Heat. Heat. Yeah.Oh, down. Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. I would like to call to order theTuesday, December 9th, 2025 HA board meeting.Uh, first item on the agenda is the approval of the agenda. Are there anyedits or changes? Hearing none. May I have a motion toapprove the agenda? >> So moved.>> Moved by Commissioner Hooim. >> Second.>> And second by Commissioner Dolinger. Uh, we need to take a roll call vote.>> Commissioner Dolinger. >> I.>> Commissioner Huim. >> I. Commissioner Mua.>> Hi. Commissioner Eay>> I. >> Commissioner Carter.>> I. >> Commissioner Wooten.>> I. >> Uh, Chair Mueller.>> I. Right. Motion passes 7 to zero. Uh, next item is consent business and items3.1 through 3.8um are consent items. Would anyone like to pull an item for discussion? Okay, hearing none, may we have a voteto approve the consent I Whoops, sorry. Motion. Maywe I can't read my handwriting. May we have a motionto um approve the consent items? >> So move.>> Moved by Commissioner >> Dolinger.Oh, and second by Commissioner Carter. Sorry. All right. Roll call vote. >> Commissioner Dolinger.>> Hi. >> Commissioner Huim.>> I. >> Commissioner Mo.>> Hi. >> Commissioner Eim.>> I. >> Via WebEx. Commissioner Carter.I >> via WebEx. Commissioner Wood>> I. >> Chair Mueller.>> I motion passes seven to zero. We have some discussion items. There's noorganizational business, no new business, but we do have discussionitems. First is the HCV waiting list update. May we have the staff report? >> Hi. Hey. Uh, good evening, chair andcommissioners. Anna Salvador, assistant HA administrator. Um, the item I, um, amhere tonight to discuss is just a update on the HCV program waiting lists. Andthis is the first of what we plan to do as an annual update to this body eachyear. Um, no formal action is required. It's more just um, an update on theactivity that occurred over the last calendar year related to um, the waitinglists. All right.So, just as a reminder, some background, the housing choice voucher programrelies on waiting lists to select households for voucher issuance. Andthis is because the need um severely outpaces the amount of available fundingacross the country for this program. The Bloomington H currently has three activewaiting list. And what I mean by active is that um when we do have vouchersavailable, these are the waiting lists that we turn to that we're activelymanaging um to select households. The first list is the 2018 housing choicevoucher waiting list. And this waiting list opened and closed in 2018 and we'vejust been um selecting from that list since since that um closure. This listis close to being exhausted as we'll see in a later slide. Um once this list isexhausted, that is when we can then move to the 2024 housing choice voucherwaiting list which opened in July of 2024. At the same time we opened thatwaiting list, we also opened the projectbased voucher waiting list um forthis program. And both both of those 2024 lists are consistently orconstantly open to new applications. So we're regularly accepting newapplications to those two waiting lists. Um, all three of these waiting lists gothrough what we call our update process, which happens two times per year. And2025 was the first year that we went through this um, update process with ournew software. The goal of the update process is just to confirm interest withcontinued interest in the program and just make sure that the householdinformation that we have on file is still accurate um, as we're screeningfor eligibility and things like that. So, like I mentioned, we we completedour first annual uh update cycle. So, we we did a um an update in February andalso one in September. This was a new process for our office and primarilyit's all completed online through the portal. What happens is we send anotification out to all households that are on our waiting list and give themabout um a 15 business day time period where they just need to respond,indicate their interest, and update their personal household information. Umas of the most recent update in September, we achieved a 60%response rate, which um we think is a pretty decent average to maintain. Um,as you'll see with the volume of our waiting list, that's a significantnumber of households that we were able to reach um, and get a response from.We've also seen a lot of movement on our project based voucher waiting list interms of selection from that waiting list in 2025. And that's just because ofvacancies both in our assisted rental properties, but also in otherprojectbased voucher units um, that are a part of the program.The next few slides are mostly just demographic information about who is onour waiting list um or waiting lists I should say. Um the top right uh side ofthe slide is just showing current income limits that are released by HUD umannually in in the spring. Based on these income limits, the vast majorityof our um applicants across the board, uh fall into that extremely low income,which is 30% of area median income or below. Um and that's consistent acrossall three of our programs. I will just flag um the for eligibility for thisprogram um it's 50% of AMI or below but we do still allow households with aslightly higher income to remain on the waiting list because we do verificationof income and um household size and all of that at selection. So we just want togive the opportunity for that household to continue to be considered because whoknows when when they would be selected and what their household situation wouldbe at