Housing Authority

Montpelier Housing Authority Regular Meeting March 17, 2020 The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Larson, with Commissioner Stevens- Favorite and Zern present. Commissioners Hannon and Schultheis participated by telephone. Agenda Item II - Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved as presented. Agenda Item III – Public Participation There was no public participation. Agenda Item IV – Approval of Minutes Commissioner Stevens-Favorite moved that the minutes of the January 21, 2020 meeting be accepted as written. Commissioner Zern seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Agenda Item V – Good Samaritan Haven Update, Rick DeAngelis Executive Director Mr. DeAngelis was introduced to the Board and provided an update of the Haven’s operation and programs. Major points made -The shelter has been in existence for over thirty years -They currently offer four spaces for shelter. 105 N. Seminary St. Barre, overflow shelters at Hedding Methodist Church in Barre and Bethany Church in Montpelier, and the Nest, three apartments in Montpelier that can accommodate 12 people -The staff and board are currently working on an Infectious Disease Policy and COVID- 19 Protocol -A second priority is to get the numbers in each space down to less than 10. The State has issued emergency note vouchers. -A third priority is working with an area institution to create nine rooms. No additional information is available at this time. -All of this is a strain on their budget. There will be a major appeal coming up. Chairman Larson stated that he would donate $100.00 and challenge others he knows to do the same including organizations he was involved with. The Board thanked Mr. DeAngelis for the update and pledged to work with Good Samaritan Haven. Agenda Item VI – Review of Vouchers Bank Statements, and Financial Reports Vouchers and bank statements were made available for commissioners to review. Mrs. Troiano reviewed the financial statements prepared by our fee accountant. There are no unusual items in the public housing report. The legal expense line item continues to decline as we catch up to the large expenditures incurred at the beginning of the fiscal year. We had 114 vouchers under lease as of March 1. We are completing our annual update of our waiting list and will issue additional vouchers once that process is complete. Gould has a large net income however Mrs. Troiano reminded the Board that January plowing and salting bills were very high. Agenda Item VII – Executive Director’s Report In addition to the written report Mrs. Troiano noted that the Montpelier Local Hazard Mitigation Plan committee had not scheduled any meetings and probably would not. Also she had not pursued discussion with WCMH or MPD regarding the Mental Health Crisis Response Commission Report for the same reason. Mrs. Troiano provided a brief update of MHA’s efforts around COVID-19. By the end of day Wednesday we will have contacted all tenants in our elderly/disabled buildings to let them know we are open and available to assist them however possible. Commissioner Zern expressed several concerns she has at Prospect Place: -Tenants are not observing social distancing in the laundry room or lobby. -Several tenants believe COVID-19 is a hoax -Common areas should be disinfected more than once a week After a short discussion Mrs. Troiano stated that increased cleaning would be looked at. Agenda Item VIII Discussion and action 2019 Audit This agenda item was tabled as the final audit had been delayed. Agenda Item IX Any Other Business In other business, Mrs. Troiano advised the Board that HUD was again requiring a Board resolution declining the 2020 Capital Grant. Commissioner Stevens-Favorite moved that the Authority decline to accept the FY2020 Capital Grant in the amount of $121,331.00. Commissioner Zern seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. For the foreseeable future Board meetings will be postponed or held by telephone conference call. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jo Ann Troiano, Secretary