Houma-Terrebonne Housing Authority
Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
April 25, 2024
Minutes
The regular meeting for the Houma-Terrebonne Housing Authority was held April 25, 2024at 3:30 p.m. Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma, Louisiana.
Chairperson Hebert called the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 3:30 p.m. followed by the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairperson Hebert stated that this is the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
Upon roll call, the following Commissioners were recorded as present:
Commissioners: D. Picou, C. Hebert, G. Burke and D. Sherman
Absent: L. Vauclin
Also present: Mrs. Nikita Gilton, Executive Director, Mrs. Tiffany Stokes, Housing Supervisor; Ms. Tamara Matthews, Accounting, Mr. Jamie McDaniel, Sulzer Group & Mr. Brandon Decuir, Legal.
Continuing with the agenda, Item #4, Order of the Day/ Approval of Agenda; Mrs. Gilton said the agenda should proceed as published.
Continuing with the agenda, Item #5, Public Comment; there were none
Continuing with the agenda, Item #6, Approval of Minutes from March 28, 2024 regular board Motioned by Commissioner Sherman, seconded by Vice Chairperson Picou. Chairperson Hebert called for the vote:
UPON ROLL CALL THERE WAS RECORDED
YEAS: D. Picou, D. Sherman, G. Burke, and C. Hebert
NAYS: None
ABSTAINING: None
ABSENT: L. Vauclin Motion carried
Continuing with the agenda, Item #7, Bills and Communications, Item #7A, Approval of Pay
Vouchers for the period of March 16, 2024-April 12, 2024; Motioned by Commissioner Sherman seconded by Vice Chairperson Picou. Chairperson Hebert called for the vote:
UPON ROLL CALL THERE WAS RECORDED
YEAS: D. Picou, D. Sherman, G. Burke, and C. Hebert
NAYS: None
ABSTAINING: None
ABSENT: L. Vauclin Motion carried
Continuing with the agenda, Item #7B, Monthly Financials-December 2023; Item #7B1, Memo from Fee Accountant to Board of Commissioners; Item #7B2, Balance Sheet for December 2023; Item #7B3, Income and Expense Statements for December 2023; Item #7B4, Public Housing Financial Assessment Score for the month of December 2023; Item #7B5, Bank Reconciliation.
Continuing with the agenda, Item #7C, Monthly Financials-January 2024; Item #7C1, Memo from Fee Accountant to Board of Commissioners; Item #7C2, Balance Sheet for January 2024; Item #7C3, Income and Expense Statements for January 2024; Item #7C4, Public Housing Financial Assessment Score for the month of January 2024; Item #7C5, Bank Reconciliation.
Continuing with the agenda, Item #8, Report of Secretary/ Executive Director Mrs. Gilton introduced the Parish President, Jason Bergeron. He is there to show support any way he can.
Mrs. Gilton report that she attended trial in February in front of Judge Bethancourt regarding the modular. The case was dismissed. She just finished a second trial on Monday, in front of Judge Pickett. She will be going to court in June regarding the grievance residents. Brandon is representing the housing authority for this one.
Mrs. Gilton reported that staff has been teleworking for the last five days. Staffed moved in April 1st. They had to move out last week Tuesday, due to the building not being elevated high enough. They have completed that task. Right now, we are waiting for our water to get back connected and the electricity.
Maintenance sent a picture of some of the building that is starting to come off. Jamie reported that they did an emergency procurement on an engineering firm. They are out of New Orleans. What happened, the fascia was delaminating from the building and to eliminate the potential risk, a temporary fence was put up. The permanent fence should be installed or it may be installed now. In order for it to protect the safety, there is an engineering plan that is being drawn up. He will probably have it tomorrow afternoon. They will drive metal rods into the building that will hold that fascia up, until the final disposition as to what is going happen with the demolition or whatever else is needed. They should have a timeline and a scope of work tomorrow afternoon.
Jamie said to speak about the temporary facility, it need to meet the base flood elevation. It was three inches short. It was no cost to the Housing Authority. It was a mistake on the installers. They came back out. They fixed it in a few days. They had to disconnect all the utilities. He is waiting to get those reconnected. There will be an inspection. Once they receive the certification of occupancy, they can move back in. He anticipates that happening early or mid-next week.
Mrs. Gilton said the fencing at Bayou Towers, is the barricades. It was discussed at the last meeting.
Regarding Bayou Towers, Mrs. Gilton reported that they are working on getting an A&E firm. The last contract they had ended in December. They are hiring another A&E firm. Jamie said DDG had the first portion of the architectural engineering. They helped with the temporary facility, in some basic plans. He anticipates doing another award letter based on the original request for qualifications. From that list, they will pick another A&E firm. They will help with the next phases, with the demolition plan for Bayou Towers and any potential demolition that need to happen at Senator Circle.
