MINUTES FROM A REGULAR MEETING MARCH 23, 2017

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 March 23, 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 – Entered meeting at 6:06 p.m.

Commissioner Joseph Juliano

Commissioner Betty McLeod

Commissioner Tracy Latta – Entered meeting at 6:07 p.m.

 

Also Present

 

Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director

Mr. Gary Gordon, Esq., Feinstein, Raiss, Kelin & Booker

Several Employees

Several Tenants

 

Absent

Commissioner Hashim Garrett

The pledge of allegiance was said.

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt the agenda.  Commissioner McLeod moved to adopt the agenda and 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 correction of the Minutes from

March 23, 2017 Board meeting.  Commissioner Ross 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 except for Commissioner Ross abstained.  Minutes failed.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

The Board of Commissioners reviewed the Treasurer’s Report.

Chairman Rimes stated that the Treasurer’s Report he would like to see and review in advance.

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mr. McNeil said that March 31, 2017 is the end of the Fiscal Year for the Orange Housing Authority. He stated that at the next Board of Commissioners Meeting which is on April 20, 2017, there is going to be an Annual Meeting.  He said at the Annual Meeting there will be nominations taken for the positions of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Parliamentarian.

Mr. McNeil stated that Orange Housing Authority cleaned up the Eastward and made close to 60 million in investments.  Mr. McNeil said there is no other Housing Authority in the State of New Jersey other than Newark to do as much as Orange Housing Authority did.  He thanked everyone for another successful year.

Mr. McNeil said that Orange Housing Authority hired two guys for the Maintenance Department from the State of New Jersey Civil Service Commission.  They started working this month.

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt and/or correction of the Minutes from

March 16, 2017 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 except for Commissioner Ross abstained

 

 

PUBLIC SESSION

Ms. Agnes Bess, Apt. 7P stated that the Maintenance Department did an excellent job taking care of snow.

 

RESOLUTIONS

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5429-17 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 7th Annual Youth Scholarship Golf Tournament.  Commissioner Juliano moved to adopt.  Commissioner Williams seconded.

 

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

Chairman Rimes asked for Commissioner Juliano and Commissioner Williams to withdraw their motions on this resolution because there is no contract attached.  The Board of Commissioners agreed.

Commissioner Juliano withdrawn his vote and Commissioner Williams also withdrawn his vote to second.

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to table Resolution No. 5429-17 until next month’s meeting so that a contract can be reviewed by the Board.  Commissioner Ross moved this resolution.  Commissioner Latta seconded.

 

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor

Resolution No. 5429-17 will be on next month’s Board of Commissioners Meeting.

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5432-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange approving Bills Resolution No. 1890.  Commissioner Ross moved to adopt.  Commissioner Williams seconded.

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

Commissioner Ross asked about a bill for work done on Taylor Street.

Lance Hammond, Maintenance Superintendent said that the back porch was ready to come down and it was a safety issue so we had to fix it.

Commissioner Ross asked about how the PIC System worked.

Peggy Wade, Acting Director of Section 8 explained how the PIC System works through Tenmast.

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5433-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing and ratifying execution of documents in connection with the Finance, Construction and Management of the Walter G. Alexander Phase IV Development.  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. 5434-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange extending the contract of the Executive Director from February 2017 – January 2022.  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 Latta voted nay

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5435-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange entering into a contract with Post, Polak, Goodsell & Strauchler, P.A. to represent us regarding the Tax Abatement Application for Walter G.  Alexander Phase IV Development and various Planning Board issues.  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. 5436-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a contract and a mortgage with Ms. Peggy G. Holley for the property located at 196 Central Place, Orange NJ.  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 Latta who voted nay.

 

Commissioner Ross asked about the status of the main break and repairs.

Lance Hammond, Maintenance Superintendent said that his office is completed and he is still getting quotes for the conference room.

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

Meeting was adjourned at 7:53 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Walter D. McNeil, Jr.

Secretary