MINUTES FROM A REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 19, 2017
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 January 19, 2017 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 Joseph Juliano
Commissioner Betty McLeod
Commissioner Hashim Garrett
Commissioner Tracy Latta
Also Present
Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director
Mr. Ernest Booker, Esq., 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 Ross moved and Commissioner Juliano 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 December 15, 2016 Board meeting. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt the Minutes. Commissioner McLeod seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Board of Commissioners reviewed the Treasurer’s Report.
Chairman Rimes wants to know when the Finance Committee is going to meet with the Accountant, Mr. Tony Polcari.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. McNeil reported that we had a plumbing issue and the water was turned off for a few hours while the plumbers were working on the issue.
Commissioner Ross asked if the tenants were inconvenience.
Mr. McNeil said no, that the Manager notified the tenants ahead of time that the water is going to be shutoff for 12 hours.
Commissioner Ross said that after they dig up the floors and breakthrough the walls pictures should be taken for the insurance company.
Mr. McNeil said ok.
PUBLIC SESSION
Shawn Connors, 153 Central Place, Orange, NJ, stated that there is a problem at 156 Central Place with drug dealing and right now the store is closed because the Police raided it. He heard that the owner wants to sell the store if Orange Housing Authority was interested in buying it.
Nakita Gilliam, 27 Hillyer Street, Orange, NJ talked about her involvement with Section 8 Department.
RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5419-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange approving Bills Resolution No. 1888. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt. Commissioner Ross seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Chairman Rimes questioned the bill from Purchase Power.
Joanne Kureshepi, Administrative Secretary explained that bill is for refilling the postage machine.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5420-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange certifying Audit review for fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Maureen Majette Archie, Accounting Assistant stated that there were no findings in the financial area, Public Housing area or Section 8 in the Audit. She stated that the findings we had last year were cleared up.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5421-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange accepting proposal of Feinstein, Raiss, Kelin & Booker, LLC to provide legal services for a two year period January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2018. Commissioner Juliano 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. 5422-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange entering into a contract with The Metro Company, LLC. to work as a Development Consultant for the Redevelopment of the Dr. Walter G. Alexander Village Phase IV. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Juliano 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. 5423-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange entering into a contract with McManimon, Scotland, Bauman Attorneys at Law for Development Counsel for the Redevelopment of the Dr. Walter G. Alexander Village Phase IV. 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. 5424-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange amending Resolution No.5418-16 to establish regular meeting dates for calendar year 2017. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt. Commissioner Juliano 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.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to Resolution No. 5425-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing an updated Utility Allowance Schedule for Section 8 Program. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Garett 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 Ross moved to adjourn. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:08 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter D. McNeil, Jr.
Secretary