Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011_07_07 Housing Authority Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD MEETING MINUTES 07/07/11 In attendance: Board Members: Rick Cherry-Chairman, Sal Iacono-Treasurer,Bob Kirby- Secretary, and Bob Cammer Managing Agent: Bram Fierstein The Board Meeting was called to order by Chairman, Rick Cherry, at 7: 10 PM. The minutes from the last meeting in December, 2010 were read and approved. 1. Cash Position HVB Operating Account $ 49,709.26 @ 07/07/11: HVB Capital Account $ 6,276.00 Merrill Lynch L/T Reserve $ 582,740.75 Merrill Lynch S/T Reserve $ 155,851.75 Total $ 794,577.76 2. Corporate Records: The Chairman requested Bob Cammer take responsibility to obtain the Housing Authority's legal records(i.e., by-laws, Board minutes, etc.) from the Town of Mamaroneck offices. Mr. Cammer accepted the task provided he could complete the document retrival post-Labor Day,2011 and the Board agreed to that target time frame. 3. 2011 Budget Update: Bram Fierstein presented the 2011 Budget vs. Actuals for the six months ending June 30,2011. He explained, as agreed in the January meeting held in Gramatan Mgmt. offices with Sal Iacono,Bob Kirby and Hugh Ferguson(the Gramatan CFO),that the 2011 Budget was now separated into two parts-operating expense and capital expense. He also noted the opening of a new bank account at Hudson Valley Bank ("HVB") for current and future capital expenses funded with an initial $10,000 from the Merrill Lynch L/T Reserve Account(see Item# 1 above-note the HVB Capital Account). The four major capital items in the Budget are: Boiler Replacement ($123,180),Exterior Repairs($20,000), Carpet Replacement($ 10,000),and Appliance Repairs($ 5,000). Mr. Fierstein reported that no major variances existed in budget vs. actual-to-date. He highlighted that rent income was approx. $6K higher than budget because some tenants had made payments-in-arrears from last year. He also responded to a question from the Board and stated that the 54 units were currently fully occupied. 4. Treasurer's Report: The Treasurer, Sal Iacono,reported that the audited financial statements @ December 31,2010 were now finalized and that he will send the report to all Board Members for review. He indicated he had met with the auditor, 0' Connor, Davies,Munns and Dobbins LLP(Government Services Division), and that no discrepancies were found,and that the Replacement Reserve,at present,was more than adequate. The Treasurer also reported that the auditors have proposed a 3 year engagement agreement with 3%annual increases to provided accounting services commencing in 2012. The Board approved the agreement as presented by the Treasurer, and authorized him to sign the new agreement with the auditor. On a new topic,the Treasurer recommended that the Board consider re-issuing the Town of Mamaroneck Housing Authority's Hommocks Park Apts. Revenue Bonds to reduce interest expense on the remaining$2.7 Million principal that will mature 2021. Mr. Iacono proposed matching the maturity date with the issuance of the new bonds. The Board authorized the Treasurer to prepare an analysis detailing the costs and benefits (with more than one investment bank)and present this analysis at the next Board meeting. The Board will address this decision earlier if the Treasurer compiles the information prior to the next meeting scheduled for September,2011. 5. Boiler Replacement Project Update: Sal Iacono updated the Board on the status of the boiler replacement project. Fourteen boiler replacements are required to be installed to complete the 54 unit installation. First Choice Plumbing,the local vendor, has now identified(with Abner Duke's assistance) 10 boiler units that can be installed this summer These ten boilers need to be purchased as soon as possible and the Managing Agent will investigate whether quantity discounts are available from the vendor. The Treasurer did indicate that boiler costs had increased since the original estimates received when we began this project in 2009. 6. Managing Agent Report: Bram Fierstein presented the Watsky Associates Inc. roofing consultant's letter report dated July 5,2011 that the Board had requested at the last meeting, due to minor leak problems being reported. The consultants recommendations are summarized as follows: Immediate repair required- $35K- $40K,Annual Maintainence- $5K-$7K and roof replacement for all six buildings combined- $450K-$500K beginning in Year 2021 - in current dollars (i.e.,not adjusted for inflation). Mr. Fierstein noted that previous roof replacement proposals were approx. $245K and that the "architectural design" of the Hommocks six roofs mandated a replacement vs. repair option. The Chairman requested Mr. Fierstein prepare a complete list of all potential capital expenses, in addition to the roof replacement estimate. He reiterated his concern that the Board needs to fully understand the Hommocks capital costs exposure to effectively plan a financing strategy to pay for the costs over the next two to ten years. A full review of capital expenditures (including outdoor siding),bond refinancing costs, etc. is required before the Board addresses the subject of rent increases commencing in 2012. 7. New Boiler Maintainence Contract: The Board approved a competitively bid contract with CE Center--without participation in the vote by the Chairman--to perform boiler maintainence on all the new boilers as the manufacturer's 1 year warranties expire. A contract will be prepared consistent with past procedures. 8. Tenant Tier Study Analysis: The Chairman asked the Managing Agent, Bram Fierstein,to update the Tier analysis to review the tenant breakdown as it currently exists in the Hommocks apartments and e-mail his findings to the Board. 9. New Business: The Board Secretary, Bob Kirby,requested the Board approve a new approach to schedule future Board meetings. The Board voted unanimously in favor to hold future meetings on the second Tuesday of the last month of each quarter. Therefore,the remaining Board meetings for 2011 have been scheduled for September 13, 2011 and December 13, 2011. The 2012 meeting dates will be agreed on at the next meeting on September 13th. 10. Bram Fierstein again reiterated that the asphalt driveways continue to deteriorate and that additional pressure on the Town Administrator/Public Works Department is required to commit the Town to a Fall, 2011 start date for road paving. 11. The next Board Meeting is scheduled for September 13,2011. The Board Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.