MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

OF THE

BOARD OF THE

REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF LANCASTER

JUNE 24, 2003,

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 5:00 P.M. MEETING OF THE

LANCASTER COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

150 North Queen Street, Suite 110

Lancaster, PA   17603

 

          The members of the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster met Tuesday, June 24, 2003.  The meeting was held at the offices of the Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, 150 North Queen Street, Suite 110.  In the absence of the Chairman, Cindy Stewart, Vice Chairman Neil Kinsey called the meeting to order at 5:17 p.m. immediately following the 5:00 p.m. meeting of the Lancaster County Housing Authority. 

 

          Members of the Board in attendance were Neil Kinsey, Vice Chairman, Ralph Murray, Treasurer, Ed Hollinger, Assistant Treasurer and Miriam Fletcher.  Absent was Cindy Stewart

 

          Staff members present were Randy S. Patterson, Executive Director, David M. Brazina, Director of Community Development, William O. Fountain, Director of Technical Services, Aimee Tyson, Community Development Specialist, and Joyce E. Dietrich, Secretary.  Also present was Carrie Caldwell, Intelligencer Journal. 

 

          There was no Public Comment. 

 

          Minutes of the May 27, 2003 meeting was accepted following a motion by Mr. Hollinger, second by Mr. Murray and unanimously carried.

 

          Treasurer’s Report for the month of May, 2003 was approved following a motion by Mr. Hollinger, second by Mr. Murray, and unanimously carried.  A copy of the report is attached hereto, made a part hereof and marked as Exhibit “A”. 

 

          Report of the Executive Director is attached hereto, made a part hereof, and marked as Exhibit “B”. 

 

          Correspondence or Communications:  Randy Patterson reported to the board that we did get a letter from the Governor officially committing the $10 million dollars subject to the submission of a formal application.  That is the process for this particular source of funds, the commitment is made, then the application is submitted, and then the grant agreement is sent. 

          There were no Committee Reports. 

 

          There was no Old Business. 

 

          New Business:  

 

          The Board adopted a Resolution to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Keystone State Professional Baseball, LLC on a motion by Ms. Fletcher, second by Mr. Murray and unanimously carried. 

 

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster to approve the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with Keystone State Professional Baseball, LLC (the “Team”)and its assigns outlining the basic terms of a lease between the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster and the Team for the operation of an Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc. minor league baseball team in the stadium to be constructed in the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and owned by the Redevelopment Authority.

 

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board authorizes the Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority and Stevens & Lee, PC, legal counsel for the Redevelopment Authority, to negotiate a final lease to be presented to the Board for approval based upon the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding.  (A copy of said Resolution [06-29-03] is attached hereto, made a part hereof, and marked as Exhibit “C”). 

 

          The Board adopted a Resolution approving a contract with East Donegal Township a motion by Ms. Fletcher, second by Mr. Hollinger and unanimously carried. 

 

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster to approve the execution of a contract with East Donegal Township for the acquisition of a parcel of land and the construction thereon of a 16 space municipal parking lot in the Village of Maytown in East Donegal Township in an amount not to exceed SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 ($75,000.00) DOLLARS of Fiscal Year 2003 Community Development Block Grant funds.

 

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster to require that a minimum of eleven (11) of the parking spaces be reserved at all times for the residents of the Center Square Apartments Project.  (A copy of said Resolution [06-30-03] is attached hereto, made a part hereof, and marked as Exhibit “D”). 

 

          The Board adopted a Resolution approving a contract with the Community Action Program of Lancaster, Inc. on behalf of Domestic Violence Services, for the use of Emergency Shelter Grant Funds on a motion by Mr. Murray, second by Mr. Hollinger and unanimously carried. 

 

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster to approve the execution of a contract with the Community Action Program of Lancaster County, Inc. to provide for specific costs related to the operation of the Lancaster Domestic Violence Services for a period beginning July 1, 2003 and terminating June 30, 2004 in an amount not to exceed $48,634.00 of Fiscal Year 2003 Emergency Shelter Grant Funds.  (A copy of said Resolution [06-31-03] is attached hereto, made a part hereof, and marked as Exhibit “E”). 

 

          The Board adopted a Resolution approving a contract with Transitional Living Center, Inc. for the use of Emergency Shelter Grant Funds on a motion by Mr. Hollinger, second by Mr. Murray and unanimously carried. 

