Good evening everybody. >> Um this is calling the meeting to order. We are uh of course it is called in accordance with the provisions of the open public meetings act and uh the announcement has been mailed to local newspapers and the clerk of the
burrow of Delmare and the minutes of this meeting will be available after board approval at a subsequent meeting. So, >> uh, take a roll call. >> Let's do the roll call. >> Oh, flex loop. Sorry. >> We can go back to that. >> Yep.
>> Salute to the flag. and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Moment of silence, please. >> Thank you. Roll call. Commissioner Anderson
>> here. >> Commissioner Sheriff >> here. >> Commissioner Rainey is absent. >> Commissioner Robinson >> present. >> Commissioner Pelrano >> present. Commissioner Luben. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we have a uh quorum tonight to start off the agenda. Um our fee
accountant, Tom Furlong, which I don't think any of you have met yet. Um Tom Tom's been our accountant for I think as long as I've been here, which is 26 years, so you probably maybe a little bit longer about the same time. >> We won't talk about >> Yeah, we won't long numbers.
>> So, Tom's here tonight just to go over uh this time of the year for everybody that's kind of new here this year. We'll introduce the budget this month. then we have to go through the process of submitting it to the state, getting their approval back. Um, so forward thinking will adopt in October. So Tom's
here tonight. Um, each of you got a full copy of the budget along with the summary sheet that he'll go over with you guys tonight and answer any questions you may have. >> So Tom, I'll hand the floor over to you. >> Okay, let me I'll step over to the side here. So >> here's your microphone, Tom.
>> Um, yeah. Hopefully I won't need it. If uh you can't hear me, I'll grab the mic, but if you're comfortable with microphones. So, in any case, um as Amy said, I am here tonight to discuss the budget. Our fiscal year is uh September
30th. So, our bud our new budget starts October 1st of 2026, runs through September 30th of 2027. And as Amy mentioned, the state requires that we have a budget in place before October 1st. So, we are going to introduce it
tonight. It'll go down to the state uh department of community affairs for their review. They have 45 days to review it and uh return it with any recommendations. Uh I don't expect it's a balanced budget. So, I don't expect any uh uh recommendations. So, then we
will adopt it at the either the September October meeting depending on how quickly they get it back to us. More than likely, it'll be the October meeting. Um so just to get into some of the numbers um I gave everybody on the board a copy
of our budget worksheet which gave you three years of financial data. We have our audit uh for 9:30 2025 which you got a copy of. That's the first column. The second column is our current budget which is 9:30 2026 and then our current
budget our proposed budget for 9:30 2027. So, I'm just going to talk about a couple of the line items in here just to see what uh you know what's happened over the last couple years and give you what's uh what's increased, what's decreased. So, um the first thing I
wanted to talk about was operating subsidy. You know that most of the money that we get here, probably 50% of the money, maybe a little bit more 60% of the money come from our residents. And you're uh as a resident here, you pay 30% of your income toward rent. We so
when we budget, we just take what you're currently paying and we forecast a slight increase because most people are on social security. So whatever the social security increase is, that's what we increase our dwelling rent by because for the most part that's what uh that's what our income. The rest of our money
or a good part of the rest of our money comes from the federal government um and HUD. And HUD is um unfortunately this year is cutting housing authority budgets where in the past we basically would put in a request for subsidy
operating subsidy to supplement our budget. In the past we've gotten anywhere from they don't give always give us all of the money. They tend to give us in the high 90s so we maybe get 95 96%. This year based on the projections we're only looking at 80% of
our entitlement. So, we're losing about 20% in operating subsidy. Now, that's the bad news. The good news is they're allowing us to use some of our capital money for operations to help supplement that. So, overall, we're we're going to
see a decrease in our revenue of about 18%, but we'll hopefully make up for that in our um you know, with the capital money will supplement some of that loss. Just to give you numbers, our current budget calls for uh a revenue of
592,600. Last year it was 513,650. So it did increase overall, but again a lot of that had to do with the money we're using from the capital budget. Um as far as our expenses are concerned,
our expenses this year will be 582,450. That's an increase of about 21% from the prior year. And again, a lot of that money is going to be used for the capital fund that I mentioned. We're going to uh put a budget line item for about $70,000 to help fund capital
expenditures for the year. Things that, you know, we need to do. You know, apartment renovations, you know, you know, the big masonry work that's uh the the facade work that's getting done, things like that. Um overall, our uh inflation is about 3 and a half% is what
we're looking in terms of inflation. Um, so overall our budget is calling for a surplus of 10,150. Last year it was 29,780. So we are using some of that surplus to support the loss in in HUD money that we're going to receive that that cut in
HUD money for 2027. Um, our reserve is still pretty healthy. We have a reserve with the 10,000 of about $450,000. That's a surplus we can use for the the you know it used to be about 800,000 but we used about 400,000 of it to support
the um facade work that was being done. I think uh the whole if I remember it was like a million4 >> million one >> million okay >> million65 >> so of that million1 we used 400,000 of our you know we had built up surplus we
were able to use 400,000 of that to support that work or we would not have had enough money to be able to do as much of the facade. We would have only been doing bits and pieces of it. So that 400,000 allowed us to do a little bit more. Um but still even with that we have uh 457,000 in reserves. And what
reserves basically are used for again are for future you know um expenditures. And again when you have a cut like we have in federal subsidy you're going to look to use that money to support that because we don't know how long that federal cut's going to be installed. Sometimes it'll come back in a year or
two depending on the administration changes other way other times you'll go two or three years with the cut. So, we may need some of that money to support that. But just so you know, in terms of our numbers, HUD basically comes up with what they call a reserve ratio, which is
your total reserve to your total expenses. And they want you to be above 20%. We're at 79%. So, we're in pretty good financial shape here, but again, if those cuts continue, that number could drop. But for the for the current year,
the upcoming budget, you know, we're still in pretty good financial shape. So, I went through that pretty quickly. I know you had a chance to review it. If there's any questions, I'll take those now. >> Thank you, Tom.
>> Very good. >> Good. >> Great. >> Okay. >> Can I have a motion to introduce the budget? >> Sure. Who wants to ask question? >> Um, one second.
>> Uh, Commissioner Anderson. Approve. Yes. >> Commissioner Shariff. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Ramy. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Robinson. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Palano? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Luben? >> Yes. >> Okay. I'm sorry. Did somebody have a question on the budget? >> Those HUD decreases that you're speaking
of. Is there any way we can contact anyone? Is there any advice you can give us to petition or send letters to or like our contract fee and has that been done? You know, anything along those lines? Well, usually our because the the
HUD cuts are nationwide. It's not just here in Belmar that is getting cut. Normally, your a you know, our uh associations, our national associations do reach out to HUD when the budget comes out in terms of trying to fight for more. The initial cut was a lot more
than the 20%, the it's I think it works out to be like 18. It was more than that. And you know, again, it starts with the president, then goes to Congress, and along the way, our associations are fighting for it. So, individually, I I wouldn't suggest you do anything. I would just say you you'd
support the association when they ask for support in terms of the cuts to to do whatever we can do. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sorry. >> Okay. Next on the agenda is approval of July 6, 2026 minutes. I have a motion on that
>> motion. Second. >> Second. >> Commissioner Anderson. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Sherik. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Ramy. Yes. >> Commissioner Robinson. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Palano? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Luben? >> Yes.
>> Next. Review and approval of the August bills. If everyone's had time to review them or if there's any questions. question. >> Sure. >> Um, attorney fees are not here. Do we just do that once? >> I just got his uh the bill today.
>> Okay. >> Yes. >> But that >> So that'll be on next month's payment of bills >> split or once? >> What do you mean? the annual um >> so he'll you'll bill us like monthly >> correct? Yes. >> Per hours. Okay.
