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08/21/19 Finance Committee Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Finance Committee of the Board of Commissioners of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority August 21, 2019

Commissioner Amoroso, Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:16 am. Upon roll call, the following were in attendance:

Present at Roll:

  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso, Chair
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III - Non - Voting Member                 
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens

Absent at Roll:

  • Commissioner James Dates

Staff Present:

  • Tony L. Love, Chief Executive Officer
  • LaShunda Battle, Acting Chief Operating Officer
  • Danielle Carevic, Executive Office Manager
  • Audria Davis, Compliance Officer                        
  • Larry Gonzalez, Housing Choice Voucher Officer                                
  • Pamela Hobbs, Procurement Officer
  • Andrea Joyal, Accountant  
  • Dennis Lohr, Chief Financial Officer                                                  

Others Present:

  • Attorney Jeff Butt; Squire Patton Boggs
  • Brian Evjen, Norstar Development USA, LP
  • Brian Nemeroff, External Auditor Berman Hopkins & LaHam
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott

SUBJECT:
Approval of the Revised Agenda

Commissioner Amoroso made a motion to approve the Revised Agenda which entailed rearranging the order of items to be discussed. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:    

  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso, YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III,  Non-Voting Member
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens, YES                                       

The Board approved the motion.

SUBJECT:
Brian Nemeroff, partner with Berman Hopkins & LaHam presented SPHA's audit for year ending December 2018. There was an extensive discussion by Board members and Brian Nemeroff.

SUBJECT:
2018 Audit  

Commissioner Amoroso made a motion to upload the overview of the Audit into drop box for consideration of the full Board. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion. A vote was called:                              

BOARD ACTION:

  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso, YES   
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III, Non-Voting Member
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens, YES                           

The Board approved the motion.

SUBJECT:
Brian Evjen with Norstar Development presented an update of the Jordan Park Redevelopment. There was an extensive discussion by Board members, Brian Evjen and Jeff Butt.

SUBJECT:
Resolutions and all the appropriate background materials

Commissioner Owens made a motion that all Resolutions come with the appropriate background material to enable Commissioners in making informed decisions. Commissioner Amoroso seconded the motion. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:

  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso, YES   
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III, Non-Voting Member
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens, YES

The Board approved the motion.

SUBJECT:                
Resolution #2540 - A Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of St. Petersburg, Florida, Consenting to RISE Development Corporation Approving the Assignment of the Construction Contract for Jordan Park and Mid-Rise Construction from Brooks and Freund, LLC. There was an extensive discussion between Board members and Jeff Butt.

Resolution #2541 - A Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of St. Petersburg, Florida Approving a Second Amendment to Development Agreement Relating to the Rehabilitation and New Construction of Jordan Park Apartments. There was an extensive discussion between Board members and Jeff Butt.

SUBJECT:
Resolution #2540 and #2541 go to the full Board for approval.

Commissioner Amoroso made a motion to move Resolution #2540 -#2541 go to the full Board for approval. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:    

  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso, YES   
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III, Non-Voting Member
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens, YES   

The Board approved the motion.

SUBJECT:
Financial Reports and Capital Funds

Dennis Lohr, Chief Financial Officer presented the July 2019, Financial Report and Capital Funds. There was an extensive discussion between the Board members and Dennis Lohr.

SUBJECT:
Resolution #2528 - To Increase the Contract Amount for Architectural & Engineering Services. There was extensive discussion between Board members, CEO Tony Love and Pamela Hobbs, Procurement Officer.  

There was no vote on this Resolution.  

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

Commissioner Owens made a motion to postpone Resolution #2530.

Commissioner Amoroso seconded the motion. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:    

  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso, YES   
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III, Non-Voting Member
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens, YES                                                   

The Board approved the motion.

SUBJECT:
Commissioner Amoroso stated for the record that SPHA Board of Commissioners has an obligation to move as quickly as possible regarding any outstanding liabilities that SPHA has in addition to having the obligation to request and receive whatever documentation deemed necessary and appropriate for the Board to make informed decisions in order to proceed with suitable actions.

SUBJECT:
Tony L. Love stated for the record that he did not cancel the May Meeting. He stated that it was canceled at the advice of Charley Harris, SPHA General Counsel. 

Commissioner Owens stated that she would copy the CEO, Counsel, and the Board members the information that showed the CEO canceled the meeting.

SUBJECT:
Resolutions #2535, #2536, #2537 and #2538 - Authorization to Pay Payment in Lieu of Taxes

Commissioner Amoroso made a motion to postpone Resolutions #2535, #2536, #2537 and #2538 until Commissioner Owens and Tony Love can speak with City leadership to see what options/possibilities for SPHA to use the owed amounts towards programs or projects. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion. There was an extensive discussion between Board members and CEO Tony Love. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:

  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso, YES   
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III, Non-Voting Member
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens, YES                                                   

The Board approved the motion.

SUBJECT:
Resolution #2539 - Authorization of the Usage of St. Petersburg Housing Authority Credit Card.

Commissioner Amoroso made a motion to postpone Resolution #2539 until HUD gives specific directions regarding the language and procedures required in a Credit Card Policy. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:

  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso, YES   
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III, Non-Voting Member
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens, YES                                                   

The Board approved the motion.

SUBJECT:
Fraud Recovery Program Status Report

Audria Davis, Compliance Officer, presented the July 2019 Fraud Recovery Report. Ms. Davis confirmed that the program is for the HCV participants to correct fraudulent activities due to unreported income.  She also stated that SPHA is able to track fraud by reviewing filed tax returns. The recovery program recoups the lost funds by accepting a repayment plan for no more than six months with an outstanding balance up to $1,500.

SUBJECT:
Old Business - There was no old business 

SUBJECT:
New Business - There was no new business   

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:15 pm.

Approved and Adopted this 21st day of November 2019.

Stephanie A. Owens, Chairperson
LaShunda Battle, Acting Chief Operating Officer