MILLS PARK TOWER RESIDENT COUNCIL – CHANGE IN MEETING DATE

In consideration of the rising number of COVID-19 infections and the safety of all participants, the OPHA Board of Commissioners has rescheduled the following onsite/in-person meeting from Monday, February 7, 2022 at 5:00 PM to Monday, March 7, 2022 at 5:00 PM.  This meeting is for ALL Mills Park Tower Residents.

MEETING: Steps in Establishing a Resident Council
DATE: Monday, March 7, 2022 at 5:00 pm
LOCATION: Mills Park Tower Community Room

In preparation for this important meeting, we have provided the following resource material for all residents.  This information is also available in hard copy from the Management Office.

MILLS PARK TOWER

• Previous MPT Resident Council (Dissolved) Bylaws

PURPOSE:

• Resident Councils: A Voice for Public Housing Tenants 

GUIDES

• PHA Guide – Engaging Residents and Representing Resident Interests
• PHA Guide – Organizing and Running Resident Councils
• PHA Guide – Holding Effective Resident Council Meetings

SAMPLE FORMS

• PHA Sample Forms – Resident Council Bylaws
• PHA Sample Forms – Resident Council Elections
• PHA Sample Forms – Resident Council Meetings
• PHA Sample Forms – Resident Council Procedures

Resident participation is vital in offering residents a way to build working relationships with the housing authority and create a positive living environment in Public Housing. One form resident participation can take is the resident council. The resident council can play a part in improving the quality of life for Public Housing communities and bring a wide variety of issues to the attention of PHA.

Several of your fellow residents have expressed interest in re-establishing the Mills Park Tower Resident Council.  In response to this interest a meeting has been scheduled to create a resident working group, to discuss the overall process, including the establishment of Resident Council bylaws, and to identify next steps. OPRC Vice President, Beth Swaggerty will help facilitate the meeting in providing information and guidelines about the process and OPHA Commissioner, Kate Walz will share her expertise and knowledge regarding the importance and value of resident engagement.

We encourage you to attend this important meeting.  Your input, ideas, and participation are greatly valued and appreciated.

Mills Park Tower Resident Handbook

Our Resident Handbook is your primary guide to Mills Park Tower’s policies, rules and regulations. It’s also part of your lease agreement with the Oak Park Housing Authority. We ask that you refer to it regularly to maintain a common understanding between you, your fellow residents, and Mills Park Tower Staff. Click here for your Mills Park Tower Resident Handbook.

Mills Park Tower Management Office and Staff

The management office is located on the first floor. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM every weekday except Wednesdays, when the office is closed to walk-in, non-emergency traffic. The office phone number is (708) 386-7536. A 24 hour, seven days a week answering service will answer the phone when staff is not available or when the office is closed.

Please feel free to contact your management staff with any questions or concerns you may have regarding the building, health and safety issues, our management policies, maintenance and work orders, your lease, your annual recertification, unit inspections, building activities, and events. We welcome your communication, comments, and insights and together we can make Mills Park Tower a thriving and vibrant community.

YOUR MANAGEMENT STAFF

Your Mills Park Tower Service Coordinator

Our onsite Service Coordinator, Shawn Lewis is available during normal business hours to assist you with services ranging from annual compliance with state and local certifications to finding ways to reduce your medical and food costs.  Shawn can also help you access additional services provided by Oak Park Township’s Senior Services and other community organizations.  Shawn can be reached during business hours at (708) 383-7536 ext. 204 or by email at slewis@oakparkrc.com.