Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-4-2008 CHA MINUTESCaldwell Housing Authority Minutes of Meeting March 4, 2008 Board Members Present: Andy Rodriguez, Dana Schuck, and Patricia Benedict. Staff Present: Mike Dittenber Absent: Estella Zamora, Sid Freeman, and Jim Blacker Quests: None Locations: Creekside Grill In order of business: Roll call and call to order at 12:00pm Andy called the meeting to order at 12:07pm 2 Review of February minute Andy asked everyone to look at the minutes and asked for acceptance of the minutes and there were no comments, At 12:08 Patricia made a motion to accept minutes as presented, seconded by Dana, and unanimously approved by all those present. 3 Financial Report Mike explained that there was not a financial report for this month because the budget line items had not been adjusted to reflect year -end expenses. Because RD requires CHA to submit the annual budget for the 2008 calendar year in October, the budget line items had not been set, therefore, there was no report to discuss. Additionally, Mike asked the Board to approve the amended budget based on year -end figures and not the projected figures from last October. Mike explained the differences between what the Board had approved last October and what he was asking the Board to approve now that the figures are more accurate. Mike explained that the left - hand column was what the Board approved last year; the second column was what was actually spent; and the third column was the amended budget amount. Mike then took a few minutes to explain the differences in the projected budget and the actual budget. Andy had a question regarding Maintenance Payroll and Site Management Payroll. He noticed the Maintenance Payroll was not increased and the Site Management Payroll management payroll was not increased much beyond the cost of the new part time employee and asked if pay raises were planned in this budget. Mike indicated the proposed budget did include the pay increases that were approved by the board last November. Andy wanted to know if merit increases for 2008 were figured into those figures. Mike indicated the cost of living and merit pay given in 2008 would be reflected in the 2009 budget. Andy also asked about the range of the increases. Mike explained that 2007 increases were approximately 3% for COLA and anywhere from 1 -5% additional based on the market wages and their performance. This budget does not reflect any increases that would occur in November of 2008. Patricia asked if the budget they were asked to approve was something different than what was approved last November. Mike indicated that they are being asked to approve and amended budget based on information not available when preparing the previous budget. Andy commented that budget reports are very confusing at times and that all the different financial reporting requirements can often make things look confusing. He indicated that although confusing, he did not believe there was "any funny stuff going on" with our request for a budget modification, and that people go to jail for deliberately falsifying financial information. Patricia suggested that actual maintenance costs may be less than anticipated because of the increased presence of the Sheriff's Office and the new lease compliance officer. Mike indicated that the budget, historically, may not necessarily be consistent with the current needs and attention of the Housing Authority. Andy asked for a motion to accept and approve the amended (revised) budget. Motion made by Dana, seconded by Patricia, and unanimously approved by those present at 12:20pm. 4. Directors Report Mike spoke of a new report he put together called the "General Statement of Financial Situation." Mike indicated he was putting this report together so the Board could see a broad picture of the financial situation. The report included the required and actual reserve balance and the general account balance for each of the months ending starting in January 2008. Mike explained the difference between the required reserve balance and the actual reserve balance, and that although there was a shortage in the reserve account, CHA did have enough to cover that shortage in the general account. Andy appreciated a report in this format because he recalled a time when the previous Executive Director wrote checks to the reserve account, but never deposited them. Patricia asked whether or not the Lease Compliance Officer was hired, and recalled some of the frustrations Mike expressed early on in the hiring process. Mike indicated he had hired a lady who started work during the last week of January. Mike asked the Board if they were interested in cooking chili at the annual Middleton Community Club Chili Cook -off. After some light hearted discussion about chili recipes, Andy indicated the Housing Authority would be well represented. Mike stated that the budget and financial report he had already gone over with the Board. The law enforcement sheriff office relationship is improving on a daily basis. The patrols are frequent and doing a lot of interaction with the CHA tenants. CHA got hit really hard with new graffiti "LST" Lost Soul Trace and