Board Meeting Minutes, May 11, 2023
MINUTES OF A MEETING
A Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was held at 5:35PM May 11, 2023.
LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference
PRESENT: Brenda Penn-Williams, Chair
Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Vice Chair
Isaac Walcott, Treasurer
Rahoul Dupervil, Commissioner
ABSENT: John Church, Commissioner
STAFF ATTENDING: Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Kras Carlucci, Deputy Director
Charmaine Davis-Ford, Director of Finance
Irv Clemons, Director of IT
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
CONSULTANTS: Myles Brown, Amenta Emma Architecture
Jeremy Jamilkowski, Amenta Emma
Kristen Mitchell, Langan Engineering
PUBLIC: Jodyanne Reid, Soundview Landing Resident
Chair Brenda Penn-Williams opened the meeting via Zoom and recognized Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil and Commissioner Isaac Walcott as present, noting Commissioner John Church was unable to attend the meeting. Chair Penn-Williams acknowledged the existence of a quorum. Adam Bovilsky also noted Myles Brown and Jeremy Jamilkowski of the architectural firm Amenta Emma and Kristen Mitchell, landscape architect representing Langan Engineering as present.
To accommodate for the architectural consultant's schedule
19-31 Commissioner Penn Williams moved to change the order of the meeting, moving:
4. New Business a. Meadow Garden Design and Engineering Concepts to the first item on the agenda.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor. Motion carried.
Lisa Endo took the floor to present:
a. Meadow Garden Design and Engineering Concepts.
Ms. Endo introduced Amenta Emma and Langan Engineering representatives who have been tasked with developing the concept, goals, and preliminary designs for the redevelopment of Meadow Gardens. Kristen Mitchell of Landan Engineering presented a review of the site and layout of the proposed 1-3-bedroom units. Chair Brenda Penn-Williams stated that the addition of four 4-bedroom units to the plan would allow Norwalk Housing to better serve residents. Myles Brown of Amenta Emma stated incorporating 4 bedrooms units into the design is a definite option but will necessitate reducing the number of 2-3-bedroom units. Updated plans to include 4-bedroom units will be presented to the Board.
At 6:15 Amenta Emma and Langan Engineering representatives left the meeting.
The meeting returned to:
Report of the Secretary:
a. Mr. Bovilsky noted that this summer the Norwalk Housing Foundation will again be holding a scholarship awards ceremony and asked everyone to watch for a Save the Date announcement.
b. Mr. Bovilsky noted that the ROSS grant funding two Envision Center positions was recently awarded to Norwalk Housing. He also noted generous donations received by
the Norwalk Housing Foundation. In addition to receiving NHF donations, the Norwalk Housing Learning Centers are a recent recipient of two grants which will allow offering the 8-week summer enrichment program to qualifying non-public housing residents.
c. Mr. Bovilsky suggested that. Mutual Housing update be moved to New Business.
d. Mr. Bovilsky noted the date of the upcoming Annual Meeting June 8th and July meeting scheduled for the 13th.
Old Business:
a. Soundview Landing update
Mr. Bovilsky stated that he has spoken twice with Patrick Lee regarding the rodent problem at Soundview Landing. This weekend the complex will begin a large-scale extermination and exclusion project. Mr. Lee asked that Norwalk Housing give Winn Management time to complete this step and other efforts to address challenges within the development. Mr. Lee also noted that Winn Management would be enhancing security by adding additional security coverage including evening and weekend hours.
19-32 Commission Dupervil made a motion to add:
c. Mutual Housing Update to New Business.
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor. Motion carried.
New Business:
19-33 Commissioner Walcott moved to:
Accept an Affiliation Agreement between Mutual Housing and Sound Communities.
Commissioner Bermudez Montgomery seconded the motion.
Mr. Bovilsky stated this agreement would allow Norwalk Housing and Sound Communities to begin the due diligence process which determines the viability of integrating Mutual Housing into Sound Communities.
AYES
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Dupervil
Motion carried.
Charmaine Davis-Ford took the floor to introduce the 2023-2024 Ludlow Common Management Plan stating Norwalk Housing is requesting a $47 increase in the Congregate Services plan and a $13 increase to the Ludlow Common Management Plan effective July 1, 2023.
19-34 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:
b. 2023-2024 Ludlow Commons Management Plan
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor. Motion carried.
At 7:10 Jodi Anne Reid joined the meeting.
Ms. Davis-Ford presented the 2023-2024 Colonial Village Management Plan effective August 1, 2023.
19-35 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:
c. 2023-2024 Colonial Village Management Plan.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor. Motion carried.
19-36 Commissioner Dupervil made a motion to allow Public Comment.
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor. Motion carried.
Jodyanne Reid, a resident of Soundview Landing took the floor to describe the rodent infestation in apartment. She stated she hopes to leave Public Housing and reclaim a Section 8 voucher. Adam Bovilsky stated that public housing residents cannot be transferred into the Section 8 program. Mr. Bovilsky pointed out that Winn Management is moving ahead with a large exclusion and extermination project in an extensive effort to rid Sound View Landing of rodents. Commissioners followed with discussion of possible solutions to both rodent problem and Ms. Reid's request.
Mr. Bovilsky then took the floor to present a recommendation for capitalizing Sound Communities, Inc., stating Sound Communities is a NHA instrumentality whose sole purpose is to carry out the redevelopment and expansion goals of the Housing Authority. The proposed capitalization would fund activities which require major upfront costs such as predevelopment fees. Examples of such costs include architect fees, legal fees and engineering and environmental consultants. Mr. Bovilsky stated that the transfer of funds had been fully vetted through local legal counsel, our specialized HUD counsel and independent auditors but was awaiting HUD approval.
19-37 Commissioner Dupervil moved to:
d. Upon approval from HUD, transfer $5,000,000 from the Colonial Village excess cash funds to Sound Communities.
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor. Motion carried.
Greg Lickwola took the floor and presented a memo recommending the award of a construction contract for the replacement of kitchens at Main Avenue and Irving Freese to M & R Construction.
19-38 Commissioner Walcott moved to:
e. Award contract for the replacement of kitchens at Main Avenue and Irving Freese to M & R Construction.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor. Motion was carried.
19-39 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:
f. Commissioners and staff to attend the Summer NERC-NAHRO Conference to be held June 25-28 at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel in Portland Maine.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor. Motion was carried.
19-40 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:
g. Jamie Banks and Krystal Rosado to attend a virtual National Center for Housing Management Occupancy Specialists training May 22-25 at a total cost of $1,850 to include both attendees.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor. Motion was carried.
19-41 Commissioner Dupervil moved to accept:
h. April 20th Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor. Motion was carried.
19-42 Commissioner Walcott moved to accept:
i. Department Reports
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
All in favor. Motion carried. '
AYES
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Dupervil
All in favor. Motion was carried.
At 7:40
Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
All if favor. The meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________________
Adam Bovilsky
Executive Director