Hillsdale Housing Commission
45 N. West Street � Hillsdale, MI  49242
Phone: (517) 439-1210 � Fax: (517) 439-9577 � E-mail: mail@hillsdalehousing.org

Call To Order
The regular monthly meeting of the Hillsdale Housing Commission was held in the Community Room of Hilltop Apartments on Thursday, February 04, 1999, and was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by President Walker.

Minutes - Regular Meeting – January 07, 1999
Vice president Pauken, supported by Commissioner Fowler, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held January 07, 1999, as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

Report of Maintenance
Executive Director Alton Cousino presented the Report of Maintenance due to Maintenance Person Paul Piper’s vacation absence.

Unit Turnover
Director Cousino reported that one unit had been turned over since the regular meeting held on January 07, within the time frame specified by the Commission’s Maintenance Plan.

Fumigation
Mr. Cousino reported that the second floor of Hilltop Apartments had been fumigated due to a recent insect infestation. Mr. Cousino reported that the pest control contractor fumigated each apartment and all common areas on the second floor.

Accounts Payable Report/Bills
Bills in the amount of $23,271.66 were presented for payment. Commissioner Field, supported by Commissioner Fowler, moved to accept the Accounts Payable Report and pay the bills as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

Deceased Tenant Policy
Hilltop Apartments resident Ella Asaro (311) presented an inquiry regarding a draft Deceased Tenant Policy currently under consideration by the Commission. President Walker and Director Cousino stated that a copy of the draft policy would be delivered to each resident and posted on the Hilltop Apartments bulletin boards, and further stated that a thirty-day public comment/public hearing procedure would be observed prior to adoption.

Director’s Hospitalization Insurance
Executive Director Alton Cousino reported that he had acquired better medical coverage through his spouse’s employer than was currently offered by the Commission. Mr. Cousino reported that the City of Hillsdale had implemented a policy for employees who elect not to receive medical benefit coverage. Mr. Cousino stated that such employees are paid one-half the premium that would have been paid in medical insurance premiums, and provided each Commissioner with a photocopy of the policy. After brief discussion, Commissioners authorized this change effective March 01, 1999, provided the following: 1) Mr. Cousino present this request in writing during the next regular monthly meeting; 2) a formal resolution approving this action be adopted by the Commission at the next regular monthly meeting, and; 3) proof of medical coverage and photocopies of the approved resolution and letter requesting a waiver of medical coverage be permanently kept in the Mr. Cousino’s personnel file. Mr. Cousino stated that the materials would be presented at the next regular monthly meeting.

Resolution #HHC 1999-02 – Write off Silent Auction Items
Director Cousino reported that a "Silent Auction" had been held on January 21, 1999, as approved during a previous meeting by Commission action. Resolution HHC 1999-02 was presented to write off the remaining balances of the auctioned items and to remove capital items from the Commission’s inventory and property ledgers. Vice president Pauken, supported by Commissioner Field, moved to adopt Resolution #HHC 1999-02. The motion carried unanimously.

Housing Commission Vacancy
Director Cousino recommended that the Commission attempt to acquire a member from Hilltop Apartments residents to fill a vacant seat left by Commissioner Cascarelli. Director Cousino stated that recently enacted State legislation required that the Commission attempt to place a resident on the Housing Commission board, and stated that the new "Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act" also strongly recommended this placement. Following brief discussion, Commissioners agreed to authorize Mr. Cousino to distribute a form soliciting a Housing Commission member from Hilltop Apartments residents.

Wedding Gift from Hilltop Apartments Residents
Director Cousino stated that he had received two wedding gifts from Hilltop Apartments residents. Mr. Cousino stated that he had received a $30 gift certificate for Savarino’s Restaurant and a $20 gift certificate for Gelzer’s Furniture, and that these gifts were presented by the individual residents, not the Hilltop Apartments Resident Association. Following brief discussion, Commissioners expressed approval that Mr. Cousino retain these gifts.

Executive Director’s Vacation
Director Cousino stated that it was necessary for him to schedule a vacation in the near future to avoid losing vacation days according to provisions in the Commission’s Personnel Policies which govern maximum accumulation of vacation days. Mr. Cousino stated that a vacation would be scheduled prior to March 28, 1999 to comply with Commission policy.

HR 4194 – Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act
Director Cousino reported that Congress had recently enacted HR 4194, commonly known as the "Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998," (QHWRA) and provided each Commissioner with a description of major changes in the housing law. Mr. Cousino reported that this new law significantly changed the Housing Act of 1937, under which the Housing Commission operates. Director Cousino stated that he had recently attended a NAHRO briefing on this topic and stated that this item would be discussed at an upcoming MHDA meeting. Mr. Cousino stated that he anticipated the formation of local Housing Commission consortiums to create policies required by the plan, and stated that more information would be made available following development of these consortiums. Mr. Cousino also provided President Walker with a photocopy of the Act.

CIAP 97
Director Cousino reported that a budget revision had been submitted to HUD to finance the completion of additional work items under the Commission’s FY 1997 CIAP grant, as discussed during a previous meeting. Mr. Cousino stated that he anticipated receipt of HUD’s approval of the budget revision in the near future and that work items would be contracted following this receipt.

CIAP 98
No action occurred on this item. Director Cousino stated that the CIAP 98 work items were currently undergoing the Environmental Review process mandated by State legislation and that no action could occur until this review was complete.

Maintenance Person Job Responsibilities
Director Cousino reported contact with the Commission’s attorney regarding the draft Maintenance Supervisors Job Description, as instructed during the last regular monthly meeting. Mr. Cousino reported that the Commission’s attorney expressed approval for the adoption of the draft policy as presented. Following brief discussion, Commissioner Fowler moved to adopt the draft policy as presented. The motion was supported by Vice president Pauken, and carried unanimously.

Excessive Noise Policy
No action occurred on this item. Director Cousino reported that modifications to the sample Excessive Noise Policy described during the last regular monthly meeting had been completed and that the modified policy had been delivered to each Hilltop Apartments resident and posted on the bulletin boards at Hilltop Apartments for public comment, as required by Commission policy. Mr. Cousino stated that the policy would be presented for adoption following the mandatory 30-day public comment period.

Section 8 Discussion Meeting
Mr. Cousino recommended that the Housing Commission postpone further discussion on the creation of a local Section 8 housing administrative office until after Section 8 provisions of the new Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act were fully implemented. Commissioners expressed approval for this postponement.

New Business
No new business was presented.

Adjournment
Vice president Pauken moved to adjourn. Commissioner Fowler supported the motion. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 12:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Alton D. Cousino III, PHM
Executive Director, Hillsdale Housing Commission