patrick Urich stated having continued public engagement and an educational process would be important. He recommended small group meetings with the City Council in order to gather their input on the process. Peoria Housing Authority Resident Commissioner Mary Chapai remarked about her experience of being a resident of Taft Homes and her concerns regarding the community 's image of Taft and its residents. Peoria Housing Authority Commissioner Aurthur Perkins spoke about her life experiences with public housing. She expressed concerns about the community's opinion on the relocation of the Taft Homes and she further encouraged the community to give the residents a chance for a better future. Chairman Zika responded to Council Member Montelongo's inquiry on the protocol for citizens to voice feedback concerning this project and said that citizens could contact him either bye -mail, viewing the PHA website or obtaining a business card. Mayor Ardis stated that by the June 10th Council Meeting the City would have an outline for the beginning process of communication and community feedback. PUBLIC COMMENTS Hearing no objection, Mayor Ardis granted Privilege of the Floor to those citizens wishing to address the City Council/Peoria Housing Authority Board Mr. AI Harms, a Peoria resident, spoke about site selection, safety and Brandywine Dr. in reference to potential relocation of the Taft Homes Project. Ms. Jennifer Hutsell, a Peoria resident presented and spoke about a petition signed by five hundred and twenty nine residents who expressed disapproval of the potential relocation of the Taft Homes Project on Brandywine Dr. Mr. Merle Huff, a Peoria resident, spoke about crime and his disapproval of the relocation of the Taft Homes. Mr. Kevin Evans, a Peoria resident, expressed his concern over the PHA mandate in regards to the Taft Homes Project. Mr. Thomas Pelger, a Peoria resident, spoke about the challenges in regards to the Taft Homes Project . Mr. Bill Ordaz, a Peoria resident, presented data and maps in regards to the potential relocation of the Taft Homes. Ms. Lynn Williams, a Peoria resident, expressed her concern about the potential relocation of the Taft Homes. City of Peoria Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2014 EXECUTIVE SESSION It was determined that an Executive Session was not needed at this time. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Council Member Grayeb, seconded by Council Member Moore, that this meeting be adjourned at 8:17 P.M.. The motion carried unanimously. City of Peoria Page 4