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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-04-06 EHA MINUTES• • • I. CALL TO ORDER ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meeting April 6, 2005 The Regular Meeting of the Englewood Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was called to order at 4:37 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2005, at 3460 South Sherman Street, Suite 101, Englewood, Colorado, 80113, by Chairman Norleen Norden. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: III. STUDY SESSION Nothing presented. IV. MINUTES Norleen Norden, Chair Shelley Thompson, Vice Chair Charles Carter, Commissioner Rodger Hara, Commissioner Angela Hardin, Commissioner Ernie Arterburn, Alternate Commissioner Beverly Bradshaw, Ex Officio None Dawn Shepherd, Executive Director Jo Hamit, Administrative Manager Delicia Olguin, Section 8 Administrator Geula Sherman, Financial Services Manager A. Regular Meeting held February 23, 2005 . • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 04-06-05 MOTION COMMISSIONER HARA MOVED TO ACCEPT AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD FEBRUARY 23, 2005 AS WRITTEN. COMMISSIONER CARTER SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Norden, Carter, Hara, Hardin, Thompson None None None The Chairman declared the motion carried. V. PRESCHEDULED VISITORS None VI. DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Narrative Chairman Norden asked ifthere were any comments or questions on the Director's Report. Commissioner Thompson remarked that the continued funding cuts are a real issue. EID Shepherd said that she asked Delicia Olguin, Section 8 Administrator, to be present since Section 8 will be affected most dramatically. Chairman Norden inquired about the nature of the infractions from the REAC inspection conducted by HUD. EID Shepherd said that two items-a cracked switch plate and a door that didn't latch properly-were detected and pointed out to the staff at the time. She said the score is expected to be in the high 90's. She also noted that all units were inspected prior to the HUD inspection, and the maintenance staff generated and completed approximately 100 work orders to assure that the units were in good shape. B. Financial Reports Commissioner Hara asked about the formatting of the financial statements presented. F/S/M Sherman said that in 2004, the Board decided to have staff prepare the full spectrum of reports only on a quarterly basis and to provide a less-cumbersome report on a monthly basis. Chairman Norden asked if all housing authorities are experiencing about the same percentage of funding cuts. EID Shepherd said that Sheridan and Longmont appears to have had a more dramatic cut, and she believes that 3% is on the lower end. She said that some agencies are talking about terminating current clients. Commissioner Thompson asked how the board might use these reports. F/S/M Sherman stated that the Board wanted to be able to see where 2 • • •• EHA BOC Regular Meeting 04-06-05 the money was going in each fund on a day-to-day basis. Commissioner Thompson said she would like to spend some time with staff going over the statements to understand them better. Commissioner Hardin said she would like to be included in that session as well. Commissioner Bradshaw asked if staff shops around for the best investments rates. F/S/M Sherman said staff investigates the best rates at least once a year, and more often if necessary. EID Shepherd said that she also checks with other housing authorities approximately once a month to see if there are better opportunities that they are utilizing. C. Program Reports EID Shepherd said that overall the turnover time of subsidized units is better than it has been in the past. Commissioner Hara asked if there is a Ronald McDonald house in Englewood, and suggested that perhaps several units in the Normandy could be used with a linkage to Swedish Hospital. EID Shepherd said that a doctor support team does rent ·one of the units in the Normandy, which they use when they are on duty. EID Shepherd also noted that the rents have been raised in ·the Normandy and the $99 move-in special is no longer in effect. She said a $50 referral fee was paid this month to someone in the Normandy who referred a new tenant, and leasing is picking up. Chairman Norden noted that the Douglas County program is still overleased, and asked if the percentage of units overleased is less than the previous month. F/S/M Sherman said the percentage is the same as last month. EID Shepherd said that the Colorado Division of Housing is not concerned because they are overleased in some areas of the state and underleased in other areas, but not overleased for the state . VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS, MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS A. Resolution No. 5, Approving Adjustment of the Section 8 Payment Standard F/S/M Sherman explained that the proposed change would be effective for incoming participants when they enter the program and for existing participants at annual recertification. EID Shepherd stated that of the 146 families that will be affected by the lowering of the payment standard, 68 of those families have chosen to utilize larger units than their family size would require because the money was available. S/8/ A Olguin stated that staff is now meeting with zero-income families as well as families whose lifestyles do not appear to be compatible with reported income. The program had 45 zero- income participants at the time that monthly survival meetings were initiated, and that number has dwindled to 18 at the present time. Chairman Norden asked how the incompatible lifestyles group is determined. S/8/ A Olguin said that staff looks at all participants receiving a utility reimbursement and incomes comparable to TANF. Commissioner Hara asked what type of notice will be given to the participants. EID Shepherd said that the regulations require 30 days notice of any rent increase. She also pointed out that the regulations require that existing participants would not be affected for two years unless a waiver is requested from HUD by the housing authority. She said EHA intends to request the waiver, which would make the new payment standard effective at the next recertification. She said such waiver requests are being made nationwide due to 3 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 04-06-05 the funding cuts being realized. Staff intends to inform participants early in the recertification