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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-07 EHA MINUTESI. CALL TO ORDER ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meeting September 7, 2005 The Regular Meeting of the Englewood Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was called to order at 4:35 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2005, at 3460 South Sherman Street, Suite 203, Englewood, Colorado, 80113, by Chair Shelley Thompson. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Also Present: III. MINUTES Shelley Thompson, Chair Rodger Hara, Vice Chair Beverly Bradshaw, Commissioner Charles Carter, Commissioner James Woodward, Ex Officio Ernie Arterburn, Commissioner Dawn Shepherd, Executive Director Jo Hamit, Administrative Manager Mark Craft, Simon Center Resident Betty Maybin, Cornerstone Realty Larry Nelson, Cornerstone Realty A. Regular Meeting held August 3, 2005 . MOTION COMMISSIONER BRADSHAW MOVED TO ACCEPT AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD AUGUST 3, 2005 AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER HARA SECONDED THE MOTION. EHA BOC Regular Meeting 09-07-05 Ayes: Nays: Bradshaw, Carter, Hara, Thompson None Abstained : None Absent: Arterburn The Chair declared the motion carried. IV. PRESCHEDULED VISITORS Chair Thompson welcomed Betty Maybin and Larry Nelson from Cornerstone Realty. Mr. Nelson provided a brief background on his and Ms . Maybin's experience in the real estate industry. He said they have worked with both mult i-family and single-family properties and have worked with a number of housing authorities , non-profit agencies and affordable housing developers. Their specialty is promoting work with housing developers and providers of affordable housing, and they also try to find creative ways to market and financing developments that are affordable to the lowest income clients possible. Mr. Nelson also provided an overview of efforts to market the EHA properties on Pennsylvania Street. He said there are two prospects interested in possible purchase of the properties. One prospect is interested in the properties for commercial use. Ms . Maybin said that she has spoken to a representative of Swedish Hospital, but they have shown little interest in the properties up to this point. Mr. Nelson also mentioned that he has contacted a loca1 · developer who has also expressed interest in the properties for residential use. Mr. Nelson suggested that the EHA might want to paint the exterior of the property on the west side of the street in order to meet requirements for FHA financing. There was a general consensus among the board for marketing efforts on these properties to continue with all interested prospects. V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Narrative Chair Thompson congratulated staff on the success of the recent HUD review . EID Shepherd said that two to three HUD staff members were present for the entire week, and noted that the agency had not had such a thorough review since the late 1980's. She said they reviewed resident files, administration files, policies and procedures, waiting lists and conducted inspections of EHA units as well as privately-owned units under the Section 8 voucher program. EID Shepherd said the staff worked very hard to ensure that both files and EHA- units were in good condition prior to the review . She said there were two findings that were automatically closed because staff was able to rectify them immediately. EID Shepherd said the staff was recognized for their hard work at a potluck with gift cards to Chili's Restaurant. 2 EHA BOC Regular Meeting 09-07-05 Commissioner Carter mentioned that he wanted to recognize the work of Cheri Gaul, who recently made presentations to the residents on the new Medicare, Part D regulations. He also said that the new washers and dryers in the buildings are very nice . B. Financial Reports EID Shepherd reported that the average Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) cost for the voucher program has been reduced by $54.00 per month. She said recent efforts to deal with funding cuts, including staffs ability to persuade several housing authorities to absorb previously administered participants, have been extremely successful. EID Shepherd reported that the agency has a loan on the Normandy from the City that is coming due in November. She said that leasing has improved substantially in the last year and, while she believes that the agency can handle the extra expense, staff is exploring other options, including a agreement with the City for modification of loan terms. A resident has been identified who may be a good candidate for building attendant, and staff expects to interview her at the earliest possible opportunity. C. Program Reports EID Shepherd reported that occupancy continues to be very good. Commissioner Bradshaw asked about the new information added on the report for this month showing average exempt days. EID Shepherd explained that HUD allows an exemption for complete remodel work, including kitchen and bathroom renovation, and this data gives a more complete picture of the total turnaround time, including the average number of days a unit is off the rent rolls for such renovation. VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS, MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS A. Update on Pennsylvania RFP EID Shepherd reported that six proposals were received in response to the Request for Proposals (RFP). A general discussion ensued about the process of assessment of the proposals. Several local individuals were suggested as possible consultants to help with the assessment. There was a general consensus to authorize staff to solicit the services of one of the two individuals suggested to assist with this effort. MOTION COMMISSIONER HARA MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO COMPENSATE THE CHOSEN ASSESSMENT CONSULTANT AT A FEE NOT TO EXCEED $1,500. COMMISSIONER CARTER SECONDED THE MOTION. 