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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-18 - Minutes -Meeting Minutes BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR SESSION – DECEMBER 18, 2025, 5:00 PM I. Call to Order The Fayetteville Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Regular Session was called to order on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 5:10 pm via Zoom. II. Roll Call Present: Commissioners Deutch, Moore, Nathan, Cole; Executive Director Tapley & staff members, Robert Smally & Jason Badeau of BerryDunn, members of the public Absent: Commissioner Humphrey III. Approval of the Agenda: Motion to approve – Commissioner Cole, Second – Commissioner Deutch. Unanimously approved. IV. Public Comment Tina Oppenheimer, Hillcrest Towers Resident, noted issues with the volume. V. Consent Agenda Motion to approve – Commissioner Cole, Second – Commissioner Deutch. Unanimously approved. VI. Reports A. BerryDunn Audit Presentation – Jason Badeau summarized the final forensic audit report. The report will be sent to HUD pending approval from the Board. Commissioner Moore opened discussion regarding HUD’s potential response to the findings. Executive Director Tapley has been working closely with HUD to make required adjustments. Current audits showed improvement compared to the early periods the auditors reviewed. Executive Director Tapley discussed current financial processes and will be presenting an updated internal control policy at a future board meeting. After board approval, the audit will be uploaded to HUD. Commissioner Deutch commended Executive Director Tapley for her leadership, and she extended that gratitude to Director of Programs West for her help. B. FHA Chair Report - Chair Moore noted that Executive Director Tapley has been keeping on top of issues during the government shutdown. They, along with Tony Landecker, have had development meetings to discuss Lewis Plaza & Willow Heights. C. Staff Reports – Executive Director Tapley reviewed the new deadline for the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) with potential subsidy delays. Director of Programs West has been building SOP documents for office staff. Executive Director Tapley has Meeting Minutes BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR SESSION – DECEMBER 18, 2025, 5:00 PM been attending Hillcrest Resident council meetings and most recently had a discussion regarding expectations of housekeeping for occupied units. Executive Director Tapley is connecting with community organizations, developers, and bankers in regard to Lewis Plaza & Willow Heights. The City of Fayetteville has accepted Chair Moore for a renewal of her term and Mr. Russell as a new commissioner for Commissioner Nathan’s position effective January 1st, 2026. Director of Programs West reviewed the property reports for Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs. VII. Old Business A. Development Update – Residents of Lewis Plaza & Willow Heights are being relocated to either Hillcrest Towers, Morgan Manor, or a voucher into the greater Fayetteville community depending on eligibility. A forensic engineer who had previously done a review at Lewis Plaza in 2017 submitted a proposal for testing and review at Lewis Plaza & Willow Heights. Executive Director Tapley gave a status update on the two vacant Morgan Manor units and the one offline unit. The vouchers for the Lewis Plaza & Willow Heights residents fall under the same program FHA administers, and Executive Director Tapley reviewed how HUD determines voucher allocation. She also discussed how converting from Public Housing to RAD (such as with Morgan Manor) would benefit both FHA and the community. VIII. New Business A. Resolution 1375: Forensic Audit – Motion to approve: Chair Moore, Second – Commissioner Deutch. Unanimously approved. B. Resolution 1376: Security Deposit Procedures – Executive Director Tapley explained the reasoning in updating the security deposit procedure. Commissioner Nathan asked if the deposit was non-refundable and Director of Programs West broke down how the security deposit is applied or refunded based on condition of the unit after move-out. More units have been left in disrepair than in good condition upon move-out and the security deposit increase would help cover the costs of repair. Meeting Minutes BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR SESSION – DECEMBER 18, 2025, 5:00 PM Commissioner Deutch started discussion regarding low-income families and potential barriers with an increased security deposit. Chair Moore highlighted community organizations that could help with that cost. Motion to approve – Chair Moore, Second – Commissioner Cole. Unanimously approved. C. Resolution 1377: Revised By-Laws – Chair Moore reviewed the major changes such as removing the requirement for a Resident Commissioner position on the Board. Commissioner Humphrey would remain on the board as a regular commissioner. Commissioner Nathan suggested giving Hillcrest Resident Council a permanent place on the Board Agenda. There was discussion regarding attendance and the role of the Hillcrest Resident Council as it relates to Public Housing residents as a whole. Motion to approve – Chair Moore, Second – Commissioner Cole. Unanimously approved. D. Resolution 1378: Legal Services – Executive Director Tapley discussed moving to a piggyback contract for legal services with Rose Law Firm for their housing experience. Chair Moore noted that the current attorney, Mr. Crouch, is in the process of retiring . Under the contract, invoices will be for billable hours and not retainer fees. Motion to approve – Chair Moore, Second – Commissioner Deutch. Unanimously approved. IX. Final Comments & Announcements Chair Moore wished Commissioner Nathan luck on her next engagement. There was a reminder about the January Meeting date and a new invite will be sent to all board commissioners. X. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:48 pm.