10-17-88 Personnel & Finance and Residential Neighborhoods

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Joint Meetiro of the Personnel and Finance and Residential Neighborhoods Committees 10-17-88 Page 2 further suggested that perhaps a lien on the property should be considered and then explained the process of a "fair listing" and how properties are sold with 3 to 5 comparables being taken over the last six month period. JoAnn Harper, Chief Deputy Clerk, announced to the committees that she telephoned Mr. Al Watson and he acknowledged that he did receive notice of the committee meeting. However since they did not receive a personal telephone call inviting them to today's meeting he and Mr. Hartzer elected not to attend. Councilman Soderberg stated that he saw this fund analogous to an emergency brake on a car. Councilman Duda stated that the South Bend Housing Authority had been cut 80% over the last 8 years and that the cost to maintain and repair is constantly going up. These factors must be taken into consideration. Mr. John Leisenring then gave to the Council Attorney a copy of Resolution 201-68 which authorized the execution of a cooperation agreement between the City of South Bend and the South Bend Housing Authority (copies attached) . Mr. Leisenring also explained the performance funding formula which is used during the budget preparation. Mr. Al Watson then joined the meeting after a telephone discussion with the Council Attorney who requested his attendance. He stated that through the budget process monies are set aside on an annual basis to address the maintenance needs. He also noted that the 50 homes are a part of the "conventional rental homes program" and are separate and distinct from the home ownership program. Councilman Voorde then briefly summarized where the council committees were on this particular issue. He noted that the fund concept is being proposed as a fourth line of defense. He stated that at this point it had been determined that it would be a non-reverting fund. He stated that the committment is one of having a "insurance policy" to address catastrophic needs for maintenance. He stated that currently the committees are discussing whether it should address the 50 units or all rental units and also whether it should be a grant or a loan. Mr. Watson stated that the Housing Authority is open to any type of maintenance assistance as a backup for public housing authority units. He questioned why the fund would be targeted for just the scattered sites as oppossed to all others. He preferred that all units under the conventional rental program be included. He stated that the Housing Authority has filed an application to convert 27 units from the home ownership program to the conventional rental