SYNOPSIS

 

Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commission      

October 3, 2007

 

 

ROLL CALL

 

The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson Shah.

 

PRESENT:                Burruss, Chan, Coriano, Dean, Fowler, Gore, Hoag, Shah, Stivers.

 

ABSENT:                   Piatkowski

 

STAFF PRESENT:  Vickie Smith, Anne Moore, Lisa Bates, La Shelle Dozier, Dana Phillips, Don Cavier, Larry Goins, MaryLiz Paulson, Nick Chhotu, Jim Hare, Greg Wessel

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA   

 

No changes recommended to Agenda.

 

1.      APPROVAL OF ACTION SUMMARY SYNOPSIS

 

The action summary for September 19, 2007 was approved as presented.

 

2.         Citizens Comments

 

Felix Huerta, AFSCME Business Agent, commented that SHRA needs to investigate a claim of an individual being fired for reporting a potential sexual harassment incident. This is not acceptable as there should be no retaliation when these types of claims are brought forward.  Chair Shah indicated that the SHRC has no direct role in employment issues, but is hopeful that the processes that are in place will deal with this issue appropriately.  

 

Ron Emslie commented that he is concerned about the hiring of a person to replace La Shelle Dozier as the Housing Authority Director. He asked about the process for hiring a new Housing Director. Anne Moore, SHRA Executive Director, indicated that an interim Housing Authority Director will be hired in the short term.

 

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

 

3.         Downtown Partnership Update

 

Michael Ault, Executive Director, presented an overview on the status of the Downtown Partnership.

 

Commissioner Burruss asked about programs for children in downtown. Michael Ault responded that there are some programs in area parks, and the annual Holiday Ice Rink, but he acknowledged that they do need to add more activities for children.

 

Chair Shah, Commissioner Stivers and Commissioner Chan thanked Michael Ault for attending and for his hard work in downtown.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

4.                  2008 Consolidated Plan for the City of Sacramento

 

5.                  2008 Consolidated Plan for the County of Sacramento

 

Greg Wessel, Assistant Director of Community Development, presented items 4 and 5 together.

 

Chair Shah opened the Public Hearing for this item.

 

Commissioner Burruss expressed concern about community outreach and encouraged more meetings and outreach in other languages. He was also concerned about lack of City and County Department input regarding senior services and youth services.

 

Public Comment

 

Deacon Donald Clark expressed concern about the lack of cultural competency and the lack of community outreach. He recommended that the Agency use Faith Based organizations for this.

 

The Commission voted to recommend approval of the Consolidated Plans for the City and County of Sacramento and to close the public hearing. The votes were as follows:

 

AYES:                         Burruss, Chan, Coriano, Fowler, Hoag, Shah, Stivers.

                                               

            NOES:                        None.

 

            ABSENT:                   Piatkowski.

 

            NOT PRESENT

            TO VOTE:                  Dean, Gore.

 

WORKSHOP

 

6.         2008 Agency Budget – Housing Authority Budget

           

La Shelle Dozier, Nick Chhotu and Mary Liz Paulson presented the overview of the 2008 Housing Authority Budget.

 

Commissioner Stivers asked for a clarification on the term “stop-loss” which staff provided.

 

Commissioner Coriano asked when the benchmarking would begin. Staff indicated that it begins January 1, 2008.

 

Commissioner Coriano asked if portability will be eliminated. Staff indicated that all vouchers from other cities must be absorbed.

 

Chair Shah questioned the operating budget shortfall. Don Cavier indicated that there is a potential $1.3 million shortfall in 2008. HUD is only funding 83% of the actual entitlement based on the formula allocation.

 

Public Comment

 

Ron Emslie commented that he hopes that Housing Authority staff is encouraged to work harder in the future on the maintenance of the units in Oak Park.

 

Donald Clark asked if a voucher from another Housing Authority can be refused by a Housing Authority in another city. MaryLiz Paulson indicated that it is unlawful for a Housing Authority to deny a person to use a voucher from another jurisdiction.

 

Felix Huerta, AFSCME Business Agent, made the following comments:

1.      AFSCME was told that the asset based management changes needed to be in effect last year, which was not true. There were two complaints of unfair labor practices as a result.

2.      Part time employees are working full time and are not compensated.

3.      Employees are working out of class and are not compensated.

4.      Questioned whether any employees have actually received employment through resident training program.

5.      Work that has been shifted to contractors has not saved SHRA any money.

 

Commissioner Burruss asked for a clarification about whether asset based management was required by HUD. Staff indicated that this was a requirement in order to continue to receive funding.

 

Commissioner Burruss asked if AFSCME’s complaints have been taken to HUD. Mr. Huerta indicated that he requested that SHRA staff accompany him to HUD, but staff was unwilling to do so.

 

Dana Phillips, SHRA Legal Counsel, indicated that if the issues raised above are legitimate grievances, there is a process in place to deal with these concerns.  

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

 

Anne Moore reviewed the calendar of events.

 

Anne indicated that there would be an SHRC Executive Committee meeting on

October 10th.

 

Anne indicated that there is a City Council Workshop on SHRA on October 9th at 2pm.

Commissioners are welcome to attend.

 

ITEMS AND QUESTIONS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS

 

Commissioner Hoag asked how Sam Burns was doing. Anne indicated that he is still

doing as well as can be expected and is resting at home.

 

Commissioner Stivers asked about the status of filling the space in Riverview formerly

occupied by the Deli. Larry Goins indicated that there is limited interest in the space at

this point, though they continue to advertise.

 

Chair Shah congratulated LaShelle Dozier on her appointment to interim Executive

Director.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

As there was no further business to be conducted, Chairperson Shah adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.                                                             

 

 

 

                                                                                                ________________________

                                                                                                AGENCY CLERK