MINUTES FROM A REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2016

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange was called to order at 6:05 p.m. on December 15, 2016 in the Conference 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 Betty McLeod

Commissioner Tracy Latta – Left meeting at 7:10 p.m.

 

Also Present
Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director

Leo Dugan, Esq., Feinstein, Raiss, Kelin & Booker

Several Employees

Several Tenants

 

Absent
Commissioner Joseph Juliano

Commissioner Hashim Garrett

 

The pledge of allegiance was said.

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt the agenda.  Commissioner Ross moved and 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 the Minutes from October 20, 2016 Board meeting.  Commissioner Williams moved to adopt the Minutes.  Commissioner Ross seconded.

 

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

No discussion

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor.

 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

No Treasurer’s Report

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mr. McNeil reported that one of our residents and stipend workers, Ron Lee for the Orange Housing Authority passed away.

Mr. McNeil stated that he and Chairman Rimes had a meeting at Orange City Hall with the Business Administrator, Christopher Hartwyk.  Mr. McNeil stated that they were looking at the properties that Orange Housing Authority have and the taxes on these properties.  Mr. McNeil said they also went over the properties and what is going to go on for PHASE IV. The Orange Housing Development Corporation Board approves the Resolution with the site plans and finance agreement.

 

PUBLIC SESSION

Nakita Gilliam, 27 Hillyer Street, Orange, NJ talked about her involvement with Section 8 Department.

Shawn Connors, 153 Central Place, Orange, NJ, wanted to thank the Orange Housing Authority for a great job that we our doing and how safe and nice we are making the town look.

 

RESOLUTIONS

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5411-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange approving Bills Resolution No. 1887.  Commissioner Williams moved to adopt.  Commissioner Ross seconded.

 

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

 

Commissioner Ross questioned the bill from Able Tex Sewer & Drain.

Lance Hammond, Maintenance Superintendent said that they did repairs to several apartments and did a high pressure jet to the main lines.

Commissioner Ross asked about John’s Auto Repair bill.

Lance Hammond, Maintenance Superintendent said that his truck needed tires and brakes and the other work truck needed a started and needed to be towed.

Commissioner Ross asked if we are ready for the winter with the plows.

 

Lance Hammond, Maintenance Superintendent said yes.

Commissioner Ross asked the Housing Manager, Shanda Hammond how is the situation with the bed bugs.

Shanda Hammond, Housing Manager said that the situation is better we don’t have as many issues as we did before.  But we are still having a problem with people not reporting that they have bed bugs.

 

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor

 

Commissioner Latta left the meeting at 7:10 p.m.

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5412-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange to select banking institutions for 2017 calendar year.  Commissioner Ross moved to adopt.  Commissioner McLeod 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. 5413-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange establishing Housing Authority regular meeting dates for calendar year 2017.  Commissioner Ross moved to adopt.  Commissioner Williams seconded.

 

Commissioner Ross asked why there were only two meetings at Walter G. Alexander instead of three and wanted the Resolution change to three meetings.

 

After discussion about having three meetings at Walter G. Alexander Resolution No. 5413-16 was revised and added an additional meeting.  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 except for Commissioner McLeod who voted Nay.  The Resolution failed.

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5414-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange to select official newspapers for 2017 calendar year. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt.  Commissioner McLeod 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. 5415-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing the Executive Director to advertise and hold a Public Hearing on the Annual Plan for fiscal year 2017.  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. 5416-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange appointing Walter D. McNeil, Jr. as Fund Commissioner.  Commissioner Ross moved to adopt.  Commissioner McLeod 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. 5417-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange supporting S-2663 and A-4234.  Commissioner Ross moved to adopt.  Commissioner McLeod seconded.

 

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

 

Mr. McNeil explained by passing this resolution it will enable JIF to increase investment income by at least $10 million per year, resulting in lower premiums and higher dividends.

 

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor

 

Mr. McNeil said that we need to put a resolution on for the first three meetings of the year because the other resolution did not pass and we have to have a meeting in January that needs to be advertised so we should pass a resolution for the first three months for meeting dates.

 

Chairman Rimes called a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5418-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange establishing Housing Authority regular meeting dates for January, February and March 2017.  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

 

Commissioner Ross said that we should report the pipes that busted to JIF.

Mr. McNeil said he will report it to the Insurance Company as soon as possible.

Mr. McNeil said the situation with PSE&G bills has been resolved.  He has met with the Business Administrator of the City of Orange and he will send a letter to PSE&G along with payment.

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Commissioner Williams moved to adjourn. Commissioner McLeod seconded.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 7:42 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Walter D. McNeil, Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer