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Herington commission seeks to reactivate housing authority, appoints two members
Summary
After more than a year without a full board, commissioners moved to reconstitute the Herington Housing Authority, appointing Isabel Martinez and Patty Evans to open terms and directing staff to return housing authority minutes to the commission for transparency.
The Herington City Commission discussed restarting the Herington Housing Authority and approved two appointments to restore a functional board.
City staff told the commission the housing authority had not held a full meeting since March 2024 and that a functioning board is necessary to keep properties — notably Golden Age Apartments — in compliance with HUD requirements. Brad Rovmati thanked Rhonda Rice for leading recruitment efforts and said the city currently had Brandy Sinsmeyer and Rhonda Rice serving, plus Rovmati’s prior appointment, leaving two vacancies.
The commission voted to appoint Isabel Martinez and Patty Evans to the next available terms on the Herington Housing Authority Board. Each appointment was made by motion, seconded, and carried with recorded 'Aye' votes from commissioners during roll call.
Commissioners asked staff to provide legal and liability details about an inactive board; staff warned that noncompliance can create a variety of administrative or financial liabilities and recommended that housing authority minutes be transmitted to the commission for inclusion on the consent agenda once the board begins regular meetings.
Why it matters: A functioning housing authority board is a condition of ongoing HUD compliance for publicly supported housing; reestablishing a quorum restores local governance over the Golden Age Apartments and clarifies oversight of any management contract for Harrington Heights.
Next steps: Staff will schedule initial housing authority meetings, deliver minutes to the commission, and provide additional legal/operational clarifications as requested.
