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HomeMy Public PortalAboutA 2007-01-10 CDBGN ~U~y ~af~{~~ ~~~~~ CITY OF LYf~'L1~OOD f. AGEIV®A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ADVISORY BOARD COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2007~~ 6:00 P.M. LYNWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 11330 BULLIS ROAD, LYNWOOD, CA 90262 DEC 2 7 2006 AM PM 7t8191~~~+//~"1~1~1~~3t41516 ~ .~ °~ JOE BATTLE, CHAIRPERSON WILLIAM ARAUJO, VICE CHAIRPERSON PATRICIA CARR, COMMISSIONER SYLVIA ORTIZ, COMMISSIONER AIDE CASTRO, COMMISSIONER MARTHA SALDANA, COMMISSIONER JOANETTE GUTIERREZ, COMMISSIONER OPENING CEREMONIES: A. CALL TO ORDER B. FLAG SALUTE C. ROLL CALL D. CERTIFICATION OF AGENDA POSTING E. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Minutes of September 6, 2006 F. PUBLIC ORALS: (ITEMS ON AGENDA ONLY) G. NEW BUSINESS: PUBLIC HEARING- CITY OF LYNWOOD'S HUD CONSOLIDATED PLAN H. STAFF ORALS I. BOARD ORALS J. ADJOURNMENT MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ADVISORY BOARD COMMISSION WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2006 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Battle called the meeting to order on the above captioned date. FLAG SALUTE: All present participated. ROLL CALL: Present Chairperson Battle Chairperson Araujo Commissioner Saldana Commissioner Castro Commissioner Carr Commissioner Gutierrez Absent Commissioner Ortiz CERTIFICATION OF AGENDA POSTING Staff stated that the Agenda was posted per the Brown Act. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Castro made a motion to approve the Minutes of July 12, 2006. Commissioner Carr seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC ORALS: (ITEMS ON AGENDA ONLY) Barbara Shull, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Foundation (FHF), gave a presentation on the services provided by FHF. Ms. Shull stated that the main objective of FHF is to intake, investigate and litigate allegations in housing discrimination. She explained that federal and state fair housing laws prohibit discrimination against persons applying for housing, based upon race, color, ancestry, religion, martial status, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, source of income, disability both mental and physical. Ms. Shull informed the Commission that FH provides Educational and Outreach activities and assists both Landlord and Tenants. She stated that the program is not pro landlord or pro tenant, FHF is pro fair housing. Ms. Shull announced to the Commission that there was going to be a free Landlord workshop for all Landlords and rental property owners and managers at the Lynwood Public Library on October 3, 2006, from 3pm to 4pm., and that a second workshop will be held on November 6, 2006, from 1 pm to 5pm at the Lynwood Public Library. All FHF workshops are free of charge. Chairperson Battle stated that he lives on Carlin Avenue and that a new owner purchased the trailer court across from the street. Mr. Battle stated that the new property owner is forcing all of the tenants to move so he can build town homes. The tenants complained to City Council because they had no place to go. As a result the City Council stopped the project to fully investigate. Chairperson Battle asked Ms. Shull could the new property owner do this. Ms. Shull replied property owners have the right to tear it down their properties and evict renters as long as they've provided the notice. Commissioner Araujo asked how complaints are addressed when tenants complain about rent increases or feel like they are being discriminated against. How does FHF determine if the unit is legal or the tenant is a citizen. Ms. Shull stated that FHF does not make that determination, but most of the people who call are legal tenants. Commissioner Carr stated that it was her understanding that the City of Lynwood had no rent control, meaning a person could be evicted with no cause. Commissioner Carr asked Ms. Shull was safe to have amonth-to-month lease or a yearly lease. Ms. Shull responded that it is best for both parties to have a lease whether it's two-year lease or a one-year lease. It is beneficial to both parties because on the tenant side the tenant is guaranteed that they are not going to be evicted unless they break the law, it's a safety that the tenant know that in this length of time their rent will not be increased. The Landlord benefits from this because it is costly for an owner or manager to have a constant turn over in units so if they have a lease then they are assured that they are going to collect rent for twelve months, they know what the rent is going to be they can budget for it and it makes better business sense then take a chance on a month- to-month. There being no further questions the Commission thanked Ms. Shull for her presentation. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Public Hearing -Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for fiscal year 2005-2006 Annette Potts, Deputy Director of Administrative Services, asked the CDBG Commission if they all had an opportunity to review the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report. Ms. Potts explained to the Commission that C.A.P.E.R provides information on all CDBG funded activities through the months of July 2005 to June 2006. The report show the amount of funds that each program spent and the number of beneficiaries for each program. Commissioner Castro stated for the record she is very disappointed to see that for the past four years CDBG Commissions' recommendations, regarding allocations for CDBG funding of non-profit organizations, have been ignored by City Council. Money is being allocated to organizations in which after diligently doing thorough research and homework the CDBG Commission didn't recommend funding. Commissioner Castro said the allocations weren't close to what the Commission recommended and that sadden her because there are a lot of good programs out there that are not given the opportunity to receive CDBG funding. Commissioner Castro also stated that CDBG funding is suppose to be used as start up money. Chairperson Battle stated that this matter should be brought to City Council's attention again to remind them that programs shouldn't be able to receive funding for twenty years. If the program only has to submit an application and they will be guaranteed funding, it becomes a working capital not start-up money. Chairperson Battle asked