October 13, 2022 Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Meeting

A Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was held at 5:30PM October 13, 2022.

LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference

PRESENT: Jeffery A. Ingraham, Chair
Brenda Penn-Williams, Vice Chair
Rahoul Dupervil, Commissioner - arrived at 5:46PM
John Church, 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
Leroy Fender, Director of Maintenance
Linda Rolle, Director of Grants and Development
Donna Lattarulo, General Counsel
Teri Robertson, Consultant, Nan McKay

Chairman Ingraham opened the meeting via Zoom and recognized Vice Chair Brenda Penn-Williams and Commissioner John Church as present. Chairman Ingraham acknowledged the existence of a quorum and noted Commissioner Rahoul would be arriving shortly. He then turned the meeting over to Adam Bovilsky. Mr. Bovilsky formally introduced John Church and acknowledged Norwalk Housing Staff and guest Teri Robinson attending the meeting.

To adjust to Ms. Robertson's time constraints, Mr. Bovilsky requested Old Business be moved ahead of the Report of the Secretary.

18-71 Commissioner John Church moved to change the order of meeting by moving Old Business ahead of the Secretary's Report. Commissioner Penn- Williams seconded the motion. All in Favor by show of hands.

At 5:46 Commissioner Dupervil joined the meeting.

Mr. Bovilsky turned the meeting over to Kras Carlucci who introduced Teri Robertson of Nan McKay to discuss

Old Business:

a. Review of the PHA Annual Plan including ACOP and Administration Plan Changes.

Ms. Robertson 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. The Annual Plan provides details regarding agency operations, programs, program participants and services for the upcoming fiscal year. Ms. Robertson's presentation focused on the proposed 2023 changes to the Admissions and Continued Occupancy (ACOP) and Administrative Plans. The final Annual Plan will be presented to the Board for approval following the Public Hearing scheduled November 10, 2022.

Report of the Secretary:

• Mr. Bovilsky noted the recent receipt of a $34,000 grant to upgrade Leroy Downs security cameras and the receipt of additional CARES Act Stabilization grant totaling $50,000. These Stabilization funds will benefit the Norwalk Housing Learning Centers.

• Mr. Bovilsky referenced dates of upcoming meetings - the Public Hearing and Board meeting scheduled November 10th @5:30pm and the Board meeting scheduled for December 8, 2022 @5:30pm.
New Business:

Mr. Bovilsky turned the meeting over to Lisa Endo. Ms. Endo was seeking the Board's approval for the selection of a property management company for Colonial Village Phase II. The selected property manager is expected to provide standard property management services, including but not limited to hiring and oversight of on-site personnel; account and bookkeeping, government regulation compliance; and responding to resident concerns. They will also be charged with ensuring the IRS requirements for Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) are met.

18-72 Commission Dupervil moved to:

a. Select WinnResidential as the property manager for CV Phase II.

Commissioner Church seconded the motion.

Ms. Endo stated that both companies had similar qualifications, rates, and fees. Commissioners requested further clarification as to why the staff recommends moving forward with WinnResidential vs Konover Residential. Ms. Endo stated staff recommends moving forward with the selection of WinnResidential because of the established Soundview Landing partnership. The senior manager overseeing Soundview Landing would also oversee CV Phase II.

AYES 
Commissioner Ingraham 
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Dupervil

ABSTAINED Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams

Motion was carried.

Lisa Endo also requested the Commissioners choose a name for Colonial Village Phase II. This would be used for branding purposes. Ms. Endo noted CV Phase II will be restricted to households of different incomes levels creating a mixed income community. Feedback from Adam Bovilsky, Kras Carluccci and our partners short-listed the following names: The Grove and Oak Grove.

18-73 Chairman Ingraham move to:

b. Adopt the name Oak Grove.

Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.

During discussion Commissioner Penn-Williams stated that at some point in this process she thought it appropriate to name a structure after Curtis O. Law. Mr. Bovilsky suggested that given his passion for education, the new Colonial Village Learning Center could be named in his honor at a future meeting.

AYES 
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Dupervil

All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.

18-74 Commissioner Dupervil moved to approve:

c. Minutes of the September 8, 2022 meeting

Commissioner Ingraham seconded the motion.

AYES 
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Dupervil

All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.

18-75 Commissioner Penn-Williams move to approve:

d. Commissioners and Staff to Attend PHADA's 2023 Commissioners Conference to be held at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Lake Buena Vista, Florida January 8-11, 2023at an early bird conference registration rate of $495 per person and a room rate of $209 a night plus taxes and fees.

Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.

AYES 
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Dupervil

All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.

18-76 Commissioner Church moved to approve:

e. Department Reports

Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.

AYES 
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Dupervil

All in favor by show of hands. Motion was carried.

18-77 Commissioner Church made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss the Executive Director's contract. Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams seconded the motion. All in favor. The Commissioners moved into Executive Session.

Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams made a motion to return to the Regular Session. Commissioner Church seconded the motion.

Commissioners returned to the Regular Session.

18-78 Commissioners moved to add the Executive Director's contract review to both the November 10th agenda and as an Executive Session item.

Commissioner Church moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion. All in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 7:00PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

___________________________
Adam Bovilsky
Executive Director