 

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster to approve the execution of a Contract with Transitional Living Center, Inc. to provide for specific costs related to the operation of the Transitional Living Center for a period beginning July 1, 2003 and terminating June 30, 2004 in an amount not to exceed $30,769.00 of Fiscal Year 2003 Emergency Shelter Grant Funds.  (A copy of said Resolution [06-32-03] is attached hereto, made a part hereof, and marked as Exhibit “F”). 

 

          The Board adopted a Resolution approving a contract with United Veterans Beacon House for the use of Emergency Shelter Grant Funds on a motion by Mr. Hollinger, second by Mr. Murray and unanimously carried. 

 

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster to approve the execution of a contract with the United Veteran’s Beacon House to provide for specific costs related to the operation of the facility for the period beginning July 1, 2003 and terminating June 30, 2004 in an amount not to exceed $3,276.00 of Fiscal Year 2003 Emergency Shelter Grant funds.  (A copy of said Resolution [06-33-03] is attached hereto, made a part hereof, and marked as Exhibit “G”). 

 

          The Board adopted a Resolution approving a contract with Clare House, Inc. for the use of Emergency Shelter Grant Funds on a motion by Mr. Murray, second by Ms. Fletcher and unanimously carried. 

 

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster to approve the execution of a Contract with Clare House, Inc. to provide for case management services (essential services) to approximately 60 residents of Clare House, Inc. for a period beginning July 1, 2003 and terminating June 30, 2004 in an amount not to exceed $5,528.00 of Fiscal Year 2003 Emergency Shelter Grant Funds.  (A copy of said Resolution [06-34-03] is attached hereto, made a part hereof, and marked as Exhibit “H”). 

 

          The Board adopted a Resolution approving a contract with Tabor Community Services, Inc. for the use of Emergency Shelter Grant Funds on a motion by Ms. Fletcher, second by Mr. Hollinger and unanimously carried. 

 

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster to approve the execution of a contract with Tabor Community Services, Inc. to provide for specific costs related to the operation of the Shelter to Independent Living Program for a period beginning July 1, 2003 and terminating June 30, 2004 in an amount not to exceed TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND NINTY-EIGHT AND 00/100 ($26,898.00) DOLLARS of Fiscal Year 2003 Emergency Shelter Grant Funds.  (A copy of said Resolution [06-35-03] is attached hereto, made a part hereof, and marked as Exhibit “I”). 

 

          The Board adopted a Resolution approving a contract with Crispus Attucks Community center for the use of Emergency Shelter Grant Funds on a motion by Ms. Fletcher, second by Mr. Murray and unanimously carried. 

 

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster to approve the execution of a contract with the Crispus Attucks Community Center to provide for specific costs related to the operation of the Crispus Attucks Emergency Shelter and the provision of essential services for the period beginning July 1, 2003 and terminating June 30, 2004 in an amount not to exceed SEVENTEEN THOUSAND AND EIGHT HUNDRED AND NINTY-FIVE AND 00/100 ($17,895.00) DOLLARS of Fiscal Year 2003 Emergency Shelter Grant funds.  (A copy of said Resolution [06-36-03] is attached hereto, made a part hereof, and marked as Exhibit “J”). 

 

          A motion was presented by Mr. Hollinger to adopt Resolutions 9 through 11 with one vote since these Resolutions are a part of Lancaster County’s Fiscal Year 2003 Annual Action Plan which was endorsed by the Board at the October 22, 2002 meeting.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Murray and on a roll call vote Mr. Hollinger, Mr. Murray, Ms. Fletcher and Mr. Kinsey all voted aye.  Said motion was unanimously carried.  Resolutions 9 through 11 are as follows: 

 

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED By the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster to approve the execution of a contract with BASE, Inc. to operate the Minority Entrepreneurial Development Program to assist approximately seventy-five (75) minority and women-owned micro enterprises and create at least five (5) full time equivalent jobs or retain seven (7) full time equivalent jobs through technical assistance, necessary counseling and education required to attain business skills for a period beginning July 1, 2003 and terminating June 30, 2004 in an amount not to $20,000.00 of Fiscal Year 2003 Community Development Block Grant funds.  A copy of said Resolution [06-37-03] is attached hereto, made a part hereof, and marked as Exhibit “K”). 

