Community Development Committee - January 15, 2019 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Community Development Committee of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the City Commission Room at City Hall at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 15, 2019.
The Community Development Committee Members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Commissioner John Strand, Michael Redlinger, Matthew Pike, Samantha McDonald, Thomas Hill (United Way), Sami Eidenschink (HBA FM), Melissa Rademacher (DCP), John Gunkelman (Planning Commission Vice Chair)
Absent: Jim Johnson, Linda Klebe, Ken Enockson, Mayor Tim Mahoney
Item 1. Welcome
Chairperson Strand welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Member Pike present.
Item 2. Approval of Agenda
No action was taken on this item.
Item 3. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of December 18, 2018
Member Pike moved the minutes of the December 18, 2018 Community Development Committee meeting be approved. Second by Member McDonald. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Redlinger present.
Item 4. Public Comment
This item was heard after item 5.
No public comment was given.
Item 5. Neighborhood and Code Enforcement
Inspections Administrator Bruce Taralson provided an overview and background of how the City’s code enforcement currently functions. He noted the three big code issues being dilapidated homes, junk, and junk vehicles. He shared that Inspectors do have the authority to write tickets for violations.
Mr. Taralson stated that the City has approved a new position for a Code Enforcer, and the hiring process will begin soon. He also noted that a new project management software is being developed and should be active in the spring.
Assistant Planning Director Mark Williams stated that Inspections is now its own department. He also noted that the City has a Code Enforcement Task Force comprised of representatives from many City departments. He shared that this Task Force allows for communication and cooperation across departments.
The Board discussed the importance of code enforcement, working with the neighborhoods, and how complaints are received and addressed.
Item 6. Staff Updates
a. Annual Community Assessment of 2017 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) from U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
Planning Coordinator Tia Braseth presented the Annual Community Assessment of the 2017 City of Fargo Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She noted that a satisfactory assessment was received and work is continuing on the 1-year and 5-year plans.
Member Hill moved to receive and file the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Annual Community Assessment for the City of Fargo’s 2017 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report. Second by Member Rademacher. On call of the roll Members Pike, Gunkelman, Hill, Rademacher, Eidenschink, McDonald, Redlinger and Strand voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Klebe, Mahoney, Johnson, and Enockson. The motion was declared carried.
b. CDBG/HOME Updates
Ms. Braseth stated that a public comment meeting was held Tuesday, January 8, 2019 and the minutes from the meeting are in the packet. She noted that the CDBG/HOME application deadline for 2019 is January 18, followed by the review process. She shared the need to form an application review subcommittee.
Members Pike, Hill, and Eidenschink will serve on the CDBG/HOME application review subcommittee.
Member McDonald absent.
c. 2020 Census
Ms. Braseth provided an overview of the history of the Census, the City’s role in the process, and establishing a Complete Count Committee.
The Board discussed the importance of communication with citizens, encouraging engagement and participation.
Additional information was distributed to the Board.
Planning Coordinator Donald Kress reviewed the basic details and key dates of the Census, noting April 1, 2020 is the Census Day. He noted that achieving the most accurate count is very important.
Board discussion continued regarding the impact a complete count has on federal funding regionally and locally, and the impact on establishing a transit authority. Also discussed was the importance of starting outreach with community connections.
Ms. Braseth shared that the Census.gov website has additional information.
Item 7. Other Business
Chair Strand provided a brief update regarding the Social Services fund allocations that were not approved at the last meeting regarding the institutional entities.
Member Pike inquired about the balance of any unallocated funds remaining in the Social Services fund budget.
Ms. Braseth noted that a follow-up would be available at the next meeting.
Item 8. Public Comment
No public comment was given.
Item 9. Adjourn
The time at adjournment was 3:15 p.m.