that time. So I'm just flagging that's why there is a small percentageof households that are showing as low income on these waiting lists.Um so the first list for 2018 we have 54 households remaining on this list. Sovery small um total amount of households. the vast majority of them dofall or fall in that one uh single person household size. Um, one thingI'll just flag on this slide that I think is interesting is most of thisdemographic information is pretty consistent across all three of ourwaiting lists. Um, specifically when you're looking at household race, we dosee a slight adjustment um, when it comes to household ethnicity with our2024 waiting list as we'll see on the next slide. and we attribute that to ummore targeted outreach to the Hispanic um populations within the metro area.So again, here's the 2024 waiting list. As of as as of the the last update, wehave just over 5,500 households on this list. Again, we're seeing most of thosehouseholds are either in one or two bedroom or sorry, one or two personhousehold sizes. Um, and then there's like a pretty um representative splitbetween disabled and family household types.The 2024 HCV list and projectbased waiting list just due to the nature ofhow and when they were opened. There's a lot of overlap of who's on those waitinglists. And I think that is reflective of what you're seeing for the projectbasedvoucher waiting list in terms of demographics as well. Um, this listagain I think had is showing a slightly smaller amount of households and I thinkthat can be attributed to the number of waiting list selections we've done forprojectbased vouchers this last year. Um, in terms of 2026, just lookingahead, we will we do plan to do two updates in the February September kindof time range again in 2026. And then the other big waiting list relatedupdate is that we we do plan to open another project based voucher waitinglist specifically for the Rosalyn which form or also known as 700 American. Umand that waiting list is set to be open sometime in January so very soon here.Um so that'll be another major uh project under this waiting list umbrellain 2026. And that concludes my presentation.Any questions or comments? >> Commissioner Carter.>> Uh, thank you, Chair. Can you remind us why there's a separate waiting list forthat project specifically? >> Yeah, thank you, Comm. Uh, thank you,Commissioner Carter, for the question. So for that we um elected to do aseparate waiting list because that prop property is restricted to 55 and upindividuals in terms of age. And so >> um it it kind of creates anadministrative burden to justify why we're selecting out of order on our ournormal project based voucher waiting list. Um so this is just a a way to kindof keep the administrative burden down somewhat. So,>> and I assume we'll we'll let the people who are on the other list know who arein that 50 I mean there's it doesn't look like there's very many. So, but inthat 55 plus range. >> Yes. Know that the>> Yeah. Thanks, Commissioner Carter. Yeah, we intend to do some targeted outreachto households that already are on our waiting list that we think could uhqualify for the new waiting list as well.>> Awesome. Thank you. >> Uhhuh.>> Commissioner Wooden. >> Yeah. My question has to do with um thefirst of the year Congress goes back into session again to figure out whatthe budget's going to be. Is there any thoughts as to how this is going toaffect these waiting lists? That's the first question. Second is is there anythought given to possibly purging given the nature of the climate and the um theuh uncertainty to all the activities been taken on bynurses. Thanks Commissioner Ruten for thequestion. I think due to the nature of how we manage the waiting list, I thinkthere's always going to be some level of responsibility u for continued kind ofthe update process is essentially our annual purge I will say. So householdsthat don't respond to our update requests are removed from the waitinglist. And so that's how we it's a mechanism that we use to make sure thatthe households that are on our list continue to be interested that when wedo have selection available we are able to pull from an active list. Umas of right now based on the funding that we're aware of um we need tomaintain and have a waiting list um just because we do have active vouchers inour community. if if we were to have any sort of funding available, we would needto be able to have pull from a list in order to issue any potential vouchersthat we have. So there would still be that requirement of having some sort oflist. So my my question I guess more directlyis given the nature of the uncomfortabilityuh ethnic groups communities you know is there thoughtabout how to be proactive in marketing and ensuring that they can feelcomfortable putting their name on a list so they can get each>> I see. >> Thank you Commissioner Ruten for thequestion. So, um, when we first opened the list, we implemented an affirmativemarketing plan, as it's, um, generally referred to, um, and marketed,um, broadly across different, um, spec different groups that are representedacross the community of Bloomington. Um, I think this review, this annual reviewis our opportunity to make sure that that is that population is stillconsistent with who's on our waiting list and then we can do targetedoutreach at that point if it it looks like there's any groups that are underreppresented. Based on the analysis we did when the waiting list was openedabout a year ago, um, we're still pretty consistent with the populationdistribution within Bloomington. Other questions or comments? >> Thank you.Next, we have H administrator updates. Yes, chair and commissioners. Very shortquick meeting tonight. Thank you all for making it in the very snowy evening. Um,a couple updates. So, last at the last meeting, I updated on a couple itemsgoing to council. A quick update on those. Uh the CDBG um amendment wasapproved last night. The H levy was uh held to the next meeting which is onDecember 15th and there was a request for some additional information there.Um in terms of other updates, we do have our next meeting is in January. We onlyhave one meeting scheduled for this month. So this will be the last one forthe year. Um and maybe I'll pause there. See anyquestions? I have one last announcement. >> Commissioner Hulkin. >> Thank you, Chair. Um, I would like tomake a comment regarding last night's city council meeting if that would beokay. Um, last night's council meeting was challenging and I just want to offera brief statement for the record. As an H board commissioner, I want tohighlight the amount of time, care, and hard work our board invested indeveloping the budget and determining the the levy request. There was emotion,frustration, and a great deal of diligence behind this process. And wealso listened very closely not only to our council liaison when they shared thetheir concerns on the original levy request, stating it was too high, but wealso listened to residents. In response, we compromised and lowered our requestaccordingly. And because of that, it was deeply concerning to have the levy heldat last night's council meeting. This raises issues not only related to timingand deadlines, which is a concern I do have, and I would like clarification onthat tonight as well, just for the for the public too. Um, but also the respectand validation of the work put forward by this board and the um and the Hstaff. Speaking personally, um it did not feel me it did not make me feelheard or supported. I would like to commend council member deandro forvoting against the hold and for recognizing that all requesteddocumentation had been provided to the council in addition to the multiplemeetings this board has held on this issue. I also appreciate council memberMua's thoughtful comments. Um however it was still disheartening to feel that thecouncil did not stand behind the board it appointed. It left the impressionthat the dedication hard work of this board was not fully valued and I believethat deserves acknowledgement. Thank you. >> All right. And my last announcement isjust I wanted to acknowledge that tonight is Commissioner Mua's lastmeeting as a council representative. Um and so we will be having a newrepresentative at our first meeting in January. And so just wanted to>> I I just want to add to that add my appreciation Commissioner Mua for allyou have done. I one of the things I absolutely appreciate probably the mostis the thoughtful thoughtout questions that you ask. Youhave helped me look at things differently. you have worded things insuch a way that it's like, oh, okay. And always always have been respectful. Um,and I just appreciate what you have given to this board and to the city as awhole. Thank you. >> Anyone else?>> I second that. >> Yeah. As well, I've learned a lot fromyou. um you've challenged my thought process in the most respectful way asshe said and I appreciate that. I think that's that's very helpful and it helpsus grow and it helps us become a greater city. So thank you for your commitmentto the city. Thank you for your time not only here but with the council. Yourvoice has been very appreciated. >> Commissioner Wooten, did you have yourhand raised? >> Yes, Commissioner Wooten. Can you hear me now?>> Yes. Yes. >> Okay, great. Sorry, I I was on mute. Iwant to also commend Commissioner Mua for um his mentorship of me early on andthe opportunity to be able to share ideas and um and for all the hard worknot only done on the councils on the board, but all the hard work he's doingin community as a whole with family and with other families in particular. So,thank you very much for that. >> Guess I'll say something now.>> Okay. >> Thank you, Chair.>> Um, and all the the members of the board. It's been two years already.Can't believe it's flown by like that. Um, and when I when I first joined theHR, I knew housing was important to me. Um,just from how I grew up and how housing impacted my family and my life as afirst generation American, watching my parents as immigrants work through theprocess in the system and then to come to a city that that values and supportsthe people who live here in that same way. Um, I've come to really understandjust how deeply it shapes the lives of our city and our residents here. Andhousing is more than just bricks and mortar.Uh, it's about stability and dignity and opportunity.And when we talk about redevelopment, it's more than just projects. It's aboutcreating spaces where people feel that they can belong and that they canthrive. And I'll never forget all theconversations that I've had with residents, with staff, um, who havebenefited from our programs, stories from families who have been able to finda safe place to call home when they've looked far and wide, and Bloomington isthe place where they end up. We've been able to help seniors stay intheir home. Seniors who have been here since the 60s, since Bloomington wasnothing but farmland and the programs that we have that helpthem remodel and keep up