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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_11_01 Housing Authority Minutes Minutes of the Housing Authority Committee meeting held on November 1, 2021 beginning at 7:00pm, in Conference Room D at the Town Center, 740 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York10543 PRESENT: Dolores A. Battalia, Chair Frank Pierson, Vice Chair Joseph Mileto, Treasurer Meg Deshpande via phone Margaret C. Delohery, Secretary to the Housing Authority ALSO PRESENT:Sabrina Fiddelman, Town Board Member Steve V. Altieri, Housing Authority Consultant Nuno Pires, Gramatan Management Eric Eggert, Mackoul Risk Solutions CALL TO ORDER – WORK SESSION The Work Session of the Housing Authority was called to order by Chair Dolores Battalia at 7:00pm. On motion of Mr. Mileto, seconded by Mr. Pierson, the Work Session was unanimously opened at 7:00pm. A. Discussion – Engagement of a Consultant to the Housing Authority The Housing Authority discussed the drafted consulting agreement between the Housing Authority and Mr. Steve Altieri. Mr. Pierson questioned the payment schedule which was amended. B. Discussion – Search for New Management Company The Housing Authority discussed remedying the relationship between the Housing Authority and the current management company Gramatan Management, versus seeking a new management company. Mr. Altieri discussed with the Housing Authority having the Super be an employee of the Town of Mamaroneck or an employee of the management company. C. Discussion – Unit Vacancy, Applicants and Tier System The Housing Authority learned through correspondence with Mr. Pires that the resident who reported they would be moving has decided to stay in their current residence at Hommocks Park Apartments. D. Discussion – Resident Complaint Chair Battalia discussed having a meeting with tenants to introduce the new Housing Authority committeemembers and to speak with the tenants about concerns they and the Housing Authority may have. Chair Battalia, Mr. Mileto, and Mr. Altieri discussed having the Housing Authority set up an email account so residents can contact the Housing Authority directly. Chair Battalia closed the Work Session. The Regular Meeting of the Housing Authority was called to order by Chair Battalia at 7:30pm. Chair Battalia suggested accepting the Drafted Minutes of the October 4, 2021 meeting. Mr. Mileto motioned to accept the drafted minutes, seconded by Mr. Pierson. Dolores Battalia Aye Frank Pierson Aye Joseph Mileto Aye Meg Deshpande Aye Status of Storm Damage Claim and Insurance Policies – Below was discussed by Mr. Eric Eggert, Mackoul Risk Solutions Mr. Eggertstated the property policies were broken down into different addresses. Mr. Eggertstated the claim from Hurricane Ida is currently pending and the adjuster had completed the final walkthrough with Mr. Pires. Mr. Pires questioned what the insurance company would base its conclusion on. Mr. Eggert expressed that Mackoul Risk Solutions had hired an independent third party to inspect the property and submit their findings to Mackoul Risk Solutions who would in turn interpret those finds around the Housing Authority’s policy. Mr. Altieri stated that he would like the updated insurance policy as the present one does not mention fire coverage. Mr. Pierson and Mr. Eggert discussed the limits on Workers Compensation. Mr. Altieri and Mr. Eggert spoke about flood coverage. Mr. Eggert stated that there was no flood coverage, but the Housing Authority would be able to procure coverage as a commercial entity. Ms. Deshpande discussed the rise in premium rates. Mr. Mileto and Mr. Pires spoke about the limits of vendors. Mr. Pires stated that the limits are handled in house and that the current limit is 1 million. Chair Battalia, Mr. Altieri, and Mr. Eggert spoke about whether or not the Hommocks Park apartments are located in a flood prone area. Ms. Deshpande asked if flood coverage was necessary to which Mr. Altieri answered in the affirmative and asked for a quote on flood coverage from Mr. Eggert. Mr. Eggertconfirmed that he would coordinate with Mr. Pires and Mr. Pierson regarding fire coverage. Presentation of 2022 budget The below proposed 2022 budget was presented to the Housing Authority by Mr. Pires. Chair Battalia, Mr. Altieri, and Mr. Pires discussed the removal of snow. Mr. Altieri stated that the Town of Mamaroneck should be reimbursing 50% of the costs of plowingto the Housing Authority. Chair Battalia stated that she would like the Engineering costs and the consulting agreement, between the Housing Authority and Mr. Altieri,to be shown on the 2022 Budget. Business Agenda A. Gramatan Management Report i. Financial Management Report –please see Presentation of 2022 Budget Chair Battalia discussed with the Housing Authority the history of rent increases made by the Housing Authority and what services were rendered, and the base level of increase. Chair Battalia expressed her desire to not increase rents at the present time. Chair Battalia and Mr. Pires spoke about how the Housing Authority has dealt with tenants who have vacated their apartment before the end of their lease. The Housing Authority, Mr. Altieri, and Mr. Pires discussed prevailing wage for possible and current vendors regarding the issuing of an RFP. The Housing Authority, Mr. Altieri, and Mr. Pires spoke about the claim that was submitted to HAI and the differences of coverage and deductibles. Mr. Pierson would like a line on the budget regarding insurance. Mr. Altieri suggested having money come out of the operating reserve to cover the costs of damage from Hurricane Ida. ii. Tenant Matters Two tenants are two months behind on rent. One is on a payment plan and the other has a history of payment issues. Five tenants are one month behind on rent. Chair Battalia commented that there wasan influx of people who are late on rent from last month. Chair Battalia and Mr. Pires discussed which organizations tenants could reach out to for assistance. Mr. Altieri asked Mr. Pires if any of those tenants are behind on rent are employees of the Town of Mamaroneck. Mr. Pires answered in the affirmative. On motion by Mr. Pierson, seconded by Mr. Mileto, the Housing Authority unanimously agreed to enter into Executive Session to discuss the employment history of a particular person. EXECUTIVE SESSION Employment history of a particular person. On motion by Mr. Mileto, seconded by Mr. Pierson, the Housing Authorityunanimously agreed to exit Executive Session. ii. Tenant Matters -continued Chair Battalia discussed meeting with the tenants in December for the Housing Authority to introduce themselves and to hear any comments the tenants may have. Mr. Altieri discussed purchasing recycling bins for tenants. Mr. Altieri said he was getting the final price for the bins. Councilwoman Fiddelman suggested labeling each bin by unit before distributing them. iii. Authorization – Boiler Preseason Vendor Contract Mr. Pierson motioned to authorize the service contract, seconded by Mr. Mileto. Dolores Battalia Aye Frank Pierson Aye Joseph Mileto Aye Meg Deshpande Aye B. Authorization – Transfer Investment Funds to Sterling Bank Mr. Mileto motioned to authorize the transfer of investment funds to Sterling Bank, seconded by Mr. Pierson. Dolores Battalia Aye Frank Pierson Aye Joseph Mileto Aye Meg Deshpande Aye C. Approval of Consulting Agreement Mr. Pierson motioned to approve the Consulting agreement with the amendment to payment schedule, seconded by Mr. Mileto. Dolores Battalia Aye Frank Pierson Aye Joseph Mileto Aye Meg Deshpande Aye D. Adoption of Sustainability Policy – Tabled for the next meeting by Chair Battalia E. Discussion regarding Renter’s Insurance The Housing Authority and Mr. Altieri discussed requiring renter’s insurance but further discussion was tabled for January 2022 by Chair Battalia. Chair Battalia suggested closing the meeting as all business had been completed. Mr. Pierson motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Mileto. The meeting ended was unanimously adjourned at 9:17 pm. _____________________________ _______________ Submitted by Date Margaret C. Delohery, Secretary to the Housing Authority