Regarding, Senator Circle they have the first packet ready to send to FEMA. They are finalizing it. They had a meeting about it today. There is six buildings inside that were the most damaged buildings. They will send that to FEMA so they can do the 50% analysis on it, thru the initial review. From there, if they agree with that analysis, then they can start working on the other buildings with that holistic plan. The A&E firm will help with that plan. Once they figure out how many units will be demolished, they will have the overall plan of what they want to do with the facility or the property.
Regarding the demolition of Bayou Towers, he said they have packet in with FEMA right now doing the advance environmental review. They are using the HUD review that was already completed. He is hopeful that FEMA will use the review that has been done already, so that it would be a fast track process. Once that is done, they have to make sure everything is in order to either demolish it or find out what the final resolution will be.
Continuing with the agenda, Item 9, Discussion and possible action relative to Resolution No. 1060-24, authorizing advertisement for public review and 45-day comment period, the Houma Terrebonne Housing Authoritys Draft 2024 Annual Action Plan and Five-Year Plan; Motioned by Commissioner Sherman, seconded by Vice Chairperson Picou. Chairperson Hebert called for the vote:
UPON ROLL CALL THERE WAS RECORDED
YEAS: D. Picou, D. Sherman, G. Burke, and C. Hebert
NAYS: None
ABSTAINING: None
ABSENT: L. Vauclin Motion carried
Continuing with the agenda, Item 10, Discussion and possible action relative to Resolution No. 1061-24, proclaiming May 8, 2024 as State Employee Recognition Day; Mrs. Gilton said she would like them all to come. She will be having something for staff at the new building. Motioned by Commissioner Sherman, seconded by Vice Chairperson Picou. Chairperson Hebert called for the vote:
UPON ROLL CALL THERE WAS RECORDED
YEAS: D. Picou, D. Sherman, G. Burke, and C. Hebert
NAYS: None
ABSTAINING: None
ABSENT: L. Vauclin Motion carried
Chairperson Hebert said to staff that they appreciate all that they do.
Continuing with the agenda, Item 11, Discussion and possible action relative to updating Duson Housing Authority authorized names and signature for issuing and signing checks by adding Nikita Gilton; motioned by Vice Chairperson Picou, seconded by Commissioner Sherman. Chairperson Hebert called for the vote:
UPON ROLL CALL THERE WAS RECORDED
YEAS: D. Picou, D. Sherman, G. Burke, and C. Hebert
NAYS: None
ABSTAINING: None
ABSENT: L. Vauclin Motion carried
Continuing with the agenda, Item 12, Discussion and possible action relative to renewal of Executive Directors contract**; Chairperson Hebert said they need a motion to go into executive session. Motioned by Vice Chairperson Picou, seconded by Commissioner Sherman. Chairperson Hebert called for the vote:
UPON ROLL CALL THERE WAS RECORDED
YEAS: D. Picou, D. Sherman, G. Burke, and C. Hebert
NAYS: None
ABSTAINING: None
ABSENT: L. Vauclin Motion carried
Brandon Decuir said for the record, it was unanimous. There was no opposition.
Houma Terrebonne Housing Authority Board of Commissioners convened into Executive Session at 3:44 p.m.
Houma Terrebonne Housing Authority Board of Commissioners reconvened into regular session at 3:54 p.m.
Commissioner Sherman motioned to go back into regular business; seconded by Vice Chairperson Picou. Chairperson Hebert called for the vote:
UPON ROLL CALL THERE WAS RECORDED
YEAS: D. Picou, D. Sherman, G. Burke, and C. Hebert
NAYS: None
ABSTAINING: None
ABSENT: L. Vauclin Motion carried
Chairperson Hebert said she would like to take a moment to congratulate the Executive Director on the work that she has done and her staff, especially with what they have been through with the storm and not to mention personal aspects. Commissioner Sherman motioned to extend the Directors contract and authorize the board, Chair and Vice Chair to execute the extension with a raise and ratification of all prior increases in pay for Mrs. Nikita Gilton, seconded by Commissioner Gene Burke. Chairperson Hebert called for the vote:
UPON ROLL CALL THERE WAS RECORDED
YEAS: D. Picou, D. Sherman, G. Burke, and C. Hebert
NAYS: None
ABSTAINING: None
ABSENT: L. Vauclin Motion carried
Continuing with the agenda, Item 13, Commissioner Comments; Vice Chairperson Picou reported on Commissioner. He had procedure and is home resting. He will be at the next meeting.
Continuing with the agenda, Item 14, Next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2024 3:30 p.m., 124 K Senator Circle; Houma, LA 70363
Continuing with the agenda, Item #15, Adjournment; Motioned by Commissioner Sherman, seconded by Vice Chairperson Picou. Chairperson Hebert called for the vote:
UPON ROLL CALL THERE WAS RECORDED
YEAS: D. Picou, D. Sherman, G. Burke, and C. Hebert
NAYS: None
ABSTAINING: None
ABSENT: L. Vauclin Motion carried
Meeting adjourned at 3:47 p.m.
10230148 6/1/24