their homes and allow them to stay in the place thatthey raise their families, that their grandkids come home to is it speaksvolumes to what we do here on the HR. And these moments are what remind meabout why this work matters so much. Um, so I want to thank first off ourstaff, Sarah, for coming on and taking on everything. Uh, our staff for, uh,everything that you've endured over the last five years, the pandemic, workingthrough all the issues that that caused, leadership changes, staffing changes. Wedidn't miss very much. we continue to roll through and provide the servicesthat our our people need here in our city to make sure that they can continueto stay here in Bloomington, raise their families here in Bloomington. So, yourprofessionalism and care um doesn't go unnoticed.And I've learned so much from all of you. I'm really grateful for yourpatience with me as I was learning uh because I'm sure I've asked one or twoquestions that probably didn't need to be asked, but I'm glad I did. And I'mglad that you answered my questions in a way that didn't make me feel like I uhdidn't know what I was doing because I didn't. So, I appreciate you doing thatfor me. Um to my fellow commissioners, just thank you for your collaborationand your thought. It's not easy to sit up here with seven people and and talkthrough the difficult conversations that we have to have sometimes, but thisboard is not afraid to tackle those tough conversations, those tough issues.and I've appreciated the way that we've worked together to find solutions thatreally reflect what Bloomington values. And so I'm proud of the progress we'vemade and I know that there's more important work ahead and I have noshortage of confidence that this board is going to continue to make those toughdecisions and have those tough conversations.Um and and to the Bloomington residents, thank you. Thank you for your trust,your feedback, your confidence, your patience, and your passion for thiscommunity. Every email, every conversation, every handshake, everycoffee I've ever had has reminded me why I chose to serve here. And it has beenan honor to advocate for your needs to help build a city where our familieshave the opportunity to thrive. And stepping away wasn't an easy choice.It's very bittersweet that I'm here and having to say all this right now, butit's the right one for me and my family. Uh I'm just a a time in life where uhdad's needed more at home than uh the city needs a commissioner, a citycouncil member right now. And so my three boys are growing really fast and Idon't want to miss any more moments of them. I'm sure they're watching rightnow actually. And so I feel bad for the city. The average viewing age is goingto drop probably by 20 years because they're all watching. But um someoneonce told me when I had coffee with them, they said, "Your kids are onlylittle once. The city will always have work to do." I really took that to heartand that's what helped me make the decision that I had to made. Uh but thisisn't goodbye. All right. This is a see you later. I still deeply believe in thepromise that Bloomington has and makes for all our residents. And when the timeis right, I look forward to coming back to raise my hand again and serve withall of you. with all of our residents. But until then, I'll be cheering you onfrom the sidelines. I'm grateful for all you do to keep Bloomington movingforward. So, thank you. >> Thank you.>> I like that. Bloomington moving forward. Oh, Commissioner Wooten,>> I actually wanted to go before Commissioner M said he's couple points Iwant to make since this is the last meeting for the current board. Um,Commissioner Mu um Huie mentioned a point about the budget and the levy. Iwant to know kind of where that is now since it's going to be delayed over thenext council members meeting. And then secondly,uh at last meeting we had a issue with um folks who came to speak out and itwas a little bit of a challenge trying to get that crowd to be a bit morerespectful of the fact that that wasn't an audience. And so I want to talk aboutsafety and being aware of safety relative to our meetings and being ableto have situations where we have a protocol to control crowds forindividuals who may not be in line with what we're trying to do. I want to makesure that's part of what we discussed going into January. >> Yes. Uh chair and commissioners, I canjump in with an update on the levy, which is um it will be on the agenda forthe city council next week on Monday, December 15th. Um it, you know, Ibelieve that the um budget has to be approved on the 15th. So, it didn'tcause any delays on um on our end. And so, but I do believe that it needs tohave a vote on the 15th on the agenda. So, that's where we are currently. Um,and then as regards to your other question around safety, I can say we'rekind of exploring the idea around like a training for commissioners around safetyin the chambers. So, um, we can look into providing that next year. With no further questions or comments,um, we have reached the end of our agenda. And may I have a motion toadjourn the Tuesday, December 9th, HR board meeting?>> So moved. >> Moved by Commissioner Mua.>> Second, >> and second by Commissioner Wooten, Ithink I heard. >> So we need a roll call vote. >> Commissioner Dolinger.>> I. >> Commissioner Huim.>> I. >> Commissioner Mo.>> I. >> Commissioner Eim. I>> via WebEx. Commissioner Carter >> I>> via WebEx Commissioner Wooden >> I>> chair Mueller >> I. So motion passes seven to zero. Thankyou everyone.