Skip to Main Content
menu
Applicants Resident Services Section 8 Voucher Participants Landlords Forms Housing

04-21-22 Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA
April 21, 2022

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. 2988.

The Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara met in regular session on April 21, 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, Henry Mercado, and James Pearson. Robert Doyle was excused.

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

INTRODUCTIONS
Jeremy Stone, Legal Counsel, was introduced.

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

  • Conference with Legal Counsel; Anticipated Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9 (d) (2) - Government Claim by Jose Duarte Miranda.

The Board reconvened to open session at 5:28 p.m.

  • The Commission voted unanimously upon recommendation of staff and Counsel to review, consider, and reject the claim of Jose Duarte Miranda.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 17, 2022. Commissioners Burns and Pearson abstained. All others voted aye. Motion carried.

MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to approve the minutes of the special meeting of April 12, 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.

The Hollister Lofts development is not moving forward, however the County is actively looking for an alternative site for this type of housing.

Escrow closed on the Super 8 project in Goleta. This development has been awarded nearly $19 million in HomeKey funding from the State. Due to the property being in a floodway, the first-floor units will be used as transitional housing units, all others will be permanent supportive housing.

We assisted our residents in applying for Emergency Rental Assistance and collected over $100,000 in rents. Our staff did an outstanding job with this.

We met with Congress Person Carbajal at the site of Escalante Meadows today. He is very supportive and recommended our project for funding under the omnibus bill for $2.5 million.

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. 2989 - Approval of Expenditure List as submitted, including meeting expenses. MOTION by Commissioner Alonso, seconded by Commissioner Mercado to adopt Resolution No. 2989. Irene Melton answered several questions to the satisfaction of the Board. All voted aye. Motion carried.

COMMISSIONERS' ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

Commissioner Burns noted that the City of Santa Barbara is conducting a rent control review and more partnership between the City and County Housing Authorities has been discussed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Public Employee Compensation - Labor Negotiations. That the Commission approve and authorize a one-time bonus and salary increase for the Executive Director. MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to approve a one-time 5% of salary bonus and a 5% salary increase for the Executive Director effective March 18, 2022. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2987 - Resolution for a Legislative Body relating to a Money Purchase Plan (tabled from March). Motion by Commissioner Alonso, seconded by Commissioner Mercado to adopt Resolution No. 2987. A discussion took place related to this possibly being made a mandatory program and offering more education for employees on saving for retirement. Irene Vejar will do more research on the mandatory aspect and report back to the Board.  All voted aye. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution No. 2990- 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 Burns, seconded by Commissioner Mercado to adopt Resolution No. 2990. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2991 - Authorization to close bank accounts with Mechanic Bank and open bank accounts with Pacific Western Bank. MOTION by Commissioner Burns, seconded by Commissioner Alonso to adopt Resolution No. 2991. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2992 - Authorization to open bank accounts with Pacific Western Bank for 531 North G Street and HomeKey II Super 8. MOTION by Commissioner Mercado, seconded by Commissioner Burns to adopt Resolution No. 2992. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2993 - Adoption of revised 2022 Payment Standards. MOTION by Commissioner Alonso, seconded by Commissioner Mercado to adopt Resolution No. 2993. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2994 - Approving the issuance of 38 Project-Based VASH Vouchers. MOTION by Commissioner Alonso, seconded by Commissioner Mercado to adopt Resolution No. 2994. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2995 - Approval to write-off Uncollectible Tenant Accounts Receivable for the period ended March 31, 2022. MOTION by Commissioner Alonso, seconded by Commissioner Mercado to adopt Resolution No. 2995. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Discussion concerning resuming in-person/hybrid meetings. Commissioner Alonso asked where the meeting will be held when we go back to in person meetings. Most meetings are held at the Administrative Office in Lompoc, except February, May, August, and November that are held at the Miller Community Center in Goleta. It was decided that the Board will meet in person at the Lompoc Administrative Office in June 2022 and pursue setting up teleconference equipment in both locations for hybrid meetings. The topic will be further discussed at the May meeting.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, MOTION by Commissioner Burns seconded by Commissioner Mercado to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m. All voted aye. Meeting adjourned.

James E. Pearson
Chair

Robert P. Havlicek, Jr.
Secretary/Executive Director