Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD JUNE 18, 2010 The Commissioners of the Nashua Housing Authority (NHA) held its regular meeting at the office of the Nashua Housing Authority, 40 East Pearl Street, First Floor, Nashua, New Hampshire, at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, June 18, 2010. Chairperson Paul Deschenes called the meeting to order, and the Recording Secretary called the roll at approximately 8:30 a.m. with the following responses: Present Absent James Tollner Thomas Monahan Selma Pastor Eric Wilson Paul Deschenes The following persons were also present: Lori Wilshire, Aldermanic Liaison; George Robinson, Executive Director; Lynn Censabella, Assistant Executive Director; Scott Costa, Section 8 Program Manager; Sarah Brisk, Public Housing Program Manager; Jim Tarosky, Finance Manager; Jim Floras, Property Manager; and Lisa Cox, Recording Secretary. MINUTES: The Chairperson entertained a motion to waive the reading of the Authority's May 21, 2010 regular meeting minutes, to accept them and place them on file. Mrs. Pastor made the motion, and Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The Chairperson asked if there were any comments, additions/deletions, corrections, or discussion. There being none, the motion carried unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS: The Chairperson entertained a motion to waive the reading of the Communications, accept them, and place them on file. Mr. Monahan made the motion, and Mrs. Pastor seconded the motion. The Communications were as follows: Monthly Operational Reports - May 2010 - consisting of Public Housing and Section 8 Waiting List Report; Vacancy Report; Vacancy Report Compilation Sheet; Work Order Report; and Rent Collections Report; letter dated May 20, 2010 from Attorney Gormley about NHA vs. Susan Frenette; memorandum from Mr. Robinson to the Board of Commissioners dated May 25, 2010 about the Park View Apartments 2009 Audit Report (Audit Report attached); memorandum dated June 9, 2010 from Mr. Robinson to the Board of Commissioners about the NHA's draft Audit Report for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009 (draft Audit Report attached); memorandum dated June 17, 2010 from Mr. Robinson to the Board of Commissioners in reference to JARR Management; memorandum and correspondence marked confidential, which contained information about personnel matters. The Chairperson asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion, the motion to waive the reading of the Communications, accept them, and place them on file carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Robinson informed the Board of Commissioners fiscally the NHA's operations are in good shape. Rents have increased, but the HUD subsidy has decreased. Thankfully, the NHA has been able to stay under budget on many line items such as utilities, travel and other administrative costs. He said the Finance Department, as always, helped produce a wonderful audit. The NHA will need to have a Public Housing Operating Budget revision to account for some overages in extraordinary maintenance and contract costs. Mr. Robinson said the Section 8 Department is doing a great job maximizing the Authority's Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) while maintaining as high a lease-up rate as possible. The NHA is currently over budget in HAP but has the rest of the calendar year to bring it in line. If the Section 8 Department cannot fully accomplish this, the Net Restricted Assets are available to cover this type of overage. He explained the Public Housing Department has done a terrific job filling 81 vacancies so far this year. The Property Managers and Assistant Property Managers have been doing a good job each week of each month helping residents with their issues, enforcing the Lease and collecting rents. NHA received notice of its FY 2010 Capital Fund Program (CFP) funding. The NHA will receive $979,862, which is a decrease of just over $25,000 from last year's grant. The money will be well spent on keeping up the Housing Authority's buildings and sites. Mr. Robinson informed the Board the Sullivan Terrace South (STS) cladding job looks great. The rear of the building has been completed as much as possible. The windows will be delivered on July 5, which is a month later than the manufacturer had anticipated. The contractor will be moving its work to the front, north end of the building. The contractor wiil begin demolition at that time.  Mr. Robinson explained when the windows for STS arrive, a sample will be installed, and the windows will be installed in the rear of the building using a lift. Completing the windows in this manner will not allow for much time being lost. The NHA is working with the Bonding Company and the contractor, JARR Management, to ensure the completion of the kitchens at Temple Street Manor. The bathroom replacement at Temple Street Manor and 100 Major Drive is scheduled to begin June 21, 2010. A sample unit will be completed before the job moves ahead. Mr. Robinson shared the following statement as part of his last Executive Director's Report. Mr. Robinson is retiring on June 30, 2010 after 36 years in the business - he said: "To be brief and to the point — and so my emotions don't run amuck.... It has been a very happy and vastly enjoyable part of my life working at the NHA and with ALL the Commissioners I came to know and love. My respect and admiration for you and the great staff at the NHA are boundless. You must have loved me too since you took me back twice after hiring me the first time to work with some guy named Joseph Abrams. Well maybe not loved ~ we certainly did a great job! I guess being hired three times is the charm. Speaking of Joey Abrams, he believed in me enough to ask me to work with him as his Assistant Executive Director in 1981. Our friendship will last forever, and I will always remember the chance he gave me to be able to complete such a fulfilling career. OK! Now get the crying towels out! The staff— they have - and always have been - the pride of the NHA. Nothing gets done here without them. I'm not going to single anyone out — Lisa and Lynn -1 better not single anyone out. People will always come and go from jobs - with this staff, they come, but they don't go. They care, they help people in need, and they do a great job. Thank you to the Commissioners, Lisa and Lynn, and all the staff. It's been a blast. The End-Really- The End."  The Chairperson asked if there were any questions. The Board of Commissioners wished Mr. Robinson all the best in his retirement. Mr. Robinson was given a standing ovation by everyone in attendance. There being no discussion, the motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION NO. 10-2138 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY APPROVING ITS ANNUAL PHA PLAN THAT INCLUDES THE FIVE YEAR PLAN FOR FY 2010 TO 2014 AND THE ANNUAL PLAN FOR FY 2010 The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 10-2138. Mr. Monahan made the motion, and Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The Chairperson asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion, the Recording Secretary called the roll with the following responses: AYES NAYS James Tollner Thomas Monahan Selma Pastor Eric Wilson Paul Deschenes Motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 10-2139 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY APPROVING AMENDMENT TO ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS CONTRACT (ACC) TO INCLUDE CAPITAL FUND PROGRAM (CFP) NH36P00250110 FOR $979,862 FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 10-2139. Mr. Wilson made the motion, and Mr. Monahan seconded the motion. The Chairperson asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion, the Recording Secretary called the roll with the following responses:  AYES NAYS James Tollner Thomas Monahan Selma Pastor Eric Wilson Paul Deschenes Motion to approve Resolution No. 10-2139 carried unanimously. BILLS/INVESTMENTS: The Chairperson called for a motion to pay the bills as listed on the Cash Disbursement List - check numbers 45314 through 45402 and from the Supplemental Cash Disbursement List - check numbers 45403 through 45459 and from the Park View Apartments Cash Disbursement List - check numbers 4298 through 4306 and to approve the Investments as listed. Mr. Monahan made the motion, and Mr. Wilson seconded it. The Chairperson asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion, the motion to pay the bills and approve the investments as listed carried. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS: Mr. Tollner asked Mr. Robinson if he had heard from the Union about the health insurance. Mr. Robinson said he had not heard anything. The increased cost was attributable to the Union not agreeing to help out the NHA. Mr. Robinson informed the Board all actions taken were at the advice of legal counsel and in accordance with the Union Agreement. ANY OTHER BUSINESS WHICH MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD None this month. ADJOURNMENT: The Chairperson entertained a motion to adjourn. Mr. Wilson moved to adjourn, and Mr. Monahan seconded the motion. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 a.m. Respectfully submitted, I A. C o Y y Recording Secretary