MINUTES

GREEN BAY HOUSING AUTHORITY

Thursday, June 18, 2009

1424 Admiral Court, Second Floor Reading Room

Green Bay, Wisconsin 54303

10:30 a.m.

 

MEMBERS: D. Dolan-Wallace-Chair; D. Piton; H. Genunzio; and D. Slater.

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  W. VandeCastle-Vice-Chair.

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None.

OTHERS PRESENT:  Rob Strong, Anne Monday, Anne May Steffel, N. Aderholdt, N. Halvorsen, T. Dennee, M. Barron.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

Approval of the minutes from the May 21, 2009, meeting of the Housing Authority of the City of Green Bay.

 

A motion was made by H. Genunzio and seconded by D. Slater to approve the minutes of the May 21, 2009, meeting of the Housing Authority of the City of Green Bay.  Motion carried.

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

1.         Communication dated June 8, 2009, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Labor encouraging Public Housing Agencies to work collaboratively with Workforce Investment Boards to help public housing residents find training programs and sustainable employment in the green jobs sector.

 

            R. Strong stated that this communication is stating that  when the Authority has stimulus funded contracts, HUD would like the Authority to work with the Workforce Investment Board, which is a group that tries to place lower income people in jobs.

 

            A motion was made by D. Piton and seconded by H. Genunzio to receive and place on file the communication. Motion carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

None.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

2.         Request for Funds to revise and reprint the Neighborhood Guide in the amount not to exceed $10,000.

           

            R. Strong stated that awhile back the Green Bay Housing Authority and Brown County Housing Authority co-sponsored the Neighborhood Guide.  Approximately 40,000 of these were printed in order to get one into every household in the City of Green Bay.  There are approximately 36,000 to 38,000 residential units plus extras that were printed.  It has been about four years since this was originally printed and there are updates that need to be done.  He stated that the City is asking the two Housing Authorities to again co-sponsor the printing of this guide.  On the back of the guide, credit will be given to both Authorities.  Last time these were printed, the cost came to approximately $14,000.00.  Each Authority is being asked to  provide an amount not to exceed $10,000.00, which would cover any increases in printing costs.  The number of guides to be printed has not been determined yet. 

 

            D. Piton stated that these guides are a great source of information for the neighborhoods and are very helpful.

 

            A motion was made by D. Piton and seconded by H. Genunzio  to approve the request for funds to revise and reprint the Neighborhood Guide in the amount not to exceed $10,000.  Motion carried.

 

3.         Authorization to apply for a John L. Carroll Memorial scholarship for staff and/or commissioners to attend NAHRO training seminars.

 

            A. Monday explained that she had received an email from NAHRO stating that there is a scholarship program afforded to small Housing Authorities.  There are a lot of seminars and training that could be attended.  She is interested in attending the Property Certified Public Housing Manager training.  The scholarship would cover $1,200.00, which is the actual cost of the 5-day training.  She also stated that there are seminars and training available to commissioners.  Three people from each agency are able to apply for a scholarship.

 

            D. Dolan-Wallace asked if there was a specific benefit associated to being a Property Certified Public Housing Manager.

 

            A. Monday stated that most managers are certified, and it helps enable you to run your property to the best of your ability. She stated that the scholarship application must be turned in by June 30, 2009, and the seminar needs to be taken between the months of October, November, and December, and are held out of state.

 

            A. Monday stated that she would email each of the Commissioners and anyone else who is eligible for the training and/or seminars. 

 

            R. Strong stated that anyone who is interested in applying for a scholarship should get with A. Monday by the end of next week so that applications could be submitted.

 

            A motion was made by D. Slater and seconded by H. Genunzio to authorize up to three people (staff and/or commissioners) to submit applications  to apply for a John L. Carroll Memorial scholarship to attend NAHRO training seminars. Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

 

4.         Review and approval to write off delinquent tenant accounts.

 

            R. Strong stated that annually staff brings debts that are on our books that we don’t foresee receiving in a reasonable amount of time to the Authority for write off approval.

 

            D. Piton inquired if delinquent tenant accounts are written off, would these individuals be eligible for Section 8.

 

            A. Steffel responded no, they would not be.  She stated that there have been times in the past where individuals have been denied Section 8 and have then made restitution to the Authority.  Tax interception is another way the Authority tries to recoup its money.  Tenant Tara Amraen owes $1,148.50 and N. Aderholdt tried to intercept her taxes but there was a problem with the social security number. 

 

            R. Strong stated that the monies would still be owed; it is just not being carried on the books.

 

            A. Steffel stated that the auditors suggested that the delinquent money owed not be left sitting out there. 

 

            A. Steffel stated that the balances owed by Chong Xiong and Nicole Moses are recommendations for next year.  The Authority has to set up an allowance.  Typically anything over a year past due is recommended to be written off and anything that is past due six months to one year is recommended for the Allowance to Doubtful Accounts. 

 

            A motion was made by D. Piton and seconded by H. Genunzio to approve the write offs of delinquent tenant accounts as requested and to approve the two accounts recommended for Allowance to Doubtful Accounts.  Motion carried.

