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 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016 The Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Michigan City, Indiana held a regular board meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was held at the Michigan City Housing Authority, 621 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City, Indiana 46360. The regular board meeting began at approximately 4:30 p.m. Commissioners who attended the meeting included Vice Chairperson Yolanda Thomas-Davis, Commissioner William Fine, Commissioner Colleen Babb, Commissioner Virginia Keating, and Commissioner David McCray. Chairperson Carla Mock did not attend this meeting. Housing Authority Attorney Nelson Pichardo attended this meeting. Public in attendance included ALCO Representative Andre Steele. Housing Authority personnel attendees included Executive Director Norma Thomas and Administrative Financial Secretary Robin Fly. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 19, 2016 Vice Chairperson Davis called for approval of minutes dated January 19, 2016. Commissioner Babb motioned approval of the minutes as presented to the Board. Commissioner Keating seconded the motion. CARRIED APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT REPORTS: Vice Chairperson Davis called for approval of the management reports as presented to the Board. She inquired about the phrase “transferred 3 tenants (1) Boulevard Gardens and (2) at Lakeland Estates” and asked for a definition of transfer. In reply, Executive Director Thomas said that transfer is when a tenant transfers from one unit to another unit due to an over-housed or under- housed unit issue. With no further questions, Commissioner Keating motioned to approve the management reports. Commissioner Fine seconded the motion. CARRIED COMMITTEE REPORTS: Vice Chairperson Davis called for any committee reports. Commissioner Keating informed the Board that all the commissioners as representatives of all the committees met on February 2, 2016 with Executive Director Thomas to discuss her needs. OLD BUSINESS:  2 NEW BUSINESS: Resolution Number 2016-12 Grant Authorization Vice Chairperson Davis called for approval of Grant Authorization Resolution Number 2016-12. Executive Director Thomas said that the resolution allots permission for the executive director to write grants on behalf of the Housing Authority of the City of Michigan City, Indiana for year 2016. With no further discussion, Commissioner Keating motioned to approve Resolution Number 2016-12 authorizing the executive director to proceed with grant applications. Commissioner McCray seconded the motion. RESOLUTION NUMBER 2016-12 RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA TO AUTHORIZE PERMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATIONS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2016. AYES NAYS Yolanda Thomas Davis William Fine Colleen Babb Virginia Keating Dave McCray CARRIED Chairperson Carla Mock did not attend this meeting for a vote. SEMAP Score Vice Chairperson Davis called for discussion of the SEMAP score as presented to the Board. Executive Director Thomas explained to the Board that every year at the end of the fiscal year HUD requires the Housing Authority to perform a self-assessment of its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. She said the assessment is entitled the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP). Executive Director Thomas said that last year the Housing Authority had a score of 95 and this year the Housing Authority scored 85. She said that the reason for a lower is score is due to number of unleased vouchers. The Housing Authority is required to submit a plan to HUD indicating how the Housing Authority will increase the number of leased-up vouchers, and according to Executive Director Thomas, the Housing Authority’s plan includes removal of 50 applicants from the Section 8 waiting list and a scheduled class next month to increase the number of leased-up units. She said that HUD Representative Patricia Tyus approved of the plan via correspondence letter.  3 In response to Vice Chairperson Davis’ question regarding the number of existing vouchers, Executive Director Thomas said that the Housing Authority has a total of 371 vouchers, and that 61 are not leased up. She said that at one time HUD told the Housing Authority not to lease the vouchers but now HUD wants the Housing Authority to lease the vouchers before September 2016. Upon opening the Section 8 waiting list on February 11, 2016, the Housing Authority received approximately 400 applicants and over 200 applicants were out of state, and according to Executive Director Thomas, the Housing Authority may implement local preference when selecting applicants. In reference to the SEMAP score, Commissioner Fine inquired about the deconcentration bonus. Executive Director Thomas stated that the deconcentration bonus does not affect the Housing Authority and that the Housing Authority has never scored on this indicator. APPROVAL OF BILLS: PUBLIC COMMENTS: Vice Chairperson Davis informed the Board that Mr. Lester Norvell has resigned from the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners effective January 1, 2016. She said that the City Mayor is in the process of appointing another replacement to the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. ADJOURNMENT: Vice Chairperson Davis called for motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Keating motioned to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:45 p.m. ______________________________________ Yolanda Thomas-Davis, Vice Chairperson __________________________________________ Norma Thomas, Executive Director ATTEST:  RESOLUTION NUMBER 2016-12 RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA TO AUTHORIZE PERMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATIONS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2016. WHEREAS, various grant opportunities are presented to housing authorities on an annual basis, and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Michigan City has authority to permit the Executive Director to apply for grants to fund diverse activities of the Housing Authority of the City of Michigan City, Indiana, and WHEREAS, the Executive Director would also have the authority to execute all documentation involving applications for grant submissions. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Michigan City, Indiana authorized permission to the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Michigan City, Indiana to submit grant applications for Fiscal Year 2016. Adopted this 16th day of February 2016. Resolution moved by: Commissioner Virginia Keating Resolution seconded by: Commissioner David McCray __________________________________________ MCHA Vice Chairperson Yolanda Thomas-Davis ATTEST: