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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-12-2008 CHA MINUTESCaldwell Housing Authority Minutes of "Regular" Meeting August 12, 2008 Board Members Present: Estella Zamora, Patricia Benedict, Dana Schuck, Andy Rodriguez, Jim Blacker Staff Present: Mike Dittenber, Ayde Cortina Members Absent: Sid Freeman Guests: Leslie Carlisle Locations: Acapulco Mexican Restaurant In order of business: Roll call and call to order Estella called the meeting to order at 12:03pm 2 Review of May minutes Estella asked if everyone had an opportunity to review the minutes. Estella asked if there was a motion to approve the minutes: Motion made by Patricia, seconded by Dana, and minutes were unanimously approved at 12:05pm. 3 Financial Report Ayde reported on the June financials. Ayde provided the Board of Directors budget summary for the month of June current and year to date. She explained the relationship between the budgeted amounts and the actual costs. At the conclusion of Ayde's report, Mike directed the Boards attention to two reports he prepares each month. The first is the Statement of Financial Situation, and captures the amount of money CHA has at a given time. Mike explained that CHA has $357,000 in the Reserve Account and $21,000 in the General Account. The second report was the budget status. Mike explained that CHA was currently $14,000 over budget, and that the budget should balance out at the end of the year when the maintenance and repair cost are reduced after the summer months. Andy made the comment that this was only the budget through June and that there was time during the latter part of the budget for things to balance. Mike also indicated there were other budget items to speak about, but he would address them in the "new business" section of the agenda because he would need official action from the Board to proceed. At the conclusion of the financial report, Estella asked if there was a motion by the Board to approve the financials. The motion was made by Dana; seconded by Jim; and unanimously approved at 12 :20pm. 4. Special Report Mike turned the time over to Leslie Carlisle who is interning for CHA and collecting information for the market study. The Board then plans to ask IHFA & HUD to give CHA a waiver on the HUD funded masonry units and have Rural Development do something more permanent about addressing the designation of the Housing Authority as low income multi - family rather than farm labor. Leslie is working on the other components of the market study to include population demographics, housing demographics, and general information relating to the occupation and vac«ncy of the Cinder Block units at CHA. At the conclusion of Leslie's presentation, Mike commented about the strategy CHA should take in addressing the long -term needs of the masonry units. He hoped that IHFA would support the waiver request and remove all 112 units from the affordable housing inventory in Idaho. If not, he thought CHA might want to be a little more forceful and suggest that IHFA foreclose on the property or do a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Mike told the Board he couldn't imagine anyone purchasing the masonry units. Jim indicated that being a little forceful might let IHFA and HUD know how serious we are about resolving this complex issue. Mike said he thought the issue could be resolved if HUD and RD and CHA could come to an agreement on how to allow CHA to renovate and rebuild 2 units into 1 unit. Estella commented that the units at one time were even smaller than they are now, and that they were remodeled many years ago and 2 units were made into 1 unit. 5. Directors Report Mike reported that most of the staff had completed their summer vacations and the business was back to normal. Mike explained the administrative changes that were taking place, including a new trash removal company, a possible energy audit by Idaho power, and continued lack of applications for the masonry units. Estella asked why we change trash vendors. Mike indicated the new vendor could save CHA approximately $600 a month and they would provide better looking dumpsters and would carry spray paint in the trucks to spray over any graffiti. Jim indicated there was nothing wrong with saving $7,200 a year. Mike said he would later ask the Board to consider another rent increase. Mike indicated Delta Dental was at CHA for 3 days in July and will be back for 4 days in August. Mike indicated CHA was still waiting for the 2007 audit from Bailey and Company, and that he would be asking the Board to make an amendment to the capital improvement budget. The Sheriff's inmate Labor Detail continues to provide inmates to paint the exterior masonry units from time to time. Mike indicated it has been 113 days since the last graffiti. He suggested the I 1 new cameras (at a cost of $8,000) was a good investment that has paid for itself already. Mike said that he decided to put cameras in the store after an employee of the store claimed she was stalked and sexually assaulted by one of the vendors to the store. Mike showed the Board of Directors some pictures of some BBQ pits he was installing. Andy said the pits look good, but they may not work for carnitas. Mike said he would re- examine his design and make modifications. Mike informed the Board that he took his waste -water test on July 23` and is awaiting the results. He also explained that the City of Caldwell filed for water rights over the previously riled water rights of CHA. Mike worked with the Dept. of Water Resources to make sure CHA kept its own water rights and the City was removed from the claim. Mike explained that he continues to have dialogue with both HUD (via IHFA) and RD about the masonry units. RD has been unable to meet, and IHFA is doing what they can, which at this point seems to be very limited. Mike indicated he was going to meet with IHFA staff and ask them to be more vocal in favor of our request. At approximately 1:20pm, Estella indicated she needed to return to work and to not forget the Farm Labor Appreciation Day on the 24 Mike spoke with the Board about rent increases for 2009. Mike provided the Board with a chart of suggested rate increases that reflected a 6% average increase. Andy suggested providing more attention to the rent issue because it might be better to do a 10% (or higher) now and not go through this process every year. In addition, and prior to making any decision, Andy wanted Mike to bring back to the Board projected salary increases for 2009. Mike then presented the Board with a budget amendment for Capital Improvements. He did not increase the budget, but merely shifted funds from one line item to another. Mike said the changes would include more money for site security, roofing, paving and concrete, and engineering fees from Mike Holaday for preparing operation manuals. Andy said he was willing to approve the budget modifications, but wanted a more detailed explanation of engineering cost. He said if it was for operation manuals, CHA should have got them free when the work was originally completed. Mike said he would look into that and would not make any payments to Holaday Engineering until the Board had a chance to review his billing statements. Andy made a motion to amend the Capital Improvement budget (with the exception listed in the previous paragraph); seconded by Patricia, unanimously approved. Jim made a motion to adjourn; Seconded by Andy, and the meeting concluded at 1:35pm. Meeting adjourned