HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-06 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY
' MINUTES OF THE Regular BOARD MEETING April 6,200
A regular business meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday, April 6, 2009 at
5:30 P.M at the office of the Reading Housing Authority the town of Reading, Mass. The meeting was
called to order at 5:40 P.M. with the Chair, Mary Connors, presiding. Those members present and
forming a quorum were Kevin Mulvey, Diane Cohen and Timothy J. Kelley as well as the
Secretary/Executive Director, Lyn Whyte. Karen L. Flammia absent.
Minutes Move Tim Second Kevin Vote 4-0
09 -048 VOTED: To accept for the record the Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of February
2, 2009, as presented.
Finances Move Tim Second Kevin Vote 4-0
09 -049 VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/billroll for the period for Accounts Payable
Check #2051 -2163 Payroll Summary as presented for February and March 2009. Section 8 Voucher
Program, #3379 -3674 as presented.
Finances Move Tim Second Kevin Vote 4 -0
09 -050 VOTED: To certify receipt of monthly operating statements for all RHA programs for the
month end January and February, 2009 of the current fiscal year.
Section 8 Admin. Plan Move Tim Second Diane Vote 4 -0
09 -051 VOTED: To approve the Section 8 Administrative Plan as presented for use in the
administration of RHA's federal housing program.
HUD 5Yr /Annual Agency Plan Move Tim Second Kevin Vote 4 -0
09 -052 VOTED: To approve the RHA Streamlined 5 YR/Annual Agency Plan as presented for
submission to HUD.
DOS Rate Change Move Tim Second Diane Vote 4 -0
09 -053 VOTED: To accept and approve the minimum base wage rates as presented by Comm. Of
MA, DOS effective 04/01/09 for General Maintenance @ $ 22.87 base rate and Maintenance Man I1
@ $21.29 base rate
Storage Policy Move Tim Second Diane Vote 4 -0
09 -054 VOTED: To adopt and implement a Storage Policy effective this date and as presented by the
Executive Director. This policy pertains to unauthorized placement of storage containers on any RHA
properties and associated with all housing programs administered by the Reading Housing Authority.
Personnel Matters:
- Department of Occupational Safety issued new labor rates for maintenance staff effective 4/01/09.
' Report of Programs:
Vacancy Report- Reports for February and March 2009 were prepared by State Program Coordinator,
Mitch Hudzik for presentation to Board. All state units full.
Sec 8 Report- Leasing efforts continue along with RHA preparation of required documentation for
submittal of 5 YR Plan to HUD.
- Resident Service Coordinator- Current Tannerville Newsletter provided.
New Business:
- Submitted a grant application to Eastern Bank Foundation on 02/18/09: $50K Partnership Grant to
replace stoves and refrigerators at our elderly development.
Town engineering office and RHA are reviewing initial engineering plans for 4143 Wilson Street
relative to drainage on the property. RHA to consider filling in the retention pond on that property in
order to eliminate excess water and assist with mosquito control while still maintaining DEP
restrictions. Discussions to continue.
- RHA 5 YR Plan and its Section 8 Administrative Plan was presented to the Board for their comment
and review. Proposed changes to the Admin Plan were presented by the Executive Director for
comment. Upon discussion, a motion was presented and voted to approve the policy changes to the
Admin Plan as presented, however, additional changes involving inspection fees associated with leased
units will be presented at future meetings for continued discussion. A second motion was presented and
voted to submit the final required plans to HUD. The Chair signed appropriate documentation for
submittal.
- DOS maintenance rates effective April 1, 2009 was presented for board vote and approved.
- The final audit report prepared by Walsh and Associates for fiscal year end June 2008 was presented to
the Board. All reports have been electronically submitted to HUD and other appropriate agencies as
required. Final payment to Walsh & Associates for this audit was included in March 2009 accounts
payable report.
- As a result of ongoing discussions with other housing authorities and DHCD legal counsel, Lori
McBride, it has been suggested that RHA consider adopting a Storage Policy. Such a policy was drafted
and presented to the Board for discussion. A minor change was made in the last paragraph to include
"common areas ". A motion was presented to adopt a Storage Policy effective April 6, 2009.
- A letter from HUD regarding "Inappropriate Use of HAP funds" was presented to the Board for their
information. The purpose of the letter was to remind all agencies that HAP funding can only be used for
the purpose intended and cannot be used to support administrative costs or other public housing
expenses.
Real Estate Matter:
- All parties have reviewed the RHA mortgage portfolio with Reading Cooperative Bank. It was
determined that RHA would not benefit financially by any additional modification of loans at this
time. If rates continue to drop, RHA may take a second look in the months ahead.
Board Schedule
March, 2009 BOARD MEETING: 03/02/2009 @ 5:30 PM
09 -050
TO ADJOURN: 7:35 PM. Move Tim Second Diane Vote 4 -0
submitted,
Lyn E.
I