HomeMy Public PortalAbout1992-01-06 COMMUNITY DEVT. BLOCK GRANT ADVISORY BOARD AGENDAi
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A G E N D A
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
ADVISORY BOARD - COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 6, 1992
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CITY OF LYNWOOU
CITY CLERKS OFFICE
DEC 211992
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6:00 P.M.
LYNWOOD CITY HALL, 11330 BULLIS ROAD
ANA VENTURA
CHAIRPERSON
KEN WIBECAN CONSTANCE FRANKLIN
VICE CHAIRPERSON COMMISSIONER
MARGARET ARAUJO
COMMISSIONER
KENNETH ALFORD
COMMISSIONER
OPENING CEREMONIES:
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. FLAG SALUTE
C. ROLL CALL
D. CERTIFICATION OF AGENDA POSTING
BY CITY CLERK
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 9, 1992
F. PUBLIC ORALS: (ITEMS ON AGENDA ONLY)
G. NEW BUSINESS
1. LOAN REVIEW COMMITTEE (FIVE CASES)
CLOSED SESSION
H. STAFF ORALS
J. ADJOURNMENT
CLAUDE LAW
COMMISSIONER
LAURA BYRD
COMMISSIONER
Adjourn to regular meeting of February 3, 1993, at 6:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers of Lynwood City Hall, 11330 Bullis Road,
Lynwood, California.
MINUTES (OA REGULAR MEETING (PUBLICOARING)
° S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ADVISORY BOARD COMMISSION
CITY OF LYNWOOD, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1992
OPENING CERMONIES:
A. Call to Order:
The regular meeting of the Community Development Block Grant
Advisory Board Commission was called to order by Chairperson
Ventura, on the above captioned date at 6:08 p.m., in the
Council Chambers of Lynwood City Hall, 11330 Bullis Road.
B. Flag Salute:
The flag salute was led by Commissioner Araujo, all those
present participated.
C. Roll Call:
Commissioner Ventura requested the roll call, and Ms. Clark
complied.
Present: Chairperson
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Anna Ventura
Constance Franklin
Margaret Araujo
Laura Byrd
Ken Wibecan
Kenneth Alford
Claude Law
Also Present: Sol Blumenfeld, Community Dev. Dir.
Scott Ehrlich, Housing Manager
Annette Clark, HCD Manager
Chondra Handley, Minutes Clerk
D. Certification of Agenda Posting By City Clerk:
Ms. Clark stated that the Agenda was posted per the Brown
Act.
E. Approval of Minutes:
MOTION by Commissioner Araujo, SECONDED by Commissioner
Alford to approve the minutes of November 4, 1992. MOTION
carried unanimously.
F. Public Orals:
NONE
G. New Business:
1. PUBLIC HEARING (COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
STRATEGY CHAS):
Mr. Blumenfeld opened the public hearing by explaining the
purpose of the CHAS report and the difference between the
CHAS Annual Report and One Year Plan. Mr. Blumenfeld then
reviewed the contents of each report. Mr. Blumenfeld stated
that HUD requires that each jurisdiction prepare a five year
Comprehensive Housing Assistance Strategy (CHAS) plan, in
addition to an Annual Plan and Performance Reports.
Mr. Blumenfeld explained that the CHAS documents had been
circulated 60 days for public review and published in the
local newspapers. The purpose of this public review period
is to receive input which can be incorporated in to the final
document.
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Mr. Blumenfeld directed the public's attention to the Annual
Plan in which he went on to explain that the document focuses
on five parts. The first phase describes the development
process and a resource list which assisted staff in obtaining
information for the report. The second phase is a strategy
which describes investment policies, the City's plan for
leveraging HUD dollars, targeted groups for receiving
assistance. The third phase envolves the Public policies,
institutional structures, public housing improvements and
public housing residential initiatives. The fourth phase
reffers to Certifications reletative to Fair housing and
relocation. The final phase is a summary of citizen
comments.
Mr. Blumenfeld stated that the Annual Plan is a document
which updates the City's one year housing activities for FY
1991 -92. This report is in contrast with the Performance
Report which provides a status report for FY 1991 -92.
Mr. Blumenfeld reviewed the process for developing and
approval of the CHAS report which he explained has to travel
through many channels. It has to be presented to the
Commission, Council and final review by HUD.
