Focus Group Minutes of Sept 17, 2002

Attending: Jane Wheeler, Gordon MacKenzie, Starla Warren. Nancy Waymire, Philip Childress, Joseph Hertlein, Randy Randazzo, John Dalessio, Tony Caldwell

Called to order at 2:05pm.
  1. A clarification was asked for by Randy Randazzo as to who was asked to chair the meeting and report to the Board of Commissioners and Residents meeting. Clarify as to who would chair the meeting, Starla Warren or community leaders, alternately. Starla Warren will prepare the agendas.
  2. Housing Authority was thanked for preparing and distributing the documents. Most group members didn’t get through all of them, but will continue to read. The community group members had met for lunch and discussed ideas, also contacted someone from Habitat for Humanities.
  3. Question #1, What is Housing Authority’s mission relative to the future of Rippling River? Randy says there are volunteers available to bring units up to code. What is HA’s position? Starla says "get a plan, RR needs major improvements, not just fixes."
  4. Gordon MacKenzie stated 2 years ago, $149,000 was needed for refurbishing, now the figure is $2,000,000, why?
  5. Philip Childress wants to know what the real problem is: RR is dripping red ink, need solution to that.
  6. John Dalessio looked for the sources of income, non-profit perhaps? Replacement housing? How does RR differ? Maintenance costs?
  7. Nancy Waymire stated that it seemed that delayed maintenance had caused some of the damage.
  8. John Dalessio stated the problem with volunteers, need qualified people due to liability (Starla says). Workman’s comp, guarantees.
  9. Proposal from Habitat from Humanity?
  10. Starla wants to focus on solutions, what’s viable. Starla said rehab costs could be reduced and with financial support and help from the community we could keep RR open and here.
  11. What are the tools? Joe Hertlein - mission - long term plan to best serve the 79 residents and future residents might include stages rebuild.
  12. Goals, suitable housing for another 40 years, goal #2, operating costs break even. Joe will circulate options via e-mail and add or clarify.
  13. Starla stated construction estimates are too high. Have some other contractors give us some bids.
  14. Average rent - $215, HA pays average of $123 per unit in utilities. Residents should start and promote an energy conservation program, Nancy Waymire will work on that.
  15. Gordon MacKenzie and John Dalessio will attend the next Board of Commissioners meeting and report.
  16. Tony Caldwell will research whether there is a reduction program for elderly and handicapped people in regards to utilities.
  17. Next meeting date Oct. 3, 2002.