Hillsdale Housing Commission
45 N. West Street ¨ Hillsdale, MI 49242
Phone: (517) 439-1210 ¨ Fax: (517) 439-9577 ¨ E-mail: mail@hillsdalehousing.org
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| Minutes - Regular Meeting Call to OrderThe regular monthly meeting of the Hillsdale Housing Commission was held in the Community Room of Hilltop Apartments on Roll Call
Additions to AgendaThere were no additions to the agenda. Public Hearing – FY 2003 Annual PlanPresident Vear requested comments from the public regarding the FY 2003 Annual Plan. No comments were presented. Resolution #HHC 2002-17, Adopting the FY 2003 Annual PlanCommissioner Field, supported by Commissioner Skiver, moved to adopt Resolution #HHC 2002-17, adopting the Hillsdale Housing Commission’s FY 2003 Annual Plan. The motion carried unanimously. MinutesRegular Meeting, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 | 2 | ||
Move-Ins: | 0 | 0 | |
Move-Outs: | 0 | 0 | |
Vacancies: | 0 | 0 | |
Approved Applications: | 3 | 0 | |
Applications in processing: | 1 | 0 | |
Applications on waiting list: | 0 | 0 | |
Director Cousino stated that he had not received formal notification of any action on the Commission’s FY 2001 PHAS score appeal. Mr. Cousino stated that he would present the results of the appeal upon receipt.
Director Cousino provided each Commissioner with a photocopy of a modified draft Tenant Complaint form, as discussed during previous meetings. Following brief discussion, President Vear recommended one potential change, but suggested that the Commission request Commissioner Eames’ comments on the draft form prior to further discussion of the draft form. Commissioners agreed to discuss this item at a later date.
Director Cousino reported that a software firm was offering a program to assist PHAs in performance of annual inspections according to HUD’s Uniform Physical Condition System (UPCS) standards. Mr. Cousino state that the software was available for the Palm handheld operating system, and recommended that the Commission purchase a Palm PC and the UPCS software. Following brief discussion, Commissioners agreed to the purchase of a Palm PC and the inspection software.
Director Cousino reported that certificates of deposits interest rates had dropped drastically, and recommended researching reinvesting funds in U.S. Treasury Bills instead. Director Cousino stated that he would present the results of research upon completion.
Director Cousino provided each Commissioner with a photocopy of a brochure detailing a National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) North Central Regional Council (NCRC) conference, and stated that Commissioner training was included as an agenda item. Mr. Cousino invited Commissioners to the conference. President Vear stated that she would contact Commissioner Doty regarding attendance and inform Mr. Cousino of their availability to attend the conference in the near future.
Director Cousino reported his intention to hold a silent auction to dispose of excess inventory in the near future.
Director Cousino reminded Commissioners that the regularly scheduled May meeting had been rescheduled from May 04 to May 09.
Director Cousino reported that he had recently received notice that the Commission’s FY 2002 operating subsidy would be funded by HUD at 100%.
CFP 2000 Grant Completed
Director Cousino reported that the Commission’s CFP 2000 grant had been completed, and all funds had been expended. Mr. Cousino stated that grant closeout documents had been forwarded to HUD.
Mr. Cousino reported that he had received correspondence stating that HUD intended to allocate CFP 2002 grant funds in mid-April, 2002. Mr. Cousino stated that the grant had originally been scheduled for release in October 2002.
There were no reports by committees or subcommittees.
No action occurred on this item. Mr. Cousino stated that the City of
Mr. Cousino invited Commissioners to the NAHRO NCRC conference in the near future and stated that Commissioner training was offered on the agenda.
No action occurred on this item.
Director Cousino reported that a sample revision of the Commission’s Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policies and Dwelling Lease with modified sections to terminate the lease of persons with three or more dwelling lease violations in a 12-month period had been delivered to the Commission’s attorney for review. Mr. Cousino stated that the attorneys’ recommendations would be presented for discussion upon receipt.
No action occurred on this item. Director Cousino reported that draft modifications to the Commission’s existing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policies was underway and would be presented for discussion at a later date.
Director Cousino reported that the Commission’s legal counsel had advised against adoption of the Draft Freedom of Information Act Policy presented at an earlier meeting. Mr. Cousino stated that the attorney was currently revising the City’s FOIA policy (on which the Commission’s draft policy was based), and recommended waiting for adoption of a FOIA Policy until the City’s policy was complete. Commissioners concurred with Mr. Cousino recommendations.
Director Cousino reported contact with the Commission’s legal counsel regarding installation of a “Vibra-call” alarm system for a resident of Hilltop Apartments. Mr. Cousino stated that the resident had filed a Reasonable Accommodations Request (RAR) form for installation of the system, which would notify the sight- and hearing-impaired resident when their telephone rang, the doorbell to the apartment was activated, or a fire or other building alarm system was activated.
As discussed during a previous meeting, Mr. Cousino stated that he was unsure whether the RAR met the Commission’s definition of “reasonable accommodations,” defined in the Commission’s existing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policies (ACOP), and therefore referred the matter to the Commission’s legal counsel for review.
Mr. Cousino reported receipt of a letter from the Commission’s attorney on this matter, who presented his legal opinion that installation of this system was not consistent with the Commission’s stated goals and missions, and that this RAR did not meet the Commission’s definition of “reasonable accommodation,” and therefore recommended against installation of this system. Following brief discussion, Commissioners requested that Mr. Cousino send a letter to the resident, informing the resident of the attorneys’ recommendations.
As discussed under “Residents and Visitors with Commission Business,” a sight-impaired resident of Hilltop Apartments expressed dissatisfaction with the location of the previously designated pet run. Following discussion, Commissioners agreed to relocate the designated pet run.
Director Cousino reported meeting with City Manager Tim Vagle regarding the potential filing of an application for MSHDA’s Acquisition, Development and Resale (ADR) housing program. Mr. Cousino requested authority to access a portion of the Housing Commission’s reserve funds if the City was unable or unwilling to invest funds for the program. Commissioners agreed to Mr. Cousino’s request.
No action occurred on this item.
No action occurred on this item.
Vice president Field moved to adjourn. The motion was supported by Commissioner Skiver, and carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at
Respectfully Submitted,
Alton D. Cousino III, Executive Director
Hillsdale Housing Commission
