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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-07-08 EHA MINUTES' ' • • • ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY · BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meeting July 8, 1998 I. CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Englewood Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was called to order at 6 :00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 1998, at 3460 South Sherman Street, Suite 101, Englewood, Colorado, 80110, by Chairman Debi Medlock. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent : Also Present: ill. STUDY SESSION Nothing presented . Debi Medlock, Chairman Norleen Norden, Vice-Chair Thomas J. Bums, Commissioner Don Bobeda, Commissioner One vacancy due to resignation of Matt Innes Cheryl St. Clair, Executive Director Mary A. Ryan-Ozburn, Administrative Manager Jo Hamit, Assisted Housing Manager Steve Ozburn, Construction Specialist Shawn Leonard, Commissioner Candidate • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 07-08-98 IV. MINUTES A. Regular Meeting held May 27, 1998 . MOTION VICE-CHAIRMAN NORDEN MOVED TO ACCEPT AND APPROVE AS AMENDED THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD MAY 27, 1998. CHAIRMAN BOBEDA SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Medlock, Norden, Burns, Bobeda None Abstained: None Absent: One vacancy V. The Chairman declared the motion carried. PRESCHEDULED VISITORS A. Shawn Leonard, EHA Board Candidate Mr. Shawn Leonard was present as a candidate to the EHA Board of Commissioners. He was queried in regard to his view of what he can offer as a member of the EHA Board. Mr. Leonard has been an Englewood resident for more than thirty years and is currently a Realtor. He conveyed a sincere interest in the quality and reputation of the City of Englewood. VI. DffiECTOR'S REPORT A. Narrative Report A round-table discussion was held with Orchard Place residents to address any concerns they have at the building. It was determined that the issues raised were items which should be addressed by the resident council. The application for CIAP funding has been submitted. A consultant has suggested that we may need to cut into the wall in unit 701 at Orchard Place and actually stage a "flood" of the roof to determine the underlying cause of the seepage problem in that unit. We have asked HUD to remove this unit from the rent rolls until the problem is resolved . 2 c :lwindowslwinword\doc\Board Minutes 07-08-98 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 07-08-98 The Property Manager, Linda Conway-Ohle' s, presence at Simon Center part of each morning has proven beneficial . She is now getting good input from residents of the building. Bob Stevenson, Maintenance Worker at Simon Center has resigned . We have interviewed some good candidates to fill this vacancy and are down to the final interview. Management has received six notices to vacate from Simon Center residents, which is an unusually high number. Other maintenance staff is working diligently to help us stay on top of maintenance work. The new maintenance worker will be hired as soon as possible. Once the update of the wait list is completed, it will be reopened for the Public Housing Duplex family units. Applications will be taken later this year, probably in the fall, for the one-bedroom high-rise buildings. The Certificate program has been changed to allow applicants to lease units where the contract rent is over the applicable Fair Market Rent (FMR). This makes a Certificate very similar to a Voucher where a program participant pays thirty percent of their income toward rent plus any additional amount over the applicable FMR. Although this change will increase the tenant portion of rent, it will make it much easier for Certificate holders to locate eligible housing and will also increase our earned administrative fee for number of units leased. New Federal Regulations also stipulate that Section 8 participants may not lease from family relatives. The Administrative Plan is being updated and will be presented for Board review when completed. Linda Conway-Ohle, Property Manager, has completed the training for Public Housing Management, passed the exam and has received official recognition as Public Housing Manager. Shannon McGinty, Housing Specialist, completed the Housing Quality Standards Inspector course, passed the exam and was officially recognized as Housing Quality Standards Inspector. The plans for and development of the Sherman Street Property were explained to Mr. Leonard. Discussion ensued regarding appreciated value of the property since initial planning, targeting of Englewood residents for purchase and changes in the foundation development to accommodate proper drainage while still allowing for wheelchair accessibility. Concrete is scarce and expensive, and contractors have tight schedules this time of year. Due to these facts, it is anticipated that the foundations will not be poured for four to six weeks. The City of Englewood Planning Department has requested that the constructed lot at 777 W. Oxford and the adjoining lot be sold together with the stipulation that the adjoining lot could not be used for any type of residential building. The market value of the property will need to be reassessed. EID St. Clair and Commissioner Bums gave descriptions of project BUILD and its subcommittee for Mr. Leonard's benefit. 