CHELSEA HOUSING AUTHORITY Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting, September 12, 2018 The Regular Meeting of the Chelsea Housing Authority was held on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at the main administrative office of the Chelsea Housing Authority, Chelsea, MA. The meeting was called to order at 8:33 AM by the Chairman Bertram Taverna. Those additional members present and forming a quorum were Tony Hernandez, Donald Kingsbury and Juan Vega Executive Director, Al Ewing (arrived at 9:40 am), CHA employees: Diane Cohen, Greg Beatrice, Paul Nowicki, Rich Russell, Arnaldo Velazquez were in attendance. Attorney Susan Whalen was in attendance. Barbara Salisbury was absent. 1. Minutes VOTED: To approve the minutes of July 11, 2018 as presented. 2. Finances VOTED: To approve the July/August 2018 Landlord Check Register, Accounts Payable Check Register, Payroll, June/July 2018 Financials, and current CFP Register as presented by Arnaldo Velazquez. 3. Personnel/Appointments Diane Cohen updated the Board n new hires, Mark Thomspon, Groundskeeper and Meriam Meyaha, Accounts Receivable/Payable Clerk 3. New Business a) Approval of Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP) VOTED: To approve the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy as presented. Deputy Director Cohen informed the Board the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) has been brought current with all recent HUD requirements and guidance, including the following: Changes to account for the updated administrative guidance for the effective and mandated use of the EIV system, as outlined in Notice PIH 2017-12, Modifications concerning the updates to flat rent requirements specified in Notice PIH 2017-23, changes pertaining to the interim final rule published December 12, 2017, which implemented the Fixing America s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, slightly
revising some of the streamlining options allowable under the streamlining final rule from March 2016. b) Approval of Flat Rents VOTED: To approve the Flat Rents effective December 1, 2018, based on the FY2019 FMRs recently published by HUD. c) Approval of Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan VOTED: To approve the HCV Administrative Plan as presented. Deputy Director Cohen informed the Board the Administrative Plan has been brought current with all recent HUD requirements and guidance, including the following: changes to account for the updated administrative guidance for the effective and mandated use of the EIV system, as outlined in Notice PIH 2017-12; updates concerning Notice PIH 2017-13, which discusses the Lead Safe Housing Rule as it relates to elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs); revisions for the implementation guidance on the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) HCV and PBV provisions described in Notice PIH 2017-27; modifications pertaining to the interim final rule published December 12, 2017, which implemented the Fixing America s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act; changes for guidance set forth in Notice PIH 2018-01 on recent changes in Fair Market Rent (FMR) payment standard, and rent reasonableness requirements. d) Approval of Payment Standards Move C. Vega Second C. Kingsbury Vote 4-0 VOTED: To approve the Payment Standard schedule effective December 1, 2018, set at 100% of the HUD FY2019 FMRs, as presented. e) Approval of 2019 PHA Annual Plan Move C. Hernandez Second C. Kingsbury Vote 4-0 VOTED: To approve the 2019 PHA Plan, as presented. Deputy Director Cohen reviewed with the Board the 2019 PHA Annual Plan. She reviewed references to the CHA exploring the issuance of project- based vouchers to address deconcentration of poverty and lack of suitable housing in the City. In addition, she reviewed income limitation of public housing tenancies. The Progress Report was referenced and she reminded the Board of the Plan process, opportunities for resident input, public hearing process, etc. No written comments were received and no elements were challenged by the RAB. Lastly, she reviewed the certifications necessary to accompany the Plan submission.
f) Board approval: Construction contract with Laracy Electrical Contractors for the bath & kitchen GFCI installation 667-2 VOTED: To approve a construction contract between the Chelsea Housing Authority and Laracy Electrical Contractors, Po Box 307 E. Walpole, MA. 02032 the lowest and responsible bidder for the Bath & Kitchen GFCI Installation at the Buckley Development (FISH # 057099) in the amount of $127,300.00, as recommended by Nangle Engineering Incorporated and to authorize the Executive Director or the Deputy Director to sign the necessary contract documents. Funding will come from the DHCD. g) Certificate of Substantial & Final Completion for the Concrete Stoop & Balcony Repairs Project at 200-1, 200-2 VOTED: To authorize the execution of the Certificates of Substantial and Final Completion for the Concrete Stoop and Balcony Repairs Project, Fish # 057095 as recommended by the BSC Group and subject to DHCD final approval and to authorize the Executive Director or the Deputy Director to sign the necessary documents. h) Approval of change order #1 approve change order # 1 for the Comprehensive Modernization Phase 2 at 16-1, 2, 4 VOTED: To approve change order # 1 for the Comprehensive Modernization Phase 2 at the Scrivano Family Development/Mace Family Development/Margolis Development as recommended by AJA Architects and to authorize the Executive Director or the Deputy Director to sign the necessary contract document. The end result of the change in the scope of work will increase the original contract amount by $7,392.00. i) FY2008 and FY2009 Final CFP submission VOTED: To table discussion on the FY 2008 and FY 2009 final CFP submissions, and refer the matter to Attorney Susan Whalen. j) Approval State 5 -Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Move C. Vega Second C. Kingsbury Vote 4-0 VOTED: To approve the State 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan, as presented by Arnaldo Velazquez and discussed. k) Approval to designate equivalent body to review Hearing Panel decision appeals Move C. Hernandez Second C. Kingsbury Vote 4-0
VOTED: To Appoint CHA General Counsel Susan M. Whalen as the other equivalent body under MRVP Administrative Plan 17.9.8 (August 1, 2017), subject to DHCD approval, to hear the Appeal of the Hearing Panel decision. Deputy Director Cohen and Attorney Whalen explained to the Board that there is a pending Appeal of the decision of the Hearing Panel to overturn a termination of a MRVP Voucher and the Board may choose to hear the Appeal itself or it may designate an other equivalent body under the MRVP Administrative Plan 17.9.8 subject to DHCD approval. After discussion, the Board decide to appoint an other equivalent body to hear the appeal. l) Update on Community Preservation Committee Anna Callahan, Community Planner with JM Goldson gave a presentation to the Board on the City of Chelsea s community goals related to the CPA categories including a 2017 Comprehensive Housing Analysis and Strategic Plan. A community workshop is planned for September 27 th at the Senior Center and she encouraged folks to attend and learn more about CPA related goals. 5. Old Business/ Correspondence/ Updates/ Report of Programs a) Partnership to Expand Housing Opportunities (PEHO); Executive Director Ewing updated the board on the outreach efforts to engage the City Councilors, abutters, and community groups on this redevelopment project. Discussion and meetings with our partners and DHCD are now focused on creating a development agreement and negotiating profit sharing arrangements. 6. Community Input/Resident Councils - No reports 7. Open Session (for topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chair 48 hours in advance of the meeting) - None 8. Executive Session; The Chair called for Motion to go into EXECUTIVE SESSION in accordance with M. G. L., c. 30A, 21 (a), (3) to discuss strategy with respect to CHA v. Michael McLaughlin, et. al., SUCV2014-3365A and In the Matter of Michael E. McLaughlin, Chelsea Retirement Board, if an open meeting has a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares and NOT to reconvene in open session. Move C. Kingsbury Second C. Hernandez A roll call vote was taken: C. Kingsbury yes C. Hernandez yes
C. Vega yes C. Taverna yes Executive Session began at 9:55 a.m. The Regular Board Meeting Adjourned in Executive Session after a Roll Call Vote at 10:17 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Albert R. Ewing Executive Director