NEWPORT NEWS REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING May 15, 2018 8:30 a.m. 22727lh Street, 1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America 2. Roll Call 3. Consider approval of minutes of regular meeting,. 4. Communications 5. New Business a. Consider recommendation of Marshall-Ridley Choice Neighborhood Initiative Plan to City Council b. Consider a Resolution authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a lease agreement with Whittaker Place, [[C C. Consider a Resolution approving the Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) funding for Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg 6. Report to the Board 7. Closed session in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Code of Virginia, Section 2.2-37 1 1 8. Consider adoption of resolution certifying a Closed Meeting in conformity with Virginia law. 9. Any other business to come before the Board. 10. Adjournment. Comments from the Public: (Time Limit 5 Minutes)
Having duly given public notice, the Board of Commissioners of the met at the offices of the Authority at 22727' Street, in the City of, Virginia, at 8:30 am. on Tuesday,. Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Berry led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Roll Call The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, and those present were as follows: Commissioners present: Bea Berry Lou Call Josephine Clark Gary B. Hunter Kenneth Penrose Lisa Wallace-Davis Commissioner Hager's absence was excused as he is traveling out of state for business. Also present: Raymond H. Suttle, Jr. Jones, Blechman, Woltz & Kelly, P.C. Karen R. Wilds Executive Director Carl V. Williamson Director of Housing Valarie Ellis, Director Administrative Services Sandra Powell, Director Community Development Lisa Dessoffy, Director Finance Valerie Neal Administrative Support Specialist Carmen Phifer Administrative Support Specialist Tricia Wilson Development Department, City of Krista Edoff Cherry Bekaert, LLP Approval of Minutes, March 20, 2018 Commissioner Hunter moved that the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Commissioners held on March 20, 2018 be approved as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Davis and passed with a majority vote. Communications The following communications were provided to the Board and reviewed by the Executive Director. 1) A picture of Ms. Wilds, along with other recipients, NNRHA received a check from Joe DeFelice, the HUD Regional Administrator, in the amount of $35,663 for Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers. 2) A Daily Press article dated March 14, 2018 reporting on the Authority's purchase of Waterfront Lumber. 3) A letter, dated March 29, 2018, to Ms. Wilds from HUD indicating that they have accepted our draft plan for Choice Neighborhood. 4) Ms. Wilds also received a letter from HUD dated April 16, 2018 stating that we are a finalist for the Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant. The Department received 20 Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant applications and selected 6 applicants as Implementation Grant Finalists. 5) A letter to Ms. Wilds dated April 4, 2018 from the Virginia Association of Housing Community Development Officials (VAHCDO) informing the Authority that three (3) of our student applicants have been selected to receive a two thousand-dollar ($2,000) VAHCDO Scholarship. A Scholarship Luncheon will be held in June, 2018 and the Authority will provide transportation, if needed.
April17, 2018 New Business Report on Examination of Financial Statements for the Year Ended June 30, 2017 The Board had been provided copies of the Audit Report prepared by the accounting firm of Cherry Bekaert for the Authority's year ending June 30, 2017. Ms. Krista Edoff, a manager with the firm, provided the Board with an overview of the audit. Ms. Edoff said the firm's opinion was unmodified and covered financial statements and federal grants. The report revealed no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. The Board commended Finance Director, Lisa Dessoffy and her staff for their efforts. Commissioner Clark made a motion to accept the Audit Report. Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion which passed with a unanimous vote. Public Hearing An announcement was made that a public hearing was being held to receive comments on the proposed Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation (SRO) Budgets for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019. A notice advertising the Public hearing was posted in the lobby of the Authority located at 227 27th Street,, VA and posted on the website. No public comments were made. Commissioner Hunter made a motion to close the Public Hearing. Commissioner Clark seconded the motion which passed with a unanimous vote. Approving the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 for the section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program The Board had been provided copies of a resolution to approve a budget for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The Executive Director reviewed the proposed budget which will provide an annual Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) amount of $19,483,200 and will assist an average of 2,516 families per month at an average HAP of $645 per unit, per month. Congress has passed and the President has signed the federal budget, however we have not yet been notified of our Budget Authority for fiscal year 2018/19. We anticipate we will receive full funding (i.e. a 100% proration), however, we have, conservatively, budgeted a 99% proration an increase over the 94% proration with the current year funding. Currently our average number of families assisted is 2,501. Our budget includes 36 vouchers to Veterans under the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. Maintaining our program to serve the 2,516 families authorized by HUD will require we utilize $35,250 in Housing Assistance Payment reserves. We will issue new vouchers in the next 612 months so that our leasing rate is maintained and maximized. In addition to the HAP, the Authority receives $1,733,493 in Administrative fees to manage the voucher program. Congress funded 77% of the fee all Public Housing Authorities are eligible to receive for fiscal year 2018/19. This compares to 80% for 2017 and 77% in the current year. The Authority will receive $148,068 to administer the Family Self Sufficiency Homeownership programs through December 31, 2018. In addition to fees, we receive revenue from interest and rent which brings our total administrative Revenue to $1,931,356 for fiscal year 2018/19. Ms. Wilds stated that expenses to administer the program are projected to be $1,901,660, providing for a cash flow of $29,696. Commissioner Hunter made a motion to approve the resolution. Commissioner Clark Approving the Operating Budget for Fiscal year