Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-10-2008 CHA MINUTESCaldwell Housing Authority Minutes of "Regular" Meeting November 10, 2008 Board Members Present: Estella Zamora, Patricia Benedict, Dana Schuck, Sid Freeman, Andy Rodriguez, Jim Blacker Staff Present: Mike Dittenber, Ayde Cortina Members Absent: Guests: Locations: Acapulco Mexican Restaurant In order of business: Roll call and call to order Estella joined the meeting at 12:10 p. so Andy called the meeting to order at 12:05pm. 2 Review of October minutes Andy asked if everyone had a chance to review the minutes. Everyone indicated they had read the minutes for both the October regular meeting and the October special budget meeting. Andy asked if there was any opposition to approving both sets of minutes. There were no objections and Dana motioned to accept the minutes, seconded by Sid, and the minutes for both meetings were unanimously approved by those present. Financial Report Ayde reviewed the September financials with the Board of Commissioners. During her review, she explained the expenses that were paid by the debt reserves, and how there were more debt reserve payments anticipated in the coming weeks. Mike explained that much of the security system improvements have not yet been invoiced. Mike directed the Board to the" Caldwell Housing Authority General Statement of Financial Situation "as Mike gave a summary of the Financial and Budget Status. Mike reported that the end of October CHA had $346,000.00 in the reserve account, approximately $3,400.00 more than was needed, bank general account balance of about $22,000.00. As far as cash flow, CHA is consistently in a positive cash flow. Mike showed where CHA was as of September 30`" which is the same information that Ayde provides, but Mike represented the data differently to show where CHA should be based on the budget and CHA's budget targets for each month. Mike also highlighted some costs that he felt were beyond the organization's control. Mike asked if there were any questions on the financials. Patricia commented on the number of vacancies going down and Mike reported that CHA has 11 vacancies and b that are spoken for that will be occupied by the end of the week. Mike anticipates by year's end CHA will have, or be near 100% occupancy. Estella asked if there were any other questions regarding the financials. Estella asked if there was a motion to approve the financials. The motion was made by Sid; seconded by Andy; and unanimously approved at 12:25pm. 4. Directors Report Mike informed the Board that there was one personnel item that needed to be discussed in executive session. Mike reported on the approved budget differences and told the Board after the Board had approved the budget on the 12 of October Mike met with Rural Development and went over the budget and RD said they couldn't Iet CHA have our budget that high. RD also reduced the rent on the masonry units by $13.00 a month and wanted CHA to cut back to less than $250.00 a month because somewhere in the Rural Development offices they thought if CHA lowered the price of the masonry units we would increase the vacancy. After some discussion Mike agreed with RD to decrease the rent in the masonry units by $13.00 a month. The change will take about $40,000.00 out of the budget. Rural Development had indicated that maybe CHA was a little bit too ambitious on the some of the projects Mike was doing at the Housing Authority and time to slow down. Mike suggested the Board accept the RD budget and make modification later if necessary and there were funds to justify the modifications. Estella asked if everyone agreed with Mike's suggestion. Andy made a motion to accept the revised RD budget, seconded by (inaudible), and unanimously approved. Mike reported that Rural Development is in its final stages of allowing CHA to convert one of the smaller units into a larger unit. Mike presented the Board with a slide show presentation earlier in the year about the planned modifications. RD has asked CHA to consider spending as minimal as possible and try to use our own staff to make the conversion and not hire contractors because if it's successful they will try to approve other units and with only $10,000.00 in the budget to make those modifications they wanted to make sure they could make as many as possible with that amount. Estella asked if CHA needed to get started on the project as soon as possible or can it wait for a while. Mike indicated that it could wait for awhile and the money in the budget to pay for the actual repairs doesn't take place until January 1S RD is hoping to give CHA approval as soon as possible. Mike reported that the Caldwell Rural Fire District has been less than honest about previous agreements and Mike is inclined not to make a payment until the Fire District agrees to talk to him. Mike had sent a letter to the Rural Fire District informing them that CHA's budget is tight and based upon Mike's understanding of the applicable State code CHA is going to cut our payment by $6,000.00. The Rural Fire District responded and said CHA can't do that and cited the code that they conveniently left out two sentences of what they quoted Mike. Mike was advised not to pay it by Attorney David Kerrick and wait for the Fire District to get back with Mike to discuss the issue. Mike told the Board CHA hired a new Assistant Manager and he brings on a lot of skills and experience to the Housing Authority. CHA is installing 3 new camera pole bases and these would be located to look only at the common areas. One at the bus stop and playground area, one at the high way 44 entrance, and one at a high traffic area where children play and vehicles speed. Bailey & Company delivered the audit during the middle of October. Jared expressed his apologies and would not blame CHA if we required additional performance exceptions for the next agreement. .fared also wanted to know if the Board would like him to come to the next Board meeting to discuss the audit. Mike spoke of no graffiti over the last several months and Mike thinks it's on the verge of change and becoming a tender box at CHA. Mike has noticed that law enforcement patrol has dropped off since they haven't heard from CHA for awhile. Mike reported that there was red graffiti on one of the buildings and then two days later the masonry units were hit. The staff has reported that there has been a group of 5 -6 boys that no one recognizes hanging out and Mike approached them to ask them questions which they didn't want to answer. One of the tenants at CHA happens to be a relative of one of the known violent gang members that Mike evicted and she appears to be letting them come back and stay. Mike said he eventually evicted her for having boarders and lodgers and housing people that have been previously evicted from CHA. Idaho Legal Aide has said that you can't evict someone for the action of a guest or relative and that is what CHA is being sued over. 5. Executive Session Estella asked Mike if an executive session was still needed. Mike said he would like to have an executive session. Andy made a motion to go into executive session, seconded by Sid and the Board entered executive session at l :05pm. Executive session ended at 1:15pm. Mike showed a brief PowerPoint presentation explaining his military service — absolutely non -work related. Meeting adjourned at 1:30pm.