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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-07 EHA MINUTES' • • • I. CALL TO ORDER ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meeting January 7, 2004 The Regular Meeting of the Englewood Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was called to order at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2004, at 3460 South Sherman Street, Suite 101, Englewood, Colorado, 80113, by Chairman Debi Medlock. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: III. STUDY SESSION Nothing presented. IV. MINUTES Debi Medlock, Chair , Norleen Norden, Vice Chair Don Bobeda, Commissioner Ed Sanborn, Commissioner Shelley Thompson, Commissioner Beverly Bradshaw, Ex Officio none Dawn Shepherd, Executive Director Jo Hamit, Administrative Manager Dean Rohr, Operations Manager Geula Sherman, Financial Services Manager A. Regular Meeting held December 3, 2003 . MOTION COMMISSIONER BOBEDA MOVED TO ACCEPT AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD DECEMBER 3, 2003 AS WRITTEN. COMMISSIONER NORDEN SECONDED THE MOTION. • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 01-07-04 Ayes: Nays: Bobeda, Medlock, Norden, Thompson None Abstained : Sanborn Absent: None The Chairman declared the motion carried. V. PRESCHEDULED VISITORS VI. DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Narrative Report 1. Orchard Place 0/M Rohr reported that a 450-gallon hot water storage tank is leaking and will need to be replaced . The existing tank will be replaced with two 200-gallon tanks in an effort to save money . 2. Simon Center EID Shepherd reported that she has met some of the residents at Orchard Place and Simon Center. She said that she and the service coordinator, Cheri Gaul, have scheduled floor meetings in each of the buildings to meet with residents of each floor for coffee and doughnuts in an effort to get to know each resident better. She also stated that she and Commissioner Thompson toured of all properties earlier in the month. Staff is working on bids for new carpeting in -both high-rise buildings. 3. Public Housing Duplexes EID Shepherd stated that she has seen the exteriors of all duplexes and the interiors of two units that have been recently vacated. 4. Waiting List EID Shepherd reported that the waiting list for the public housing duplex units will be open from January 12 through 16, and the Section 8 voucher waiting list is expected to be open from February 9 through 13. The process for application intake will be streamlined and will consist of the applicant submitting only a completed application without the added burden of submitting back-up documentation at the time of application , as has been done in the past. 2 • • • ERA BOC Regular Meeting 01-07-04 5. Section 8 Existing Program EID Shepherd stated that staff is reviewing the Administrative Plan , which has not undergone a thorough review for approximately two years. Commissioner Bradshaw asked if the EHA has Section 8 units at the Golden Nugget and Carmel apartment complexes. FIS/M said that there are quite a few vouchers being utilized at those locations . EID Shepherd said that she expects to meet with the new housing director for Douglas County within the next several weeks with regard to EHA's current administration of their program. She expects that it will be at least six to eight months before the program will be transferred to Douglas County. 6. Normandy Apartments EID Shepherd stated that various features of the building do not make it suitable for assisted living. Staff has scheduled meetings with Craig Hospital and Denver Seminary about overflow needs for temporary hm.i'sing at the Normandy. Commissioner Bradshaw suggested that international students from Arapahoe Community College might be interested in housing at the building. EID Shepherd said that staff would continue to work on improving the lobby and other common areas of the building, and to rehabilitate the units as they become vacant. Commissioner Bobeda suggested that staff include a Duraflame log in the welcoming package for new residents . 7. Off-site Properties EID Shepherd said that staff have looked at the new property on the 3500 block of South Pennsylvania on the west side of the street. The property could be rehabilitated or demolished, but she recommends that an engineer look at it to determine its structural soundness before a decision is made. One of the new properties on the east side the street likely needs to be demolished, but could be utilized for storage or by the fire department for a training bum. Staff will investigate all options and bring additional information to the Board next month. 8. Administrative Staff members have received the new employee handbook and have had an opportunity to review it and ask questions at a recent staff meeting. A new maintenance technician, Ron Kleder, was hired at the end of December. 9. Agency Goals and Strategic Plan See attached report . 