 

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED By the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster to approve the execution of a contract with the Community First Fund to operate a program providing affordable loan capital and comprehensive technical assistance to viable community projects which actively foster community and worker ownership, and job creation, for approximately thirty (30) income eligible clients and providing twenty (20) loans creating or retaining twenty-five (25) jobs for a period beginning July 1, 2003 and terminating June 30, 2004  in an amount not to exceed FIFTY THOUSAND  AND 00/100 ($50,000.00) DOLLARS of Fiscal Year 2003 Community Development Block Grant Funds.  A copy of said Resolution [06-38-03] is attached hereto, made a part hereof, and marked as Exhibit “L”). 

 

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED By the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster to approve the execution of a contract with ASSETS to operate a micro-enterprise business training program at 313 West Liberty Street, Lancaster, for approximately 75 Lancaster City and County residents (16 will be assisted with County CDBG funds) who wish to start or expand their business for a period beginning July 1, 2003 and terminating June 30, 2004 in an amount not to exceed FORTY THOUSAND 00/100 ($40,000.00) DOLLARS of Fiscal Year 2003 Community Development Block Grant funds.  A copy of said Resolution [06-339-03] is attached hereto, made a part hereof, and marked as Exhibit “M”). 

 

          Other Business: 

 

          Randy Patterson discussed with the Board the issue of a Resolution adopted May 28, 2002 authorizing the use of $5,000.00 to conduct a predatory lending study that would be managed by the South Central Assembly for Effective Governance, but not undertaken by them.  They did an RFP, received proposals and currently have a proposal from the American Institute for Social Justice and are also working with Acorn (a housing advocacy group).  The condition of the Board’s Resolution was that they City would provide an equal dollar amount of CDBG funds or other dollars to match that $5,000.00 commitment.  The City has now chosen not to do that, but the City’s non-profit organizations have raised $4,000.00.  $1,000.00 will be provided by each of the following 4 non-profit organizations - Community First Fund, Community Action Program, Tabor Community Services, and Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership.   They will be $1,000.00 short of the required City match.  The reason for bringing this back to the Board is to ask for your approval to alter the Resolution of May 28, 2002 and accept the $4,000.00 matching funds from the City non-profit organizations rather than the City in order to have the study conducted. 

 

          A motion was presented by Ms. Fletcher to accept the reduction of the City contribution by the City non-profit entities to the study from $5,000.00 to $4,000.00 and to accept the commitment being made by the non-profit entities within the City who are interested in seeing this study completed.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Hollinger and unanimously accepted. 

 

          Mr. Patterson discussed with the board a request for a leave of absence by an agency employee, Aimee Tyson.  Aimee has been offered the possible opportunity to participate in a group study exchange program, sponsored by the Rotary Foundation for a one month study program in the south of England – South Hampton.  Our Personnel Policy dictates that a request for a leave of absence must be approved by the board.  Our Personnel Policy however does not address a leave of absence of less than 30 days.  Technically Aimee will be gone 30 days; however she has two weeks vacation that she will be using.  Our Personnel Policy also states that on an unpaid leave of absence the Authority drops insurance coverage (medical, dental & life) unless the employee chooses to pay the premiums during the leave.  If this request would be for 30 days it would be cost effective to require the employee to cover the cost of benefits, however a two week absence is not.  Mr. Patterson asked the Board to permit an unpaid leave of absence of less than 30 days and to have the Authority continue paying insurance benefits during the two week unpaid period.  And finally, to grant Ms. Tyson an unpaid leave of absence. 

 

          A motion was presented by Mr. Hollinger to approve Aimee Tyson’s request for an unpaid leave of absence.  Also, to approve the requested unpaid leave of absence for less than 30 days (2 weeks) and to continue paying, the Authority’s share of medical, dental, & life insurance premiums on Ms. Tyson’s behalf.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Fletcher and unanimously accepted. 

 

          Mr. Kinsey announced that the next meeting of the Board of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster would be held Tuesday, July 22, 2003 at the offices of the Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, 150 North Queen Street, Suite 110, immediately following the 5:00 p.m. meeting of the Lancaster County Housing Authority. 

 

          The meeting was adjourned at 6:13. 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                            

                                                                   Joyce E. Dietrich, Secretary