Authority considers state contracts
The Fayette County Housing Authority on Thursday discussed the practicality of utilizing state contracts for goods and services as opposed to seeking local companies for contracts. The discussion arose following the approval of a two-year contract with General Electric for the purchase of 150 refrigerators at a cost of $375 each, including delivery. Finance manager Sonya Over reported that although five bid packets were sent out, only GE submitted a bid for the 16.6-cubic-foot refrigerators with top freezers.
While there was only one bid received, Over said a cost comparison was done with local stores and Lowe’s gave a price quote of $396 per unit and Home Depot gave a quote of $449 per unit. She added that those prices did not include delivery.
Over said the last contract the FCHA had was with GE, and the cost has risen $25 per unit since that time. Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink said it would be nice if there were local interest. “It’s a shame no one other than one person responded,” Zimmerlink said.
Board member James V. Bitonti said he is always disappointed when the FCHA only gets one bid.
Executive Director Thomas Harkless, during his report, said the authority recently opted to utilize the state contract for pest control services that encompasses 15 different vendors throughout the state. The $70,000 contract is for Erlich and extends until May 31, 2007.
Zimmerlink said there are pros and cons to using the piggyback program. Although the authority’s procurement policy states the authority can utilize the state’s program, Zimmerlink said she feels the board should vote on it.
“It should have been brought to the board,” Zimmerlink said.
Later in the meeting, the authority approved the contract with Erlich for pest control.
Board member Beverly Beal said she thinks it is “sad” the authority can’t use local people.
When Zimmerlink asked if the authority could advertise locally, Harkless said they might as well “kick out the piggyback” program because of the costs involved with advertising.
Zimmerlink then suggested having a written justification for utilizing the state program, similar to the one that was included with the refrigerator contract.
Bitonti said he would rather see someone local provide the services but added that it is difficult for a local person to compete.
“You don’t know unless you try,” Zimmerlink said.
Housing administrator Dennis Barclay said local vendors were used for 20 years and they “fought roaches left and right.” He said since going to the state’s contract and using Erlich seven years ago, they haven’t seen too many roaches. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” Barclay said.
Beal disagreed with Barclay’s assessment.
“I think you’re full of baloney. There’s still roaches,” Beal said.
Zimmerlink then interjected, saying she didn’t want to talk about local pest control people versus Erlich or about roaches.
During the tenant report, board member Nancy Sutton, who lives at Marshall Manor, said railings are needed for her building, as well as noise signals above doors instead of the lights that are now used to signal emergencies. Sutton said there was a lady in her bathtub for three days.
Bitonti, who also is the mayor of Belle Vernon, said there are floor captains at the Belle Vernon elderly housing facility that check on residents daily.
Sutton also said both elevators were broken down for a day, and one of the elevators was broken down for two weeks. She said new elevators are needed because there are being repaired often.
Following an executive session, Zimmerlink reported that Barclay has filed a state civil service appeal and it will be heard on Oct. 26. The authority then voted to amend a motion approved in August that puts a cap on the starting salary of a housing administrator at $48,000.
When the authority approved the new chart for employees under the project based-asset management plan mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Barclay, formerly the director of operations, saw a drop in his salary from $58,187 to $48,000.
Beal asked Harkless to prove a list of all administration clerks, housing administrators and site supervisors, and what training they have received for their positions. The shift to asset-based management officially began on Oct. 1.
Solicitor Jack Purcell reported that there likely would be some evictions a year from now because some residents have opted not to fill their community service obligations.
Harkless said of the 3,500 people required to perform 96 hours of community service per year, about 187 are non-compliant.
“There are going to be evictions,” Purcell said. He added that legal services are planning outreach to explain the requirements to those who have not fulfilled them.
Zimmerlink said it is the responsibility of the authority to make certain they are overseeing HUD requirements.
“To have 187 non compliant is not acceptable,” she said.
Zimmerlink then expressed dissatisfaction with a $511 reservation for Sutton to stay overnight at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa in Farmington to attend an annual conference. She said the topics of discussion don’t seem to be beneficial to board members, adding that she wasn’t saying Harkless, who also is registered, should not attend.
“It’s your decision Nancy, but I don’t think it’s beneficial,” Zimmerlink said. Beal then said she believes board members should vote on attendance to all seminars prior to the events.
Zimmerlink disagreed, saying Harkless can determine eligibility for seminars.
Bitonti said he believes it should stay the way it is for seminars, but added that no one should stay overnight at Nemacolin Woodlands because it is so close. He added that the meals are free.
Sutton then said she would not be staying overnight at the seminar.