staff if the City inquire about the organizations tax status when applying for funding. Ms. Potts replied yes, the City requires a letter titled Certification of Good Standing from the State Franchise Tax Board for each program that received CDBG funds. After a brief discussion, motion to approve the FY2005-06 C.A.P.E.R was made Commissioner Castro, seconded by Commissioner Saldana. There being no further questions the public hearing closed at 6:28 PM. 2. Discussion on Absenteeism Ms. Potts briefly discussed the fact that Commissioners are only allowed three (3) absences per year. However due to the proposed reorganization of Commissions and Boards, the time period would begin when Commissioners are appointed. Ms. Potts asked the Commission if everyone had turned in their Commission applications for reappointment. The Commissioners responded, yes. Commissioner Carr replied that she didn't understand why the CDBG Commission was being cut to 5 members, although some Commissions were remaining at 7 members. Commissioner Castro stated that as a Commissioner they have bylaws and she wanted to know if the number of allowed members was stated in the bylaws and if the bylaws would have to be amended to change the number of Commissioners from 7 to 5. Ms. Potts stated that she would check the citizen participation plan to see if amendment were required STAFF ORALS: Ms. Potts introduced Olivia Segura, Deputy Director of Redevelopment, to the Commission and stated that the Redevelopment Department prepared the CAPER for fiscal year 2005-06. Ms. Segura informed the Commission that the City is currently recruiting the Housing Manager and hopes to soon have the HOME program up and running. Ms. Segura stated that she wanted to be present just in case the Commission had questions on the C.A.P.E.R or the HOME program report. There being no questions the Commission thanked Ms. Segura for coming out and they would call her and set up an appointment if they had any questions. BOARD ORALS: Commissioner Carr stated that there is going to be changes on the Commission and if she's eliminated she has no problem stepping down. Commissioner Carr had been a Commissioner for several years and appreciates the opportunity to be on the CDBG Advisory Board Commission. Commissioner Carr also stated that if she were not appointed to the Commission she would definitely be in the audience. Commissioner Araujo stated that the Commission has little influence on the Council and the last couple of meetings he was absent because he feels like his voice is not being heard. Therefore, he's ready to be one of the voices in the audience. Commissioner Castro informed the Commission that Councilman Fernando Pedroza's Mother-n-Law passed away. She informed the Commission of the funeral service times and locations. Commissioner Castro stated that Councilman Pedroza's mother-in-law was a very strong and compassionate woman who was very active in the community behind the scenes. Commissioner Castro stated that if she does not return to the Commission it was fun while it lasted and that she has learned a lot. Commissioner Castro also stated the Councilman Fernando Pedroza appointed her to the Commission so she could do her research and give him a recommendation. If he chooses not to follow her recommendations at least she has a clear conscience that she did what she was suppose to do. Commissioner Castro said the Council wouldn't listen to the Commission because the Commission is not organized. When the Commission gets organized and comes together as one that's when their voice will be heard. Commissioner Castro also stated that the water rates were increased ridiculously and expressed her disappointment with a meeting with staff over the water rate issue. She said y shut her up but at the end of day she get her information verified and there is another way to handle the water rate issue. Commissioner Gutierrez stated that it has been nice being a Commissioner and if it is in fact her time to go she will go. Commissioner Gutierrez stated that the Council has promised do much yet nothing has happened. Commissioner Saldana stated that the Council needs to hear more voice than one, but all of the voices are gone, they've moved away from Lynwood. So who will run the City now? Chairperson Battle stated that he's the newest person on the Commission so he probably won't miss it as much if he is not elected to come back. Chairperson Battle also stated that sometimes its good to be the person in the audience especially if you know as much as he knows and you're not able to say anything about it. Battle stated that he thinks things that are not legal going on in the City of Lynwood and people sit around and do nothing. Chairperson Battle asked could you hire a person who does not have a green card and is not a citizen, in Lynwood you can, nowhere else in the State of California. In Lynwood you can hire this person a make them upper management. Chairperson Battle stated that Nepotism is against the law, but not a problem in Lynwood. There are Federal Laws that say you cannot supervise your Husband/Wife or work with them. However, stated Chairperson Battle, it is allowed in Lynwood and no one says anything. Chairperson Battle mentioned that a supervisor at INS lives in Lynwood and told him she didn't understand Lynwood and the way its City Government was ran, how can the City of Lynwood sponsor an alien to come and work in the City. Ms. Potts stated that this conversation could be continued after the meeting. She informed Chairperson Battle the he was getting off the agenda. Chairperson Battle replied that the Commission was on Board Orals and that when the Commission meets the Commission together becomes the authority and that staff works for the Commission, but in Lynwood staff tries to controls the Commission. Ms. Potts disagreed with Battle and said she just wanted to remind him that what was being discussed was not on the Agenda and that he was getting off track. Chairperson Battle stated that what they were talking about, leaving the Commission, was not on the agenda. Chairperson Battle went on to say that one of the reasons he probably won't return to the Commission is because no one wants him to tell them that what they are doing is illegal. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Chairperson Battle seconded by Commissioner Castro. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Chairperson Annette Potts, Lynwood staff