Board Meeting Minutes November 16, 2023
Minutes of Meeting
The Regular Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners convened at 5:34PM November 16, 2023.
LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference
PRESENT: Brenda Penn-Williams, Chair
Isaac Walcott, Treasurer
John Church, Commissioner
Teneshia Jacobs, Commissioner
ABSENT: Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Vice Chair
STAFF ATTENDING: Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Kras Carlucci, Deputy Director
Lisa Endo, VP of Development (arrived at 5:46pm)
Anna Keegan, Director of Policy
Wendy Gerbier, Director of Learning Centers (joined at 5:40)
Linda Rolle, Director of Grants and Development
Greg Lickwola, Director of Modernization
Leroy Fender, Director of Maintenance Alison Muhtar, Director of Housing Operations
Nicole Ruffin, Director of Human Resources
Donna Lattarulo, General Council
PUBLIC ATTENDING: Keisha Palmer, NHA Bond Counsel, Robinson & Cole
Todd McClutchy, JHM Group
Roll Call:
At 5:34PM, Chair Penn-Williams convened the meeting, recognizing the attendance of Treasurer Walcott, Commissioner Church and Commissioner Jacobs noting the establishment of a quorum. Adam Bovilsky said that Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery would not be attending tonight's meeting.
Report of the Secretary:
Mr. Bovilsky presented the following updates:
a. Learning Center Halloween Trick or Treat at the Main office was a successful and safe event for Learning Center students. This event provided an opportunity for students and staff to interact, sharing costumes and treats of this Halloween Season.
Mr. Bovilsky asked Lisa Endo to present brief updates on items b. & c. of his report.
b. Regarding Meadow Gardens, Ms. Endo stated that the City of Norwalk Planning and Zoning has approved the Meadow Gardens zoning permit. Tennant relocation is going well. Forty percent of residents have already been moved, either accepting a voucher or moving to another public housing unit. The project is scheduled to close next summer.
c. Regarding Oak Grove, Ms. Endo stated the sixty-nine units next to Colonial Village have officially started construction. An official groundbreaking will be held December 4, 2023 at 10:00am. This project is expected to be fully completed in early 2025.
d. Mr. Bovilsky outlined proactive steps that Norwalk Housing could take if there were to be a federal government shutdown and the length of time, we would be able to continue to operate if we received no additional funds from HUD. The steps were meant to prepare for the eventuality of a shutdown if it had not been averted.
e. Mr. Bovilsky then presented a list of important December and January dates, noting the addition of a Special Meeting December 6th, and changes in the regular meeting dates in both December and January.
New Business:
20-11 Commissioner Church made a motion to change the order of the meeting by moving New Business item f. Wall Street Declaration of Official Intent to the first order of business on tonight's agenda.
Treasurer Walcott seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Adam Bovilsky introduced Todd McClutchy of JHM Group. Mr. McClutchy stated his group is developing 155 affordable housing units at the corner of Wall Street and Isaacs Street in Norwalk. To assist with financing, at an earlier meeting the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners voted to approve the issuance of bonds for this Wall Street project. Mr. McClutchy said to begin the actual process of bond issuance during this meeting the Board of Commissioners are being asked to approve item f. the Bond Inducement Resolution.
20-12 Treasurer Walcott, regarding the Wall Street Project, made a motion to approve:
f. Resolution of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures with the Proceeds of Tax-Exempt Bonds.
Commissioner Church seconded the motion.
Keisha Palmer stated this resolution is a required IRS regulation ensuring all costs assigned to the tax-exempt bonds are eligible to be paid by the bonds.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All in favor. Motion was carried.
At 5:34pm
Todd McClutchy left the meeting.
As Arthur Greenblatt had not yet arrived to discuss New Business item d. Monterey Village: Consent for HAP Transfer, Mr. Bovilsky asked Keisha Palmer to remain in attendance.
Mr. Bovilsky then returned to New Business asking Anna Keegan to present for review and discussion updates and changes to items:
a. Annual Plan
b. MTW Supplement
Mr. Bovilsky stated that during the December 19th Public Hearing, the Commissioners would be requested to vote to accept the Annual Plan and MTW Supplement, which will be presented tonight. He then introduced Anna Keegan, who provided a detailed review of the changes made to the Annual Plan and MTW supplement for the upcoming year. Ms. Keegan stated the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that each year all public housing authorities develop and present to the public an Annual Plan. This Plan details the Housing Authority's goals and objectives for achieving its mission during the coming year. Ms. Keegans presentation focused on the proposed 2024 changes to Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP) and changes to the Administrative Plan. Additionally, Ms. Keegan presented the Moving to Work (MTW) Supplement. This supplement pertains to special waivers and changes that have been initiated or are set to be initiated, contingent upon HUD's approval.
At 6:30pm
Keisha Palmer left the meeting.
Mr. Bovilsky stated that both Chair Penn-Williams and staff would like more time to review the next item - c. School Street Minimum Rent.
20-13 Commissioner Church moved to table:
c. School Street Minimum Rent
Chair Penn-Williams seconded the motion
.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All in favor. Item was tabled.
20-14 Commissioner Church moved to table:
d. Monterey Village: Consent for HAP transfer
Treasurer Walcott seconded the motion.
