August 18, 2022 Minutes
Minutes of Meeting
A Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was held at 5:30pm August 18, 2022.
LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference
PRESENT: Jeffery A. Ingraham, Chair
Brenda Penn-Williams, Vice Chair
Rahoul Dupervil, Commissioner
Angela Wasunna, Commissioner
ABSENT: Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Treasurer
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
Nicole Ruffin, Director of Human Resources
Lisa Endo, Director of Development Project Manager
Donna Lattarulo, Legal Counsel
Meeting began at 5:38pm
Mr. Bovilsky noted due to the loss of quorum on the regularly scheduled meeting, August 11, 2022, tonight's meeting was technically a Special Meeting. Chairman Ingraham opened the meeting via Zoom and recognized Vice Chair Brenda Penn-Williams and Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil as present. It was noted that Treasurer Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery would not be attending, and Commissioner Angela Wasunna would arrive shortly. Chairman Ingraham acknowledged the existence of a quorum and turned the meeting over to Adam Bovilsky.
Report of the Secretary:
• Mr. Bovilsky postponed discussion of CARES ACT funding and REAC inspection results until the September meeting.
• Mr. Bovilsky acknowledged federal, state, and local supporters which awarded education grants for years 2021-2023. These grants will be used to expand Learning Center services.
• Mr. Bovilsky followed with a brief discussion of current COVID 19 policies and loosening of office restrictions.
• Regarding Colonial Village Modernization, all Commissioners attending the event agreed the recent ribbon cutting at the Colonial Village Learning Center Garden plus the tour of unrenovated and renovated units was well organized, enjoyable, and highlighted NHA's mission.
• Mr. Bovilsky referenced dates of upcoming meetings September 8 and October 13 @ 5:30pm.
Old Business:
Mr. Bovilsky turned the meeting over to Lisa Endo. Ms. Endo stated she was requesting approval for a contract with AEI Consultants to perform a Physical Condition Assessment (PCA) of Meadows Gardens. The results of this assessment would determine if Meadow Gardens qualified for HUD's Section 18 program, commonly referred to as a "demo/dispo," which allows Public Housing Authorities to dispose of or demolish properties that meet certain physical condition threshold requirements. The advantage of this program is that if we qualify, we will receive valuable Tenant Protection Vouchers which can both provide temporary housing for tenants during the redevelopment as well as valuable resources towards operating the newly constructed development.
18-49 Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams moved to approve:
a. Engagement of AEI Consultants for the Physical Condition Assessment of Meadow Gardens.
.
Commissioner Wasunna seconded the motion.
During discussion Ms. Endo stated this was the very beginning stage of rehabilitating the Meadow Garden property. Ms. Endow noted initial tenant meetings have been well attended.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Angela Wasunna
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
New Business:
Lisa Endo remained on the floor to present the Project Based Voucher RFP recommendation. Norwalk Housing is requesting that 18 Housing Choice Vouchers be converted into Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) to be utilized by NHA and Heritage Housing during the development of Colonial Village Phase II. These vouchers will be targeted to applicants making 30% or less of area medium income. Mr. Bovilsky stated that income qualifications for the remaining units would be set be set at 50%, 60% and 80% of AMI.
18-50 Brenda Penn-Williams voted to approve:
b. Subject to HUD approval, selection of Norwalk Housing and Heritage Housing Inc. project-based voucher proposal to utilize 18 NHA Housing Choice Vouchers in Colonial Village Phase II development.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Angela Wasunna
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
Mr. Bovilsky turned the floor over to Anna Keegan. Ms. Keegan stated the next two agenda items involve Administrative Plan changes required by Norwalk Housing as it makes the conversion to a Move to Work (MTW) Agency. The first change involves modifications to the Section 8 portion of the Administrative Plan specifically addressing Payment Standards, Vacancy Loss, and Damage Claims. Kras Carlucci stated these proposed changes were well received at the Public Hearing held August 2, 2022.
18-51 Commissioner Wasunna moved to approve:
c. Section 8 Administrative Plan modifications
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
Chairman Ingraham asked that Margaret Suib, Norwalk Housing Fair Housing Officer, be advised of these modifications.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Angela Wasunna
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
Anna Keegan then introduced the Moving to Work Supplement which references criteria like that of the proposed Section 8 Administrative Plan modifications. This Supplement utilizes a format requested by HUD requiring specific annual data reporting and further in-depth analysis of proposed changes. Ms. Keegan stated this MTW Supplement was presented and well received at the Public Hearing held August 2, 2022.
18-52 Commissioner Angela Wasunna moved to approve:
c. Moving to Work Supplement (MTW).
