08/30/19 SPHA Emergency Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Emergency Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority
August 30, 2019
Commissioner Owens, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:09 p.m. Upon roll call, the following Commissioners were in attendance:
Present at Roll:
- Commissioner Stephanie Owens, Chair
- Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso
- Commissioner James Dates
- Commissioner Jerri Evans
- Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis
- Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III
- Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott
Staff Present:
- LaShunda Battle, Acting Chief Operating Officer
- Robin Adams, Asset Management Officer
- Danielle Carevic, Executive Office Manager
- Audria Davis, Compliance Officer
- Larry Gonzalez, Housing Choice Voucher Officer
- Pamela Hobbs, Procurement Officer
- Andrea Joyal, Accountant
- Dennis Lohr, Chief Financial Officer
Others Present:
- Attorney Charley Harris, Trenam Law
- Attorney Paul Quin, Saxon & Gilmore
- Brian Evjen, Norstar Development USA, LP
- Marianne Edmonds, Public Resources Advisory Group
SUBJECT:
Retreat Location
BOARD ACTION:
Commissioner Lipsey Scott made a motion to relinquish the Hyatt Place
Hotel Retreat Reservation to first responders instead of holding the SPHA
Commissioners Retreat there. Commissioner LaSister seconded the motion. A vote was called:
- Commissioner Stephanie Owens, Chair YES
- Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES
- Commissioner James Dates YES
- Commissioner Jerri Evans YES
- Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis YES
- Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES
- Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES
Action:
The Board approved the motion.
SUBJECT:
LaShunda Battle, Acting Chief Operating Officer, provided an update on where SPHA is with the preparedness of Hurricane Dorian. There was a discussion between Board members and Ms. Battle.
SUBJECT:
Crisis in leadership that SPHA is facing
There was an extensive discussion between Board members, SPHA Staff, Attorney Charley Harris and Attorney Paul Quin regarding the Crisis in leadership that SPHA is facing. In addition to the absence of Tony L. Love, CEO and him potentially being on FMLA leave.
SUBJECT:
Contract Termination of CEO
BOARD ACTION:
Commissioner Dates made a motion to terminate the Contract with CEO
Tony L. Love for convenience. Commissioner Evans seconded the motion a vote was called:
- Commissioner Stephanie Owens, Chair YES
- Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES
- Commissioner James Dates YES
- Commissioner Jerri Evans YES
- Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis NO
- Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES
- Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES
Action:
The Board approved the motion.
SUBJECT:
Notification to former CEO
BOARD ACTION:
Commissioner Evans made a motion that the Chairwork with Counsel regarding the termination of the contract with the CEO. Commissioner Dates seconded the motion. A vote was called:
- Commissioner Stephanie Owens, Chair YES
- Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES
- Commissioner James Dates YES
- Commissioner Jerri Evans YES
- Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis NO
- Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES
- Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES
Action:
The Board approved the motion.
SUBJECT:
Working with HUD and or outside consultants to secure appropriate continuing CEO services for the Agency.
BOARD ACTION:
Commissioner Evans made a motion for the Chair to work with HUD and or outside consultants to secure the appropriate continuing CEO service for the Agency. Commissioner LaSister seconded the motion. A vote was called:
- Commissioner Stephanie Owens, Chair YES
- Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES
- Commissioner James Dates YES
- Commissioner Jerri Evans YES
- Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis NO
- Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES
- Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES
Action:
The Board approved the motion.
SUBJECT:
Appointing LaShunda Battle as the Interim Chief Executive Officer
BOARD ACTION:
Commissioner Lipsey Scott made a motion for the Board to appoint LaShunda Battle as the Interim Chief Executive Officer. Commissioner Evans seconded the motion. A vote was called:
- Commissioner Stephanie Owens, Chair YES
- Commissioner Roxanne Amoroso YES
- Commissioner James Dates YES
- Commissioner Jerri Evans YES
- Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis NO
- Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III YES
- Commissioner Terri Lipsey Scott YES
Action:
The Board approved the motion.
SUBJECT:
Commissioner Owens requested that Commissioner C. Knox LaSister work with Interim Interim Chief Executive Officer LaShunda Battle on communicating with the staff during this transition.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Approved and Adopted this 21st day of November 2019.
Stephanie Owens, Chairperson
LaShunda Battle, Acting Chief Operating Officer