EHDA commissioners receive fire update, approve resolutions
Published 8:57 am Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Star Photo/Curtis Carden
Elizabethton Housing Development Agency Executive Director Kelly Geagley addresses the board during Tuesday’s meeting.
The Elizabethton Housing Development Agency Board of Commissioners convened on Tuesday, Nov. 22, to approve a variety of resolutions and receive an update from the recent fire that took place on Pine Ridge Circle.
Executive Director Kelly Geagley addressed the commissioners about the fire that occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 16, that took the life of a young mother and her daughter.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,” Geagley said. “I received a call at 5:27 that evening from Elizabethton Police Chief Jason Shaw and I came straight up here.”
Geagley commended the work of the fire and police departments during the incidents and added that EHDA employees work with gathering residents from the C Building, where the fire took place, and had them meet inside the agency’s community room.
“I appreciate all their work,” Geagley said about the personnel that assisted Wednesday.
Geagley added that EHDA has met with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) about the incident and about what’s ahead. The agency will look at removing the burnt siding and other items from the apartment, but Geagley said the primary damage from the fire came from smoke and that other buildings in the area did not receive damage.
The investigation is currently ongoing, Geagley added, and he told the commissioners that the EHDA is not at fault from the fire.
“That doesn’t take away from any at all that happened, though,” he said.
Along with an update from the fire, Geagley added he met with Elizabethton Planning and Development Director Jon Hartman to begin the process of redevelopment of West Elk Avenue.
The executive director added the EHDA would have the resolution drafted through their agency and that the item would be brought up in December.
Geagley also took the time to introduce Corporal Jordan Ensor as the agency’s resident officer and Danny Blevins to his first official board meeting. Other items discussed included the agency receiving a grant from FEMA for a Food and Shelter grant.
In other business, the commissioners:
• Approved a resolution to revise estimated charges made for maintenance work and/or supplies to residents in the low-income public housing projects.
• Approved a resolution approving an electrical utility allow for residents in low income public housing projects.
• Approved a resolution delegating authority to sign checks.
• Approved a resolution approving flat rents for residents.
• Approved a resolution amending the admissions and continued occupancy policy and administrative plan.
• Approved a resolution for operating budget revision for the asset management project No. 1 for 2016.
• Approved a resolution for operating budget revision for central office cost for 2016.
• Approved a resolution for operating budget for central office cost center for 2017.