Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD DECEMBER 20, 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, December 20, 2013. Chairperson Thomas Monahan called the meeting to order, and the Recording Secretary called the roll at approximately 8:35 a.m. with the following responses: Present Absent Thomas Monahan Selma Pastor James Tollner Paul Deschenes Eric Wilson The following persons were also present: Lynn Censabella, Executive Director; Scott Costa, Assistant Executive Director; Lisa Cox, Section 8 Program Manager; Judith Forrester, Finance Manager; Joy Scotina, Property Manager; Sheila Galligan, Recording Secretary. MINUTES: The Chairperson entertained a motion to waive the reading of the Authority’s November 15, 2013 meeting minutes, to accept them, and place them on file. Mrs. Pastor made the motion, and Mr. Deschenes seconded the motion. The Chairperson asked if there were any questions, 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 – November 2013 – consisting of Public Housing and Section 8 Waiting List Report; Vacancy Report; Vacancy Report Compilation Sheet; Work Order Report; Rent Collections Report. The Chairperson asked if there were any comments, additions/deletions, corrections or discussion. Mr. Deschenes questioned the amounts owed on the Rent Collections Report, which he thought were high. Ms. Censabella explained the total Accounts Receivables is about 4 percent, which is average. It usually runs an average of 2 percent and 7 percent, which is standard in this industry, given maintenance charges, unreported income, evictions, damages, nonpayment of rent, and people moving out with monies owed. The Chairperson asked if there were any comments, additions/deletions, corrections or discussion. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously. NONPUBLIC SESSION: The Board agreed to move the Nonpublic Session out of order for consideration at the conclusion of the meeting to discuss a legal matter. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Nashua Housing Authority is currently soliciting bidders for driveway/walkway repairs and replacements, fee accounting, and software providers. Ms. Censabella and Mr. Costa will be looking into performing a HUD required Physical Needs Assessment (PNA) and Energy Audit throughout NHA properties. HUD has developed a PNA tool for use by PHAs for long-term project based strategic planning. The new PNA tool will allow PHAs to assess the needs of their public housing portfolios over a planning horizon of 20 years. PHAs nationwide will complete a Comprehensive Assessment for each of their public housing developments once every five years and update these assessments annually to HUD. The Energy Audit will integrate energy conservation measures with capital planning in order to plan for future work. That future work will be planned for in our Capital Fund Program annually. NHA submitted its (PILOT) Payment In Lieu of Taxes. You’ll see it in the list of checks for $132,000. The amount last year was $126,000. The reason for the increase is that rents have increased overall for residents of the NHA and the PILOT is based on a formula-driven amount. Ms. Censabella wished the Board and the NHA staff a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year. Mr. Monahan asked about the status of Girls Inc. Ms. Censabella stated she spoke with Cathy Duffy Cullity last week and is thinking about hiring a consultant to look further into this. NHA worked with the Schiff Group in the past. Owner, Joe Schiff, does dispositions. Ms. Censabella will contact Mr. Schiff in an effort to find out how this process works and the potential costs to make this more streamlined for the NHA. Mr. Monahan has been approached by people asking about the status. Mr. Monahan suggested the NHA make it a bankable lease so money can be borrowed for capital improvements over a minimum of five years with five-year extensions. NHA can lease it for the same amount it gets now but with the option to buy. Even if it’s an illogical price down the road, it gives Girls Inc. the option to leverage it. We would have to agree to the leveraging, but it appears to be a potential avenue. The Chairperson entertained a motion to accept the ED report. Mr. Tollner made the motion and Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The Chairperson asked if there were any further comments, additions/deletions, corrections or discussion. There being none, 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 51481 through 51622 and from the Supplemental Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 51623 through 51666 and from the Park View Apartments Cash Disbursement List – check numbers 4690 through 4698 and to approve the Investments as listed. Mr. Tollner made the motion to pay the bills and leave investments in place and Mr. Wilson seconded. The Chairperson asked if there was any discussion. After some discussion, the motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS: None. ANY OTHER BUSINESS WHICH MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD: None. NONPUBLIC SESSION: At 8:53 a.m., the Chairperson entertained a motion to enter Nonpublic Session to discuss a legal matter. Mr. Tollner made the motion, and Mrs. Pastor seconded. The Recording Secretary called the roll with the following responses: AYES NAYS Eric Wilson Paul Deschenes James Tollner Selma Pastor Thomas Monahan The Motion carried unanimously, and Nonpublic Session began at 8:53 a.m. The Chairperson entertained a motion to rise from Nonpublic Session at 9:04 a.m. Mr. Tollner made the motion, and Ms. Pastor seconded it. The Recording Secretary called the role with the following responses: AYES NAYS Eric Wilson Paul Deschenes James Tollner Selma Pastor Thomas Monahan The Motion carried unanimously, and Nonpublic Session ended at 9:04 a.m. The Chairman stated the Commissioners decided that due to potential litigation, the Nonpublic Session minutes of December 20, 2013 will be sealed. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Tollner made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Deschenes seconded the motion. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:07 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Sheila A. Galligan Recording Secretary