Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD JANUARY 25, 2013 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, January 25, 2013. The Chairperson called the meeting to order, and the Recording Secretary called the roll at approximately 8:32 a.m. with the following responses: Present Absent Thomas Monahan Paul Deschenes Selma Pastor Eric Wilson James Tollner The following persons were also present: Scott Costa, Assistant Executive Director; Jim Floras, Property Manager; Joy Scotina, Property Manager; Lisa Cox, Section 8 Program Manager; Jude Forrester, Finance Manager; Cheryl Hobbs, Recording Secretary; Lori Wilshire, Aldermanic Liaison; Iris Cora-Santana. MINUTES: The Chairperson entertained a motion to waive the reading of the Authority’s December 21, 2102 regular meeting minutes, to accept them and place them on file. Ms. Pastor made the motion, and Mr. Tollner 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. Tollner made the motion, and Ms. Pastor seconded the motion. The Communications were as follows: Monthly Operational Reports – December 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. Monahan asked if there were redundancies in the numbers between Section 8 and Public Housing. Mr. Costa answered that the majority of applicants on the Public Housing wait list are also on the Section 8 wait list. 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: Mr. Costa started by saying December was a quiet month for the NHA. Mr. Costa stated the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has provided initial funding to housing authorities based on the President’s FY 2013 Budget request of $4.525 billion dollars. This amount represents a ninety-two percent proration of funding. Funding has been received for the initial two months of calendar year 2013. Based on Congress enacting a Continuing Resolution through March 2012, HUD has taken a conservative approach in deciding to fund PHAs at a ninety-two percent proration in the initial calendar year. The NHA, along with every public housing authority nationwide, will await the passage of a full-year appropriations bill before it will know what its funding level will be. As such, housing authorities have been informed by HUD to spend funds judiciously. HUD is anticipated to release final policy on its Physical Needs Assessment (PNA) and Energy Audits requiring the NHA to complete a comprehensive physical needs assessments for each of its public housing developments once every five years, with updates to the assessments annually. NHA will be required to hire an outside firm to perform assessments of its properties. I anticipate the PNA’s will be due to HUD in June 2013 if the final rule is published by HUD before April of this year. Wishing all of you a Happy New Year. The Chairperson entertained a motion to accept the Executive Director’s Report. Mr. Tollner made the motion, and Ms. Pastor seconded the motion. The Chairperson asked if there were any questions. Mr. Tollner asked if the ninety-two percent is a surprise and what impact will it have on our business plan. Mr. Costa stated this is no surprise; there has been talk about the funding dropping to eighty percent. Mr. Monahan stated he had a conversation with Ms. Censabella regarding Girls Inc. The Board for Girls Inc. will be conducting a cost evaluation of what they have spent and what needs to be done moving forward. Ms. Censabella indicated to Girls Inc. that an extension of the lease would be considered, but an offer should be placed on the building as well. Mr. Monahan asked if there is any word regarding Bronstein. Mr. Costa stated there is nothing new with Bronstein. Mr. Monahan stated he will meet with Lynn before the next meeting to get the ball rolling, in whichever direction the NHA plans to take. Mr. Tollner agreed that the Board and NHA management does need to meet so that NHA can address the residents. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: None. BILLS/INVESTMENTS: The Chairperson called for a motion to pay the bills as listed on the Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 49798 through 49905 and from the Supplemental Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 49906 through 49960 and from the Park View Apartments Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 4590 through 4600 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. Tollner asked if the Primex payment is high or is that average. Ms. Forrester stated that the payment is for the full year. There being no further discussion, the motion to pay the bills and approve the investments as listed carried. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS: Mr. Tollner suggested that we should add a standing item on the agenda for public comment before the Commissioners’ Comments. ANY OTHER BUSINESS WHICH MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD: Ms. Santana, a member of the public audience, asked how many handicap (HC) accessible units the NHA has. Mr. Costa listed the handicap units located at various NHA developments. Ms. Santana asked what happens if there is a family in a handicap unit that does not need a handicap unit. Mr. Costa stated that we would transfer the current family to another unit and house the family that is in need of that HC unit. Mr. Monahan asked if the NHA has to make a reasonable accommodation to modify the unit if there are no HC units available. Mr. Costa stated we would review the request at the time they come to the top of the list. ADJOURNMENT: The Chairperson entertained a motion to adjourn. Mr. Tollner moved to adjourn, and Ms. Pastor seconded the motion. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Hobbs Recording Secretary