February 20, 2025 OHA Board Meeting Minutes

The Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Orlando, Florida (OHA) held its Board Meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Chair Brooks called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m. This is the fourth (4th) meeting of the 2025 fiscal year.

I. PRESENT:
Vicki Brooks, Chair (4/0)
Brice Aikens, Esq., Vice Chair (3/1)
John Crossman, Commissioner (3/1)
Nancy Peed, Commissioner (2/2)

ABSENT:
Brunilda Alfaro, Commissioner (3/1)
Sascha Rizzo, Commissioner (2/1)

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 16, 2025
Vice Chair Brice Aikens motioned to approve the January 16, 2025, board meeting minutes. Commissioner Nancy Peed seconded the motion, which was carried.

III. FINANCIAL REPORT
Mr. Michael Simmons, Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer, presented the following reports:

1. Financial report
   
   
2. Moving to Work Compliance Report
   
   
3. Orlando Housing Authority (OHA) Waiting List Impact Report
   
   
4. Capital Improvements Report

IV. PUBLIC APPEARANCES
There was no Public Appearance

V. RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT AGENDA
The Board of Commissioners acted upon the following consent agenda item through a single vote. Vice Chair Brice Aikens motioned to approve the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Nancy Peed seconded the motion. It was carried. The Board approved the Orlando Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Consent Agenda.

1. RESOLUTION NO.: 3793
   AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT/CEO TO CHARGE OFF COLLECTION LOSSES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING FOR THE PERIOD OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 TO FEBRUARY 28, 2025

NON-CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Nancy Peed requested that the following Resolution be pulled from the Consent Agenda for further discussion. Ms. Janet Bridges, Human Resources Manager, presented the Resolution. After a thorough discussion, Commissioner Nancy Peed moved to approve Resolution No. 3792, and Vice Chair Aikens seconded the motion.

1. RESOLUTION NO.: 3792
   AUTHORIZE REQUIREMENTS-BASED AGREEMENTS FOR STAFFING AND TEMPORARY LABOR SERVICES TO THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES: PERSONNEL SOLUTIONS, LLC, MANPOWER US, INC., TOP TALENT STAFFING, LLC, AND TRYFACTA LLC

VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. REPORT ON INITIATIVES THAT IMPACT HOMELESSNESS AND VETERANS
   Ms. Thelma Mungen, Orlando Housing Authority's Assistant to the President/CEO, presented the report on the following initiatives: Homelessness, Veterans, and Select Project-Based Voucher Programs.
   
   
2. WEST OAKS APARTMENTS REPORT
   Mr. Ayub Fleming, Orlando Housing Authority's Vice President of Operations, presented the report.
   
   
3. ANTIOCH MANOR APARTMENTS REPORT
   Mr. Ayub Fleming, Orlando Housing Authority's Vice President of Operations, presented the report.
   
   
4. SANFORD HOUSING AUTHORITY MANAGEMENT REPORT
   Mr. Ayub Fleming, Orlando Housing Authority's Vice President of Operations, presented the report.
   
   
5. OHA BYLAWS
   Attorney Ricardo Gilmore, OHA's Legal Counsel, stated that he will re-circulate the proposed Bylaws with the recommended changes from the Board. Attorney Gilmore also addressed the memo from former OHA Commissioner Stephen Smith regarding term limits.
   
   
6. ANNUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND ETHICS SURVEY
   Ms. Vivian Bryant, Esq., President/CEO, stated that the Conflict of Interest Survey was sent to Board members to complete. She added that this is a HUD requirement and needs to be completed annually.
   
   
7. COMMUNICATIONS NEW INITIATIVES
   Ms. Vivian Bryant, Esq., President/CEO, presented the following initiatives.
   
   
   1. Establish a Call Response Center for Applicants.
      
      
   2. Send Monthly Status Updates to approximately 20,000 Pre-Applicants for Public Housing.
      
      
   3. Establish a new telephone system incorporating Artificial Intelligence technology.
      
      
8. ADVOCACY
   Ms. Vivian Bryant, Esq. informed the Board of the following:
   
   
   1. Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Roundtable on Property Insurance and Housing Affordability
      October 29, 2024 - Congresswoman Val Demings
   2. Congressman Maxwell Frost Staff - Jason Henry
   3. Email communications with Senator Marco Rubio: David Swegle and Konstantina Vervitas
   4. Staff communication with developers of
      
      1. Housing for the unsheltered
         1. HUD VASH
         2. Rehab Hotel
      2. Purchase offers
      3. Joint venture opportunities
   5. Quarterly meetings with the City of Orlando Mayor Dyer.
      
      
9. CONFERENCES AND TRAVEL
   Ms. Vivian Bryant, Esq., President/CEO, informed the Board of the following upcoming conferences:
   
   
   1. PHADA Annual Convention
      Seattle, Washington
      May 13-16, 2025
      
      
   2. National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV)
      Washington, DC
      May 27-30, 2025
      
      
10. STRATEGIC PLAN
    Ms. Vivian Bryant, Esq., President/CEO, stated that the Orlando Housing Authority is a Moving to Work (MTW) agency. As an MTW agency, OHA is not required to do a Five-Year Plan.
    
    
11. OPEN FORUM
    
    
    1. Commissioner Nancy Peed suggested discussing the Strategic Plan at every Board meeting for fifteen minutes.
       
       
    2. Commissioner John Crossman stated that Communication and Advocacy should be added as bullet points to the Strategic Plan. He wants to see the Orlando Housing Authority's plans for success in these areas. Commissioner Crossman recommends meeting with the Board to discuss the CEO evaluation.
       
       
    3. Vice Chair Brice Aikens agreed with Commissioner Peed that the Strategic Plan should be discussed for ten to fifteen minutes at each board meeting. He also asked about the meeting with the City Commissioner, Shan Rose.
       
       
12. PRESIDENT/CEO PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
    Ms. Vivian Bryant, Esq., presented the following goals and objectives:
    
    
    1. Ensure the well-being of Senior staff.
       Require Senior staff, i.e., 20 persons, to take at least one week, five consecutive days of vacation each calendar year.
       
       
    2. Technology Training for seven Department Heads.
       
       
       1. Public Housing (2)
       2. Section 8/HCV (1)
       3. Admissions (2)
       4. Human Resources (2)
          
          
    3. Department Executive/Succession Training Planning for the three Departments
       
       
       1. Section 8
       2. Public Housing
       3. Admissions
          
          
    4. Ensure all staff receive the cost-of-living increases based on inflation factor - Consumer Price Index
       
       
    5. Have five local leadership training for Department Heads.
       
       
    6. Periodically update at least three public officials on OHA operations.
       
       
    7. Review processes to respond to inquiries.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS
None.

IX. NEW BUSINESS
None.

X. PRESIDENT/CEO'S REPORT
Ms. Vivian Bryant, Esq., President/CEO, discussed the following:

1. The Orlando Housing Authority's fiscal year runs from April 1st through March 31st. The budget must be approved at the March 20, 2025, board meeting. OHA will schedule individual meetings with the Board to discuss the budget.
   
   
2. The upcoming National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Conference in Washington, DC, March 10-13, 2005.

XI. CHAIR'S REPORT
Chair Brooks did not have a report.

ADJOURNMENT
With no further business before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.