HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-3-2009 CHA MINUTES.I I
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are expenses that we have to put somewhere, but don't know right now where to code
them.
Mike informed the Board that CHA spent 56,083.00 more than anticipated for the month
of January. Mike reiterated to the Board CHA is always operating in the positive and
never on a line of credit.
Estella asked why CHA went over on Health Insurance, Retirement; and Workers Comp.
Mike explained to the Board that CHA is required to submit the Housing Authority
budget to Rural Development by October, so in November when our new policy went
into effect it was higher than CHA had anticipated.
Estella asked if anyone had any questions on the financials. Motion was made by Jim,
and seconded by Dana. The Board unanimously approved the financial report at
12:20pm.
4. Director's Report
Mike read the statement pertaining to the by laws for the Housing Authority being
created in 1946. The Board of Directors who in Authority to secession granted by Idaho
code hereby adopt and implement the by laws dated February 13, 2009. Caldwell
Housing Authority is titled under the Secretary of State office as a non - profit
organization and a corporation. Mike briefly read through the by laws to the Board that
states the Housing Authority is allowed to function by which it was created.
Mike suggested that the Board meet quarterly at Farmway Village so everyone can see
the improvements and witness first -hand management efforts to improve the conditions at
CHA.
Mike informed the Board that he had met with the City of Caldwell to discuss some
possibilities for developing housing in downtown Caldwell. Initially the City indicated
they would like to see the upstairs of the Studentberg buildings developed into housing.
Mike stated that his experience working with Idaho Housing and Financing Association
is that it probably won't happen with a structure that old. When you start considering
property that is that old, you encounter environmental limitations and structural
engineering limitations. With public housing, you must have a certain percentage of the
new units be handicap accessible and adaptable. With buildings that old, meeting the
handicap accessibility requirements is difficult. Mike stated that Neighborhood
Stabilization Funds are available, and is considering the CHA role in accessing those
funds.
Mike directed the Board to look at a report that shows a break down of Mike's hours and
informed the Board that he had been working with Attorney's Michael Moore and Martin
Hendricks of Moore Baskin & Alia to defend Idaho Housing against the law suit. During
the month of February Mike logged in 49 hours with Moore Baskin & Alia's. Mike took
a detailed accounting of his time with Moore Baskin & Alia with regards to the lawsuit.
Some of those hours were spent during CHA working hours. Idaho Housing's Insurance
Company has now agreed to pay Mike as a technical wittiness and expert witness. They
have agreed to make two checks, one check payable to the CHA for Mike's time away
from work and one for Mike's hours working. Mike assured the Board that he worked
more than a full week at CHA besides working on the law suit.
Mike informed the Board that United Way of Treasure Valley is going to bring out a 120
volunteers out to CHA March 27 &28 th and invited the Board to come join in the
activities that will be going on at Farmway Village.
Mike talked about the on going disagreement between CHA and the Caldwell Rural Fire
District. Mike explained he asked them to send him a copy of the contract and all they
sent him was something written sometime in 1996. If you look at Idaho Code it says all
Housing Authority's are exempt from all taxes. Caldwell Rural Fire District is saying
that they can charge CHA tax because CHA is outside the District, so now it's an
argument of which state law applies. Jim suggested CHA Iet the attorney's work through
this issue and ask Mr. Kerrick to give CHA the odds of winning a law suit.
Mike spoke of the legal law enforcement issues that the Sheriff's office has
recommended for CHA do that would make it possible to identify vehicles that belong at
the Caldwell Housing Authority.
Mike stated that Idaho Legal Aide is now aggressively defending against non- payment
evictions. Mike explained the process CHA uses for the 3 -day pay or quit process.
Estella asked what CHA does about people who lose their job and cannot pay rent. Mike
said he will give people an opportunity to pay rent late if they immediately report their
loss of income to the office, but does not let people live at CHA for free. Andy
commented that it's the tenant's responsibility to inform the landlord when their work
status as changed, and NHA also takes a strict stance on rent payment.
Mike informed the Board that he had received a phone call from a narcotics undercover
officer who said they had purchased drugs from one of our tenants at Farmway Village
and it just happened to be the one that lost an eviction case a couple months ago.
Mike told the Board many tenants are having difficulty paying rent. CHA still has a
steady stream of applications and most of the people that come and apply that are
approved want a voucher to go live downtown Caldwell. It's Mike's desire to work with
the City of Caldwell to find some alternative locations for downtown housing.
Mike told the Board that steps have been taken to open the store March 23` and have
hired a new employee and may need to hire a temp for the weekends.
Mike stated the Community Center has become over crowded and will start addressing
that issue. Estella wanted to make sure the Community Center is primarily reserved for
the tenants of the housing authority.
Mike is requesting from RD to proceed with converting two more units and anticipates
approval this week and also requesting funds from IHFA to study the feasibility of
downtown of predevelopment fund.
After some discussion, the Board decided Patricia should act as the interim Treasurer
until the annual meeting in June.
Resolution: That Patricia Benedict should serve as the interim Treasurer of the
Caldwell Housing Authority.
Motion: Andy
2nd: Dana
Yeas: Dana, Sid, Estella, Andy, Jim
Neys: NONE
Estella asked if she had a motion to adjourn. Motion by Andy;
5. Adjourn at 1:40pm