June 9, 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes
Minutes of Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was held at 5:30pm June 9, 2022.
LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference
PRESENT: Jeffery A. Ingraham, Chair
Brenda Penn-Williams, Vice Chair (Arrived 5:39pm)
Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Treasurer
Angela Wasunna, Commissioner
ABSENT: Rahoul Dupervil, Commissioner
STAFF ATTENDING: Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Kras Carlucci, Deputy Director
Joe Cardone, Director of Finance
Anna Keegan, Director of Housing Operations
Wendy Gerbier, Director of Learning Centers
Greg Lickwola, Director of Modernization
Lisa Endo, Director of Development Project Manager
Leroy Fender, Director of Maintenance
Donna Lattarulo, Legal Counsel
Meeting began at 5:38pm
Chairman Ingraham opened the meeting via Zoom and recognized Commissioner Angela Wasunna and Treasurer Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery as present. Chair Brenda Penn-Williams arrived at 5:39pm. Adam Bovilsky noted Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil was expected to arrive later. Chairman Ingraham acknowledged the existence of a quorum and turned the meeting over to Adam Bovilsky.
Report of the Secretary:
• Mr. Bovilsky noted the Norwalk Housing Learning Center's received $50,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding from the City of Norwalk. He also noted the Learning Center has formally received the State of Connecticut Education Expansion Grant totaling $236,164. The purpose of this grant is to expand programming and to open the Norwalk Housing Learning Centers for the first time to non-NHA students from low-income families.
• Mr. Bovilsky then displayed photos of a new garden built at the Colonial Village Learning Center. In addition to teaching gardening skills, this outdoor space creates an opportunity to promote health eating.
• Regarding current Colonial Village Modernization, Mr. Bovilsky stated Norwalk Housing has moved into Phase 8 of 14 phases required to complete the project. Mr. Bovilsky was also interviewed as part of a Connecticut Public Radio piece on affordable housing development during the pandemic. The renovations at Colonial Village and the expansion were highlighted in the piece. The expansion project is reviewing bids for financing, construction and management.
• Mr. Bovilsky stated Commissioner Board meetings are often not scheduled in July or August, but because of the need to vote on the Moving to Work (MTW) Supplement we may find it necessary to schedule a meeting during August.
Election of Officers:
18-36 Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams nominated:
a. Rev. Jeffrey Ingraham to continue as Chair of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
.
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez Montgomery seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Penn-Williams Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Angela Wasunna
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Motion passed in favor of Rev. Ingraham continuing in his role as Chair. Commissioner Ingraham abstained from the vote.
18-37 Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery nominated:
b. Brenda Penn-Williams to remain in her role as Vice Chair.
Commissioner Angela Wasunna seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Ingraham Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Angela Wasunna
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Motion passed in favor of Brenda Penn-Williams remaining in her role as Vice Chair. Commissioner Penn-Williams abstained from the vote.
18-38 Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams nominated:
c. Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery to continue in her role as Treasurer.
Commissioner Wasunna seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Ingraham Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Angela Wasunna
Motion passed in favor of Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery remaining in her role as Treasurer. Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery abstained from the vote.
The election of officers was completed, the meeting moved to:
New Business:
Joe Carbone took the floor to present the Colonial Village 2022-2023 Management Plan stating approval of this plan requires a 3% rental increase in both two (2) & three (3) bedroom units.
18-39 Commissioner Ingraham moved to accept
a. The Colonial Village 2022-2023 Management Plan.
Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams seconded the motion.
During discussion Commissioner Penn-Williams expressed concern that these rent increases could negatively affect Colonial Village residents. Joe Cardone stated Colonial Village rents are based on 30% of a resident's income. Due to the income-based rent this increase will have no effect on tenants but does increase CV funding and budget as it will increase the federal subsidy.
AYES
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Wasunna
Motion was carried.
18-40 Commissioner Brenda Penn Williams move to approve:
b. The Selection of Winn Residential as the Soundview Landing Management Agent.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
During discussion Mr. Bovilsky stated that the NHA had raised concerns over the current management with Trinity for some time and Trinity agreed to replace management. Trinity has invested a substantial amount of time and thought into the selection and transition process. A letter from Trinity to Soundview Landing residents notifying them of the change is nearly complete and may be in the mail. This change will take effect July 1, 2022.
