Minutes of the Ad HOC Legal Committee of the Board of Commissioners of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority
August 6, 2019
Commissioner C. Knox LaSister, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm. Upon roll call, the following Commissioners were in attendance:
Present at Roll:
- Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III, Chair
- Commissioner Jerri Evans
- Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis
- Commissioner Stephanie Owens
Staff Present:
- LaShunda Battle, Acting Chief Operating Officer
- Audria Davis, Compliance Officer
- Pamela Hobbs, Procurement Officer
Others Present:
- Attorney Charley Harris, Trenam Law (Left the Meeting at 7:17 pm.)
SUBJECT: Commissioner Evans proposed before the meeting went any further to operate the Ad HOC Legal Committee Meeting under small Board rules.
There were no objections with moving forward in this manner.
SUBJECT: Review Pending Legal Actions
Attorney Charley Harris confirmed that SPHA does not have any pending Legal items that Trenam Law Firm is prosecuting or defending.
Commissioner Evans discussed Trenam Law Firm's recent invoices.
SUBJECT: Review and Discussion of HUD Audit Issues
There was extensive discussion by Board members and Attorney Charley Harris regarding the preliminary email Commissioner Owens received from HUD regarding potential Procurement related findings.
SUBJECT: CEO Contracts
There was extensive discussion by Board Members and Attorney Charley Harris regarding Tony L. Love contracts dated December 28, 2015 and October 3, 2018. Attorney Harris requested an opportunity to thoroughly review both contracts and update the Board at a future meeting.
SUBJECT: Vote of No Confidence in Legal representation services provided by Trenam Law
BOARD ACTION:
Commissioner Owens made a motion to vote no confidence for Legal representation (Trenam Law) specific to the development and execution of the CEO's contract date October 3, 2018. A vote was called:
- Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III, Chair, YES
- Commissioner Jerri Evans, NO
- Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis, NO
- Commissioner Stephanie Owens, YES
The Board did not approve the motion.
SUBJECT: Commissioner LaSister raised concerns regarding the CEO's lack of professionalism and about SPHA's hostile work environment.
BOARD ACTION:
Commissioner LaSister made a motion to take expedient action regarding the matter of termination or suspension of the CEO for convenience to the full Board. A vote was called:
- Commissioner C. Knox LaSister III, Chair, YES
- Commissioner Jerri Evans, NO
- Commissioner Sharlene Gambrell-Davis, NO
- Commissioner Stephanie Owens, NO
The Board did not approve the motion.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Approved and Adopted this 24th day of October 2019.
C. Knox LaSister, Chairperson
LaShunda Battle, Acting Chief Operating Officer
