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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-06 EHA MINUTES\ • • • I. CALL TO ORDER ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meeting August 6, 2003 The Regular Meeting of the Englewood Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was called to order at 4:36 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 2003, at 3460 South Sherman Street, Suite 101, Englewood, Colorado, 80110, by Chairman Debi Medlock. Chairman Medlock welcomed Commissioner Thompson to the Board. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: III. STUDY SESSION Debi Medlock, Chair Norleen Norden, Vice Chair Don Bobeda, Commissioner Ed Sanborn, Commissioner Shelley Thompson, Commissioner Beverly Bradshaw, Ex Officio none Cheryl St. Clair, Executive Director Jo Hamit, Administrative Manager Geula Sherman, Financial Services Manager A. Discussion of Agency Goals and Objectives Chairman Medlock reviewed the status of the agency goals and objectives, and stated that the purpose of the discussion is to consideration modifying them._ Commissioner Bradshaw asked if the format could be changed to show the current accomplishments in a manner that they stand out more. It was determined to move them to the top of the report . EID St. Clair stated that purpose of the goals is to have standards established for the HUD agency plan, as well as to use as a tool to evaluate the performance of the executive director. Commissioner Bradshaw mentioned that the City has a priority to encourage homeownership as opposed to rentals. EID St Clair said the city goals and EHA goals may be different, and we don't want to have cross-purposes. We have talked about initiating a Section 8 homeownership program, but haven't focused on it a great deal. Such a shift in focus would • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-06-03 IV. require pre-planning. Commissioner Bobeda said there are a number of different homebuyers programs in existence at the present time. He said there are not only first-time buyer programs, but also programs for certain professions, and there are not the usual requirements for large down payments. Commissioner Norden said that what distinguishes a Section 8 homeownership program from others is that a portion of the housing assistance payment that ordinarily goes to pay rent is earmarked for the mortgage payment, and it is designed to help that segment of the population who could not qualify for the types of homeownership programs that are available to the average consumer. Commissioner Bradshaw stated that she would like to see the housing authority focus on both rental programs and homeownership programs. Commissioner Norden said that the development of a Section 8 Homeownership Program is a lot of work, and will need to be started on a small scale, but it does open up opportunities for persons that are not in the market. She would like to see the housing authority apply for new units for the purpose of homeownership. Commissioner Bobeda said his focus is on affordable assisted living. Commissioner Bradshaw said that she would like to see more information on housing authority activities getting out to the community and in the media Chairman Medlock suggested that the best approach might be to consider which goals the agency wants to work on this year and prioritize them . There was a general consensus that efforts be directed to Agency Goal #3, Expand the housing opportunities for low-income families beyond traditional programs and at the same time reduce dependency on federal funding. Specific objectives would be to research an assisted living conversion project, applying for more Section 8 vouchers, develop a homeownership program, and to add rehabilitated units as hotel rooms at the Normandy apartments. EID St. Clair stated that staff will work on reworking the goals and objectives format to include ongoing standards and high priority goals. MINUTES A. Regular Meeting held July 2, 2003. MOTION COMMISSIONER NORDEN MOVED TO ACCEPT AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD JULY 2, 2003 AS WRITTEN. COMMISSIONER SANBORN SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Bobeda, Medlock, Norden, Sanborn None Thompson None 2 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-06-03 V. The Chairman declared the motion carried. PRESCHEDULED VISITORS City Councilmember Ann Nabholz was present to discuss concerns she has about several residential locations in District One that may have Section 8 participants living there. The concerns of Councilmember Nabholz consist of reports of unauthorized persons, disruptive activity, as well as code violations at the locations. EID St. Clair explained how the process works. If there is an issue with tenants that the housing authority can get involved with for program violations, the housing authority can terminate assistance but cannot terminate their lease. The housing authority has an excellent working relationship with the Englewood Police Department and regularly receives police reports from the Impact Team on properties receiving Section 8 assistance. Commissioner Bradshaw stated that the city is looking at legislation to fine properties that demand more services than usual. Staff investigated as to whether the properties in question were occupied by Section 8 tenants. It was determined that five of the units are subsidized. Staff stated that inspections can be conducted for cause on these units, and the landlords can be contacted. EID St. Clair also suggested that neighbors need to be alert and call the police whenever incidents occur that warrant such calls . VI. DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Narrative Report Due to the meeting focus on agency goals and objectives, Chairman Medlock announced that a more abbreviated report would be made by the Executive Director, which will focus on the most pressing matters. 1. Orchard Place/Simon Center EID St. Clair distributed copies of a letter that was sent to the local HUD office with copies sent to the City Council, the governor and the national HUD office. The letter was anonymous, and claimed that a number of problems exist at Orchard Place, including insufficient maintenance services, grounds work and janitorial services. EID St. Clair distributed copies of a memorandum addressing the issues, which she provided to the City Council at their August 4, 2003 meeting. Commissioner Sanborn stated that sometimes there is an odor from the trash. EID St. Clair said that the trash company comes several times a week, and because of that, there are times when odors will be present. She said that very few residents offer to help with minor tasks, relying totally on the maintenance staff for these services, and they simply do not have the time. In addition, the janitorial services were recently bid out, after the staff custodian was released from his work duties during the previous month. The grounds work is currently 3 ' • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-06-03 out