MINUTES FROM AN ANNUAL MEETING MARCH 16, 2016

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange was called to order at 6:06 p.m. on March 16, 2016 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

Commissioner Ernest Williams

Commissioner Joseph Juliano – Entered meeting 6:10 p.m.

Commissioner Betty McLeod

Commissioner Hashim Garrett

 

Absent

Commissioner Tracey Latta

 

Also Present

Walter D. McNeil, Jr., Executive Director

Leo Dugan, Esq., Feinstein, Raiss, Kelin & Booker

Several Tenants

Several Employees

 

The pledge of allegiance was said.

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Ross moved to adopt the agenda. 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 the Minutes from a Regular Board meeting on March 16, 2016.  Commissioner Ross moved to adopt the Minutes.  Commissioner Garrett 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

 

Commissioner Juliano enters the Board Meeting.

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mr. McNeil said that the Black History Program was very successful.  Mr. Larry Hamm gave a great presentation.  Mr. McNeil said that in the future he would like more participation for the Black History Program from the Commissioners.  Maybe they can give their Bios on themselves.

 

Commissioner Juliano stated that Women’s History month is in March.

 

Mr. McNeil stated that the Walter G. Alexander Phase III is coming along.  He said applications will be in the Star Ledger and Orange Transcript this week.

 

PUBLIC SESSION

Willie Lawson, Apt. 3B said that he is going to start coming to more Board meetings.  Mr. Lawson said that the meetings keep him informed of what is going on.

 

RESOLUTIONS

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5376-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Approving Bills Resolution No. 1879.  Commissioner Ross moved to adopt.  Commissioner Garrett seconded.

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

 

Commissioner Ross asked why we are buying all these mattress covers.

 

Mr. McNeil said we purchase the mattress covers to control bedbugs.

 

Commissioner Ross asked what happen to the Cryonite machine that we bought for the bedbugs.

 

Lance Hammond, Maintenance Superintendent said we still have it.  We use it on vacant apartments.  Mr. Hammond said that tenants need to cooperate and report to the Managers Office if they have bedbugs.

 

Commissioner Ross questioned the legal services for Ben Central.

 

Peggy Wade, Acting Director of Section 8 said we used them for a legal matter regarding payment on an issue for failed HQS.

 

Commissioner Ross asked why we are buying washers and dryers.

 

Mr. McNeil said it’s for our rental properties.

 

Commissioner Ross asked what happen to the gate.

 

Mr. Hammond said that a tenant hit the gate and it wouldn’t close anymore so we had to have it repaired.

 

Commissioner Rimes asked if there is a warranty on the gate.

 

Lance Hammond, Maintenance Superintendent said there is a two year warranty on parts

 

Commissioner Ross asked why we are paying for camera.

 

Mr. Hammond said we installed a new camera and repaired one camera.

 

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5377-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange authorizing the decrease of Administrative Fee Payments to receiving Housing Authorities.  Commissioner Ross moved to adopt.  Commissioner Garrett seconded.

 

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

 

Peggy Wade, Acting Director of Section 8 said that HUD sent out an announcement that the fees should be changed by April 1, 2016.

 

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution No. 5378-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange updating payment standards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program to be comparable with current fair market rents.    Commissioner Ross moved to adopt.  Commissioner Garrett seconded.

 

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

 

Peggy Wade, Acting Director of Section 8 said we have to increase our payment standards to afford better housing opportunities within the Township of Orange.

 

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor

 

Chairman Rimes called for a motion to adopt Resolution 5379-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange Approving Agreement with Local 32 Union Employees and the Housing Authority effective April 1, 2015 – March 31, 2019.  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 5380-16 Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange entering into a contract with Polcari & Company to provide Accounting Services for the period from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017.  Commissioner Garrett moved to adopt.  Commissioner Williams seconded.

 

Chairman Rimes called for discussion

 

No discussion

A roll call was taken

All Commissioners voted in favor

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Rimes said that the retreat was great and very informative.

 

Commissioner Ross agreed.

 

Commissioner Rimes stated that he had a meeting with Commissioner Ross and Commissioner Williams they had a Personnel/Nominating Committee meeting to discuss personnel matters and the upcoming board elections.

 

Suggestions were made for the 2016 elections as follows: Chairman Coram Rimes, Vice Chairman Clifford Ross, Treasurer, Ernest Williams and Parliamentarian, Joseph Juliano.

 

Chairman Rimes asked if there was anyone who objected and that would like to be elected for any of these positions.

 

Chairman Rimes so there was no objections and that next month we will be voting on these positions.

 

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

 

Meeting was adjourned at 7:18pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Walter D. McNeil, Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer