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11/21/19 SPHA Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority
November 21, 2019

Commissioner Owens, Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:18 a.m. Upon roll call, the following were in attendance:

Present at Roll:

  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens, Chair (Left meeting 10:47 a.m. Returned 10:52 a.m.)
  • Commissioner James Dates
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott

Staff Present:

  • LaShunda Battle, Acting Chief Operating Officer
  • Robin Adams, Asset Management Officer
  • Larry Butler, Social Services Officer
  • Danielle Carevic, Executive Office Manager
  • Audria Davis, Compliance Officer
  • Larry Gonzalez, Housing Choice Voucher Officer
  • Pamela Hobbs, Procurement Officer
  • Dennis Lohr, Chief Financial Officer
  • Jacquelyn Roberson, Human Resources Officer

Others Present:

  • Leroy Moore, Vice President Tampa Housing Authority
  • Attorney Ricardo Gilmore, Saxon & Gilmore
  • Attorney Charley Harris, Trenam Law
  • City Council, Amy Foster

SUBJECT: Approval of the Amended Agenda

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Owens requested that City Council Member Amy Foster's report be moved to the top of the Agenda. Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the amended agenda. Commissioner Lipsey Scott seconded the motion. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens: YES
  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES

The Board approved the motion.


SUBJECT: 2020 Census

City Council Member Amy Foster came before SPHA's Commissioners and Staff to speak about the importance of the 2020 Census. There was an extensive discussion between Board members and City Council Member Amy Foster.


SUBJECT: Legal Report

Attorney Charley Harris with Trenam Law discussed the termination agreement between the Tampa Housing Authority and the St. Petersburg Housing Authority.


SUBJECT: Public Forum - No Public Forum


SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes of the May 7, 2019, Regular Special Meeting

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Lipsey Scott made a motion to approve the May 7, 2019 Regular Special Meeting Minutes. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES

The Board approved the motion.


SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes of the June 27, 2019, Regular Board Meeting

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Lipsey Scott made a motion to approve the June 27, 2019 Regular Board Meeting Minutes. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: Present
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES

The Board approved the motion.


SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes of the August 6, 2019, Ad HOC Bylaws Meeting

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve the August 6, 2019 Ad HOC Bylaws Meeting Minutes. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES

The Board approved the motion


SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes of the August 22, 2019, Regular Board Meeting

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner LaSister made a motion to approve the August 22, 2019 Regular Board Meeting Minutes. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES

The Board approved the motion


SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes of the August 30, 2019, Regular Special Call Meeting

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Lipsey Scott made a motion to approve the August 30, 2019 Regular Special Call Meeting Minutes. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES 

The Board approved the motion


SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes of the August 30, 2019, SPHA Emergency Meeting

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve the August 30, 2019 SPHA Emergency Meeting Minutes. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES 

The Board approved the motion


SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes of the September 18, 2019, Personnel Meeting

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Lipsey Scott made a motion to approve the September 18, 2019 Personnel Meeting Minutes. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens: YES
  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES

The Board approved the motion


SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes of the October 24, 2019, Regular Board Meeting

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the October 24, 2019 Regular Board Meeting Minutes. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Owens: YES
  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: Present

The Board approved the motion


SUBJECT: Clearview Park/Disston Place/Romayne/Gateway Place/Sunset Oaks/Jordan Park/Saratoga and Palm Bayou Management Report

Mrs. Robin Adams, Asset Management Officer presented the Report for the Month of October 2019.


SUBJECT: Social Services Report

Mr. Larry Butler, Social Service Officer presented the Social Services Report for the Month of October 2019. There was an extensive discussion between Board members, Larry Butler and Ms. LaShunda Battle.


SUBJECT: Tenant Activity Report

Mr. Larry Gonzalez, HCV Officer, presented the Tenant Activity Report for the Month of October 2019.


SUBJECT: Report from the Finance Committee

BOARD ACTION: Dennis Lohr, Chief Financial Officer presented the Report for the Month of October 2019, Financial Report and Capital Funds. There was an extensive discussion between Board members and Mr. Dennis Lohr.  


SUBJECT: Fraud Recovery Program Status Report

Audria Davis, Compliance Officer presented the October 2019, Fraud Recovery Report.


SUBJECT: Revised Resolution #2546 - Write-Off of Vacated Public Housing Tenant Accounts

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve Revised Resolution #2546. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Owens: YES
  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES

The Board approved Resolution #2546


SUBJECT: Resolution #2550 - Approval of 2020 Public Housing Utility Allowances

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Lipsey Scott made a motion to approve Resolution #2550. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Owens: YES
  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES

The Board approved Resolution #2550


SUBJECT: Resolution #2551 - A Resolution to Adopt the 2020 Utility Allowance Schedule for the Housing Choice Voucher Program

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve Resolution #2551. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Owens: YES
  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES

The Board approved Resolution #2551


SUBJECT: Resolution #2552 - A Resolution to Approve the Operating Budgets for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2020

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Owens made a motion to postpone Resolution #2552. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Owens: YES
  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES

The Board approved Resolution #2552


SUBJECT: Procurement Report

Pamela Hobbs, Procurement Officer presented the Procurement report. Ms. Hobbs outlined information on the upcoming RFP's.


SUBJECT: Resolution #2530 - General Counsel Legal Services Contract Amount Increase

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve Resolution #2530. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Owens: YES
  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES 

The Board approved Resolution #2530


SUBJECT: Resolution #2549 - Disposition of Computer Equipment

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Lipsey Scott made a motion to approve Resolution #2549. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Owens: YES
  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES

The Board approved Resolution #2549


SUBJECT: Tampa Housing Authority Mutual Termination Agreement

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve the Tampa Housing Authority Mutual Termination Agreement once Ms. Battle has the appropriate invoice. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Owens: YES
  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES 

The Board approved the motion


SUBJECT: Interim CEO.

BOARD ACTION: Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve Ms. Battle as the Interim CEO with full authority of the organization. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Owens: YES
  • Commissioner James Dates: YES
  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans: YES
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis: YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III: YES
  • Commissioner Lipsey Scott: YES

The Board approved the motion


SUBJECT: Chief Executive Report

SPHA is still trying to fill a few open positions. Senior staff is taking advantage of available training for the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020.


SUBJECT: Old Business - No Old Business


SUBJECT: New Business - No New Business


There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:31 a.m.
Approved and Adopted this 23rd day of January 2020.

Stephanie A. Owens, Chairperson
LaShunda Battle, Interim Chief Executive Officer