>> Per hours. Yeah. So I have a bill here currently for May and June uh roughly uh about 3.4 hours. So that will be on next month's >> payment of bills. >> Okay. I think about the retainer. >> Oh the retainer. >> Yeah. Once a year.
>> Once a year. Yes. Okay. Once a year. >> That that's basically right. >> Okay. Any other questions? If not, can I have a motion? Motion. >> I'll second. >> Commissioner Anderson,
>> yes. >> Commissioner Sherik, >> yes. >> Commissioner Rainey, >> Commissioner Robinson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Palano, Commissioner Luben, >> yes. >> The Court of Executive Director. >> Okay. Okay. Uh,
since the last meeting, we we got some new information. As you're removing some of the brick on the building, we found that there were deficiencies when it was built, you know, carried over. >> Structure.
>> Yes. >> Microphone, please. >> Located some structural problems. uh mainly around drainage and what it did is the water was not draining the way it was supposed to and some of the
angle iron uh got corroded. So what they had to do they have to remove the brick uh either clean up or replace the angle iron and then close it up.
Uh the estimated cost to do this additional work is $120,000. >> Is it throughout the whole side of the building? >> Uh the north and east side seems more >> uh damaged than the other sides.
>> So Paul, we have to do a formal resolution for a change order on that. Have they given you the paperwork for that? >> I got change order. Okay. >> So, you want to do res I signed it. So, they can go ahead. >> Yeah. Okay. So, next meeting we'll do a formal resolution >> if you can forward that to me.
>> All right. Um, so far I'm um I'm impressed with the contractor. He's doing a very good job. He knows what he's doing and he uh >> I don't think he's one that would cut corners
>> and he's communicating well with you. >> Yes. Okay. >> Yeah. Um, so that's where we are with that. It's going to push our schedule back. Uh, he estimates uh they'll finish the repair
work on the bricks. Uh, October. >> So, it's pushing it down the line. After they're repaired, they be they can begin putting channels on. uh our engineering firm is in in the
interim uh soliciting some uh cost for the rain channels, the panels that'll go on top. So once he comes back with a figure for what the panels are going to cost, then we can go in then we can go and see if we can secure another
grant to finish it. >> So is that on that will be on top of the >> Yes. Um does he foresee any other issues that might come up? Did they look at all of that? >> The engineers uh no they uh once the
channels are up uh they spray everything >> and the spray lasts 3 to 5 years repelling water. So we have that window of opportunity to get funding for the
channels for the rain raet. Uh, can you just for me, can you explain what when you're saying the channels, what are those? >> They're You see the pile out front? They're uh >> they're aluminum channels and they uh they're going to go up vertically and
they're attached back to the building. >> So, they go through the brick facade and attached to the building. >> And you said it only last maybe three years. >> No, the waterproofing that they're going to spray. Okay. will last about three to five
years. >> Scotch guarding >> basically. Well, >> well, it's probably like when when you buy a new car, >> they tell you and they'll spray it for you for >> $4,000. >> Yeah, like that. >> So, is that something like when the three years come up that we need to do
it again >> or now? >> No. Well, hopefully we'll get the I'm hopeful we'll get the range screen the screens by then once they go up. >> It's Yeah, it's one or two. Okay. Um
other repairs we uh we have a new uh touchless system for entry in the front of the building. Uh the problem was that the uh electrician tried to secure the parts again because
he had repaired it once and it turns out that there were uh there were no repairs of no parts available except in England and to ship it across from England it would take two months. So we uh replace the system and the touchless
is better anyway. >> That's good. >> I was out testing it this morning. So, it's working. >> So, it's >> it's a new system. >> That's good. >> Uh other than that, um we hope to have a
unit available mid to late uh August. Um and then we'll I'll begin interviewing from our applicants starting with the locals first. >> How many units have we had?
