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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023_06_05 Housing Authority Minutes MINUTES Housing Authority Meeting Monday, June 5, 2023 Conference Room C, Ground Floor of Town Center 7:30 PM PRESENT: Joseph Mileto, Board Member Dolores Battalia, Board Member Meg Deshpande, Board Member Christie Philbrick-Wheaton, Board Member Lawrence Thaul, Board Member Robin Nichinsky, Councilwoman OTHERS PRESENT: Margaret C. Delohery, Secretary to the Housing Authority Johnathan Di Bari, Dibbini &Assoc. Stephen V.Altieri, Housing Authority Consultant,via Zoom Michael Padernacht, Midas Management 7:30 PM The Housing Authority Regular Meeting 1. Call to order Chair Mileto called to order the Regular Meeting of the Housing Authority at 7:33pm. Chair Mileto thanked Ms. Battalia in helping him with the Housing Authority. He then thanked the entire Housing Authority for their commitment and strength. He noted that his mission is to provide a place where the tenants can live with pride and dignity and wants them to be proud of where they live. 2. Report of Minutes from the April 3, 2023 Housing Authority Meeting Chair Mileto suggested to move to approve the Housing Authority Minutes from the April 3, 2023 meeting Moved by Board Member Battalia, seconded by Board Member Deshpande Ms. Battalia motioned to approve the minutes from the April 3, 2023 meeting.Ms. Deshpande seconded. Carried 3. Report of Minutes from the May 1, 2023 Housing Authority Meeting Chair Mileto suggested to move to approve the Housing Authority Minutes from the May 1, 2023 meeting. Moved by Board Member Battalia, seconded by Board Member Deshpande Ms. Battalia motioned to approve the minutes from the May 1, 2023 meeting.Ms. Deshpande seconded. Carried 4. Report of Midas Property Management Mr. Padernacht reviewed the May monthly report with the Housing Authority. He said that the only extra costs have been from litigation and from the Bonds. Midas worked on filling empty units and fulfilling Section 8 requirements. Two units are ready to be rented out. One candidate works for the Sanitation Commission. Another possible tenant is a Section 8 tenant. Mr. Altieri said that he and Maria talked about one of the Page 1 of 4 Housing Authority June 5, 2023 applications and the need for the tenant to have the voucher from New Rochelle approved. Ms. Battalia and Mr. Padernacht discussed the possibility of expanding the wait list. Mr. Padernacht said that some candidates are looking for specific qualities in an apartment, so they may have to wait longer than another candidates. Mr. Thaul and Mr. Padernacht discussed the process of completing an incomplete application and if it effects their place on the wait list. Mr. Thaul suggested requiring candidates complete and correct their application within two weeks of Midas' first review. Mr. Padernacht said that it depends on if there is a vacant unit available. Mr. Altieri said that he and Maria are working on a system that reflects Mr. Thaul's suggestion. Chair Mileto asked Mr. Padernacht to create a tracker of units that need work and list what needs completing. Mr. Padernacht then reviewed the units available and what each one needs work on, security deposits, and income requirements for tenants. Mr. Padernacht reviewed determining the limit on income requirements and when to inform tenants that they are making over that limit. Mr. Padernacht said that Brandon has done a great job in turning over the units and that the units always pass inspection. Chair Mileto also complimented Brandon and said that he truly knows the complex. Ms. Battalia and Mr. Padernacht discussed the pump system and moving it. Mr. Padernacht said a now former tenant recently vacated their unit. The Housing Authority started two cases against tenants who have not paid rent. Ms. Battalia, Mr. Padernacht, Mr. Di Bari, and Councilwoman Nichinsky discussed the litigation against a tenant. Ms. Battalia discussed a new County Law that ensures a tenant has representation in a case against a landlord. Mr. Di Bari and Mr. Padernacht reviewed the tenants that will receive a notice of cure. Mr. Padernacht reviewed pending renewal leases. 5. Discussion - Rent Levels -Section 8 and Market Rate Units Chair Mileto and Mr. Padernacht reviewed the Section 8 requirements based upon an applicant's income. Mr. Padernacht said that many Section 8 tenants income are well below the Section 8 income requirement. Ms. Battalia and Mr. Padernacht discussed the rent increases from 2022 and other requirements. Mr. Padernacht suggested not increasing rent amounts for Section 8 tenants. Ms. Deshpande and Mr. Padernacht talked about using a standard of rent increases for each year. Mr. Padernacht and Mr. Thaul discussed how the standard was created. Ms. Deshpande, Mr. Di Bari, and Mr. Padernacht discussed the noticing of new leases and that the Housing Authority would only have to give notice if the rent increase is over 5%. 