MINUTES FROM A REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
A Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange was called to order at 6:11 p.m. on September 21, 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
Commissioner Betty McLeod
Also Present
Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director
Gary Gordon, Raiss, Kelin & Booker
Kevin Clifton, National
Several Employees
Several Tenants
Absent
Commissioner Joseph Juliano
Commissioner Hashim Garrett
Commissioner Francis Audain
The pledge of allegiance was said.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt the agenda and 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 and/or correction of the Minutes from
A Regular Board of Commissioners meeting on June 29, 2017. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt the Minutes. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Commissioner Williams said that he is marked present and absent for the board meeting.
The minutes will be corrected as Commissioner Williams will be marked absent for the June 29, 2017 board meeting.
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
A Special Board of Commissioners meeting on August 17, 2017. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt the Minutes. Commissioner Ross seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor.
TREASURER’S REPORT
There was no Treasurer’s Report. Mr. McNeil said that he will have a report from the Accountant by the October 19, 2017 Board of Commissioners meeting.
Chairman Rimes wants the Treasurer’s Report giving to them before the Board of Commissioners Meeting so he has enough time to review it.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. McNeil stated that he will wait until the end for his report since we are going into Executive Session.
Chairman Rimes said he didn’t recognize the Scholarship Committee at the Golf Outing however, he said they did a great job. He wanted to offer his thanks and stated the outing was successful.
PUBLIC SESSION
Linda Hammond, Apt. 8G, stated that she has lived here since 2004. She’s asked Management to be put on the list for a one bedroom apartment. She said she would like to move since she has been living in a studio. Ms. Hammond said that the Management office said they don’t do that anymore.
Ms. Hammond also said that she had a hip and knee replacement and it’s hard for her now to move around and when she orders food delivered they will not let the delivery people in the building.
Mr. McNeil said you have to bring all your issues to the Manager, Shanda Hammond’s attention.
RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5458-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange approving Bills Resolution No, 1895. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt. Commissioner McLeod seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Commissioner Ross questioned the McManus Locksmith bill. He wanted to know why we are ordering so many locks and why so expensive.
Lance Hammond, Maintenance Superintendent explained that tenants moved out and we have to change all locks after they move.
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5459-17 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. Daisy Warren for the property located at 203 Chapman Street, Orange NJ. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt. Commissioner Ross seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Commissioner Williams suggested that before we take on a mortgage from Ms. Warren we should have a Housing Inspector come in and assess the house first before we pass this resolution. All Commissioners agreed.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to withdrawal the votes for Resolution No. 5459-17 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. Daisy Warren for the property located at 203 Chapman Street, Orange NJ. Commissioner Williams moved to withdraw his motion. Commissioner Ross seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
Resolution No. 5459-17 is tabled until next meeting.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5460-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange approving an amendment to the Master Lease with South Essex Court, consent to the Master Lease. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
Mr. McNeil explained that RPM Development Group is renting space to a new company. He said this is why there is an amendment to the Master Lease with South Essex Court.
Chairman Rimes would like to see a copy of the original Master Lease with South Essex Court before we pass this resolution. All Commissioners agreed.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to withdrawal the votes for Resolution No. 5460-17 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange approving an amendment to the Master Lease with South Essex Court, consent to the Master Lease. Commissioner Ross moved to withdraw his motion. Commissioner Williams seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
Resolution No. 5460-17 is tabled until next meeting.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to go into Executive Session. Commissioner Ross moved to go into Executive Session. Commissioner McLeod seconded.
The Board of Commissioners entered Executive Session at 6:50 p.m.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to resume the Regular Board of Commissioners meeting. Commissioner Williams moved. Commissioner McLeod seconded.
The Board of Commissioner regular meeting reconvened at 7:55 p.m.
Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Williams moved to adjourn. Commissioner Ross seconded.
Chairman Rimes called for discussion
No discussion
A roll call was taken
All Commissioners voted in favor
Meeting was adjourned at 7:55p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter D. McNeil, Jr.
Secretary