Fitchburg Housing Authority

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Fitchburg Housing Authority May 16 2024 3:07 pm Minutes of FHA Regular Board Meeting, January 17, 2024 C. J. Durkin Community Room, 50 Day Street, Fitchburg, MA A Regular Meeting of the Fitchburg Housing Authority was called to order by Chair, Linda Byrne at 8:30 AM on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, in the C. J. Durkin Community Room at 50 Day Street in the City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Present: Absent: FHA Board Members: FHA Board Members: Linda Byrne, Chair David Rousseau, Member-Tenant Representative Adam Goodwin, Vice Chair Thomas Hughes, Member David Basilio, Treasurer FHA Staff: Douglas M. Bushman, Esq., Executive Director & CPO, FHA Board Secretary FHA Staff: Kim Hergert, Director of Finance & HR Andrew T. Skoog, Deputy Director Yoko Ishii, Executive Clerical Assistant Genesis Ruiz, Director of Public & Community Housing Marc Cummingham, Foreman, Elderly Housing Maintenance Sean West, Maintenance, Elderly FHA Tenants: Daniels Heights -Janice Spellane C. J. Durkin- Sandra Raynolds Quorum: Yes (Quorum Requirement: Three FHA Board Members) 1. Motion to Open Meeting Chair, Linda Byrne opened the meeting at 8:36 am Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 2. Motion to Approve Public Speaking Guidance & Rules (Attachment A) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor The Chair read rules out loud. In order to ensure that issues concerning the FHA are property presented to the FHA Board of Commissioners and staff the following rules are hereby adopted concerning those who wish to address the board. First, only those items on the agenda can be discussed. Second, as part of the public comment period there will be a standing agenda item for those that will want to address maintenance, leasing and/or occupancy issues. Thirdly, each speaker will be provided only two (2) minutes to speak unless three (3) FHA Board members vote to increase such speakers’ time limit. Fourth, those who address the board must identify themselves as to name and address. The Board discussed the rules. Adam Goodwin, Vice Chair, suggested the Board to add “but not debate” on the rule 1. 3. Motion to Modify Rules -add “but not debate”. Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 4. Motion to Accept Amended Motion on the Public Speaking Guidance & Rules Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 5. Motion to Approve Public Comments on Agenda Items, Maintenance, & Occupancy Issues Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor No Comments. 6. Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Session Meeting held on December 27, 2023 Forwarded to next meeting. “Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family” 7. Motion to Approve FHA Payables for December FY23-Janaury FY 24 (Attachment B) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor . 8. Ead of Year Financial The executive Director stated the financial report will be moved to the next board meeting. The Board discussed and all agreed the February meeting date as Friday February 23, 2024. 9. Tenant Account Receivable (TAR) Updates (Attachment C) The Executive Director stated that collecting more rent, more tenants paying cash, Genesis discussed cash payment. The Vice Chair suggested that tenants should sign the receipt upon the cash payment. 10. MassNAHRO Spring Conference March 24-26, 2024 Adam Goodwin, the Vice Chair will go. The Chair might go. 11. Inauguration Event January 2nd, 2024, New Mayor Sam Squailia 12. Motion to Approve Election of New FHA Board of Commissioners Officers (Attachment D) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 13. Motion to Amend Motion to vote on three position-Chair, Vice Chair & Treasurer Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor David Rousseau and Thomas Hughes are still members of the board. Mr. Rousseau is tenants representative, and Mr. Hughes is State Representative. 14. Motion to Approve Board Annual Compensation Level (Attachment E) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor The compensation level is same as it is which is forty (40) dollars for meetings and Forty dollar for signing checks, the exception is that the chair receives fifty(50) dollars for meetings and fifty dollars for signing checks. 15. Vacancy (Attachment F) Genesis Ruiz, Director of Public & Community Housing, updated the vacancy. The vacancy rate for January 1st, decreased from 72 units to 66 units. The Board discussed the vacancy. 16. Evictions and Vacancy (Attachment E) The Deputy Director updated the eviction cases, total 29cases so far. The FHA served 50 eviction notices and 3 forced evictions after judgement for the FHA in FY 2023. The Deputy Director also updated the Vacancy rate for November 1st, increasing to 72 units. The Board discussed the vacancy. 17. Union Issue– no update 18. Motion to Approve FY2023 Certificate of Compliance with Lead Paint Notification (Attachment G) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 19. Resident Services, Congregates & Supportive Housing The Executive Director updated that meeting with ASNCM for MOU about the state funded Supportive Housing Program. (Attachment H), also stated that a social event was held by ASNCM on January 11, 2024, at C. J Durkin Apartment. Motion to Approve FHA C. J. Durkin Tenant Association Funds $750.00 Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor “Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family” 20. Construction Updates Durkin Roof Emergency The Executive Director updated that emergency Roof repair was immediately approved by the State. Two tenants have been affected so far. The Board discussed and amended the motion as below. Motion to Approve Executive Director Authority to Execute & Sign any Contracts for the Repair/replacement of Durkin Roof. Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor Project#097120 (Daniels Heights Parking & Curb Replacement Project) The Executive Director stated that it will take time. Project#09732 (Wallace Tower Project)-Main Project Bid will g out at the end of February. The ASHP project will be concluded in February. Project#097153 (Green Acres Gateway City Project) The Executive Director updated that Carpenter Union agreed to our approach for the project. The FHA takes roads. This project is turning into work force housing. The Carpenters Union will bring in PLA (Project Labor Agreements) . 21. Motion to Adjourn (at 9:41am) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor “Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family”