 

5.         Update and possible action of the Armory Project loan.

           

            N. Halvorsen distributed a letter dated June 18, 2009, which explained the development plans for the Armory.  He stated that the property was acquired with the help of consultants who had advised them that this property would make a great condominium project.  However, that proved not to be feasible.  Since then, there has been a search for alternative uses for the property.  The development plan for the Armory includes a partial demolition of the building and a renovation of the remaining structure for commercial use or other mixed-uses.  To date they have two prospective tenants that have shown serious interest in the property.  Barron Rentals is one of the prospective tenants and is looking at locating here to take advantage of easier public access to their offices and more parking.  The other prospective tenant is a printmaker who would utilize approximately up to 50% of the building.  They are looking to get one more serious prospect before they would be able to secure construction financing.  The building is currently being used for storage of architectural salvage of properties that the City is tearing down. 

 

            N. Halvorsen stated that the request before the Authority is to extend the term of the $205,000 loan until June 2010.

 

            D. Piton asked what the terms for the loan are.

 

            N. Halvorsen responded that the terms have been 2% interest with no payments.  It is a deferred interest payment loan.  They have made periodic payments of the cumulative interest for the period that they have had the loan.

 

            A motion was made by H. Genunzio and seconded by D. Piton   to approve the extension of the term for the $205,000 loan for the Armory project until June 2010, and that interest be paid up to date.  Motion carried.

 

6.         Authorization to apply CFRG funds for improvements to Mason Manor and scattered sites.

 

R. Strong stated that there is an opportunity to apply for some additional federal dollars through the stimulus program.  There is an opportunity to apply for about $609,000.00 from two out four pots of funds. 

 

N. Aderholdt explained that funds could be applied for to help fund a project for Mason Manor.  These funds can be utilized to help fund projects that help the elderly, the disabled, or both.  There are funds that could be applied for to help with the scattered sites and would benefit low-income or blighted areas in the community.     

 

            R. Strong clarified that these funds are restricted to public housing units.

 

            N. Aderholdt replied yes.

 

R. Strong stated that one of the categories that helps obtain these funds is being considered a high performer within the last year.  Unfortunately the scattered sites, while under the management of ICS, did not achieve that status.  The other criteria is spending a certain percentage of the capital funds within the guidelines, and we meet that one.  Two applications will be submitted for funding.  Getting approved for funding in the first round is not as good as we would like, but if they do have money left over, we will have applications ready to go for the second round.   

 

N. Aderholdt stated that the deadline for the first round of applications is July 1st.

 

R. Strong stated that for the scattered sites, the units are being painted and the windows are being replaced. 

 

R. Strong went over the Mason Manor project and went over the priorities.  The biggest one is upgrading the elevators.  It would cost approximately $411 thousand dollars to do the elevator upgrades.  The hallways need to be brightened up with lighting or different ceiling materials, etc.  This would cost approximately $150 thousand.  Replacing the backup generator would cost approximately $100 thousand.  Installing air conditioning throughout the building would cost approximately one million dollars to run a built in system because of the way the building is designed.  It would cost approximately $300 thousand dollars to install air conditioning units in each unit and they would be built in and permanent. 

 

D. Dolan-Wallace suggested that there may be other funding available for the generator because it is needed for emergency situations. 

 

Mason Manor prioritized list for funding:

Upgrading Elevator = $411,000

            -upgrading cylinders = $250,000

            -upgrading cars = $160,000

            -upgrading floor tiles = $1,000

 

Brightening hallways = $150,000

 

Replacing generator = $100,000

 

Scattered sites prioritized list for funding:

Replace gas forced air furnaces = $100,000 (50 units)

Replace vinyl windows = $50,000 (200 defective windows)

Refinish existing hardwood flooring = $50,000 (25 units)

Install new vinyl floor covering = $160,000 (20 units)

Replace existing kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, countertops, and sinks = $100,000 (10 units)

Replace entry doors and combination storm doors = $30,000 (50 units)

Paint interior walls, ceilings, and trim = $50,000 (20 units)

Paint exterior doors and trim = $7,500 (25 units)

Install new roofing = $40,000 (5 units)

 

A motion was made by D. Piton and seconded by H. Genunzio to approve the authorization to apply CFRG funds for improvements to Mason Manor and scattered sites as prioritized. Motion carried.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT AND BILLS:

 

A motion was made by D. Piton, seconded by H. Genunzio to accept the financial report and bills as presented.  Motion carried.

 

STAFF REPORT:

1.  R. Strong stated that there are three scattered site properties that are located in a floodplain and the insurance would be $893.00 each year to cover the three properties in case of any damage.

 

2.   R. Strong stated that for the addition, the State has determined that stairs would be needed. 

 

3.   R. Strong stated that a new custodian would be starting out at Mason Manor on June 29th.

 

4.   R. Strong stated that Kid’s Day is Thursday, June 25th.

 

5.   R. Strong stated that the 4th of July celebration is coming up.

     

A motion was made by D. Piton and seconded by D. Slater to adjourn the meeting at 11:53 a.m.  Motion carried.