Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD NOVEMBER 16, 2012 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 8:35 a.m. on Friday, November 16, 2012. The Chairperson 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; Jim Floras, Property Manager; Joy Scotina, Property Manager; Jude Forrester, Finance Manager; Lisa Cox, Section 8 Program Manager; Lori Wilshire, Aldermanic Liaison; and Maryalice Gill, Nashua Telegraph. MINUTES: The Chairperson entertained a motion to waive the reading of the Authority’s October 19, 2012 annual meeting minutes, to accept them and place them on file. Ms. Pastor made the motion, and Mr. Monahan 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 Mr. Deschenes seconded the motion. The Communications were as follows: Monthly Operational Reports – October 2012 – 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. Mr. Wilson asked about the Multifamily Capital Resources (MCR) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) analysis. Ms. Censabella stated this is the first round for RAD and given the guideline restrictions, it will not be favorable for the NHA to enter into the program at this time. 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: NHA is in the process of creating specifications for A&E services for roof replacements at Vagge Village, Arel Manor, Lake, Rochette, Fossa, Atwood, Whitney and the Pine Street developments. The design of the roof replacements will occur throughout the winter months, with work starting in the spring 2013. Specifications for bulkhead replacements at Forge and Flagstone Drive are also underway. Driveway and walkway replacements at Forge and Flagstone commenced on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 and the job is finished with a walk-through expected to be completed today. NHA was notified by the Local Government Center regarding the surplus due to our agency in the form of a Contribution Holiday. In August 2013, NHA will receive a credit on our invoice in the amount of $12,921.05 for medical, and an additional $1,951.42 for dental. Multifamily Capital Resources (MCR) completed its analysis of the Rental Assistance Demonstration program, and how program restrictions would be unfavorable to NHA operations moving forward. The RAD program guidelines, as currently written by HUD, suffer serious program weaknesses including the prohibition of increasing rents. I have attached MCR’s narrative analysis for your review. I am hopeful that future rounds will correct these deficiencies to the overall program sustainability, and allow for more flexibility within the program. With the holidays fast approaching, I would like to request permission from the Board to hold our annual Holiday party to be determined in December. One last notification to the Board is that Sarah Brisk is out early for maternity, per doctor’s orders. The Chairperson entertained a motion to accept the Executive Director’s Report and approve the request for a Holiday party. Mr. Monahan made the motion, and Mr. Tollner seconded the motion. The Chairperson asked if there were any questions. Mr. Tollner asked if there is anything in the health insurance contract that stipulates what we need to do as far as giving money back to staff. Ms. Censabella stated that there have been discussions this past week on how we will handle that, whether it’s in the form of a credit for staff to use towards their health insurance premiums moving forward, or money back. Right now there isn’t anything in the contract that indicates we have to return funds to staff. Mr. Tollner stated that other municipalities are placing the returned funds into the bank so that when LGC develops the contribution rates for next year, the municipality will incorporate those funds to possibly decrease the staff’s rate. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION NO. 12-2204 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF ITS SECTION EIGHT MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (SEMAP) CERTIFICATION FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 12-2204. Mr. Tollner 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. 12-2205 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY AWARDING A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2012 FOR PAINTING AND CLEANING OF VACANT UNITS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE TO MC ALL CLEAN CLEANERS, LLC, 54 SPRING COVE ROAD, NASHUA, NH 03062 AT A PER-UNIT COST AS OUTLINED ON ATTACHED NARRATIVE UNDER THE PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING BUDGET The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 12-2205. Mr. Tollner 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. BILLS/INVESTMENTS: The Chairperson called for a motion to pay the bills as listed on the Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 49469 through 49559 and from the Supplemental Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 49560 through 49624 and from the Park View Apartments Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 4567 through 4577 and to approve the Investments as listed. Ms. Pastor made the motion, and Mr. Tollner seconded it. The Chairperson asked if there was any discussion. Mr. Deschenses asked if we now require fingerprinting as part of the application process. Ms. Censabella stated that we do not, however the state an applicant previously resided in may. Mr. Monahan asked about check 49623 for CMI Property Solutions, “refund escrow deposit snow-ice” in the amount of $2,503.13. Ms. Censabella stated that their contract is now expired and at the beginning of the contract they were required to put down $5,000 in escrow. They have already requested half, and this covers the remaining balance. There being no further discussion, the motion to pay the bills and approve the investments as listed carried. Mr. Wilson made the motion to present the Nominating Committee’s 2012/2013 slate of officers as follows: Thomas Monahan, Chairperson; Selma Pastor, Vice Chairperson; James Tollner, Treasurer; Paul Deschenes, Assistant Treasurer; and Eric Wilson, Commissioner. Mr. Tollner seconded the motion. 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. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS: Mr. Tollner asked if the numbers on the applications report with the breakdown of family, elderly, non-elderly disabled are consistent, or have the percentages changed over the last year. Ms. Censabella stated the numbers have remained consistent. Mr. Tollner asked if we own the parking lot behind the building, or is it shared ownership with Gottesman & Hollis. Ms. Censabella stated we will pull the paperwork to determine who owns the lot. Mr. Tollner asked if anyone from the Nashua Soup Kitchen contacted the NHA to ask about using the back parking lot because they will be moving to the VFW next door. Ms. Censabella stated nobody has contacted the NHA. ANY OTHER BUSINESS WHICH MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD: None. ADJOURNMENT: The Chairperson entertained a motion to adjourn. Ms. Pastor moved to adjourn, and Mr. Tollner seconded the motion. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Hobbs Recording Secretary