Loading...
CR 90-155 Reorganization Housing Staff \ 1 y 0 . August 1, 1990 :era: OPKI'^ Council Report: 90-155 REORGANIZATION OF HOUSING STAFF ~P08.~ f.9.t;\on~ Staff recommends adoption of the fOllowing motion~ Move to approve :t.he reorgan:.i~~t.i,on 0.1 the staffing struc'cure for the City's housing programs ~n~ctiviti€"~!:~ating a part-time section 8 Program A.<!l1J,inistratcr and a_fullti!lle Housi~ordinator. Approval of this motion will allow staff to hire two employees. This staffing structure will allow the city to become involved in housing related programs at a level of activity which is desired by the City Council. . Qve~iew. On 7/1'7/90 the City Council reviewed an outline of current housing programs, and alternatives for City involvement in those programs. As a result of this review, the City council generally indicated a desire for the City to become pro-active in the various housing programs a More specifica.lly, the Council indicated an interest in the city becoming more aggressive in expanding the City's existing Housing Rehab Program and begin to actively explore matt-:rs pertaining to a First time Home Buyers Program. Staff was furthar requested to look at staffing alternatives for the Section e Program as well as staffinq needs to facilitate the development of the various identified pro9'rams. Durin~ the City Councils discussion of the various housing programs, the Council was informed that the person currently invol ved with administerinq the Section a and. Housing Rehab proqram would no longer he available for full-time employment as of September. ~,II.U~.~~Q Consia~. o Wnat is the structure of the current Housing staff? o ~~at types of positions are proposed to be created? (,') How will the positions be financed? o How soon would the positions be filled? ilUPPQ%'ti~q.. J;n~OmD~~2D. o Staff Analysis of Issues o .\lterna.tives o Propos.d Job Descriptions o 7 12/90 Staff memo regarding Housing proqrams Director . REORGANIZATION OF HOUSING STAFF CR; 90-155 Page :2 Qt.ff Analysis o~ IssueSe o What is the structure of the current Housing staff? Currently, one full time employee, identified as a "Housing Specialist", is involved in the Citys housing programs (does not include Public Housing Manager). This person, who works under the supervision of the Director of Planning and Economic Development, spends approxilllately 30 hours per week administering the section 8 Program and approximately 10 hours per week administering the Housing Rehab Program and other housing activities. An intern also provides assistance with housing related matters. The current Housing Specialist has indicated that as of september she will no longer be available to work on a full-time basis. o What types of positions are proposed to be created? staff proposes the creation of the fOllowing two positions: . 1. ~t-time sec~i9n 8 Admini~~at2k - This position will allow for the continuation of the high level of local service provided to Section 8 recipients. Based upon the current number Qf section 8 units, it is estimated this person would work approximately 20 hours per week. The City'S Inspeotion Depart.ment would undertake the necessary inspections of the Section S units. It is likely this person will eventually become and liRA employee. It is also anticipated that. some type of employment contract would be used. Attached is the proposed job description for the position. 2. aousin9~~Oorgina~~ - The creation of this position will allow the city t.o meet the staffing requirements for dealing with the various housing programs identified by the Council as being important. This pasi tion would replace the current position of Housing Specialist. This position would be broader in scope and perform a wide variety of activities associated with the coordination and development of the overall housing programs for the city. Attached is a proposed job description for the position. o How will the positions b$ fin~nced? lQ Housing~QP~~1~ - At this time, it is anticipated the position will be located at a step 6 on the City'S pay plan. This step currently has a aalary range of $26f333 - $35,526. At somB point in the near future, the exact step will need to be determined. The actual salary of the person hired to fill the position will be based on the step UtiH!ld and the qualif'ications of the person hired. . . . REORGANIZATION OF HOUSING STAFF CR: 90-155 Page 3 No General Fund dollars are proposed to be used in 1990 or 1991 to pay for this position. Outlined below is a breakdown of the funding sources to be pay for the position for the remaining part of 1990 and all of 1991. Although not shown~ another possible source of funds would be from dollars received from an HRA levy. Staff will be discussing with the Council the issue of an HRA le'~ at a later time. 1990 1991 56% - Economic Dev Acct (204) 44% - Housing Rehab Fund (213) 50% Economic Dev Acct (204) 39% Housing Rehab Fund (213} _111 CDBG Allocation 100% 100% With regard to the funding sources proposed to be used, the following comments are made: ~Q.2D01Il.ic De,velopment Account It is proposed that interest earnings from this account be utilized to assist in paying for the Housing Coordinator position. The Cityfs pOlicy on the use of this fund for housing purposes is somewhat vague. The city"s policy does speak to assisting projects which relate to housing uses e.g. diversity of housing, housing ownership alternatives, housing affordability, and neighborhood stabilization and revitalization. The City's policy also indicates that the Economic Development Account could be used to administer economic development programs. Housing Rehab Fu~g - currently, the Housing Rehab Fund is used to pay for a portion of the salary for the person currently administer inq the program. The proposed use of this fund for administrati va costs is consistent with past practice. Assuming the Housing Coordinator aggressively markets the Housing Rehab Program I this fund may need an infusion of funds in the future to allow the program to continue. ~ - Staff will be proposing that a portion of the City's 1991 Community Development Block Grant allocation be used for housing rehab purposes. A portion of the COBG funds are proposed to b~ directed towards staff salaries. As the City's 1990 CDBG application was not targeted towards housing rehab, funas ara not available to assist in paying for staff in 1990. 2. Part-ttm~ S_gtion~Jmplo~e~ - This position is proposed to be financed entirely by the funds the City receives from the Metro HRA. As a re&ult, for 1990 or 1991 no General Fund dollars are proposed to be used. A6 stated earlier, the Inspeotion Department has a~reed to complete the required inspections and also will be reimbursed through the funds received from the Metro HRA. _I - ,~-:~ -~~'::;.' . . .-~-:; 0." ". r;~ -, ,....~ ~' ,. ,.. .~ -, Co. ~ ~-:->,-c REORGANIZATION OF HOUSING STAFF CR: 90-155 Page 4 o How soon would the positions be filled? It is anticipated the hiring process could take 1-2 months. ~lt.rn.tives . The Council has the following alternatives: 1. Approve the action as recommended by staff. 2. Approve the hiring of a Housing Coordinator but send the administration of the Section S Program back to the Metro HRA. 3. Hire a staff person to a~~inister the Section B and Housing Rehab programs. This alternative would essentially maintain the current level of staffing. 4. Deny staffs recommendation. This would require the Council to re-think its position regarding the City's involvement in housing related programs and activities. 5. Table matter for furth.er information.