MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PORTSMOUTH HOUSING AUTHORITY
245 MIDDLE STREET
PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE
JANUARY 9, 2002
4:30 P.M.
The Board of Commissioners of the Portsmouth Housing Authority met in Regular Session on January 9, 2002, at 4:30 P.M., 245 Middle Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The Chairman called the Meeting to order and upon roll call those present and absent were as follows:
PRESENT ABSENT
Chairman Giambalvo *Commissioner Pappas
Commissioner Freedman *Commissioner Griffin
Commissioner Leith
Commissioner Charest
Others in attendance included: Timothy J. Connors, Richard G. Gray, Robert Kulik, Debra E. Crapo, Peter Millette, Judith P. Bunnell, and Rhonda L. Schwarz.
Chairman Giambalvo apprised the Commissioners of a Request for an Excused Absence by Commissioner Pappas in that personal business prohibited his attendance at the Meeting. Commissioner Griffin telephoned stating that at best she would be delayed due to weather conditions and if necessary made a Request for an Excused Absence. Said Requests met with unanimous approval.
Commissioner Leith made a motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting, December 12, 2001, as written. Commissioner Charest seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
Chairman Giambalvo reported that the Ricci Construction Co., Inc., has completed ninety-nine percent of the punch list on the addition to the maintenance shop at the Gosling Meadows Housing Development. The roof of said addition has been cleared of all debris and the door was painted today.
Approval has been given for a prototype used to demonstrate modernization work to be performed by Careno Construction Co., LLC, reported Chairman Giambalvo, and plywood has been installed on three buildings in preparation for vinyl siding. In addition to vinyl siding throughout the Gosling Meadows Housing Development, said modernization also encompasses new windows and doors.
The Chairman also reported that he conferred with Mr. Connors and Mr. Gray frequently regarding day-to-day activities and made himself available to other members of the Housing Authority Staff.
The Report of the Contracting Officer was accepted as presented in a motion by Commissioner Leith, seconded by Commissioner Charest, and all voted in favor.
There were no Travel Requests for presentation at this time. Mr. Connors requested that permanent status be awarded to Karla Quint, Marketing and Leasing Aid, following completion of her six-month probationary period on October 30, 2001.
Commissioner Charest made a motion to award permanent status to Karla Quint with Commissioner Leith seconding the motion and all voting in favor.
*Excused Absence
Richard G. Gray, Comptroller, reviewed with the Commissioners the Financial Reports, eleven months ended November 30, 2001, Locally Owned Housing, Section 8 Existing Housing, and Managed Properties.
Mr. Gray reported that the Statements for Locally Owned Housing and Section 8 Existing Housing continue to reflect higher Administrative Expenses due mostly to expenditures for computer consultations and training. Statements for Managed Properties indicate that they are in good shape.
Further, reported Mr. Gray, the Fiscal Department has been working to close all books for calendar year 2001.
The Financial Statements were accepted as written and presented in a motion by Commissioner Leith, with Commissioner Charest seconding the motion, and all voting in favor.
Mr. Connors reported on progress in the preparation of the PHAS and SEMAP reports, advising that once information and materials were gathered all would be sent by FedEx to the Schiff Group for compilation.
The Commissioners were informed by Mr. Connors that Mr. Gray and he have met with the attorney representing the owners of Ledgewood Manor Apartments and the status of Ledgewood remains unchanged, but the owners are still confident of an early mortgage payoff.
In addition, Mr. Connors reported on a meeting this day with John Bohenko, City Manager, City of Portsmouth, and other key persons regarding the proposed renovation of the 1895 building. City Manager Bohenko advised that he would send a memo to the City Council in reference to said renovation.
The Report of the Executive Director was accepted as written and presented in a motion by Commissioner Freedman, with Commissioner Charest seconding the motion, and all voting in favor.
The following Resolution was introduced by Chairman Giambalvo, read in full and considered:
RESOLUTION NO. 1164
The Portsmouth Housing Authority is suspending its enforcement of the 8-hour community service requirement 30 days from today's date and will not enforce this provision of our Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy so long as Congress provides for the option to not enforce it. In taking this action, we still want to encourage our public housing residents to both participate in their community and enhance their self-sufficiency skills in a truly voluntary manner.
Commissioner Leith, moved that the foregoing Resolution be adopted as introduced and read, which motion was seconded by Commissioner Charest and upon roll call the "Ayes" and "Nays" were as followed:
AYES NAYS
Chairman Giambalvo None
Commissioner Freedman
Commissioner Leith
Commissioner Charest
The Chairman thereupon declared said motion carried and said Resolution adopted.
Following discussion of Re-exams currently underway for residents of the Gosling Meadows Housing Development, the Report of the Marketing and Leasing Department Manager was accepted as written in a motion by Commissioner Freedman, seconded by Commissioner Leith, and all voted in favor.
Commissioner Charest made a motion to accept the Report of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program as written, Commissioner Leith seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
A brief discussion ensued relevant to the Senior Transportation Program. Following which, Commissioner Charest made a motion to accept the Report of the Community Services Program as written, with Commissioner Freedman seconding the motion, and all voting in favor.
The Report of the Nutrition Program was accepted, as presented by Mr. Connors, in a motion by Commissioner Freedman, seconded by Commissioner Charest and all voted in favor.
Robert Kulik, Rent Collector/Resident Liaison, reviewed with the Commissioners the Accounts Receivable month ended December 31, 2001, Gosling Meadows and Wamesit Place Housing Developments, noting that several line items were cleared after preparation of said Reports.
The Reports of the Accounts Receivable, month ended December 31, 2001, Gosling Meadows and Wamesit Place Housing Developments, were accepted as written and presented in a motion by Commissioner Freedman, seconded by Commissioner Leith, and all voted in favor.
Mr. Connors reported that Doris Desautel, consultant and head of Search Committee, had planned to attend this Board of Commissioners Meeting but weather conditioners prohibited her travel to Portsmouth. On behalf of Ms. Desautel, Mr. Connors advised that coordination with Commissioner Freedman and Commissioner Griffin of proposed interview dates would take place in the next couple of days with the interviews by the end of next week, if possible. Said interviews are for the position of Director of Administration.
Mr. Connors requested authorization for a member of the Housing Authority Maintenance Department to participate as a Landlord in the Section 8 Existing Program.
Commissioner Freedman made a motion of authorization for said Housing Authority employee to participate as a Landlord in the Section 8 Existing Program. Commissioner Charest seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
There being no further business proper to come before the Board of Commissioners, a motion was made and duly seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 5:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Timothy J. Connors
Secretary
rls
_____________________________
Accepted by: Saverio M. Giambalvo
Chairman
_____________________________
Date