MHA Management Committee Minutes 3/27/06

Executive Management Joint Meeting

3/27/06

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MHA - Paul Keaton President, Alex Wilson Management Committee member, Val Dingler Management Committee member, Kabir, Management Committee member, Mark Reeder Acting Secretary; Debbie Feustel Nominee for Management Committee Chair

Discussion of Mapleton listings in the home ownership section of the Thistle website.

Sandy has arranged to have a crew of volunteers to assist the residents of Mapleton Park with yard clean-up on May 21, 06. We have talked to the residents on our list and have encouraged them to take part in this project.

Julie N. and Julie M. canvassed the park attempting to get signatures on the remaining leases. We had some success, but many residents were not at home.

The outside lights were out in the southeast part of the park. We had a hard time, finding the offending spot. But with the help of the electrician, Enzo was able to dig up one small area and fix the problem. Also, the light a #176 had to be dug up and repaired.

We repaired the hole in the street at Mapleton entrance with blacktop. We have an area on the Roads in the north side of the park with numerous cracks and crevices. These areas probably need to be filled with tar to prevent further damage.

Enzo and Julie met with Xcel Energy regarding an area light near 35B.He estimated the cost would be approximately $2800 to install post and connect with electricity. Also there is not a suitable place to put this post within the boundaries of Mapleton Park. Enzo suggested running a line from the unused meter and installing individual lights or a single post to light up area.

The resident that requested a permit for a shed has decided she now wants a deck. We have the Home Improvement request for this deck.

We had two noise complaints from one unit. Sandy has sent them a letter regarding this issue.

The resident with requests for many extensions, for his expired license, now has a current permit. One vehicle has been ticketed for no license and resident has agreed to take care of the problem. If not it will be towed.

An additional vehicle was ticketed today for expired license and two flat tires. He has asked for two weeks to get his car licensed.

We have obtained two bids from plumbing companies to install a faucet in lot south of #1 to allow us to water the two south lots.

The next step is to draft a letter to accompany the leases to people who still have not signed them.

Sandy will do a follow up phone call to Douglas Sullivan about the problems stemming from Goose Creek.

Mark will talk with Don McKee about using his water or having him water the area south of him.

A letter will be sent to residents for clean up in the Park. The letter will state that help is available for cleaning up yards. All residents who want help will be put on a list for the help. We will be using the Sheriff’s department to help resident’s clean up. The letter will inform residents who will be helping with the clean up. Julie will speak with individuals who have yards that are on the ‘must clean up’ list. She will ask them if they want the help and encourage them to put their names at the top of the Sheriff’s department list for help with clean up.

Enclosed is the March 2006 financial statement. Scheduled Rental Income was $45,211.00. The amount collected this month was $45,034.00. Actual Collection loss was ($1070.98). Total Operating Income for the month of March was $43,448.62, which was $2627.38 less than budgeted due to vacancy loss, late fees and net prepaids. The March operating expenses were $37,110.50, which was $7,153.50 more than budgeted due to taxes, snow removal, sewer and trash sevice. and the land trust fee.

The Net Operating Income for March was $6,338.12. Cash on hand was $143,999.71. Security Deposit reserve is $27,164.62 As of March 31, 2006 there were 17 residents with past due amounts. The total amount owed on these accounts is $29,818.58. Of these accounts 7 have balances of $1000.00 or more that are 90 days past due. Total due over 90 days is $18,014.37. This balance includes three residents whose rent structure is in dispute.

At this time, there are 5 vacant lots, one administrative unit and one unit occupied by the resident manager. All of these units are included in Total Lots of 135.

Sandy will check with Loretta on the next steps of the Mark Horst trailer, which is being stored.

Debbie made the point that the infrastructure will affect management of the Park. There will be a lot of resident problems that will need to be addressed.

The planning department has still not OK’ed the tech docs. There is concern among the residents that the infrastructure work will not begin until next year. Currently, Cindy Pieropan has been concerned that the street-by-street approach to the infrastructure upgrade is not fair to the residents. Residents have been very clear on this matter. They want the street-by-street plan since it is cheaper and less disruptive to their lives. Bill Windsor will be speaking to John Pollak and Cindy about this issue. The MHA Board has written a letter in support of the street-by-street plan and given it to Bill Windsor. As far as the start date for the construction, there was concern that by delaying the start of construction, the time granted for completion was shortened. Bill Windsor assured the MHA Secretary that the four year time given for upgrades begins when the permit is drawn.