for bid. There was a brief discussion regarding the work order process. Commissioner Norden said that she believes that the Board needs to respond to the letter, perhaps by posting it on the bulletin board at the building. Commissioner Sanborn said that there are some valid points made in the letter; for example, he said he believes that the agency needs more help in the maintenance department. Commissioner Bobeda said that the residents need to realize that they are living in subsidized housing, and the residents and staff need to work as a team-they need to help each other. Commissioner Sanborn raised the issue of a dead bird being found on the Simon Centet grounds, and asked if staff could get some information to the residents regarding how to handle the situation when maintenance staff is not available. A brief discussion ensued, and staff agreed that they would investigate what resources are available to obtain and disseminate the information to building residents. Commissioner Thompson stated that she, too, believes that a response from the Board to the residents' letter that addresses each issue is necessary. EID St. Clair stated that, in the fall, an effort will be made to assemble a Resident Council at Orchard Place. Commissioner Sanborn said that his personal experience with work orders is that they have always been completed in a timely manner. Commissioner Bobeda asked staff if there is a need for an additional maintenance worker. EID St. Clair stated that, as the agency has acquired additional properties the need has increased, and she believes that at the present time, at least an additional half- time person is warranted. Commissioner Sanborn said that in the past, the buildings had caretakers who performed minor maintenance tasks, and their absence has also increased the need. Commissioner Bobeda said that in the absence of a Resident Council at Orchard Place, perhaps a quarterly meeting would help to improve communications in the building. There was a general consensus that a letter should come from the Mayor stating that the letter has been forwarded to the housing authority board, and that a follow-up letter should be drafted and posted from the Board. B. Financial Reports Commissioner Thompson asked if the insurance co.st was underestimated for this year. , EID St. Clair said that a budget amendment was done for insurance two months ago, and in addition, the annual insurance is billed in April so it looks like we are spending more than we are as a result. It should balance out by the end of the year. C. Program Reports Chairman Medlock asked why the unit turnaround was so high for Simon Center for the month of June. EID St. Clair said that there have been a high number of vacancies in the past several months, and Orchard Place units take priority due to HUD requirements to turn public housing units within a certain time frame. Commissioner Bobeda asked about the status of the bids for the lobby renovation at the Normandy. EID St. Clair stated that the information is still being obtained . 4 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-06-03 VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS, MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS A. Resolution No. 13, Approving the Establishment of a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for supplemental retirement benefits EID St. Clair explained that this program was to be set up when the agency changed to its own payroll system at the beginning of the year when the 401 plan was established; however, the new 457 plan did not get established as the result of an administrative error. There is no cost to the agency for this plan, which is optional for employees and designed to provide employees with supplemental retirement funds that are deducted from their paychecks on a pre-tax basis. · MOTION COMMISSIONER NORDEN MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 13, SERIES 2003, APPROVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A 457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN. COMMISSIONER BOBEDA SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Bobeda, Medlock, Norden, Sanborn, Thompson None Abstained: None Absent: None The Chairman declared the motion carried. VIII. INFORMATION AGENDA A letter from HUD notifying the EHA of its score of 100% on the SEMAP evaluation for 2002 was noted. EID St. Clair stated that the Sheridan Housing Authority also scored 100% on their SEMAP report, and that the EHA public housing program scored a 91 %, which is also at the "high performer" level. Visuals of the fences installations at Simon Center and at the public housing duplex unit on South Lincoln Street were noted. IX. GENERAL DISCUSSION A. Commissioner's Choice Commissioner Sanborn asked if duct cleaning had been scheduled. EID St. Clair stated that she would check the schedule. Commissioner Norden attended the national NARRO conference recently, and the organization is looking at revamping the professional development curriculum . 5 \i • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-06-03 X. B. Director's Choice EID St. Clair reported that the City needs a lot for the Area Vocational Schools (A VS) residential building program and has asked if the housing authority has any lots they could use for that purpose. Following a discussion, there was a general consensus that the lot at 4673 South Grant will be sold to the city for use in the A VS Program, with proceeds from the sale ' due when the house sells. · C. City Council Communication Commissioner Bradshaw reported that, due to the budget shortfall, the city has slated 26.5 positions to be cut in the Safety Services Division, which includes police, fire and code enforcement. In addition, the lease on the substation at Bates and Broadway is being terminated and will move the operation into space at City Center. In the fire division, eight full-time positions will be cut. Four full-time code enforcement positions and one permit technician position will be cut. Public Works and Parks and R~creation departments will cut 6.5 and 5 positions, respectively. Employees will not receive any increases for the coming year. Commissioner Bradshaw stated that construction on Jamba Juice, Tokyo Joe's and Steak Escape continues on Hampden and Inca Streets and on Table Steaks Restaurant on West Floyd A venue . EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Bobeda moved that the meeting move into Executive Session to discuss a real estate matter. Commissioner Norden seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. When the Board returned to the regular session, it was determined that staff pursue the purchase of three properties on the 3500 block of South Pennsylvania Street. . XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION COMMISSIONER BOBEDA MOVED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD AUGUST 6, 2003 AT 8:13 P.M. COMMISSIONER SANBORN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. 1-,Q~ Ynffe:-- Debi Medlock, Chair Cheryl St. Clair, Executive Director 6