July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 for the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation (SRO) Program The Board had been provided copies of a resolution to approve the proposed budget for the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation - Single Room Occupancy (SRO) program. Ms. Wilds stated the proposed budget would provide an annual Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) amount of $432,960 which is $410 per month for each of the 88 units in the Single Room Occupancy (SRO) program (formerly the Hotel Warwick). This is an increase of $11 per unit per month over the current budget. In addition to the HAP, the Authority is eligible to receive $80,192.64 for administrative costs and audit fees. This is an increase of 1.9% over the current year. The total dollar value of the proposed budget for all costs associated with this program is $513,153. Commissioner Hunter made a motion to approve the resolution. Commissioner Penrose seconded the motion which passed with a unanimous vote. The resolution is attached Approving the Tenant Selection Plans The Board had been provided copies of a resolution approving the Section 8 Project Based Rental Assistance Tenant Selection Plan. Project based rental assistance projects are required to develop Tenant Selection Plans (TSP) that explain the eligibility and admission requirements. Tenant Selection Plans ensure that tenants are selected for occupancy in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The major components of eligibility and admissions are income, family composition and criminal history screening. A full copy of the 2
policy was available at the Board meeting. Commissioner Clark made a motion to approve the resolution. Commissioner Penrose seconded the motion which passed with a unanimous vote. The resolution is attached Authorizing execution of closing documents related to the conversion of the Lassiter Courts Project via the Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (RAD) and execution of related construction and permanent financing and Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) documents. The Board had been provided copies of a resolution authorizing the Executive Director to execute, on behalf of NNRHA, the agreements with HUD, the Lassiter Courts LLC, the Lassiter Courts Development Corporation, the City of, the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA), the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the contract award to the selected contractor OKJ Construction Company, among other actions, to effectuate this conversion, to fund planned renovations and related project costs. In addition, we need to amend the existing Lassiter Courts operating agreement to admit the investor partner providing needed LIHTC generated equity to fund project costs. Ms. Wilds stated following execution of documents and closing on the Lassiter Courts Project, NNRHA staff will initiate relocation of occupants in selected buildings in order to turnover vacated buildings for renovation to the contractor. Construction is expected to be completed so that no resident will be temporarily displaced for more than 12 months in accordance with RAD program requirements. Commissioner Clark made a motion to approve the resolution. Commissioner Hunter Authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Contract with OKJ Construction for the Marshall Courts Renovations Phase V The Board had been provided copies of a resolution authorizing the Executive Director to execute a contract with OKJ Construction for the comprehensive renovations of the fifth phase of the Marshall Courts apartment complex. Marshall Courts Phase V renovations are a continuation of the ongoing comprehensive renovations of this community. This phase will include eight (8) duplex buildings for a total of 16 residential apartments. To date a total of 230 of the 349 apartment units have been renovated along with the administration and community buildings. This project is being funded with Capital Fund Grant monies from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Authority has budgeted funds for overall expenses related to administration, design, technical services and construction for the project. The proposed contract amount will be approximately $1,246,571 reducing the per unit cost to $77,910. It is important to note that six (6) of the sixteen (16) units are handicap accessible. The estimated renovations of this phase will be complete in approximately eleven (11) months from the date of the notice to proceed. Commissioner Clark made a motion to approve the resolution. Commissioner Call Report to the Board A Report to the Board for April, 2018 had been provided to the Commissioners. A copy of the subject report is on file in the office of the Executive Director. Mr. Williamson reported today is the last day for the VITA tax services. To date 59 clients have been served. Families have received $81,432 in refunds and $47,605 in earned income tax credits. The Family Investment Center (FIC) began recruiting NNRHA residents between the age of 16-24 for the Summer Training and Enrichment Program. To date, over 200 residents have been contacted to inform them of the S.T.E.P. on-line application process and to offer the FIC lab as a resource for those without computer or internet access. For the 2018 summer season, NNRHA will partner with the Boys & Girls Club at Marshall Courts and Aqueduct for the summer feeding program. Both sites will be "open sites" as a requirement to participate in the program. Ms. Dessoffy thanked all the Director's and their staff, as well as the finance department for their assistance during the audit. Ms. Ellis reported in 2016 the Authority switched our regular phone system to an internet system. We left over 100 lines with Verizon due to the price for regular lines was double with Cox. Cox has now competed and their lines are less than 50%. We are now in the process of switching the lines over to Cox and should be complete within the next two (2) months. Ms. Powell reported a correction to the Report to the Board under Community Development, the 30-day citizen review and comment period for the draft plan will be from Monday April 18, 2018 through May 18, 2018. We are currently accepting bids for Aqueduct roof replacement. We anticipate the bids to come in by May 10, 2018.
Ms. Wilds reported that she, along with staff, met with the Richmond Redevelopment and interim Executive Director as well as three (3) Commissioners and other staff at Cypress Terrace to discuss the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program. The Directors of Brooks Crossing Grocery Store, LLC met last week and agreed on a contract with Harrell & Harrell to occupy the former Jim's Local Market. Closed Session Other Business Adjournment There being no other business to come before the Board, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:25 am. Secretarytrreasurer