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October 14, 2021 Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

Minutes of a Meeting

The Regular Meeting of the Housing Authority of the City of Norwalk was held at 6:00 PM Thursday October 14, 2021.

LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference

PRESENT:

Jeffery A. Ingraham, Chair
Sheri Brown, Treasurer
Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Commissioner (arrived at 6:10)
Brenda Penn-Williams, Vice Chair (arrived at 6:10)
Rahoul Dupervil, Commissioner

STAFF ATTENDING: 

Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Anna Keegan, Director of Housing Operations
Wendy Gerbier, Director of Learning Centers
Kras Carlucci, Deputy Director
Nicole Ruffin, Director of Human Resources
Leroy Fender, Director of Maintenance
Donna Lattarulo, Legal Counsel

PUBLIC ATTENDING: Michael Yeosock, Traffic Engineer, City of Norwalk

Meeting began at 6:03 PM.

Chairman Ingraham opened the meeting via Zoom video and recognized the following present - Vice Chair Brenda Penn-Williams, Treasurer Sheri Brown, Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, and Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil. He then acknowledged the existence of a quorum.

Report of the Secretary:
Mr. Bovilsky presented the following updates:

- Thanks to Stephanie Thomas the Norwalk Housing Learning Center has received a $30,000 Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) grant from the Judicial Branch of the State of Connecticut. This will also the further expand the SEL content already woven into the Learning Center curriculum.

- Towing is in full swing. Leroy Fender is coordinating with the towing company to remove vehicles in violation of the Norwalk Housing parking policy. Parking sticker are being issued and abandoned vehicles are in the process of being identified.

- The Learning have begun receiving Care 4 Kids funding from the State of Connecticut. Wendy stated Learning Center staff is assisting all parents with the application process.

- Soundview Landing, including Phase 3, reflects almost 90% occupancy numbers. COVID 19 created a substantial delay in product and supply lines which has resulted in increased construction cost. Norwalk Housing is now in the process of reaching out to our Community Partners to assist with funding these increased costs.

- COVID 19 - Cases of the Delta variant in Norwalk Housing are lower. Regarding the COVID 19 vaccine mandate - as of tonight's meeting 80 of 89 staff have been vaccinated. One (1) learning center staff member who refused regular testing, or the vaccination was terminated. Regarding return to work - due to the shortage of supplies NHA office construction is behind schedule. Projected COVID office modifications should be completed in December. To accommodate for the construction delay the projected return-to-work date will be postponed until January 7, 2022.
- Upcoming dates - November 18th Regular meeting and December 9th Regular meeting and Public Hearing regarding 2022 PHA Plan.

Mr. Bovilsky suggested that due to an attendee from the public Michael Yeosock, Traffic Engineer, City of Norwalk New Business item c. be taken out of order.

New Business:
17-89 Commissioner Brown moved to authorize:

c. The Norwalk Housing Authority to enter into an easement agreement with the City of Norwalk for Traffic Signal Equipment at 20 West Avenue and to receive $5,140 in compensation.

Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil seconded the motion.

Michael Yeosock stated Federal funding was now available to replace the flashing red light crosswalk with a traffic light. This will create a safer crossing for Norwalk Housing residents, employees, and Learning Center students at 20 West.

AYES 
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Sheri Brown
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil
All in favor. Motion was carried.

Old Business:
a. Discussion of Eviction Prevention case workers.

Commissioner and staff considered benefits and effectiveness of an eviction prevention caseworker assigned to at risk NH residents. Mr. Bovilsky pointed out the robust resources available at the Envision Center and accessible to all NH participants. Adam also stated additional family resources may be available through the City of Norwalk . He would reach out to Lamond Daniels, Chief of Community Services.

17-90 Commissioner Dupervil moved to approve:

b. Designation of CNI Developer Fee Funds for Headquarters Accessibility Improvements, Installation of new carpeting and Security updates at Leroy Downs, and installation of new front and back doors at King Kennedy.

Commissioner Sheri Brown seconded the motion.

Adam Bovilsky stated the board had originally earmarked these CNI program income Fee Funds to pay for safety and security updates at King Kennedy. But due to the receipt of an ESSG Grant which will pay for King Kennedy capital improvements, NH is requesting the CNI Program Income be reallocated for use in projects at Leroy Downs and the NHA Headquarters.

AYES
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Sheri Brown
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil

All in favor. Motion was carried.

17-91 Commissioner Brown moved to approve:

a. HUD 2022 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Payment Standards.
Commission Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
AYES 
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Sheri Brown
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil

All in favor. Motion was carried.

17-92 Commissioner Brown moved to approve:

b. 2022 Childcare Payment Standards.

Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion.

Kras Carlucci stated this payment standards were calculated on the Care 4 Kids formula effective January 1, 2022.
AYES 
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Sheri Brown
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil

All in favor. Motion was carried.

17-93 Commissioners voted to approve:

c. Supplemental Professional Fees Related to Colonial Village expansion.

Mr. Bovilsky stated this architectural fee adjustment was due to changes in scope as was well as additional expenses incurred during the design term. It was noted the Housing Authority referenced in the contract should be changed from Norfolk Housing Authority to Norwalk Housing Authority.
AYES
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Sheri Brown
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil

All in favor.  Motion was carried.

17-93 Commissioner Dupervil moved to approve:

e. Commissioners and Staff to attend NAHRO ZOOM discussion entitled HUD Conversions: What you want to know before you start, October 20-21 1:30- 4:00pm ET at a membership cost of $295.00 per person.

AYES 

Commissioner Ingraham Commissioner
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Sheri Brown
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery

Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil

All in Favor. Motion was carried

17-94 Commissioner Penn-Williams moved to approve:

f. Minutes from the September 9, 2021 meeting.

Commissioner Brown seconded the motion.
AYES 
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Sheri Brown
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery

ABSTAINED Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil

Motion was carried

17-95 Commissioner Dupervil moved to approve:

g. Minutes of the September 30, 2021 Special Meeting.
AYES 
Commissioner Ingraham Commissioner Sheri Brown
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil

ABSTAINED Commissioner Sheri Brown

Motion was carried.

17-96 Commissioner Brown moved to approve:

h. Department Reports

Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion.

All in favor.  Motion was carried.

At 8:10 Commissioners moved to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully Submitted,

___________________________
Adam Bovilsky
Executive Director