Thread by @delvecchiograce

Good morning! At 9 am, I'll be live-tweeting from the Chicago Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meeting for @CHIdocumenters. Follow along on this thread or watch for yourself here⬇️ #CHIdocumenters
youtube.com/user/ChiHousin…

The meeting begins with a closed session at 8:30 am and then proceeds with several sessions at 9 am until the full meeting begins at 9:20. See the full agenda for more:
cha-assets.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/20…

Still waiting for the meeting to begin.

The commission has reached quorum. The meeting is beginning.

The first item on the agenda is the finance and audit committee report. Allen Faucett recommends that the commission awards contracts for Internal Audit Services.

Faucett wants to break up the internal audit function between 2 firms: Matthew Brewer asks how the firms will communicate and collaborate.

Faucett said that sometimes one firm does not offer everything they need, but both firms together, do. They will be under very strict guidelines to ensure they will "achieve what they need to achieve."

The audit will span 2 years: 60% the first year, 40% the second. Eventually, they would like it to be 50/50.

The roles between the firms will be completely different. RSM will do audits and Baker Tilly will be the advisory firm.

Faucett said that they plan to assess the risk management in comparison to last year.

No comments from the public, the item is approved.

Next, Matthew Brewer will present the real estate operation development committee report. The meeting has a quorum, they are beginning.

Item 1/5: Recommendation to award contracts for Professional Property Management
Services at select residential properties within the Chicago Housing Authority
portfolio.

Eric Garrett: each contract will have a 3-year base with 2 additional 1-year options. The first base term is about a $25 million contract, the additional 2 years would be a $17 million contract.

He's listed each of the 8 different housing "packages" throughout the city.

He says each contract will be a staggered transition with property management services.

The committee will be conducting monthly scorecards to ensure the management groups are following guidelines.

Garrett said that they do ask management properties to allow residents to apply for jobs within management, but the companies still control their staffing plans.

Mildred Harris affirms Garrett, saying she trusts his team with this transition.

Chico asks why each package has a different cost per unit. Garrett said it's because past contracts have been a "dollar per door" now each contract includes operating costs.

Chico asks how they plan to keep within budget. Garrett said they've address former issues and don't anticipate any increase in contract values.

Francine Washington asks about customer service. Garrett said that the vendors have mandatory customer service, to ensure the residents are respected.

Tracey Scott said that the committee has spent the last 12 months to make sure they get this right. They have to have a third-party management firm, but that these firms represent CHA and they won't tolerate disrespect of residents.

Scott says residents' voices will be heard during these transitions.

Item 2/5: Recommendation to proceed with Transfer of Assistance of Project-Based
Voucher Rental Assistance under the Rental Assistance Demonstration Program
for Ogden Commons Phase A-1

This project will take place on an INVEST South/West corridor in North Lawndale says Ann McKenzie.

The next phase is to build 110 affordable units, with 44 units specifically for CHA residents.

Item 3/5: Recommendation to submit a RAD Application for Roosevelt Square Phase 1
Recapitalization

The site is in its 15th year which calls for a recapitalization plan. It would be the first recapitalization of a third-party transaction.

Multiple commissioners have noted that the current developer has not responded to residents' needs. Parker notes that this public housing package complains more than most about not getting proper treatment.

Item 4/5: Recommendation to approve actions necessary for the closing of Oakwood
Shores Phase 3-1 including:
to loan an amount not-to-exceed $6,175,000 for
redevelopment and remediation activities; and to loan Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credit Equity

This is again on an INVEST South/West corridor on CHA-owned land. This is the 8th rental phase for Oakwood Shores.

This would provide upwards of 50 units, 18 of which would go to CHA renters

Some of the developers involved are owned by former CHA residents. Commissions speak in favor of this

Item 5/5: Recommendation to approve actions necessary for the closing of Park Boulevard Phase 3B including: to loan an amount not-to-exceed $15,000,000 for redevelopment and remediation activities; and to loan Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credit Equity

This includes development on CHA-owned land on the South Side.

No comments from the public. All items are approved. This part of the meeting is now adjourned.

A quorum has once again been met.

Mildred Harris is opening this section with centering thoughts. The theme for CHA is resilience.

They say they're looking to return to in-person meetings in the near future. Scott is now presenting a report.

Scott said CHA received about 1900 emergency housing vouchers (EHV). Residents are qualified are they are homeless, at risk of homelessness, in danger of/experiencing domestic abuse or were recently homeless.

In addition to the city's "One Summer Chicago" CHA will also create more paid internships/employment for CHA youth

Youth who are interested can go to:
youth.thecha.org or onesummerchicago.org

CHA has been holding vaccination clinics in partnership with the city.

Scott encourages everyone to get vaccinated.

They're now playing a video about CHA residents getting vaccines.

They're now moving to approve resolutions discussed earlier.

All 6 items are approved.

There are two speakers present for public comment. Each speaker has 2 minutes.

First speaker is Angela Parker who asks when the CHA job program will begin? Parker says the program is very successful and is in support of it.

Scott said there are new jobs in place because they've assigned new contractors (Section 3 pool contractors). Scott says if there are businesses that are interested in working with CHA to go their website.

Second speaker is Carla Jackson who has been having serious problems getting in contact with folks from CHA.

This concludes the public comment, the board is now going into a closed meeting session. They will resume the public meeting in about 30 minutes.

The commission has returned and they're now going to start the second portion of the meeting. They approve the minutes for past meetings.

Item 7 from the closed session is approved. The meeting is adjourned at 11:28 am.