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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-08-03 EHA MINUTESI. CALL TO ORDER ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meeting August 3, 2005 The Regular Meeting of the Englewood Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was called to order at 4:38 p.m. on Wednesday, August 3, 2005, at 3460 South Sherman Street, Suite 203, Englewood, Colorado, 80113, by Chair Shelley Thompson. Chair Thompson recognized the change in status for Commissioner Bradshaw from ex officio commissioner to full commissioner and the appointment of Councilmember Woodward as ex officio commissioner. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: III. STUDY SESSION Nothing presented. IV. MINUTES Shelley Thompson, Chair Rodger Hara, Vice Chair Ernie Arterburn, Commissioner Beverly Bradshaw, Commissioner Charles Carter, Commissioner (arrived 4:40) James Woodward, Ex Officio None Dawn Shepherd, Executive Director Jo Hamit, Administrative Manager Geula Sherman, Financial Services Manager A. Regular Meeting held July 6, 2005. EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-03-05 Commissioner Bradshaw pointed out a typographical error on page 6. Commissioner Woodward suggested that the minutes should reflect the change in status of Commissioner Arterburn from alternate commissioner to full commissioner. Both corrections were noted by staff. MOTION COMMISSIONER HARA MOVED TO ACCEPT AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD JULY 6, 2005 AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER ARTERBURN SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Arterburn, Bradshaw, Hara, Thompson None Abstained: None Absent: Carter The Chair declared the motion carried. V. PRESCHEDULED VISITORS None VI. DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Narrative EID Shepherd noted that the agency is expecting an extensive HUD review during the week of August 22. Chair Thompson said that the agency is well-prepared for the review and thanked the staff and board for all the work that has been done in anticipation of it. Chair Thompson said she was excited to see that six families have been identified for the homeownership program. EID Shepherd said that the number is down to five; however, one of the remaining families is preparing to begin working with a realtor in the next two weeks. Commissioner Woodward, in reviewing the agency goals and objectives, asked for a definition of building attendants. EID Shepherd explained that they are similar to resident managers, but they are contract employees and do not have all the responsibilities of a traditional resident manager. They do not collect rent or get involved difficult interactions between residents, however they do check to make sure the building is secure at night, 2 EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-03-05 respond to lock-outs and to assist the police and fire departments with emergencies as needed. She said that building attendants are currently on board at Simon Center, and staff is in the process of identifying potential candidates for Orchard Place. B. Financial Reports F/S/M Sherman explained that the financial statements include detailed information by line item and by program through June. She said there is nothing exceptionally significant to report. Chair Thompson commended the staff on controlling expenses. EID Shepherd reported that the voucher program is operating in the negative at the present time, and staff continues to cut participants through attrition, terminations for cause and absorption by other housing authorities. She said that it is too early to tell how the voucher budget will end up at the end of the year; however, at the midpoint of the year, the budget is near a break-even point. EID Shepherd reported that as a result of excess funds that were donated for the holiday functions for the residents, staff sponsored a summer popsicle party for the residents during the recent extreme heat. Commissioner Bradshaw asked how the residents dealt with the extreme heat. EID Shepherd said that there are common areas that are air-conditioned, and residents are encouraged to utilize these areas as much as possible during the hot months. Commissioner Hara mentioned that he had suggested that following the development of the Pennsylvania Street project, the agency might want to consider a tax-credit refinancing of Orchard Place and possibly retrofitting an air conditioning system and upgrading the interior. EID Shepherd said staff is currently upgrading the units, but have not undertaken an overall upgrade. C. Program Reports EID Shepherd stated that there has been an increased interest in leasing at the Normandy Apartments. Commissioner Carter stated that the maintenance staff is doing a terrific job getting work orders done very quickly-usually the turnaround is on the same day. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS, MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS A. Tax Credit Development Presentation Commissioner Hara provided an overview of tax credit utilization, including the history of the Low-income Housing Tax Credit Program, which was created by Congress in 1986 as part of the Tax Reform Act. He explained the benefits of tax credits for investors and how they are marketed and purchased. Commissioner Hara also outlined the requirements for structuring the financing and for compliance during the initial 10-year period. 