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08/22/19 SPHA Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority
August 22, 2019

Commissioner Owens, Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:17 am. Upon roll call, the following were in attendance:

Present at Roll:      

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans, Vice Chair
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso (Left at 12:24 p.m.)
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis                      
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III                                      
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens, Chair

Absent at Roll:       

  • Commissioner James Dates

Staff Present:         

  • Tony L. Love, Chief Executive Officer
  • 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
  • Andrea Joyal, Accountant
  • Dennis Lohr, Chief Financial Officer
  • Jacquelyn Roberson, Human Resource                                        

Others Present:      

  • Attorney Jeff Butt, Squire Patton Boggs
  • Attorney Rhonda Stringer, Saxon & Gilmore
  • Attorney Ricardo Gilmore, Saxon & Gilmore
  • Brian Evjen, Norstar Development USA, LP
  • Brian Nemeroff, External Auditor Berman Hopkins & LaHam

SUBJECT:             
Approval of the Agenda

Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve the Agenda with one amendment showing that Resolution #2528 & #2530 were not tabled, but were postponed. She requested a re-wording of minutes to reflect this needed change. Commissioner Lipsey Scott seconded the motion. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:   

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES                       
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES   
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES   
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved the motion.


SUBJECT:             
Chair Stephanie Owens requested the web link to the telephone conversation between herself and CEO Tony Love on August 8, 2019.  This conversation made reference to the future creation of meeting Agendas.

Link to the telephone conversation between Owens and Love


SUBJECT:             
Agendas to be approved by Committee Chairpersons before being distributed to the Public

BOARD ACTION:   
Commissioner Amoroso made a motion that all Agendas be reviewed and approved by Committee Chairpersons prior to public distribution. Commissioner Evans seconded. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES   
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES   
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES             
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Legal Report

No Legal Report was given by General Counsel. Chair Owens will distribute and discuss an email received from General Counsel under the Chairpersons report.


SUBJECT:             
Ad HOC Legal Report

BOARD ACTION:   
The Ad HOC Legal Report was received on August 21, 2019. SPHA's Executive Office Manager, Danielle Carevic, sent the report to all Commissioners of August 22, 2019, just prior to the start time of the scheduled Board meeting. Therefore, Commissioner Lipsey Scott made a motion to postpone the action of the Legal Report. Commissioner Evans seconded the motion. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES             
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES             
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES             
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES                                 
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES            
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES             

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Operating the Meeting under small Board rules

BOARD ACTION:   
Commissioner Evans made a motion that the meeting operates under small Board rules. Commissioner LaSister seconded the motion. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES                       
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES                       
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES                       
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES             
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


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

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

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans NO    
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso NO                        
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES                       
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III NO                        
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott NO    
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens NO

The Board did not approve the meeting minutes. Commissioner Owens requested that the meeting minutes reflect the reason why an action is not being taken.  She stated that reasoning for the non-action must be made clear, as the Public seeks to fully understand the reasoning for business decisions.


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

BOARD ACTION:   
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve June 27, 2019, Regular Board Meeting Minutes, with the following amendments, change the word 'Tabled' to 'Postpone' and reflect the correct spelling of Attorney Charley Harris name. Resolution 2530 needs to show Commissioner Dates as the first approval and Commissioner Lipsey Scott as second, as well as making sure the minutes reflect the purpose as to why an action is being taken.  A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso NO                             
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis NO                        
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III NO              
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens NO

Action:
The Board did not approve the minutes.


SUBJECT:             
Approval of Minutes of the July 16, 2019, Special Call Meeting

BOARD ACTION:   
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the July 16, 2019, Meeting Minutes. A vote was called:      

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES                  
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES                       
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES             
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Approval of Minutes of the August 5, 2019, Special Call Meeting

BOARD ACTION:   
Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve August 5, 2019, Meeting Minutes with the following amendments. The correct spelling of Attorney Charley Harris's name and add extra space for Commissioner Lipsey Scott's votes. Resolution #2533 needs to include the word disposition and Property Acquisition Committee.  A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES                  
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES                       
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES             
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Public Forum

Maria Scruggs spoke before the Board to express her concerns regarding CEO Tony Love and his position with the St. Petersburg Housing Authority


SUBJECT:             
Chairperson's Report - There are three items that require additional conversation at a later time.  They are:

  1. Code Violations at Jordan Park and the potential to redeem some of the fees back from the City of St. Petersburg.
  2. CEO Tony L. Love potential reimbursement to SPHA for personal Legal fees.
  3. Contracts for Marketing and Public Relations and Jones Development. There was an extensive discussion regarding Item 3 between Board members and CEO Tony Love.

