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Meeting Detail
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PUBLIC NOTICE OF A REGULAR HACEP BOARD MEETING - minutes |
| Meeting Date |
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10/26/2011 |
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5300 EAST PAISANO, EL PASO, TEXAS |
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PUBLIC NOTICE OF A REGULAR BOARD MEETING
TAKE NOTICE THAT A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF EL PASO, TEXAS
WILL BE HELD AT
5300 EAST PAISANO, EL PASO, TEXAS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2011
COMMENCING AT 5:30 P.M.
TO CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY ACT ON THE FOLLOWING:
1. CALL TO ORDER.
2. INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE.
3. ESTABLISHMENT OF A QUORUM.
4. RESIDENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS TO BE HEARD.
5. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING THAT TOOK PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2011.
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF A REGULAR BOARD MEETING THAT TOOK PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2011.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
ALL MATTERS LISTED UNDER THE CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO BE ROUTINE AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION IN THE FORM LISTED BELOW. THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS UNLESS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OR PERSONS IN THE AUDIENCE REQUEST SPECIFIC ITEMS BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TO THE REGULAR AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION PRIOR TO THE TIME THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS VOTE ON THE MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA.
Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, Texas
October 26, 2011 – page two
CONSENT AGENDA:
8. PURCHASING AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDS:
A. ONE YEAR RENEWAL OF CONTRACT NO. HR 09-C-0024 FOR AUTOMOTIVE FLEET INSURANCE. THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE TO THE PREMIUM DUE TO ADDITIONAL NEW VEHICLES INCLUDED ON THIS YEAR’S POLICY.
Recommendation: Site: Contract Amount:
Wells Fargo PHA Wide $61,266
B. FOURTH MODIFICATION TO CONTRACT ARRA 10-C-0033 FOR CRAMER APARTMENTS ROOFING PROJECT.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Monument Constructors Cramer $503,962.69 $7,904 $511,866.69
C. THIRD MODIFICATION TO CONTRACT NO. ARRA 10-C-0036 FOR RIO GRANDE APARTMENTS ROOFING PROJECT.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Monument Constructors Rio Grande $246,917 $976 $247,893
D. FOURTH MODIFICATION TO CONTRACT ARRA 10-C-0038 FOR TRUMAN APARTMENTS ROOFING PROJECT.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Monument Constructors Truman $397,653 $5,070 $402,723
Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, Texas
October 26, 2011 – page three
E. THIRD MODIFICATION TO CONTRACT NO. ARRA 10-C-0039 FOR WEBBER APARTMENTS ROOFING PROJECT.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Monument Constructors Webber $511,973.33 $3,311 $515,284.33
F. THIRD MODIFICATION TO CONTRACT NO. ARRA 10-C-0041 FOR ROOSEVELT APARTMENTS ROOFING PROJECT.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Monument Constructors Roosevelt $610,870 $4,660 $615,530
G. SECOND MODIFICATION TO CONTRACT NO. ARRA 10-C-0057 FOR ALVAREZ APARTMENTS ROOFING PROJECT.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Monument Constructors Alvarez $340,109 $17,466 $357,575
H. THIRD MODIFICATION TO CONTRACT NO. TS 11-C-0030 FOR DEWETTER APARTMENTS ROOFING PROJECT.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Decrease: Aggregate:
Diamond KK, Inc. DeWetter $316,509 -$3,622.30 $312,866.70
I. FIRST MODIFICATION TO CONTRACT NO. TS 11-C-0032 FOR JOHNSON APARTMENTS ROOFING PROJECT.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Diamond KK, Inc. Johnson $296,740 $92,010.40 $388,750.40
Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, Texas
October 26, 2011 – page four
J. SECOND MODIFICATION TO CONTRACT NO. TS 11-C-0032 FOR JOHNSON APARTMENTS ROOFING PROJECT.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Diamond KK, Inc. Johnson $388,750.40 $23,940 $412,690.40
K. THIRD MODIFICATION TO CONTRACT NO. TS 11-C-0036 FOR GRAHAM APARTMENTS ROOFING PROJECT.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Diamond KK, Inc. Graham $303,512.88 $3,884 $307,396.88
L. FIRST MODIFICATION TO CONTRACT NO. ARRA 11-C-0050 FOR CRAMER APARTMENTS ROOFING PROJECT.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Roof Toppers of
El Paso, Inc. Cramer $99,800 $2,892.20 $102,692.20
REGULAR AGENDA
9. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER TO EXECUTE CONTRACT(S) FOR LEGAL SERVICES PURSUANT TO SOLICITATION NO. EX-12-R-0001.
10. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT HUD EMERGENCY SAFETY AND SECURITY FUNDING.
11. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WRITE OFF OF BAD ACCOUNTS FOR VACATED TENANTS FOR QUARTER ENDING JUNE 2011.
12. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION SETTING THE DATE AND TIME FOR THE NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2011 REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETINGS.
Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, Texas
October 26, 2011 – page five
13. SECRETARY’S REPORT.
• ALAMO SCHOOL UPDATE.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER REPORTS.
• STATEMENT OF REVENUES/EXPENSES FOR AUGUST 2011.
• STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS FOR AUGUST 2011.
DEVELOPMENT & CAPITAL PROJECTS.
• ARRA GRANTS PROJECTS PROGRESS REPORT.
HACEP NEWS ARTICLES/EVENTS.
14. THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY RETIRE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT ANY TIME UPON THE MOTION OF ANY COMMISSIONER PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.071-551.076 TO DISCUSS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
SECTION 551.071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY
SECTION 551.072 DELIBERATIONS ABOUT REAL PROPERTY
SECTION 551.073 DELIBERATIONS ABOUT GIFTS AND DONATIONS
SECTION 551.074 PERSONNEL MATTERS
SECTION 551.076 DELIBERATIONS ABOUT SECURITY DEVICES
DISCUSSION ON THE FOLLOWING:
(a) DISCUSSION AND UPDATE BY LEGAL COUNSEL ON PENDING LITIGATION MATTERS. (SECTION 551.071)
(b) DISCUSSION AND UPDATE REGARDING KATHY ORTEGA v. HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF EL PASO. (SECTION 551.071)
(c) DISCUSSION AND UPDATE REGARDING LETICIA MONTELONGO ET AL v. HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF EL PASO. (SECTION 551.071)
Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, Texas
October 26, 2011 – page six
(d) LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF JOE BATTLE BOULEVARD AND ZARAGOZA ROAD, A PORTION OF TRACT 1, NOW KNOWN AS TRACT ID, SECTION 4, BLOCK 79, TOWNSHIP 3, TEXAS AND PACIFIC RAILWAY SURVEYS, AN ADDITION TO THE CITY OF EL PASO, EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. (SECTION 551.071)
15. ADJOURNMENT.
THIS NOTICE HAS BEEN POSTED AT THE CENTRAL OFFICES OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, 5300 EAST PAISANO DRIVE, AND NOTICE HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE EL PASO COUNTY CLERK MORE THAN 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE ABOVE MEETING, AS REQUIRED BY CHAPTER 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.
UPON REQUEST THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL PROVIDE AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES SUCH AS INTERPRETERS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED, READERS, LARGE PRINT OR BRAILLE DOCUMENTS. THOSE REQUESTING AUXILIARY AIDS OR SERVICES MAY NOTIFY SERGIO VASQUEZ, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COORDINATOR, AT (915) 849-3820, OR SVASQUEZ@HACEP.ORG AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
SIMULTANEOUS ENGLISH/SPANISH TRANSLATION IS PROVIDED AT ALL REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
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| Meeting Minutes |
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MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY
OF THE CITY OF EL PASO, TEXAS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2011
Item # 1. Call to Order. The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 5:43 p.m.
Item # 2. Invocation/Moment of Silence. Invocation by Rev. Lisle H. Davis of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Item # 3. Establishment of a Quorum.
PRESENT: Chairperson Joe Fernandez, Presiding; Commissioners Lynn Coyle, Sue Pratt, and Lupita Licerio. The Chairperson declared a quorum with four Commissioners present. Commissioner Kevin Quinn was absent.
ALSO PRESENT: Gerald Cichon, Chief Executive Officer; Bob Blumenfeld, HACEP Attorney; Michael Spurlock, Corporate Attorney; Satish Bhaskar, Chief Financial Officer; Stan Waterhouse, HAC Chief Operating Officer; Juan Olvera, Director of Development of Capital Projects; Roman Velasquez, Director of Public Housing; Karen McCluskey, Director of CCPA; Patrick Ortega, Director of Human Resources; Shane Griffith, Public Information Officer; Glo Dore, Finance Executive Secretary; Maria del Rayo Rodriguez and Aracely Saenz, Executive Secretaries.
Item # 4. Resident Association Presidents to be Heard. None.
Item # 5. Citizens to be Heard. Kerry Doyle, Board Secretary for Creative Kids, said that she wanted to alert the Board to something that will be on their agenda in November. She said that Creative Kids has been running the Art Brokers’ Learning Experiences (ABLE) Project, which has been benefiting your Housing Authority residents for over eleven years. The after school program is held at the Kennedy Brothers and the Tays housing complexes. The program offers a complete art curriculum to at risk youth. The program has been an enormous success both through the comments of people who have been in the program, the community, and the program graduates several of whom have been UTEP graduates in the Department of Art and who continue to serve at Creative Kids as mentors and teachers for children who are now on the program. Recently, Creative Kids was informed that the state will no longer be funding the program. At this point, they find themselves scrambling for funds to replace the grants or face the consequences on ending the program. Project ABLE has served over 1,800 housing residents since its inception and has been recognized by Texas A&M as a best-practice model. The youth have been engaged in numerous art exhibitions held across the community and most recently one of our students won a National Art Contest through the Association of Farm Worker Opportunities where she received $300 and a certificate from Congress. They are here today to ask the Housing Authority to provide funding to continue to run the program for one year and provide leverage for other grants they are currently seeking. With this emergency funding they will be able to keep the after school program open at the Kennedy and Tays sites through the end of August 2012. Without this funding, they will have to close the program in sixty days. Meaning that seventy-five youth that they are currently serving every week, four times a week, will no longer be able to engage in this program which has become a crucial part of their education and their after school time. With the Housing Authority’s commitment to provide continued funding, they can leverage the housing dollars to secure funding from outside agencies and organizations. They are asking that this item be placed on the agenda in November. She said that Andrea Gates-Ingle, Executive Director of Creative Kids, and her would be happy to answer any questions or provide any additional data that the Board might need to consider their request. Ms. Doyle thanked the Board for their consideration.
Attorney Blumenfeld said that, for the benefit of the Board, he would like to state that there is a policy that was adopted by a prior Board stating that when individuals come with funding requests that they be instructed to visit with the executive staff prior to them coming back to the Board and placing an item on the agenda.
Item # 6. Approval of Minutes of a Special Board Meeting that Took Place on September 19, 2011. Commissioner Pratt made a motion to approve item # 6. It was seconded by Commissioner Licerio. Motion carried unanimously.
Item # 7. Approval of Minutes of a Regular Board Meeting That Took Place on September 28, 2011. Commissioner Coyle made a motion to approve item # 7. It was seconded by Commissioner Licerio. Motion carried unanimously.
Consent Agenda:
Item # 8. Purchasing and Construction Contract Awards:
A. One-Year Renewal of Contract No. HR 09-C-0024 for Automotive Fleet Insurance. There Will be an Increase to The Premium Due to Additional New Vehicles Included on This Year’s Policy.
Recommendation: Site: Estimated Contract Amount:
Wells Fargo PHA Wide $61,266
B. Fourth Modification to Contract No. ARRA 10-C-0033 for Cramer Apartments Roofing Project.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Monument Cramer $503,962.69 $7,904 $511,866.69
Constructors
C. Third Modification to Contract No. ARRA 10-C-0036 for Rio Grande Apartments Roofing Project.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Monument Rio Grande $246,917 $976 $247,893
Constructors
D. Fourth Modification to Contract No. ARRA 10-C-0038 for Truman Apartments Roofing Project.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Monument Truman $397,653 $5,070 $402,723
Constructors
E. Third Modification to Contract No. ARRA 10-C-0039 for Webber Apartments Roofing Project.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Monument Webber $511,973.33 $3,311 $515,284.33
Constructors
F. Third Modification to Contract No. ARRA 10-C-0041 for Roosevelt Apartments Roofing Project.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Monument Roosevelt $610,870 $4,660 $615,530
Constructors
G. Second Modification to Contract No. ARRA 10-C-0057 for Alvarez Apartments Roofing Project.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Monument Alvarez $340,109 $17,466 $357,575
Constructors
H. Third Modification to Contract No. TS 11-C-0030 for DeWetter Apartments Roofing Project.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Decrease: Aggregate:
Diamond KK, Inc. DeWetter $316,509 -$3,622.30 $312,866.70
I. First Modification to Contract No. TS 11-C-0032 for Johnson Apartments Roofing Project.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Diamond KK, Inc. Johnson $296,740 $92,010.40 $388,750.40
J. Second Modification to Contract No. TS 11-C-0032 for Johnson Apartments Roofing Project.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Diamond KK, Inc. Johnson $388,750.40 $23,940 $412,690.40
K. Third Modification to Contract No. TS 11-C-0036 for Graham Apartments Roofing Project.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Diamond KK, Inc. Graham $303,512.88 $3,884 $307,396.88
L. First Modification to Contract No. ARRA 11-C-0050 for Cramer Apartments Roofing Project.
Recommendation: Site: Previous: Increase: Aggregate:
Roof Toppers of Cramer $99,800 $2,892.20 $102,692.20
El Paso, Inc.
Mr. Cichon said that item 8-A is for the renewal of our automobile insurance. He asked Mr. Olvera to address the contract modifications under items 8-B through 8-L.
Juan Olvera, Director of Development and Capital Projects, said that in reference to item 8-B the total contract increase is in the amount of $7,904. The majority of it is for the replacement of 177 sheets of plywood at $32 each. The difference of $2,240 is for the replacement of 56 vents at $45 each. In reference to item # 8-C the proposed modification is in the amount of $976. It covers 14 sheets of plywood at $32 each and replacement of 264 2 X 8 lumbers at $2 each. In reference to the Truman roofing project, item # 8-C, the modification is in the amount of $5,070. It covers 60 sheets of plywood at $32 each and 70 vents at $45 each. Mr. Olvera said that all of these are unit price items that were priced separate on the contract because at the time we entered into the contract we didn’t know the items that would need to be replaced until the actual work was being done. In reference to item # 8-E, Webber Apartments, the modification is for $3,311. The majority is for replacement of 70 plywood sheets at $32 each and 13 vents at $45 each. In reference to Roosevelt Apartments, item # 8-F, the modification is for $4,660. Half of that amount is for the replacement of 75 sheets of plywood at $32 each. We also replaced 23 vent pipes at $45 each. In reference to the Alvarez Apartments, item # 8-G, the modification is in the amount of $17,466. The largest item was the installation of the 90 roof jacks at $70 each. We also replaced 90 A/C risers at $45 each and 94 vents at $45 each. Item # 8-H is for the DeWetter roofing project and it is a reduction of $3,622.30. The reason for the decrease is that there is one unit that was burn and because of the damage to the structure it was not feasible to roof the unit. We took those squares off the contract. In reference to Johnson Apartments roofing project we have two modifications, items # 8-I and 8-J. The first one is in the amount of $92,010.40 and most of it is for replacement of the fascia. We replaced over 18,000 linear foot of fascia at $5 for a total of $90,700. The second modification for the Johnson Apartments is for $23,940 and it is for the replacement of roof jacks and relocation of 126 swam coolers at a cost of $190. In reference to the Graham Apartments roofing contract, item # 8-K, the modification is for $3,884. The majority of the charges were due to the replacement of vent pipes with a credit of $7,655.50. The last one, under item # 8-L, is for the Cramer Apartments roofing project in the amount of $2,892.20. The majority is also for the replacement of plywood decking. He said that at Cramer there are three standing alone structures that are used by the residents for gathering. Those were also roofed and painted; the painting came out at $375 each. Mr. Olvera offered to answer any questions.
Commissioner Pratt made a motion to approve items # 8-A and 8-L on the Consent Agenda. It was seconded by Commissioner Licerio. Motion carried unanimously.
Regular Agenda:
Item # 9. Discussion and Action Regarding Resolution Authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to Execute Contract(s) for Legal Services Pursuant to Solicitation No. EX 12-R-0001. Mr. Cichon said that every three years we have to go out and bid out our contracts. The contract with Reno Cavanaugh had come to the end of the three years and we went out for bids. We got the responses, those were reviewed by a panel, and we are asking to enter into contracts with the top two forms: Reno Cavanaugh and Coats Rose; they both have their specialties. He said that we are asking for approval to enter the contract with both of those two law firms. Mr. Cichon added that as with other contracts, if we don’t use them we don’t pay them any money.
Commissioner Coyle asked where the law firm of Coats Rose is located.
Mr. Cichon responded that they are out of Houston.
Mr. Spurlock added that they are partnered with a national firm called Ballard Spahr with national presence that represents housing authorities across the country.
Mr. Cichon said that we used Coats Rose with Alamito tax-credits applications. We have had some relationship with them over the last five years.
Commissioner Coyle asked if the panel was composed of local attorneys.
Mr. Cichon said that the panel was Mr. Bhaskar, Mr. Spurlock, and himself.