6. Discussion - Lease Renewals Mr. Di Bari and Mr. Padernacht discussed why leases are on a year to year basis. Ms. Philbrick-Wheaton discussed the lease expiration date. She asked about creating a lease renewal schedule of when the lease was actually signed instead of when the previous lease ended. Mr. Padernacht commented that many of the leases were returned. Ms. Battalia and Mr. Di Bari discussed if a lease is considered invalid, if the tenant does not return it in time. Mr. Di Bari said that if a tenant does not execute the lease, the Housing Authority could start eviction proceedings. Ms. Battalia, Mr. Thaul, Mr. Di Bari, and Mr. Padernacht discussed necessary requirements for the renewal leases. Ms. Battalia and Mr. Altieri discussed the average salary of the Town and of the tenants at the Hommocks. Comments were made on the difficulty to break down the average of single households. Salary information available to the Town broken down by household size as provided by Westchester County is based only upon 80% of the median income for the County as a whole. It has been more difficult to obtain similar information for individual household size for just the Town of Mamaroneck. 7. Update on Commencement of Window/Deck Project Mr. Altieri reviewed the Window/Deck Project. Work on the decks will start later in June and the Window Project will start in September. Mr. Altieri spoke with the Page 2 of 4 Housing Authority June 5, 2023 Recreation Department and the Highway Department and said that they are going to work with the builders to see where the project materials will be held. Ms. Deshpande asked about using vacant garages to hold building materials. Mr. Altieri said Calgi is going to bring in two large containers, a lift truck, and a dumpster for materials. Their work day will be 8am -4pm. Mr. Altieri asked that if there is a bad summer, could the Housing Authority approve Saturday work. Ms. Battalia asked about approving it. Mr. Altieri said it wouldn't need formal approval. Ms. Philbrick-Wheaton and Mr. Altieri talked about the length of the window project. Mr. Altieri projected it should be completed in three months. He also talked about the notification of the tenants and getting print outs for them. Mr. Altieri said the contractor is submitting drawings soon and the permits have been submitted to the Town. Chair Mileto asked Mr. Altieri to complete a monthly update on the project. Mr. Altieri said the largest issue is the site size and getting materials on the site. He and Mr. Thaul discussed the bonds the Housing Authority issued. Mr. Altieri noted they barrowed a little more money than necessary incase of emergency. 8. Discussion of Sign Replacement at Hommocks Park Apartments Ms. Deshpande and Mr. Altieri reviewed the Sign Replacement Project. Mr. Altieri said they are going to wait on color choices because they are waiting for the color of the decking. Ms. Deshpande said that one company was more willing to discuss what the Housing Authority wants. She said she wants to the MDO signs with flat letters and for the sign to correspond with the color of the decking. She also wanted to update the sign out in front of the complex. Ms. Battalia and Mr. Padernacht talked about the bulletin board. He said that so many people are using email that the board is not used as much but information is still posted for those who do not use email. Ms. Battalia said she defers to Ms. Deshpande in the signs matter. Councilwoman Nichinsky and Mr. Altieri spoke about the Town logo. He noted the Housing Authority does not use it. Mr. Mileto spoke about the reflective numbers and signs so Fire Fighters can easily find a unit. Ms. Deshpande and Mr. Altieri agreed that San Signs is the company they would like to work with. Mr. Altieri said that the exterior signs might need to be reviewed by the Boarding of Architectural Review. The Housing Authority then reviewed the process for getting the permit and the reason behind getting a permit for signage. Ms. Battalia mentioned that the Town has waived permit fees in the past. Ms. Deshpande said she would move forward with the signs after getting the deck color. 9. Update on Installation of Designated Smoking Area Mr. Altieri said the area is up and the painting is complete. He said that they were able to get a bench and an ash trey. Mr. Padernacht said the benches should arrive soon. 10. Executive Session Moved by Board Member Battalia, seconded by Board Member Philbrick-Wheaton The Mamaroneck Housing Authority agreed to enter into Executive Session to discuss pending and potential litigation. Carried Moved by Board Member Battalia, seconded by Board Member Philbrick-Wheaton The Mamaroneck Housing Authority agreed to enter into Executive Session Carried 11. Update Chair Mileto moved the July meeting to July 10th, noted there will be no August meeting, and stated the September meeting will be held on September 11th. Chair Mileto, Ms. Battalia, and Mr. Padernacht discussed insurance. Insurance was up last year, this year the prices are more reasonable. Mr. Padernacht said that he typically Page 3 of 4 Housing Authority June 5, 2023 looks at insurance 90 days before the expiration of the current policy. He noted that they need to secure loss runs to research new insurance policies. Ms. Battalia and Mr. Padernacht talked about past loss runs. Mr. Altieri said McCool specializes in Housing Authorities. He also agreed with Mr. Padernacht's proposal. 12. Adjournment Chair Mileto adjourned the meeting at 8:52pm. Page 4 of 4