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 October 06, 2005 Call to OrderThe regular monthly meeting of the Hillsdale Housing Commission was held in the Community Room of Hilltop Apartments on Thursday, October 06, 2005 and was called to order at 12:12 p.m. by President Doty. Roll Call
Additions to AgendaThere were no additions to the agenda as presented. Minutes - Regular Meeting September 01, 2005Commissioner Vear, supported by Commissioner Field, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held September 01, 2005, as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Residents and Visitors with Commission BusinessNo business was presented by residents or visitors. Commissioners requested that Director Cousino seek a City Council Agenda item to remove this item from the “Agenda” portion of the Commission’s existing By-Laws. Mr. Cousino indicated that he would request this item in the near future. HARA ReportNo action occurred on this item. Accounts Payable Report/BillsBills in the amount of $22,893.84 were presented for payment. Commissioner Field, supported by Commissioner Hudson, moved to accept the Accounts Payable Report and pay the bills as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Maintenance Supervisor’s ReportWritten ReportMaintenance Supervisor Paul Piper presented Commissioners with a written activity report. Following discussion, Commissioner Vear moved to accept the Maintenance Supervisor’s Report as submitted. The motion was supported by Vice president Hudson and carried unanimously. Executive Director’s Report
Accrued Vacancy LossDirector Cousino presented a report discussing accrued vacancy loss at Hilltop Apartments and stated that advertisements had been placed in the Hillsdale Daily News and Jackson Citizen-Patriot newspapers. Mr. Cousino stated that the Citizen-Patriot ad had been placed following a Fair Housing request that the Commission advertise in a larger circulation newspaper than the Hillsdale Daily News. Following discussion Commissioners requested that Mr. Cousino explore whether it would be advantageous to advertise in other newspapers and provided Mr. Cousino with a suggested list. Mr. Cousino stated that advertisements would be placed in the near future. HHC Fiduciary IssuesFY 2006 Budget EstimatesAs requested at a prior meeting, Director Cousino distributed photocopies of budgetary estimates for FYE 06/30/2006, prepared by the Commission’s fee accountant. Mr. Cousino stated that initial reports indicated that a minor increase in the projected subsidy level could potentially improve the Commission’s financial status over the next few months. General discussion ensued. 2005 Michigan PHA Staff Wage and Benefits SurveyMr. Cousino provided each Commissioner with a copy of the recently completed 2005 Michigan PHA Staff Wage and Benefits Survey. Following discussion, Commissioners requested that tables contained in the report be updated to reflect Hillsdale Housing Commission staff member salaries. Mr. Cousino stated that the modification would be completed and presented at a later date. Grant ReportsCFP 2005Director Cousino reported receipt of CFP 2005 grant funds. Mr. Cousino reported that only approximately one-half of the total amount had been drawn down. Following discussion, Commissioners requested that Mr. Cousino request the remaining grant funds as soon as possible. Part-time HousekeepingFollowing discussion, Director Cousino recommended that the board consider hiring a part-time employee to handle housekeeping duties at Hilltop Apartments. Commissioners requested that Mr. Cousino and Mr. Piper contact contractors to determine if a cost-effective contract for these services was available. Reports of Committees and SubcommitteesThere were no reports from Committees or Subcommittees Unfinished BusinessMERS AdjustmentsDirector Cousino provided each Commissioner with a document describing how Commission employer contributions would be reduced if employee’s contributions were increased in response to previous discussions. Commissioners requested that Mr. Cousino obtain a copy of the law which stated that the Commission could not change pension providers without appearing on the ballot for voters from the City of Hillsdale. Mr. Cousino stated that he would attempt to locate the legal reference and present upon receipt. City of Hillsdale Insurance Premiums – Retroactive IncreasesCity of Hillsdale Finance Director Bonnie Tew discussed the accrual of a debt for benefits provided by the City for Commission employees. Director Cousino reported that he had previously stated that this debt had accrued without Commission knowledge. Following discussion, Commissioner Vear, supported by Vice president Hudson, moved to repay the outstanding debt in twelve equal monthly payments, starting November, 2005. The motion carried unanimously. Commissioner OrientationVice president Hudson requested that Commissioner Orientation be scheduled for the near future. Mr. Cousino stated that he would review a draft presentation and schedule orientation to occur following appointment of a Commissioner to fill Commissioner Vear’s vacancy, in November, 2005. Reasonable Accommodations Request – BathtubDirector Cousino reported that a Reasonable Accommodations Request (RAR) had not been completed, as previously discussed. Mr. Cousino reported that a resident of Hilltop Apartments had requested a sliding chair for the bathtub at Hilltop Apartments, and stated that the item had been referred to the Hillsdale County Senior Services Center. Commissioner Vear reported that the Senior Services Center had been unable to provide the requested equipment, but stated her opinion that the item should be covered under Medicaid. Following discussion, Mr. Cousino stated that he would present this information to the resident. New BusinessMichigan Health Care Listening TourDirector Cousino distributed copies of an invitation to participate in a Michigan Health Care Listening Tour, sponsored by Michigan State University, in an attempt to determine whether the state of Michigan should further its involvement with uninsured and underinsured persons. Mr. Cousino invited all board members and stated his intention to attend. AdjournmentCommissioner Vear moved to adjourn. The motion was supported by Commissioner Field, carried unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 01:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alton D. Cousino III, PHM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