>> Well, there'll be one available. That's the efficiency one. >> Yes. >> And that's all I have to report. >> Um, this month there is no correspondence or any old business. Do they have any old business they'd like
to discuss? Uh, new business this month is resolution 2026-12, resolution certifying the 2025 audit. You all received a copy of it via email, plus I believe you have hard copies. Um, if there's any questions on it, I'm sure Tom could probably even answer them,
too. But the biggest part of an audit that anybody ever wants to look at is the last page. >> Where you'll find findings, none. >> So, that's always what we want to look for. Um, so again, this year, another clean budget. So, we just have to
certify that. If someone can make a motion, >> we'll make it. >> Second. >> Commissioner Anderson. >> Yes. Commissioner Shar. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Ramy, yes. >> Commissioner Robinson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Palano, yes. >> Commissioner Luben,
>> yes. >> Any reports from the commissioners? >> Question um for Miss Allen. >> What >> the >> donation of the hydrangeas?
Where do we stand? >> Well, hopefully we'll be able to put them in tomorrow. >> Are we able to pay for the movement to transport the transplant or do you have someone? >> It's all taken care of. >> There's no charge.
>> There's no charge on all. >> She got it taken care of. >> Um, >> are they going to the front? >> Yeah, to the front. Three hydrangeas right now in three plants. >> Three. >> They're going to go up the front five.
>> But right now we have >> she knows >> she knows people. Robin, >> she knows. Ellen said, "Miss Robin, I'll talk to you later about it." >> Is that what you said?
>> That's what she said. >> That's right. >> Just say thank you. >> Any other reports from the commissioners? >> Um, just one more question. Uh, did Mr. Slater move?
>> Have you moved into the other apartment yet? >> No. Are you just >> No, the rug the rugs haven't been done and tore out yet and the painting hasn't been done yet. >> Okay. >> But I I spent the last couple last week and this week
couple weeks um >> I have to go all the way >> wiping down all the >> I cleaned the kitchen, the bathroom and everything. Got all the stains out of there. The only thing wrong with the kitchen is it needs a new countertop. I don't know if you guys going to replace
that or not, but uh >> the guy had cat had a cat in there and all the drains need to be flushed or, you know, snaked out >> cuz there's cat hair in every one of those drains in there. But, uh, you
know, I cleaned it all up. There's a there was a few pieces of furniture that were still that were left there that I'm going to keep because I needed an extra dresser and stuff. uh four t a table and four chairs, >> but I'm waiting for
the the >> Mike said I have to wait for the he ordered the rugs. They're supposed to coming in to get done and whoever does the painting, >> the painting, the whole walls and everything >> is going supposed to get done, too. But
that hasn't. >> Okay. >> None of those two things have been done yet. But I I cleaned the whole entire kitchen and the bathroom real good. It probably won't paint till after the >> the bathroom bathroom was a disaster, but I cleaned it up and it came out came out pretty nice.
>> Good. >> Okay. So, it's in progress >> until the rugs and the walls are done. And if you can get that counter replaced in the kitchen, uh I don't know about
the stove either. I mean, you got cat hairs everywhere. I moved that refrigerator and there was so the cat hair underneath it was this thick bad. I haven't moved the stove out to look, you know, yet. But um
yeah, it's it's pretty hot up there if you don't put the fans on. I had to clean the fans that are on the ceilings. >> But the positive is you're getting a new apartment. >> Yeah, but >> thank you. >> Don't know when. >> It's getting there.
progress. >> Any other comments from the commissioners reports? >> If not, we'll move on to the remarks of general public. >> Do you want to speak? >> Yeah. Yeah. Um, first of all, I'd like
to bring up good points. Um I called the superintendent worked very hard to get this automatic door installed or working properly. Uh I understand made four phone calls
and um there was still a problem but he followed up. Uh the thing that really bothered me as well as many of the tenants is the timeline it took to get the front door
repaired. This is supposed to be an accessible building. We have many tenants who have mobility issues. Yes, the rear door works at the back. However, because the
vaccade work is going on, they rope off put caution tape all around the sidewalk on the west side. So, we can't get out to 8th Avenue. So, I I and I'm sure many other tenants go up the block, walk
street, go down the block, and walk into town. It was just too hard. You all know I just had surgery. I have other disabilities. is served with the tenants. This should have been addressed sooner. So, I did a little research
uh on the internet. It's called how long does a landlord have time to fix something? >> The warranty of habit habitability. Landlords are required to maintain us in
condition that is safe habitation. Habitability means >> rental property >> I'm going to hold >> must provide working plumbing and hot water functional heat
safe electrical systems. Sound doors and windows. Uh protection from the elements. Sound roof and wall and freedom of pest mold and other health houses.
Typical repair guidelines for landlords are they're divided into two areas critical and uncritical repairs. Emergency repairs which I consider the front door
emergency repair should be done within 48 24 to 48 hours. Okay. this uh under this category with broken exterior doors that only it's a safety
issue. Uh okay. Then they break it down to essential repairs if that doesn't take as many is that serious than the non essential repairs. uh reasonable timeline. If the vendor is
not available, they contact a different vendor. Prop repairs benefit landlords. Prop responses prevent moder turning to expressive ones.
Um okay. Timely responses protect property values. Prop responses help protect law landlord's reputation. When the landlord develops a good
reputation for fast repair, they build trust in the market along tenants encouing tenant satisfaction. Um, so I just look this up because I think in the future this is really something
that should be considered heavily. Uh, I would also like to ask the commissioners at the last meeting. You heard about this problem, the automatic door. You know this is an accessible building. What did you do? Anybody get on the
phone? The door is fixed. >> Yeah, the door is fixed. >> Get the door fixed. >> The door is fixed. >> I understand, Ellen. But you understand the frustration. >> We'll just explain how many calls they made. >> The frustration.
>> Okay, I understand the car's not available. I understand. Mark got a wireless system installed. I get that. But the fact is there seems to be a communication issue. between whoever
management and us were left out the calls. I think you understand the dire issue it is when someone's trying to get out of the building and I you have to wait at the door and wait for somebody to come down.
Hopefully a tenant will come down. Thank you tenants for holding the door for me so many times. I appreciate it. All right, that's all I have to say. >> I'll take the mic.
>> In the operation of the building, we're always aware of issues and things that need to be repaired. We always take the route of finding the most reasonable cost effective way of re of making a repair. Uh people were not locked out of the
building yet. the back entrance door did work the whole time. So, if somebody had to walk 20 feet for a period of time, that's one thing. I also want to point out that you you just had surgery and while you had surgery, Mike went in and
did painting and cleaned up your unit. Thank you. >> It' be nice to get a thank you for that. Yes, it is. Okay. >> Yes, it would. Yes, it is. I don't know. >> Any other comments from the public? >> I have a comment. >> Sure, Alice.
>> I've been on both sides of the fence. My husband was a previous superintendent and I'm a resident. I am damn proud of this building. I am very happy to be here and I appreciate all I have. Some people think it's the rich. This is run
by HUD. >> That's right. >> We we they depend on the funding. It's not like they don't want to give us the things that some people ask for, which some are ridiculous. It's what they can afford. Try and get an apartment out there today
than what we got. We're in a good, secure building. We have a 24-hour superintendent. Let me tell you, his job's not easy. I've seen both sides of this. Mike bust his butt more than once, and he's only one man >> and there's 50 odd people in this
building. different personalities. They don't see what he does. I'm up all hours of the night. I've seen him washing floors at 3:00. >> I've seen him working weekends. I've seen him working out in the out in the snow digging people out, taking people
to stores on his day off, >> helping fix cars. He does his best. >> And anybody who can't see that has their own problem with him. But it's not easy being a superintendent. Let me tell you, because they answer to the residents, they have to answer to the council. They
have to answer to the director. >> Nobody has his back. There's those that like him. There's those who, for whatever reason, don't like him. But the man does his job. And I'm damn proud to be in this building and are getting sick and tired of people trying to run it down.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you, Alan. >> No comments on the personnel. >> Just say thank you. Okay. >> Oh, any other >> Thank you, Alice. >> Thank you. >> I just advised the board that they can't respond to the personnel matter because
of rice notices and everything like that, but we appreciate your >> I just I just had to get that out because I've seen both sides of being a superintendent and a resident. >> Understood. >> And Alice, I've been on this board when your husband was superintendent, so I understand exactly what you're saying. Yes, you did see both sides.
>> Yes. >> Any other comments from the public? I was just going to ask about the hydrangeas. What is I didn't I must have missed that or something. >> Ellen, I think we're getting hydras donated and they'll be planted out front. Three of them. That's the gist I'm getting.
>> Oh, okay. >> Okay. >> So, whoever donated them, thank you very much. >> Thank you. I only got involved because I was working on the boardwalk with Miss
Ellen and talking about how to get them transported over here and Miss Ellen and uh that per the donator have figured it all out. >> That's right. >> Thank you. >> So, if I could just say and I speak loud
enough, my whole yard this year is hydrangeanger based. All different kinds. You have to prune them. >> Somebody's got to prune them. >> I have to now know somebody that's an expert. >> Nope.
>> Any other comments from the public? >> Can we Did we go over any new business? We didn't mention that at all. >> Oh, yes, we did. I'm sorry. Did you have more new business, Joanna? It just has to do with um training for the commissioners. >> Okay. >> Um I know there is a um convention
coming up in September >> and end of September. >> End of September. >> So as far as training for the commissioners, there is um a uh convention that comes up twice a year, fall and and the spring. So that will be
coming up in September and September. We wanted to find out how we go about making sure that there's enough money in the budget for us to be able to go. >> How much is it? >> I think it's lower this time. >> 350 a person to go. Um, if you look at
the budget, we've got a $2,000 training and a $3,000 travel. So, anybody else that wants to, we were talking one, two, and three car pooling. If anybody else wants to come with us, we can fit another one in the car. So,
travel is minimal. >> Um, and we would just do the one day. So, there's no travel expense, >> no lodging. >> Just submit the uh, you know, >> receipt. >> Because we've submitted uh, and you may
have a check for >> for training. >> I do. >> Um, and hopefully got my email the other day. You already signed up for that? >> I signed up for So on September 4th is an all day um
>> all of them. >> Yeah, they're all all day. >> Okay. >> But um on September 4th is one called skills for commissioners, >> right? >> And that's one of the prerequisites that us newer guys got to do.
>> Um >> it's it's September 24th, right? There's one on there's one on the 24th. >> There's another one on later on. Yes. >> Oh, there is. >> There's two in the >> There's one on the one on the for the skills. Yeah. >> For financial. >> Thank you, Tom. >> And then then there's uh
>> the one for financial >> three more during the course of the fall season >> that will deal with, you know, the the webinars. But um we're okay to carpool
down to AC and hopefully learn a little bit. >> They really charge me $350 for one day. >> It's 350 to for for two days. >> Oh, okay. >> But we're not going to stay in Atlantic City and spending spend any of our money
on uh food food lodging and liquor. We're not going to do that. >> No gambling. 350 comes with some food. Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Really? >> Larry, I just I do apologize. I'll uh
after the meeting, I'll cut you a check. >> No, next time. >> Are you sure? >> Yeah, next time. It's fine. You don't need a hand check for that. >> Oh, it's so anyway, whatever. So, don't worry about that. I don't need a hand check.
>> All right. If there's nothing else, uh, motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> All right, everybody. Have a great August. Summer's almost over.