City of Highland Park Housing Commission met Nov. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
CALL TO ORDER
At 6:32 p.m., Commissioner Ross called the regular meeting of the Highland Park Housing Commission, Peers Housing Association, Ravinia Housing Association, Walnut Housing Association, and the Sunset Woods Association to order. Each of the Commissioners also serves as Directors of each of the Housing Associations. Commissioner Ross asked Staff to call the roll.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Chairman Ross; Commissioners Abreu, Adler, Arnold, Berkun, & Bernstein
Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Saret
Councilwoman Present: Holleman
Student Rep Absent: Rosen
Staff declared that a quorum was present.
Staff Present: Later
Guests Present: Richard Koenig / HODC
Rick Heineman / resident
Also Present: Cerabona
Vice Chair Arnold arrived at 6:34 p.m.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mr. Heineman introduced himself. He stated he attended the Committee of the Whole (City Council) meeting and had the following questions/comments:
It was stated at the COTW meeting most people want to buy rather than rent; he believes the opposite is true and contrary to everything he has read
the $125,000 per unit for fee-in-lieu as being enough money to buy a unit; he cited an example and spoke about leverage
Chairman Ross stated he agrees there were some perplexing statements made at the meeting. He continued regarding buying vs. renting, the HC promotes both; renting is more common for the income bracket we seek. Regarding fee-in-lieu, Chairman Ross noted the fee in lieu is leveraged to provide different types of housing. The City’s current inclusionary housing requirement is 20%.
Chairman Ross thanked Mr. Heinemen for his interest and attendance and suggested Mr. Heineman provide his comments to City Council.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular meeting of the Housing Commission – October 2, 2019
Commissioner Bernstein moved to approve the October 2, 2019, meeting minutes. Commissioner Berkun seconded the motion.
On a voice vote:
Voting Yea: Chairman Ross; Commissioners Abreu, Adler, Arnold, Berkun, & Bernstein
Voting Nay: None
Commissioner Ross declared that the motion passed unanimously.
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
1. Items for Omnibus Vote Consideration
• Payment of Invoices
Senior Planner Later advised nothing is outstanding.
• Ratification of Payments
Senior Planner Later advised nothing is outstanding.
2. Peers, Walnut, Ravinia, and Sunset Woods Associations
• Consideration of Management Reports for Peers, Walnut, and Ravinia
Senior Planner Later shared that Peers and Ravinia both attained a REAC score of 91c (c means an issue needs immediate attention). Chair Ross stated you can get a very high score and have something that needs to be taken care of right away. Ms. Later also noted Peers has two vacancies that came up unexpectedly. One tenant did not give the proper notice of their intent to vacate and a new tenant that was to move in to the building in early November changed their mind and declined the unit. The other properties are 100% occupied.
• Housing Trust Fund Financials
Senior Planner Later advised the tax credit reimbursement would show up on the next (October) HTF financial status report as the City received the check on October 10.
• Sunset Woods’ Financials
Senior Planner Later advised nothing is outstanding.
• Other Association Business
There was no Other Association Business.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Management Firm RFP – Review Update
Chairman Ross recused himself as he has had business with both companies under consideration. He advised that Vice Chair Arnold would chair this portion of the meeting.
Commissioner Adler stated two companies responded to the RFP; ERES & HODC. He noted Staff provided a comparison matrix for the RFP evaluation. Senior Planner Later explained the scoring sheet and weighted rating system. She reported the final scores received were Evergreen 95 & HODC 82. The recommendation from the RFP selection team is to select ERES for the building management contract.
Vice Chair Arnold reminded the HC opened up bidding due to a low REAC score on a property Evergreen oversees. Commissioner Abreu said that was not the only reason the contract was opened for bid. He said the contract had been in place a very long time and it was time to rebid it. He said that although a low REAC score was received on a property he felt ERES enacted procedures to address the issues that related to the low score. He believes ERES had the resources to handle the work scope. Both Commissioners Abreu and Adler said they were not concerned with the financials of either firm and both firms had a good track record working with the Housing Commission and managing their respective properties.
