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03-17-22 Minutes

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara Commission meeting was held via teleconference connection as permitted in accordance with the requirements set out in Government Code 54953(e) and pursuant to the findings and authority set out in Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara Resolution No. 2974.

The Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara met in regular session on March 17, 2022, via teleconference. Vice-Chair Doyle convened the meeting at 5:00 p.m.

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

Also present were Jackie Bordon, Executive Secretary, Robert P. Havlicek Jr., Executive Director, 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
Mark Manion and Ryan Zick, Legal Counsel, were introduced.

CLOSED SESSION
The Board convened a closed session at 5:02 p.m.

  1. Conference with Legal Counsel; Existing Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9 - Halsell Builders, Inc, v. West Cox
    Cottages, L.P., et al, Superior Court, County of Santa Barbara
  2. Conference with Legal Counsel; Anticipated Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9 (d) (4) - One potential case
  3. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Government Code Section 54957.6) - Authority designated representatives: Bob Havlicek and Irene Vejar
    Employee organizations: Authority management and administrative staff
  4. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Government Code Section 54957) - Executive Director

The Board reconvened to open session at 6:48 p.m.

  1. The Commission voted unanimously to authorize counsel to defend against litigation initiated by Halsell Builders, Inc. related to a dispute for payment of work completed at the West Cox Cottages development.
  2. The Commission voted unanimously to initiate litigation in one matter.  The details of the matter, including the parties and the nature of the action, shall be disclosed to any party upon request once the action has been formally commenced.
  3. No reportable action.
  4. No reportable action.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to approve the minutes of the special meeting of February 18, 2022. All voted aye. Motion carried.

MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 24, 2022. All voted aye. Motion carried

MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to approve the minutes of the special meeting of March 7, 2022. All voted aye. Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
No public comments were received.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Executive Director offered to answer any questions related to his written report.

Commissioner Doyle asked about the Federal Funds awarded to Escalante Meadows in Guadalupe. Bob Havlicek reported that $2.5 million dollars have been awarded; these funds will be used to fund the Escalante Meadows Community Center, once built, will provide vital early childhood education and wellness services that are otherwise not available to lower-income residents of this community.

The Executive Director reported that HUD issued a notice that PHA's who are unable to utilize the Emergency Housing Vouchers can return them and they will be reissued to other PHA's. We have utilized our allocation and are ready to accept additional vouchers.

APPROVAL OF OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT REPORTS
MOTION by Commissioner Alonso, seconded by Commissioner Mercado to approve the operation and management reports. All voted aye. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES:
Resolution No. 2983 - Approval of Expenditure List as submitted, including meeting expenses. MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to adopt Resolution No. 2983. Irene Melton answered several questions to the satisfaction of the Board. All voted aye. Motion carried.

COMMISSIONERS' ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Alonso asked about resuming in-person meetings. Bob Havlicek stated that we will put this item on the agenda for discussion in April.

NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution No. 2984 - Resolution Proclaiming a Local Emergency, ratifying the proclamation of a State of Emergency by Governor Gavin Newsom dated March 4, 2020, and authorizing remote teleconference meetings of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara for the period of 30 days pursuant to the Brown Act Provisions. MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to adopt Resolution No. 2984. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2985- Resolution approving and authorizing the Executive Director or Designee to take all needed actions to apply for funding with California HCD under the Housing for a Healthy California Article I Program and serve as a General Partner in Patterson Point, L.P. as Applicant. MOTION by Commissioner Alonso, seconded by Commissioner Mercado to adopt Resolution No. 2985. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2986 - Resolution approving and authorizing the Executive Director or Designee to take all needed actions to apply for funding with California HCD under the Housing for a Healthy California Article I Program and serve as a General Partner in Patterson Point, L.P. as Sponsor. MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to adopt Resolution No. 2986. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2987 - Resolution for a Legislative Body relating to a Money Purchase Plan. MOTION by Commissioner Alonso, seconded by Commissioner Mercado to table this item until the April 21, 2022, 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 7:08 p.m. All voted aye. Meeting adjourned.

James E. Pearson
Chair

Robert P. Havlicek, Jr.
Secretary/Executive Director