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Mrs. Pearson explained the City/Housing Authority Director relationship and the administrative problems involved with the change from City/Housing Authority staff consolidation. She also suggested that possibly a member of the Housing Authority staff could spend some time at Kottinger Place for better communica- tions with the residents there. Councilmember Brandes reiterated his opinion that he felt the Housing Authority Board and staff could function better under the City Council because of availability of staff assistance, and strength in numbers. Mr. Ron Huron spoke regarding the changeover to separate gas meters, possible cost increase to residents, guarantee of not raising rents or PG&E bills, and inconvenience of tenants having to write two checks instead of one. He went into detail regarding life line rate for gas bills and long range utility costs. He asked if the residents of Kottinger had been polled to see if they were in agree- ment with the proposed procedure. Mrs. Deleray responded that tenants had the ~-~ opportunity many times to address or call the Housing Authority Board or staff. ~rs. Pearson added that any hardship cases were given special attention on an individual basis. Mr. Huron stated he felt there should be some guarantee that rents would never be more than 25% of the income of the tenants. Ms. Hughes advised it was a HID regulatory policy that tenants rents would not exceed 25% of their total income. Discussion ensued regarding the definition of total in- come. Mr. William Kovan, 3124 Weymouth Court, requested Mr. Huron's presentation be stopped and other people allowed to speak. Mr. Gil Maines, Attorney, spoke regarding the set amount of gas bill alloca- tions for various units and its effect on residents if they should exceed the amount established as average. He was advised tenants would have to pay any excess amount used. ~yor Mercer asked for a definition of "rent". Ms. Hughes advised that it was 25% of total income of a tenant and that at the present time utilities were in- cluded in that total. It was proposed to separate the rent from the gas bill, and the gas bill to be established at $8.00, $10.00 and $14.00 per month for various units, with rent being less that amount, to eliminate excess usage of gas. Mrs. Pearson stated gas usage would be closely monitored for a period of one year to see its effect on tenants. Mayor Mercer asked how the figures of $8.00, $10.00, and $14.00 were arrived at. Ms. Hughes advised it was the national average use of therms. Mrs. Charlotte Pruitt, resident of Kottinger Place, stated she felt $8.00 allowance for gas utility was not sufficient, and that she was opposed to having two bills per month to pay instead of one as it would be a burden to older people. She also complained that the Housing Authority Board did not liste~ or respond to concerns of the tenants. Mrs. Caughron stated that Housing Authority Board members were always willing to talk to tenants, and that Suggestion Boxes had been in- stalled at both Kottinger and Komandorski for any input from the residents. Michal Owens, speaking on behalf of her grandmother Mrs. Stevens, who is a resident at Kottinger, stated she felt tenants at Kottinger were neglected and not allowed to speak on issues of concern to them. She further stated she felt tenants should be able to appeal management decisions to the City Council. She alluded to a conversation she had with Mr. Parsons regarding the Emergency Alarm System. 4. 7/18/78