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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-04 HHSCMINUTES OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING Apache Junction Senior Center 1001 N.Idaho Road,Apache Junction,AZ November 4,2002 -7:00 P.M. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:STAFF PRESENT: ED BARKER,VICE CHAIRPERSON JAN MASON,DEPUTY CITY CLERK JOYCE PAYNE ROGER HACKER,GRANTS KATHRYN STOCK SPECIALIST L.J.TREVILLYAN MELINDA LARSON,CDBG ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 1.Call to Order/Attendance. Vice Chairperson Barker called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason called the roll and advised there was a quorum present. 2.Introductions. Vice Chairperson Ed Barker began the commission introductions and the remaining commissioners introduced themselves.Deputy City Clerk Jan Mason,Community Development Block Grant Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson,and Grants Specialist Roger Hacker,all introduced themselves. 3.Overview of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)program. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker began by explaining the importance of documenting those in attendance at the public meetings and reminded everyone to sign the attendance sheet.He said agendas are available for those interested in following the meeting.There is another important meeting on Open Space at Central Arizona College on Wednesday, November 13,2002.There are also forms available called the Local Citizens Participation Plan that will walk them step-by-step through what happens after tonight's meeting. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker said the CDBG program was established in 1974 by the federal government.It was initially established to assist urban and rural low and moderate -income people in terms of housing, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 4,2002 PAGE lof 5 infrastructure improvements,and economic development.The program was started to raise the quality of life for low and moderate -income people. CDBG objectives are to benefit people with low/moderate income,to prevent or eliminate slums and blight and address urgent needs in the community.Roger presented the federal government's definition of low/moderate income,which is released through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).This definition is important because any funding must be justified as being used for a low/moderate income family or neighborhood.The definition of slum/blight would be an area designated by the City Council where at least 25% of the buildings in an area are deteriorated.An urgent need is a natural disaster,such as floods,hurricanes,or a human health hazard,like raw sewage,that has to be addressed immediately.Federal guidelines also include abused children,elderly persons,battered spouses,homeless people,adults with severe disabilities,illiterate people,people infected with AIDS, and migrant workers. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker explained the definition of an eligible project.This would include public works and safety,community facilities,housing facilities,architectural barrier removal to comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act),public services,housing, economic development,and neighborhood assistance.Public works means water system improvements,road and street improvements,flood drain improvements,and sewer improvements.Community facilities mean parks, social service centers,shelter and halfway houses,and accessible buildings.CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson explained during the last cycle one of the projects chosen was the expansion of the Apache Junction Outreach Food Bank.It was for a 1,700 square foot expansion of warehouse space for food storage.They have not yet started the project,but i t is very close to being started.Grants Specialist Roger Hacker explained that public services include childcare,job training,recreation,education and literacy,counseling for abused,equipment,and operating costs.Housing includes housing rehabilitation for homeowners,down payment assistance,utility connection,and new home construction for target groups.The city has utilized a lot of their previous funding into housing rehabilitation grants like accessibility ramps and emergency repairs like air conditioners.Economic development includes job training and placement, building acquisition and rehabilitation,assistance to neighborhood groups,and credit to small businesses.Neighborhood assistance includes mall and walkway construction,purchase of land,purchase of vacant buildings,and rehabilitation of commercial property in slum/blighted areas. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 4,2002 PAGE 2of 5 Grants Specialist Roger Hacker addressed the city's previous use of CDBG funds.During the 1980's funds were used for fire protection facilities and equipment,library construction,a housing plan,center for people with disabilities,housing rehabilitation,street improvements,and housing rehabilitation for the mentally 111.Since 1990 funds have been utilized for housing rehabilitation,sewer hookups,street improvements. ADA and CRS compliance,food bank expansion,and administration. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker,explained that Apache Junction will be receiving approximately $260,000 every two years. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker and CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson are available to provide technical assistance to anyone interested in developing an idea for consideration.Contact him in writing,he then has 3 days to respond.Technical assistance is available until December 2,2002.They cover basic information and assist them in limiting their request to a 1 -page summary. