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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Catalyst - Minutes - 11/19/2020Housing Catalyst Board of Commissioners Meeting November 19, 2020 Attendees Board: Nicole Staudinger, Cathy Mathis, Ann Green, Hep Wilkins, Jennifer Wagner, Emily Gorgol Staff: Julie Brewen, Duane Hopkins, Michele Christensen, Kristin Fritz, Justin Corey, Traci McGraw, Carri Ratazzi, Brian Heckart, Angelika Lintner, Josh Suppes, Carol McGrath, Kim Iwanski, Preston Nakayama Legal Counsel: Jim Martell, Jacob Carlton Guests: Anne Nelsen, Lindsay Ex Call to Order Chairperson Staudinger called the meeting to order at 7:31 a.m. Executive Session Commissioner Mathis made a motion for the Board of Commissioners of Housing Catalyst go into an Executive Session pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-6-402 (4) (b) and (f) for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter and receiving legal advice regarding the matter. Commissioner Wilkins seconded and the motion was passed unanimously. The executive session began at 7:32 a.m. and ended at 7:58 a.m. Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve an agreement between the Board and Ms. Brewen as drafted and approved by legal counsel. Commissioner Green seconded and the motion was passed unanimously. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Wilkins made a motion to approve the minutes from the board meeting on October 15, 2020. Commissioner Mathis seconded and the motion was passed unanimously. Action Items Resolution 20-19 Chief Financial Officer Duane Hopkins stated this resolution is required as part of the Mercy Housing’s Private Activity Bond carry-forward application to the State of Colorado for an 84-unit affordable family apartment project in Fort Collins. Legal Counsel Jacob Carlton from Gilmore Bell explained that earlier this year, the City of Fort Collins assigned this $5 million of Private Activity Bond capacity to Mercy Housing via City Council resolution. Since Mercy Housing does not have the authority to issue bonds, City Council re-assigned this $5 million in private activity bond cap to Housing Catalyst. Housing Catalyst will use this resolution to request carryover of the $5 million of Private Activity Bond Capacity, making it available for a period of three years to be used for the Mercy Housing project in the future. Commissioner Wilkins noted one grammatical error which Jacob Carlton will correct in the resolution. Commissioner Gorgol made a motion to approve Resolution 20-19 with the correction, Commissioner Green seconded and the motion was passed unanimously. Letter of Intent to Administer Vouchers on Behalf of Wellington Housing Authority Chief Executive Officer Julie Brewen a Letter of Intent that is part of Wellington Housing Authority’s (WHA) Section 18 application. WHA does not have a contract with HUD to administer vouchers, so Housing Catalyst will manage housing vouchers on behalf of WHA. This agreement is necessary to obtain the final approval for the Section 18 disposition. The board needs to approve Ms. Brewen’s execution of this Letter of Intent. Commissioner Wilkins made a motion to grant Ms. Brewen the authority to sign the Letter of Intent. Commissioner Gorgol seconded and the motion was passed unanimously. Staff Updates Oak 140: Ms. Brewen announced that the Oak 140 development was awarded 4%/state tax credits on the first round. Housing Vouchers: Chief Operating Officer Michele Christensen provided an update on new housing vouchers that have been awarded to Housing Catalyst. • 75 Mainstream vouchers for households with a member who is non-elderly with a disability. There is a preference given to people also experiencing homelessness. • 22 VASH (Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing) vouchers for veterans experiencing homelessness • 6 vouchers only for youth exiting the foster care system, between 18-24 years old and lacking adequate housing. There is the opportunity to receive up to 25 of these vouchers. COVID Update: Ms. Brewen said that staff who can work from home are still doing so. Staff are only working with clients via phone and scheduling appointments in person if absolutely necessary. Four staff at three different offices have tested positive. Staff closed those offices, thoroughly cleaned them, and are conducting contact tracing. As COVID cases are increasing, staff are working on more ways to conduct business with clients remotely. Financials: Third Quarter Financial Review Mr. Hopkins presented an overview of the third quarter financial reports. Director of Housing Assistance Programs Traci McGraw reviewed the financial reports related to the housing voucher program. Discussion Items 143 Remington Acquisition: Motion to approve exercise of the option to purchase this property. Commissioner Wilkins made a motion to exercise the option to purchase the property at 143 Remington. Commissioner Green seconded and the motion was passed unanimously. HAI Insurance Brokerage Duane Hopkins reviewed Housing Catalyst’s insurance program and the organization’s relationship with the HAI Group. He will be engaging an independent firm to review the coverage in order to confirm continuation of using this broker under HUD’s waiver of procurement requirement. Legislative Issues/Updates Colorado: Ms. Brewen stated that staff are watching the Colorado eviction moratorium legislation. Fort Collins: Commissioner Gorgol provided a City Council update regarding topics in discussion: Metro Districts, mobile home park rezoning, Affordable Housing Strategic Plan, and utility assistance using CARES Act funding. Ms. Brewen stated that Housing Catalyst staff is participating in the affordable housing conversations occurring at the city level. She thanked Lindsay Ex for her work in that area. Other Discussion Items Board members were asked to complete Ms. Brewen’s performance review. If more time is needed, board members should inform Angelika Lintner. Adjournment Commissioner Staudinger adjourned the meeting at 9:01 a.m.