MINUTES FROM A REGULAR MEETING JUNE 16, 2016
A Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on June 16, 2016 in the Community Room at Walter G. Alexander, 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 Tracey Latta
Commissioner Hashim Garrett
Also Present
Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director
Leo Dugan, 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 Williams 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 the Minutes from a regular Board meeting on May 19, 2016. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt the Minutes. Commissioner Juliano 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
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to bend the rules to allow the Board the opportunity to hear from one of recent FSS graduates, Melissa Taylor. 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
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Peggy Wade, Acting Program Director, Housing Assistance, detailed some of the events of the last Board meeting where several Family Self Sufficiency Program Participants received their escrow payments upon completion of their 5-year contract. Some of the recipients were unable to attend the last meeting due to their work or school schedules. One of the participants, Melissa Taylor is present tonight. She worked with Susan Moore, FSS Coordinator to develop a plan to help to become more self-sufficient. She is employed full-time and is happy to be a part of our program.
Chairman Rimes acknowledged Miss Taylor and asked her if she would like to say a few words.
Miss Taylor thanked the Housing Authority for the opportunity to participate in the FSS Program. She said she gained so much knowledge, new skills and better insight on planning her life forward. Miss Taylor stated she was reluctant and stubborn at first with trying to change old habits. Miss Moore kept encouraging her and made her realize that the only thing preventing her from moving forward was her. She said she didn’t realize the importance of budgeting, saving and planning until she attended the workshops offered. She said she learned the importance of a good credit rating and is working hard to improve her credit rating so she can do bigger things. She said she is trying to teach her children good habits in saving and planning for their futures since she now has the tools to do so.
Mr. McNeil said he is very proud of Miss Taylor. Mr. McNeil said you can see how this helps people in our community. These programs matter so much.
Commissioner Ross said he was very impressed with what Miss Taylor said. She personalized the program. He said he is proud that she has turned her life around and she will be able to turn other people’s lives around by her example.
Commissioner Juliano said he is a product of Orange – a single mother and these programs are needed.
Commissioner Williams told Miss Taylor to keep up the good work.
Chairman asked for a motion to return to the regular meeting.
PUBLIC SESSION
No tenants spoke
RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5394-16. Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange approving Bills Resolution No. 1882. 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. 5395-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange entering into a contract with Frank Glien, LLC, to perform the Audit of the books and records for a two year period from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 And April 1, 2016 To March 31, 2017. 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. 5396-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange updating payment standards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program to be comparable with current Fair Market Rents. Commissioner Juliano 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. 5397-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange entering into a contract with Moeshea Consulting to write a grant for NJ Build Highway to Employment Grant Opportunity. 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. 5398-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange to increase the Administrative Fee effective July 1, 2016. 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 Williams moved to adjourn. Commissioner Juliano seconded.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter D. McNeil, Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer