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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKit Housing - 2008-06-25KITCHENER HOUSING INC MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HELD: Schmalz Room, City Hall, 200 King Street West, Kitchener DATE: June 25, 2008 TIME: 4:00 p.m. PRESENT: Andrew Head, Jerry Finnen Kelly Galloway, John Gazzola, Jamie Hill, Paul Holowaty RESOURCE STAFF: Karen Kwiatkowski, Susan Campbell-Emans, Ann Eckert, Christine Wilson, Camelia Suciu ABSENT: Denny Cybalski, Carl Zehr, Birgit Keilig 1. Opening Remarks Andrew Kead, Vice -Chair called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. The notice of the meeting was submitted with the information that the notice had been mailed to the Directors in terms of the By-laws. 2. Conflict of Interest -nil 3. Approval of Agenda On a motion by J. Finnen, seconded by P. Holowaty and CARRIED, the agenda be approved. 4. Approval of the Board Minutes -1VIay 28, 2008 The minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting of May 28, 2008 had been circulated with the agenda. On a motion by P. Holowaty, seconded by J. Hill, and CARRIED, it was resolved that the minutes of the Board Meeting May 28, 2008 be accepted as a true and correct record of the meeting. 2 5. Property Business Karen gave an overview on a community strategy for Gage Green where some tenants find it difficult to live for reasons such as unsupervised youth, graffiti, racism and in some cases, domestic violence. Staff proposed that some of the money from the approved budget for Support to Administration be used to set up a summer program for the youth using one of the vacant units as a community room. 5.1 Tenant Placement Report The Tenant Placement Report was handed out. Christine gave an overview of the report. Tenant Turnover For the period of June 1, 2008 to August 1, 2008, there are 18 RGI and 7 market notices to vacate and of these, there are 4 units still available. Included in the above: 2 RGI & 2 market units are vacant and incurring loss at this time Leal Action under the RTA We have 5 tenancies in the legal process to evict for Non-Payment of rent: 2 tenancies will be ending by Order; l required the Sheriff at an additional cost of $ 325 and 1 is moving out. One current tenancy is in the legal process to evict for reasons other than non- payment of Rent -Tenant Liability Insurance. Opportunity to Comment and Request for Review There was one Request for Review which was heard and amended and 4 Notices of Decision are being prepared for compliance issues. Annual Income Verification We are in the middle of this process for Linden Manor, Carwood Green, Union Lane, Lancaster Maples, Izma, Vanier and David St. The majority of tenants are incompliance. Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy Roundtable Waterloo Region was invited to the 13th round table discussion held by Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services. The purpose was to help set the direction of the strategy to reduce poverty particularly for children, so they can reach their full potential. There is an opportunity to review the direction this strategy is taking and to contribute with comments at www.ontario.ca/Growin Sg tronger . 3 5.2 Property Maintenance Report The Property Maintenance Report had been circulated with the agenda. Susan Campbell - Emans gave an overview of the report. r'Prlar Kill Nedlaw has completed the roof replacement at Cedar Hill, and it has been inspected by Trow. Ga e Green Cathy will start the unit inspections this month. Other Both Cathy and Susan spent a week "on the job" with Stan and Stephen. They found that jobs that seemed quite simple on paper could easily turn into much more work. They were able to see that both Stan and Stephen are providing quality work for KKI. 5.3 Follow-u -nil 6. Finance & Administration Business 6.1 Financial Statements -May 2008 The Financial Statements for May were circulated with the agenda. Ann Eckert gave an overview. On a motion by J. Gazzola, seconded by P. Holowaty and CARRIED, the May statements be approved. 6.2 Rental Arrears Report - NIaY 2008 The Rental Arrears Report for May had been circulated with the agenda. Camelia Suciu gave the report. The arrears for May were 3 °~o; there were 6 vacancies and we were over the market target by 4. 6.3 Market Rent Increases 2009 -options. A comparison of previous years market rent increases had been circulated with the agenda. The Province's 2009 Rent Increase guideline was handed out. ~Ve cannot charge less rent than this benchmark. Due to the fact that the cost of living and utility costs are going up, a 1.5~1o increase was proposed. On a motion by J. Gazzola, seconded by P. Holowaty and CARRIED, that the 2009 market rents be increased 1.5%. 6.4 Follow-u -nil 7. General Manager's Report 7.1 Victoria School Village -Apartment and Quad Remedial Work 0n June 18, 2008 -Board members, Denny Cybalski, Paul Kolowaty, Birgit Heilig and John Gazzola provided direction to proceed. Details addressed under Caucus. Address immediate health and safety concerns re ag rdln the project: a) Reinforce exterior guard railings in various suites to insure safety b) Proceed with mould abatement program regardless of decision whether to proceed with the apartment and quad remedial work this year. Address the cost to Install roof anchors prior to construction Letter to be sent to install roof anchors prior construction a) Denny to contact RJC staff one week after the sending of the letter addressing the concerns of the Board. 7.2 ONPHA Conference Two staff (Christine and Karen) will be attending the Ottawa conference this year. Paul Holowaty showed interest in participating at the conference as well. Karen will send a link to Paul for more information. 7.3 New NloneY for Capital Repairs. The Ontario government's announcement to address the capital needs of social housing providers has not reached the delivery stage to date. The government `s three-pronged funding announcement included: $100 million to all 47 municipal service managers to repair existing stock, $1 million to Social Kousing Asset Management Centre to establish strategies for cost effective tools & resources for all housing providers and a $ 500 million loan program for capital repairs that could result in the repair of up to 20,000 units across the province. Staff will continue to look to our local Service Manager as they release the parameters of the program. Any funding that can assist Victoria School Remedial work will be of great consequence to the capital reserve budget. 8. Open Forum -nil 9. 0- 5 10. Minutes of Victoria School June 5 meeting, On a motion by P. Holowaty, seconded by J. Finnen, and CARRIED, it was resolved that the minutes of the June 5 Meeting of the Board of Directors and RJC with regard to Victoria School be accepted as a true and correct record of the meeting. 11. Adjournment On a motion by P. Holowaty, seconded by J. Finnen and CARRIED, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Chairman Secretary