Board Meeting Minutes March 9, 2023
Minutes of Meeting
A Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was held at 5:35PM March 09, 2023.
LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference
PRESENT: Acting Chair Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Isaac Walcott, Commissioner Treasurer
John Church, Commissioner
Rahoul Dupervil, Commissioner
ABSENT: Brenda Penn-Williams, Chair
STAFF ATTENDING: Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Kras Carlucci, Deputy Director
Paul Modugno, Acting Director of Finance
Wendy Gerbier, Director of Learning Centers
Nicole Ruffin, Director of Human Resources
Lisa Endo, Director of Development Project Management
Leroy Fender, Director of Maintenance
Donna Lattarulo, General Counsel
Acting Chair Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery opened the meeting via Zoom and recognized, Commissioner John Church, Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil and Commissioner Isaac Walcott as present. Acting Chair Liza Bermúdez acknowledged the existence of a quorum. Adam Bovilsky noted Chair Brenda Penn-Williams would not be attending the meeting.
Report of the Secretary:
Mr. Bovilsky presented a PowerPoint program highlighting the Learning Center student's participation in the Black History Month Celebration held on February 24, 2023 at City Hall. He also noted the completion of CDBG funded major electrical upgrades at Leroy Downs and the dates and times of upcoming board meeting on April 20th and May 11, 2023. Mr. Bovilsky indicated he hopes it would be possible to schedule a special meeting later in the month to discuss talks with Mutual Housing.
Old Business:
As Anna Keegan, author of the updated parking policy was unable to attend tonight's meeting, Adam Bovilsky asked the Acting Chair Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery for her permission to once again table approval of the NHA Parking Policy updates.
19-15 Commissioner Church moved to table NHA Policy Updates.
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Walcott
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Paul Modugno took the floor to present (a) Fiscal Operating Budget FYE March 2024. Mr. Modugno stated the information presented to Commissioners represents projected expenditures and operational costs plus projected subsidy income for all Federal AMPS. Mr. Modugno then reviewed (b) Write offs for vacated accounts fiscal year ending March 2024 for Federal Amps and Colonial Village.
19-16 Commissioner Dupervil moved to approve:
a. Fiscal Operating Budget FYE March 2024
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).
b. Write-offs vacated accounts fiscal year ending 3/31/2023 total:
• Federal - $114,235.95
• Colonial Village - $15,277.06
Commissioner Church seconded the motion.
Commissioners reviewed the Federal budget and discussed a variety of allocations. Commissioner Dupervil noted write offs were larger than the previous year. Mr. Modugno stated much of this increase was due to the eviction moratorium during COVID 19.
AYES
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Walcott
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Lisa Endo took the floor to present an overview of the process of preparing the Meadow Gardens Section 18 application and the final steps needed to submit such an application to HUD's Special Application Center (SAC).
19-17 Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:
c. Authorize submission of Section 18 application for Meadow Gardens
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
Ms. Endo noted that according to our development consultant, this Section 18 application is closely reviewed by SAC for its rehabilitation cost estimates and its tenant relocation plan.
.
AYES
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Walcott
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Ms. Endo then presented NHA Section 3 Policy updates required to align with HUD key changes. Ms. Endo confirmed the purpose of Section 3 is to provide low-income residents with job opportunities and award contracts to business and service providers in areas receiving certain types of HUD financial assistance.
19-18 Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:
d. Norwalk Housing Authority Updated Section 3 Policy
Commissioner Church seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner John Church
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Walcott
All in favor. Motion was carried.
19-19 Commissioner Church move to approve:
e. Commissioners and staff to attend PHADA Annual Conference and Exhibition to be held May 21st -24th at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, 1550 Court Place, for an Early Bird registration fee of $495 and room rate of $225 per night plus taxes and fees.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner John Church
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Walcott
All in favor. Motion was carried.
19-20 Commissioner Dupervil moved to approve:
f. February 9, 2023 meeting minutes.
Commissioner Church seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner John Church Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Walcott
Motion was carried.
19-21 Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:
g. Department Reports.
Commissioner Church seconded the motion.
AYES
Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner John Church
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Walcott
All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.
At 7:10 Commissioners adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________
Adam Bovilsky
Executive Director