July 21, 2021 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
I. Regular Meeting
Chairman James Cloar called the regular meeting of the Tampa Housing Authority Board of Commissioners to order at 8:48 a.m. Other Board members present were Sul Hemani, Parker Homans, Bemetra Salter Liggins, Ben Dachepalli and legal counsel Ricardo Gilmore. Commissioner Lorena Hardwick participated virtually. Commissioner Billi Johnson-Griffin was not present physically nor virtually.
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 March 17, 2021 was made by Commissioner Salter Liggins and seconded by Commissioner Homans:
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Hardwick - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes
Commissioner Hemani - Present
Commissioner Dachepalli - Present
Commissioner Homans - Yes
Chairman Cloar took this opportunity to welcome the newest Commissioner, Mr. Sul Hemani, completing this Board of seven members.
III. Public Forum (3 minutes limit allotted per speaker)
- None to come before this forum.
IV. Employees of the Month
- Administration (April) - Diane Frink
- Properties (April) - Jose Veloz
- Administration (May) - Manice Joseph
V. Special Recognition (Geraldine Barnes Award)
- Recipient - Philecia Walker
VI. Resolutions
Before presenting the first resolution, the Sr. VP/CFO, Ms. Susi Begazo-McGourty introduced Ms. Layla Hartz as the new Director of North Tampa Housing Development Corp. (NTHDC); Ms. Hartz briefly addressed the Board, while providing updates regarding her efforts of establishing working relationships with not only new political appointees from the current administration, but also newly appointed staff at HUD headquarters, such as the new HUD Deputy Secretary, Ms. Adrianne Todman. Ms. Hartz comes to THA with 12 years of Project Based Contract Administration (PBCA) experience; the Tampa Housing Authority is currently the contract administrator for the Project Based Section 8 program for the state of Florida and the Virgin Islands.
The CFO proceeded to present resolution 2021-4191; she indicated that she had individually met with most of the Commissioners to review the budget. Slides of a THA entities organization chart and a budget snapshot were included in the CFO's presentation.
- 2021-4191: A resolution to adopt the annual budget for fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, as presented by the President/CEO, Jerome D. Ryans, for review by the board of commissioners.
A motion was made by Commissioner Hardwick and seconded by Commissioner Salter Liggins:
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Hardwick - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes
Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Homans - Yes
The Sr. VP/COO, Mr. Leroy Moore presented resolution 2021-4192.
- 2021-4192: A resolution to ratify the transfer of RAD assistance for 32 dwelling units from Robles Park Village to Osborne Landing.
A motion was made by Commissioner Homans and seconded by Commissioner Hardwick:
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Hardwick - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes
Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Homans - Yes
The Director of Human Resources, Mr. Kenneth Christie presented resolution 2021-4193.
- 2021-4193 Kenneth Christie: A resolution approving the adoption of the general use of the telecommuting policy.
A motion was made by Commissioner Salter Liggins and seconded by Commissioner Homans:
Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Hardwick - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes
Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Homans - Yes
VII. President/CEO's Report
Finance and Related Entities
The Sr. VP/CFO, Ms. Susi Begazo-McGourty stated that her staff did not have any financial reporting due to the previous fiscal year ending.
Operations and Real Estate Development
Before beginning his report, Mr. Moore introduced the new Director of Facilities, Mr. Donald Haggerty replacing Mr. Terrance Brady who retired after 23 years of service. Mr. Haggerty briefly addressed the Board. The new director stated that Mr. Brady left an "incredible mark" while he appreciated trying to fill his shoes. Mr. Haggerty hoped to continue keeping the residents informed, THA properties well maintained, educating everyone on controlling energy cost to make facilities and THA successful.
The COO began his report with Encore's Florida native landscaping by the water vault, planted several months ago. The hope was to spread the landscaping to the rest of Encore and reach a higher level of sustainability. The ground floor of the Ella building will soon have a pizza restaurant, Precinct Pizza, hoping to open in June or July. The Reed's rental space was fully leased with Urban League, BayCare, and the Barber Shop. Marketing was ongoing for restaurants and other retail uses for the Tempo and Trio buildings. Lot 12 was still under design, as negotiations continued with an international grocer prospect. Meacham Urban Farm was stabilized and doing well; next week Meacham will receive an award from the National Association of Local Housing Financing Agencies to recognize Meacham's urban revitalization characteristics for being able to provide fresh produce in a food desert in the urban core.
West River's Renaissance was stabilized, Mary Bethune was fully occupied and stabilized, the Boulevard Towers 1, 2 and 3 were on schedule to be completed this year, Tower 4 was officially under construction. The Canopy at West River, 196 units, are two buildings that were fully funded and were progressing to a closing this year. A total of 1,011 units are either completed, under construction or about to start at West River. The grocery store was approved by the Real Estate Committee and was now 30-60 days from closing. Market rate residential was preparing for closing, changing plans to add more than 325 units. The Townhomes were under contract with the home builder and progressing through their due diligence phase.
The City of Tampa went through the solicitation challenge for the Rome Yard redevelopment; the Related Group will move forward as master developer.
Next, the COO provided a visual with images of Robles Park and Osborne Landing, referencing resolution 20214192 approved by the Board earlier during this meeting.
For the June meeting, the COO hoped to have the Director of Real Estate Development, Mr. David Iloanya brief the Board on the "final" master plan for Robles Park. An onsite rollout to make the final copy of the master plan available to the public will be scheduled for late June.
Also, for next month the COO hoped to have a contract for Board consideration for the purchase of land located near the Robles Park community; images were provided for Board members.
The Director of Human Resources, Mr. Kenneth Christie updated Board members regarding the work being done in preparation to open THA offices to the public. The director also updated the Board regarding activities at the Cypress office, such as the retirement of the former Director of Facilities, Mr. Terrance Brady.
VIII. Notices and Updates
The Director of Community Affairs, Ms. Lillian Stringer informed Commissioners of a Tampa Downtown Partnerships event scheduled for June 10th and a Robles Park Village Conference/Unveiling scheduled for June 29th.
In response to Commissioner Hardwick's question, the CFO indicated that one of THA's community projects, of 10 different projects submitted to Congresswoman Castor, the Internet Connectivity project for THA properties, had made it onto an appropriation's list.
The President/CEO, Mr. Jerome Ryans also addressed Commissioners to inform them of 93 emergency vouchers available from Northwest Florida Housing Authority.
IX. Legal Matters
- None to come before this forum.
X. Unfinished Business
- None to come before this forum.
XI. New Business
- None to come before this forum.
XII. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before this Board, the Chair declared this meeting of the THA Board of Commissioners adjourned at 10:13 a.m.
Approved this 21st day of July 2021.
