​The May 2, 2022 PHA Board of Commissioners met for regular monthly meeting in person and virtually. 
   Several individuals spoke during community comments at beginning of meeting.  One resident of Sterling Towers complained about bed bug infestation that has led to sleeping in car.  CEO Newman planned to meet with this person after meeting.  Landlord complained about communications and lack respect of PHA employees.  He needed to have electrician do some repairs and inspection scheduled before work completed.  
   Minutes of the regular meeting of March 7, 2022 were approved, as well as, closed session meeting of March 7, 2022, and special meeting of March 31, 2022.  This Observer is monitoring PHA website for posting of meeting minutes within 10 days of Board approval per IL Open Meetings Act (OMA).  As of May 18, 2022, the minutes of February 7 and March 7, 2022 meetings are not available on website.  It is also noted that CEO report and reports listed under Consent Agenda are not readily available to the public to review.  This lack of transparency raises concerns that PHA does not have an effective plan in place to follow Open Meeting Act. e.  Note:  LWVGP requested FOIA in March from PHA to review meeting reports and minutes not posted at that time.  PHA staff and legal representative forwarded records that were requested in reasonable timeframe.
   Reports approved by consent agenda. 
   Resolution approved to amend employment contract of new Chief Executive Officer,  who started April 25, 2022.
   Under new business, Chair Cannon announced “lunch and learn” meeting scheduled for Board members on May 17, 2022.
   The next scheduled meeting of the PHA Board of Commissioners is June 6, 2022 at 4:30 P.M.                                      Connie Romanus, Observer

​Due to lack of quorum, the regular monthly meeting was not held. Next meeting of Board of Commissioners is scheduled for May 2, 2022. Meeting agenda available on website.
   It is noted that a Special Meeting regarding approval of the CEO employment contract was held on March 31.         Agendas are posted on website: https://www peoriahousing.org    
Connie Romanus, Observer  

March 7 PHA Board of Commissioners’ meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Chairman Carl Cannon. There were no community comments or Family Self Sufficiency graduates.
   Minutes of regular meeting open session of Feb. 7, 9 and 10 were approved, as well as closed session minutes for those dates. As of March 17, the approved minutes of the Jan. 3 meeting were not posted.
   The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
   Chief Executive Officer Jackie Newman reported demolition of Taft Homes is in progress after hard work by staff and should be completed in 2022. She also noted disposition of properties vacant for approximately 10 years was approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These properties couldn’t be rehabbed and will be removed from PHA property list.
   There was no discussion on the search for CEO.
   This observer was not able to find any of the meeting reports for viewing.
   The Board went into closed session at 4:47 P.M. to discuss issues related to purchase or lease of real estate or the setting of a price for sale or lease of real estate.
   The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be at 4:30 p.m. April 4. Agendas are posted on website: www peoriahousing.org.
​ Connie Romanus, Observer

​   The Board of Commissioners met for regular monthly meeting electronically due to COVID-19 pandemic.  There were no public comments or FSS graduates.  Human Resources announced one new employee this month and anticipate another in next few weeks.
   Minutes of special meetings of January 6 and 7, 2022 were approved, as well as the Annual and Regular meetings of January 10, 2022.  Consent agenda approved without discussion. 
   The Chief Executive Officer’s report was brief.  Ms. Newman’s written report was distributed to Commissioners but was not available on website or at meeting.  HUD scores for 2021 in progress; scores carried over from prior year and will be resolved in January – February 2023.  She will report on upcoming changes in housing programs in March.  
   Being no old or new business items to bring forward, or board comments, the Commissioners went into closed session for employee compensation issue at 4:45 PM.  There was no update from CEO Search Committee.  Next Board of Commissioners Meeting is March 7, 2022, at 4:30 P.M.
 C, Observer

​Peoria Housing Authority (PHA) Board met electronically December 6, 2021 with all Commissioners present. 
Three residents graduated from the PHA Family Self Sufficiency program.  This program has allowed the three women to complete educational and financial goals, as well as, become home owners.  This program can take up to five years for an individual to complete. 
Minutes of November regular meeting and special meeting were approved.  Reports were approved by consent agenda.  Resolutions were approved to submit FY2022 Public Housing Budget, as well as, Operating Budgets for Housing Choice Voucher Program and Mainstream Voucher Budget to Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The Board also voted to appoint additional board members  to the Committee to select Chief Executive Officer.  Board approved 3-year collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME membership.
The PHA Board of Commissioners meets the first Monday of each month electronically.  Information available at www.peoriahousingauthority.com
Connie Romanus, Observer

​  The Board of Commissioners met for regular monthly meeting with a quorum present.  Absent were Commissioners Alma Brown and Kim Furness.  There were no community comments presented. New receptionist, Tenora, was introduced and welcomed.  Current employee, Ernest Jackson, was promoted in the accounting department. There were no FSS graduates this month, but anticipate one in December.
 Jackie Newman, Chief Executive Officer, reported on recent program she attended on “Choice Neighborhood” program.  She sees this as an opportunity to begin positioning PHA and partners to pursue grant funding available for Housing Authorities with distressed properties, such as Harrison.  The two-year grant would need to involve city planning, as well as other partners.  A second two-year grant could be applied for, as well as other funding. 

• Ms. Newman was enthusiastic regarding the recent ground breaking for Providence Point housing development that replaces former Taft housing.  She recalled that PHA had been talking about this since 2010 and the historic significance of getting project to this point; efforts resumed over the past three years to get to this point. 
  
• She thanked the Board for their support and encouraged them to keep momentum going to upgrade older housing stock, such as Harrison. 
  
• Melissa Huffstetdler reminded the Board that PHA was seeking third party investor for RiverWest recapitalization, as this property is twenty years old.

  Reports were approved by consent agenda.  Resolutions were passed to award contract for employee health insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield with one percent increase; approved proposed 2022 utility allowance schedule for housing choice voucher program; and approve proposed 2022 utility allowance schedule for public housing, which is required to be in compliance with HUD regulations.
  There was no update on CEO candidate search.  Ms. Newman reminded the Board of the importance of employee training in available grants and other programs to position PHA for future success.
  The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners of PHA will be December 6, 2021.  Meeting schedule and agenda available at www.peoriahousing.org.
Connie Romanus, Observer

​A quorum was present at the monthly meeting of PHA Board of Commissioners.  Two topics for community concern included one resident with issue of mistaken identity affecting her status with PHA and Rhonda Sexton, union bargaining representative, regarding employee contract issues related to Taft redevelopment.
Two residents of PHA completed Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program that enables them to increase their income and reduce reliance on welfare and rental assistance.  Both are in process of purchasing a home for their family. 
Jackie Newman, Executive Director of PHA, gave overview of Taft redevelopment project status.  The new housing development will be names Provident Pointe, with ground breaking scheduled on October 6.  Reports to Board were approved by consent agenda.  A resolution was approved to accept revisions to Administrative and Occupant Plan which will change eligibility to allow persons without crime record in past six months to apply for housing, as well as maintaining records of denial for review by state Criminal Justice Board.
Kadar Hefner announced selection of CEO search firm, Organizational Leadership Edge, to find applicants for PHA Executive Director position.  Board approved this action.  Resolution passed to approve FY2022-2026 5 Year Plan and FY 2022 Annual Agency Plan which are posted on PHA website.  The 5 Year plan has 45-day public comment period.
The Board discussed current lack of Resident Councils at PHA sites and effort to promote these.  Latasha Perry, Board member, cited the benefits of these to address common issues and share information with residents.  Councils have rules process and elections to elect residents to individual council.
Board adjourned for closed session to discuss collective bargaining issue.
Connie Romanus, Observer

 A quorum of the Board of Commisioners of PHA was present.  Jackie McGavin, Housing Voucher Specialist, was introduced as new employee.  Jackie Newman, CEO reported staff continuing to complete HUD required documents to meet deadline for financing of Taft redevelopment project this month.  The next phase will be demolition of existing structures prior to start of new construction of homes.  PHA staff continue to meet with local building trades and training of eligible residents for project.
Chairman Cannon asked Lt. McCall, Security Chief, to report on incident that occurred near Taft location in early hours past weekend resulting in gunshots in area.  Concerns expressed over coverage hours of security staff contracted by PHA, as well as proximity of liquor store nearby.  Current security staff shift ends at 1:00 A.M.  Lt. McCall to report back on issue. 
During Community Comments, two residents of River West complex shared concerns regarding disruptive behavior of non-residents, gunshots in area and litter.  Safety issues included recent incident of 15 youths walking through complex, kicking in doors, threatening behavior. They also expressed concerns about lack of lighting in area between buildings. Chairman Cannon responded that he would work with PHA staff and Security  to investigate this issue and identify strategies to manage issue.   Chair Cannon will also meet with new Peoria City Police Chief.  CEO Newman encouraged residents to call local police for incidents.
In other business, the Board approved updates to PHA Board Policy Manual to be compliant with Illinois and Federal law regarding asking residents about income status and hours worked.   Collection loss write-off of $32.172 for uncollectable rent payments.  CEO Search Committee will be reviewing vendors for applicants.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 4:30 P.M.

Connie Romanus, Observer

​The Board of Commissioners of the PHA met virtually on July 6.  Board meeting minutes from June 14, 2021 meeting were approved, as well as, minutes of board training meeting of April 23.  The board approved  a resolution to authorize and approve Taft Home Redevelopment closing documents.  This was required to give CEO authority to submit these documents to keep Taft redevelopment project on target.
Chairman Cannon asked for an update from CEO Search Committee.  Commissioner Heffner reported committee will be reviewing proposals from search firms and selecting firms for presentation overview to committee.
Commissioner Brown reported there were no issues from Resident and Safety Committee.  July 4th holiday was uneventful and no issues reported.  The regular meeting was adjourned at 4:51 P.M. 
A special meeting of the PHA Development Corporation, a not-for-profit entity, was held immediately after the regular monthly meeting.  Melissa Huffstedtler, Deputy Director of PHA, presented an overview of the PHADC.  The corporation  will meet quarterly, with special meetings as needed and will serve as a partner in the Taft redevelopment project, as well as, the purchase of vacant property for future and/or redevelopment for the PHA.  By-laws were presented and approved by the board, as well as, resolutions to authorize and approve Taft conversion project and Taft rental assistance conversion project.  Meeting adjourned at 5:01 PM.
The next Board of Commissioners meeting will be August 2, 2021 at 4:30 P.M.
Connie Romanus, Observer