Minutes From A Regular Meeting March 19, 2015
MINUTES FROM A REGULAR MEETING MARCH 19, 2015
A Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange was called to order at 6:08 p.m. on March 19, 2015 in the Community Room of Washington Manor, 340 Thomas Boulevard, 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 Ernest Williams
Commissioner Clifford Ross
Commissioner Joseph Juliano
Commissioner Betty McLeod
Commissioner Tracey Latta
Commissioner Hashim Garrett
Also Present
Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director
Gary Gordon, Feinstein, Raiss, Kelin & Booker
Several Tenants
Several Employees
The pledge of allegiance was said.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt. 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 corrections of the minutes from a regular board meeting on February 19, 2015. 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
No Treasurer’s Report
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. McNeil stated that three interns started working in our Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS). Ms. Paynter and Ms. Romain are going to school at Seton Hall and Ms. LaPara is attending Rutgers. Mr. McNeil said that Ms. Paynter and Ms. Romain work assignments have been revised to focus on the areas of recruitment and FSS intake and Ms. LaPara our senior intern is majoring in Social Work. She is also working in the areas of intake and resource services.
Mr. McNeil stated that Public Housing is 100% PIC.
Commissioner Rimes asked what PIC means.
Shanda Hammond, Housing Manager stated it means Public Information Center.
Mr. McNeil also stated that we have three vacant units.
Commissioner Ross asked if we are 100% in rent collections.
Mrs. Hammond stated that we are 100% monthly collections but some of the tenants are in the arrears.
Commissioner Ross asked that Mrs. Hammond on her monthly report put what was collected and what’s still outstanding.
Mr. McNeil stated that she will do that for the next monthly meeting.
Commissioner Rimes asked what the Congregate Housing Dinner Program is.
Mr. McNeil stated that it’s a program for the residents. He said we have a dinner prepared for them by a vendor and they pay according to their income each month.
Commissioner Ross said that we should set a date for this Board to go see the Oakwood Avenue Development.
Mr. McNeil said that we can do that.
PUBLIC SESSION
Nobody spoke at this time
RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5331-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Approving Bills Resolution No. 1869. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Commissioner Latta questioned the Staples bill and wanted to know why we don’t put exactly what we bought on the bill list.
Mr. McNeil stated that we have the bills we us and it would be too much to list everything that was bought but she can review the bill.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
UNFINISHED BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS
Mr. McNeil said that we are going to have the closing of Walter G. Alexander Phase IV on March 23rd or 24th. He also said that in mid-April we are going to have a ground breaking for 26 units on Wilson Place and 16 units on Parrow Street.
Phyllis Greer, Public Relations Coordinator stated that there is going to be a 75th Anniversary Event on Thursday, May 7th at 6:00 p.m. here at Washington Manor.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Williams moved to adjourn. Commissioner Latta seconded.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter D. McNeil, Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer