Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority (GMHA) - 4/16/2024
Meeting Info: Regular Meeting on April 16, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. in the GMHA Conference Room at Murray Manor, 385 Center St., Chardon, OH, 44024. In-person only.
Agenda: An agenda was provided at the meeting. Public comment is included on the agenda, near the end of the meeting.
Attendance: Present were:
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Board Chair - Richard Depenbrok
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Board Vice Chair - Jeff Markley
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Board Member - Walter Claypool
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Board Member - Susan Kemmerer
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Board Member - Michael Petruziello
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Executive Director - Dawn Farrell
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Fiscal Manager - Carrie Carlson
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Maintenance Manager - Mike Cook
Observer Comment: Mr. Claypool arrived during the discussion of Financial Statements and Write-offs.
Others: Colleen Del Balso, General Counsel from Petersen & Petersen; 2 residents of GMHA housing option Murray Manor. Reviewer Note: Murray Manor is a 75-unit apartment complex maintained by the Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority for residents who qualify. See website for more information.
Call to Order - 4:03 p.m.
Minutes - March 2024 minutes were tabled until the next meeting.
Financial Statements & Write-offs:
Ms. Carlson presented a brief overview which included a discussion of STAR Ohio’s current interest rates and a recommendation to write off rent due from an individual who had occupied a private rental property. ACCEPTED 4-1, with Mr. Claypool abstaining.
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Mr. Petruziello asked why they are writing off the past due rent before completing a collections process. Per staff, since August 2020, only a handful of debts have been successfully collected.
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Mr. Depenbrok noted it has not been financially prudent to pursue collection efforts.
Commissioner’s Report - None
Counsel’s Report - They are working on two eviction matters.
Director’s Report - Ms. Farrell reported:
Flooring replacement at Murray Manor is going well. Completion expected in 2-3 weeks. Windows are next.
They have invited multiple vendors to participate in Landlord Appreciation Day.
The Deferred Compensation Plan now includes a Roth option.
Arrangement with Ravenwood Health to have a Case Manager at the GMHA office is entering its second year. Overall, it has been a positive experience.
Two units in GMHA housing option Cloverdale Estates in Middlefield Township were condemned last Fall.
Reviewer Note: Cloverdale Estates is another rental unit under the jurisdiction of GMHA. The description on the website is as follows: “They are made up of 49 predominately two-bedroom units with a few three-bedroom units, all of which have attached garages.”
The Director stated that these properties are subject to HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) regulations and many steps are required before the structures may be taken down.
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Mr. Markley inquired whether an environmental report was done. Per staff, yes.
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Mr. Claypool inquired whether the units can be rebuilt. Per staff, this is not financially feasible.
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Mr. Claypool asked how to get the property out from under HUD and asserted, without citing sources, that it is “...not a high bar” to remove a property from HUD.
Observer Note: Metropolitan Housing Authorities are established under ORC 3735.27 by the state director of development. As detailed in ORC 3735.31, Geauga's five member board may compete for and perform federal housing contracts or grants; clear, plan, redevelop, and rebuild slum areas within the district in which the authority is created; provide safe and sanitary housing accommodations to families of low income within that district; make available, acquire, construct, improve, manage, lease, or own mixed-use or mixed-income developments, or a combination of such developments. Per Executive Director Farrell, GMHA housing programs are entirely funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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Under HUD’s Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMR) program, fair market rents for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers must now be set by zip code instead of census statistical area. GMHA received $10,000 from HUD to help implement this program. GMHA was formerly part of the Cleveland/Elyria Statistical Area.
Old Business - None
New Business
The Executive Director requested authorization to spend an additional $18,593 for flooring replacement at Murray Manor. Ms. Carlson explained that some sections of the building were missed in the original estimate due to outdated floor plans and noted that about $4,000 of the total is for space leased to Northeast Ohio Consortium Council of Governments (NOC COG). APPROVED 5-0
Observer Note: The NOC COG serves as Board Staff and Fiscal Agent for the Workforce Development Board for Ohio Workforce Area 19 (Ashtabula, Geauga, and Portage Counties), pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.
Resolution thanking former GMHA Board President Pearce Leary for his service was APPROVED, 5-0.
Authorization requested to increase flooring replacement budget for unit turnarounds from $30,000 to $45,000. Per staff, the increase is partially due to change in material from carpet to plank flooring. Additionally, labor and materials costs have increased. APPROVED 5-0
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Mr. Petruziello noted this is a 50% increase and asked how it was missed? Mr. Markley stated it wasn’t missed, it’s a change in material.
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Mr. Claypool said it would be “nice” if we could get rid of HUD.
Authorization requested for Ms. Farrell to attend a conference in Cincinnati, at a cost not to exceed $1,300. APPROVED 5-0.
Authorization requested for Ms. Farrell and Ms. Carlson to attend training that will cover recent changes in HUD procurement rules, at a cost not to exceed $1,300. APPROVED 5-0.
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Mr. Petruziello inquired who manages procurement, and Ms. Farrell stated that she and Ms. Carlson both do.
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Mr. Claypool inquired why they wanted to send both the Director and Ms. Carlson. Ms. Farrell pointed out that they have a small staff and that cross-training is important.
Public Comment - Two individuals made inquiries:
This Observer requested the identity of the tenant referred to during the flooring discussion and sought clarification of the acronym RAD.
A Murray Manor resident stated they were looking forward to the new flooring.
Executive Session: None
Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 4:53 p.m.
Next Meeting - May 21, 2024 at 4 p.m.
Approved Minutes - Not posted on the GMHA website. Contact staff to make a public records request.
Observer: Shelly Lewis
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 5/8/2024
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