AGENDA #4e
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Amendment to the Duties and Powers of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board
DATE: June 25, 2001
The purpose of this memorandum is to respond to a request from the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board for clarification of the Board’s duties and powers.
The attached ordinance would amend the Town Code regarding the duties and powers of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board.
In September 2000, the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board met with the Town Attorney regarding the duties and powers of the Board. At the meeting, the members of the Board raised questions and requested clarification about the Board’s power to approve public housing procedures.
According to Section 2-164, paragraph 1 of the Town Code, the duties and powers of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board include the following:
Approve public housing procedures, in accord with HUD regulations and within the budgetary and service levels authorized by council, regarding terms of lease, occupancy, late rent fees, pet policy, resident transfers, and other applicable regulations.
However, in practice, the Council approves public housing procedures. The role of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board is to advise and submit recommendations to the Council regarding public housing policies and procedures.
We believe we can address the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board’s request for clarification of its duties and powers by amending section 2-164, paragraph 1 of the Town Code. The first word in paragraph 1 would be changed from approve to recommend.
The proposed amendment would make paragraph 1 of Section 2-164 of the Town Code consistent with paragraphs 4,5,7 and 8 (please see attachment 1).
Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council approve the attached ordinance amending Chapter 2-164 of the Town Code.
ATTACHMENT
1. Section 2-164 of the Town Code (p. 4).
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-164 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD (2001-06-25/0-1)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill as follows:
Section 1. The first subparagraph of Section 2-164. Duties and Powers. Article XI.,Chapter 2 of the Town Code, is hereby revised to read as follows:
(1) Approve Recommend
public housing procedures, in accord with HUD regulations and within the
budgetary and service levels authorized by council, regarding terms of lease,
occupancy, late rent fees, pet policy, resident transfers, and other applicable
regulations.
Section 2. This ordinance shall become effective upon adoption.
This the 25th day of June, 2001.
Section 2-164. Duties and Powers.
The Housing and Community Development Advisory Board shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) Approve public housing procedures, in accord with HUD regulations and within the budgetary and service levels authorized by the Council, regarding terms of lease, occupancy, late rent fees, pet policy, resident transfers, and other applicable regulations.
(2) Assess and update the public housing needs of the community and alert the Council to change in these needs.
(3) Serve as liaison with the public housing residents’ organization. Provide time at each meeting for a report from the residents’ organization and remarks by any resident(s). Hold an annual meeting with residents to hear needs, concerns, complaints, ideas.
(4) Recommend a tenant grievance policy, in accord with HUD regulations, for the Council’s consideration and adoption. Serve as grievance panel for those tenant grievances not settled at the staff level.
(5) Advise the Council with respect to public housing needs at the beginning of the budget cycle and make recommendations to the Council regarding the recommended budget and fiscal policies.
(6) Work with other human service organizations in the community and Coordinate services to residents of public housing and help assure that residents are provided with social services to which they are entitled.
(7) Advise the Council regarding housing initiatives, programs, and services.
(8) Advise the Council regarding matters involving community development grant funds, including but limited to three-year and one-year plans for using these grant funds and proposals and request by citizens and community organizations desiring to receive community development funds for special projects and programs.