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March 10, 2022 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting
The Regular Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was held at 5:30pm Thursday March 10, 2022.

LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference

PRESENT: Jeffery A. Ingraham, Chair
Brenda Penn-Williams, Vice Chair
Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Treasurer
Rahoul Dupervil, Commissioner

ABSENT: Angela Wasunna, Commissioner

STAFF ATTENDING: Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Kras Carlucci, Deputy Director
Paul Modugno, Acting Director of Finance
Anna Keegan, Director of Housing Operations
Wendy Gerbier, Director of Learning Centers
Nicole Ruffin, Director of Human Resources
Greg Lickwola, Director of Modernization
Leroy Fender, Director of Maintenance
Donna Lattarulo, Legal Counsel

PUBLIC ATTENDING: Richard Chumney, The Hour Newspaper

Meeting began at 5:40 PM

Chairman Ingraham opened the meeting via Zoom and recognized the following present - Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil and Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams. Adam Bovilsky noted Treasurer Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery was expected any moment. Chairman Ingraham acknowledged the existence of a quorum and turned the meeting over to Adam Bovilsky.

Report of the Secretary:
• Proposed Moving to Work Annual Contribution Amendment - As preparation for next month's vote, Mr. Bovilsky compared the current HUD Annual Contribution Contract or ACC, to HUD funding fungibility permitted under an amended Moving to Work ACC. He then opened the meeting for discussion. The Commissioner's concern was that of meeting current needs of residents served by the Norwalk Housing Authority. Mr. Bovilsky stated under the MTW regulations "Substantially the same" number of residents would have to be served. He also stated the flexibility would not require a reduction of any kind in the number of families served, only that it provided an option, if the board sought to take advantage of it, to choose where to prioritize funding.

• Phase 2 of COVID 19 return to work begins March 14. All front-line staff will return to the office full-time. Managers and back office staff will be required to return to the office 50% of the work week in order to keep density down.

• Colonial Village Modernization is moving ahead as planned. This development is now in Phase 6. As part of this modernization, new siding, paving, grass, kitchens, floors, staircases, heating, and air-conditioning are being added to most units. Mr. Lickwola invited Commissioners to schedule a tour and to observe the improvement.

• The next board meeting will be held April 7th. The Commissioners briefly discussed the possibility of meeting in person but did not reach a consensus.

• Mr. Bovilsky stated to better serve its residents, Norwalk Housing will formally provide interpreter training to designated staff.

• Mr. Bovilsky noted the Norwalk Housing Foundation received a generous $15,000 grant from the John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation.

At 6:04 Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery joined the meeting.

New Business:
18-17 Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams moved to approve:

a. Federal Operating Budget FYE March 2023 -

All statutory and regulatory requirements met:
1. The PHA has enough operating reserves to meet the working capital needs of its developments.
2. Proposed budget expenditures are necessary to meet the efficient and economical operation of housing for serving low-income residents.
3. The budget indicates a source of funds adequate to cover proposed expenditure.
4. The PHA will comply with the wage rate requirement under 24 CFR 968.110.
5. The PHA will comply with requirements for access to records and audits under 24 CFR 38.110(i).

Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion.

Commissioners reviewed the federal budget and discussed various allocations.

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

All in favor. Motion was carried.

18-18 Commissioner Dupervil moved to approve:

b. Write -offs vacated accounts fiscal year ending 3/31/2022: $76,567.88

Chairman Jeffrey Ingraham seconded the motion.

Paul Modugno stated the Pandemic Rent Moratorium had increased the number of delinquent accounts over the previous year.

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

All in favor. Motion was carried.

c. Selection of a Moving to Work, MTW, consultant was Tabled until the April 7, 2022 meeting.

18-19 Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:

d. Non-exclusive search agreements

Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams seconded the motion.

Mr. Bovilsky turned the floor over to Nicole Ruffin. Ms. Ruffin stated the type of search that search firms utilize would allow the Housing Authority more flexibility in reaching out to potential candidates. Due to the high fees charged by these firms, they will only be utilized when obtaining a qualified candidate through normal means proves ineffective.

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

All in favor. Motion was carried.

18-20 Commissioner Dupervil moved to approve:

e. Minutes of the February 10th meeting.

Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.

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

All in favor. Motion was carried.

18-21 Commissioner Ingraham moved to approve:

f. Department Reports

Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion.

With no discussion Commissioners voted:

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

All in favor. Motion was carried.

At 7:23 Commissioners moved to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully Submitted,

___________________________
Adam Bovilsky
Executive Director