AYES Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
Mr. Bovilsky invited Anna Keegan to take the floor to present Section 8 Programmatic changes to be implemented as a result of Norwalk Housing participation in HUD's Moving to Work (MTW) initiative. Ms. Keegan presented a review of:
c. Moving to Work (MTW) Supplement and proposed changes to the Administrative Plan.
Ms. Keegan stated that if approved, these changes will be reflected in the Norwalk Housing Administrative Plan and payment standards. She also stated tonight's presentation is for discussion purposes only, but following the Public Hearing scheduled in 45 days Commissioner will be asked to vote on these changes. Mr. Bovilsky stated Norwalk Housing is extremely excited to be part of this program and invited Commissioners to reach out to him with any questions.
Lisa Endo stated she is currently reviewing adjustments to the Administrative Plan that involve converting 18 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) to Project Based Vouchers. Commissioner were not asked to take vote at this time.
Mr. Bovilsky asked Kras Carlucci to take the floor to present the contract with Utopia Assisted Living Services Inc. (Assisted Living Provider) and the Housing Authority of the City of Norwalk (Ludlow Commons Congregate Living Services). Ms. Carlucci stated for the past five (5) years Utopia has provided more than satisfactory congregate services to residents of Ludlow Commons. These services include meals, medical assistance, and domestic help. She is requested a continuation of the contract.
18-41 Angela Wasunna moved to approve:
d. Renewal of contract with Utopia Assisted Living Services to provide Congregate Services at Ludlow Commons.
Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
The following was tabled:
e. Contract for Meadow Garden Section 18 Physical Condition Assessment (PCA)
Greg Lickwola and Kras Carlucci took the floor to present the selection of a contractor to complete a Physical Needs Assessment (PNA) for all federal properties except Meadow Gardens. Mr. Lickwola stated the last time this type of assessment had been completed was in 2012. He stated obtaining a life cycle analysis generated by this type of assessment will allow Norwalk Housing to project the agencies physical needs. Ms. Carlucci stated Norwalk Housing had received a bid from The Nelrod Company which meets the RFP requirements and suggested Norwalk Housing Authority move forward utilizing the services of The Nelrod Company.
18-42 Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:
f. Selection of the Nelrod Company to complete a Physical Needs Analysis (PNA) for all federal housing projects excluding Meadow Gardens.
Commissioner Wasunna seconded the motion.
AYES Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
Adam Bovilsky asked Joe Cardone to take the floor. Mr. Cardone stated Norwalk Housing had just received the results of the Audit closing FYE 2022-2023. Mr. Cardone stated in addition to being presented in the Board material he is available at any time for review or answer questions regarding this document. Results of the audit require no action on the part of Commissioners. This audit was presented for informational purposes.
18-43 Commissioner Wasunna moved to approve:
g. Staff and Commissioner to attend PHADA 2022 Legislative Forum September 11-13, 2022 to be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, at a membership price of $310 per person and room cost of $249 per night plus taxes and fees. Based on availability the Hotel room reservation cutoff date is August 12, 2022.
Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion.
AYES Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in Favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
18-44 Commissioner Wasunna moved to approve:
h. Minutes of the May 12 Board Meeting
Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion.
AYES Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Rahoul Wasunna
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
All if favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
18-45 Commissioner Penn-Williams moved to approve:
i. May Department Reports
Commissioner Wasunna seconded the motion.
AYES Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
At 6:45 all staff, except Adam Bovilsky, Anna Keegan and Kras Carlucci, left the meeting.
18-46 Commissioner Ingraham moved to add an Executive Session item to the agenda. The subject of this Executive session item was NHA vs Dupervil.
Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion.
AYES Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
An Executive Session item was added to the agenda.
At 6:48pm
18-47 Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams moved to adjourn to the Executive Session to discuss the matter of NHA vs Dupervil.
Commissioner Ingraham seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
Commissioners Adjourned to the Executive Session.
At 6:55pm
18-48 Commissioner Wasunna moved to leave the Executive Session
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
AYES Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
At 6:55pm
Commissioners moved out of the Executive Session.
Mr. Bovilsky noted no vote or action was taken during the Executive Session regarding NHA vs Dupervil.
Commissioner Penn-Williams moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
All in favor. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________
Adam Bovilsky
Executive Director