MINUTES FROM A REGULAR MEETING MAY 19, 2016

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange was called to order at 6:10 p.m. on May 19, 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 Joseph Juliano

Commissioner Betty McLeod

 

Absent

Commissioner Ernest Williams

Commissioner Tracey Latta

Commissioner Hashim Garrett

 

Also Present

Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director

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

FSS Participants

Several Employees

Several Tenants

 

The pledge of allegiance was said.

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to suspend the rules to present the FSS participants an award.  Commissioner Ross moved and Commissioner Juliano seconded.

 

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

No discussion

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor

 

Ms. Susan Moore, FSS Coordinator stated that Melanie Cruz is present at this meeting and stated that she is one of our FSS participants in our program.  Ms. Moore state that Ms. Cruz achieved her GED and became certified as a Medical Assistant.  She said today, Ms. Cruz is pursuing her Associates Degree from the University of Phoenix.

 

Ms. Moore stated also present at this meeting is Schermelle Wright; she also participated in the FSS program.  Ms. Moore stated that Ms. Wright participated in extensive training, advanced in her job position from Teacher Assistant to Family Engagement Specialist with the Head Start Program.  She also reduced some of her debt and increased her credit score.  And today, Ms. Wright is pursuing her Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Human Services from Thomas Edison State College.

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to reconvene the meeting.  Commissioner McLeod moved 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 the agenda. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt the agenda. 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 the Minutes from an Annual and Regular Board meetings on May 19, 2016.  Commissioner Ross 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

Mr. McNeil reviewed the Treasurer’s Report with the Board of Commissioners

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mr. McNeil said that the Finance Committee which consists of Chairman Rimes, Commissioner Williams and Commissioner Garrett met with Maureen Majette Archie the Accounting Assistant and Tony Polcari the Accountant to go over the Budget and the 1065 form that Edward Martoglio provided for South Essex Court Urban Renewal.  Mr. McNeil said that we are right on track and that there are new guidelines to be followed.

 

Commissioner Ross wanted to know how many people are on the Section 8 waiting list.

 

Peggy Wade, Acting Director of Section 8 state 192 people are on the waiting list.

 

PUBLIC SESSION

Sally Wright, tenant of Walter G. Alexander asked Mr. McNeil if we owned 159 Oakwood Place.

Mr. McNeil said that we do not own that house the City of Orange does.

Ms. Wright said that the City of Orange should board that house up.

 

 

RESOLUTIONS

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5388-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Approving Bills Resolution No. 1881.  Commissioner Ross moved to adopt.  Commissioner Juliano seconded.

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

 

Commissioner Ross asked about the CoGen bill

 

Lance Hammond, Maintenance Superintendent stated that the more electric we use the higher the bill the more we save.

 

Commissioner Ross asked about Clifton Elevator bill.

 

Mr. Hammond explained that the one bill is an annual testing, the other bill is there maintenance contract and service calls.  He stated that the elevator doors breakdown a lot because of the people in wheelchairs hit the doors and they go off track.  So that’s a service call.

 

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5389-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange to authorize the Executive Director to submit the SEMAP Report.  Commissioner Ross moved to adopt.  Commissioner McLeod seconded.

 

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

 

Mr. McNeil said that this is an annual report done by Section 8 Department.

 

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5390-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing the Executive Director to use money from our Housing Authority Development Fund to pay for legal fees to McManimon, Scotland and Baumann associated with the Feld law suit.  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

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5391-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Mortgage with the Estate of Katie Harris for the property located at 176 Central Place, Orange NJ.  Commissioner Ross moved to adopt.  Commissioner Juliano seconded.

 

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

 

Mr. McNeil explained to the Board of Commissioners that 176 Central Place is in our redevelopment area.

 

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5392-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Budget for the fiscal year March 31, 2016 to March 31, 2017.  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 5393-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange approving a contract for the demolition of 143 Central Place on an emergency basis with DAS Industrial.  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

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Juliano congratulated Susan Moore, Coordinator of FSS Program and Peggy Wade, Acting Director of Section 8 Department on the outstanding job they did on the FSS Program.

 

Commissioner Ross wanted to know if Fast Construction was paid.

 

McNeil said yes.

 

Phyllis Greer, Public Relations Coordinator stated that National Night Out is August 2, 2016 at Walter G. Alexander, 105 Parrow Street, Orange, NJ.  She also stated that Phase III Ribbon Cutting will be on July 26, 2016 from 10:00 am to noon.

 

Maureen Majette Archie, Accounting Assistant stated that Judi Cilento started working on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 to assist her in the Finance Department.

 

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

 

Meeting was adjourned at 7:28pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Walter D. McNeil, Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer