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April 20 2022 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Date Posted: 04/20/2022
Category: Board Minutes

I. Regular Meeting
Chairman James Cloar called the regular meeting of the Tampa Housing Authority Board of Commissioners to order at 8:50 a.m. Other Board members present were Bemetra Salter Liggins, Ben Dachepalli, Sul Hemani, and legal counsel Ricardo Gilmore. Commissioners Lorena Hardwick, Parker Homans and Billi Johnson-Griffin were not present nor available to participate online. 

The Chair began by asking everyone for a moment of silent prayer and/or personal meditation; those in attendance were also asked to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance; recital of the agency's mission statement followed. 

II. Minutes
A motion to approve the Minutes of the Annual Board Meeting of January 19, 2022 was made by Commissioner Salter Liggins and seconded by Commissioner Dachepalli:

Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes 

III. Public Forum (3 minutes limit allotted per speaker)

  • None to come before this forum.

IV. Employees of the Month

  • Administration - LaDawn Gibson
  • Properties - Stephen Fernandez

V. Special Recognition (Geraldine Barnes Award)

  • Recipient - John Brown

VI. Resolutions
The Sr. VP/COO, Mr. Leroy Moore presented resolutions 2022-4215 to 4220. 

  • 2022-4215: A resolution authorizing the President/CEO of The Housing Authority of The City of Tampa (THA) to negotiate and execute a purchase and sale agreement on behalf of Central Park Development Group, LLC (CPDGLLC) with Lineaire Design, LLC (Lineaire) for the sale of lot 10 at Encore.

A motion was made by Commissioner Salter Liggins and seconded by Commissioner Dachepalli:

Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes 

  • 2022-4216: A resolution authorizing The President/CEO of The Housing Authority of The City of Tampa (THA) to negotiate and execute a purchase and sale agreement on behalf of Central Park Development Group, LLC (CPDGLLC) with Kiran Reif LLC (Kiran) for the sale of lots 5 and 12 at Encore. 

A motion was made by Commissioner Salter Liggins and seconded by Commissioner Hemani:

Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes 

Attorney Ricardo Gilmore confirmed that it was acceptable to proceed with vote after Commissioner Dachepalli abstained because there was a quorum.

  • 2022-4217 Leroy Moore: Resolution authorizing the President/CEO of The Housing Authority of The City of Tampa (THA) to execute a purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of RTD Phase I, LTD known as Oaks at Riverview Apartments from the limited Partner (LP), the Special Limited Partner (SLP), and the General Partner (GP).

A motion was made by Commissioner Hemani and seconded by Commissioner Dachepalli: 

Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes

  • 2022-4218 Leroy Moore: Resolution authorizing the President/CEO of The Housing Authority of The City of Tampa (Authority) to execute a master development agreement (Belmont Heights Estates Phase III to be known as Belmont Heights Estates II) with the Michaels Development Company I, L.P. (developer) for the acquisition and rehabilitation of the existing Belmont Heights Phase III Community. 

A motion was made by Commissioner Salter Liggins and seconded by Commissioner Hemani: 

Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes

  • 2022-4219: A resolution authorizing the President/CEO of The Housing Authority of The City of Tampa (THA) to execute a letter of intent and negotiate partnership documents to co-develop property on Manhattan Avenue with Archway Partners, LLC and Strategic Property Services, LLC (Archway/SPS).

A motion was made by Commissioner Salter Liggins and seconded by Commissioner Dachepalli: 

Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes

  • 2022-4220: A resolution authorizing the President/CEO of The Housing Authority of The City of Tampa to advance capital in the form of a member loan to T4 at West River in accordance with the operating agreement to further the development needs of the project.

A motion was made by Commissioner Salter Liggins and seconded by Commissioner Hemani: 

Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes

The Assistant Director of Program and Property Services, Mr. Kenneth Bryant presented resolution 2022-4221. Attorney Gilmore stated that he would issue a blanket authorization resolution to be presented, possibly at the March meeting. The blanket resolution will authorize the Chair and the Mr. Ryans to execute any application documents. 

  • 2022-4221: A resolution authorizing the Housing Authority of The City of Tampa to submit applications for operational funds to the Children's Board of Hillsborough County and to acknowledge that Mr. Jerome Ryans, President/CEO, is authorized by the chair of the board of commissioners to sign applications and any resulting contracts.

A motion was made by Commissioner Hemani and seconded by Commissioner Salter Liggins: 

Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes

The same explanation by Attorney Gilmore applies for resolution 2022-4222, presented by the Director of North Tampa Housing Development Corporation, Ms. Layla Hartz.  

  • 2022-4222: A resolution authorizing the Housing Authority of The City of Tampa to submit applications for community development block grants public facility improvements to Hillsborough County and to acknowledge that Mr. Jerome Ryans, President/CEO is authorized by the chair of the board of commissioners to sign applications and any resulting contracts.

A motion was made by Commissioner Salter Liggins and seconded by Commissioner Hemani: 

Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes

VII. President/CEO's Report

Finance and Related Entities
The Sr. VP/CFO, Ms. Susi Begazo-McGourty's presentation focused on the calendar year entities because it was the end of the year and the end of operations. Most of these entities, especially the partnerships, part of their net income, specifically developer fees are used to pay off loans that belong to THA. At the end of the year, the auditor prepares a cash available for distribution report to pay loans based on the waterfall and THA developer fees are at the top of the list. The calendar year entities included Meridian River, Encore properties The Ella, The Trio, The Reed and The Tempo, Gardens at Southbay was also included, as well as the Renaissance at West River and Mary Bethune Apartments as the first entity with Related. 

Operations and Real Estate Development 
Mr. Moore began his report by pointing out that there were 1,178 units completed at Encore with the two buildings that recently came online, in the last couple of months. Lot 8 and "after today" lots 10, 5 and 12 will be under contract, said the COO. 

There were no other lots available at Encore except for a small lot on the Corner of Cass and Nebraska surrounding the Chiller Plant, which had received interest recently. Due to all the development across the street and other development nearby, this lot could potentially have a building developed. As ideas and proposals are seriously considered, these will be brought to the Board for consideration.

Encore was considering joining the Special Services District (SSD) in downtown. The southern portion of lot 10 is part of the Downtown Central Business District. Board members were shown images of other areas that were part of the Central District, Encore was known as the Tempo District giving Encore a marketed connection with downtown. For the last year and a half there had been discussions with the Downtown Partnership, which operates the SSD, to extend the boundaries of the SSD to include Encore's 28 acres; currently the SSD stops at Cass. Property assessments will be required for the three owners at the Encore, THA owning approximately 80 percent, the Legacy and the Independence were the other two owners. Mr. Moore was scheduled to speak at City Council on Thursday, February 17th in support of Encore joining the SSD, with a final City Council meeting in August before officially becoming part of the SSD. The COO hoped for a unanimous decision by City Council, adding that it would be more cost-effective for Encore to join the SSD. 

The Manor at West River, being sold to Related, was due to close in March, and the closing on the grocery at West River may be delayed to April or May. Phase 1 of the Canopy T4 was expected to close in March. Noncompetitive funding for Phase 2 of the Canopy T4 will close by end of 2022 or early 2023. The T5 Workforce Housing was the only parcel remaining to pursue funding for, this is the last West River rental apartment contract.

These West River projects "clean the board" to begin working on the Rome Yard later in 2022, which was another 1000 units in partnership with Related. 

Mr. Moore showed images of the Bel-Mar Presbyterian Church property and its education buildings on Manhattan Street and Gandy near THA's Arbors at Padgett Estates property. This is almost a 2.5-acre parcel that will become 100 units of 1- and 2-bedroom affordable housing. As part of the partnership and acquisition of this land, THA agreed to provide the church owner with a 1,500 sq. ft. space on the ground floor to use for community outreach; a lease of $1 per year for the next 20 years.  

Robles Park Village was finalizing its developer proposal to be submitted to HUD in March. Relocation meetings with residents had been ongoing, every two weeks; relocation may begin in the next 120 days. The two properties owned by one owner near RPV on Lace and Central were scheduled to close before end of February. 

The COO informed the Board regarding the two homes on Scott Street near the Encore site that had closed the prior week before this meeting; the homes will be preserved rather than demolished. 

The Board will be notified when a grand opening for the Job Training Center will be and if interested in attending. 

PPS Assistant Director, Mr. Bryant returned to address the Board regarding the dollar amount for the Village Linkup Grant he referenced earlier during this meeting, which was $300,000 annually for four years and the Financial Services Grant was $90,000 annually for four years. 

The Director of Human Resources, Mr. Kenneth Christie's report included updates on the pandemic and THA's response to CDC recommendations in terms of the booster shot. Lastly, THA was currently not open to the public. 

VIII. Legal Matters
Supplementing to Mr. Christie's report, Attorney Gilmore stated that policies and procedures during the pandemic and how we can maintain a safe workspace was a "continual moving target," due to having to adjust by living in Florida and the passing of a recent law, as we must make sure that THA's policies are compliant with CDC regulations and not inadvertently be out of compliance with Florida law.  

IX. Unfinished Business

  • None to come before this forum.

X. Notices and Updates

  • None to come before this forum.

XI. New Business

  • None to come before this forum.

XIII. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before this Board, the Chair declared this meeting of the THA Board of Commissioners adjourned at 9:55 a.m. 

Approved this 20th day of April 2022.