Month 1999.06 June.
Day 1999.06.16HR
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
June 16, 1999
5:45 p.m.
The Housing and Redevelopment Commission meeting was called to order at 5:45 p.m. by Chairperson
Pat Gideon
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ROLL CALL
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Members Present: Pat Gideon, Chair, Lee Kloppenburg, Shauna Manina,
W.R. Wilkinson, Denise Suihkonen
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Members Absent: Steve Kappel (excused), Pamela Ponce (excused)
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Staff Present: Charlie Learned, OHR Director, Cyndi Johnston, Housing
&
Redev. Mgr., Frances Neade, Sr. Hsg. & Redev. Spec., Suellen Johnston, OHR
Secretary
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Others Present: None
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: To approve the minutes of the Housing and Redevelopment Commission meetings of April
21, 1999 and May 5, 1999 were approved as submitted. Manina/Kloppenburg, unanimous.
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion: To approve the Agenda as submitted. Suihkonen/Manina, unanimous.
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CORRESPONDENCE
None
5. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
None
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PUBLIC HEARING
None
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BUSINESS
None
8. REPORTS
8a. Staff Report on Code Modifications Project.
Cyndi Johnston, Housing and Redevelopment Manager, provided a report on the modifications to the
Public Nuisance and Abandoned Vehicles Ordinances and reviewed the comprehensive approach the
Department has planned to inform the public of the changes. A sheet comparing the old and new
municipal codes was distributed to those present, along with copies of the brochures being distributed
to the public in water bills.
It was pointed out that code violations are currently being handled on a complaint basis.
Neighborhood Liaisons will also circulate throughout the community, bringing code violations to the
attention of residents in a friendly manner.
8b. Staff Report on Section 8 Program.
Frances Neade, Senior Housing and Redevelopment Specialist, provided an update on the Section 8
Program. A “ Section 8 Program Update Summary” was distributed to the members
of the
Commission, outlining the growth and changes experienced and the anticipated future of the
program.
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The most significant change is the move by Congress to merge the previously separate Certificate
and Voucher Programs. The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 has been
passed and will be implemented in stages. Some of the first phases of change include:
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Changes in the way subsidies are calculated, and a “ cap” to the initial amount a family
pays.
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Leases can now have ending dates, with a more standard structure, and participants can
enter into lease agreements of less than one year.
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Landlords can be more selective of tenants through the elimination of provisions considered
to be detrimental to landlords.
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Private owners of three complexes in the Vacaville area have recently opted out of contracts with
the federal HUD program, providing an opportunity for the Vacaville Housing Authority to pick
up those contracts and continue to provide assistance to the approximately 134 families affected
by the “ opt-out” .
3. The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program is a voluntary program offered to
Section 8
participants, affording them the opportunities to free themselves of government assistance within
five years. While Vacaville has had good successes with the FSS Program, HUD has decided to
eliminate the program, allowing agencies a two-year window for phasing out all existing
contracts and prohibiting them from entering into any new agreements. There are currently 82
families enrolled in the Vacaville FSS Program.
4. Beginning the next fiscal year, HUD will be implementing a new Section 8 Management
Assessment Program (SEMAP) which will be used to measure and monitor housing authorities’
program operations and performance. The programs will be monitored more closely for
adherence to standards and will require additional staff time and work to implement. It is,
however, anticipated the result will be less need for regular audits by HUD officials.
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COMMISSION COMMENTS
None.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.