Housing Authority meeting minutes — Jan 21, 2026: organizational review, executive search recommendations, fin | TheCommon

Summary

Housing Authority meeting minutes — Jan 21, 2026: organizational review, executive search recommendations, finance and program updates

MilwaukeeJan 21, 20264 min read

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The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee met Jan. 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM in City Hall Room 301-B (meeting called to order at 4:07 PM). Seven commissioners were present (Gotzler, Snyder, Yepez Klassen, Moore, Hayslett, Burrell, Nelson). The Board received an organizational structure review by MRA, held a public listening session (no speakers), discussed creation of a Finance Committee (resolution to be completed for Feb. meeting), reviewed Travaux board documents, advanced an executive search process for Secretary‑Executive Director (closed session used to evaluate candidates), received reports on public safety, Section 8 operations (CVR Associates), audits and sustainability/QAD corrective actions, and adjourned at 7:57 PM.

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HOUSING AUTHORITY

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Housing

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Key decisions

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R13712: Approval of the minutes of the Annual Board meeting held on December 10, 2025 (motion approved unanimously).
Board convened in closed session at 5:23 PM to evaluate applicants for the Secretary‑Executive Director position and reconvened in open session at 6:27 PM.
R13723: Adopted a resolution receiving the Executive Search Committee’s recommendations and amended the resolution to include the final list of candidates for Secretary‑Executive Director: Berdie Cowser; Harold S. Ince, Jr.; Keon Jackson; Ralph Jordan; Rick Toney (motion adopted unanimously).
Direct staff to continue Phase Two of the executive search process (second‑round interviews, background checks, finalist site visits and stakeholder meetings) as outlined by the consultant.
Board received reports and updates including: MRA organizational structure findings, Travaux Board documents, Public Safety Analytics & Initiatives 2025 Year‑End Report, CVR Section 8 Rent Assistance Program report, audit status (2023 financial statements under partner review; 2024 audits underway; BDO/consultant support engaged), Sustainability Plan and QAD corrective action progress.

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HOUSING AUTHORITY

Jan 21, 2026, 12:00 AMCity Hall, Room 301-Bscheduled

Agenda

Live Stream Link: https://milwaukee.granicus.com/player/camera/4?publish_id=6&redirect=true Meeting Link for Live Stream – City of Milwaukee Live Stream Two Cable Subscriber Options: Spectrum: Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99
The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) is to foster strong, resilient and inclusive communities by providing a continuum of high-quality housing options that support self-sufficiency, good quality of life, and the opportunity to thrive.
Call to Order
Roll Call
APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA – ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL (All items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion unless a Commissioner requires otherwise, in which event, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately.)
Approval of the minutes of the Annual Board meeting held on December 10, 2025
REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS
Presentation of an Organizational Structure Review from MRA, The Management Association - Item Gov-05(a) of the HACM Sustainability Plan
Public Listening Session - General Comments The Listening Session is an opportunity for the public to provide input to the Board; for the Board to receive that information for their consideration. Persons who wish to comment may do so in person, via eComment on the internet, and via mail. Those wishing to speak in person should register in person at the meeting and will be called in the order in which they signed up. As a courtesy to others and to ensure the widest breadth of input, all speakers will be limited to speak for two minutes. Those wishing to provide written comment in person may provide the comments to the staffer who is also registering speakers, and those comments will be shared with the Board of Commissioners. Those wishing to provide written comment via mail should send their correspondence to: Attention Public Comment, Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, P.O. Box 324, Milwaukee WI 53201-0324. In order to be included in this meeting, all written comments for this meeting must be received two days before the meeting. If any comments are received after that date, they will be shared with the Board of Commissioners prior to their next regular meeting. Those wishing to provide comment via the internet must do so prior to 11am the day of the Board Meeting by visiting the City’s eComment system and accessing this agenda, once made available, at http://milwaukee.legistar.com/calendar. After 11am the day of the Board Meeting, no further comment will be able to be taken via the internet for this meeting.
Discussion regarding the Creation of a Finance Committee by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, including how the Board may model its duties, members, structure, and processes
Presentation of the December documents from the Travaux Board Meeting
Presentation of the agenda and documents from the December and January HACM Executive Search Committee meetings
Discussion of the Executive Search Committee’s recommendations of candidates for the HACM Board of Commissioner’s consideration for the position of Secretary-Executive Director
The Board may receive a motion to convene in closed session to evaluate applicants for the position of Secretary-Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, pursuant to Section 19.85(1) (c) Wis. Stats. to consider employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employe over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. The Board will then reconvene in open session concerning any such item following the closed session.
Resolution receiving the Executive Search Committee’s recommendations of candidates for consideration for the position of Secretary-Executive Director and for the rest of the recruitment and selection process
Report from the Secretary-Executive Director
Adjournment
Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities through sign language interpreters or auxiliary aids. For additional information or to request this service, contact the Housing Authority ADA Coordinator at 286-5824, (FAX) 286-0833, (TDD) 286-3504 or by writing to the Coordinator at PO Box 324, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0324.
Persons engaged in lobbying as defined in s. 305-43-4 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances are required to register with the City Clerk's Office License Division. Registered lobbyists appearing before a Common Council committee are required to identify themselves as such. More information is available at http://city.milwaukee.gov/Lobbying.
Be hereby notified that three (3) members of the Crucible, Inc. Board of Directors may be present at the meeting of the HACM Board of Commissioners, as some members serve on both boards. While a quorum of the Crucible, Inc. Board may be present at the HACM meeting, they will not exercise the responsibilities, authority, or duties vested in the Crucible, Inc. Board of Directors.

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