A regularly scheduled meeting of the NCDA Board of Directors was held on Friday, June 4, 1999 at the Marriott at Metro Center in Washington, D.C.

The following members of the Board, guests and staff were in attendance:

BOARD MEMBERS

GUESTS
Jan Shapin, CDTI

STAFF
John Sasso, NCDA
Chandra Western, NCDA
Vicki Watson, NCDA
Karen Means, NCDA
Carla Sauls, NCDA

Leona Plaugh, NCDA President and Assistant City Manager for Community Services for Columbia, South Carolina, made a motion, and it was second, to approve and the minutes of the Board of Directors meeting held on January 27, 1999 in Washington, D.C.

ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES

Financial Report

Anthony Covacevich, NCDA Secretary Treasurer and Urban County Program Director for Hidalgo County, Texas, stated that the proposed FY99/00 budget will not include the Fannie Mae contract and the expense for Executive Director Search, but will include an increase in the "salaries" line item that provides for the Executive Director and staff salaries and the vacant position within the Association.

Steve Gartrell, Community Development Director for Newton, Massachusetts, questioned if the membership dues increase would reflect on the upcoming dues because of the new policy that was implemented.

Mr. Covacevich explained that NCDA is unaware at this time of how many communities would opt for receiving the NCDA Washington Report via the internet, therefore, the membership dues would not show an increase.

John Sasso, NCDA Executive Secretary, further elaborated on the issue explaining that the increase in last year's dues was due to NCDA billing some communities for 18 months instead of 12 months in order to put them on the regular fiscal year billing.

Ms. Plaugh reiterated the fact that at the last meeting, the Board approved that on July 1, 1999, NCDA members would either access the NCDA Washington Report via the internet or adjust the fees of members who wish to continue receiving the newsletter via regular mail.

Chandra Western, NCDA Acting Director, reminded the Board that dues would increase $250 (to cover paper, postage, copying and envelopes) plus the 1.5% (CPI) automatic increase for members not accessing the newsletter online but only 1.5% for the members accessing the internet.

Jeff Meyer, Development Director for Rock Falls, Illinois, questioned if there would be an impact on the dues structure for small cities.

Vicki Watson, NCDA Legislative Counsel, assured Mr. Meyer that there would be no impact on small cities and explained that in the near future NCDA would be doing a large membership drive mailing to small cities and states.

Mr. Meyer made a motion, and it was second, to approve the FY99/00 budget.

Executive Director Search Committee Report

Ms. Plaugh reported to the Board that Chandra Western was selected by the Search Committee as the new Executive Director of NCDA.

She also informed the Board that there was a large number of resumes received for the position and the consultants narrowed the selection to 15 candidates. She also stated that the Search Committee, consisting of 13 members, ranked the top five candidates; and of these candidates, four were interviewed.

Planning and Professional Development Committee Report

Amintha Cinotti, chair of the Planning and Professional Development Committee and Associate Director for Community Development for the City of Providence, Rhode Island, informed Board members that there was a guide regional conference planning included in their packets. She thanked Emory Counts, Community Development Director for Daytona Beach, Florida, for his hard work in producing the guide.

Ms. Cinotti reported that the Committee had discussed the idea of certification training for CDBG professionals. She stated that this training would give credibility in their profession, with HUD, and within their community as community development practitioners. She informed members that there had been preliminary discussion with Region I and that Region I HUD office would probably finance the training as technical assistance. She also informed the Board that the committee would have proposals on certification training to members by the next Winter Meeting in January and suggested certification courses at regional meetings.

She also reported on the discussion with the University of Rhode Island on the possibility of having a class on certification training for nonprofits to make them more aware of CDBG.

NCDA MEMBERSHIP ISSUES

By Laws Committee Report

Dr. James Huger, of Daytona Beach, Florida and chair of the By Laws Committee, informed the Board that there were some minor corrections needed in the By Laws. Dr. Huger and the Board went through the By Laws and stated the necessary changes.

Dr. Huger stated that after the By Laws are adopted with the changes, staff will make the corrections and send a copy to the full membership.

Roslyn Phillips, Community Development Chief for Jacksonville, Florida, made a motion and it was second, that the Board recommend to the membership to accept the revisions proposed by the By Laws Committee.

Nominations and Elections Committee Report

James Caruso, chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee and Planning and Community Development for the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, informed the Board that the memo to the membership from the Committee recommending the slate of officers were in their packets. He stated that the memo would be presented for action at the Business Meeting on the following day. He also stated that the nominees included in the slate of officers were Anthony Covacevich, Vice President and David Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer.

Vicki Covey, Assistant Community Services Director for Amarillo, Texas, made a motion, and it was second, that the recommendation of officers be presented for action.

NCDA PROGRESS REPORTS

NCDA Staff Report

Ms. Western reported to the Board that a copy of the Staff Report was enclosed in their packets. She touched on a few items NCDA has been tracking over the past five months, to include appropriations and the HUD budget, IDIS working group, and fair housing. She recommended to the members to use a press kit when contacting their congressional delegation. She explained that NCDA had provided a press kit to every member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees on both sides of the House, and that the press kits provides an unique opportunity to provide information on the program through the 25^th Anniversary.

NCDA 1999/2000 Work Plan

Ms. Western informed the members that a copy of the work plan was in their packets. She briefly explained what the Work Plan entailed, stating that there is little differentiation than from last year.

Para Rosario made a motion, and it was second, to accept the 1999/2000 Work Plan.

Mr. Sasso further elaborated that with regards to the Washington Report, the newsletter will only be published when staff have items to discuss and that there is no set date on when the newsletter will be out.

NAHTI Contract

Vicki Watson, NCDA Legislative Counsel, reported that NCDA would receive approximately $150,000 in the coming year to be used for HOME technical assistance activities, to include three HOME refresher course workshops, a technical assistance guidebook on CHDOs, and the continuation of public housing/HOME collaboration.

Jan Shapin, Executive Director of the Community Development Training Institute, elaborated on the public housing/community development collaboration stating that the prototype 5-year annual plan was sent to members via mail, as well as housing authorities, who seemed to be pleased about the potential of the collaboration.

Ms. Shapin also stated that under the new NAHTI contract, training and technical assistance will continue to be provided, upon approval of the funds.

1999 Executive Symposium

Ms. Plaugh informed the Board that the Executive Symposium is scheduled for September 9 - 12 at The Inn at Newport Beach.

Ms. Shapin discussed briefly what the agenda would entail.

Membership/State Whips Report

Brenda Richard Montgomery, Community Development Director for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, gave a brief report on the outcome of the State Whips meeting.

She reported that the committee discussed membership issues and the transition from the recommendations made last year and reported to the committee on the reception of the Board and the passage of the recommendations. They also discussed the actual function and real purpose and priorities of the State Whips.

Mr. Sasso also elaborated on the role of the State Whip and galvanizing the membership and constituents support for funding and programs.

OTHER REMARKS

Ms. Plaugh closed her chapter of Presidency by stating that, "as my tenure come to a close, it has been a real opportunity to represent NCDA. It was a honor to have the opportunity to serve as President during the 25^th year kick-off." She also thanked the Executive Committee for all their support.

She concluded her remarks by reciting a quote by Helen Keller, "One can never consent to creep when one feels the impulse to soar. I think this Association feels the impulse to soar, and under Chandra's leadership and its staff, we will soar."

OTHER BUSINESS

NCDA 2000 Annual Conference

Brenda Montgomery, as president-elect of Region VI, informed the Board that there were never a formalized vote to host the 2000 annual conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Jeff Meyer made a motion, and it was second, to hold the 2000 annual conference in New Orleans.

USCM's 25^th Anniversary Celebration in San Francisco

Leona Plaugh informed the Board that John Sasso was presented a leadership award in San Francisco for his 30 years of service, not only to the Association but to the Community Development Block Grant program.

Chandra Western informed the Board that Leona Plaugh was also recognized for her leadership in Region IV and as our President by the Mayors and the Counties. Also, Fulton County, Georgia was recognized at the meeting for their Audrey Nelson Award.

Investment Policy

Anthony Covacevich reported that the Executive Committee had been meeting with financial advisory from the Lincoln Financial Group to invest $300,000 from the Association's reserve in the American Fund.

Ms. Plaugh made a motion, and it was second, to invest $300,000 in the Fund and keep $200,000 in reserve.

There being no further business, the Board went into Executive Session.

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