aPPROVED MINUTES

SUNNYVALE HOUSING & HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION

April 13, 2006

The Housing & Human Services Commission met in a regular session in Program Room A, Public Library, at 455 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, on April 13, 2006 at 7:08 p.m. with Chairperson Chad Steward presiding. 

ROLL CALL

Commission Members Present:  Chair Chad Steward, Vice Chair James Callan, Commissioners Ann Andersen; Damon Kali; Charles Keeler; Patrick Meyering; Timothy Persyn, and Jana Seshadri

Commission Members Unexcused Absent: None

Commission Excused Absent: Commissioner Micki Falk

Staff:  Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer and Alice Gamboa-Navas, Administrative Aide

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS        

Jackie Kerry, Director of Cupertino Community Services Agency, gave an overview of the agency, its mission and accomplishments.  She urged the Commission for continued support of the agency.

CONSENT CALENDAR

1. Approval of March 29, 2006 Draft Minutes

B.   Review of the Verbatim Excerpts of the February 22, 2006 Meeting

Staff explained that a review of the tape of February 22, 2006 meeting had been completed and noted that Chair Steward and Commissioner Meyering listened to the tape prior to the meeting.  She further noted that the minutes of February 22, 2006 that were approved on March 29, 2006 were modified where appropriate and the amended minutes submitted for review by the Commission.

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD

None

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

A.    Recommendations for City Council Consideration of the Draft Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (To City Council on May 9, 2006)

Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer, described the recommendations, assessments and activities included in the Draft Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choice.  She noted that the AI is a working document and a guide providing goals and activities to be undertaken in the next 3-5 years to further the City’s goals of expanded Fair Housing Choice.

Staff responded to Commission’s comments and questions on the following: the addition of the analysis of the more focused survey data in Sunnyvale; the funding for Project Sentinel in providing services assisting residents on fair housing; the job to housing ratio imbalance, and the promotion of homeownership.

Commissioner Persyn commented that the recommendations indicated on Section 6 of the documents should be implemented.

No comments from the second.

B.    Recommendation for City Council Consideration on the Report to Council: Request for Budget Modification No. 22 to Refund $111,761 of Disallowed Costs to the City’s CDBG Line of Credit and to Appropriate an Equal Amount from the Line of Credit to Fund Public Works Projects 825130 Speed Radar Signs and 824061 In-Pavement Cross Walk Lights, Disencumber $86,994 from the Neighborhood Support/Education Project, and Amendment of the Consolidated Plan Action Plans for FY 2003/2004, FY 2004/2005 and FY 2005/2006 (To City Council on May 9, 2006)

Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer, summarized the draft Report to Council, the history of the activities; the monitoring actions of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the allowed activities and the need for the proposed budget modification and amendments to the Consolidated Plans.

Staff responded to Commission questions regarding the fund transfers for certain activities, the reason for the ineligibility of the activities to receive CDBG funding; how the proposed projects deemed to be CDBG eligible, whether the disallowed funding could be appealed, and whether the proposed expenditures include administrative costs.

Chair Steward read Commissioner Falk’s comments expressing concerns about the areas surrounding Stocklmeier Elementary, PACE Autistic Center and Montessori Nursery Schools regarding traffic congestion.

There were no comments from the maker and the second.

Vice Chair Callan commented that the budget modification is an excellent idea.

C.     Discussion and Recommendation for City Council Consideration of FY 2006/2007 Action Plan  (To City Council on May 9, 2006)

Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer, summarized the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program budget, proposed allocation, the sources of program funds and the allowed activities for each funding source.

Staff responded to Commission questions regarding the source of the revolving loan funds, whether the funding changes every year; the other funds available such as HOME, whether these funds have the same rules and regulations and the source of the $349,500 available funds for program administration.

Vice Chair Callan commented that he finds staff explaining the funding sources and the process helpful.

No comments from the second.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

·         Commissioners Oral Comments

Commissioner Persyn and Chair Steward reported that they attended the City Council meeting of April 11 and that they shared the Commission’s opinion and reservations concerning modifications to the Outside Group Funding Policy.  They further reported that Councilmember Moylan offered a friendly amendment to direct human services agencies to come before the Housing and Human Services Commission first but it was not accepted.

On behalf of the Commission and staff, Chair Steward, extended sympathy to Commissioner Seshadri on the passing of her father and gave her a card.

·         Staff Comments

Annabel Yurutucu, Housing Officer, reported that the Joint Study Session meeting with the City Council on May 2, 2006 has been cancelled and re-scheduled to June 13, 2005 at 5:30PM at the West Conference Room.

Staff further reported that due to the cancellation of the City Council Meeting of May 2, 2006, the Reports to Council (RTC) on the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, the Budget Modification and Amendments to the Consolidated Action Plans and the Action Plan for FY 2006/2007 has been rescheduled to May 9, 2006.   Staff will e-mail to Commission the RTC as soon as it is available for distribution scheduled on May 5, 2006 after 5PM.

Ms. Yurutucu announced the National Fair Housing Symposium sponsored by Project Sentinel to be held on April 21, 2005 from 8AM to 1PM at the Community Center of Music and Arts in Mountain View.  She encouraged the Commission to attend.

She also announced that the Section 8 Voucher Wait List will re-open on April 24-28, 2006. The Wait List has been closed since 1999. Instructions on how to be on the Wait List will be published on Sunday, April 16, 2006 at the Santa Clara County Housing Authority website: www.hacsc.org and also in the San Jose Mercury News.  The opening announcement will also be published during the week of April 17 at the following publications: Gilroy Dispatch, Palo Alto Weekly, Peninsula Community Newspapers, El Observador and the Vietnam Daily News.

Ms. Yurutucu reminded the Commission of the Volunteers Recognition event on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at the Senior Center from 5PM to 6:30PM.

Further, staff announced that the Fair Housing Week is on May 13 through 20^th.   The opening of the Moulton Plaza, a 66 new-housing unit project, is tentatively scheduled for this week.

In conclusion, staff noted that in the upcoming joint meeting with the City Council, the absence of major issues to be discussed, and the additional meetings conducted in the past few months, the Commission may consider canceling either the May or June meetings.

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS

None

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Steward adjourned the meeting at 8:52 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Annabel Yurutucu

Housing Officer