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May 19 2021 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Date Posted: 05/19/2021
Category: Board Minutes

I. Regular Meeting
Chairman James Cloar called the regular meeting of the Tampa Housing Authority Board of Commissioners to order at 8:38 a.m. Other Board members present included Bemetra Salter Liggins, Parker Homans, Lorena Hardwick, and legal counsel Ricardo Gilmore. Commissioners not present and not participating online were Ben Dachepalli and Billi Johnson-Griffin.

The Chair began by asking everyone for a moment of silent prayer and/or personal meditation; those present stood while those participating virtually were asked to recite 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 20, 2021 was made by Commissioner Salter Liggins and seconded by Commissioner Homans: 

Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Homans - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes
Commissioner Hardwick - Yes 

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

  • None to come before this forum.

IV. Employees of the Month

  • Administration (February) - Ajita Yuwana
  • Administration (March) - Terry McLeod
  • Properties - Chandra Richardson 

V. Special Recognition (Geraldine Barnes Award)

  • Recipient (February) - Elisha Ortiz-Felix
  • Recipient (March) - Kennetha Kay Strong

VI. Resolutions
The Director of Finance, Mr. Eric Davis presented resolution 2021-4188. 

  • 2021-4188: A resolution approving the President/CEO to enter into a contractual agreement for independent auditing services. 

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

Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Homans - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes
Commissioner Hardwick - Yes 

The Director of Real Estate Development, Mr. David Iloanya presented resolution 2021-4189.

  • 2021-4189: A Resolution approving the award of a construction contract to restore and repair beam seats and structural damage at J.L. Young Garden Apartments. 

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

Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Homans - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes
Commissioner Hardwick - Yes 

The Director of Public Safety, Mr. William Jackson presented resolution 2021-4190. Attorney Ricardo Gilmore asked Mr. Jackson to clarify that the system will not be monitored by the agency on the continuous basis. The director agreed adding that THA had hired an outside firm to monitor the system 24/7. 

  • 2021-4190: A resolution approving the President/CEO to enter into a contractual agreement for portable security systems.  

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

Commissioner Cloar - Yes
Commissioner Homans - Yes
Commissioner Salter Liggins - Yes
Commissioner Hardwick - Yes 

VII. Special Presentation
Mr. Iloanya introduced Baker Barrios and PMG who provided a detailed presentation of Robles Park Village and Zion Cemetery Master Plan Update; a hard copy of the presentation was also distributed to Commissioners.

VIII. President/CEO's Report

Finance and Related Entities
The Sr. VP/CFO, Ms. Susi Begazo-McGourty reported that THA continued to show financial strength for the last 11 months of operation. The agency's revenue was in good position due to the influx of the Cares Act budget of $3.2 million. The PBCA contract, the RAD properties and the related entities continue to have a strong performance. Expenses were staying in budget even as the agency had made "incredible" investments in COVID related safety measures.

Financial indicators by the end of February showed RAD rents at $13.8 million, tenant rent revenue was at $3.4 million, 95.2% in occupancy, RAD conversions were currently at 2,256 units and the waitlist was at 6,900.

Assisted Housing HAP payments as of end of February were $88.2 million, management fees were $2.1 million, Cares Act expenses were $2.2, earned admin fees were $7 million, earning 81% of these fees. 

Operations and Real Estate Development 
The Sr. VP/COO, Mr. Leroy Moore began his updates with great news concerning the Encore grocer for lot 12, currently in design phase; staff was waiting for a proposal from a prospect, he hoped to bring a contract to the Board soon. Encore's Technology Park had some landscape upgrades with new Florida native plants; a big effort by THA, as for all other developments, to make the park as green and sustainable as possible. The COO also mentioned the pollinator garden by the same park at Encore, which had gotten a lot of news recently. Also, much news about the Meachum Urban Farm adjacent north of Encore.

A few residents at the Renaissance at West River recently had some water damage due to a fire at one of the units and staff was dealing with families affected. The Bethune building was fully occupied, said Mr. Moore. The three towers also at West River were almost complete and a fourth building will begin construction soon. Staff will soon close on 132-unit apartment rentals this month; the units were specifically designed to look like townhomes, and will be located north, behind the Bethune building.

T4 phases 1 and 2 currently in design and closing later this year will create a total of 1,011 affordable units for West River and the grocer for West River will be closing soon after overcoming a few hurdles. 

Other updates on West River included a property north of this project commonly known as the Rome Yard. THA had teamed with Related, Related being the lead developer, THA was the co-developer with other members as part of the redevelopment team; Related had successfully competed for the City of Tampa's right to be the master developer for the 18-acre Rome Yard property. An 11:30 a.m. press conference by the City was scheduled for this day of the Board meeting.

The COO had a few comments regarding the Robles Park Village presentation by PMG. Other updates included the relocation process for Robles Park residents to start later in 2021.

Commissioner Cloar asked how enthusiasm was maintained for Robles Park residents, Mr. Moore responded that THA had gone through relocations many times before and based on experience, the best way to maintain enthusiasm was to keep residents and the community informed and involved. 

The Director of Human Resources, Mr. Kenneth Christie updated Commissioners regarding the agency's Stage 4 Phase due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The director also reported on events such as a Blood Pressure Screening at the end of February and informed Board members regarding activities during February for Black History month, adding that March was Women's History month. 

IX. Notices and Updates

  • None to come before this forum.

X. Legal Matters
Attorney Ricardo Gilmore spoke regarding the compliance documents for the Summer Program added to the Board packet information by the Program and Property Services department. All that was requested was a signature from the Chair, no motion to approve was necessary.

XI. Unfinished Business

  • None to come before this forum.

XII. New Business
Commissioner Salter Liggins recognized and thanked Mr. Moore and his team for a great job last month during a tour of some THA properties for a Leadership Tampa class, adding that the Meachum Urban Farm was a big hit.

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 10:44 a.m.  

Approved this 19th day of May 2021.