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

The regular monthly meeting of the Hillsdale Housing Commission was held in the Community Room of Hilltop Apartments on Thursday, August 05, 1999, and was called to order at 12:01 p.m. by President Walker.

Commissioner Field, supported by Commissioner Fowler, moved to approve minutes of the regular meeting held July 08, 1999 as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

Maintenance Supervisor Paul Piper presented a report on unit turnover times at Hilltop Apartments.

Mr. Piper reported the successful completion of the first phase of the Commission’s 5-year landscaping plan.

Mr. Piper commented on a discussion that occurred during the last regular meeting regarding installation of a pay telephone in the Community Room of Hilltop Apartments, which would have shared the elevator emergency telephone line. Commissioners recommended that no further action occur on this item, due to the unavailability of a switching system that would have given priority on the telephone line to parties trapped in the elevator.

Mr. Piper reported that testing of the Commission’s two emergency generators was scheduled for September 1999. Mr. Piper further reported that a "load bank" test had been scheduled to determine whether the generator was capable of performing additional tasks requested under the Commission’s Y2K contingency plan.

Bills in the amount of $18,701.68 were presented for payment. Commissioner Fowler, supported by Commissioner Field, moved to accept the accounts payable report and pay the bills as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

Hilltop Apartments resident Bernadine Laser (103) presented an inquiry regarding whether the Commission could install an emergency phone which only dialed 9-1-1 in the Community Room of Hilltop Apartments, since the Commission had determined that a pay phone could not be installed. Commissioners requested that staff research this issue.

Hilltop Apartments resident Eula Robinson (213) asked why Housing Commission meetings were scheduled at noon, since some Hilltop tenants received "Meals-on-Wheels" during that time and therefore could not attend the meeting. President Walker explained that all board members were unpaid volunteers and that several board members were employed, and therefore the lunch hour was the only time available.

Hilltop Apartments resident Bernadine Laser (103) requested the installation of an additional closed circuit television camera to monitor the patio area of Hilltop Apartments. Director Cousino reported that this item was scheduled under an upcoming CIAP grant application.

Executive Director Alton Cousino reported receipt of a request to install a "grab bar" in the bathroom of a disabled Hilltop Apartments resident. Mr. Cousino reported that the tenant had contacted the Hillsdale County Family Independence Agency, and that the agency was considering paying for a portion or all of the cost of modifications. Mr. Cousino recommended executing a contract with the Commission’s contracted architectural firm to design specifications for the installation of grab bars according to ADA and HUD Section 504 specifications. Mr. Cousino stated that such plans would allow the Commission to have a set of standard specifications with which to acquire bids for completion of this item for this request and similar future requests. Following extensive discussion, Commissioners agreed to contract with the Commission’s architectural firm for the specifications, and stated that the Commission would absorb the cost of this design.

Commissioner Fowler, supported by Commissioner Field, moved to adopt Resolution #HHC 1999-11, PHMAP Certification, for fiscal year 1999. The motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Cousino reported that no "residential rate" existed for water consumption from the Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities, in response to Commission inquiry during a previous meeting. Mr. Cousino reported that the BPU billed water at the same rate to all customers.

Director Cousino reported receipt of a memo from HUD headquarters in Washington DC, stating that the Housing Commission was eligible to apply for a noncompetitive CIAP 99 grant, disbursed through HUD’s new operating fund system. Mr. Cousino stated that the Housing Commission’s estimate for available grant funds was approximately $81,000, and that a CIAP application would be forwarded to HUD in the near future. Mr. Cousino stated that Commission approval was required prior to application submission, and that a special meeting would be necessitated in the near future.

Mr. Cousino reported that, following acquisition of a new personal computer from Micron Electronics, he was advised that free online computer classes were available through Micron. Mr. Cousino requested approval to take available online courses. Commissioners approved of this action.

Mr. Cousino provided each Commissioner with a draft copy of a new Deceased Tenant Policy incorporations modifications requested during an earlier meeting. Commissioners requested additional modifications. Mr. Cousino stated that the additional modifications would be incorporated into the draft policy and presented for review during an upcoming meeting.

Director Cousino provided each Commissioner with a list of required Admissions and Continued Occupancy (A&O) Policies and Dwelling Lease modifications required under the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA). Mr. Cousino reported attendance at HUD’s Best Practices symposium, where several training sessions on QHWRA were attended. Mr. Cousino stated that required modifications of the A&O policies and Dwelling Lease were currently in processing.

Resident Service and Satisfaction Survey

Mr. Cousino distributed copies of HUD’s "Resident Service and Satisfaction Survey," and explained that HUD was sending a survey form to each resident of Hilltop Apartments.

Commissioner’s Guide to QHWRA

Mr. Cousino distributed a booklet titled, "The Commissioner’s Guide to QHWRA," purchased by Commission action during a previous meeting.

Director Cousino distributed literature describing an upcoming seminar titled "Commissioner’s Fundamentals" hosted the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). Mr. Cousino stated that travel funds were available for this seminar, and requested that interested Commissioners contact staff to coordinate reservations.

No action occurred on this item

Director Cousino reported contact with the Commission’s contracted architectural/engineering firm, who requested that a special meeting be scheduled at 12:00 noon on September 23, 1999, to award bids for the Commission’s FY 1998 CIAP grant. Commissioners agreed to meet on this date to award bids, as requested.

No action occurred on this item. Commissioners requested that this item be removed from the monthly agenda.

Maintenance Supervisor Paul Piper reported that requested modifications to the emergency generator and Community Room furnace at Hilltop Apartments would cost approximately $3,000. Mr. Piper stated that such modifications should ensure that the Hilltop Apartments Community Room and elevator would be functional on a part-time basis, should an extended power outage occur as a result of Y2K complications. Mr. Piper explained that these funds would be used to convert a generator and Community Room furnace to LP gas, to rent LP storage tanks, and purchase LP gas. Following brief discussion, Commissioners instructed Mr. Piper to proceed with the acquisition of these items.

No action occurred on this item due to Commissioner Pauken’s absence.

Maintenance Supervisor Paul Piper reported the completion of research regarding increases in water consumption for Hilltop Apartments during fiscal year 1999, as requested during an earlier meeting. Mr. Piper reported contact with the contractor who installed a new water softener system at Hilltop Apartments under the Commission’s FY 1997 CIAP grant. Mr. Piper stated his opinion that a large portion of the increase was due to the new water softener system’s more efficient cycling of water at Hilltop Apartments.

No new business was presented

Commissioner Field moved to adjourn. The motion was supported by Commissioner Fowler and carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 01:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

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