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04-15-21 Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA April 15, 2021

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 special session on April 15, 2021 via teleconference. Chair Pearson convened the meeting at 5:00 p.m. Upon roll call the following Commissioners were present: Christian Alonso, Robert Doyle, Lisa Knox-Burns, John Lizarraga, Henry Mercado, and James Pearson. Also present were Bob Havlicek. Secretary/Executive Director, Jackie Bordon, Executive Secretary, Irene Melton, Director of Finance, John Polanskey, Director of Housing Development and Sanford Riggs, Director of Operations, Irene Vejar, Director of Human Resources and Nancy Wesoff, Director of Contract Administration and Compliance. Matthew Strezpek was also in attendance.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Public comments were received by Matthew Strezpek concerning his complaints and upcoming small claims case against the Housing Authority.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Lizarraga, second by Commissioner Doyle to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 18, 2021. Commissioner Pearson abstained, all others voted aye. Motion carried.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Executive Director offered to answer questions related to his written report. Commissioner Burns asked about COVID vaccinations. Both Sanford Riggs and Irene Vejar reported that we coordinated with the County of Santa Barbara Public Health Department and have held several vaccine clinics in Lompoc, Santa Ynez and Santa Maria and more are scheduled for Goleta, Guadalupe and Santa Maria. Residents, staff and the general public have taken advantage of these clinics to receive vaccinations.
The Executive Director reported that the City of Santa Maria has begun the work to repair the drainage issues at Depot Street. We are also working on replacing the entry doors. We have had some operational issues at this location and are in discussion with the City of Santa Maria Police Department to provide an office in the building for Police Officers use. We have also hired a private security guard to be on site from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and are in the process of adding additional cameras to the current system.

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

APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES
Resolution No. 2911 - Approval of Expenditure List as submitted, including meeting expenses. MOTION by Commissioner Lizarraga, second by Commissioner Burns to adopt Resolution No. 2911. Irene Melton answered several questions to the satisfaction of the Board. Commissioner Doyle asked about loan payments; Irene Melton stated that many of our loan payment are now set up to be paid via ACH which do not show up on this report. She will work on providing a separate report in the future that list those payments made via ACH. All voted aye. Motion carried.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Noozhawk Article regarding Homekey Studios: We have been interviewed by local TV also about this conversion of an office building to housing units. We have encountered much goodwill as the only agency to convert an office building into housing.

COMMISSIONERS' ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Mercado thanked staff for a great job on Home Key Studios. Commissioner Doyle asked if we had lost any residents to Covid-19. Bob Havlicek reported that one individual at the Golden Inn Senior was lost to the virus. Commissioner Doyle stated that FEMA is now offering up to $9,000 for funeral expenses for deaths due to Covid-19. Commissioner Burns asked for an update on the Pescadero Lofts video progress. John Polanskey reported that a first draft is being edited; Father Jon's passing delayed the progress. A couple of residents have offered to provide music for the video.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution No. 2912 - Approval to Write-Off Uncollectible Tenant Accounts Receivable for the period ended March 31, 2021. MOTION by Commissioner Burns, second by Commissioner Doyle to adopt Resolution No. 2912. All voted aye. Motion carried. Commissioner Burns asked if funds have been made available for uncollected rent. Sanford Riggs stated that initially CARES funding for this purpose did not include subsidized tenants, but new funding is now available for our clients.

Resolution No. 2913 - Adoption of Revised 2021 Payment Standards. MOTION by Commissioner Lizarraga, second by Commissioner Mercado to adopt Resolution No. 2913. Sanford Riggs reported that this change is necessary to meet the higher rent demands for one-bedroom and two-bedroom units in North County. All voted aye. Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, MOTION by Commissioner Lizarraga, second by Commissioner Doyle to adjourn the meeting at 6: 10 p.m. All voted aye. Meeting adjourned.

James E. Pearson
Chair

Robert P. Havlicek, Jr.
Secretary/Executive Director