Mr. Blumenfeld discussed the strategy for implementation
methods. He stated that the City has a five year action plan
to accomplish various housing activities. These activities
are prioritiezed as follows: 1. To provide residential
rehabilitation assistance to owner /occupied households, with
infices on alleviating overcrowded conditions. 2. To
provide rehabilitation assistance to owners of rental
properties, occupied by low income tenants. 3. To increase
the supply of affordable housing through new construction.
4. To provide rental assistance to low income households,
who are over paying for housing. Mr. Blumenfeld explained
that the areas to be targeted for assistance are low and
moderate income population areas, which are described in the
CHAS report.
Mr. Blumenfeld stated that most of the funding that is to be
used'is generated from the Block Grant funds which are mainly
intended to be used for housing assistance activities.
Mr. Blumenfeld directed the Public's attention to the city's
strategy to utilize funds. He stated that the City has
Redevelopment set aside funds, which is a requirement to set
aside 20% of the tax increment that is generated for projects
to accomodate low and moderate income housing activities,
either within the project area or outside, but it must be
spent on low /moderate income housing activities. That total
is $367,000.00. In addition the City recently submitted a
HOME application. This program will provide $569,000 of new
construction dollars which can be utilized for rental housing
and for sale housing. The state will also match that figure
and provide $181,000. These funds will be combined and
approximately 1.5 million dollars will be used for low/
moderate income housing activities.
Mr. Blumenfeld stated that the City preceived 5 goals, which
are stated in the CHAS report, they are as follows: 1. To
assist 20 household with rehaibiltation funds. 2. To
continue rental assistance for lower income households. 3 To
allocate $1,404,000 to address housing needs. He also stated
that Lynwood is envolved in referral services such as Senior
citizen Programs, Hot meals programs, shared housing
serivices, in -home supportative services. These services are
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1 not provided by the City of Lynwood, but ,are provided by
agencies such as L.A. County AFDC Program, Minority Aids
Project, Adult Protective Services, etc.
Mr. Blumenfeld proceeded to explain the Performance Report.
He stated that the Performance Report -is a discription on the
City's housing activities for last Fiscal Year. the City has
allocated $400,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds
to Rehabilitation programs. However, this program has not
produced as anticipated due to the economy, which is believed
to have a high impact on the production of the loan program.
In addition the Community Development Department has not had
sufficient staff to properly market the program. Mr.
Blumenfelf then opened the hearing for Public comment.
Commissioner Law asked how would new housing be constructed,
when there is only a limited amount of land to be used. He
also stated that the Commission has stated in previous
meetings their concerns over the Section 8 voucher system.
The current system allows residents of other cities to become
residents and people who live in Lynwood are not assisted due
to the number of vouchers and the number of participants.
Commissioner Wibecan stated that he shared some of
Commissioner Law's concerns, in addition, Commissioner
Wibencan asked a question regarding City property on Page 6
of the Annual Plan, if this information was based on current
vacant land and did the City intend to construct on these
properties. Mr. Blumenfeld said that the list was of all
City and Agency owned property and that staff was looking at
these properties as a potential resource that the City can
use to build housing which is why the list is shown in the
CHAS.
Commissioner Wibecan then questioned the cost of the
properties listed. Mr. Blumenfeld said that cost listed did
not reflect that actual cost price and that maybe the list
should be excluded from the CHAS because it did not include
property improvements.
Commissioner Wibecan questioned the resource lists on Page 2
and 3, that several people on the list only had a first name,
he wanted to know if it was because staff did not know who
the people were, were they real preople? Mr. Blumenfeld
answered that it was an oversite and that the last names
would be added.
Commissioner Byrd said that she had some of the same concerns
regarding the CHAS. One in particular with the contract the
City has with the L.A. County Housing Authority and wanted to
know how the voucher system worked, if the City's vouchers
were placed into a pool with other residents in L.A. Mr.
Blumenfeld answered yes. Commissioner Byrd asked if that was
the best way. Mr. Blumenfeld said that the city does not
have control over the program, although the City does
participate. Ms. Clark explained that the only other
alternative was for the City to operate its own program and
in the past the city had decided not to implement its own
program because it was not cost effective, due to the fact
that L.A. County does not charge a fee to operate the City's
program, however the staff is in the process of again
reviewing decision.and looking at the cost involving
operating its own Section 8 Program. Ms. Clark informed the
Commission that L.A. County does not charge a fee to
implement the city's Section 8 Program.
