October 28, 1998
HOUSING AUTHORITY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY
Harris Hall Main Floor 9:00 a.m.
Commissioner Steve Cornacchia presided with Commissioner Ellie Dumdi,
Bobby Green, Sr., Peter Sorenson and Cindy Weeldreyer present. Acting County Administrator
David Garnick, County Counsel Teresa Wilson and Recording Secretary Melissa Zimmer were
also present.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
2. REGULAR BUSINESS
a. DISCUSSION/Evaluation of Housing Authority Director
Cornacchia summarized the evaluations he had seen on Chris Todis, Housing Authority
Director. He said they were from those he manages and a female co-worker rated him partly
as a manager and partly as a leader of the management team dealing with union and employee
issues. Cornacchia said her evaluation was positive because he has improved. He added
while she rated him in the "successful" range, everyone else has rated him in
the "exceeds expectations" or the "exceptional" category.
Dumdi stated she has known Todis for 12 years. She said she has been impressed with his
performance since he has taken over as Director of HACSA. She said he runs a good
organization with good people and all the reports back from the federal level give him
high ratings. She said there was a suggestion that was made in a constructive manner, and
she echoes it, to be more visible to the public and celebrate the things that are done at
HACSA. She said she would rank him a nine.
Green echoed Dumdi's comments on Todis and the value he brings to HACSA and Lane
County. He said he has attended many dedication ceremonies on the developments that HACSA
has been involved with. Green added he measures the success of those developments by
Todis' leadership. He said Todis' style is to be in the back and he keeps his staff up
front, and he delegates his power judiciously to the people who can get the job done.
Plus, his communication is always open and he is accessible. He said that Richie Weinman's
comment (from the City of Eugene), is the one that stated Todis needed to be more visible
when it is appropriate. Green said he is comfortable with his relationship with Chris
Todis and the people that work for him. He said for an overall rating, he would give Todis
an eight plus or nine.
Weeldreyer stated she has worked with Chris Todis for six years and the first two years
were more adversarial than in later years. She said over time she has watched Chris Todis'
management style change and it was reflected in his staff. She added he and his staff have
been very responsive to her and her constituents. She said overall, HACSA has been rated
by the Housing and Urban Development agency as a top performer. She said there is
professionalism evident throughout all levels of the organization. She said reflecting all
of the evaluations by his peers and subordinates, she said her personal observations have
been reflected and would put him in the nine category.
Sorenson stated Todis did a great job and he should continue delegating. He added that
Todis needed to advocate more for low-income housing. He rated him an eight plus.
Cornacchia echoed the comments of his colleagues. He said he offered a goal that is
within the organization, for the agency to work continually to reduce the amount of tenant
write-offs that occur each year. He stated he has heard consensus of an eight and a half
which means his rating is in the exceptional range.
Chris Todis thanked everyone for their comments.
Dumdi stated that twelve years ago the write-offs were awful and they have gotten
better over time.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approval of Minutes: September 23, 1998, 9:00 a.m.
October 7, 1998, 10:15 a.m.
b. ORDER 98-10-28-1H/In the Matter of Accepting a Bid and Awarding Contract
#99-C-002 for the Apartment Remodel for Accessibility.
c. ORDER 98-10-28-2H/In the Matter of Accepting a Bid and Awarding Contract
#99-S-0001 for the Vacate Cleaning of Public Housing Residential Units.
d. ORDER 98-10-28-3H/In the Matter of Accepting a Bid and Awarding Contract
#98-C-0063 for the Improvements to Veneta Duplexes.
e. ORDER 98-10-28-4H/In the Matter of Adopting a Revised Capitalization Policy.
f. ORDER 98-10-28-5H/In the Matter of Amending the Agency's Personnel Policy.
MOTION: to approve the Consent Calendar.
Dumdi MOVED, Weeldreyer SECONDED.
VOTE: 5-0.
4. EXECUTIVE SESSION as per ORS 192.660
None.
There being no further business Commissioner Cornacchia adjourned the HACSA meeting at
9:20 a.m.
Melissa Zimmer
Recording Secretary
