Board Meeting Minutes July 13, 2023

MEETING MINUTES

The Regular Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was held at 5:33PM July 13, 2023.

LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference
 
PRESENT: Brenda Penn-Williams, Chair
Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Vice Chair (joined at 6:12)
Isaac Walcott, Treasurer
John Church, Commissioner
Teneshia Jacobs, Commissioner
 
STAFF ATTENDING: Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Kras Carlucci, Deputy Director
Charmaine Davis-Ford, Director of Finance
Lisa Endo, Director of Development Project Management
Wendy Gerbier, Director of Learning Centers
Nicole Ruffin, Director of Human Resources
Leroy Fender, Director of Maintenance 
Greg Lickwola, Director of Modernization
Donna Lattarulo, General Council  

PUBLIC: Arthur Greenberg, Vesta Corporation (left at 6:05)
Steve Rice, Vesta Corporation (left at 6:05)
Sarah Ledbetter, Vesta Corporation (left at 6:05)
 
Roll Call:
Chair Brenda Penn-Williams opened the meeting via Zoom recognizing Commissioner John Church, Commissioner Isaac Walcott, and Commissioner Teneshia Jacobs as present. She noted Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery was not present. Chair Penn-Williams acknowledged the existence of a quorum. 

Report of the Secretary:

a. Mr. Bovilsky noted on July 19th from 6:00pm-7:30pm, for the first time since COVID, the Norwalk Housing Foundation Scholarships Award ceremony will proceed. This ceremony will be held in the Sono Collection M & T Magnificent Room, 100 Water Street, Norwalk CT.

b. Mr. Bovilsky noted this past week, over forty (40) front line staff participated in a Mental Health training provided by Laurel House of Stamford.  This training examined the variety and availability of Laurel House services available to Norwalk Housing Residents.  In addition the training proposed specific techniques NHA staff could utilize when assisting NHA clients who may have mental health related disabilities. 

c. Mr. Bovilsky stated that his final recommendation and the conclusive vote regarding the approval of the merger with Mutual Housing is set for the Thursday, July 20th Special Meeting. Norwalk Housing anticipates the availability of the Physical Needs Assessment on Tuesday, July 18th. The recommendations will be promptly relayed to the Board after the PNA has been reviewed.  .

d. The upcoming meetings include the July 20th Special Meeting, during which discussions will revolve around the Oak Grove Closing documents, the final vote on and recommendations on Mutual Housing, as well as the acceptance of a master lease agreement with the owner of 16 units at 107 South Main Street. A Sound Communities Member Meeting will follow this Special Meeting. Additionally, Regular Meetings are scheduled for August 10th and September 14th.

Old Business:

a. Concerning Soundview Landing, the latest PIC (Physical Inspection Certification) report indicates that most errors in recertification reporting have been addressed and resolved. While a few units are still impacted by rodents, tenants have reported that Winn Property Management Company has undertaken significant efforts in pest remediation to alleviate the problem. Norwalk Housing remains committed to addressing and monitoring this issue. 

New Business:
Mr. Bovilsky then passed the floor to Arthur Greenblatt, who introduced himself as the CEO of Vesta Corporation and provided an overview of Vesta's experience in real estate development . Mr. Greenberg and his team presented a formal request to Norwalk Housing to issue $30,000,000 in tax-exempt bonds to assist Vesta in the redevelopment of Monterey Village Apartments. The anticipated timeline for the project's commencement is in the spring of 2024.

Mr. Bovilsky noted that tonight's agenda contains a proposal, New Business Item e., to select a Bond Counsel to represent Norwalk Housing. Once chosen, this Counsel will be responsible for reviewing the Vesta request and making recommendations as to business terms.  The conclusions will then be presented to the Board of Commissioners for consideration. 

19-61 Commissioner Church moved to table:

a. Vesta's request for NHA to issue tax-exempt bonds until the August 10th meeting pending NHA's Bond Counsel review and recommendations .

Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion. 

In response to Mr. Greenblatt's presentation, Chair Penn Williams sought further clarification regarding specific improvements included in this project rehab. 

AYES     
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church

All in favor.  Motion was carried. 

AT 6:05 Vesta Corp team left the meeting. 

Kras Carlucci took the floor to introduce the next item.  Ms. Carlucci requested the Commissioners approve the July 2023-July 2024 contract with Utopia Assisted Living Services to provide assisted living services for Ludlow Commons. 

19-62 Commissioner Walcott moved to:

b.  Renew the July 2023- July 2024 Utopia Assisted Living Services contract to provide services at Ludlow Commons.  

Commissioner Church seconded the motion. 

Ms. Carlucci stated Ludlow Commons residents were happy with the services provided by Utopia. 

AYES      
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church

All in favor.  Motion was carried. 

Lisa Endo took the floor to present the relocation and reoccupancy plan on behalf of the Meadow Gardens residents. The reoccupancy plan, which adheres to both federal and state guidelines, was drafted by incorporating relevant information from previous relocation plans. Ms. Endo clarified that the relocation plan guarantees residents' right to return to Meadow Gardens once the rebuilding process is completed. Throughout this rebuilding and relocation process residents have the option to either use a Tenant Protection Voucher (TPV) or relocate within Public Housing. During her presentation, Ms. Endo emphasized the level of resident attendance and engagement at meetings where the upcoming changes were discussed.