The MHA has also written a letter to Tim Kane of Wyatt construction asking that Wyatt create and fund a community liaison position during the infrastructure construction. We still have not heard back from him yet.

Continue working on clearing up the steps of the process to applying for buying into Mapleton. It is a complicated process and working to make it easier.

Security deposit. Some people on the old one of $50.00. Only came up after the city bought the Park, so the city paid $50 for everyone but all new residents moving in had to pay a month’s rent in advance. Some deposits are greater because the rent tiers changed people’s rents. Currently the deposits now are based on what the rents are paid now.

Sandy asked for an overview sheet of the process for selling mobile homes. Also Julie N. is working on an information sheet for sellers so they know what the process is. How long does it take for the seller to sell her home: How long does it take once there is a potential buyer? The steps could be completed within a week. But the time usually takes longer because the paper work involved may take a longer time to acquire.

Paul moved to hire Gene West to manage the MHA’s money. Mark seconded; Passed unanimously.

Barbara Navin asked that we discuss the Funding Agreement written at the end of last year.

Mark made the statement that the Funding Agreement was not necessary. Hast & Co. knows that in the future they will not be writing substantial checks from the MHA to anyone without the MHA’s consent.

Mark went on to state that the MHA was prepared to support Thistle with grants. In the future Thistle would have to apply for a grant from the MHA instead of invoicing Hast & Co. The MHA does not have a grant process in place now but that one could be set up if needed.

Paul Keaton made the statement that the Funding Agreement as written was not something he would approve or sign. The MHA would help out Thistle if necessary, but that there would be no automatic dispersal of funds to Thistle.

Discussion of Budget Items for Capital and Operating Reserve was tabled until next time when the proper documents will be available. Mark made the statement that he believed that capital and operating reserves were funded for the first three years through the sale of the Park.

One resident has applied to the MHA for a temporary reduction in rent because of disability. The resident is applying for disability from the Federal government and hopes that it will be granted soon. In the meantime the resident is hoping for some help from the MHA.

Mark suggested that in lieu of reducing rent, we make grant to for $400 that would go to paying rent. We don’t want to set a precedent of reducing rents whenever someone faces a hardship, since most of the residents face hardships at one time or another.

Paul stated that it would not be a good idea to set the precedent of the MHA giving grants, because soon the MHA would run out of money trying to fund everyone who experienced a hardship. The Park is set up to help people who have a low or low to moderate income, not homeless people.

Mark then said that we could set a limit on the amount of money the MHA could grant in a year. Once that limit is reached, no more grant funds would be available. Grants would be given to people who demonstrated a real hardship and simply falling upon hard times, or were out of work, or were bad managers of their money.

Sandy Denny made the suggestion that the MHA could set up a deferment account. A portion of the rent could be deferred until a certain amount was reached. Then the resident would be given a certain amount of time to pay it back. For example, a resident could defer $400 of rent over a period of 4-6 months, until they got back on their feet. Then they would pay the money back at $50 a month over 8 months.

Val explained that when she looked on the TCH website, there was no mention of Mapleton, though there mentions of other TCH properties such as Blue Vista. In addition, there were no listings of residents’ homes for sale, including her home. Also,

Barbara explained that TCH is far behind in its updating of it website. It is unlikely that the website will be updated anytime soon to include Mapleton as part of the TCH team.

However, Julie N. said that she would look into putting the Mapleton Park residents who are selling their homes on the website by the end of the week.

The entire website is far behind. As for putting Mapleton on the website, Julie will give this information to the webmaster, but she is not optimistic that it will be done anytime soon.

In return, Mark will tell the MHA webmaster that the MHA should mention on its site that the MHA is part of TCH.

Barbara then explained that TCH will be changing all the signage for the entrances to Mapleton. Suggestions are: Mapleton Park, A Resident Managed Thistle Community

Barbara then asked for volunteers to lead tours through Mapleton on July 14^th two tours through Mapleton. TCH also needs volunteers to be on the buses talking to individuals about the sites and people at the site.

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