Commissioner Araujo expressed her dissatisfaction of the
County Section 8 program also. She stated that the vouchers
being given through Section 8 are from other cities, although
families who live in Lynwood are forced to live with other
people because they are not receiving assistance.
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Commissioner Araujo referred to page 20 of the annual plan,
she 'asked if the areas pointed out are being considered for
redevelopment. Mr. Blumenfeld replied that the map does not
refer to potential development sites. He said that these
areas are targeted areas, which are eligible areas for HUD
funding. Assistance will be provided to these areas through
HUD funding, but redevelopment is not exclusive to these
areas. Commissioner Araujo stated that these areas contain
vacant lots, but there are also apartments in these areas.
She suggested that the City make a comparison to other cities
to see how they proceeded to achieve this goal of providing
low income housing, and senior citizen housing.
Commissioner Araujo stated that the residents of the mental
ill facilities of Lynwood are left to wander around and
people considers those residents to be homeless. She said
that if these programs can receive assistance from HUD, then
this should be considered to provide activities for those
residents to aleviate this problem.
Ms. Araujo suggested that the City take under consideration
when constructing appartments that the style be pleasing and
and have someone manage the property , who will assist in the
upkeep of the property. Commissioner Araujo suggested that a
housing task force be considered and consist of community
members who can provide suggestions on the proposed housing
construction.
Commissioner Franklin referred to the Performance Report.
She asked if the ethnic codes stated in a chart on page 1
could be explained as to what race the codes represent. Mr.
Blumenfeld replied that he would remit an explination on the
ethnic codes.
Commissioner Alford stated that he too was concerned about
the Section 8 voucher system, and his concerns were
addressed. He also stated that the City should develop a
program which verifies if the vouchers are given to Lynwood
residents, and provide vouchers to homeless residents. Mr.
Blumenfeld replied that funds could be directed to develop
shelters or directed to existing shelters in others cities to
assist the homeless.
Commissioner Araujo asked what is the purpose for the funds
being set aside for Redevelopment. Mr. Blumenfeld replied
that it is a State requirement to set aside 208 of the tax
increment that is generated in the Redevelopment project
areas for low /moderate housing production. Commissioner
Araujo asked if these funds would be used or would funds
continue to grow and collect interest. Mr. Blumenfeld stated
that the State required the all Local jurisdictions allocate
the set aside money. Mr. Ehrlich stated that the set aside
funds must be used, according to a new legislature, within a
period of 5 years or will be lost.
Commissioner Ventura asked who is the rebuild Lynwood
Coilition headed by and what is the purpose. Mr. Blumenfeld
stated that the City Manager is proposing a committee to deal
with the issues of new housing construction and this
committee would participate in matters dealing with this
issue.
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Commissioner Ventura asked when would the in home services be
implemented. Mr. Blumenfeld replied that this is a County
program which is currently in existance.
Commissioner Ventura asked if information being distrubuted
to the public being done in English and Spanish. Mr.
Blumenfeld replied no. Commissioner araujo suggessted that
the Redevelopment set aside funds be used to hire a bi-
lingual staff person.
Commissioner Araujo agreed and stated that the majority of
the homeowners in Lynwood are Spanish speaking. Therefore,
information going out to the community should be English and
Spanish.
Mr. Ehrlich, Housing Manager introduced himself to the public
and proceeded to address their concerns. He stated that in
the past he assisted several cities with constructing
affordable housing, which is a major concern for the City of
Lynwood. He stated that his objective is to assist the City
with the Rehabilitation Program and to help ensure the
continued process of receiving futher funds.
Mr. Ehrlich stated that the County Housing Authority does
have a program (Site Specific Sections) which issues vouchers
for specific cities attached to certain properties. Subsady
is provided for the owner of the Building for that
participant receiving Section 8 assistance. He stated that
it would be very difficut for the City to handle the Section
8 program with very limited staff and limited finances.
Mr. Ehrlich said he was informed
he has began to work on, such as,
townhomes. Mr. Blumenfeld added
taken from property owners, but
which can be developed, but some
to purchase the property.
of certain priorities which
single family dwellings or
that property would not be
there are other properties
may provide the opportunity
Mr. Ehrlich stated that the City has funds to provide
housing. These resources have to be combined with HUD and
private development to produce housing and senior citizen
housing.
There being no objections to the information obtained in the
CHAS documents, no further comments by the public or the
Commission, the hearing was closed at 8:15 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned to the next regularly scheduled meeting
of January 6, 1992.
Chairperson
Annette Clar, HCD Manager
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