Housing Authority Board of Commissioners

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA, HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2014 The Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Michigan City, Indiana held a regular board meeting on Monday, September 15, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. after the Executive Session held at 4:00 p.m. The meetings were held at the Michigan City Housing Authority, 621 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City, Indiana 46360. Commissioners who attended the meetings included Chairperson Eddie Wilson, Vice Chairperson Virginia Keating, Commissioner Carla Mock, Commissioner Yolanda Thomas-Davis, Commissioner William Fine, Commissioner Colleen Babb and Commissioner Lester Norvell. Housing Authority Attorney Michelle Bazin- Johnson attended this meeting. Public in attendance included Common Counsel Housing Authority Liaison Tim Bietry and ALCO Representative Andre Steele. Housing Authority personnel who attended the meeting included Interim Executive Director Norma Thomas and Recording Secretary Robin Fly. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairperson Wilson called for approval of minutes dated August 18, 2014. Commissioner Davis motioned approval of the minutes as presented to the Board. Vice Chairperson Keating seconded the motion. CARRIED APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT REPORTS: Chairperson Wilson called for approval of the management reports as presented to the Board. In reference to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, Commissioner Davis asked about a voucher termination that was returned to the initial housing authority. Interim Executive Director Thomas stated that the voucher holder left our Housing Authority and returned to his or her initial housing authority. With no further inquiries, Commissioner Fine motioned approval of management reports as presented. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. CARRIED COMMITTEE REPORTS: Status of Teamsters Local Union No. 135 Chairperson Wilson called for committee report on the status of the Teamsters Local Union No. 135. Personnel Committee Representative Vice Chairperson Keating informed the Board that the committee met with the union last Thursday and a tentative agreement between the Housing Authority and the Teamsters Local Union No. 135 is presented for Board review. Upon  2 recommendation that the Board accepts the agreement as presented to the Board, Vice Chairperson Keating motioned approval of the tentative Agreement between Michigan City Housing Authority and Teamsters Local Union 135. Commissioner Fine seconded the motion. RESOLUTION NUMBER 2014-30 RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDED TENTATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MICHIGAN CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY AND TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION 135. The resolution was approved by Vice Chairperson Virginia Keating and seconded by Commissioner William Fine. AYES NAYS Eddie Wilson Virginia Keating Carla Mock Yolanda Thomas-Davis William Fine Colleen Babb Lester Norvell CARRIED OLD BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: Schedule of Payment Standards and Fair Market Rents Chairperson Wilson called for the approval of schedule of payment standards and fair market rents. Interim Executive Director Thomas informed the Board that for fiscal year 2014-2015 all rents are based upon a certain standard and every year that standard must be reviewed and approved on an annual basis. Rent payments are based upon the number of bedrooms and the Housing Authority’s rent is based upon 90% of HUD standard in accordance to bedroom size, and according to Interim Executive Director Thomas, such standards also apply to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. With no questions, Commissioner Mock motioned approval of the Schedule of Payment Standards and Fair Market Rents effective October 1, 2014 as presented to the board. Commissioner Babb seconded the motion.  3 RESOLUTION NUMBER 2014-31 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT STANDARDS AND FAIR MARKET RENTS WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY PAYMENT STANDARD AT 90 PERCENT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2014. The resolution was approved by Commissioner Mock and seconded by Commissioner Colleen Babb. AYES NAYS Eddie Wilson Virginia Keating Carla Mock Yolanda Thomas-Davis William Fine Colleen Babb Lester Norvell CARRIED Allowances for Tenant-Furnished Utilities and Other Services (Single/Multi Family Units) Chairperson Wilson called for the approval of allowances for tenant-furnished utilities and other services (single/multifamily units). Interim Executive Director Thomas stated that allowances consist of HUD payment standards for natural gas usage, water, and trash collection for the LaPorte County area based upon bedroom size. Commissioner Fine inquired about any significant change in payment standards in comparison to last year. Interim Executive Director Thomas stated that she is not sure but will find out the answer. With no