Commissioner Coyle made a motion to authorize the Housing Authority to enter into contracts for legal services with Reno Cavanaugh and Coats Rose. It was seconded by Commissioner Pratt. Motion carried unanimously.
Item # 10. Discussion and Action Regarding Resolution Authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to Apply for and Accept HUD Emergency Safety and Security Funding. Mr. Cichon said HUD set-aside $2 million for security funding. He said that this grant does not require any matching money. If granted we could receive up to $250,000. We are just asking for the Board’s approval to submit our application.
Commissioner Coyle asked what is covered under this grant.
Mr. Cichon said that some examples of eligible uses include: security system cameras, fencing, lighting, emergency alarm systems, windows, doors. These are things that we can always use more of.
Commissioner Coyle made a motion to approve Resolution No. 1756 under item # 10. It was seconded by Commissioner Pratt. Motion carried unanimously.
Item # 11. Discussion and Action Regarding Resolution Approving the Write-Off of Bad Accounts for Vacated Tenants for Quarter Ending June 2011. Satish Bhaskar, Chief Financial Officer, said that this resolution is to write-off approximately $46,000 from public housing and about $7,000 for Section 8 New Construction and Villa Alegre. This is for the period ending June 2011. He discussed the reasons for the increase in the write-off of AMP 13.
Chairperson Fernandez asked how we are in comparison to our budget.
Mr. Bhaskar said that we had projected $160,000 for the entire year. He said that the budgeted amount is low if we look at our $13,000,000 budget on rent revenue.
Commissioner Coyle made a motion to approve Resolution No. 1753 under item # 11. It was seconded by Commissioner Licerio. Motion carried unanimously.
Item # 12. Discussion and Action Regarding Resolution Setting the Date and Time for the November and December 2011 Regular Board of Commissioners Meetings. Mr. Cichon said that historically we change the November and December meetings based on the holiday schedule. He asked the Board to identify new dates for these meetings.
Commissioner Coyle made a motion to schedule the November regular meeting on Wednesday, November 16 at 5:30 p.m. and the December regular meeting on Wednesday, December 14 at 5:30 p.m. It was seconded by Commissioner Pratt. Motion carried unanimously.
Item # 13. Secretary’s Report. Mr. Cichon said that he wanted to take the opportunity to discuss what happened with the Alamo School. As they are aware, we lots of meetings with the residents, we got a lot of press, but at the end it was not enough to overturn the overlay issue that the City placed on it. He asked Mr. Griffith to elaborate.
Chairperson Fernandez said that you could see in the letters to the editor of the El Paso Times the other side of it.
• Alamo School Update. Shane Griffith, Public Information Officer, said that this matter has been going on for a couple of months now. Initially, it came to our attention back in July with the El Paso Times reporting that the 2007 Citizens’ Bond Accountability Committee was considering transferring the $12.3 million that were approved by voters in the 2008 election to rebuild Alamo School to Hart Elementary School. We foresaw what the ultimate outcome was going to be and that is when Mr. Cichon and Mr. Velasquez and the JWRC decided that we needed to do something about it before it was too late. Ultimately, what we had foreseen actually came true. He showed some photos of the Alamo School and stated that the Alamito Community surrounds three sides of the school. He provided a background to everything leading up to what transpired earlier this month when the EPISD Board of Trustees voted 5-1 to transfer the funds to Hart. The lone vote came from District 1 Representative who represents the Alamito housing area. As of now, Alamo Elementary School sits vacant until such time when additional funds are approved by voters or the property is transferred to some other entity. The historic overly restrictions remain with the property, which is really the center of the debate surrounding the school. Mr. Griffith offered to answer any questions.
Chief Financial Officer Reports.
• Statement of Revenues/Expenses for August 2011. Mr. Bhaskar said that this is the second month of the fiscal year. He pointed out that we had budgeted to be at $173,000 surplus and we are showing $2 million. The reason is that we are in the first half of this fiscal year; we are getting subsidies on a calendar year basis, and at this time are higher than it will be in the second half of the fiscal year. Also, we did a lot of pre-REAC work, we isolated some of those expenses, and the maintenance cost is showing higher than we had estimated. He offered to answer any questions.
Mr. Cichon informed the Board that we got some news that Senator Key Bailey Hutchison changed some of the legislation for possible MTW status. Apparently, she changed the MTW numbers from a combined number of units for Public Housing/Section 8 for that of 10,000 to 20,000, which may allow us to compete for that MTW status that we have been talking about for so long. Mr. Cichon said that this is only in the senate side of the bill, it is part of the Appropriations Bill, and we don’t know how it is going to end but there is a little bit of light in regards to the possibility of getting MTW status. He said that he will be in DC next week and will try to talk to some people to find out more information.
• Statement of Changes in Net Assets for August 2011. No discussion.
Development & Capital Projects.
• ARRA Grants Projects Progress Report. Mr. Olvera said that our expenditures are at 85% on the ARRA formula grant, and we are up to 83% on the Green Community. He added that our deadline for the ARRA formula grant is March 2012, and for the Green Community September 2012. We will be meeting our deadlines ahead of time. He offered to answer any questions.
Mr. Cichon asked if we have the actual date for the completion of the community center.
Mr. Olvera said that we are looking at completing everything at the end of January or February at the latest.
HACEP News Articles/Events. Shane Griffith, Public Information Officer, said that we had excellent coverage of the Paisano Green Community featured on the front page of the El Paso Times October 11, 2011 edition with a comprehensive report featuring positive interviews with Marty Howell, City’s Sustainability Manager, and Dr. Ralph Martinez, Director of Energy Initiatives at UTEP’s Center for Environmental Resource Management. That same article was picked up by Wayne Sherwood’s Housing News Highlights, which is an industry’s specific report that is distributed nation-wide to other housing authorities around the country. Also, the Editorial Board of the El Paso Times commented on this article proclaiming Paisano Green Community as the nation’s first net zero public housing community. The Paisano Green Community was featured in HUD’s September 11 issue of Breakthroughs, which is another industry specific national electronic publication produced by HUD. We have continued with our tours getting as many LEED platinum education points as possible through the education of the community. On October 13, members of HUD’s Capital Fund Recovery Act Team from Washington spent a day at HACEP to learn about our Paisano Green Community. They were highly impressed with our project. As of October 14, weekly tours of the Paisano Green Community are ongoing for Housing Authority staff. Last week we had an employee cookout/bake sale benefit/UTEP rally for all the employees to celebrate homecoming week with the Minors and to benefit one of our long-time employees, Norma Parga, who is in a battle against cancer. On September 29, 2011, Monument Constructors put together a press release regarding their energy efficient roofing projects with the Housing Authority and we were featured on the Housing News Highlights. On October 9, a child fell through a second story window at the Salazar community. There was no foul play and we understand the child will recover. On October 18, El Paso Times printed an article about the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, which is a grant through ARRA that is retrofitting 500 computers around the City and establishing training centers for the elderly and the economically disadvantaged. The computers and training personnel are being set up throughout the City, including HACEP computer centers in our communities. Mr. Griffith offered to answer any questions.
Item # 14. The Board of Commissioners May Retire Into Executive Session at Any Time Upon the Motion of Any Commissioner Pursuant to the Texas Government Code, Section 551.071-551.076 to Discuss Any of the Following:
Section 551.071 Consultation with attorney.
Section 551.072 Deliberations about real property.
Section 551.073 Deliberations about gifts and donations.
Section 551.074 Personnel matter.
Section 551.076 Deliberations about security devices.
Discussion on the Following:
(a) Discussion and Update by Legal Counsel on Pending Litigation Matters. (Section 551.071)
(b) Discussion and Update Regarding Kathy Ortega v. Housing Authority of the City of El Paso. (Section 551.071)
(c) Discussion and Update Regarding Leticia Montelongo et al v. Housing Authority of the City of El Paso. (Section 551.071)
(d) Legal Advice Regarding Development of Real Property Located Near the Intersection of Joe Battle Boulevard and Zaragoza Road, a Portion of Tract 1, now Known as Tract ID, Section 4, Block 79, Township 3, Texas and Pacific Railway Surveys, an Addition to the City of El Paso, El Paso County, Texas. (Section 551.071)
Chairperson Fernandez made a motion to go into executive session. It was seconded by Commissioner Coyle. Motion carried unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 6:40 p.m.
Commissioner Coyle made a motion to come out of executive session. It was seconded by Commissioner Pratt. Motion carried unanimously. The Board reconvened at 8:06 p.m.
The Board agreed to schedule a special Board meeting for Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.
Item # 15. Adjournment.
There being no further business to be discussed before the Board, Commissioner Coyle made a motion to adjourn. It was seconded by Commissioner Pratt. Motion carried unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
ATTEST:
________________________________ ______________________________
Gerald Cichon Joe Fernandez
Secretary Chairperson of the Board
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