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Home My WebLink About2021-04-13-LHA-min (Regular) LEXINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING—APRIL 13, 2021 MINUTES 1. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chairman Nicholas Santosusso at 7:30 A.M. MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE Caileen B. Foley Richard F. Perry Kathy Kilroy Weidong Wang Andrew Riffin Melinda Walker Dan McCabe Mark McCullough 2. MINUTES Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of March 9, 2021 Upon a motion by Richard F. Perry and seconded by Melinda Walker, the Board voted to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 9, 2021, all members having received copies. The roll call vote was as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE NONE NONE Richard F. Perry Weidong Wang Melinda Walker Mark McCullough Approval of Minutes of Special Meeting of March 15, 2021 Upon a motion by Richard F. Perry and seconded by Weidong Wang, the Board voted to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting of March 15, 2021, all members having received copies. The roll call vote was as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE NONE NONE Richard F. Perry Weidong Wang Melinda Walker Mark McCullough 3. PUBLIC COMMENT 4. BILLS & CHECKS Approval of Bills and Checks paid in March 2021 March 2021 REVOLVING FUND Check Numbers 18139 through 18195 689-C MANAGEMENT Check Number 2282 PARKER MANOR Check Number 2074 BEDFORD STREET Check Number 1262 MRVP VOUCHER Check Numbers 4195 through 4198 SECTION 8 Check Numbers 19052 through 19075 Upon a motion by Weidong Wang and seconded by Melinda Walker, the Board voted to accept the Bills and Checks as presented for March 2021. The roll call vote was as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE NONE NONE Richard F. Perry Weidong Wang Melinda Walker Mark McCullough 5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. LHA Financials We continue to be in good standing. We have COVID Cares Act money that needs to be spent. We will allocate extra materials, some payroll and clinic costs toward this. Caileen is scheduled to meet with Jenna in the next few weeks to review and apply COVID funds to costs. Upon a motion by Weidong Wang and seconded by Melinda Walker, the Board voted to approve the March 2021 Financials. The roll call vote was as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE NONE NONE 2 Richard F. Perry Weidong Wang Melinda Walker Mark McCullough B. Public Hearing for State Program Annual Plan Upon a motion by Richard F. Perry and seconded by Mark McCullough, the Board voted to adjourn Regular Meeting to Public Hearing for State Annual Plan. The roll call vote was as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE NONE NONE Richard F. Perry Weidong Wang Melinda Walker Mark McCullough Today is the Public Hearing for the State Program Annual Plan. This is a new DHCD requirement per regulation changes of Ch 121B. This annual plan brings together different information about the LHA, such as vacancy info, energy consumption, capital plan, approved policies and maintenance plan. It is a centralized place where the public can learn and gather information about the LHA. Part of the annual plan requirements are that any local tenant boards and residents have an opportunity to view and provide feedback. This plan was given to the Greeley LTO who provided the following comments: -new walkway installation - update intercom system - kitchen and bath modernization Capital Plan projects include continuing with the 2021 plan and a majority of the funding going towards the Vynebrooke Village Mod phase project. Increased budget costs mean more must come out of Formula Funding. Upon a motion by Richard F. Perry and seconded by Melinda Walker, the Board voted to approve the Annual Plan and Capital Improvement plan for 2022.The roll call vote was as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE NONE NONE Richard F. Perry 3 Weidong Wang Melinda Walker Mark McCullough Upon a motion by Richard F. Perry and seconded by Weidong Wang, the Board voted to adjoin the State Public Hearing and enter into the Public Hearing for Federal Program Annual Plan and Capital Fund Program Action Plan. The roll call vote was as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE NONE NONE Richard F. Perry Weidong Wang Melinda Walker Mark McCullough C. Public Hearing for Federal Program a. Annual Plan We are in year 4 of 5-year plan (starting in 2018). Projects completed past year: all new roofs and gutters at scattered sites, new carpeting at Countryside Village. The window project