|
|
|
 |
LAKEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
March 24, 2003
5:30 P.M.
Members Present: Sandra Maben - Chair
Robert Sandridge - Vice Chair
Joan Smith - Commissioner
Gari Westkott - Commissioner
Staff Present: Tami Fischer, Executive Director
Garnette Hardesty, Administrative Assistant
Bill Lunsford - Development Manager
Sabrina Pierre-Louis - Housing Manager
Kate Sanks - Housing Accountant
Tillie Wright - Assisted Housing Supervisor
Guest: Minoo Poorteymoor
CALL TO ORDER
The Chair, Sandra Maben, called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. with roll being called by the Administrative Assistant. The Chair stated a Quorum was present.
CHANGES AND MODIFICATIONS TO AGENDA
Changes to the agenda as stated.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Gari Westkott, seconded by Robert Sandridge that the minutes of the February 24, 2003 regular meeting be approved. The vote of the Commissioners was as follows:
Sandra Maben :aye
Robert Sandridge :aye
Joan Smith :aye
Gari Westkott :aye
The motion carried.
HOUSING MANAGER REPORT
Request for Resolution to adopt a minimum rent for Section 8 program
Tillie Wright requested a resolution to amend the Section 8 Administrative Plan and the Agency Plan and to adopt a minimum rent of $50 for Section 8 participants effective May 1, 2003.
There was discussion on background and financial considerations and HUD proposing a mandatory minimum rent of $50 for the Section 8 Program beginning 2004.
A motion was made by Gari Westkott, seconded by Robert Sandridge to amend the Section 8 Administrative Plan and the Agency Plan and to adopt a minimum rent of $50 for Section 8 participants effective May 1, 2003 as stated and discussed. The vote of the Commissioners was as follows:
Sandra Maben :aye
Robert Sandridge :aye
Joan Smith :aye
Gari Westkott :aye
The resolution carried.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Request for Resolution to adopt the Calculation of Performance Funding System Operating Subsidy for Public Housing's 2003 budget
Kate Sanks requested a resolution to adopt and approve the calculation of Performance Funding System Operating Subsidy for fiscal year 2003.
There was discussion on the background and financial considerations of the request. HUD may only fund 90% of the calculation, which would be approximately $362,075 of the total 100% requested in the amount of $402,306.
A motion was made by Gari Westkott, seconded by Joan Smith that the resolution be approved as requested. The vote of the Commissioners was as follows:
Sandra Maben :aye
Robert Sandridge :aye
Joan Smith :aye
Gari Westkott :aye
The resolution carried.
Investment Report
There was some discussion on the investment report with language changes for clarity. Narratives will be added in future reports when substantial dollars are moved around.
Kate wanted to inform the board that there was no revenue and expenditure report for the month of January included in the board packet this month. There was year-end processing, 1099's and a number of other issues that came up which prevented the report being included. The revenue and expenditure report will be included in all future board packets for review prior to each meeting.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
NAHRO Legislative Conference Report Update by Joan Smith
Joan shared her experiences and information on what she heard and learned at
the conference.
1. (Let the record show, Joan was present 10 minutes prior to the meeting being
called to order! Yeah, Joan! <<<<<<<Shockwave>>>>>>>).
2. Boston Housing Authority laid off 75 employees a week before the conference.
3. Joan went with the Colorado delegation and on her own. Top legislative aids
were present for Allard.
Joan provided the board and staff discussion points she discussed with each of the Colorado delegates she visited. Joan made sure that the Lakewood Housing Authority's specific interests were heard. Joan said Tancredo's office was the most attentive, the most responsive, and the most interested in helping. Allard himself has some pretty exciting overtures in favor of housing and has been one of the biggest voices in terms of questioning Martinez and the data he is putting out there on HUD cuts.
Congress appears to be very titillated by HANF (Housing Assistance for Needy Families). They see it as a way to pass the responsibility on to the states. This could become a huge concern for all housing authorities.
Right before leaving for a session, one of NAHRO's staffers said that Martinez (top official with HUD) was going to restore HOPE VI but was going to pull the $690 plus million out of the capital funds. This would be a devastating factor to the housing authorities. This would apply to the 2003 budget if that decision were to be made.
Both houses of congress passed the president's tax cuts. David Broader, guest speaker at the conference, made a statement that if the tax cut passes, housing doesn't have a shot. The tax cut means they would take the Medicaid budget, Medicare budget and the Housing budget all in one swipe.
One housing authority showed up with a letter from their governor opposing HANF. That was the most powerful thing that happened at the conference. Gari Westkott will follow up with Colorado governor's office and figure out where he stands on HANF and housing issues.
Joan recommended that congressmen Tom Tancredo and Wayne Allard be invited to tour the properties with the Lakewood Housing Authority and educate them on our Public Housing and Section 8 Housing and how it would function in a suburban region. There seems to be a "housing project mentality" out there amongst the constituents. It would be helpful for them to see successes and understand the economic impact of what Housing Authorities do for their communities.
Earmarks (a line item in the budget) are an essential set-aside for programs that couldn't afford otherwise. Currently, Colorado has no earmarks in housing or higher education.
Open discussion continued regarding the legislative conference and the politics behind some decisions and actions that have or may occur.
Lakewood Housing Authority Board Commissioner Notebooks
The Commissioners notebooks are updated to include information on the new resident commissioner, the periodic review schedule as well as the annual plan in September.
Housing Corporation Grant Application
The grant writers will not be submitting the grant application at this time due to the Corporation needing to re-write their non-discrimination clause.
Change of date for the April LHA Meeting
The April LHA meeting will be changed from April 28th to April 21st at 5:30 p.m.
Wal Mart Update
Tami informed the board that Wal Mart is back in for the Colfax/Wadsworth Project.
Housing Authority 2001 Annual Report
The Lakewood Housing Authority 2001 Annual Report was submitted to the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) Blue Pencil Awards competition for 2002 and has been recognized for an award. Al Pinel, graphic designer for the City, designed the graphics for the Annual Report. Al will be attending the awards presentation April 10 at the Hotel Moneleone in New Orleans at 7:00 p.m. The Lakewood Housing Authority will be informed of the award when Al Pinel returns from the banquet.
Letters of Thanks
Staff and Board acknowledged the "happy things" received from tenants and Lakewood Citizens participating in the Housing and Family Services programs.
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER REPORT
Development Updates
Bill Lunsford discussed the overview on the public/private partnership with
the Lakewood Housing Authority and a for-profit developer on the Fairfield Community.
The partnership will add 252 units to the Affordable Housing inventory to Lakewood
using tax credits. This also brings in income to the Housing Authority. The
transaction would be a "zero" investment opportunity for the Housing
Authority. Any dollars the Housing Authority would put in, would be loan dollars
for which there would be take-outs. Bill went on to give some additional details
of the Fairfield property with additional discussion.
Willow Glen Update
Currently, Willow Glen is ahead of schedule by about 3 weeks. The snow slowed construction some. Expected completion date is around December 5, 2003.
OTHER BUSINESS
There is no other business of the Lakewood Housing Authority.
ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Meeting of the Housing Authority of the City of Lakewood was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Sandra Maben, Chair
Lakewood Housing Authority
Sabrina Pierre-Louis
Deputy Executive Director
Lakewood Housing Authority
 |
||
Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Notice |
||
