HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-14-LHA-minLEXINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING — SEPTEMBER 14, 2011
1. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Melinda Walker at 6:10 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT
Melinda Walker
Nicholas Santosuosso
Leona Martin
Leo P. McSweeney
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Robert D. Peters
There were no public comments offered at this meeting.
3. MINUTES
Typo's were noted and corrected.
Stephen Keane
Jenna Milne
Dan McCabe
Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of May 11, 2011
Upon a motion by Leona Martin and seconded by Leo P. McSweeney, the Board
voted to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 11, 2011 all members
having received copies. The roll call vote was as follows:
YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Melinda Walker NONE NONE Robert D. Peters
Nicholas Santosuosso
Leona Martin
Leo P. McSweeney
4. BILLS & CHECKS
Approval of Bills and Checks paid in May 2011
Mqy 2011
667- C/705 -2 Check Numbers 7062 and 7063
REVOLVING FUND Check Numbers 10189 through 10257
067 -1 & 3 Check Numbers 4099 and 4100
689 -C MANAGEMENT
Check Number 2160
PARKER MANOR
Check Number 1950
BEDFORD STREET
Check Number 1145
MRVP VOUCHER
Check Numbers 2760 and 2761
SECTION 8
Check Numbers 15662 through 15685
Approval of Bills and Checks paid in June 2011
June 2011
667- C/705 -2
Check Numbers 7064 through 7066
REVOLVING FUND
Check Numbers 10258 through 10325
067 -1 & 3
Check Numbers 4101 through 4107
689 -C MANAGEMENT
Check Number 2161
PARKER MANOR
Check Number 1951
BEDFORD STREET
Check Number 1147
MRVP VOUCHER
Check Numbers 2762 and 2763
SECTION 8
Check Numbers 15686 through 15709
Approval of Bills and Checks paid in July 2011
July 2011
667- C/705 -2
Check Number 7067
REVOLVING FUND
Check Numbers 10326 through 10381
067 -1 & 3
689 -C MANAGEMENT
PARKER MANOR
BEDFORD STREET
Check Numbers 4108 and 4109
Check Number 2162
Check Number 1952
Check Number 1148
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MRVP VOUCHER
Check Numbers 2764 through 2767
Check Numbers 15 710 through 15734
and 15760
Approval of Bills and Checks paid in August 2011
August 2011
REVOLVING FUND
689 -C MANAGEMENT
PARKER MANOR
BEDFORD STREET
MRVP VOUCHER
Check Numbers 7068 through 7070
Check Numbers 103 82 through 10442
Check Numbers 4110 and 4111
Check Number 2163
Check Number 1953
Check Number 1149
Check Numbers 2768 through 2770
Check Numbers 15735 through 15759,
15761 and 15762
Upon a motion by Leo P. McSweeney and seconded by Nicholas Santosuosso, the
Board voted to accept the Bills and Checks as presented for May, June, July and August
2011. The roll call vote was as follows:
Melinda Walker NONE NONE
Nicholas Santosuosso
Leona Martin
Leo P. McSweeney
5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
ABSENT
Robert D. Peters
A. Bud ets
The budget guidelines were just released on 8/3 1/ 11. The state has allowed a 3%
cap increase to be spent on nonutility line items. Jenna was able to calculate
administrative raises per Steve's proposal of 3% to both the Assistant Director
and Federal Program Coordinator and a 5% increase to the State Program
Coordinator. The coordinator jobs have a similar work load but Steve has been
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delegating more work to Carol and will be giving her more responsibility this
year so he would like to have the pay scale range closer. Steve's 3% increase
does not go into effect until his anniversary date of April.
DLI sets the maintenance staff rates which we have no control over. Those rates
go into effect on April of each year.
Jenna explained each program and reserves in detail to the Board. All of our
programs, except the state, are in great shape. Right now our state reserve is at
20 %. The funding we are to receive from the state capital funds will help relieve
this. That is the trend industry wide this year with her clients.
