Housing & Redevelopment Authority - January 9, 2018 Minutes
Fargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Fargo
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
January 9th, 2018
The annual meeting of the Board of Commissioners for the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Fargo, North Dakota was held January 9th• 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, Tawnya Taylor, Steve Eickhoff, Kris Visness
FHRA Board Members Present
Karen Moore, Michael Leier, Thomas Jefferson, Tonna Horsley
Consent Agenda
Addendum to Agenda
RESOLUTION #2018-01-01
Jefferson/Horsley
BE IT RESOLVED, the FHRA January Consent Agenda is approved.
Reports
Financials
Mr. Noeske reviewed the November operating statement Actual vs budget. Voucher income and expenses are over budget because we are spending down our HUD held HAP reserves.
Mr. Noeske reviewed the November balance changes and reported on the cash balance changes that occurred in November.
Capital Projects
Additional capital remodels are underway for Scattered Sites properties. For the RAD project at New Horizons, the general contractor work has started.
Deputy Director
Ms. Elliott explained that more supportive services are needed for the High-Rise property. Meetings between FHRA and the City of Fargo are in the process of being set up to discuss these needs. Since there is not a waiting list for the High-Rise, FHRA did a rental "blitz" with area shelter and agencies, resulting in 23 applicants. The process has started to secure a bed bug thermal treatment mobile unit. Interviewing and selection process for three open staff positions is in the final stages. Those positions are: Property Manager, Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, and Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Coordinator.
Old Business
Progress with New Horizons RAD
FHRA is scheduled to close with HUD on 1/11/18 and with tax credit partners and the lenders at a later date, yet to be determined.
Progress with Executive Director search
The board Recruitment Sub-Committee met last week to identify candidates for phone interviews. HR Manager Amy Rissmann is assisting the sub-committee with obtaining additional information from the applicants and coordinating phone interviews.
Land Trust discussion with City
Lynn is working with a City of Fargo community development committee to explore the possibility of establishing a land trust program. This program could create more opportunities for low-income individuals to purchase homes.
Status of respite program
Sanford has not approved entering a lease for the medical respite program. FHRA plans to keep a unit open at New Horizons to utilize if there is a need. Ms. Elliott is working on establishing potential partnerships with other agencies to utilize this program for individuals in need.
New Business
Bed bug strategy
At a recent conference Mr. Fundingsland learned about various bed bug control methods. The most efficient method is to heat a unit to a temperature which will kill the bed bugs. FHRA is considering heating equipment which will exterminate bed bugs.
Write-offs for 2017
Ms. Elliott explained the 2017 rent/expense write-offs report and process. The write offs for our tenant for 2017 has increased dramatically, particularly at the High Rise. We feel much of this is due to lack of supportive services to our formerly homeless clients. We have had a philosophy of carrying the clients along several months while trying to get them hooked up with services and setting up repayment agreements. This had not proved successful. Going into the year 2017, the new property manager had inherited the backlog of nonpayment and has been instituting evictions, thus giving us a large write off amount for the year. This new approach has also left many vacant units.
RESOLUTION #2018-01-02
Leier/ Jefferson
BE IT RESOLVED, the motion to write off 2017 uncollected debts is approved.
Bright Sky progress
FHRA is starting the process of filling units for Bright Sky property.
Employee Conflict of Interest policy
RESOLUTION #2018-01-03
Jefferson/Horsley
BE IT RESOLVED, the motion to approve the employee Conflict of Interest Policy is approved.
Spring Conferences
Ms. Elliott wants to make the board aware of upcoming regional NAHRO conferences during spring 2018. When details are confirmed, communication will be sent out.
There being no further business, the regular meeting was adjourned. The ne t--meetmgis cheduled for February 131\ 2018, at 1:30 PM.