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March 15 2023 Regular/Annual Board Meeting Minutes

Date Posted: 03/15/2023
Category: BOC Meetings

I. Annual Meeting
Chairman James Cloar called the annual meeting of the Tampa Housing Authority Board of Commissioners to order at 8:45 a.m. Other Board members present were Lorena Hardwick, Sul Hemani, Ben Dachepalli, and legal counsel Ricardo Gilmore. Commissioner Parker Homans and Bemetra Salter Liggins were not present for this meeting. Commissioner Billi Johnson-Griffin retired before this meeting. 

II. New Business

  • Election of Officers

Attorney Ricardo Gilmore opened the floor for nominations for the position of Chairperson and Vice-Chair for the Tampa Housing Authority of the Board of Commissioners.

A motion by Commissioner Hemani to nominate the current slate was seconded by Commissioner Dachepalli. 

  • Commissioner Hardwick - Yes
  • Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
  • Commissioner Hemani - Yes
  • Commissioner Cloar - Yes 

III. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before this Board, the Chair declared the annual meeting of the THA Board of Commissioners adjourned at 8:47 a.m.

I. Regular Meeting
Chairman James Cloar called the regular meeting of the Tampa Housing Authority Board of Commissioners to order at 8:47 a.m. Other Board members present were Lorena Hardwick, Sul Hemani, Ben Dachepalli, and legal counsel Ricardo Gilmore. Commissioner Parker Homans and Bemetra Salter Liggins were not present for this meeting.

The Chair began by asking everyone for a moment of silent prayer and/or personal meditation; those in attendance were also asked to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance; recital of the agency's mission statement followed. 

II. Minutes
A motion to approve the Minutes of the regular Board Meeting of January 18, 2023 was made by Commissioner Dachepalli and seconded by Commissioner Hardwick:  

Commissioner Hardwick - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes  

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

  • None to come before this forum.

IV. Employees of the Month

  • Administration - Suelinda Feick
  • Properties - Javier Diaz 

V. Special Recognition (Geraldine Barnes Award)

  • Recipient - Destiney Ponder

VI. Resolutions
Real Estate Development Director, Mr. David Iloanya presented resolutions 2023-4260 and 2023-4261. 

  • 2023-4260: A resolution authorizing the President/CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Tampa (THA) to award a "joiner" or "piggyback" contract to Gibraltar Construction Company, Inc., and its suppliers, for the renovation of vacant units and multipurpose room in the senior building at the Oaks at Riverview. 

A motion was made by Commissioner Hardwick and was seconded by Commissioner Dachepalli: 

Commissioner Hardwick - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes

  • 2023-4261: A resolution authorizing the President/CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Tampa, Florida to award non-exclusive easement at Osborne Landing, LTD across, under, over as necessary for the routing, installation, maintenance, improvement service operation and including wiring within and through the premises used in the provision of such service.  

A motion was made by Commissioner Hemani and was seconded by Commissioner Dachepalli: 

Commissioner Hardwick - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes 

Asset Management Director Mr. Luis Blondin presented resolution 2023-4262.

  • 2023-4262: Resolution ratifying and authorizing the President/CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Tampa, acting on behalf on THA Encore Retail, LLC (landlord), to enter into a lease agreement with Monique Hall and Rodney Daniel, individually and book Boutique Café, LLC a Florida corporation (tenant) for retail space at Trio at Encore.

A motion was made by Commissioner Hardwick and was seconded by Commissioner Dachepalli:

Commissioner Hardwick - Yes
Commissioner Dachepalli - Yes
Commissioner Hemani - Yes
Commissioner Cloar - Yes 

VII. President/CEO's report

Finance and Related Entities 
The Sr. VP/CFO, Ms. Susi Begazo-McGourty had just a few updates but first thanked Board members for approving the Gibraltar contract, which will help in the new purchase of the Oaks of Riverview, bringing back on line 24 units and $24,000/month in revenue. Training contract implementation had begun last week, starting with Capital Grants.

Preparation of the Fiscal Year Budget 2024 was underway, one-on-one meetings with Board members will begin soon to review the budget.  

There were a couple of large transaction took place last month that included the sale of Encore Lots 5 and 12 that contributed to $7.8 million, there was also the closing of the land for Belmar, an investment of $2.5 million.

The CFO said staff was working hard on the yearend audit, she referenced the finding reported in January's meeting. 

Operations and Real Estate Development 
The Sr. VP/COO, Mr. Leroy Moore began his updates with Encore, reiterating on the closings for Lots 5 and 12 to Medical Impact Group.

Mr. Moore referenced Board approval of the boutique in the Trio building, this will be the final retail buildout at the Trio at Encore. The Head Start space at the Trio at Encore was still empty but there were negotiations with a prospective tenant taking place for another Head Start for that space.

There was also space available for the theater at the Tempo at Encore, the COO hoped to solicit for an operator. The Ella at Encore also had one space remaining that had never been built out.  

West River was in funding position for Canopy Phase II, this is the last mixed income development other than the workforce deal that requires funding.

Construction of the Manor at West River was well underway; the Publix will be under construction later this year due to staging and use of the site.  

Conversations with HUD regarding Robles Park continued, THA was expecting an approval letter to finally begin with relocation plans. Meetings with residents were more frequent, providing information and updates on relocation.

Program and Property Services Assistant Director, Mr. Kenneth Bryant introduced Youth and Recreations Manager, Mr. Dexter Jackson to address the Board regarding youth activities. Mr. Jackson's presentation contained information on a variety of programs and activities the Agency provides to the children of families that currently reside in THA housing. Activities mentioned included Boxing, Tutoring, Gardening, Arts and Crafts, Girls and Boys Scouts, and Entrepreneur programs that teach youth how to start their own businesses

VIII. Legal Matters

  • None to come before this forum.

IX. Unfinished Business

  • None to come before this forum.

X. Notices and Updates

  • None to come before this forum.

XI. New Business

  • None to come before this forum.

XII. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before this Board, the Chair declared this meeting of the THA Board of Commissioners adjourned at 9:32 a.m.

Approved this 15th day of March 2023.