Minutes From A Regular Meeting November 12, 2015
MINUTES FROM AN ANNUAL MEETING NOVEMBER 12, 2015
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 November 12, 2015 in the Community 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 – Entered Meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Commissioner Ernest Williams
Commissioner Betty McLeod
Commissioner Hashim Garrett
Also Present
Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director
Ernest Booker, Esq., Feinstein, Raiss, Kelin & Booker
Several Tenants
Several Employees
Absent
Commissioner Joseph Juliano
Commissioner Tracey Latta
The pledge of allegiance was said.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Williams 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 a motion to adopt the Minutes from a Regular Board meeting on September 17, 2015. Commissioner Williams 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 a motion to adopt the Minutes from a Regular Board meeting on October 6, 2015. 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
TREASURER’S REPORT
Mr. McNeil reported on the Treasurer’s Report
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. McNeil asked Shanda Hammond, Housing Manager to give a brief report. Mrs. Hammond said that there were 5 vacancies since June until now. The vacancies were due to tenants passing away and going to nursing homes. That is why rent collections are down a little bit. Our breakfast program has 14 participants and the food bank program has 83 participants. She also stated that we had 83 work orders for the month of October that are all completed. Mrs. Hammond said when they notice the bricks were falling off the building Mrs. Hammond handed out flyers to all tenants notifying them of the situation.
Mr. McNeil thanked Mrs. Hammond for her report and asked that Peggy Wade, Program Director of Section 8 give a brief report.
Mrs. Wade said that she has 571 people leased up for the month of October, 7 move-ins and 1 has moved out. She also stated that she met with the Family Self Sufficient (FSS) Coordinator, Susan Moore and the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) met and created subcommittees for future programs and events.
Mr. McNeil thanked Mrs. Wade for her report.
PUBLIC SESSION
No tenants spoke
Phyllis Greer, Public Relations Coordinator said that the Section 3 Program and Veteran’s Day Program was a success. Ms. Greer said a lot of people attended. She also let the Board of Commissioners and tenants know that there will be a Thanksgiving Day dinner on November 24, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.
RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No.5350-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Approving Bills Resolution No. 1875. Commissioner Williams 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. 5351-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Authorizing the Agency to join New Jersey Public Housing Authority Joint Insurance Fund. Commissioner Williams 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. 5352-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange modifying the properties to be acquired on Resolution No. 5349-15. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt. Commissioner Garrett seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Mr. McNeil explained that last month we passed Resolution No. 5349-15 but realized that 176 Central Place was not one of the properties on the list which should have been. This Resolution is to add 176 Central Place to the list of properties.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5353-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange amending the Travel Policy. Commissioner McLeod moved to adopt. Commissioner Garrett seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Commissioner Rimes explained that travel expense for mileage is determined by the IRS rate and you will receive mileage by the shortest route to your designation.
Commissioner Ross entered the meeting.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor except for Commissioner Ross who abstained.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5354-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange entering into a contract with C2EM Urban, LLC for Engineering Services for the Brick Replacement at Washington Manor. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Mr. McNeil explained that we are replacing bricks on the right side of the building and that it is an emergency to do. Mr. McNeil said we had a REAC Inspection this year in July and everything was fine. This situation was just noticed recently and we need an Engineer quickly because this is an emergency situation.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5355-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange increase of Administrative Fee payments to receiving Housing Authorities. 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. 5356-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange awarding a Contract to Precision Concrete, Inc. for Brick Replacement at Washington Manor. 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. 5357-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange appointing Walter D. McNeil, Jr. as the Insurance Fund Commissioner for the Housing Authority of the City of Orange. 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. 5358-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Authorizing the Executive Director to revise the 2014 and 2015 Capital Fund Budget to include the brick work at Washington Manor as a part of the projects requiring attention. Commissioner Williams 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. 5359-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Budget for the fiscal year March 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016. 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. 5360-15 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Authorizing the Executive Director to Advertise and hold a Public Hearing on the Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2016. 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
UNFINISHED BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Garrett asked if the issue with the washing machines was resolved.
Shanda Hammond, Housing Manager said that she had SEBCO come in and service the machines and they replaced the agitators. She also said that the service man from SEBCO stated that the tenants have to follow the directions that are listed on the machines.
Chairman Rimes inquired about the one day retreat and we should have it locally the first of the year.
Mr. Booker said we can use his office if we are interested. He asked when you think you are going to have the retreat.
Mr. McNeil said February, March or April just one day.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Williams moved to adjourn. Commissioner Garrett seconded.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter D. McNeil, Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer