MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS

Transcription

1 1

2 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS MEETING DATE: Wednesday, March 6, 2019 MEETING LOCATION: Pre-Session Conference Room, City Hall, 1707 St. Johns Avenue, Highland Park, IL CALL TO ORDER At 6:32 p.m., Chairman Ross called the regular meeting of the Highland Park Housing Commission, Peers Housing Association, Ravinia Housing Association, Walnut Housing Association, and the Sunset Woods Association to order. Each of the Commissioners also serves as Directors of each of the Housing Associations. Chairman Ross asked Staff to call the roll. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Commissioners Absent: Councilwoman Present: Student Rep Present: Student Rep Absent: Chairman Ross, Commissioners Adler, Arnold, Berkun, Bernstein, & Saret Commissioner Abreu Holleman Rosen Goldin Staff declared that a quorum was present. Staff Present: Guests Present: Also Present: Later Mary Mauney & John Noonan/Evergreen Cerabona BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC There was no Business from the Public. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular meeting of the Housing Commission February 6, 2019 Commissioner Adler moved to approve the February 6, 2019, meeting minutes as revised. Commissioner Bernstein seconded the motion. On a roll call vote: Voting Yea: Chairman Ross, Commissioners Adler, Berkun, Bernstein, & Saret Voting Nay: None Chairman Ross declared that the motion passed unanimously. Page 1 Housing Commission March 6, 2019

3 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS SCHEDULED BUSINESS 1. Items for Omnibus Vote Consideration Payment of Invoices There was none. Ratification of Payments There was none. 2. Walnut REAC & Ravinia MOR Chairman Ross welcomed Mary Mauney & John Noonan from Evergreen and thanked them for coming. Ms. Mauney advised there was a poor inspection at Walnut; the score was a 60. She introduced John Noonan, Facilities Manager. They noted there is a work-order program to check items such as breaker boxes, smoke detectors, electrical hazards, etc. If these safety checks are conducted, properties rate in the 90s. She said the low score was an accumulation of many small citations. However a large one such as the lack of thermal paned windows accounted for 10 points. Ms. Mauney stated she discussed the inspection results with employees. Commissioner Arnold arrived at 6:37 p.m. It was noted the REAC occurred on February 1, Ms. Mauney advised she was out of town that day. She stated, in the future, staff would check that all items are in order prior to inspection. Commissioner Adler asked when the last inspection was. Ms. Mauney advised 2 years ago. He asked if anything could have been anticipated. Mr. Noonan stated the lack of thermal-pane windows. Councilwoman Holleman asked about items that fell short. Ms. Mauney advised that the in-house maintenance reports showed items were compliant, though they were not. Councilwoman Holleman asked who is responsible. Ms. Mauney replied the manager & maintenance staff. Commissioner Berkun asked if limiting mileage had something to do with getting to various jobs. Ms. Mauney stated that should not be a factor as this was only at one property. Commissioner Bernstein stated there are a lot of things noted. Maintenance should have been checking on these over the last two years. Commissioner Berkun stated this is not acceptable. Mr. Noonan stated the missing refrigerator might mean a tear in the gasket. The categories are broad and take in many items. Chairman Ross asked if they considered a change in employees. Ms. Mauney advised yes, one employee is thinking of retiring. She assured the HC that measures are being put in place. Commissioner Bernstein asked if these staff members work at both buildings. Ms. Mauney replied yes. Page 2 Housing Commission March 6, 2019

4 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS Chairman Ross asked Ms. Mauney to discuss the Ravinia MOR. Ms. Mauney stated she is aware but not prepared to present on this subject this evening. Lost keys were identified as a problem. She advised the Regional Manager is new to the position. There were reviews prior to the MOR. Chairman Ross suggested and Ms. Mauney agreed there should be closer supervision. Chairman Ross stated it might be helpful to know who the maintenance staff and who are the supervisors. Chairman Ross stated the rating at Walnut is not a 60 in terms of how it s running it is all relevant. The numerical rating of the REAC does not reflect the actual condition or operation of the building. Commissioner Berkun requested a report on how the corrections are made. It was stated HUD requires 30 days for action. Ms. Mauney will forward their response to Senior Planner Later. 3. Non-Smoking Policy Discussion Chairman Ross referred to the memo in the packet. Ms. Mauney stated typically the policy works well. She noted there are times when residents want to smoke in their apartment. A smoker has to visually be seen smoking in their unit before it can be reported as a lease violation. Visitors also cannot smoke in the apartments. Non-smokers can be adamant about this policy. Residents are allowed to smoke outside of the building. Councilwoman Holleman stated an e-cigarette cannot be detected. Smokers could be charged a fee if they are caught smoking in a non-smoking unit. Ms. Mauney suggested initiating a meeting to gauge the extent of the issue. Chairman Ross concurred, as it may or may not be an issue. Ms. Mauney stated it is difficult to evict a tenant on this basis. She advised the question of whether an applicant smokes or not is not indicated on the application. Chairman Ross raised the issue of the elevator repair. Mr. Noonan advised vertical transportation is a highrisk area and requires expertise outside that of the maintenance staff. He noted Jenkins & Huntington is their elevator consultant. Ms. Mauney noted this entity acts as the General Contractor and they have had success using this group. Mr. Noonan stated for Peers, the cost for modernizing the elevator would be approximately $80,000 per car. Commissioner Arnold asked if there is an audible and visible system as ADA requires. Mr. Noonan stated no, it is an original system that doesn t meet some current codes. Chairman Ross asked if this requires a proprietary manufacturer. Mr. Noonan stated that after-market parts may be available. Commissioner Arnold asked if there is another company that Evergreen has had experience with. Mr. Noonan stated he has worked with Performance Elevator Consulting in Wisconsin; however, they do not work in the Chicago area. It was noted the elevator is original to the building and needs modernization work. This is not an egress route as there are stairs at either end of the building. Mr. Noonan stated this could go out to bid in 1 week. Commissioner Arnold moved to approve the Jenkins & Huntington agreement for $13,000. Commissioner Berkun seconded the motion. On a roll call vote: Voting Yea: Chairman Ross, Commissioners Adler, Arnold, Berkun, Bernstein, & Saret Page 3 Housing Commission March 6, 2019

