MINUTES FROM A REGULAR MEETING MARCH 15, 2018
MINUTES FROM A REGULAR MEETING MARCH 15, 2018
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 March 15, 2018 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 Francis Audain
Also Present
Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director
Leo Dugan, Esq., Raiss, Kelin & Booker
Several Employees
Several Tenants
Absent
Commissioner Hashim Garrett
The pledge of allegiance was said.
Chairman Rimes congratulated Commissioner Audain for completing all his Commissioners Training classes.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt the agenda and 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 and/or correction of the Minutes from
A Regular Board of Commissioners meeting on February 15, 2018. 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
The Board of Commissioners reviewed the Treasurer’s Report for the eleventh months ended February 28, 2018.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Chairman Rimes asked that Mr. McNeil reach out to the Water Department of the City of Orange and find out why we receive bills monthly instead of quarterly.
Mr. McNeil said he will reserve his report until the end of meeting.
PUBLIC SESSION
Cristina Mateo, Assistant Housing Manager stated that on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., there is going to be a Women History Month Program and Linda Epps will be the guest speaker.
RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5474-18 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange approving Bills Resolution No. 1901. 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 5475-18 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange to decrease the
Administrative Fee effective April 1, 2018. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Vice Chairman Ross asked Mr. McNeil to explain this resolution and the effect on the Orange Housing Authority.
Mr. McNeil stated that this is a directive from HUD that we must follow.
Vice Chairman Ross asked if we will be losing money.
Mr. McNeil said we are just going to be losing pennies we have no chose. He said it’s not a lot of money.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5476-18 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 8th Annual Youth Scholarship Golf Tournament. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt. Commissioner McLeod seconded.
Mr. McNeil said that Orange Housing Development Corporation is going to be responsive for this golf outing.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to take back their vote to decline Resolution No. 5476-18. Commissioner Williams moved to take back his vote. Commissioner McLeod seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Resolution No. 5477-18 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing the Executive Director to allow employee, Ralph J. Harkness to utilize accrued vacation and sick time to pay for his pension liability. Further authorizing the Executive Director of the Authority to pay up to $10,000.00 from our reserve fund for benefit liability to further pay down the total debt for Mr. Harkness pension liability so he is able to retire. Commissioner McLeod moved to adopt. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to go into executive session. Vice Chairman Ross moved to go into executive session. Commissioner Williams seconded.
The Board of Commissioners entered Executive Session at 6:45 p.m.
The Board of Commissioners reconvened at 7:36 p.m.
Chairman Rimes said Resolution No. 5477-18 will be walked on with the following changes. The fourth paragraph last sentence “The payments contained in this Resolution specifically from the reserve funds are contingent upon Mr. Ralph Harkness payment of $8,300.00 with a bank check, certified check or money order” will be added to this resolution.
Chairman Rimes asked for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5477-18 with the changes. Commissioner McLeod 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 Vice Chairman Ross who abstained.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5478-18 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange paying employee JoAnn Graham for 17 accrued vacation days above the 25 vacation days allowed to be accrued. Vice Chairman 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. 5479-18 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing the Executive Director to extend the medical benefit payments for Maureen Archie for two months using the employees accrued vacation time. Commissioner Williams 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 stated that he is going to the NAHRO Washington Conference in April and he will be paying for the conference himself.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Williams moved to adjourn. Commissioner McLeod seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter D. McNeil, Jr.
Secretary