3 c:\windows\winword\doc\Board Minutes 07-08-98 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 07-08-98 Discussion ensued regarding the spreadsheet showing activity in the Rental Rehabilitation Program since 1992. There were some questions about the types of improvements made with these funds and what types of rehab needs would qualify for funds through this program. The basic functions of the Rental Rehab Program were explained to Mr. Leonard. Some revisions will be made to the spreadsheet for more specificity on how funds are being used . The EHA's options in regard to 2870 S. Acoma were discussed. The Board had decided not to waive the lien but did extend the note to June 30, 1998 to allow the owner to seek a waiver of lien from the City of Englewood. It was decided that regardless of what the City does with its lien on the property, the EHA will not waive or extend its note any further . The note will be due and payable immediately . EID St. Clair will work with City staff to present this to City Council and reconfirm that the City's lien precedes the EHA' s. The property owners will be notified in writing of this decision . B. Program Reports Changes in report format noted . C. Financials 1997 Year-End Financial Statements are now complete and were presented for review. EID St. Clair gave an overview by project and answered questions from Board members. By using the HUD-mandated sweep account, the EHA is earning much more interest income . Each program budget was briefly discussed to account for unusually high/low balances e.g. CIAP expenses for which HUD funds have not yet been drawn down and Section 8 Existing money that will be recouped by HUD. The 1997 EHA audit has been completed, and the official results should be available at the next meeting. D. Depot Report The Englewood Historical Society requested a waiver of submission of information required by the EHA. There have been preliminary discussions by City of Englewood City Council to approve the City of Englewood paying back the money owed the EHA for the Englewood Historical Society. There was concern expressed by the EHA Board that if some resolution to this situation is not found, the EHA note would still be due and payable in full with the EHS not being in compliance with information requirements of the promissory notes and subsequent extensions . 4 c:\windows\winword\doc\Board Minutes 07-08-98 EHA BOC Regular Meeting 07-08-98 • X. EXECUTIVE SESSION • • MOTTON COMMISSIONER BOBEDA MOVED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 9:05 P.M. VICE CHAIR NORDEN SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Medlock, Norden, Burns, Bobeda None None One Vacancy The Chairman declared the motion carried. MOTION VICE CHAIRMAN NORDEN MOVED TO RECONVENE THE REGULAR PORTION OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING AT 9:30 P.M. COMMISSIONER BOBEDA SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Medlock, Norden, Burns, Bobeda None None One Vacancy The Chairman declared the motion carried. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS, MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS A. Colorado Association of Realtors Housing Opportunities Foundation (CARHOF) The EHA has submitted an application for $5 ,000 grant money being offered by CARHOF . It was proposed that this money be used as down-payment assistance for families graduating from the Family Self-Sufficiency program. The City of Lakewood has a preexisting home-maintenance training program. The City of Lakewood has been gracious enough to allow us to foster into their program. Our goal is to combine the down-payment assistance and the training program for first-time home buyers in Englewood. A telephone poll was conducted which allowed ratification of this proposal . 5 c:\windows\winword\doc\Board Minutes 07-08-98 • • • ERA BOC Regular Meeting 07-08-98 MOTTON COMMISSIONER BOBEDA MOVED TBA T THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY DRAW UP A PROPOSAL TO HA VE THE CITY OF ENGLEWOOD BUY THE EHA OUT OF THE TWO PROMISSORY NOTES DA TED OCTOBER 20, 1994 IN THE AMOUNT OF $220,933 AND JANUARY 11, 1995 IN THE AMOUNT OF $57,067 FOR THE TRAIN DEPOT PROJECT IN A TOTAL AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $286,000. COMMISSIONER BOBEDA FURTHER MOVED TBA T THE EHA TRADE THE SIX LOTS DIRECTLY TO THE EAST OF THE DEPOT PROPERTY FOR THREE LOTS OWNED BY PROJECT BUILD (3736, 3740 SOUTH INCA AND 3938 SOUTH ACOMA STREETS); AND COMMISSIONER BOBEDA FURTHER MOVED TBA T THE ACCRUED INTEREST ON THE TWO SAID PROMISSORY NOTES BE FORMALLY DONA TED BY THE EHA TO THE EHS THEREBY BECOMING A HERITAGE MEMBER OF THE ENGLEWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY. VICE- CHAIR NORDEN SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Medlock, Norden, Bobeda None Bums One Vacancy The Chairman declared the motion carried. MOTTON VICE-CHAIR NORDEN MOVED TBA T THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY RECOMMEND TO THE CITY OF ENGLEWOOD MAYORAL OFFICE, SHAWN LEONARD FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. CHAIRMAN BOBEDA SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Medlock, Norden, Bobeda None Bums One Vacancy The Chairman declared the motion carried . 6 c:lwindowslwinword\doc\Board Minutes 07-08-98 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 07-08-98 MOTION CHAIRMAN BURNS MOVED THAT THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY · COUNTER-OFFER THE APPRAISED AMOUNT, $100,000, FOR 2184 W. WARREN TO THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. VICE-CHAIR NORDEN SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Medlock, Norden, Burns, Bobeda None Abstained: None Absent: One Vacancy The Chairman declared the motion carried. Lauds were given to EHA staff for attaining a score of I 00 on the Public Housing Management Assessment Program (PHMAP). This is the first time the EHA has received a perfect score. EID St. Clair recommended a press release in the Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News and the Englewood Herald for public affirmation that the EHA is well managed and maintained . Board members were informed by EID St. Clair that the PHMAP assessment program has been reviewed by HUD and changes are being made. The revised program will be known as PHAS, Public Housing Assessment System. It will include physical inspections of Public Housing units by HUD-contracted inspectors and a resident survey. PHAS is currently a Proposed Rule out for comment. The Final Rule will be published October I, 1998. VIlI. INFORMATION AGENDA Discussion ensued regarding EHA representation at National Conferences and training sessions. This summer, Vice-Chair Norden will be attending the NARRO Summer Conference in Boston, MA, EID St. Clair will attend National NARRO in San Antonio, TX, and Chairman Medlock will attend Commissioner Fundamentals in Biloxi, MS . Resolution number 55, a Bill to amend the Fair-Housing Act, was discussed. Commissioner Bums elaborated that there is a nationwide concern due to loss oflocal control over placement of group homes. The new legislation allows cities more control over dispersal throughout the community, a cap on the number of residents, criminal conduct, and protection of objecting citizens and policy making officials. It also requires that fair housing complaints be filed with sufficient time for the defendant to prepare a response and clarifies the definition of"family". Lastly, it requires that an aggrieved party 7 c:\windows\winword\doc\Board Minutes 07-08-98 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 07-08-98 seeking to establish a group home exhaust any available administrative remedies before filing a fair housing complaint in the federal courts. Englewood is supporting this Federal Legislation. The Metro Mayors Caucus and Tony Hernandez's addressing affordable housing issues was discussed . Mr. Hernandez stressed that low-income housing should not be a goal of the City ofEnglewood-affordable housing is the key. It was a recommendation of the Caucus that individual cities remove some of the restrictions on building affordable housing. Each City has been asked to make at least one regulatory change this year to make housing more affordable. IX. GENERAL DISCUSSION A. Commissioner's Choice Commissioner Bobeda conveyed his interest in the Community Housing Services team developed by the Denver Housing Authority. Qualified homeless applicants receive low-interest loans for up to $500 to pay security deposit or first month's rent. The need for this type of assistance in Englewood was discussed. The Arapahoe/Douglas County Homeless Task Force has been revitalized . A committee is attempting to get approval for T ANF (Transitional Assistance for Needy Families-formerly AFDC) dollars to be used for transitional housing. Ideally, the money would be used to assist families who have found employment but cannot yet afford to pay a security deposit and first months rent for housing and, therefore, remain homeless . Vice-Chairman Norden met with a co-member of a state-wide homeless council. He is a developer who does work in Littleton and Englewood and is looking to purchase property for transitional housing . His plan would be to own the property and have a Housing Authority manage for him. A homeless family could get a hotel voucher through Social Services and would be referred to the Housing Authority . This type of shelter could also accept referrals from Victim's Assistance . Concerns were raised about the possibility of Housing Authority management . Management of a homeless shelter or transitional housing is much different than Public Housing or Section 8. Consideration would need to be given in many areas e.g. zoning, eligibility criteria, security, term of stay and high turnover. EID St. Clair will contact representatives of the Arapahoe/Douglas County Homeless Task Force and the state-wide homeless council to see what assistance the EHA can provide in our common goal of reducing homelessness . B. Director's Choice Nothing Presented 8 c:\windows\winword\doc\Board Minutes 07-08-98 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 07-08-98 XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION COMMISSIONER BOBEDA MOVED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD JULY 8, 1998, AT 10:00 P.M. COMMISSIONER BURNS SECONDED THE MOTION. Debi Medlock, Chairman 9 c:\windows\winword\doc\Board Minutes 07-08-98