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker reviewed the grievance procedure for the grant program.Roger said they could contact him by telephone if they had any questions.Any concerns needed to be submitted in writing and he is required to respond in 3 working days.The City Manager,and in our case,the Interim City Manager,is the person who decides all grievances.They have 3 days to appeal the response.If there is an appeal the grants specialist,development services director,and city manager would meet with them.Ultimately the city manager's decision is final. 4.PUBLIC HEARING -Identification of housing and community development needs. Vice Chairperson Ed Barker asked the record to show that an e-mail had been received from Darryl Christianson representing Arizona Bridge to Independent Living submitting a project suggestion. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker said the packet the Health and Human Services Commission has been supplied includes the following;a summary from the October 29,2002 meeting,a document from a development services staff meeting from October 23,2002,copy of the e-mail from Arizona Bridge to Independent Living for a project request,memorandum from economic development specialist suggesting fund use for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)accessibility projects for businesses in the downtown area,letter from the United Way of Pinal County asking for HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 4,2002 PAGE 3of 5 volunteers to attend a meeting to help them decide how to use their funds,a draft of the project evaluation sheet,and a United Way newsletter. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker said housing rehabilitation projects are funded for low to moderate -income citizens and on a first come,first serve basis until the money runs out.It is the responsibility of the applicant to bring in the necessary documentation to prove they fall into the respective category.He asked the audience to please fill out one slip of paper for each project they are suggesting and they would address some of the suggestions.CDBG Administrative Assistant Melinda Larson read the project suggestions which included,$40.000 to purchase land for two habitat houses;a YMCA child care center,swimming pool, teen center,housing/career center and dental clinic;teen job training, job training/GED;alternative building projects;self help sufficiency center;homeless shelter and labor center;and alternative desert housing and training.Grant Specialist Roger Hacker said he received telephone calls from people who were not able to make the meeting but, they had some project suggestions.Suggestions included health insurance for homeless people,affordable housing,sidewalks on Royal Palm,streets and sewers on South Saguaro Drive,job training programs, work related activities for the homeless,purchase and building of a new city hall,and ADA accessible program for local businesses in the downtown area,and funding for home accessibility projects. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker said the suggestions that are similar would need to be combined so they are not duplicated.Then those attending the meeting were allowed 6 votes to assist staff in suggesting programs for the commission to review. 5.Discussion of process to be used. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker said the City Council has requested that the Health and Human Services Commission be involved with the CDBG process this year.This is the second of two public meetings.The purpose for the CDBG hearings is to gather ideas on possible projects to be done with the federal money.The Health and Human Services Commission will then review the suggested projects and will make a recommendation to the City Council.The City Council will receive the recommendation on December 2,2002 and will direct staff to do more research on some of the suggested projects.Staff will come back with that additional information in January for the council to review and decide which projects to begin the application process.That process is HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 4,2002 PAGE 4of 5 finalized in March with the application sent in by the last calendar day in May. Grants Specialist Roger Hacker said the application deadline is November 6,2002.Staff will then compile all the information from various meetings,and present it to the Health and Human Services Commission for their meeting on Tuesday.November 12,2002.The Health and Human Services Commission may contact the representative that submitted the suggestion,or may direct staff to follow up with questions.Staff will then work with the Health and Human Services Commission to prepare a recommendation to submit to the City Council for review on Monday. December 2 and 3,2002. 6.Comments and questions from Health and Human Services Commission members. There were no comments or questions. 7.Discussion on and selection of future meeting dates. Commissioner Trevillyan made a motion to hold the next meeting Tuesday. November 12,2002 at 4:00 p.m.at the city conference center. Commissioner Stock seconded the motion.The vote was unanimous and the motion carried. 8.Adjournment. Commissioner Trevillyan moved that the meeting be adjourned. Commissioner Stock seconded the motion.The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m. —4 Ed Barker Kathleen Connelly Vice Chairperson City Clerk HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 4,2002 PAGE 5of 5