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Home My WebLink About2004-08-04 EHA MINUTESl • • • ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meeting August 4, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Englewood Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was called to order at 4:32 p.m. on Wednesday, August 4, 2004, at 3460 South Sherman Street, Suite 101, Englewood, Colorado, 80113, by Chair Debi Medlock. II. ROLL CALL III. Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: STUDY SESSION Debi Medlock, Chair Don Bobeda, Commissioner Beverly Bradshaw, Ex Officio Charles Carter, Commissioner Shelley Thompson, Commissioner Norleen Norden, Vice Chair Dawn Shepherd, Executive Director Jo Hamit, Administrative Manager Dean Rohr, Operations Manager Geula Sherman, Financial Services Manager Lauri Dannemiller, Community Development Manager for the City of Englewood, was in attendance to provide information on the new City circulator shuttle service, called "ART", that will run between the City Center and the hospital area on Girard A venue. She said that shuttle service will begin on September 7, with shuttles running approximately every ten . minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 6:~0 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. Ms. Dannemiller stated that the project has been in the making for five years, and that 80% of operational funding will be provided by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), 10% provided by RTD and 10% provided by the City for the first three years. It is expected that that RTD will pick up the cost formally after the initial funding period. She also said that nine artists were chosen to supply public art that will be located at each of the twelve stops. The art pieces will be in place for one year and will be for sale with new pieces installed on a rotating basis. Two shuttles will run simultaneously, and waiting should be no • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-04-04 IV. longer than 10 minutes. The buses will accommodate 16 passengers with two wheelchair tie- downs. MINUTES A. Regular Meeting held July 14, 2004. MOTION COMMISSIONER BOBEDA MOVED TO ACCEPT AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD JULY 14, 2004 AS WRITTEN. COMMISSIONER CARTER SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Bobeda, Carter, Thompson None Medlock Norden The Chairman declared the motion carried . V. PRESCHEDULED VISITORS None VI. DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Narrative EID Shepherd reported that the Normandy looks much improved with the lobby remodeling complete. Commissioner Bobeda suggested that staff consider installing 2-inch faux · wood blinds on vacant units to improve the outside appearance. Commissioner Bradshaw said that Habitat for Humanity has a store where furnishings that are not used are available to the public. Commissioner Bobeda stated'that the telephone cost savings effort is to be commended, and he is aware that there are companies who will do the same analysis for free. EID Shepherd said that the agency was approached by this firm, whose principal is a retired Qwest auditor. EID Shepherd .said that Habitat had looked at the Pennsylvania properties on the east side for possible purchase and rehabilitation. They were hoping to purchase them for a very low price that would not be recommended by staff. Habitat did decide to purchase a house owned by the 2 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-04-04 City on West Wesley. There was a brief discussion regarding the future of the off-sites properties on Pennsylvania for homeownership. It was generally agreed that this topic should be discussed at the Board retreat being planned for sometime during the next several months. B. Financial Reports EID Shepherd stated that changes to the financial statements as discussed in the July regular Board meeting would be made next month. Commissioner Thompson asked about the deficit in public housing. F/S/M Sherman stated that a large draw was made on Capital Funds, and the reimbursement from HUD has not yet been posted. C. Program Reports There was a brief discussion regarding rental market conditions and homeownership. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS, MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS A. Discussion of Agency Goal #3 -Manage the public housing and tenant-based housing programs in an efficient and effective manner thereby qualifying as at least a standard performer under PHAS and SEMAP . There was a general consensus that this topic would be discussed at the Board retreat that is being planned for August or September. VIII. INFORMATION AGENDA A. Visuals of the Normandy exterior and landscaping were noted. 0/M Rohr said that new trees and shrubbery would probably not be planted until next spring. B. EID Shepherd reported on the legal opinion relating to limitations on portability for Section 8 vouchers was included in the packet as requested at the July regular meeting. IX. GENERAL DISCUSSION A. Commissioner's Choice Commissioner Carter raised the topic ofresident managers in the senior/disabled buildings and asked for additional information. EID Shepherd said staff was in the process of investigating the feasibility of reestablishing resident managers in each building. They would live in the building and be available for lock-outs, letting emergency personnel in for medical emergencies, overseeing move-ins and move-outs . EID Shepherd said it is important to have someone on-site to monitor unusual activity 3 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-04-04 and/or conditions. Compensation would probably be in the form of a rent rebate. Commissioner Carter said that it might be a good idea to introduce the idea at the monthly roundtable meetings. Commissoner Bobeda said he brought information from the National Homebuyer's Assistance program. He brought brochures and other information. He said that Henry Cisneros and Wellington Webb are on the board of the organization. He also asked staff to mail in a NARRO questionnaire that he had completed. He also reported that he attended the Colorado Fair Housing Summit recently. Commissioner Bobeda reported that interest rates continue to stay low. He also said that the average buyer for the Englewood area is a younger couple in their mid-20's to mid-30's. B. Director's Choice EID Shepherd reported that staff has reviewed the Section 8 budget in conjunction with the recent reorganization and has identified sufficient funding to hire the staff volunteer who has been working with the agency from the AID Works Community Work Experience Program. She will work 32 hours per week, primarily in the Section 8 department, but she will also help with front desk coverage. EID Shepherd said she would like the Board to approve the creation of the new position. Chairman Medlock said the approval was not necessary as long as the budget is not adversely affected . EID Shepherd reported that staff is investigating the purchase of several properties for possible homebuyer options. One is a tri-plex building that could be converted to townhomes and is located on the 400 block of West Cornell Avenue. The Board agreed that staff should continue to investigate for possible purchase.. EID Shepherd said staff also is looking at an EHDC property at 2910-2912 South Bannock Street for possible purchase. She said the design would be difficult for homeowner conversion. C. City Council Communication Commissioner Bradshaw reported that Pirate's Cove will be closed during the third and fourth week of August due to lack of staff with student workers going back to school; however, it will be open on the weekends and on Labor Day. X. EXECUTIVE SESSION Nothing presented XI. ADJOURNMENT 4 \ EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-04-04 • MOTION • • COMMISSIONER THOMPSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD AUGUST 4, 2004 AT 5:50 P.M. COMMISSIONER CARTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Debi Medlock, Chair 5