Senior Planner Later reminded Walnut is owned by a private entity. Commissioners Abreu & Adler expounded on the particulars of the review process and recommendation. It was determined that there wasn’t any advantage to change the management company. Furthermore price wise, ERES was lower than the HODC proposal. It was noted that ERES did not increase their fee from what is in their current contract with the housing associations.
Commissioner Berkun moved to accept the management team’s recommendation to approve the building management contact with Evergreen as the management company for Peers, Walnut, & Ravinia. Commissioner Adler seconded the motion.
On a roll call vote
Voting Yea: Commissioners Abreu, Adler, Arnold, Berkun, & Bernstein
Voting Nay: None
Recusal: Chairman Ross
Vice Chair Arnold declared that the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Ross returned to the meeting.
2. Peers’ Window, A/C, & Bay Improvement – Last Payment Request
Commissioner Arnold asked why paint and touch-up work wasn’t included. Senior Planner Later stated the owner was to complete the final painting and finishing so that the units were consistent.
Chairman Ross asked why some windows didn’t open. Senior Planner Later said there were hardware issues related to the opening handles. Vice Chair Arnold recommended the warranty begin one year after the date of the window repairs. Senior Planner Later will review the warranty and ask Softer Lite, and Mr. Dan Baigelman with Full Circle Architects, to provide an explanation. Baigelman could attend the December HC meeting.
Councilwoman Holleman arrived at 7:08 p.m.
The HC asked if Mr.
Vice Chair Arnold moved to wait to pay the last invoice for windows until more information is received. Commissioner Bernstein seconded the motion.
Chairman Ross stated it sounded like a manufacturer problem. Discussion took place on making or holding the last payment, who is responsible, warranties, etc. Commissioner Abreu stated it was a very small amount compared to the total contract amount. Chairman Ross stated the windows are from Traco, a reputable manufacturer. He continued the architect signed off on the work, and it appears in the City of Highland Park’s best interest to pay the invoice.
On a roll call vote
Voting Yea: Commissioners Adler, Arnold, Berkun, & Bernstein
Voting Nay: Chairman Ross & Commissioner Abreu
Chairman Ross declared that the motion passed 4-2. The payment will be held until further information regarding the issues and the warranty are provided.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
STAFF REPORT
1. LIHEAP FAQs
Senior Planner Later stated at the last meeting there were questions regarding the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. She stated there is an explanation of LIHEAP in the packet.
Councilwoman Holleman asked now that the housing properties are property tax exempt, if the buildings could also be exempt from utility costs. She stated the City of Highland Park does not pay utilities.
2. New Schedule for Scattered Site Operating Grant
Senior Planner Later advised CPAH has provided a revised project schedule for the 2019 Scattered Site grant implementation. Copies were made available at the meeting.
3. Evergreen Staff
Senior Planner Later advised that the onsite property manager has been away on sick leave, and Regional Supervisor Harold Eich has been on-site to cover in her absence.
4. Inclusionary Housing
Senior Planner Later advised that the proposed Article 21-Inclusionary Housing ordinance amendments were passed by City Council at its October 28, 2019 meeting. She will provide a copy to the HC after the ordinance is signed by the CMO and Mayor. Commissioner Bernstein asked if what was passed is essentially the same as the HC recommended. Councilwoman Holleman replied it was.
Back to.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
Commissioner Berkun suggested that Mr. Heineman pose his earlier questions regarding the COTW discussion again now that Councilwoman Holleman was present. Councilwoman Holleman expounded on tangible and philosophical ideas that come from the Committee of the Whole. A suggestion was made to change the term fee-in-lieu so it reflects the leverage aspect.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Arnold moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Commissioner Abreu seconded the motion.
On a voice vote:
Voting Yea: Chairman Ross; Commissioners Abreu, Adler, Arnold, Berkun, & Bernstein
Voting Nay: None
Commissioner Ross declared that the motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned.
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