As Vesta representatives were not present to answer questions, Commissioners agreed to table this item.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All in Favor. Motion was tabled.
Adam Bovilsky presented the next agenda item concerning the Extension of Purchase Option deposit for the proposed new Central Office Space at 47-53 Water Street. Due to delays in the environmental reports being provided by the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and required by HUD for this purchase, NHA negotiated an extension of the options in return for an additional $10,000 deposit which will not be refundable without a seller default. The NHA purchased an additional three months to conclude the environmental studies.
20-15 Commissioner Church moved to authorize:
e. Payment of $10,000 nonrefundable deposit to extend the purchase options for the property at 47-53 Water Street.
Treasurer Walcott seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All in Favor. Motion was carried.
Adam Bovilsky presented multiple staff training sessions for approval to the Commissioners.
20-16 Treasurer Walcott moved to approve:
g. Sherry Robinson, Annabel De La Cruz, Maria Duhan, Jamie Banks to attend Portability, Reporting, and Best Practices online seminar training sponsored by AH Forward held October 26th from 1:30-4:00PM EST at a cost of $179 per person.
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All in Favor. Motion was carried.
20-17 Treasurer Walcott moved to approve:
h. Marie Guzman to attend Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) Training Webinar sponsored by NCHM held November 6th 1:00PM EST at a cost of $925 and to attend Certified Occupancy Specialist Training- Public Housing (COSP) to be held December 18th 1:00PM EST at a cost of $925.
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All in Favor. Motion was carried.
20-18 Treasurer Walcott moved to approve:
i. Anna Keegan to attend virtual Nan McKay Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) Model ACOP Workshop on November 3rd (8AM EST) and Nan McKay Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) Model Admin Workshop November 7th (8AM EST) at a cost of $450 for each workshop.
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All in Favor. Motion was carried.
20-19 Treasurer Walcott moved to approve:
j. Jamie Banks to attend HUD VASH Bootcamp November 1-2, 2023 facilitated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This training is located at the Thomas O'Neil, Jr. Federal Building, 10 Causeway Street, Boston MA. There is no registration cost for this Bootcamp but estimated travel and hotel costs of $1,800.
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All in Favor. Motion was carried.
20-20 Commissioner Church moved to approve:
k. Alison Mukhtar to attend Norwalk Chamber of Commerce Leadership Conference - 10 sessions between November 1st & March 27th at a cost of $1000.
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All in Favor. Motion was carried.
20-21 Chair Penn-Williams moved to approve:
l. Charmaine Davis-Ford & Paul Modugno to attend BDO Finance live Seminar: "Everything You Need to Know in 2024" December 6th-7th to be held at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel & Casino located at 129 East Freemont Street, Las Vegas, NV registration price - $699 per person.
Treasurer Walcott seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All if Favor Motion was carried.
Adam Bovilsky ceded the floor to Greg Lickwola who presented his monthly report on modernization initiatives in detail. These projects encompass a variety of projects including:
• Roof replacement and installation of new gutters at Fairfield Avenue Apartments.
• Renovations of kitchens at Irving Freese and Main Avenue Apartments.
• Extensive repair completed at 6 Arch Street.
2024 plans include:
• Installation of a new elevator hydraulic lift at Main Avenue Apartment to comply with the updated state elevator codes.
• Bathroom replacement at Main Avenue apartments and replacement of windows, siding, and bathrooms at 20 West apartments.
Mr. Bovilsky then introduced Leroy Fender to present the maintenance report. Mr. Fender began by stating he had realigned staff to increase efficiency and improve the quality of repairs. He then gave examples of these repairs at each Norwalk Housing property. This included repairs to hot water tanks, mildew removal, cleaning of pipe stoppages, bedbug treatments, fire escape repair, basement cleaning at Mutual Housing properties, addition of maintenance staff at Mutual Housing properties and ground maintenance of all NHA properties. Mr. Fender's presentation also included an explanation of the Work Order process and description of the monthly vacancy report which is created by the maintenance department to identify unoccupied units.
20-22 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:
n. Department Reports
Commissioner Church seconded the motion.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All if Favor Motion was carried.
Mr. Lickwola again took the floor and presented the Addendum.
20-23 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:
o. Sign an agreement with Hartford Elevator to replace of the elevator jack(cylinder) at 20 West Apartments
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
Mr. Lickwola noted this replacement would not start until the end of February 2024.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All if Favor Motion was carried.
Due to the cold winter months ahead and the lack of available housing in Norwalk Chair Penn-Williams requested that an item be added to the agenda regarding evictions for non-payment of rent.
20-24 Chair Penn-Williams moved to:
p. Stipulate that any execution of an eviction for non-payment of rent alone be postponed until after March 31, 2024.
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
Commissioners agreed that this stipulation would not apply to evictions due to criminal actions or other causes except for non-payment of rent alone. Attorney Lattarulo stated that evictions currently in process would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
AYES NO ABSTAINED
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Commissioner Church
All if Favor Motion was carried.
At 7:54PM
Chair Penn-Williams moved to adjourn the meeting.
Treasurer Walcott seconded the motion.
All in favor. Motion was carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________
Adam Bovilsky
Executive Director