3 .. EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-03-05 B. Review of Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for Pennsylvania Street Development EID Shepherd said that the Request for Proposals is expected to be sent out during the week of August 8. She said that she spoke to Bob Simpson from the City, who suggested that the property across the street from the initial site be offered as an option for development. She also mentioned that the marketing study consultant, Elisabeth Borden, suggested that the market study be characterized as "preliminary." There was a brief discussion about parking for the project, and a discussion of developers who might be interested in receiving the RFP. Commissioner Hara said he would provide several names of prospective developers who work on these types of projects. He also said that he expects to recuse himself from the process of developer selection, since he works professionally with many of the potential developers who work on projects such as this one. Commissioner Carter asked how the RFP will be advertised. Commissioner Hara suggested several means of advertisement in addition to the daily metro area newspaper. It was suggested that a consultant be hired to assist with the review of proposals. MOTION COMMISSIONER BRADSHAW MOVED THAT THE PENNSYLVANIA STREET REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS BE APPROVED WITH SUGGESTED REVISIONS. COMMISSIONER ARTERBURN SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Arterburn, Bradshaw, Carter, Hara, Thompson None None None The Chair declared the motion carried. B. Sale of Property -Cornerstone Proposal EID Shepherd explained that at the last Board meeting, the demolition of several properties that are uninhabitable was approved. She said that several additional properties that the housing authority owns on South Pennsylvania have been assessed, and staff believes that it might be a good idea to sell these properties at this time. Following a brief discussion, there was a general consensus to have staff conduct more research on the possibility of selling the properties to Swedish, and to investigate the possibility of a joint venture with the EHA contributing the land, and report on progress at the September Board meeting. 4 EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-03-05 VIII. INFORMATION AGENDA EID Shepherd reminded board members of the City-sponsored Board and Commissions Appreciation Night on Monday, August 22 at Romans Park. Commissioners Thompson and Arterburn said they would be attending. IX. GENERAL DISCUSSION A. Commissioner's Choice Commissioner Hara reported that he attended the NAHRO Summer Conference in San Francisco in July. He said that the Mayor of San Francisco spoke about the efforts the city is making to mitigate the homelessness problems. The emphasis of the talk was on sheltering efforts, as opposed to supporting case management. He said he attended a very useful symposium regarding the next step in the evolution of housing authorities-some of which are struggling in the current economic climate. The City of Aurora was in attendance and spoke about a successful joint venture that they have done with a for- profit group on a recent development. He said that he brought back a lot of information that is available through Dawn for any commissioners who are interested. Commissioner Hara also mentioned that he will be conducting a commissioner training on housing authority evolution in the classroom of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City on October 13, during the same week as the NAHRO conference in Chicago. He said the classroom will accommodate approximately 40 people and the charge will be $20. Three spots per housing authority will be available. Commissioner Thompson mentioned that there are funds budgeted for commissioner training, and anyone interested in training should speak to Dawn. Commissioner Bradshaw said that City Council is looking the redesign of the Englewood Golf Course. She showed a ren_dering of the new design, which includes a wilderness area. She indicated that the construction is expected to take 18 months. Commissioner Thompson asked for an update on the Family Self-sufficiency grant application. F/S/M Sherman explained that this year the application was submitted electronically, and she encountered problems due to a computer "glitch" and subsequently missed the deadline. She said other housing authorities had similar problems. EID Shepherd said staff enlisted the help of HUD and both senators' offices, as well as PHADA and NAHRO, all of whom have been very helpful, and she has been in touch with them weekly. From what she has learned recently, she is cautiously optimistic that the application will be accepted for review as a result of these follow-up efforts. EID Shepherd said that, internally, staff is making changes to improve communication on these types of issues in the future. 5 EHA BOC Regular Meeting 08-03-05 B. Director's Choice Nothing reported. C. City Council Communication Commissioner Woodward said he enjoying being part of this meeting and is looking forward to learning a lot. He said he has noticed a lot of HUD foreclosure homes in the City. X. • EXECUTIVE SESSION Nothing presented. XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION COMMISSIONER HARA MOVED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD AUGUST 3, 2005 AT 7:10 P.M. COMMISSIONER CARTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. s~,Chair 6