Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD March 18, 2011 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, March 18, 2011. Chairperson Eric Wilson called the meeting to order, and the Recording Secretary called the roll at approximately 8:35 a.m. with the following responses: Present Absent Eric Wilson Thomas Monahan James Tollner Paul Deschenes Selma Pastor The following persons were also present: Lynn Censabella, Executive Director; Scott Costa, Assistant Executive Director; Steve Sacco, Finance Manager; Sarah Brisk, Public Housing Program Manager; James Floras, Property Manager; Lisa Cox, Section 8 Program Manager; and Cheryl Hobbs, Recording Secretary. MINUTES: The Chairperson entertained a motion to waive the reading of the Authority’s February 18, 2011 regular meeting minutes, to accept them and place them on file. Mr. Tollner made the motion, and Mr. Deschenes 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. Mrs. Pastor made the motion, and Mr. Deschenes seconded the motion. The Communications were as follows: Monthly Operational Reports – February 2011 – consisting of Public Housing and Section 8 Waiting List Report; Vacancy Report; Vacancy Report Compilation Sheet; Work Order Report; and Rent Collections Report; Updated Development Sheet, effective April 1, 2011.  The Chairperson asked if there was any discussion. There being no further discussion, the motion to waive the reading of the Communications, accept them, and place them on file carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Ms. Censabella informed the Board that there are two upcoming Capital Fund Program projects on the agenda for approval. The first being the removal and replacement of storm doors at Arel Manor and the second allowing the NHA to work with an architect for the removal and installation of new roofs at Sullivan Terrace North, Sullivan Terrace South, and Temple Street Manor. Antonio Perez was selected to fill the vacant Assistant Property Manager position in the Public Housing Department. Mr. Perez previously held the position of Case Manager in NHA’s Section 8 Department. Ms. Censabella informed the Board funding for the FY 2011 has continued at FY 2010 spending levels under a series of short-term continuing resolutions at the House. Concern arises from the fact that we are now six months into our fiscal year, leaving only six months to absorb the sizeable cuts proposed by the House. At the approval of the Board, NHA has enacted a rent increase freeze amongst its landlords with very few objections to date. The Obama Administration continues to propose a recapture of Public Housing Operating Reserves totaling $1 billion for FY 2012. Operating Reserves have been accumulated in an effort to protect housing authorities from the uncertainties of the appropriations process. There continues to be a lack of clarity around HUD’s plans for implementing an offset. HUD Assistant Secretary, Sandra Henriquez, recently warned all housing authorities that there is no guarantee that “spending down” reserve balances would have the intended effect and PHAs have been cautioned against doing so. There also appears to be a strong possibility that the reserves estimate used to determine a potential offset will be based on prior financial statements. NHA has not received additional information from HUD regarding the snapshot in time they will be looking at for the possible recapture. In addition, HUD had reported that the excess reserve amounts cannot be spent on capital expenditures. NAHRO is conducting an extensive legal review of the current statutes. Ms. Censabella will continue to keep the Board informed of new information regarding the 2011 and 2012 budgets as it becomes available. John Gilbert, Interim Executive Director of NHSGN, is working with his legal counsel to draw up paperwork to transfer Park View Apartments to NHA. Upon receipt of the transfer documents, Ms. Censabella will forward them to NHA legal counsel for a full review and recommendation.  Ms. Censabella is pleased to report that Park View Apartments was 100% leased during the month of March. After six vacancies, and months of outreach and advertisements, the hard work of Jessica Cora, Lisa Cox and Sarah Brisk finally paid off. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION NO. 11-2158 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY TO AWARD FIRE SPRINKLER TESTING CONTRACT The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 11-2158. Mrs. Pastor made the motion, and Mr. Deschenes 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 Selma Pastor Eric Wilson Paul Deschenes Motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 11-2159 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY TO AWARD STORM DOOR REPLACEMENT CONTRACT The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 11-2159. Mr. Tollner made the motion, and Mrs. Pastor 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 Selma Pastor Eric Wilson Paul Deschenes Motion carried unanimously.  RESOLUTION NO. 11-2160 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY TO AWARD ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 11-2160. Mr. Tollner made the motion, and Mr. Deschenes 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 Selma Pastor Eric Wilson Paul Deschenes Motion carried unanimously. BILLS/INVESTMENTS: The Chairperson called for a motion to pay the bills as listed on the Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 46636 through 46702 and from the Supplemental Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 46703 through 46760 and from the Park View Apartments Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 4389 through 4398 and to approve the Investments as listed. Mr. Tollner made the motion, and Mrs. Pastor seconded it. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Tollner acknowledged they personally know John Chase from the Print Factory who is receiving a payment for $288.05. 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 stated that the Primex Annual Conference is being held in May. If others do not receive an invitation, he will forward the information. ANY OTHER BUSINESS WHICH MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD None this month. ADJOURNMENT: The Chairperson entertained a motion to adjourn. Mr. Tollner moved to adjourn, and Mr. Deschenes seconded the motion. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Hobbs Recording Secretary