MINUTES FROM A REGULAR MEETING APRIL 20, 2017
A Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange was called to order at 6:55 p.m. on April 20, 2017 in the Conference Room at Walter G. Alexander Complex, 105 Wilson Place., 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 Francis Audain
Also Present
Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director
Gary Gordon, Feinstein, Raiss, Kelin & Booker
Several Employees
Several Tenants
The pledge of allegiance was said.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Williams moved and 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 and/or correction of the Minutes from March23, 2017 Board meeting. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt the Minutes. Commissioner McLeod seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Chairman Rimes stated that based on conversation with the Orange City Clerk and the Board Attorney with respect to the Motion to Lay on the Table I request the following changes to be made to the March 23rd Minutes:
Commissioner Ross motion to Table the Resolution concerning the golf outing because there was no budget or associated costs for the Golf Club.
This occurred after the Motion was first and second. There was a withdrawal of the original motion which was first and second. The Motion to Lay on the Table was subsequently first and second. The Lay on the Table takes precedent, therefore it would be necessary Lift the Motion which has been Tabled before we can vote the resolution.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor.
TREASURER’S REPORT
There was no Treasurer’s Report. Mr. McNeil said that they will receive by email a Report within a week.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. McNeil said that we had a big turnout for the Food Bank. We received a lot of produce.
Commissioner Garrett asked what the Food Bank is
Ms. Shanda Hammond, Housing Manager explained the Food Bank of New Jersey. She said they sent boxes for 96 participants of perishable food. Tenants sign up for the program.
Commissioner Garrett said why everybody wouldn’t participate in the Food Bank Program.
Commissioner McLeod said that if you receive over $1,400.00 per month you are not eligible for the program.
Mr. McNeil said that we are no longer doing the Congregate Program after May 15, 2017, because the cost is too high.
Commissioner Rimes asked if there is any Orange Housing Authority employees employed with the Congregate Program.
Mr. McNeil said yes.
Commissioner Ross asked if this is going effect their employment with the Orange Housing Authority and how many employees are there.
Ms. Shanda Hammond stated that there are 3 employees and yes they will no longer be employed the Orange Housing Authority.
Mr. McNeil stated to the Board that L&M were applying for tax credits in the City of Orange and requested a letter of support for the Orange Housing Authority.
Mr. McNeil said that this would be a good thing for the Community by offering more affordable housing to the resident.
Ms. Peggy Wade, Acting Section 8 Director stated but although we have a few program participants residing at their Essex Avenue Development, they transferred tenant units prior to lease up and offered them units they had not seen. They discourage applicants and delayed processing qualified applicants. There on site management changed several times during their initial lease up making extremely difficult to communicate with them. Unless we can be guarantee that qualified applicants can be seriously reconsider.
Commissioner Ross said that wasn’t fair why we should support them if they are not considering our voucher holders.
Mr. McNeil said I will make them put in writing that they have to guarantee 15 slots for our voucher holders.
PUBLIC SESSION
Nobody spoke at this time.
RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to lift off the table Resolution No. 5429-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing the Executive Director to sign a contract with Brooklake Country Club for the 7th Annual Youth Scholarship Golf Tournament. Tabled at the last Board of Commissioners Meeting on March 23, 2017. Commissioner Williams moved to lift off the table. 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. 5429-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing the Executive Director to sign a contract with Brooklake Country Club for the 7th Annual Youth Scholarship Golf Tournament. Tabled at the last Board of Commissioners Meeting on March 23, 2017. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt. Commissioner Garrett seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Mr. Francis Audain the new Commissioner for the Orange Housing Authority Board of Commissioner was sworn in by Mr. Gary Gordon, Counsel for the Board of Commissioners.
Mr. Audain said a few words about himself.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5437-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange approving Bills Resolution No. 1891. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Garrett 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. 5438-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing to change the ATM fee from $2.00 to $2.25 and the denomination from $10.00 to $20.00 at Washington Manor and Walter G. Alexander Complex. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Garrett 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. 5439-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange to increase the cost on the washers and dryers by $.25 per cycle. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Garrett seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Commissioner Garrett questioned why the fee was going up.
Mr. McNeil said that we are getting new machines so we raised the fee a little higher to pay for the cost and maintenance on the new machines.
Mr. McNeil said this was discussed at the last Tenant Association Meeting.
Commissioner McLeod said she was at the last Tenant Association Meeting and the tenants didn’t have a problem since it was only $.25.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5440-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing exclusive option to lease real estate by and between the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Township and Orange Housing Development Corporation. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Mr. McNeil said that Orange Housing Development Corporation is going to lease the land from the Orange Housing Authority.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5441-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing exclusive option to sublease real estate by and between Orange Housing Development Corporation and Walter G. Alexander Village IV Urban Renewal LLC. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt. Commissioner Ross seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Mr. McNeil said that Orange Housing Authority is giving Orange Housing Development Corporation the authorization to sublease the property.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5442-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange amending the Section 8 Administrative Plan and the Five Year Plan to convert 20 Housing Choice Vouchers to Project Based Vouchers and attach them to the proposed Walter G. Alexander Phase IV Development. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Garrett 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 adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Juliano moved to adjourn. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Meeting was adjourned at 8:27 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter D. McNeil, Jr.
Secretary