further discussion Vice Chairperson Keating motioned approval of the allowance for tenant-furnished utilities and other services as presented to the Board. Commissioner Mock seconded the motion. RESOLUTION NUMBER 2014-32 RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA TO APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 ALLOWANCES FOR TENANT- FURNISHED UTILITIES AND OTHER SERVICES FOR SINGLE-FAMILY AND MULTI- FAMILY UNIT TYPE FOR THE PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2014. The resolution was approved by Vice Chairperson Keating and seconded by Commissioner Carla Mock.  4 AYES NAYS Eddie Wilson Virginia Keating Carla Mock Yolanda Thomas-Davis William Fine Colleen Babb Lester Norvell CARRIED Approval of Bills Public Comment Commissioner Fine inquired about sufficient funding for lawn maintenance. Interim Executive Director Thomas stated that there is an insufficient supply of funding and labor. Commissioner Fine asked if the Housing Authority is in collaboration with any volunteer and community service agencies. Interim Executive Director Thomas stated that the maintenance department mows the lawn weekly when possible and neglect of lawn is due to high volume unit turn over. In reference to lawn care services, Attorney Bazin-Johnson suggested that Commissioner Fine meet with Interim Executive Director Thomas to discuss some of the available volunteer community agencies to her. Adjournment With no further business to present before the Board for discussion or approval, Chairperson Wilson adjourned the meeting. ______________________________________ Eddie Wilson, Chairperson ATTEST: ____________________________________________ Norma Thomas, Interim Executive Director  RESOLUTION NUMBER 2014-30 RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDED TENTATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MICHIGAN CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY AND TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION 135. WHEREAS, the Teamsters Local Union No. 135 has an agreement with the Housing Authority due to expire on September 30, 2014, and WHEREAS, the Housing Authority’s Personnel Committee and the Teamsters Local Union No. 135 representative had several meetings to issue a revised agreement from October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2017, and WHEREAS, the agreement is entitled “Recommended Tentative Agreement between Michigan City Housing Authority and Teamsters Local Union 135”. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Michigan City, Indiana approved the aforementioned agreement between the Housing Authority and Teamsters Local Union 135 effective October 1, 2014. Adopted this 15th day of September 2014. Resolution moved by: Vice Chairperson Virginia Keating Resolution seconded by: Commissioner William Fine ______________________________________________ Eddie Wilson, MCHA Chairperson ATTEST  RESOLUTION NUMBER 2014-31 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT STANDARDS AND FAIR MARKET RENTS WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY PAYMENT STANDARD AT 90 PERCENT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2014. WHEREAS, on an annual basis the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issues an update of its Schedule of Payment Standards and Fair Market Rents between percentage rates of 90% to 110%, and WHEREAS, upon advisement of HUD representative the Housing Authority has enacted a 90% rate in payment standard, and WHEREAS, rate issued by HUD have decreased from prior the Schedule of Payment Standards and Fair Market Rents. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Michigan City, Indiana approved the attached Schedule of Payment Standards and Fair Market Rents effective October 1, 2014 with the Housing Authority enacting a 90% payment standard. Adopted this 15th day of September 2014. Resolution moved by: Commissioner Carla Mock Resolution seconded by: Commissioner Colleen Babb __________________________________________________ Eddie Wilson, MCHA Chairperson ATTEST  RESOLUTION NUMBER 2014-32 RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA TO APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 ALLOWANCES FOR TENANT-FURNISHED UTILITIES AND OTHER SERVICES FOR SINGLE- FAMILY AND MULTI-FAMILY UNIT TYPE FOR THE PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2014. WHEREAS, HUD changes allowances for tenant-furnished utilities and other services as deemed necessary, and WHEREAS, the attached current utility allowances affect the LaPorte County area for single family units and multifamily units, and WHEREAS, the Housing Authority would implement current utility allowances effective October 1, 2014. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Michigan City, Indiana approved the current changes to the utility allowance for the Public Housing and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Programs effective October 1, 2014. Adopted this 15th day of September 2014. Resolution moved by: Vice Chairperson Virginia Keating Resolution seconded by: Commissioner Carla Mock _____________________________________ Eddie Wilson, MCHA Chairperson ATTEST: