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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRA mtg July 23, 2013HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JULY 23, 2013 Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chair Diehm at 7:00 pm. Roll Call – Members present: Bruce Nawrocki, Gary Peterson, Donna Schmitt, Bobby Williams, Rheta Nelson, and Tammera Diehm. Staff Present: Executive Director-Walt Fehst, Community Development Director-Scott Clark, and Secretary-Shelley Hanson. CommonBond Staff- Laura Frost and Heidi Mindestrom Pledge of Allegiance – Recited CONSENT AGENDA Approve Minutes of April 23, 2013. Approve Financial Reports and Payment of Bills for April, May, and June 2013 on Resolution 2013-07. Questions from members: Schmitt questioned the Miscellaneous Administration Expenses in May as noted on the reports. Laura Frost stated there was an accounting error that was later corrected and noted on the June reports. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Williams, to approve items on the Consent Agenda as presented. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. HRA RESOLUTION 2013-07 RESOLUTION OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA) APPROVING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR APRIL, MAY AND JUNE 2013 AND PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR THE MONTHS OF APRIL, MAY, AND JUNE 2013. WHEREAS, the Columbia Heights Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is required by Minnesota Statutes Section 469.096, Subd. 9, to prepare a detailed financial statement which shows all receipts and disbursements, their nature, the money on hand, the purposes to which the money on hand is to be applied, the HRA's credits and assets and its outstanding liabilities; and WHEREAS, said Statute also requires the HRA to examine the statement and treasurer's vouchers or bills and if correct, to approve them by resolution and enter the resolution in its records; and WHEREAS, the financial statement for the months of April, May, and June 2013 and the list of bills for the months of April, May, and June 2013 are attached hereto and made a part of this resolution; and HRA Minutes Page 2 July 23, 2013 WHEREAS, the HRA has examined the financial statement and the list of bills and finds them to be acceptable as to both form and accuracy. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Columbia Heights Housing & Redevelopment Authority that it has examined the attached financial statements and list of bills, which are attached hereto and made a part hereof, and they are found to be correct, as to form and content; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the financial statements are acknowledged and received and the list of bills as presented in writing are approved for payment out of proper funds; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this resolution and attachments are to be made a part of the permanent records of the Columbia Heights Housing & Redevelopment Authority. Passed this 23rd day of July 2013. MOTION BY: Peterson SECONDED BY: Williams AYES: All ayes BUSINESS ITEM 6. Report of Management Company Nawrocki noted the occupancy for the south building has fluctuated over the last few months, and is back down to 82%. He wondered why. Frost explained there are 5 units currently vacant but 2 of them will be occupied August 1st and the other 3 are being processed for move- ins. She said there is also a waiting list for the south building, which they haven’t had for quite a while. Laura Frost introduced Heidi Mindestrom, the new site manager. Frost then went on to inform the members about the power outage they experienced after the Friday, June 21st storm. She told members that Tom, the maintenance person, and Heidi both came in and helped over the weekend to get the back-up generator running so there was some power in the building until it was restored 3 days later. She said this effort kept the elevator operating. They also assisted residents as power to outlets varied from apartment to apartment. Frost then reported that elevator #2 has been out of service for about a month. The parts for this elevator are obsolete and a new software upgrade had to be ordered. They just got word today that it came in and they have scheduled the work for the first week of August. The elevator company is hiring a specialist to install the upgrade. HRA Minutes Page 3 July 23, 2013 Shirley, a south side resident, said residents aren’t informed about these types of things. She also stated that no one checked on the residents while the power was out. She said some people had no power at all, and some had partial power. Diehm asked if there is a community bulletin board. Residents said there is, but nothing was posted to let residents know the estimated time frame until this week. Diehm asked that management use the bulletin board to inform residents on various issues as they arise. Rheta Nelsen told members that residents didn’t know that some of the outlets worked. It was discovered that each apartment should have a couple outlets that work during the use of the back-up generator, but that each apartment is different. She suggested that the outlets be marked for future outages if the same outlets would be the ones to have power. Clark will locate the plans for the building and look into whether a determination can be made to identify outlets designated to work during an emergency. Leann-#424-told members that some residents didn’t notify management that they had no power, and therefore, it is hard for management to help them. She wanted to go on record that Tom was on site all weekend and worked very hard to keep things running and assist residents wherever he could. She thought he did a tremendous job. Len Larson- #216-currently lives on the south side but is moving to the north side. He said the apartments lack amenities and that could be affecting the occupancy rates. 7. Resident Council Minutes The minutes were included in the agenda packets. Rheta reported that the current President Pro-tem is on vacation and that elections will be held August 7th to fill the vacancies. Citizens Forum Barb Camp said she wrote a thank you note to the Columbia Heights Fire Dept. for all their help. Kathy asked if the smoking shelter could be moved out further. It was noted that it is anchored to a concrete pad and to move it would be a project. Even if it were moved a couple of feet, it won’t resolve all the issues totally. It cannot be located in a spot that will make everyone happy. Lyn Miner said people stay out there too late and the noise disturbs others. Laura Frost stated they will put something in the newsletter that will remind residents that they need to be respectful of others and not light up until they are in the shelter and to keep voices down. Adam-#611-people who complain about people smoking outside the shelter don’t realize that sometimes it’s too hot in the shelter, or it leaks in the rain, and that some of the people don’t get along, so that is why they are smoking in numerous places on the grounds. HRA Minutes Page 4 July 23, 2013 9. AEON Update Clark reported that the Voluntary Conversion process has been awful and HUD doesn’t seem to have an established policy for handling, reviewing, and approving the requests. The application was submitted in May and they are still reviewing it. He told members he hopes another conference call will take place this week to answer any concerns they have. He is still hoping for a closing by year end. He said that AEON has a lot invested in this, so they also want the closing to take place soon. Clark stated that AEON will roll out a Re-hab plan in the next week or so complete with specs and prices. They will then hold one or two community meetings with the residents at Parkview to explain the plans. They will then break out a piece of the plan to do with the Modernization Funds. Clark told members the 1st floor modernization may be delayed as 5 units on the north side will need to be made ADA compliant in the near future, and this would mean remodeling them twice. Clark said the details of their plan will be brought to the Board at a special meeting in September. 10. Other Business There was no other business. Diehm stated the next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at Parkview Villa. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, Shelley Hanson Secretary