3 EHA BOC Regular Meeting 09-07-05 Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Bradshaw, Carter, Hara, Thompson None None Arterburn The Chair declared the motion carried. A general discussion ensued regarding naming a subcommittee of the Board to review the proposals following the initial assessment by the consultant. Commissioners Arterburn, Bradshaw and Carter were nominated to serve on the subcommittee. Chair Thompson suggested that, following the subcommittee's review of proposals, presentations will then be scheduled for the full Board. B. Demolition of Properties EID Shepherd explained that there was a delay in getting the utilities turned off on the properties on Warren and Pennsylvania that were approved by the Board for demolition in July. In addition, an issue recently arose concerning how to handle the flow of traffic during the demolition process. In the meantime, the 30-day window for the bids staff had previously received expired and, with the rise in energy costs, the contractors were unable to honor their previous bids. Councilmember Woodward asked if staff will go out for bid again on the · · demolition, and EID Shepherd answered in the affirmative . She said that staff estimates the revised costs could be as much as 25% more than the original estimate, and asked that the board approve a revised "not-to-exceed" figure of $15,500. MOTION COMMISSIONER HARA MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE REBIDDING PROCESS FOR THE DEMOLITION WORK ON THE TWO PROPERTIES ON WEST WARREN AND SOUTH PENNSYLVANIA AS RECOMMENDED. COMMISSIONER CARTER SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Abstained: Absent: Bradshaw, Carter, Hara, Thompson None None Arterburn The Chair declared the motion carried. C. PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING SUBSIDY FOR 2006 The information in the board communication was noted as being informational only. 4 EHA BOC Regular Meeting 09-07-05 D. SIGNATORY AUTHORITY FOR AGENCY ACCOUNTS EID Shepherd explained that staff is recommending that all Board members be signers on all accounts, so that the agency has enough signers in cases where Commissioner Carter is unavailable to sign checks. MOTION COMMISSIONER BRADSHAW MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 11, AUTHORIZING THE FULL BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AS SIGNERS ON EHA BANK ACCOUNTS, AND TO REMOVE NORLEEN NORD EN'S NAME FROM THE CURRENT SIGNATURE DOCUMENTS AND CARDS. COMMISSIONER CARTER SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes: Nays: Bradshaw, Carter, Hara, Thompson None Abstained: None Absent: Arterburn The Chair declared the motion carried. VII. INFORMATION AGENDA Noted. VIII. GENERAL DISCUSSION A. Commissioner's Choice Commissioner Bradshaw reported that her teaching schedule is Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 and Friday from 9:00 to 1 :00. She also mentioned that there have been problems in neighborhoods with excessive fireworks, and the City is considering fines for such actions. Commissioner Carter said that his son visited the building recently and commented on how nice the building looks. He said he thinks the people that live there feel the same way. Commissioner Carter also said that he believes the monthly roundtable sessions that EID Shepherd holds are very valuable. Commissioner Hara stated that he would like to see the agency undertake several rehabilitation efforts at the buildings in the future, including air conditioning and upgrading appliances and windows. 5 EHA BOC Regular Meeting 09-07-05 Chair Thompson mentioned that she sits on the Board of the Englewood Education Foundation and there is a free event on September 20 that features Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. In addition, the fall gala is scheduled for October 22 at the University of Denver. She said that if anyone is interested in tickets, please let her know. Chair Thompson also inquired about what housing authorities around the country, as well as EHA, are doing in terms of hurricane relief. EID Shepherd said she is not aware of what all housing authorities are doing, however authorities and other relief organizations have asked housing authorities to examine their vacancies to see what is available. HUD has indicated that if housing authorities want to waive waiting list requirements, they must have their boards amend their administrative plans. EID Shepherd said that Orchard Place and Simon Center are both full and upcoming vacancies are committed to waiting list families at the present time. She said there are several vacancies at the Normandy and a single family home south of the Normandy that could be made available. EID Shepherd said that she received a call from an elderly resident who formerly lived in subsidized housing in Littleton who was displaced by the hurricane and needs housing. She said that staff is making arrangements to move her into a unit at the Normandy at reduced rent. She expects to rebuild in the hurricane area, but will be here for at least six months. EID Shepherd said that staff is also conducting a clothing drive for hurricane refugees who have been relocated at Lowry. B. Director's Choice EID Shepherd stated that staff is investigating the repair or replacement of the air conditioning system for the office building. She said that preliminary information on the replacement indicates that the cost would be prohibitive; however, staff continues to look into all replacement and repair options. Councilmember Woodward said he may be able to give staff some names of consultants . EID Shepherd also stated that she expects to budget funds for a space planner to look at the agency's administrative space, which could include space on the second floor that is currently leased. Commissioner Hara suggested that staff might want to consider doing an overall assessment of the building and conducting a physical needs plan-examine the systems and the structure-and come up with a long-term redevelopment budget. Several consultant names were suggested for assessment and space planning. C. City Council Communication Councilmember Woodward said that the house on Franklin that was owned by the Parks and Recreation Commission and managed by the EHA sold recently and closed with an escrow fund for exterior work. The exterior work will keep the property in line with historical district requirements. He said several residents were very complimentary about OIM Rohr and the work he does. 6 EHA BOC Regular Meeting 09-07-05 IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION COMMISSIONER HARA MOVED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD SEPTEMBER 7, 2005 AT 6:40 P.M. COMMISSIONER BRADSHAW SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. son, Chair 7