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Dupervil
All if favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
The next item, presented by Kras Carlucci, did not require a vote but was presented for informational purposes.
d. Memo Regarding Housing Choice Voucher Utilization
Mr. Bovilsky asked Kras Carlucci to take the floor. Ms. Carlucci stated as of July 26, 2022, NHA had forty-eight (48) unused Section 8 vouchers. Mr. Bovilsky noted that because of the Norwalk Housing MTW status, funding from underutilized vouchers could be applied to a.
18-53 Commissioner Dupervil moved to approve:
e. Purchase of a 2022 Hyundai Accent in the amount of $19,363.00 for use by the Director of Maintenance.
Commissioner Wasunna seconded the motion.
Ms. Carlucci stated Leroy Fendor spends a large amount of time out in the field. This vehicle is limited to use while conducting business on Norwalk Housing Properties.
AYES NO ABSTAINED Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
Mr. Bovilsky invited Anna Keegan to take the floor to present the next item regarding updates to the Family Self-Sufficiency program. Ms. Keegan stated that due to HUD changes to the program, the NHA must make these policy changes before we are permitted to allow new participants admission into the program. The changes include expanding the definition of FSS Head of Household, increasing extension times for FSS participant goals, and changing criteria for handling of established escrow accounts if a Head of Household would drop out of the FSS Program. Under the new regulations, those funds can be repurposed to assist FSS program participants.
18-54 Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams move to accept:
f. Required updates for the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Action Plan
Commissioner Wasunna seconded the motion.
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
18-55 Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil moved to ratify:
g. Commissioner's attendance at NAHRO online seminar titled Commissioners Fundamentals Tuesday - Thursday, July 12-14,1:00pm -4:00pm ET at a cost of $422 per member.
Commissioner Wasunna seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
18-56 Commissioner Penn-Williams moved to ratify:
h. Commissioner's and Staff to attend NAHRO webinar titled Pay and Compensation: What You Need to Know, and learn how to remain in compliance with HUD requirements. Wednesday, July 27 from 1:30-4:00pm ET at a cost of $195 per member.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil
Commissioner Wasunna
All in Favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
18-57 Commissioner Penn-Williams moved to approve:
i. Commissioner and staff to attend the 24th Annual Convention & Exhibition of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (CONN-NAHRO) Sunday, August 28 through Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Uncasville, Connecticut at a full conference discounted cost of $650 for CONN NAHRO Members.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil
Commissioner Angela Wasunna
All if favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
18-58 Commissioner Wasunna moved to ratify:
j. Ratify Commissioners to attend NAHRO online seminar titled Commissioner's Ethics Thursday August 11 from 1:00-4:00 ET at a cost of $165 per member.
Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
Commissioners tabled:
k. Amendment to travel policy to included Commissioner Caps
18-59 Commissioner Wasunna moved to approve:
l. Minutes of the June 9, 2022 meeting
Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion
AYES NO ABSTAINED Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Dupervil
18-60 Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams moved to approve:
m. Department reports
Commissioner Wasunna seconded the motion.
AYES NO
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Dupervil
ABSTAINED
Commissioner Ingraham
For technical reasons Commissioner Ingraham abstained from the vote
Motion carried.
Mr. Bovilsky then turned the meeting over to Lisa Endo to present Addendum items
Ms. Endow stated Norwalk Housing staff are recommending the use of the Richmond Group as the Tax Credit Investor and Bankwell for the financing the Construction-to-permanent Loan of Colonial Village Phase II. Ms. Endo stated the Richmond Group offered the most competitive tax credit purchase rate, was clear regarding conditions for the eventual transfer of property to NHA management and maintained a prior relationship with Heritage Housing. Likewise Bankwell has an existing relationship with Norwalk Housing and provided a competitive fee structure.
18-61 Commissioner Wasunna moved to approve Addendum:
n. Selection of Richman Group (Tax Credit Investor) and Bankwell (Construction-to-Permanent Loan) for the financing of Colonial Village Phase II expansion.
Commissioner Ingraham seconded the Motion
Commissioner Penn-Williams raised concerns over the management arrangements over the proposed development.
AYES Commissioner Ingraham, Commissioner Wasunna
ABSTAINED Commissioner Dupervil
NO Commissioner Penn-Williams
Motion did not pass. Chairman Ingraham offered that this item be again presented at the September Meeting.
Ms. Endo also presented the next item, an increase in contract authorization for the contract with Stull and Lee, Inc./SLI and the Norwalk Housing Authority.
18-62 Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil moved to approve Addendum:
o. Amendment to professional services contract with Stull and Lee Inc. in the amount of $70,000.
Commissioner Wasunna seconded the motion.
Ms. Endo stated this fee adjustment reflects $50,000 to complete design changes for the CFHA funding application and related architecture and engineering documents requested by Heritage Housing. The remaining $20,000 would be used to cover additional costs associated with preparing a construction estimate by Professional Construction Services, Inc.
AYES NO ABSTAINED Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Wasunna
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
Commissioners adjourned the meeting at 7:53PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________
Adam Bovilsky
Executive Director