BOC – March 2025 Meeting Minutes
BOARD MEETING
Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Little River County Housing Authority was held on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM via Zoom.
Members present: Chairperson Barbara Brown, Commissioner Mike Cranford, Commissioner Anthony Nelson, Commissioner Terry Smith and Secretary Denise Riley.
Members absent: Commissioner Amanda Johnson
ITEM I) Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Barbara Brown
ITEM II) Invocation by Chairperson Barbara Brown
ITEM III) Roll call by Secretary Denise Riley
The Little River Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners meeting on March 27, 2025, covered several key points. The board approved the five-year public housing plan for 2025-2029, noting progress from the previous plan and the impact of COVID-19. The fiscal year 2024 audit report was approved with zero findings. The executive director reported a $135,996 property insurance payment and a $9,000 legal services fee. Concerns were raised about a recent HUD funding freeze and its potential impact on residents. The board discussed the RAD conversion, including environmental testing results and a potential issue with a flood-zone building. Lawn care contracts for 2025 were also discussed.
RESOLUTIONS FOR APPROVAL AND/OR ADOPTIONS
ITEM IV) Resolution #2025-01: Approval of Meeting Agenda: Meeting agenda was mailed to all Board members for review prior to the meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Mike Cranford to approve the meeting agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Terry Smith. All were in favor. Motion carried.
ITEM V) Resolution #2025-02: Approval of Previous Minutes: Previous Minutes were mailed to all Board members for review prior to the meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Mike Cranford to accept the previous minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Terry Smith. All were in favor. Motion carried.
ITEM VI) Resolution #2025-03: Approval of 2025-2029 5yr PHA Plan/5yr Action Plan/Annual Statement. A copy of the 5 yr PHA Plan Goals, Objectives and Progress report was mailed to all Board members for review prior to the meeting. Public hearing was held on today, Thursday, March 27, 2025 @ 11:00 am. A motion was made by Commissioner Terry Smith to
approve the 2025-2029 5yr PHA plan/5yr Action Plan/Annual Statement. Seconded by Commissioner Mike Cranford. All were in favor. Motion carried.
ITEM VII) Resolution #2025-04: Approval of June 2024 FYE Independent Audit Report. The Audit report was mailed to all Board members for review prior to the meeting. It was reported that there were no findings in the audit. The audit went very smoothly and was completed in a timely manner. Commissioner Mike Cranford commended the staff on a great job. A motion was made by Commissioner Mike Cranford to approve the June 2024 FYE Independent Audit Report. Seconded by Commissioner Anthony Nelson. All were in favor. Motion carried.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORTS
Financial Reports: Bank statements for the month of February 2025 and HAP registers and check registers for the months were mailed to all Board members for review prior to the meeting. Denise Riley reviewed the bank statements and check registers, highlighting significant transactions like property insurance and legal fees. Denise Riley discussed with the Board the events of January 28th when HUD funds were frozen without much notice. Commissioner Anthony Nelson was very concerned about the effects a funding freeze has on the residents. Ms. Riley explained that PH residents would be ok for a few months, but HCV participants would possibly have to come off the program if the freeze lasted more than 2 months because the HCV program doesn't have enough reserves to sustain longer than a month or two. Denise outlined the action plan developed in response to the funding freeze and its implications for the housing authority's reserves. There were no items on any reports or statements that needed immediate attention or explanations.
Management reports: Vacancy report and HAP usage report were mailed to all Board members for review prior to the meeting. The vacancy report and HCV voucher status report were discussed with updates on leased units and voucher holders. Denise informed the Board that the HCV program was leased up at 95% as of today, March 27, 2025.
ITEM VIII) New Business:
- Upcoming CFP project: Denise Riley informed the board that the next project proposed will be to install an additional 30 tankless hot water heater at Site A-Federal Street, Site F-Harrison/Beech/Bryan Street and Site E-Bryan/Cedar/Lang Street and to remove dead trees from properties.
- RAD Conversion update: Denise Riley provided a Project accomplishments sheet from the Co-Developer to all board members for review prior to the meeting. There is an obstacle that has to be resolved at Site I in Foreman. The corner of the building on Site I is in a flood zone and ADFA will not issue tax credits for any property in a flood zone. Developers are working on a solution and hopefully we can resolve this issue without having to demolish the building. Denise will keep the board updated on the progress.
- Denise Riley announced the new lawn care contractors for Foreman and Ashdown. The board discussed the lawn care schedule, and the challenges faced last year due to weather conditions. The board confirmed the contract dates and the start of the lawn care season. Lawn care work will begin April 1, 2025. WW Lawncare will be lawn care provider for Foreman properties and Cutting-Edge Lawn services will be lawn care provider for Ashdown properties.
Having no more business, a motion was made by Commissioner Anthony Nelson to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Terry Smith. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned.
Attest:
Secretary
Barbara Brown, Chairperson
Board of Commissioners