5 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS Voting Nay: None Chairman Ross declared that the motion passed unanimously. 4. Peers, Walnut, Ravinia, and Sunset Woods Associations Consideration of Management Reports for Peers, Walnut, and Ravinia o Walnut A sprinkler issue was discussed. It was noted there is union staff. Senior Planner Later asked that Ms. Mauney provide an update on the phone system. Ms. Mauney stated she would include same on the next report. Commissioner Arnold advised changes in ADA would occur in October, Commissioner Bernstein raised the issue of a Coordinator position as they are $5400 over in account 6900 under Payroll. Ms. Mauney stated there are some prorated months. Chairman Ross thanked the Evergreen staff who departed the meeting at 7:11 p.m. Chairman Ross asked if anyone wanted to comment on the reports. It was noted the score of 60 is atypical. He stated this is a supervision issue. Chairman Ross noted a polar vortex is a bad time for a REAC inspection. Everyone agreed that staff shouldn t have been out of town during these inspections. The supervisory staff didn t do a pre-inspection. Chairman Ross noted there were a lot of findings. Commissioner Saret suggested ERES prepare a letter regarding what will be remediated and how. Councilwoman Holleman stated this is a warning to Evergreen staff as this is not acceptable. Chairman Ross reminded a score of 59 is a fail, and there are ramifications. Housing Trust Fund Financials Senior Planner Later advised nothing is outstanding. Sunset Woods Financials Senior Planner Later advised nothing is outstanding. Other Association Business There was no Other Association Business. OTHER BUSINESS Inclusionary Housing Discussion Chairman Ross stated there might be two Inclusionary Housing Applications to discuss Albion and another. He suggested the Commission review the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. Page 4 Housing Commission March 6, 2019

6 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS Councilwoman Holleman advised the ordinance would be changed within weeks and that the Albion project may not be reviewed under the current inclusionary housing ordinance. Chairman Ross said he wishes to review the existing and changes to the Ordinance. Senior Planner Later stated the proposed changes are not in tonight s packet but were included in previous HC packets as the HC had discussed all the proposed changes at previous meetings. She noted Chairman Ross brought his own copy of the HC s recommendations. Councilwoman Holleman shared those might not have been recommended by City Council in its entirety. She believed the proposed changes would be adopted. It was noted the Public Hearing for the proposed changes to Article 21 is scheduled for the March 19 PDC meeting. Senior Planner Later stated she has not received Albion s application. Senior Planner Later advised a preliminary application was presented at the recent PDC meeting for an assisted living community at 1535 Park Avenue. The HC would be involved with only the Independentliving portion of the development project. Commissioner Arnold reminded the recent ADA requirements are huge. Senior Planner Later advised that would be covered under the Building Code review. Commissioner Arnold offered to be available for questions. Senior Planner Later advised that CPAH staff would attend the HC meeting in April. Chairman Ross opined that developers would ask for the fee-in-lieu. He referred to CPAH s letter and explained same. The cost per unit is very high (based on CPAH s letter). Dispersed affordable units would not be noticed. He stated there are not a lot of opportunities. There could be neighborhood opposition if one location housed all affordable units. Chairman Ross suggested the payment-in-lieu does not represent a one-to-one replacement. It was asked if people age 62 or less live in our senior buildings. Senior Planner Later stated HUD allows a certain percentage of disabled people under the age of 62 to live in the program buildings. Commissioner Arnold stated that based on the new ADA requirements, the new development would have valuable ADA units. Commissioner Bernstein asked and Senior Planner Later responded that fee-in-lieu payments go to the Housing Trust Fund. Commissioner Arnold noted Kim Ulbrich is no longer with CPAH. Sunset Woods Association Commissioner Adler stated residents are basically happy. He asked about the schedule for units to be painted. Senior Planner Later advised she would ask HODC. ADJOURNMENT Page 5 Housing Commission March 6, 2019

7 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS Commissioner Adler moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Commissioner Berkun seconded the motion. On a roll call vote Voting Yea: Chairman Ross, Commissioners Adler, Arnold, Berkun, Bernstein, & Saret Voting Nay: None Chairman Ross declared that the motion passed unanimously. Page 6 Housing Commission March 6, 2019

8 8

9 9

10 10

11 11

12 12

13 13

14 14

15 15

16 16

17 17

18 18

19 19

20 20

21 21

22 22

23 23

24 24

25 25

26 26

27 27

28 28

29 29

30 30

31 31

32 32

33 33

34 34

35 35

36 36

37 37

38 38

39 39

40 40

41 41

42 42

43 43

44 44

45 45

46 46

47 47

48 48

49 49

50 50

51 51

52 52

53 53

54 54

55 55

56 56

57 57

58 58

59 59

60 60

61 61

62 62

63 63

64 64

65 65

66 66

67 67

68 68

69 69

70 70

71 71

72 72

73 73

74 74

75 75

76 76

77 77

78 78

79 79