3 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 01-07-04 B. Financial Reports F/S/M Sherman reported that the public housing operating subsidy has been funded by HUD at 91 % of what was requested. This amounts to $19 ,000 less than we anticipated. The funding level is under review by HUD . Section 8 funding was approved in full , but was not received this month due to shortfalls. Commissioner Norden suggested that housing authorities need to let HUD know what the impact is of not receiving the funds. C. Program Reports EID Shepherd reported that five vacant units were offered to the Red Cross for temporary housing for displaced residents of the Spanish Gate apartment fire . The topic of renter 's insurance was raised. EID Shepherd said she would talk to the EHA property manager about reminding residents that it is their responsibility to obtain insurance for their personal belongings . Commissioner Bobeda said that insurance premiums for renter's insurance are very reasonable. Commissioner Bradshaw asked why the turnaround time at Simon Center was so high . 0/M Rohr said that Orchard Place has a higher priority because of the reporting requirements from HUD, and the combination of being short-staffed and having numerous vacancies at Orchard Place has caused the delay at Simon Center. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS, MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS MOTION COMMISSIONER NORDEN MOVED THAT $40,000 BE AUTHORIZED FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE INTERCOM SYSTEM, ELEVATOR, LOBBY AND HALLWAY AREAS AT THE NORMANDY APARTMENT BUILDING. COMMISSIONER BOBEDA SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Bobeda, Medlock, Norden, Sanborn, Thompson None None None The Chairman declared the motion carried. VIII. INFORMATION AGENDA EID Shepherd reported that the photographs included in the packet depict a living condition in a city-owned property that the EHA manages where the tenants were recently evicted . There was a brief discussion regarding city-owned properties in northwest Englewood, and whether the housing authority would be interested in purchasing them. 4 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 01-07-04 IX. GENERAL DISCUSSION A. Commissioner's Choice Commissioner Sanborn reported that the building residents had a good meeting on January 6 with Dawn. Several issues were raised, including reestablishment of resident managers in the building and notification of new residents . EID Shepherd said she plans to address these issues in the floor meetings. She agrees that resident managers are a good idea, if it is structured properly. Commissioner Bobeda said that he wanted to stress that there is a big need for affordable assisted living in the community. He said there is a lot of "high-end" housing available, but nothing affordable. EID Shepherd said she will plan a study session on this topic very soon. Commissioner Bobeda also stated that he has had some inquiries from individuals who want to perform volunteer work. EID Shepherd suggested he refer them to the House of Hope, and Commissioner Bradshaw suggested the Englewood Schools. Commissioner Thompson suggested they contact Metro Volunteers. ' Commissioner Norden asked if the EHA made a donation to House of Hope. EID Shepherd said that a donation of $250 was made in December via check. B. Director's Choice EID Shepherd stated that staff is considering some office renovation, including consolidation of offices to the main floor and removing the glass from and installing a deeper counter in the front desk reception area. Commissioner Bobeda suggested placing a mirror behind the receptionist to clam angry clients . He said he has seen this approach work with a great deal of success. EID Shepherd said that she has been asked by PRADA to be a member of the Board of Trustees. The Board suggested that, due to the timing, she wait until later in the year or pursue the appointment next year. C. City Council Communication Commissioner Bradshaw displayed drawing of a proposed development for the 11-acre Denver Seminary property at Hampden and University. She said the project is styled as a European village and will include 305 condominium units, 45 luxury townhomes and a retail center. The parking is underneath the project. The City will begin holding neighborhood meetings to discuss the proposed project. Commissioner Bradshaw also reported that the new pub is open under the Balley' s health club. She also reported that Table Steaks is expected to open in April, and Jamba Juice, 5 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 01-07-04 Tokyo Joe's and Steak Escape on Hampden near City Center is expected to open in another month. X. EXECUTIVE SESSION Nothing presented. XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION COMMISSIONER BOBEDA MOVED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD JANUARY 7, 2004 AT 6:22 P.M. COMMISSIONER SANBORN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Debi Medlock, Chair 6