has started at the Scattered Sites. b. Capital Fund Program Action Plan Future capital plan items include exterior stairs and railings at SS. Capital fund allocations after 2023 (including 23, 24 and 25) are now being budgeted towards operations. This allows the LHA to draw down the funds and use them as they see fit; takes away a lot of reporting requirements in the HUD capital system. We reached out to all federal public residents via questionnaire to get their feedback on items they would like to see in the future. These include tree maintenance, heating issues programmable thermostats etc. updated kitchen and bath needs where necessary. Overall residents are happy. There are 2 Certifications that need to be signed by Chairman: Certification of Compliance with PHA Plan and Related Regulations and Certificate by State or Local Official of PHA Plan consistency with Consolidated Plan. Upon a motion by Melinda Walker and seconded by Richard F. Perry, the Board voted to approve the Federal Program Annual Plan and Certifications. The roll call vote was as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE NONE NONE 4 Richard F. Perry Weidong Wang Melinda Walker Mark McCullough Upon a motion by Melinda Walker and seconded by Richard F. Perry, the Board voted to approve the Federal Program Action Plan. The roll call vote was as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE NONE NONE Richard F. Perry Weidong Wang Melinda Walker Mark McCullough Upon a motion by Weidong Wang and seconded by Richard F. Perry, the Board voted to adjoin the Federal Public Hearing and resume Regular Meeting. The roll call vote was as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE NONE NONE Richard F. Perry Weidong Wang Melinda Walker Mark McCullough D. Reasonable Accommodation Plan Update In 2020 the HUD Office of Fair Housing published FHEO 2020-01 which provides additional guidance with regard to requests for Service and Support Animals under governing laws. The Housing Authority's Reasonable Accommodation in Housing Policy has been revised to incorporate these changes including the provision of an informing Notice to families requesting an animal as a reasonable accommodation for a disability. This policy also sets forth additional verification requirements for those requesting animals which are not commonly kept as household pets otherwise known as exotic animals. Gives the LHA a bit more wiggle room in what it approves and doesn't approve. It streamlines the request process. Upon a motion by Richard F. Perry and seconded by Melinda Walker, the Board voted to approve the Reasonable Accommodation Plan amendments. The roll call vote was as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE NONE NONE 5 Richard F. Perry Weidong Wang Melinda Walker Mark McCullough E. Resident Service Coordinator NOFA DHCD released a new round of funding for Resident Service Coordinators. The money could be used to hire new staff or procure outside contracts for services. The funding is limited to $40k per HA, or $50k if doing a joint application. Acton HA approached us to see if we were interested in a joint application where we would hire out services primarily from Minuteman SS. We have met with Minuteman ED a few times to work out logistics of MOU— they would designate specific staff that we could access when we have resident issues arise. Mostly deal with issues that we do not have ability to assist with: hoarding, health care, food, paperwork, medical (mental and physical needs). We would reach out to the point person and they would respond quickly to assist. The purpose of the funding is to allow residents to age in place and not lose their housing to issues that can be remedied. We expect on average to utilize the case worker about 10 times or less per year, based on previous anecdotal data we have on when we have needed to reach out to partnering agencies. We have received a letter of support from Melissa Interess, HHS Director. Upon a motion by Melinda Walker and seconded by Weidong Wang, the Board voted to support the LHA joint application with Acton and Bedford Housing Authorities for Resident Service Coordinator Funding. The roll call vote was as follows: YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT Nicholas Santosuosso NONE NONE NONE Richard F. Perry Weidong Wang Melinda Walker Mark McCullough Caileen informed the Board that vaccine clinics are complete. Overall 350+people were vaccinated. Collaboration with the Town, Theatre Pharmacy, CAAL and employees made it all possible. 6. ADJOURNMENT 8:13 A.M. A true copy attest........................... CAILEEN FOLEY, SECRETARY 6 8