Minutes From An Annual Meeting October 6, 2015
MINUTES FROM AN ANNUAL MEETING OCTOBER 6, 2015
An Annual Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange was called to order at 6:08 p.m. on October 6, 2015 in the Community Room at Washington Manor, 340 Thomas Blvd., Orange, New Jersey. The Executive Director advised that all requirements of the Sunshine Law were met. A roll call was taken as follows:
Present
Chairman Coram Rimes
Vice Chairman Clifford Ross
Commissioner Ernest Williams
Commissioner Joseph Juliano
Commissioner Betty McLeod
Commissioner Hashim Garrett
Commissioner Tracey Latta
Also Present
Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director
Amelia Rideau, McManimon, Scotland & Baumann
Acting Director John Wade
Several Tenants
Several Employees
The pledge of allegiance was said.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt the agenda. Commissioner McLeod seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Mr. McNeil said that the Minutes will be submitted at the next monthly Board of Commissioners meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Mr. McNeil reported on the Treasurer’s Report
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. McNeil said that he would wait until the end of the meeting for his report because Acting Director John Wade is here and wants to speak to the Board later.
PUBLIC SESSION
Barbara Price, Apt. 8P said that we need a Social worker at Washington Manor. Someone to help us with issues here.
Mr. McNeil said if you have an issue here you should see the Housing Manager, Shanda Hammond.
Acting Director John Wade spoke about putting high tech cameras around the City of Orange at various sites throughout the City. Acting Director Wade asked Mr. McNeil and the Board of Commissioners if they can help pay for these cameras. The Director feels that if he can put these cameras at the higher crime areas this would lower the crime rate in that area.
Mr. McNeil and the Board of Commissioners will look over the proposal and will let Acting Director Wade know of the outcome.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
The Board of Commissioners entered into Executive Session at 6:48p.m.
The Board reconvened at 7:43 p.m.
RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No.5347-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Approving Bills Resolution No. 1874. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5348-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Authorizing the Executive Director to provide Holiday Bonus to Employees. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt. Commissioner Ross seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5349-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange modifying the properties to be acquired on Resolution No. 5249-13. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Commissioner Williams said that there are two properties 285 and 287 Ogden Street that have been vacant that Mr. McNeil should look into acquiring.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
UNFINISHED BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS
Mr. McNeil asked the Board of Commissioner for a date in November for a Board of Commissioners meeting because there wasn’t one scheduled due to the League of Municipalities Convention.
Chairman Rimes asked the Board if they can meet on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. The Board of Commissioners agreed.
Rasheed Muhammad, Apt. 6I asked to speak now because he came late to the meeting and the Board was going into Executive Session.
Chairman Rimes agreed to let him speak.
Mr. Muhammad said that he had a few issues. He said that there should be fire extinguishers in all the apartments. He would like to have higher chairs in the Community Room because it’s too hard for some of the Seniors to get out of the chairs. He also said that the bathrooms should have deeper tubs and his last issue was that he wants a ping pong table and dart board in the Community Room because not everyone plays pool.
Chairman Rimes asked him if he spoke to the Manager about any of these issues.
Mr. Muhammad said no.
Chairman Rimes said for him to speak to the Manager on these issues.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner McLeod moved to adjourn. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter D. McNeil, Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer