Lake County Gazette

City of Highland Park Housing Commission met March 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER

At 6:31 p.m., Chairman Ross called the regular meeting of the Highland Park Housing Commission, Peers Housing Association, Ravinia Housing Association, Walnut Housing Association, and the Sunset Woods Association to order. Each of the Commissioners also serves as Directors of each of the Housing Associations. Chairman Ross asked Staff to call the roll.

ROLL CALL

Commissioners Present: Chairman Ross; Commissioners Abreu, Berkun, Bernstein & Tapia

Commissioner Absent: Commissioner Adler

Councilwoman Present: Holleman

Student Rep Present: Hozman

Staff declared that a quorum was present.

Guests Present: Rob Anthony/CPAH

Richard Koenig/HODC

Betsy Lassar/Resident

Staff Present: Later

Also Present: Cerabona

BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC

There was no Business from the Public

Senior Planner Later welcomed new student representative, Jordana Hozman who offered a brief background. Chairman Ross officially introduced new HC member, Andres Tapia.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Regular meeting of the Housing Commission – January 8, 2020

Commissioner Bernstein moved to approve the January 8, 2020, meeting minutes. Commissioner Tapia seconded the motion.

On a voice vote:

Voting Yea: Chairman Ross; Commissioners Abreu, Berkun, Bernstein & Tapia

Voting Nay: None

Commissioner Ross declared that the motion passed unanimously.

SCHEDULED BUSINESS

1. Items for Omnibus Vote Consideration

• Payment of Invoices

Senior Planner Later advised nothing is outstanding.

• Ratification of Payments

Senior Planner Later advised there was a $10.00 invoice for Peers’ Annual Report.

Commissioner Tapia moved to pay the invoice of $10.00. Commissioner Abreu seconded the motion.

On a voice vote

Voting Yea: Chairman Ross; Commissioners Abreu, Berkun, Bernstein & Tapia

Voting Nay: None

Commissioner Ross declared that the motion passed unanimously.

2. Peers, Walnut, Ravinia, and Sunset Woods Associations

• Consideration of Management Reports for Peers, Walnut, and Ravinia Peers

Commissioner Abreu asked about the pending eviction. Senior Planner Later stated this is a disabled person; the issue is still pending. She noted the Social Worker and Service Coordinator are involved. Councilwoman Holleman suggested contacting the Social Worker at the Police station.

Senior Planner Later noted work is ongoing on the elevators and is expected to be complete in March.

The bathtubs being replaced are original to the building.

Walnut

Chairman Ross asked that Evergreen conduct a PNA/Physical Needs Assessment. Reports were received and pricing is $2,500.00 and $6,500.00. Senior Planner Later stated a 5-year strategic plan is being initiated for all of the properties and a capital assessment would be helpful for a lot of reasons. This cost is in the budget for Walnut. Chairman Ross wanted to know which level of analysis the HC would like. He preferred the more detailed report.

Commissioner Berkun asked, since an assessment is being done on all the buildings, would this be an extra cost. Chairman Ross stated this is due to the condition of Walnut; the other buildings are not in the same condition. His recommendation is to obtain the full report at $6,500.

It was recommended by Councilman Holleman that the HC go into Closed Session. Guests departed the meeting at 7:12 p.m.

The meeting reopened. Commissioner Abreu moved to go back into Open Session at 7:23 p.m. Commissioner Tapia seconded the motion. Guests also returned.

On a roll call vote:

Voting Yea: Chairman Ross; Commissioners Abreu, Berkun, Bernstein & Tapia 

Voting Nay: None

Chairman Ross declared that the motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bernstein moved to approve a $6,500 PNA. Commissioner Berkun seconded the motion.

On a roll call vote:

Voting Yea: Chairman Ross; Commissioners Abreu, Berkun, Bernstein & Tapia 

Voting Nay: None

Chairman Ross declared that the motion passed unanimously.

• Housing Trust Fund Financials

Senior Planner Later advised nothing is outstanding.

• Sunset Woods’ Financials

Senior Planner Later advised nothing is outstanding.

• Other Association Business

There was no Other Association Business.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no Old Business.

NEW BUSINESS

Chairman Ross revised the order of the agenda.

3. Contract Renewal for Housing Opportunity Development Corporation Property Management Services for Sunset Woods Association

Senior Planner Later noted this is on a two-year renewal cycle to maintain the HODC contract. It expires in 2020. She advised this is approved by the HC, then to City Council, and then IDHA.

Mr. Koenig stated there are two agreements; one for 12 units and one for 2 units. Commissioner Abreu stated there are six units for sale in the building. Senior Planner Later noted some are owned by recently deceased residents.

Mr. Anthony stated an acquisition and rental could take place. Chairman Ross reminded the HC was not obligated to buy units – it is their option.

Mr. Koenig stated there have been five rental units turned over in 20 years; he explained resale restrictions, etc.

Senior Planner Later stated there are 46 for sale units and 14 rental units. Commissioner Abreu noted the for-sale units are listed for $119,000.00 with two-bedrooms at $140,000.00. Income verification is conducted by CPAH for the for sale properties through a contract with the building management company.

Mr. Koenig shared the procedure that took place regarding the bed bug and hoarding issue. Senior Planner Later reminded Commissioner Adler reported there were no complaints regarding HODC. Purchases are contingent on income-qualified residents.

Chairman Ross reminded HODC is non-profit. Mr. Koenig explained their mission and hierarchy with residents.

