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Home My WebLink About2007-04-02 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING April 2, 2007 A regular business meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday, April 2, 2007 at 7:00 P.M at the office of the Reading Housing Authority the town of Reading, Mass. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 P.M. with the Chair, Diane Cohen, presiding. Those members present and forming a quorum were John Coote, Tim Kelley, Mary Connors and Karen L. Flammia as well as the', Secretary/Executive Director, Lyn Whyte. Guest Town of Reading CDPC Committee Member; Geo�g� Katsoufis was also present. Minutes Move Tim Second Mary Vote 5 -0 02 -358 VOTED: To accept for the record the Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of March 5, 200 , as presented. Finances Move Mary Second Tim Vote 5 -0 02 -359 VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/billroll for the period for Accounts Payable Check 874. Payroll Summary as presented for March, 2007. Section 8 Voucher Program, 41315 -1411 as pre: Finances Move Tim Second Mary Vote 5 -0 02 -360 VOTED: To certify receipt of monthly operating statements for all RHA programs for the mont end February, 2007 of the current fiscal year. HUD Annual Agency Plan Update Move Tim Second Mary Vote 5 -0 02 -361 VOTED: To authorize the Executive Director to submit the RHA Streamlined Annual Agency Plan Update as presented to HUD. DLI Rate Change Move Tim Second Mary . Vote 5-0 02 -362 VOTED: To accept and approve the minimum base wage rates as presented by Comm. Of MA, DLI effective 04/01/07 for General Maintenance @ $ 20.31 base rate and Maintenance Man II @ $18.97 base rate. j Guest Speaker: Mr. George Katsoufis, current Town of Reading CDPC Committee Member was pr sent at meeting to provide us an update on the CDPC's current status and goals for the Town of Reading as it pertains to affordable housing. He was asking the Housing Authority what its role might be in the continued development of affordable housing. The RHA is a municipal agency with no direct ties tD the Town of Reading. Our `mission ", as explained by all members of the Board, is to assist with the housing needs of those who meet certain income guidelines as determined by the state and federal government and as it directly relates to the programs we administer. In addition to our initial responsibilities, the RHA makes every endeavor to expand our housing stock when and if the opportunity arises. It is not a defi itive process and as a result we are not able to accurately project a guaranteed number of potential acquis tions on an annual basis or otherwise. The RHA is willing to assist with any potential income guidelines that may be necessary and referenced when addressing the potential development of additional affordable housing within the Town and beyond.. RHA Board Member and CDPC Committee Member, Karen Flammia will keep the RHA informed of any plan updates that the CDPC may present to Reading own Meeting in the future. Personnel Matters: - Newly published Department and Labor Industries (DLI) rates go into effect April 1, 2007. Ther will be an approximate 2.7% increase for our maintenance staff. Report of Programs: - Michelle Hudzik, the State Program Coordinator, submitted vacancy Report - A monthly report for review. RHA had one vacancy in its elderly development in March. That unit will be leased on or about April 7`h. We have had a 2 -BR vacancy in our State Family Development since November 2006 but it will be leased on April 6, 2007. - Sec 8 Report- Kathy Rolli, Section 8 Program Coordinator provided an update on the family housing program. In accordance with HUD requirements and in conjunction with local legal service$, the Section 8 Administrative Plan has been updated to expand its Violence Against Women policy. A public hearing was advertised and held on March 29, 2007 as required. The Administrative Plan is part of the annual PHA submittal to HUD. HUD has also published 2007 Income Limits which indicate no changes from last year. R1 4A uses the Boston area income limits in its administrative processes. - FSS Report — Karin Keyser submitted her quarterly report to the Board providing a history of is participation in that program. Statistical information is now being gathered for the FSS program in order to prepare our SEMAP reports to HUD at fiscal year end. As a smaller agency, we are required to submit this report every two years. Based on current projections for that report, RIIA will have completed the Family Self - Sufficiency Program as outlined in our original 1991 Action Plan. - Resident Service Coordinator- Current Tannerville Newsletter provided. New Business: - The HUD Annual Agency Plan Update was made available for authorization and submittal to HUD. . A motion was presented. This plan is a statistical update for our Section 8 only federal program and the submission is supported by documentation (i.e. Annual audit reports, Sec. 8 Admin Plan, Town of Reading Annual Plan, current FMR's, income limits used, & other) to support our program. This Agency Plan is a public document and made available for review upon request. - New Department of Labor Industries rates were provided to the RHA on March 15, 2007 reflecting changes for the maintenance job classifications as noted in our annual budget. An approximate 2.7% .increase is reflected in the latest base wage rates. RHA is required to pay this minimum wage rate effective 4/1/07 to its maintenance staff. - The Executive Director informed the Board that as year -end approaches, we are looking into the possibility of replacing the windows at 74 Bancroft Avenue. As in the past, this undertaking may involve a collaborative effort with our tenant, DMR who has worked closely with us in the past to maintain that property. This project may cost in the area of $8000 with the DMR contributing its annual set aside budget of $2000 to offset some costs. These efforts are part of a 5 -year plan to upgrade and maintain that property. In the past three years we have successfully replaced the burner system, r ainted the exterior and interior of building, replaced and upgraded the kitchen cabinets and countertops as well as replaced kitchen and bathrooms with tile floors. - Plans are underway, in conjunction with the Town of Reading, to develop a website for the RHA. Initially, we will link a site through the Town's new website that is presently being developed. T Executive Director is working with Bill Connors at Town Hall and will be providing information, forms and other suggestions to them for integration into this link. Real Estate Matter: - Update 75 Pleasant Street: As of April 15, 2007, our 75 Pleasant Street building will be empty. Upon discussion with the Board, the Executive Director will inform our insurance company of this change. The Board will be kept informed of the effect this situation will have on our current insurance policies in place. The Executive Director along with Brad Latham met with T own Manager and the town engineer to review our final plans for submission to the ZBA. anor changes were discussed; i.e. boundaries being straightened out to rear of lot, lines being moved to reflect RHA ownership of parking spaces, utilities to run to front of property and not through the municipal parking lot. Once RHA engineer completes these changes and provides an up ated plan, Mr. Latham will submit our ZBA application. Update Gazebo Circle: RHA plans to purchase a market garage known as Garage E and adja ent to Unit 310 are underway. At this time, April 13, 2007 is the date scheduled for passing on the property. Brad Latham is reviewing documentation for the RHA and will represent us at the 1 gal proceedings that are expected to take place at the Reading Cooperative Bank. Executive Director has asked Board Member Timothy Kelley to assist in preparing an agreement with the expected new owner of the adjacent affordable unit pertaining to the use and occupancy of the said garajge. Board Schedule May, 2007 BOARD MEETING: 05/07/2007 @ 7 PM 02 -363 TO ADJOURN: 9:05 PM. Move John Second Tim Vote 5 -0 Respec lly submitted, Lyn E. Whyte, Secretarr& Executive Director