Housing Authority Board

Minutes

January 27, 2005

 

The Tucumcari Housing Authority Board met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, January 27, 2005.  Members present constituting a quorum included Antonio Apodaca, Mary Mayfield, James Witcher, Christopher Maestas and Bettie Ditto.

 

City staff present at the meeting was Richard Primrose, Rachel Hicklin and Robert Pacheco.

 

Approval of Minutes

 

A motion for approval of the December 16, 2004 minutes was made by Apodaca and seconded by Witcher.  Roll Call:

 

Mayfield       Witcher       Maestas        Ditto       Apodaca

   Yes               Yes           Abstain         Yes             Yes

 

Review of Financial Statements

 

Robert gave a brief report on the financial statements for Section 8, Public Housing and Chaparral Apartments.  Robert advised that in the Section 8 account, HUD cut the HAP income for the month of December, so the shortage in funds was taken from the reserves.  In January, HUD recalculated the amount paid out, so the amount received for the month of January was $51,148.00, which is still $2,000.00 less than the amount paid out.  Robert explained that due to the way that HUD is now calculating the monthly subsidies for the Section 8 program, he has brought a new Resolution to the Board for approval which will adjust both the tenant and landlords rents.

 

Robert reported that in the Public Housing Account, they are starting to slow down the spending so that the budget can even out at the end of the fiscal year.

 

Robert advised that the Chaparral Apartment Account is continuing to do well, with a positive net income of $7,118.99.

 

Commissioner Ditto commented that if the government was going to take any amounts not spent, then why were the excess funds not put into long term maintenance.

 

Robert advised that the Section 8 account is the only fund that is affected by this and it did not apply to Chaparral Apartments.

 

Commissioner Witcher questioned what the excess cash was used for.  Robert explained that it is used for maintenance and long term repairs on the units.

 

Approval of Bills

 

A motion for approval of the bills presented for payment was made by Maestas and seconded by Witcher.  Roll Call:

 

Witcher       Maestas       Ditto       Apodaca       Mayfield

  Yes              Yes            Yes            Yes              Yes

 

Executive Directors Report

 

Robert reported that there was a glitch in the phone system at the Housing Authority which they were trying to get worked out.

 

Mr. Pacheco reported that the emergency gas repairs in Site B cost about $36,000.00 and HUD has allowed him to use all available resources for this expense.  He added that he will be applying for funding to help pay for this expense.  With the new equipment that was installed, he will be able to monitor the gas usage per unit and will now be able to tell when the tenants are wasting gas.

 

Robert advised that they had problems with the furnaces at Public Housing, so they had to put in new equipment and he chose to have them install York furnaces, which will help them save about Three Hundred Dollars per month as the furnaces have an electronic ignition.   He added that the Company he has been working with has given him a price for the sixty-seven furnaces which are needed to replace all of the old units in Public Housing.  He added that he went ahead and ordered the furnaces and will store them until they are ready for installation as the cost of the furnaces are due to increase in February.  Robert advised that Engineers Inc. will bid out the installation of the furnaces after they are received.

 

Mayor Mayfield advised Robert that the Board has to approve the bid on the heaters and installation.

 

City Manager Primrose advised Mr. Pacheco that any time the Housing Authority wishes to enter into a contract, it has to be approved by the Board.

 

Mayor Mayfield advised Robert that she is concerned that we keep the contract above board and legal.  If the contract is over Ten Thousand Dollars then it needs to come to the Board for approval.

 

Robert reported that Officer Aguirre advised that he will be moving and has given his thirty day notice.  He added that he is concerned that they will now have more problems in Site B.  A meeting was held with the Resident Council and they are discussing establishing a neighborhood watch program and the residents will elect a neighborhood watch patrol.  Robert advised that some of the residents in Public Housing are required to perform community service due to the assistance that they receive, and these persons can be used to do the watch patrol.

 

Mayor Mayfield asked that Robert contact interim Chief Radosevich so that training can be set up for the people on the neighborhood watch.  She then questioned if the recent stabbing took place at one of the public housing units.

 

Robert replied yes and that the resident was given an eviction notice and they are in the process of moving out.

 

Apodaca questioned if a person is hurt while performing community service who is liable.  Robert advised that the Housing Authority is required to provide liability insurance.

 

Robert then reported that HUD has established a new income data base where information on resident’s income is stored and reported to the Housing Authority for verification purposes.  Currently there are six residents in the Section 8 program that under paid their rent and now have to pay for their fair share of rent and will have to reimburse the Housing Authority for approximately $10,000.00.

 

Robert advised that they have been approved to receive a Housing Preservation Grant from Rural Development for the Chaparral Apartments.  The funds from this grant will be used for aesthetic improvements.

 

Mayor Mayfield questioned what has happened with regard to the storage unit that Robert had discussed having built.  Robert advised that he is asking for $15,000.00 in funding under the five year plan in order to get this built.

 

Robert reported that they have received approval for home rehabilitation funding in order to rehab nine homes.  He added that he is waiting on Bill Moore to give him the information and time line before they can determine which homes will be selected for this.

 

Mayor Mayfield then questioned if Robert was aware of anything that Region IV was doing for us.

 

Robert advised that they were only doing the home rehabs.  Region III has discussed building dorms for the college.

 

Next, Robert reported on the three homes that were donated to the Housing Authority and advised that he has spoken to Mr. Olgin of the Mortgage Finance Authority regarding funding for renovation of the homes and he will take the information to their Board to see if there is anything they can do.

 

New Business

 

Robert presented Resolution 2005-01 – Implementation of the Consolidated Appropriation Act for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.  Robert advised that in December he had brought a resolution to the Board for approval which adjusted the fair housing rents.  This Resolution will allow him to again adjust the rents to meet the funding received from HUD.

 

A motion for approval of Resolution 2005-01 was made by Witcher and seconded by Ditto.  Roll Call:

 

Maestas       Ditto       Apodaca       Mayfield       Witcher

  Yes             Yes            Yes               Yes               Yes

 

Adjournment

 

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 5:52 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                               

Attest:                                                                                      Mary Mayfield, Mayor

 

 

 

                                               

Rachel Hicklin, City Clerk