#2 Minutes May 27, 2009
Minutes of the Janesville Community Development Authority (CDA) Regular Meeting
May 27, 2009
Present: CDA Members: Jana Vegge, Michael Bachmeyer, George Fenn, Duke Ellingson, Councilmembers Russ Steeber
and Tom McDonald.
Also present: City Staff: Jennifer Petruzzello, Kim Mangione, Carrie Clark.; Others: Andreah Briarmoon, Cathy Jennings,
Lori (the Literacy Connection), Traci Rogers .
Absent: CDA member Sylvia Moore
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Vegge at 5:30 p.m.
The minutes of the April 15, 2009 meeting were approved by majority with Councilmember McDonald abstaining as he
was not present at the April meeting.
Under Questions and Comments from the Public on Matters Not on the Agenda, Andreah Briarmoon appeared to
update the CDA on the status of the Case Feed Building.
Chairperson Vegge announced and welcomed Councilmember Tom McDonald as the newest member of the CDA.
Chairperson Vegge announced that the nominating committee has recommended Michael Bachmeyer as the new
Chairperson and Duke Ellingson as the new Vice-Chairperson. Steeber motioned to accept the recommendation,
seconded by McDonald. The motion passed unanimously.
Petruzzello introduced the 2008 Substantial Plan Amendment for the Community Development Block Grant-Recovery
(CDBG-R) Program. She indicated that the City, under a formula allocation would receive $145,035. Funding must be
used to stimulate the economy through measures that modernize the Nation’s infrastructure, improve energy efficiency,
and expand educational opportunities and access to health care.
Chairperson Bachmeyer opened the public hearing at 5:40 p.m.
Cathy Jennings spoke on behalf of the Literacy Connection (f/k/a the Janesville Literacy Council) to request funding from
the CDBG-R Program to assist with increases in staffing and programming. The additional funds would allow them to
focus on job skills training.
Traci Rogers spoke on behalf of HealthNet. HealthNet has doubled the services they provide over the past three years,
and they are now limiting the number of new enrollments because of space constraints. HealthNet presented a request
for $145,035 in CDBG-R funding to expand and renovate their facility. The expansion would double the number of exam
rooms and provide additional space for nurses, volunteers and staff. IT would meet ADA and code requirements and
ensure that they have a location downtown for 5-10 years. The project would create jobs through construction and
includes energy efficiency improvements.
Chairperson Bachmeyer closed the public hearing at 6:02 p.m. Motion by Steeber, seconded by Fenn to approve the
amendment and allocate $120,000 to HealthNet, $15,000 to the Literacy Connection, and $10,035 for Administration.
Motion failed 2-4, with Steeber and Fenn in support and Bachmeyer, Ellingson, McDonald and Vegge opposed. Motion
by Steeber, seconded by Ellingson to approve the amendment and allocate $125,000 to HealthNet, $10,000 to the
Literacy Connection and $10,035 for Administration. Motion passed 5-1, with Bachmeyer, Ellingson, Steeber, McDonald
and Vegge in support and Fenn opposed. This recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council.
Petruzzello introduced the 2008 Substantial Plan Amendment for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. This is a
program that allows the City to purchase foreclosed properties and renovate or demolish them to increase the stability
of neighborhoods most impacted by the foreclosure crisis. After scheduling this item for a public hearing and posting the
amendment, HUD informed staff that the hearing and amendment were not required. Petruzzello recommended the
CDA hold the public hearing to seek input since it had been noticed.
Chairperson Bachmeyer opened the public hearing at 6:19 p.m.
Ms. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust Street, spoke to request more public input into the process, to oppose the Buy,
Rehab, Resell project at 189 S. High Street, to indicate her willingness to serve on a committee to select properties, to
express concern over Habitat homes not fitting into the character of the neighborhood and her preference that Habitat
homes be built throughout the City.
Chairperson Bachmeyer closed the public hearing at 6:23 p.m.
Councilmember Steeber left the meeting at approximately 6:23 p.m.
Petruzzello introduced proposed changes to the Administrative Plan for the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program. The
proposed changes are the first to the Plan since 2001. The proposed update is meant to include HUD mandated
expansions to the existing policy, and the inclusion of new policies for all housing authorities who participate under the
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, as well as changes meant to clarify our current policy. There were also
substantive changes relating to minimum rent, equal opportunity and fair housing, violence against women act, and
criminal history.
Chairperson Bachmeyer opened the public hearing at 6:32 p.m.
Ms. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust Street, spoke regarding her desire to see the City offer a Section 8
Homeownership Program and to offer an opportunity for pre-inspections and approvals of property for landlords
interested in participating in the Section 8 Program.
Chairperson Bachmeyer closed the public hearing at 6:40 p.m. Motion by Ellingson, seconded by Fenn to approved the
revised Administrative Plan for the Section 8 Rent Assistance Program. Motion passed unanimously.
Petruzzello discussed the development of the 5 Year Consolidated Plan and 2010 Action Plan and her recommendation
to form a Steering Committee to assist in this process. The CDA selected Jana Vegge and Russ Steeber to represent the
CDA on this Committee.
Motion by Bachmeyer, seconded by Fenn to approve the 2009 Consolidated Plan Timetable, Application and Citizen
Participation Process.
Under Director’s Report, Petruzzello shared the CDBG Monitoring letter and the City’s response to that monitoring.
There were no matters not on the agenda.
Motion by Elingson, seconded by McDonald to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
These minutes are not official until approved by the CDA.
Respectfully submitted by Carrie Clark, Housing Financial and Rehabilitation Specialist and Jennifer Petruzzello,
Neighborhood Services Director