process that the payment standard change is being proposed and that it could affect their rent. Following a discussion of adequate notification time to participants, there was a general consensus that staff should provide all participants with an informal notification that a change in payment standard is pending and awaiting approved by HUD at their initial recertification meeting (120 days prior to lease renewal), and discuss how it could impact them. EID Shepherd stated that the next Section 8 department newsletter is scheduled to be mailed to participants and landlords in May, and an explanation and notification of the proposed change will be included. MOTION COMMISSIONER THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 5, APPROVING AN ADJUSTMENT IN THE SECTION 8 PAYMENT STANDARD TO 90% OF THE FAIR MARKET RENTS. COMMISSIONER CARTER SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Carter, Hara, Hardin, Norden, Thompson None None None The Chairman declared the motion carried. B. Resolution No. 6, Approving an Administrative Plan and Operational Guidelines for Section 8 Homeownership Program EID Shepherd said that homeownership is a positive and progressive program being offered by HUD for families at the present time. EHA would be one of the few housing authorities in the state involved in this program. She said that Cornerstone Realty has expressed an interest in being involved in our program. Chairman Norden said that she wanted to disclose that her real estate license is held with Cornerstone Realty, and she does not see any conflict of interest. Commissioner Thompson said that this program is very exciting, and she thinks we could help people break the cycle of poverty. EID Shepherd said staff is working to establish partnerships to work with the housing authority in this endeavor. She mentioned that HUD offers a $6,000 bonus for the first house that is closed, and a $1,000 bonus for every closing thereafter. Commissioner Hara disclosed that he is on the Colorado Housing Assistance Corporation (CHAC) Board, which is one of the proposed providers of homeownership counseling. Chairman Norden made several recommendations for changes to the text of both documents . A general discussion ensued regarding program logistics. Commissioner Hara said that consideration should be given to how long the participant's housing will be subject to HQS inspections. He also suggested that prior to launching the program, staff might want to investigate getting a funding commitment to provide move-in gifts to new 4 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 04-06-05 homeowners. Chairman Norden said consideration should be made to conducting follow- up inspections to HQS violations. She also asked what is anticipated as a start-up date. EID Shepherd said that she anticipate the program to start within 60 days, depending upon when the partnerships can be arranged . Commissioner Hara suggested assembling a list of partners. EID Shepherd said ,that a participant packet will be put together. There was a general consensus to review revised documents at the next meeting. MOTION COMMISSIONER HARA MOVED TO TABLE RESOLUTION NO. 6, APPROVING ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN AND OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR THE SECTION 8 HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM UNTIL THE MAY 4 REGULAR BOARD MEETING. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Carter, Hara, Hardin, Norden, Thompson None None None The Chairman declared the motion carried. C. Letter of Interest --Potential Development for South Pennsylvania Property Commissioner Hara disclosed that Medici Properties is one of his clients. EID Shepherd stated that Medici is the second group that has expressed an interest in developing the property. She said that there are mixed reactions as to whether the housing authority should conduct a market study or have the developer provide a market study. CHF A provided a list of approved market study consultants. Elizabeth Borden, who is on that list, is highly regarded by CHFA and HUD. There was a general consensus that staff attempt to solicit Elizabeth Borden to conduct a limited market study. Commissioner Hara suggested that EHA have a market study done, and then issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify a developer. MOTION COMMISSIONER THOMPSON MOVED TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO SOLICIT A LIMITED MARKET STUDY FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT FROM ELIZABETH BORDEN FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA ST. PROPERTY FOR A COST NOT TO EXCEED $10,000. COMMISSIONER HARA SECONDED THE MOTION . 5 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 04-06-05 Ayes: Nays: Carter, Hara, Hardin, Norden, Thompson None Abstained: None Absent: None The Chairman declared the motion carried. VIII. INFORMATION AGENDA A. Noted. IX. GENERAL DISCUSSION A. Commissioner's Choice Nothing presented. B. Director's Choice EID Shepherd reported that the annual report of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) featured Simon Center and the EHA service coordinator in their supportive services session . She distributed copies of the two-page spread. C. City Council Communication Commissioner Bradshaw reported that the City's web page is being renovated and will include the City, a particular area, and residents, and every time a change is made to a different part of the website, three new pictures appear. The new page will launch in May. A new program called Permits Plus is also available which allows the viewer to see what permits have been issued on any given property. The program also tracks code enforcement and police_ issues. A house at Chenango and Delaware (southwest corner) is being auctioned this weekend. Commissioner Bradshaw reminded the Board of the joint meeting with City Council on May 16 at 6:00 p.m. She also reported that Arapahoe Community College is conducting outreach efforts. X. EXECUTIVE SESSION MOTION COMMISSIONER HARA MOVED TO CONVENE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS A PERSONNEL MATTER AT 6:50 P.M .. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED . 6 • • • EHA BOC Regular Meeting 04-06-05 XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION COMMISSIONER CARTER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD APRIL 6, 2005 AT 7:25 P.M. COMMISSIONER HARDIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. ~~ Norleen Norden, Chair ~Ju~LI Dawn Shepherd, ExecutiFeDirector 7