Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD SEPTEMBER 16, 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 8:40 a.m. on Friday, September 16, 2011. The Chairperson called the meeting to order, and the Recording Secretary called the roll at approximately 8:41 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; Lori Wilshire, Aldermanic Liaison; Sarah Brisk, Public Housing Program Manager; Joy Scotina, Property Manager; Lisa Cox, Section 8 Program Manager; Stephen Sacco, Finance Manager and Cheryl Hobbs, Recording Secretary. MINUTES: The Chairperson entertained a motion to waive the reading of the Authority’s August 19, 2011 regular meeting minutes, to accept them and place them on file. Mr. Tollner made the motion, and Ms. Pastor 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. Ms. Pastor made the motion, and Mr. Monahan seconded the motion. The Communications were as follows: Monthly Operational Reports – August 2011 – consisting of Public Housing and Section 8 Waiting List Report; Vacancy Report; Vacancy Report Compilation Sheet; Work Order Report; and Rent Collections Report. The Chairperson asked if there was any discussion. Ms. Pastor commented that the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) score was impressive. 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 stated the roof work at Sullivan Terrace North is scheduled to be completed September 16, 2011. There has been a loss of six construction days due to weather. The Sullivan Terrace South roof work is scheduled to begin on the heels of the North roof completion. This roof job will require an extensive amount of coordination and oversight due to the Verizon and Sprint cell towers located on the building. The waiting list purge is ongoing with 694 letters mailed, 160 applicants cancelled, 271 applicants requesting to remain on the waiting list, and 263 unresponsive applicants. In your packets you will find a FY2011 budget revision for your approval. The revisions are simply housekeeping items that need to be adjusted before the close of the fiscal year. The FY2012 annual budget request has also been included for your review and approval. HUD continues to plan for an offset of “excess” reserves, maintaining the need to impose a one billion dollar offset against PHAs operating reserves for 2012. Tentative information on Housing Choice Voucher Program funding for FY2012 brings forth some unsettling information. NHA could be facing housing assistance payment pro-rations at 95 percent of eligibility, offsets to “excess” Net Restricted Assets, and 80-83 percent administrative fee funding levels. What this means to NHA right now is unknown, and this comes at a time when PHAs are required to be submitting 2012 initial budgets without much information about future voucher program funding levels. NHA received its fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 score for the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS). NHA scored 88 out of a possible 100 points, placing the designation of Standard Performer on the Authority. The largest point loss occurred in the physical inspection category of NHA properties. Public Housing is routinely performing development inspections and creating work plans to prepare for the inspections, anticipated to occur in the upcoming months. NHA staff held its annual Summer Outing on August 24 at Wasserman Park. Staff wishes to send their appreciation to the Board for extending this opportunity to them. Mr. Monahan asked if there is an outcome for budget purposes using the numbers HUD has given? Ms. Censabella answered that during a conference her and Scott Costa attended this past week, HUD gave a presentation showing new forecasting tools they have created, which the NHA intends to use. It will allow the NHA to perform up to ten years of forecasting to help show the best and worst scenarios. Ms. Censabella stated that two, seven day eviction notices have been served to the residents involved in the recent violence at Bronstein apartments. Police presence has been amped up in that area and there has been No Trespass Orders served to all individuals involved who are not residents. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION NO. 11-2170 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY AWARDING CONTRACTS FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY BUSINESS AND PROPERTY NEEDS TO HOUSING AUTHORITY RISK RETENTION GROUP/HOUSING INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. 189 COMMERCE COURT, CHESHIRE, CT 06410 AT A TOTAL CONTRACT COST OF $88,582 UNDER THE PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING BUDGET AND FOR PARK VIEW APARTMENTS BUSINESS AND PROPERTY NEEDS TO HOUSING ENTERPRISE INSURANCE COMPANY, INC. 189 COMMERCE COURT, CHESHIRE, CT 06410 AT A TOTAL CONTRACT COST OF $3,259 UNDER THE PARK VIEW APARTMENTS BUDGET The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 11-2170. Mr. Monahan made the motion, and Ms. 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 Eric Wilson Thomas Monahan James Tollner Paul Deschenes Selma Pastor Motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 11-2171 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY APPROVING THE PUBLIC HOUSING TENANT ACCOUNT RECEIVABLES (TAR) WRITE-OFFS FOR $55,472.20 FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 11-2171. Ms. Pastor 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 Eric Wilson Thomas Monahan James Tollner Paul Deschenes Selma Pastor  Motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 11-2172 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY APPROVING THE PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 11-2172. Ms. Pastor 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 Eric Wilson Thomas Monahan James Tollner Paul Deschenes Selma Pastor Motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 11-2173 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY APPROVING THE FY2011 OPERATING BUDGET REVISION 1 The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 11-2173. Mr. Monahan made the motion, and Mr. Tollner 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 Eric Wilson Thomas Monahan James Tollner Paul Deschenes Selma Pastor Motion carried unanimously. BILLS/INVESTMENTS: The Chairperson called for a motion to pay the bills as listed on the Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 47415 through 47482 and from the Supplemental Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 47483 through 47544 and from the Park View Apartments Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 4443 through 4448 and to approve the Investments as listed. Mr. Monahan made the motion, and Mr. Tollner 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: None this month. ANY OTHER BUSINESS WHICH MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD None this month. ADJOURNMENT: The Chairperson entertained a motion to adjourn. Mr. Monahan moved to adjourn, and Mr. Deschenes seconded the motion. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:05 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Hobbs Recording Secretary