MINUTES FROM A REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 20, 2016
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 October 20, 2016 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 Hashim Garrett – Entered meeting 6:12 p.m.
Also Present
Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director
Leo Dugan, Esq., Feinstein, Raiss, Kelin & Booker
Several Employees
Several Tenants
Absent
Commissioner Tracy Latta
The pledge of allegiance was said.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Ross moved and 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 the Minutes from June 16, 2016 Board meeting. Commissioner Williams 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 except for Commissioner Ross who abstained
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt the Minutes from September 15, 2016 Board meeting. 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 except for Commissioner Ross who abstained
TREASURER’S REPORT
Mr. McNeil reported on the Treasurer’s Report
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. McNeil went over the Section 8 Report and the Management Report with the Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Ross asked what Fraud Recovery meant.
Mr. McNeil explained that it’s when a repayment back to the Agency for over payment of rent due to the tenant not reporting proper income.
Mr. McNeil said that he is very proud of the 100% PIC Report.
Mr. McNeil stated that he went with Ms. Nia Baskerville to Pennsylvania to look at new homes, new technology prefab houses.
PUBLIC SESSION
Barbara Price, Apt. 4L, wanted to know the process on how we hire people for the Orange Housing Authority.
Mr. McNeil said we have a Civil Service Commission and each position is advertised online and Civil Service makes a list of all eligible applicants and sends it to the Housing Authority and we interview and hire off that list.
Ms. Price also wanted to know how the lunch and breakfast staff is hired.
Mr. McNeil said they are residents that live in this building.
Barbara Dunn, Apt. 7K, wanted to know if in the apartments they can start using semi glossy for the backsplash.
Mr. Lance Hammond, Maintenance Superintendent stated that we have always used semi glossy in the kitchen.
Ms. Dunn also stated that in the garbage rooms on each floor people are leaving there garbage on the floor instead of putting it in the compactor. The garbage rooms are very dirty.
Ms. Shanda Hammond, Housing Manager said in reference to the garbage issues it was brought to her attention only people from the 1st and 3rd floors, no other floors.
Ms. Jerrell, Apt. 9G said that she’s been living here since 2001 and her apartment has never been painted since then.
Mr. McNeil said that there is a resolution on tonight to be passed to contract a painter to do painting in the apartments.
Commissioner Betty McLeod, Apt. 10L stated that there is a problem with the kitchen staff that they cannot communicate well with the residents.
Mr. McNeil said that you need to speak to Shanda Hammond, Housing Manager in reference to this situation.
RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5406-16. Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange approving Bills Resolution No. 1886. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Chairman Rimes questioned the bill from ABK Plumbing in reference to the boiler room.
Lance Hammond, Maintenance Superintendent said it was a leak and the 2 inch line in the boiler room.
Chairman Rimes questioned the water bill for 170 Taylor Street.
Lance Hammond, Maintenance Superintendent said that a water meter for only the second floor was installed.
Chairman Rimes asked when was her contract signed.
Peggy Wade, Acting Director of Section 8 stated it was just signed in September.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5407-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing the Executive Director to provide a performance bonus to employees. 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. 5408-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange awarding a contract to A. Silva Contractors, LLC, for painting vacant apartments and cycle painting of occupied apartments at Washington Manor Complex. 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. 5409-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing a change order to a contract with DAS Industrial LLC, Resolution No. 5393-16 for the demolition of 143 Central Place, Orange, New Jersey. 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 called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5410-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing the Executive Directors to pay legal bills of McManimon, Scotland and Baumann with money generated through the insurance fund for 143 Central Place, refunds of Tax Sale Certificate investments and proceeds from the Orange Housing Construction Corporation work. 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
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Garrett moved to adjourn. Commissioner Juliano seconded.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:26 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter D. McNeil, Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer