Housing & Redevelopment Authority - February 13, 2018 Minutes
Fargo Housing & Redevelopment Authority of the City of Fargo
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
February 13th, 2018
The annual meeting of the Board of Commissioners for the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Fargo, North Dakota was held February 13th• 2018 at 1 :30 PM in the Main Conference Room, 325 Broadway, and Fargo, North Dakota.
FHRA Staff Present
Lynn Fundingsland, Jill Elliott, Amy Rissmann, Scott Noeske, Tracy Lunak, Steve Eickhoff, Kris Visness
FHRA Board Members Present
Karen Moore, Michael Leier, Thomas Jefferson, Tonna Horsley, Michael Leier
Concent Agenda
Addendum to Agenda
RESOLUTION #2018-02-01
Alme-Johnson/ Jefferson
BE IT RESOLVED, the FHRA February Consent Agenda is approved.
Reports
Financials
Mr. Noeske reviewed the January 2018 operating statement budget.
Mr. Noeske reviewed the January balance changes and reported on the cash balance changes that occurred in January.
Capital Projects
FHRA has been contacted by HUD to schedule REAC inspections.
Deputy Director
Ms. Elliott recently returned from the legislative planning conference that until now we though were finished
due to the transitioned status of our projects with Mountain Plains Regional NAHRO. Legislatively, housing
issues are not on the national radar. Once again Housing did not make the top 20 list of problems to address in the US. The group decided to make a concise statement of the three NAHRO's top 4 issues to address rather than a longer narrative document:
1. "Fix the Four'' Fix the 4% tax credit at 4% rather than floating around 3.1 %
2. Approving additional Moving to Work (MTW) Housing Authorities
3. HUD deregulation: Implement HOTMA, SHARP regulations that have been approved
4. Keep Housing Choice Vouchers under local control (Housing Authorities rather than block grant to State Housing Finance Agencies)
FHRA staff continues with weekly lease up meetings with Bright Sky partners to approve applicants for a March start to lease up. Staff met with a manufacturing representative on Bed Bug Thermal Equipment. An RFP has been written for this equipment. We hope to have the heat equipment running in apartments by April.
Staff met with Cass County Social Services Director Chip Ammerman and Adult Protection Manager Sharon Kleeman. They will speak to our All Staff meeting. We are meeting further to see what gaps they can fill for our renters with emphasis on life skill training for formerly homeless renters. A security company has started to provide eight hours of door security at the High Rise during evenings and weekends.
Old Business
Progress with New Horizons RAD
Mr. Fundinglsland explained the plans for New Horizons financing.
RESOLUTION #2018-02-02
Leier/ Jefferson
BE IT RESOLVED, Fargo New Horizons LLC/Fargo New Horizons LLLP Resolution is approved.
RESOLUTION #2018-02-03
Horsley/Jefferson
BE IT RESOLVED, the FHRA Resolution is approved.
High Rise Considerations
FHRA requests to purchase bed bug eradication equipment with unencumbered non-HUD money once the reserve funds are replenished after the closing of the New Horizons deal. Capital Improvements Manager Steve Eickhoff has completed the procurement process and plans for training of staff will be included in the cost. This cost will be up to $90000.
RESOLUTION #2018-02-04
Alme-Johnson/Jefferson
BE IT RESOLVED, the request to purchase bed bug eradication equipment is approved.
ED Recruitment Update
At this time, two finalists have been selected to meet with board members and staff for an in-person interview.
Conflict of Interest Policy acknowledgement
At the January 2018 board meeting, the board approved a new Conflict of Interest Policy for FHRA
commissioners and employees. During this meeting, all commissioners signed the acknowledgement for this policy.
New Business
Consideration of easement offer
Motion to accept this offer of payment for an easement allowing construction and maintenance of a flood wall on a portion of the Lashkowitz High Rise site, which comes to a total of $335973 from the Cass County Water Resources District.
RESOLUTION #2018-02-05
Leier/Jefferson
BE IT RESOLVED, the request to accept this offer is approved.
Law suits proceeds realized
FHRA has received the proceeds of a lawsuit from which HUD recaptured public housing reserve funds, which was not permitted under the HRA's contract with HUD. The FHRA had joined in a successful class action law suit suing HUD for the return of the funds.
Acquisition of single family home
One of the 14-3 homes sold several years ago has been foreclosed on by the Bank of ND. The HRA has an approximately $14000 lien on the property and the Bank of ND has a first position lien of approximately $36000. Staff asks consent to redeem on the property and re-acquire the home.
RESOLUTION #2018-02-06
Alme-Johnson/Jefferson
BE IT RESOLVED, the motion for FHRA to close on the acquisition of the single-family home is approved.
Employee Telecommuting Policy
The board requests that an attorney review the policy before approving it. HR Manager Ms. Rissmann will submit the new policy to an attorney for review. There being no further business, the regular meeting was adjourned.
The board then went into Executive Session to discuss details of new Executive Director employment contract.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 13th , 2018, at 1:30 PM.