The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2006-05-16 - Minutes - ArchiveMINUTES OF THE MAY 16, 2006 REGULAR MEETING OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS The Housing Authority of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas met in Regular Session at 8:00 a.m., May 16, 2006, in the City Administration Building, Room 326, Fayetteville, AR. Robin Ross, Chairperson called the meeting to order at approximately 8:00 a.m. Commissioners Present: Betty Turner, Deborah Olsen, Richard Royal Robin Ross and Janet Richardson Commissioners Absent: None Others Present: Fredia Sawin and Laura Higgins (Fayetteville Housing Authority) Old Business A. Discussion of RFP to Hire a Consultant on an Hourly Basis -Ms. Sawin explained that the RFP would be for hiring a consultant on an hourly basis for services that may be needed on additional housing issues, such as grants etc... All commissioners felt that this would be very helpful and needed. Dr. Ross further explained that the consultant would only be used on an "as -needed basis". Ms. Sawin advised that she will be putting the ad in with the NAHRO publication and local newspapers. Ms. Richardson motioned to move forward, seconded by Mr. Royal and carried unanimously. New Business A. Approval of Minutes of Previous Regular Meeting -Ms. Olsen motioned to accept the April 18, 2006 Minutes, seconded by Ms. Turner and carried unanimously. B. Approval of April 2006 Financial Statements -Financial statements were reviewed by the board. Motion was made by Ms. Turner to accept the April 2006 Financial Statements, seconded Ms. Olsen and carried unanimously. C. Approval of Resolution No. 768 -Resolution Adopting Revised Guidelines on Eligibility and Income for Individuals Enrolled as a Student at an Institution of Higher Education in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program -Ms. Sawin explained that this was required changes past down by HUD concerning students enrolled in an institution of higher education. Ms. Higgins added that it affected five people on the waiting list out of 250. Dr. Ross and Mr. Royal were concerned about the wording but as it is HUD language would have to go with how it is written. Motion was then made by Mr. Royal to accept Resolution No. 768, seconded by Ms. Olsen and carried unanimously. • • • 00 D. Approval of Resolution No. 769 -Resolution accepting the Financial Audit Statements for Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2005 -Ms. Sawin advised that the end of the year Audit Statements were mailed out to the commissioners for their review and that this resolution is to approve the audit prior to it being sent to HUD. Discussion and questions were asked by the board and it was noted that "no findings" were found by the auditor. Motion was then made by Ms. Richardson to accept Resolution No. 769, seconded by Ms. Olsen and carried unanimously. E Schedule Meeting to Discuss Additions or Changes to the Fayetteville Housing Authority's Five Year Plan for Submission to HUD by July 15th, 2006 -Meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. Meeting will be conducted at Mr. Royal's office located 1918 N. Birch, Fayetteville, AR. Mr. Royal will prepare a dinner and also email directions to his office prior to the meeting. Ms. Sawin passed out the current five year plan for the commissioners to review and highlight for any discussion or changes they may want to make. F. Executive Directors Report -Ms. Sawin reviewed her written report, questions and discussion was made. Ms. Sawin added that Mr. Crouch is working on the by- laws for the non-profit and that the IRS had issued an EIN number. This was received in the office after the written report was sent to the commissioners. Ms. Sawin will check with Mr. Crouch on his progress and then a meeting will need to be scheduled. Ms. Sawin also announced a new program called DVP (Disaster Voucher Program) which will help the people who have gone through the current disasters and possibly any future disasters. Ms. Sawin also added that we now have five people under the Shelter -Plus Care Program. Ms. Sawin passed out information on two additional meetings that NAHRO is conducting in June and July 2006. If the commissioners are interested in attending, they need to get back with her. Ms. Sawin also approached the board about possibly allowing a federal police officer to reside in one of the public housing units. According to Ms. Sawin this individual approached her and has been referred by another Housing Authority where he had originally resided. Dr. Ross requested that Ms. Sawin contact this Housing Authority directly and discuss it with them before proceeding. Also, Mr. Royal added that he would be willing to assist in the screening and review process. There being no further business, meeting was adjourned. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS Chairperson ATTEST: *ced- Secretary %, FAYETTEVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY • #1 North School Ave. Fayetteville, AR 72701-5928 PH: (479)521-3850 FAX: (479)442-6771 • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT May 9th, 2006 1. Well, we all survived the NAHRO meeting in Little Rock. Training topics were asset management, 504 (handicap) upcoming regulation changes, Section 8 guidelines regarding student eligibility, and an update on Public Housing operating subsidy issues. Three commissioners Betty, Janet and Debra attended this meeting. Jesse Westover and John Munday, provided the commissioner training. There was some talk about a train wreck but I think, all in all, they enjoyed the training and learned a lot. 2. Public Housing has 5 vacancies, 2 at Willow Heights, 0 at Lewis Plaza, 0 at Hillcrest Towers, and 3 at Morgan Manor. The Section 8 Program is full. 3. We are still waiting to hear from Washington on our request for a data base adjustment, with regard to our Physical Inspection scores. They contacted me on April 14th and confirmed that they had received the paper work and should be completing the review within the next couple of weeks. At this point, Jesse Westover is trying to find out the status of this adjustment and how much longer we will have to wait. Hopefully, I will hear something from him and will e-mail the commissioners with an update. 4. Mr Crouch has completed the process of getting our PARTNERS FOR BETTER HOUSING (501-C3) started. He is working on the By -Laws. The non-profit status has to come from the IRS office and he said this step could take up to a year. • • RESOLUTION NO. #768 RESOLUTION ADOPTING REVISED GUIDELINES ON ELIGIBILITY AND INCOME FOR INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED AS A STUDENT AT AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Housing Authority of the City of Fayetteville operates its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program within the guidelines set forth by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and therefore the Administrative Plan needs to be updated to reflect changes in the income requirements and eligibility of individual students enrolled at an institution of higher learning. WHEREAS, the following will be added in the Administrative Plan of the Housing Authority of the City of Fayetteville under Chapter 2, Section A. "Eligibility Factors"; No assistance shall be provided under Section 8 to any individual who is enrolled as a student at an institution of higher education; is under 24 years of age; is not a veteran of the U.S. military; is unmarried; does not have a dependent child; and is not otherwise individually eligible, or has parents who, individually or jointly, are not eligible on the basis of income to receive assistance under Section 8 of the 1937 Act. • WHEREAS, the following will be added in the Administrative Plan of the Housing Authority of the City of Fayetteville under Chapter 7, Section E. "Verification of Income" "Full-time Student Status"; For Section 8 Programs only and as provided under the restrictions on assistance to students enrolled in institutions of higher education, any assistance, in excess of amounts received for tuition, that an individual receives under the Higher Education Act of 1965, from private sources, or from an institution of higher education, shall be considered income to the individual, except the financial assistance descnbed in this paragraph is not considered income for persons over the age of 23 with dependent children. For purposes of income inclusions, "financial assistance" does not include loan proceeds for the purpose of determining income. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of Fayetteville, Arkansas that the above revised policy be adopted into the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan effective May 1, 2006. • PASSED AND APPROVED THIS ILA %AY OF GLI 2006. • • ATTEST: THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS SECRETARY RE • • • RESOLUTION NO. 769 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FINANCIAL AUDIT STATEMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 WHEREAS, The Board of Commissioners of the Fayetteville Housing Authority has received the financial audit statements for fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 and has reviewed them. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE FAYETTEVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY: That the Board of Commissioners of the Fayetteville Housing Authority accept the financial audit statements and forward them to the HUD offices///for review. /[� PASSED AND APPROVED THIS fig DAY OF Day 2006 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS PSO CHAIR