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05-21-20 Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA
May 21, 2020

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 May 21, 2020 via teleconference. Chair Pearson convened the meeting at 5:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following Commissioners were present: Robert Doyle, Lisa Knox-Burns, Larry Hobbisiefken, John Lizarraga, Henry Mercado and James Pearson. Larry Hobbisiefken was excused from the meeting. Richard Nordlund submitted his resignation from the Board and did not attend the meeting.

Also present were Bob Havlicek, Secretary/Executive Director, Jackie Bordon, Executive Secretary, Irene Melton, Director of Finance, John Polanskey, Director of Housing Development, Sanford Riggs, Director of Operations and Irene Vejar, Director of Human Resources.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Burns, second by Commissioner Mercado to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 23, 2020. All voted aye. Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
No public comments were received.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr. Havlicek offered to answer questions related to his written report. He then shared an update of steps being taken to prepare for reopening our offices. No date has been set to reopen to the public. We have accelerated our use of technology to get the work done.

Residents have been assigned to all 78 units at the Residences at Depot Street; we are arranging for lease signings. Construction is going well, the elevator in building one has been installed and is ready for State inspection.

The rehabilitation of Parkside Garden Apartments in Lompoc has begun. Safe protocols have been established for the relocation of residents.

West Cox Cottages in Santa Maria is moving forward; the soil issues have been resolved and we expect build out to take less than one year.

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

APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES

Resolution No. 2858 - Approval of Expenditure List as submitted, including meeting expenses. MOTION by Commissioner Doyle, second by Commissioner Lizarraga to adopt Resolution No. 2858. Irene Melton answered several questions related to expenditures on the current list. All voted aye. Motion carried.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
All written communications were noted.

COMMISSIONERS' ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Burns thanked John Polanskey for assisting her in donating some furniture to United Way in Santa Maria.

Commissioner Mercado gave kudos to Sanford Riggs for the Special Edition Resident Newsletter.

NEW BUSINESS
Discussion concerning Emergency Rent Assistance Program: Special Allocation of CDBG under the CARES Act. Bob Havlicek reported that the Housing Authority has agreed to administer this special allocation of CDBG funds for the County of Santa Barbara. The Housing Authority will do intake and certifications. We expect the funds to assist approximately 100 households.

Resolution No. 2859 - Approval of Amendments to the Administrative Plan for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. MOTION by Commissioner Doyle, second by Commissioner Lizarraga to adopt Resolution No. 2859. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2860 - Approve setting forth the Authority's Official Intent to Issue Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to Undertake the Financing of Thompson Park Apartments in Lompoc, CA MOTION by Commissioner Lizarraga, second by Commissioner Burns to adopt Resolution No. 2860. Bob Havlicek explained that tax credits and tax-exempt bonds will be used to syndicate this 31 unit complex. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2861 - Approve setting forth the Authority's Official Intent to Issue Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to Undertake the Financing of Central Plaza Apartments in Santa Maria, CA MOTION by Commissioner Burns, second by Commissioner Mercado to adopt Resolution No. 2861. Bob Havlicek explained that the plan is to re-syndicate the property to address deferred maintenance. All voted aye. Motion carried. 

Resolution No. 2862 - Approving and authorizing the Executive Director to take all needed actions to apply for funding with the California State Department of Housing and Community Development under the Housing for a Healthy California Article I Program and to serve as a General Partner in the Sagunto Place, LP. MOTON by Commissioner Mercado, second by Commissioner Burns to adopt Resolution No. 2862. All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution No. 2863 - Approving and authorizing the Executive Director to take all needed actions to apply for funding with the California State Department of Housing and Community Development under the Housing for a Healthy California Article I Program and to serve as a General Partner in the to be formed Harry's House, LP. MOTION by Commissioner Burns, second by Commissioner Mercado to adopt Resolution No. 2863. All voted aye. Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, MOTION by Commissioner Burns, second by Commissioner Doyle to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m. All voted aye. Meeting adjourned.

James E. Pearson
Chair

Robert P. Havlicek Jr.
Secretary/Executive Director