HHSC Meeting Minutes for April 6, 2022

MINUTES 
HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION  
Neighborhood Resources Department 
Virtually via Webex 
Phone: (415) 655-0001, Access Code: 2599-097-0354 
Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 6:00 p.m. 
 
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL   
Commission Chair Tony Alcala called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.  
 
Commissioners present: Antonio (“Tony”) Alcala, Cynthia Hardy, David Gonzalez, Greg Rodriquez, 
Leonard Navarrete, Ryan Magel, and Vanessa Dearmon.  
 
Commissioners absent: Heather Mattisson (excused), Julie Martin (excused), Karen Tepper (excused), 
and Steve Tepper (excused). 
 
Staff present: Leah Powell, Neighborhood Resources Director, Tawn Kao, Assistant City Attorney, Riann 
Balch, Community Resources Manager, Karin Bishop, Community Development & Resources 
Supervisor, Dylan Raymond, Community Resources Coordinator, and Monica Thompson, Community 
Development Coordinator 
 
Public present: Jacki Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Family and ARM of Save the Family, Katie 
Martin, FSL Administrator of Home Improvements and Community Services, Linda Sawyer, Chandler 
resident, Mary Yanno, Chandler resident, and Monica Henry, Chandler resident. 
 
SCHEDULED/UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES/CALL TO PUBLIC 
Members of the audience may address any item not on the agenda. State Statute prohibits the Board 
or Commission from discussing an item that is not on the agenda, but the Board or Commission does 
listen to your concerns and has staff follow up on any questions you raise. 
 
Chair Tony Alcala asked if any members of the public would like to speak.  In an unscheduled 
appearance, Chandler resident, Linda Sawyer, 1158 W. Linda Lane, Chandler, AZ 85224, asked that the 
Commission consider the effects the approved programs have on traditional neighborhoods not 
supported by an HOA.  She shared her concerns with the traffic these programs bring into the 
neighborhoods, individuals rummaging through the trash, and sleeping in the alleys.  Ms. Sawyer asked 
the Commission to do their due diligence to ensure that neighborhoods are protected, especially with 
the police department’s staffing shortages and inability to provide extra patrol. 
 
CONSENT AGENDA 
Items listed on the Consent Agenda may be enacted by one motion and one vote. If a discussion is 
required by members of the Board or Commission, the item will be removed from the Consent 
Agenda for discussion and determination will be made if the item will be considered separately. 
 
1. February 22, 2022, Special Populations Subcommittee Meeting Minutes. 
2. February 23, 2022, Youth Subcommittee Meeting Minutes. 
3. February 24, 2022, Basic Needs Subcommittee Meeting Minutes. 
4. March 2, 2022, HHSC Meeting Minutes.

Motion: Commissioner Greg Rodriquez made a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 1-4. 
Commissioner David Gonzalez seconded the motion.  
 
Discussion: None. 
 
Results: Motion passed 7-0. 
 
PUBLIC HEARING 
 
5. Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 
Funding Recommendations. 
 
Chair Alcala opened the public hearing at 6:13 p.m. and introduced Community Development 
and Resources Supervisor Karin Bishop for a presentation. Ms. Bishop provided an overview of 
the Annual Action Plan process, the purpose of CDBG funds, and the CDBG funding 
recommendations and planned activities to address the Five-Year Consolidated Plan goals that 
were approved by the Chandler City Council on June 25, 2020. Ms. Bishop explained that the 
Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan is the third year of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan. 
Ms. Bishop stated that the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 
requires a 30-day public comment period and two public hearings.  She said public comments 
are being accepted beginning Monday, March 28, 2022, through Friday, April 29, 2022, by mail, 
phone, or email at community.development@chandleraz.gov.  Ms. Bishop stated that tonight’s 
public hearing was the second of the two public hearings being held to ensure opportunity for 
public input.   
 
Chair Alcala asked if there were any comments from the public.  Chandler resident, Linda Sawyer 
voiced her concerns regarding the increase of crime in her neighborhood.  She stated that the 
police department is understaffed and not able to immediately respond.  She shared an incident 
where police were not able to respond until the next day and had asked for video of the incident.  
Ms. Sawyer stated that people in the programs being discussed are not being treated and are 
simply being dropped off in neighborhoods.  She also shared her discontent with being given 
only 3 minutes to speak regarding her concerns with the funding being allocated.  She said as a 
constituent she was concerned with the lack of Code Enforcement in neighborhoods.  Ms. 
Sawyer asked where she could receive answers since she took the time to be at tonight’s 
meeting.   
 
Chief Executive Officer Jacki Taylor from Save the Family thanked the Commission and expressed 
her appreciation for the City’s partnership.  Ms. Taylor explained the CDBG funding that her 
organization receives supports the Case Management program.  The Case Management 
program works with families to secure jobs and provide other support services.  She shared that 
her organization is seeing unprecedented numbers of individuals experiencing homelessness. 
She indicated that at the time the organization submitted its application for funding, there were 
approximately 26 affordable housing units for every 100 households. Now, the number of 
affordable housing units has dropped to 18 for every 100 households. Ms. Taylor explained that 
her organization is committed to helping families find housing stability and that it is more 
important now than ever before.

