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01-20-22 Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA
January 20, 2022

As permitted under the Governor's Executive Order N-25-20, dated March 12, 2020 due to concerns of COVID-19 ("Executive Order"), the members of the Board of Commissioners will participate in the meeting via a teleconference connection at locations that may be located outside of the Agency's jurisdiction. Such locations shall not be publicly disclosed, nor shall such locations be open to the public as is expressly authorized by the Executive Order.

The Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara met in regular session on January 20, 2022, via teleconference. Chair Pearson convened the meeting at 5:00 p.m.

Upon roll call the following Commissioners were present: Christian Alonso, Lisa Knox-Burns, Robert Doyle, Henry Mercado, and James Pearson.

Also present were Robert P. Havlicek Jr., Secretary/Executive Director, Jackie Bordon, Executive Secretary, Irene Melton, Director of Finance, John Polanskey, Director of Development, Sanford Riggs, Director of Operations, Irene Vejar, Director of Human Resources and Nancy Wesoff, Director of Contract Administration and Compliance.

INTRODUCTIONS
No introductions were made.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Commissioner Doyle, seconded by Commissioner Burns to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 16, 2021. All voted aye. Motion carried.

MOTION by Commissioner Burns, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to approve the minutes of the annual meeting of December 16, 2021. All voted aye. Motion carried

MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Doyle to approve the minutes of the special meeting of December 30, 2021. All voted aye. Motion carried

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
No public comments were received.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Executive Director asked Sanford Riggs, Director of Operations, to give an update on the progress of utilizing the 126 EHV that our agency received. Mr. Riggs reported that all 126 vouchers are fully leased or committed. We did have 3 voucher holders drop out for reasons beyond our control. We are working on reissuing those 3 vouchers. The reported nationwide lease up of these vouchers is approximately 6%.

The Executive Director reported that the investor in Park View apartments in Isla Vista has agreed to exit the partnership this month. Irene Melton took the lead in consummating this important transaction.

We are close to submittal of the HomeKey Application for the Super 8 Hotel in Goleta. The City of Goleta and the County of Santa Barbara have been supportive.

We continue to have issues at The Residences at Depot Street in Santa Maria. Sanford Riggs will share an action plan for the development at next month's meeting.

The Executive Director offered to answer any questions related to his written report.

APPROVAL OF OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT REPORTS

MOTION by Commissioner Alonso, seconded by Commissioner Mercado to approve the operation and management reports. Commissioner Burns noted that the uncollected Tenant Accounts Receivable is higher than usual. Irene Melton stated that COVID and difficult tenants have resulted in higher TAR; we expect high balances to continue as we have eleven evictions in process at Depot Street. Commissioner Alonso noted a lot of relocation expenses; Irene Melton explained that most of those costs are associated with the rehabilitation at Central Plaza Apartments. All voted aye. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES:
Resolution No. 2966 - Approval of Expenditure List as submitted, including meeting expenses. MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to adopt Resolution No. 2966. Irene Melton answered several questions to the satisfaction of the Board. All voted aye. Motion carried.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
All written communications were noted.

COMMISSIONERS' ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Doyle asked if all board members were satisfied with electronic delivery of the monthly board packet. All members agreed that was satisfactory. Anyone needing hard copy can contact Jackie Bordon.

NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution No. 2967 - Resolutions proclaiming a Local Emergency, ratifying the Proclamation of a State of Emergency by Governor Gavin Newsom dated March 4, 2020, and authoring remote teleconference meetings for the period of 30 days pursuant to the Brown Act Provisions. MOTION by Commissioner Burns, seconded by Commissioner Doyle to adopt Resolution No. 2967. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2968 - Resolution ratifying expenditure for 2021 Employee Bonuses and Longevity Awards. MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to adopt Resolution No. 2968. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2969 - Approval to Write-Off Uncollectible Tenant Accounts Receivable for the period ended December 31, 2021. MOTION by Commissioner Burns, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to adopt Resolution No. 2969. All voted aye. Motion carried.

MOTION to re-schedule the February 17, 2022, regular meeting to February 24, 2022. MOTION by Commissioner Doyle, seconded by Commissioner Mercado to re-schedule the February 2022 regular meeting. All voted aye. Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Board, MOTION by Commissioner

Alonso, seconded by Commissioner Mercado to adjourn the meeting at 6:06 p.m. All voted aye. Meeting adjourned.

James E. Pearson,
Chair

Robert P. Havlicek, Jr.,
Secretary/Executive Director