The section 8 administrative fees have been reduced this year by approximately
$600. HUD sent out a letter to housing authorities stating that the excessive
reserve in the federal program should not be spent, they will be recapturing
a percentage of that funding to offset a Federal mandate that housing authorities
reduce budgets by I billion dollars.
Upon a motion by Leo P. McSweeney and seconded by Leona Martin, the Board
voted to approve the budgets for FYI as presented. The roll call vote was as follows:
YEAS NAYS
Melinda Walker NONE
Nicholas Santosuosso
Leona Martin
Leo P. McSweeney
ABSTAIN ABSENT
NONE Robert D. Peters
The contract for our fee accountant is up for renewal. There has not been an increase for
the last 2 years. Jenna has asked for a 3% increase this year, approximately $20 per
month, not including the reporting.
Upon a motion by Leo P. McSweeney and seconded by Leona Martin, the Board
voted to approve the 3% increase for the fee accountant contract. The roll call
vote was as follows:
VF.A!� NAVE ARMTATN ARMF.NT
Melinda Walker NONE
Nicholas Santosuosso
Leona Martin
Leo P. McSweeney
NONE Robert D. Peters
B. Board vote for Certification of Compliance for Lead Paint Laws, Ted attended
rn»rcP
The state requires that a Certificate of Compliance for Lead Paint Laws be
submitted. Ted completed the course and is now a certified lead safe renovator.
that site must be supervised by Ted.
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Upon a motion by Nicholas Santosuosso and seconded by Leona Martin, the
Board voted to approve the Certificate of Compliance. The roll call vote was as
follows:
VF A 1 ,q NA VIq ARlqTATN ARlqFNT
Melinda Walker NONE
Nicholas Santosuosso
Leona Martin
Leo P. McSweeney
NONE Robert D. Peters
C. Rotary Club thank you letter
The housing authority sent a thank you to the Rotary Club for the barbeques,
bike racks and Files of Life magnets.
D. Personnel Policy
Last spring the Board was given copies of policies from 5 other local housing
authorities for review. It was decided to discuss at the next Board meeting. Any
changes will then be sent to DHCD for review and approval which may take up
to a year. The Board asked for copies of our existing policy as well as the
marked up copy that Steve is working on. Steve will send that information by
email to the Board.
E. Update CPS -comp time
We are in our first year of Capital Planning System (CPS). Some of the projects
that have been completed are: new handicap bathroom at Forest Street, walkway
at Tewksbury Street and roof repair at Mass Ave.
Steve has been working many as 4 extra hours each week due to the many
projects in place and Formula Funding. This is the equivalent to 6 hours comp
time. He would like the Board to approve his comp time, up to 24 hours per
month, as needed.
Upon a motion by Leo P. McSweeney and seconded by Leona Martin, the Board
voted to approve 6 hours comp time, as needed, weekly for Steve. The roll call
vote was as follows:
VFA!� NAVE ARMTATN ARMFNT
Melinda Walker NONE NONE Robert D. Peters
Nicholas Santosuosso
Leona Martin
Leo P. McSweeney
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F. Projects update- www.biddocsonline.com
The siding project at Countryside Village is complete. We also installed
automatic doors at the community room, office and both buildings that have
tenants who rely on wheelchairs.
We have received the signed grant from the Town Manager for the Vynebrooke
Village water remediation project. We are still waiting for the Order of
Conditions. This was due 21 days after the approved hearing but due to the
relocation of offices within Town Hall, there has been a delay. The DHCD
engineer has been to the site and advised us to obtain a proposal from Fred
Russell, the engineer we used for the initial study.
The Greeley Village siding project is going out to bid on 9/21/11. The sub bid is
due today for electrical and painting. The housing authority will be removing the
siding so that the project may be completed within budget. The documents and
results will be posted on www.biddocsonline.com
The ABCD Lean Program has spent $122,000 this year to insulate the center
attic area, crack fill and insulate basements at Greeley Village as well as the attic
area of Vynebrooke Village. The basements at Vynebrooke Village could not be
insulated due to wet conditions.
As part of the Greeley Village siding project, the ABCD Lean program is
funding the $173,000 labor cost of installing aero gel as well as the $250,000
material cost.