There were no other comments from members of the public.  Chair Alcala closed the public 
hearing at 6:31 p.m.  
 
6. Fiscal Year 2022-2023 HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Funding 
Recommendations. 
 
Chair Alcala opened the public hearing at 6:31 p.m. and asked Ms. Bishop for an overview of the 
Fiscal 
Year 
2022-2023 
HOME 
Investment 
Partnerships 
Program 
(HOME) 
Funding 
Recommendations.  Ms. Bishop described the purpose of the HOME funds and the City of 
Chandler’s involvement in the Maricopa County HOME Consortium. Ms. Bishop provided an 
overview of the HOME funding recommendations that will be incorporated into the Maricopa 
County HOME Consortium’s Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. Ms. Bishop stated that 
HUD requires a 30-day public comment period and two public hearings.  She said public 
comments are being accepted beginning Monday, March 28, 2022, through Friday, April 29, 
2022, by mail, phone, or email at community.development@chandleraz.gov. Ms. Bishop stated 
that tonight’s public hearing was the second of the two public hearings being held to ensure 
opportunity for public input.   
 
Chair Alcala asked if there were any comments from the public.  Chief Executive Officer Jacki 
Taylor from ARM of Save the Family shared that for the last 30 years, the organization’s mission 
has been to develop and maintain affordable housing.  Ms. Taylor explained that a single mother 
with children cannot afford a place to live in the current market and has an increased chance of 
experiencing homelessness.  She shared that ARM of Save the Family currently has 15 units in 
Chandler and conducts monthly inspections and follows federal standards. 
 
Chandler resident, Monica Henry, 1330 N. Brentwood Place, Chandler, AZ 85224, commented 
that she attended the meeting to observe the process.  She asked if there was a forum where 
residents can ask questions and have their questions addressed.  Community Resources 
Manager, Riann Balch explained that staff can respond at the Chair’s request. If the information 
was not readily available, the Chair can request staff to follow-up. 
 
Resident Linda Sawyer thanked Ms. Henry for her question.  Ms. Sawyer expressed concern 
about only being able to speak at certain times. She said she should have the opportunity to 
speak to every slide of the presentations.  Ms. Sawyer asked if staff members are directed to 
respond directly to residents, how will other members of the public access those answers.  She 
further explained that these programs do not address the impact they have on the community.   
 
There were no other comments from the public. Chair Alcala closed the public hearing at 6:45 
p.m. 
 
BRIEFING 
 
7. Community Development Block Grant Funding Update. 
 
Ms. Bishop informed the Commission that the City had not yet received the HUD allocation for 
Fiscal Year 2022-2023.  She explained that the City received a notification from the National 
Community Development Association (NCDA), a national membership organization for 
community development professionals, informing the City that on March 11, 2022, President

Biden signed a bill imposing a last-minute reduction in CDBG funds by 4.5% from last year.  Ms. 
Bishop informed the Commission that the contingency plans developed for CDBG will be applied 
as necessary once the HUD allocation is released.  There has been no communication about a 
potential reduction in HOME funds.  
 
8. Update to General Fund Application Assignment. 
 
Chair Alcala introduced Community Resources Manager Riann Balch to provide an update on the 
General Fund application assignments.  Ms. Balch informed the Commission that two changes 
were made to the application review assignments to more appropriately fit the purview of the 
subcommittees.  Specifically, the application of City Help Inc. – DBA East Valley Dream Center was 
moved from the Special Populations Subcommittee to the Youth Subcommittee, and the 
Salvation Army – Community Outreach and Engagement for Vulnerable Populations to Move 
Beyond Barriers was moved from the Youth Subcommittee to the Basic Needs Subcommittee.  
She explained that questions of the applicants had already been asked by previously assigned 
subcommittees and each organization’s responses could be found in ZoomGrants.  Ms. Balch 
informed the Commission that the applications are now available for review.     
 
MEMBERS COMMENTS / ANNOUNCEMENTS 
 
Chair Alcala shared that one of his 2nd grade teachers had won a new car that was raffled by a sister 
foundation that works directly with Galveston Elementary.  Mr. Alcala said he and his staff have a 
reputation for winning cars especially after he won a vehicle at the Cardinals Stadium.  
 
Mr. Alcala also shared that the City of Chandler’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division was recognized 
at the National level for its partnership with the Galveston Community. Congratulations to the City of 
Chandler DEI Team! 
 
CALENDAR 
 
9. HHSC Basic Needs Subcommittee Meeting Monday, April 11, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. 
10. HHSC Youth Subcommittee Meeting Thursday, April 14, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. 
11. HHSC Special Meeting Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. 
12. HHSC Meeting Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. 
 
INFORMATION ITEMS 
 
None.  
 
ADJOURN 
 
The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m. 
 
Dated: _____________________________ 
 
 
__________________________________ 
Commission Chair Tony Alcala 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recording Secretary Monica Thompson