|
|
|
 |
LAKEWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, May 22, 2006
5:30 p.m.
480 South Allison Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80226
Housing and Family Services Conference Room
Members Present: Robert Sandridge, Chair
Joan Smith, Vice-Chair
Michelle Bollig, Resident Commissioner
Sandra Maben, Commissioner
Gari Westkott, Commissioner
Staff Present: Tami Fischer, Executive Director
Carl Musso, Housing Accountant
Sabrina Pierre-Louis, Deputy Director
Garnette Hardesty, Administrative Assistant
Guests: Tom and Joanne Larive
CALL TO ORDER
The Chair, Bob Sandridge called the regular meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. with roll being called by the Administrative Assistant. The Chair stated a quorum was present.
CHANGES AND MODIFICATIONS TO AGENDA
Sandra Maben recommended a motion for an executive session to further discuss the legal matters that the housing authority board discussed in special meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2006. Gari Westkott seconded the motion. The vote of the commissioners was as follows:
Bob Sandridge: aye
Joan Smith: aye
Michelle Bollig: aye
Sandra Maben: aye
Gari Westkott: aye
The motion carried at 5:32 p.m.
The regular meeting reconvened at 6:24 p.m. with Joan Smith being excused.
Bob Sandridge, Chair of the housing authority opened the meeting by making a statement that as a result of the executive session the board is in the process of preparing a report to the public, which will be scheduled at a later date. The report to the general public will include five basic points. 1) That the board has conducted the reviews of the Contribution to Yes on 2A Campaign, 2) that the authority and its board acknowledges that the contribution though returned was improper and in violation of the state law and the board also acknowledges the authority board and staff did not follow proper procedures in making the decision to contribute that money, 3) the authority and the board have agreed not to make such payments in the future, 4) the authority and the board are now reviewing current procedures and by-laws to make changes that will help clarify and improve the board's decision making 5) the authority and the board are currently exploring changes to the Management Agreement.
Based on that, the housing authority never passed a resolution saying what happened. The board made a public statement acknowledging that a mistake was made but feels the need to do a resolution.
Sandra Maben recommends the following resolution be adopted: Resolution LHA/32/2006
WHEREAS, the Lakewood Housing Authority made a contribution to the Vote Yes on 2A Committee in the fall of 2005 which was subsequently returned to the Authority, and,
WHEREAS, it has been determined that the Authority's contribution violated state law.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of the Housing Authority of the City of Lakewood recognizes that the contribution to Yes On 2A was improper and constituted a violation of state law.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED at the Regular Meeting of the Housing Authority of the City of Lakewood on May 22, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Civic Center South, 480 South Allison Parkway, Lakewood, Colorado.
Gari Westkott seconded the motion. A vote of the commissioners was as follows:
Bob Sandridge: aye
Michelle Bollig: aye
Sandra Maben: aye
Gari Westkott: aye
The resolution carried.
In addition, the housing authority's attorneys' and staff with input from board members are immediately reviewing the authority's by-laws and board procedures and will propose a comprehensive set of changes. In an upcoming meeting with city officials the board will begin exploring changes to the current Management Agreement with the City of Lakewood. The board feels very positive about moving forward and resolving the questions.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The Chair asked if everyone had an opportunity to read the minutes from the last meeting of April 24, 2006.
A motion was made by Gari Westkott seconded by Michelle Bollig to approve the minutes of the April 24, 2006 regular meeting as stated. A vote of the Commissioners was as follows:
Bob Sandridge: aye
Michelle Bollig: aye
Sandra Maben: aye
Gari Westkott: aye
The motion carried.
Tami Fischer invited our guests Tom and Joanne Larive an opportunity for public
comment. Joanne and Tom expressed their concerns regarding a rental property
they have at 4th and Eaton Place in Lakewood. Joanne and Tom have attended numerous
meetings and 5th Avenue has deteriorated so bad it looks like the ghettos. The
Larive's are asking the Housing Authority for their assistance in pointing them
in the right direction so they can help in getting that area cleaned up. Staff
suggested they continue to work with Code Enforcement by writing a letter or
contact your councilperson to see if they can help.
Financial Reports
Carl Musso discussed the financials with the board. Supporting documents of the monthly financials and investment reports were included in the discussion. Gari had a question regarding sewer billing. Carl answered Gari's question that the sewer bill occurs once a year, not monthly.
Housing Manager Report
Carl shared his experience with the Colorado NAHRO Conference in Keystone. The sessions were very beneficial. Discussion in funding in Public Housing, Section 8 to Project Based funding was informative.
Bob Sandridge said the motivational speakers were quite good. The state of housing was very good.
Sandra Maben will get Garnette information on the summer sessions of NAHRO that she would like to attend.
Executive Director Report
Tami shared the 2006 Colorado NAHRO Award of Excellence for Derek's Lakewood Savings Plus program for LHA families. Congratulations to Derek Kuykendall and staff for a fabulous program.
CHFA has a new program called REACH. Bob Sandridge introduced Karen Black from CHFA to Derek at the conference. Trainings are done on different subjects i.e., housing assistance payments, maintenance, and tax credit, all free of charge. CHFA will also do training for residents if the property has more than 15 units.
Tami Fischer copied the information for the board that Joan Smith received for serving on the NAHRO Commissioners Committee.
The SEMAP report shows the LHA as a high performer with a score of 93%.
Development Manager Report
No Report
Other Business
The Topping Out Celebration is June 14, 2006 at 17th and Pierce Street at 3:30 p.m. Citizens are already filling out applications for apartments. Scheduled completion date is set for March 2007.
Bob asked Tami to check into the set-aside date on the tax credits.
The City is working on an Avian Bird Policy. This may be something the Housing Authority may also need to be involved in.
The LHA's meetings for all future meetings will be held in the Employee Relations Training Room down the East end of the hallway.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
Sabrina Pierre-Louis - Deputy Executive Director
Robert Sandridge-Chair Lakewood Housing Authority
 |
||
Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Notice |
||