The ADA community room project is in final review. We are at 100% final
submission.
The proposed CPA project for next year is 4 wheelchair accessible one level
units at the Shirley Street side of Greeley Village. DHCD is working on a rough
estimate to present to CPA in the spring of 2012. This will add units to the towns
SHI. Currently, the Planning Board is doing an informal review to see if the
project can be done under the current zoning. When Greeley Village was
originally built, a special permit was issued with restrictions. When the review is
complete, they will advise us how to proceed.
After the Greeley Village siding project is completed, awnings will be installed
over the rear doors. The funding for the awnings is from emergency capital funds
that we applied for but did not use completely.
We received a score of 100 on FASS which makes us a high performer
again this year.
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G. Update 2011 Capital Grant
Steve has requested $120,681 from HUD for federal capital improvements. HUD
approved $104,368.
H. Notar
Kathy applied to become a Notary. Her application was approved and she was
sworn in as a Notary Public last week.
I. Review Federal insurance polic limits
Steve completed a table cost estimator for our federal properties. It appears that
we are underinsured for some of the properties. There are other coverage limits,
such as flood and earthquake, which need to be reviewed also.
Upon a motion by Leo P. McSweeney and seconded by Nicholas Santosuosso, the
Board voted to renew the current federal property insurance policy and revisit the
other options at the next few meetings. The roll call was as follows:
VF.A NAVIq ARlqTATN ARIWNT
Melinda Walker NONE
Nicholas Santosuosso
Leona Martin
Leo P. McSweeney
NONE Robert D. Peters
J. Laundry contract
The 3 year laundry contract is up for renewal. We solicited 3 laundry companies
and received 2 proposals back; Automatic Coin laundry, who currently has the
contact at Vynebrooke Village and MacGray, who currently has the contract for
both Countryside and Greeley Village.
All current contracts have 50% revenue to the housing authority. Automatic Coin
Laundry does not pay on a timely basis. Kathy has to call them quarterly as a
payment reminder.
The proposal from MacGray included 70% revenue to the housing authority and
$1.00 per load for all villages. An additional washer and dryer for Countryside
Village as well as energy efficient machines at Vynebrooke Village were
included in the proposal.
Upon a motion by Nicholas Santosuosso and seconded by Leona Martin, the
Board voted to accept the 3 year laundry contract from MacGray. The roll call was
as follows.
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YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Melinda Walker NONE NONE Robert D. Peters
Nicholas Santosuosso
Leona Martin
Leo P. McSweeney
K. Lexington High School volunteers
At the last Countryside Village tenant association meeting there were 2 female
students from Lexington High School that attended. They are working with
Audrey Deshler to coordinate a volunteer group as part of a community service
project working with seniors.
L. Update on court proceedings
The housing authority went to court last month with two (2) federal families for
nonpayment of rent. They are both on court ordered payment plans at this time.
M. Hurricane damage
Approximately 10 trees came down during the storm. A tree from our 689
handicap site fell into the abutter's property crushing their shed and contents.
Our maintenance staff cut up and removed the tree as a friendly gesture even
though the claim must go through the property insurance of the abutter. A tree
also came down at Countryside and destroyed the pole light. Lastly, an
underground wire was broken at one of our single family homes on Spring
Street. The house has partial electricity and is being worked on by Nstar to
restore power as soon as possible. We provided the tenant with a hot plate and
portable stove top with 2 burners.
N. Parker Financials
The Board was given copies of the July financials for Parker Manor to review.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7. NEW BUSINESS
The Senior Center sent us a notice from the LexPress that was translated into
Mandarin. We sent that to tenants in our villages. We also sent information to our
tenants regarding CODE RED from the Lexington Police Dept.
National Grid has been out to assess our sights for possible conversion from oil to
gas.
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Currently we have a point of use (tank less) hot water heaters in Countryside Village
building's #2 and 3. As the hot water tanks have been failing at Countryside, we have
been converting to point of use.
7. ADJOURNMENT 8:30 P.M.
A true copy attest ...........................
STEPHEN KEANE, SECRETARY
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