Responding to the proposal, Chair Penn-Williams urged that residents opting for a Tenant Protection Voucher (TPV) should be granted a 180-day period rather than the standard 120 days allotted by HUD, to secure new housing. She emphasized that NHA bears the responsibility for displacing these residents, and given the current shortage of affordable housing, an extended timeframe is essential. Mr. Bovilsky stated that Norwalk Housing would bring Chair Penn-Williams' request to HUD Hartford Field Office for consideration. If approved, the Meadow Gardens relocation document would be amended to reflect the extended timeframe.
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery joined the meeting.

19-63 Commissioner Church moved to approve:

c. The Meadow Gardens Re-Occupancy Plan and if approved by HUD Field Office, amend the period for the use of the TPV from 120 to 180 days to secure new housing.

Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.

Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery emphasized the importance of advising parents about the availability of accessible school transportation for children residing in Meadow Gardens. Mr. Bovilsky confirmed ongoing discussions between NHA and the Norwalk Public Schools regarding this matter. 

AYES      
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Jacobs

All in Favor.  Motion was carried. 

Lisa Endo also introduced the Meadow Gardens Resident Participation Plan, stating that as mandated by the Connecticut Department of Housing, when demolishing and rebuilding a property the Housing Authority must provide a resident involvement plan.  Once approved by the board the plan is submitted to the State of Connecticut Department of Housing.  

19-64 Commissioner Church moved to approve:

d. The Meadow Gardens Tenant Participation Plan

Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion. 

AYES  
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Jacobs

All in Favor.  Motion was carried. 

Lisa Endo remained on the floor to present the selection of Bond Counsel stating the Norwalk Housing Authority (NHA) has the authority to issue bonds for the financing of affordable housing construction projects, whether or not NHA is the owner/developer of the project. To equip NHA to respond to bond issuance requests, including ones related to its own projects, staff released a Request for Proposal (RPF) to engage a bound counsel firm on retainer.  NHA received two responses. Of the two responses staff recommend hiring Robinson + Cole for a 3-year contract for bond counsel services. 

19-65 Commissioner Walcott moved to accept the:

e. The recommendation of staff to hire Robinson + Cole for a 3-year bond services contract. 

Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion. 

AYES      
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Jacobs

All in Favor.  Motion was carried. 

Mr. Bovilsky turned the meeting over to Attorney Donna Lattarulo to present the proposed bylaws change inserting language regarding Duties and Powers of Norwalk Housing Commissioners.  This change is in response to a request by Chair Penn-Williams. 

19-66 Commissioner Church move to accept: 

f. The Norwalk Housing Bylaws amendment concerning the Duties and Powers of the Norwalk Housing Board of Commissioners.  The revised Bylaws will be updated to reflect the language proposed by Attorney Lattarulo and approved by the Commissioners. 

Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.

AYES      
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Jacobs

Mr. Bovilsky stated the updated Bylaws to include tonight's changes will be distributed to each Commissioner. 

All in Favor.  Motion was carried. 

Kras Carlucci took the floor to present for review and discussion:

g.  Mainstream Waitlist Preference and proposed changes to the Administrative Plan. 

The proposed Policy creates a preference for families referred by the Continuum of Care (Coordinated Access Network) a targeted group as part of an application for Mainstream vouchers.  

Ms. Carlucci stated that individuals most in need of care would directly benefit from the continuum of care preference.  Commissioners will not be asked to vote at tonight's meeting as this change is just being published for public comment and will come to a vote at the end of the comment period after a public hearing.  

Mr. Bovilsky took the floor  to request the approval to use unallocated Colonial Village Developer fees to retrofit the proposed new Norwalk Housing headquarters building.

19-67 Commissioner Church moved to approve the use of Colonial Village Developer fees to retrofit the proposed new NHA headquarters. 

Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.

At 7:22 

19-68 Commissioner Church moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss a real estate transaction.

Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion. 

AYES      
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor.  Motion was carried. 

At 7:40 

19-69 Commissioner Church moved leave Executive Session and return to the Regular Meeting. 

Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.  

AYES    
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor.  Motion was carried. 

19-70 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:

h. Use of Colonial Village Renovations Developers fees to retrofit the proposed new NHA headquarters.

Commissioner Church seconded the motion. 

AYES      
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor.  Motion was carried. 

19-71  Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:

i. Kras Carlucci, Anna Keegan and six (6) Operations Staff to attend Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) web-based HUD  compliance training sponsored by the National Center for Housing Management (NCHM) September 21-22, 2023 at a cost of $3800.

Commissioner Church seconded the motion. 

AYES   
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor.  Motion was carried. 

19-72 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:

j. Commissioner and Staff to attend the PHADA's 2023 Legislative Forum will be held September 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. for a member registration fee of $340 per person and hotel cost of $279 plus taxes and fees.

Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion. 

AYES     
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor. Motion was carried. 

19-73 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:

k. Minutes of the June 8, 2023 Annual Meeting.

Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion. 

AYES    
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor. Motion was carried. 

Charmaine Davis-Ford, Director of Finance took the floor to give an overview of the April 2023 Finance reports and May 2023 Bills.  She highlighted the significance of giving extra attention to accounts receivable following the conclusion of COVID relief funding. Despite the rent moratorium and additional relief funds, some tenants were still behind on rent.  The remainder of the agency at this time was in good financial condition. 

19-74 Commissioner Jacobs mover to accept:

i. Department reports

Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams seconded the motion. 

AYES    
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor.  Motion was carried. 

Commissioner Penn-Williams moved to adjourn the meeting. 

Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion. 

All if favor. 

At 8:09pm  
The meeting adjourned. 

Respectfully Submitted, 

___________________________
 Adam Bovilsky 
 Executive Director