BOARD ACTION:   
Commissioner Owens made a motion that Items 1 - 3 be brought in front of the appropriate Committee or the full Board at the upcoming scheduled retreat for further discussion. A vote was called:

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES                  
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES                       
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES             
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Commissioner Owens made a motion to adjust the Agenda by moving the Finance report up. This was to accommodate Commissioner Amoroso scheduled.  A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YESC
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso Abstain
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Finance Report

Commissioner Amoroso shared her report from the August 21, 2019, Finance Meeting as the Chair. There was an extensive discussion between the Board members.


SUBJECT:              
Commissioner Evans made a motion to postpone Resolution #2528 A Resolution to Increase the Contract Amount for Architectural and Engineering until the documents are able to be reviewed and further discussion. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:   

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES                  
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES                       
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES             
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Commissioner Amoroso made a motion to postpone Resolution #2530 General Counsel Legal Services Contract Amount Increase until Counsel Charley Harris responses back to the billing questions and further discussion. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES                  
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES                       
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES             
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Commissioner Amoroso made a motion to postpone Resolutions #2535, 2536, 2537 and 2538 Payment in Lieu of Taxes until there is further discussion between SPHA and the City of St. Petersburg. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES                  
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES                       
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES             
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Commissioner Amoroso made a motion to postpone Resolution #2539 Authorizing the usage of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority Credit Card. Until the documents are able to be reviewed and further discussion is held. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:   

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES                  
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES                       
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES             
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Commissioner Amoroso made a motion to approve 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. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES                  
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES                       
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES             
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Commissioner Amoroso made a motion to approve Resolution #2541 - A Resolution of the Board of Commissioner 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. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:   

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES                  
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES                       
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES             
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Ad HOC Bylaws Report


SUBJECT:             
Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve the first amendment under Article II Section 2 Chairperson: that the Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible to see that all Resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:   

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

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve the second amendment under Article II Section 2 Chairperson: shall be an ex-officio voting member of all committees. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:   

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES   
  • Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES                  
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES                       
  • Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES             
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve the third amendment under Article IV Section 2A Finance Committee.  The amendment allows for the removal of word 'ordinary' and allowing the Committee to have a minimum of three members and a maximum of five members. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:   

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

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve the fourth amendment under Article IV Section 2B Personnel Committee.  The amendment allows for the Committee to have a minimum of three members and a maximum of five members. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:   

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

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve the fifth amendment under Article IV Section 2C Resident Interest Committee.  This amendment allows the Committee to have a minimum of three members and a maximum of five members. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:

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

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:
Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve the sixth amendment under Article 4 Section 2C.  The amendment approves the Residents' Interest Committee meeting at least Quarterly as opposed to Annually. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:

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

Action:
The Board approved this motion.

That concludes the Bylaws Report.


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


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 July 2019 report. The occupancy rate is averaging 99%.  There was 28 lease violation's during this period. The new rent Collection Procedure is in effect. July is an 'Encouragement Month' that allows tenants to enter into a repayment agreement. SPHA has had year to date 17 evictions in response to Commissioner Lipsey Scott question.


SUBJECT:
Social Services Report

Mr. Larry Butler, Social Services Officer presented the July 2019 Social Services Report. He provided the action items requested at the Resident Interest Committee Meeting that included the Asset Map, Resource Partners, and the PIH 2015 12H (Self -sufficiency requirements from HUD).


SUBJECT:
Mr. Larry Gonzalez HCV Officer presented the Tenant Activity Report for July 2019. Mr. Gonzalez gave an overview of HCV funding.


SUBJECT:             
Finance Report and Capital Funds

Mr. Dennis Lohr, Chief Financial Officer presented the July 2019 Financial Statements. There was a discussion by Board members and SPHA staff regarding updating the SPHA Accounting policy, Elle Resources and any Procurement that would exceed $20,000.00.


SUBJECT:             
Commissioner Owens made a motion to postpone the agenda item #20-A Fraud Report. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:   

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES                            
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES   
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


SUBJECT:             
Chief Executive Officer Remarks

There was an extensive discussion between Board members, Tony Love, CEO and Brian Evjen regarding the closing date for the Jordan Park RAD Conversion.


SUBJECT:             
Old Business - No Old Business 


SUBJECT:             
New Business

Commissioner Owens made a motion that Commissioners who seek to have training to the extent that it's in SPHA's budget be authorized to attend the upcoming Nahro Conference. A vote was called:

BOARD ACTION:   

  • Commissioner Jerrilyn Evans YES                            
  • Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES   
  • Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES   
  • Commissioner Stephanie Owens YES

Action:
The Board approved this motion.


There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:09 p.m.

Approved and Adopted this 21st day of November 2019.

Stephanie Owens, Chairperson
LaShunda Battle, Acting Chief Operating Officer