Rehabilitation Board of Appeals

CITY OF ROYAL OAK REHABILITATION BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MARCH 26, 2013 A regular meeting of the Rehabilitation Board of Appeals was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 in Room 309 of City Hall. PRESENT: ABSENT: John D’Agnillo Bill Willard Commissioner Kyle DuBuc Chairperson James Johnson Vice Chairperson Pete Mancour Carl Stone Marshall Thompson STAFF ALSO PRESENT: Timothy E Thwing, Director of Planning Joseph M Murphy, Planner ********** Chairperson Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. ********** PUBLIC COMMENT Chairperson Johnson opened the Public Comment portion of the meeting. Karen Crawford, Chair of the Royal Oak Historical Commission, spoke on behalf of the organization’s proposed project, eligibility, and funding request. Ms. Crawford was provided with paperwork regarding the National Objectives of the CDBG program. ********** MINUTES of FEBRUARY 26, 2013 MEETING MOVED by Mr. Stone SUPPORTED by Mr. Thompson TO APPROVE the minutes of the February 26, 2013 meeting as presented. APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY (6-0) ********* COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM PUBLIC HEARING Chairperson Johnson opened the Public Hearing regarding the community goals and needs to assist in the development of the Annual Action Plan for Program Year 2013-2014. Hearing none, the Public Hearing was closed. Mr. Murphy described the importance of the public hearing. No further action from the Board was necessary. Rehabilitation Board of Appeals March 26, 2013 Page 2 ********** COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM – REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING Mr. Murphy informed the Board that the city received notice from HUD’s Detroit Field Office to proceed forward with developing the PY 13/14 Annual Action Plan, under the assumption of a five percent (5%) reduction from its current entitlement allocation (grant amount). The Board discussed each request / application for CDBG funds in relation to the upcoming program year (July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014). All applicants were invited to the public meeting. Karen Crawford, Chair of the Royal Oak Historical Commission, was present on behalf of the request for funds to conduct improvements to the Orson Starr House Museum. The Board reviewed and discussed each request individually. The Board discussed the current status of the housing rehabilitation program and how offering grant funds for exterior improvement may increase the number of applicants, have a positive impact on neighborhoods throughout the city, and expedite the expenditure of CDBG funds. Whereas, the Rehabilitation Board of Appeals has discussed the status of the Community Development Block Grant funded housing rehabilitation program; and Whereas, the housing rehabilitation program currently offers technical assistant and low-interest and deferred loans to income qualified (low- and moderate-income) households to conduct interior and exterior improvements to owner-occupied single family dwellings; and Whereas, the Rehabilitation Board of Appeals agrees that offering grant funds to conduct exterior improvements will increase the number of program applicants, maximize the program’s impact on neighborhoods city-wide, and distribute Federal funds expeditiously; and Whereas, income qualified households may be eligible for a not to exceed amount of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) of grant funds which shall be amortized in equal shares over a ten (10 year) period so long as the property does not transfer ownership and the owner retains homestead exemption status; and Be It Resolved, that the Rehabilitation Board of Appeals does hereby recommend that staff incorporate the administrative tasks necessary for the housing rehabilitation program to immediately begin offering grant fund opportunities to income qualified households to conduct exterior improvements and continue offering low-interest and deferred loans for interior improvements. MOVED by Mr. Mancour SUPPORTED by Mr. Thompson APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY (6-0) ******* Mr. Stone departed the meeting at 8:08pm. 2 Rehabilitation Board of Appeals March 26, 2013 Page 3 RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COMMISSION ON THE PY 2013/2014 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN Upon conducting the public hearing and after its careful review of all applications for financial assistance, the following resolution has been provided for the Board’s consideration: Whereas, the Rehabilitation Board of Appeals has reviewed the submitted applications for funding relative to Program Year 2013-2014 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan; and Whereas, the Rehabilitation Board of Appeals held public hearings on the development of the Annual Action Plan at its September 25, 2012 and March 26, 2013 meetings and considered all comments; Be It Resolved, that the Rehabilitation Board of Appeals does hereby recommend the attached activities with associated funding levels to the City Commission as the Program Year 2013-2014 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan. PROPOSED PY 13/14 CDBG EXPENDITURES / ACTIVITIES REHAB BOARD OF APPEALS’ 03-26-2013 PROPOSED BUDGET PUBLIC SERVICE Senior Center Administration and Programs 171,000 HOUSING REHAB PROGRAM Owner Rehabilitation Assistance 500,000 PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS Orson Starr House Museum Improvements 11,000 M/M Senior Center – Replacement of Windows 30,000 E Eleven Mile Road – Physical Improvements 857,000 ADMINISTRATION Program Administration 230,000 UNPROGRAMMED FUNDS / CONTINGENCY 1,394 TOTAL ESTIMATED PROGRAM EXPENDITURES $1,800,394 PROPOSED CDBG REVENUES Estimated entitlement $929,076 Residential Rehab Repayments 225,000 Transfer from Prior Years 646,318 TOTAL ESTIMATED PROGRAM REVENUES $1,800,394 MOVED by Mr. D’Agnello The motion failed due to a lack of support. Upon failure of the motion, an alternative was offered: 3 Rehabilitation Board of Appeals March 26, 2013 Page 4 Whereas, the Rehabilitation Board of Appeals has reviewed the submitted applications for funding relative to Program Year 2013-2014 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan; and Whereas, the Rehabilitation Board of Appeals held public hearings on the development of the Annual Action Plan at its September 25, 2012 and March 26, 2013 meetings and considered all comments; Be It Resolved, that the Rehabilitation Board of Appeals does hereby recommend the attached activities with associated funding levels to the City Commission as the Program Year 2013-2014 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan contingent upon the transfer of $250,000 from the city’s General Fund to the Senior Center fund. PROPOSED PY 13/14 CDBG EXPENDITURES / ACTIVITIES REHAB BOARD OF APPEALS’ 03-26-2013 PROPOSED BUDGET PUBLIC SERVICE Senior Center Administration and Programs 130,000 Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault Services – HAVEN 2,000 Transportation Services – South Oakland Shelter 500 HOUSING REHAB PROGRAM Owner Rehabilitation Assistance 500,000 PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS Elks Park – Replacement of Sidewalks & Basketball Court 22,000 Orson Starr House Museum – Replace Segments of Wood Fence, Treat Wood Roof, Basement Water-Proofing, Electrical Service To Garage 11,000 Northwood Fire Station Museum – Repair & Repaint Windows 15,000 M/M Senior Center – Replacement of Windows 30,000 E Eleven Mile Road – Physical Improvements 857,000 ADMINISTRATION Program Administration 230,000 UNPROGRAMMED FUNDS / CONTINGENCY 2,894 TOTAL ESTIMATED PROGRAM EXPENDITURES $1,800,394 PROPOSED CDBG REVENUES Estimated entitlement $929,076 Residential Rehab Repayments 225,000 Transfer from Prior Years 646,318 TOTAL ESTIMATED PROGRAM REVENUES $1,800,394 MOVED by Mr. D’Agnillo SUPPORTED by Mr. Thompson APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) ******** OTHER BUSINESS None. 4 Rehabilitation Board of Appeals March 26, 2013 Page 5 ********** ADJOURNMENT MOVED by Mr. D’Agnillo SUPPORTED by Mancour TO ADJOURN the meeting. APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. The next meeting regularly scheduled meeting is April 23, 2013. 5