January 19 2022 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Date Posted: 01/19/2022

Category: Board Minutes

I. Regular Meeting
Chairman James Cloar called the regular meeting of the Tampa Housing Authority Board of Commissioners to order at 8:36 a.m. Other Board members present were Lorena Hardwick, Sul Hemani, Parker Homans, and legal counsel Ricardo Gilmore. Commissioner Billi Johnson-Griffin participated online after approval of the minutes. Commissioners Ben Dachepalli and Bemetra Salter Liggins were not present for this meeting nor available 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 regular Board Meeting of October 20, 2021 was made by Commissioner Hemani and seconded by Commissioner Hardwick:

Commissioner Hardwick - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Homans - Yes

III. Public Forum (3 minutes limit allotted per speaker)
There were eight speakers registered to speak, all were residents of River Pines Apartments.

Mr. Fredrick Larry, was the first to speak, he stated that he had no complaints, he previously had some issues with his unit but nothing "to the point where I got to constantly harass the office or the managers." Mr. Larry added that he never had any misunderstanding with management, having gone through three managements for over 10-year as a resident of River Pines.

Ms. Angela Holder, a 7-year resident had no issues with River Pines adding that she liked the people there, management and the residents. When she needs something done it gets done, she kept her unit clean and cool; she didn't understand what the issues were.

Mr. Jimmie Davis, a resident of River Pines since 2005, he received good services from management, had no problems with them, they had been a good staff and appreciated their services, anything he asked for of management they were prompt with fixing. He added that he was going to be living there for a long time as he was not going anywhere.

Mr. David Walker Sr. an 11-year resident of River Pines had no complaints, management had treated him nice, they take care of him fine.

Ms. Vanderlyn Witherspoon was not available to speak at this forum.

Ms. Juanita Lilly a 13-year resident had concerns about the windows and the doors, they need locks for the doors with better security, they need a cigarette ban for no smoking in the units and the hallway. She added that "we think we need a better smoking area adjoining the apartments and my management is there for our needs." She believed "what we need is the ownership to get into the management to help us."

Ms. Martha Whyte stated that the current manager and her staff had been excellent with their work compared to the previous two managements, adding that the current manager was a very nice and respectful person. Regarding people that have brand new apartments, she did not understand why they were complaining, she has been in her apartment for 13 years, she has nothing new, and she had no problems. When she goes to the management office, the staff jumps to whatever she needs done.

Mr. Gerald Miller resided at River Pines from 2000 to 2009 then returned in 2015. Management was very receptive to issues with his unit, adding that when people move out and before the next tenant moves in, everything in the unit is replaced with new. Mr. Miller was a residential director for several agencies in Tampa and he thought that the management at River Pines was doing a great job.

Ms. Reva Iman was a Hillsborough County Community Organizer from Florida Rising, she conducted over 120 surveys and claims that when management found out, at least 60% of the residents that participated in the surveys retracted fearing retaliation. Ms. Iman created 7-day notices for residents, after these were submitted to management, residents received a letter within two days stating that if they were unhappy, they could move out. She also claimed to have witnessed mistreatment towards a resident by management. Some of the surveys she conducted were good, but the majority reflected badly on management. She added that some of the seniors at River Pines had heart issues, were diabetic, had mental issues, etc. Before her time was up, Ms. Iman added that in her opinion, the management at River Pines "should not be there and a new management company needs to come in."

Ms. Loretha Barthel, was a former resident of River Pines, she had recently moved out and claimed that management had not fixed anything in the unit, she had turned in a 7-day notice, she went to the office Friday and told them in October she was moving out in November. She was told she had to fill out a letter stating when she was moving out. She comes over, they had changed the locks, she still had two fans, she did not know how much they were going to charge her. They did not do a walk-through of the unit with her, and management mistreated her. She was told that all the doctor letters she submitted were thrown out. Ms. Barthel's request of the Board was to allow her to have a walk-through of her unit.

Ms. Patricia A. Griffin was not available to speak at this forum.

Ms. Deb Malone referred to the public forum response from the last meeting which mentioned there were eight people that complained about River Pines. She stated that the management at River Pines had intimidated and bullied residents, as well as threatened residents with eviction or with their leases not renewed. She claimed that was the reason there were only eight people with complaints. Ms. Malone claimed she still had roaches; recently while she was not home, there were "sticky things supposedly under the fridge and behind the stove" that she found in the middle of her dining room floor and her service dog began to chew on, putting her dog at risk. She was told that someone would come by again that day and no one did. Ms. Malone wishes "to transfer to a non-roach apartment complex."

Mr. Joe White and Ms. America Lebron were not available to speak at this forum.

Ms. Arlene Frances Washington stated that she had asked for an A/C unit in April and got it in October. She had recently gotten a pacemaker; she was told by her doctor that she "did not have to be allergic to mold to be sick from mold" and that was her problem. The mold had not been cleaned up plus she had a flood in her unit. Maintenance was sent to take the water out from her rug, she was given something to pull the rest of the water. While her sister stayed in the unit to help her before she went for surgery, Ms. Malone emptied the water herself four times; every day since the surgery her sister emptied the water. Ms. Malone claimed she still had roaches, an inspector came to see if the mold had been taken care of, which had not been. She also had an independent apartment inspector come inspect her unit, she did not know the results. "My inspector came back" said Ms. Malone and that inspection did not pass. She signed up to be transferred to a new apartment but had not heard anything. Ms. Malone claimed she was given an eviction notice and that she had to be out of her unit by December 31st without a reason. She stated that she was 76 years old and repeatedly asked for a resolution.

The Director of Asset Management, Mr. Lorenzo Bryant addressed the Board regarding his response to the last meeting's public forum. His response was provided in writing and was included with the packet information prepared for the Board of Commissioners.

IV. Employees of the Month

Administration - Jacqueline Cohen

V. Special Recognition (Geraldine Barnes Award)

Recipient - Tajh Chatman

Before proceeding with the resolutions, the Chair reminded Commissioners of two Directors' meetings immediately following the regular meeting, he also stated that next month's December meeting was cancelled.

VI. Resolutions
Sr. VP/COO, Mr. Leroy Moore presented resolution 2021-4207.

2021-4207: Resolutions approving the canopy at West River Towers 1 & 2 F/K/A WRDG T4 equity, financing, and rental assistance demonstration closings.

A motion was made by Commissioner Hardwick and seconded by Commissioner Johnson-Griffin: