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HOZjSING AUTHORITY OF-T;W.COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA
TO: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
FROM: Joseph Villarreal, Executive Director
DATE: August 12, 2008
SUBJECT: NOTES FROM BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' RETREAT
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ACCEPT the attached.meeting notes from the Board of Commissioners' retreat on June 30, 2008.
II. FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None. Informational item only.
III. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND
The attached meeting notes are being provided as a follow-up to the Board's retreat with staff on
June 30, 2008. Please let staff know if you feel anything is missing from the summary, particularly in the
areas concerning follow-up actions, decisions and reporting to the Board, or if the Board wishes to direct
staff to follow-up on additional items.
Staff appreciated the chance to interact more closely with the Board at the retreat. Staff also
understands how busy the members of the Board are and thanks the members for attending the retreat.
Per the Board's direction, staff will bring a pro-active description of how the Authority interacts with
law enforcement to the September meeting and plans to bring information and options concerning various
governing models to the Board in October. Staff will also implement, or continue, the suggested actions
and reporting requested by the Board.
IV. CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION
None. Information item only.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE
Joseph Villarreal,Executive Director
RECOMMENDATION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Y APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON6P4 PPROVED ASR OMMENDED �OR
VOTE OF COMMISSIONERS
1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN
AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTED .4't a :;rd
JOS VILLARREAL,
SECRETARY OF
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BY - TY
H:\JudyHayes\MSOFFICE\WINWORD\BOARD\BO-Board Retreat 6-30-08 Meeting Notes -08. oc
Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa
Board of Commissioners Special Meeting / Retreat
June 30, 2008
Meeting Notes
Advisory Board and related issues
The Board of Commissioners discussed the function of the Advisory Board. Executive Director Joseph
Villarreal posed these issues and questions:
■ Need to define the role of the Advisory Board.
■ Do we keep it in place or dissolve it?
■ How do we fold in community advocacy?
■ How do we get good tenant-based input?
Input from the Commissioners followed:
■ There are difficulties for the tenant commissioner to "do what I'm supposed to do."
■ Benefit of an Advisory Board: we hear what's going on
■ Previously the Housing Authority was a turn-key operation; there are different needs now
■ We have a job concerning perception; we need to explain our role, especially to reporters
■ Can't go back to the turn-key approach; too many difficulties
■ We should be involved in issues; why not incorporate tenant involvement in our Board
• There is a loss of focus with lots of layers of advisors
■ Need more involvement; how do we become informed
■ Ideal situation: the Board of Supervisors meet with others who will be on the Board
■ Need to look at the evolution of the Advisory Board; is it efficient and cost effective
■ Advisory Board can tap into people in a different way from the Board of Supervisors
■ Consider the way it is set up for a resident Commissioner—there is a need for a mentor
Options concerning the future of an advisory body were reviewed:
■ Maintain the status quo
■ Get rid of the advisory commission and add a tenant to the Housing Commission
■ Appoint an Advisory Board
These considerations were discussed:
■ The key to success is an engaged commissioner, no matter what format is used
■ There is a lot of time required for a resident commissioner
The following actions were suggested:
■ Public information pieces developed regularly
■ Outreach to reporters re: policy and responsibilities
■ Meetings with editorial boards and/or press releases
The following was decided:
■ Chair Glover directed Joseph Villarreal to bring information and options concerning various
governing models to the Board
■ Create a pro-active description of how the Housing Authority interfaces with law enforcement;
open dialogue with local jurisdictions; include this as part of outreach to the press
Reporting from the Housing Authority to the Board of Commissioners
Suggestions were given concerning the reporting that the Housing Authority staff provides to the Board of
Commissioners:
■ Provide reports that tie into HUD's scores
■ Give information concerning milestones and accomplishments
■ Highlight at each meeting one thing the Commissioners need to know
■ Provide information in writing, in advance
Facilitation and transcription of notes: Kathleen Quinlan, Quinlan Gaston Huey Associates
BO Attachment BOC Workshop 6-3-08 Notes(2)
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