Commissioner Abreu moved to approve the extension. Commissioner Bernstein seconded the motion.

On a roll call vote:

Voting Yea: Chairman Ross; Commissioners Abreu, Berkun, Bernstein & Tapia 

Voting Nay: None

Chairman Ross declared that the motion passed unanimously. He thanked Mr. Koenig, and stated HODC does a great job.

Back to.

1. Code of Conduct and Amendments to the City of Highland Park Ethics Guidelines

Senior Planner Later stated changes were made, and City Council approved same; this would be provided to all Commissions.

2. Disposition of 1974 Green Bay Road Townhome

Senior Planner Later gave a presentation:

 Background was provided on Glenkirk Association (to serve people with disabilities); licensed to offer residential and other support

 City purchased a unit and had a lease with Glenkirk. City Council suggests something else may potentially be done with this unit. Unit is two-story, two-bedroom with garage underneath.

 City Council asked that the HC consider taking it under its purview. In the 1990s, the HC made an offer to purchase the unit from the City but nothing became of it.

 Disposition Options the HC is asked to consider are

o Maintain the same use but with a different provider 

o Use the unit for another programmatic purpose

o Sell the unit with profits going to the Housing Trust Fund

 Remaining units in development are owned by one owner and that owner has approached the City with an interest to acquire

Chairman Ross asked if anyone has recommendations. Discussion took place. Commissioner Abreu asked if this is affordable. Ms. Later explained the unit was purchased with Community Development Block Grant funds in the 1980 for housing for disabled low-moderate income tenants.

Chairman Ross asked if Ms. Lassar or Mr. Anthony have any thoughts. Mr. Anthony stated it could be a rental but wouldn’t be that marketable to sell. He reminded the HC that City Council asked CPAH that a unit be reserved as a safe haven for domestic violence.

Commissioner Abreu asked what the owner might pay. Chairman Ross agreed it may affect the decision to sell. Senior Planner Later said all purchase negotiations matters are referred to the City Manager’s Office. The HC is being asked to advise on the options for disposition of the property. Chairman Ross stated the unit could be donated for a special use or the profits of a sale could be placed into the Housing Trust Fund.

Chairman Ross stated he believes it should be sold with a restriction to remain affordable through a deed restriction. Senior Planner Later said the owner of the other units may wish to redevelop the parcel. Commissioners agreed this could make the unit more desirable to the owner.

Senior Planner Later advised she could draft a recommendation memo for HC in March. Comments include to determine the value, sell at market rate, make a donation to the Community Land Trust, or have a special needs use, etc. The HC decided it did not want to purchase the unit from the City or take it under its purview.

Councilwoman Holleman suggested, the options could be ranked for City Council. The Commission requested a zoning analysis be done on the property to determine how it could be redeveloped.

STAFF REPORT

Ms. Later said the items under Staff Report were addressed in other agenda items.

Commissioner Berkun stated if we are becoming a burden to the Police & Fire Departments and if social services should be stepped up. Senior Planner Later advised more services may be needed as the tenant population ages, and needs are changing. Mr. Koenig discussed HODC’s Service Coordinator duties, especially in terms of the 14 units they manage. Senior Planner Later is having a meeting with Evergreen staff next week to determine needs.

Discussion took place on existing social services at the HC’s buildings. Mr. Koenig shared the distinction between Property Management Staff and Service Coordinators. Senior Planner Later stated Evergreen contracts out to North Shore Senior Center.

Chairman Ross asked Senior Planner Later to provide feedback to the HC of her meeting with Evergreen as to a recommendation. He noted Walnut has the HUD grant, and Peers has the cash flow to afford additional services Chairman Ross stated Mary Mauney with Evergreen could speak to the HC about this. Senior Planner Later stated there are Romanian, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish speaking tenants represented in the communities. Commissioner Tapia stated foreign language capacity could be a requirement for potential service providers.

Commissioner Bernstein asked if the City owns land the HC could develop. Councilwoman Holleman stated this is a question for City Council.

Commissioner Bernstein asked what the priorities are for the HC. Chairman Ross stated the majority of what the City owns is low-income senior housing. The Housing Land Trust services more families. Councilwoman Holleman reminded the demands and priorities are big-picture questions. Commissioner Tapia asked and Chairman Ross replied that 10% of affordable units is the IHDA goal for Highland Park; we are at 9% currently. Senior Planner Later stated Highland Park has the highest number of affordability among Illinois non-exempt communities, as defined by IHDA. Chairman Ross stated the demand is there for affordable one, two, and three-bedroom units.

Commissioner Berkun stated the HC might have taken a reactionary stance while an ideal is a proactive one. He suggested perhaps one entire building be affordable. Chairman Ross noted the economy comes into play. Mr. Anthony noted funds have to be available in order to purchase more properties/units. Currently CPAH purchases three units a year through the City’s Scattered Site grant program.

Discussion took place on payments received in-lieu (also noted on Page 39 of the packet).

Chairman Ross asked Mr. Anthony to come before the HC if more housing purchase options become available. Mr. Anthony said he would be happy to do so.

Senior Planner Later stated the 5-year strategic plan will take time to develop and will be developed in conjunction with the Housing Commission.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Abreu moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Commissioner Tapia seconded the motion.

On a voice vote

Voting Yea: Chairman Ross; Commissioners Abreu, Berkun, Bernstein & Tapia 

Voting Nay: None

Commissioner Ross declared that the motion passed unanimously.

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