Mike noticed that the Caldwell Airport got hit with the same graffiti also. The Sheriff Officers were concerned with that because that's the first time they have seen "LST" here, but have seen it quite a bit in California, Nevada and other places. Several people have indicated that one of our tenants is letting one of their kids come in to do graffiti. Mike sent a letter to the tenant, but she hadn't responded. The Sheriff office completed their drug investigation at CHA a couple of weeks ago and three people were arrested and evicted. The Sheriff Officer said $1000.00 a day was being ran out of unit #441 —one of CHA employees brother who was arrested. The unit has been cleaned and ready to rent out again. Mike indicated CHA has done a lot of advertising to fill the vacancies — Advertising on the internet, newspaper, on the radio, and in both English and Spanish. So far people are not knocking down our doors to move here. Mike informed the Board that the Idaho Community Action Network wanted to start a food bank at the Housing Authority. Mike met with the coordinators and was currently looking for a place for them to run a food bank. Andy informed Mike that there was once a food bank at CHA run by Sylvia Blaine and that arrangement was complicated and not a good fit. The Board previously passed a resolution (below) regarding food banks. Mike said that he would not do anything counter to the wishes of the Board. Patricia indicated the food bank may adversely affect the Farmway store. Previous food bank resolution(January/Febrgary 2404): I move Caldwell Housing Authority allow Hosana Ministries to provide educational services through our community Center. Because of the Board's commitment to the program offered by Caldwell School District, all scheduling needs to be worked out between Caldwell School Districts Homework program, Hosana Ministries and any other entity wishing to utilize ourfacility. In addition Hosana Ministries must provide appropriate insurance coverage to be approved by our Insurance Agent. Caldwell Housing Authority will be added as named insured as primary, not secondary. Furthermore, Caldwell Housing Authority will not allow a mobile unit on site, any babysitting /childcare services, clothing or food distribution by Hosana Ministries or other entity who has not been previously granted permission. Should any of these provisions be violated, Caldwell Housing Authority will exercise its right to revoke these privileges. Mike explained that he has done some preliminary work on what it would take to get city sewer up the hill for the new jail expansion. It could cost about $200,000.00. Right now the Housing Authority is paying $30,000 for waste -water services —at that rate, it would only take 10 years to pay off a loan that would allow CHA to hook up on Caldwell City Sewer. CHA is replacing approximately 2,200 feet fence that will cost between $15K and $18K. The Middleton Soccer Association approached the Housing Authority and asked if they could use our open areas for soccer fields if they paid for the goalposts and other stationary equipment. Mike asked what the Board thought of that proposal. Andy said that was a management decision and not necessarily a Board decision, and that Mike should proceed with positive community partnerships. Patricia asked: Would the fields be located near the restrooms that are currently boarded up? Mike indicated that they would be adjacent to those "very- expensive -and- underutilized- restrooms." Mike sent another letter to IHFA asking for further discussion about a HUD waiver to un- restrict more of the masonry units. Mike indicated that he had a brief discussion with RD's state office, and they were aware of our delicate housing situation and that CHA should take efforts to make a more permanent change in the Housing Authorities status —from farm labor to multi - family. Patricia indicated Mike should contact M.C. Niland of Western Idaho Training Company (WITCO) to see if they would be interested in making referrals to the Housing Authority. Mike asked if everyone had time to watch a PowerPoint presentation about the old Library and the deteriorating fencing. Mike explained that the Library is literally falling over, and that it might not be cost effective or efficient to repair or replace it. After some research, it is not on any historical registry. Mike recommended the Library be torn down and not replaced. But if it needed to be replaced, he could replicate the original building in an open area just to the west of the original building. Andy said building is an eye sore and should be tarn down if it could not be used. Mike explained how the current fence is falling down and kids are going into an unsafe area that we call the junk- yard —an area where stuff used to be dumped 40 years ago. Mike also indicated people are illegally dumping materials, including oils and other liquids on the ground. Mike expressed the importance of replacing the fence and keeping people away from potentially hazardous areas. Dana implied that CHA might have some liability if someone was to get injured in that area. Mike concluded the PowerPoint presentation. Meeting adjourned at 1:20pm.