March 29, 2023 Special Meeting
Minutes of Special Meeting
A Special Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was held at 5:30PM March 29, 2023.
LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference
PRESENT: Brenda Penn-Williams, Chair
Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Vice Chair
Isaac Walcott, Commissioner Treasurer
John Church, Commissioner
Rahoul Dupervil, Commissioner
STAFF ATTENDING: Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Kras Carlucci, Deputy Director
Anna Keegan, Operations 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
SOUND COMMUNITIES: David McCarthy, Oak Grove Co-Developer
Adam Bovilsky noted Chair Brenda Penn-Williams would be joining the meeting a few minutes late. Acting Chair Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery opened the meeting via Zoom and recognized Commissioner John Church, Commissioner Rahoul Dupervil and Commissioner Isaac Walcott as present and noted the existence of a quorum.
At 5:45PM Chair Brenda Penn-Williams arrived.
19-22 Commissioner Church moved to change the order of the meeting, moving item a. Selection of Oak Grove General Contractor to the first item to be discussed on the agenda.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
AYES
Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Walcott
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Lisa Endo took the floor introducing David McCarthy of Heritage Housing, who along with Sound Communities, NHA's wholly controlled subsidiary, is co-developing Oak Grove . Mr. McCarthy stated Heritage Housing's objective in this project is to develop, finance and lease the sixty-nine (69) new units at which point, if desired by Norwalk Housing, they would exit the partnership. Ms. Endo described the General Contractor selection criteria utilized by NHA and Heritage Housing. The selection of A. P. properties was recommended.
19-23 Commissioner Church moved to select:
a. A. P. Construction of Stamford, CT as the General Contractor to build Oak Grove sixty-nine (69) residential units and Community Center.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
Ms. Endo noted the projected start date is June 2023 and a construction timeline of 15-18 has been established.
AYES
Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Walcott
All in favor. Motion was carried.
At 6:02 David McCarthy left the meeting.
The meeting returned to the Report of the Secretary.
Mr. Bovilsky updated Commissioners about the current discussions with Mutual Housing regarding integration of Mutual Housing into the Sound Communities portfolio. Mr. Bovilsky stated at the April or May board meeting, following the completion of due diligence, this integration would be brought for a vote. Commissioners emphasized the mission of the Housing Authority - to maintain and expand high quality affordable housing in the City of Norwalk. A discussion followed regarding the benefits of preserving this affordable housing and the stress adding these properties to the NHA portfolio might place on the agency.
Mr. Bovilsky also noted the receipt of a $1.8 million CIF (Community Investment Fund) Grant from the State of Connecticut. This grant will be used towards the construction costs of building the Oak Grove Learning Center and management office.
Mr. Bovilsky then noted upcoming meeting dates. The April meeting has been moved to the 20th to accommodate Norwalk Public School spring break. The May meeting will be held on the regular 2nd Thursday of the month May 11th.
New Business:
Mr. Bovilsky turned the meeting over to Lisa Endo to present an updated Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) Program Income budget. Ms. Endo stated CNI Program Income was a result of the redevelopment of Washington Village and is funded by monies collected from categories such as developer fees, relocation fees and earned interest. Due to changes in commitments and identified needs Norwalk Housing staff is recommending an update to the CNI program income budget. The changes in the budget predominantly reflected re-assigning unused funding and the use of restricted funding over unrestricted funding towards the purchase of a new NHA headquarters.
19-24 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:
b. Updated Choice Neighborhood (CNI) Program Income Budget
Commissioner Church seconded the motion.
Commissioners reviewed budget allocations.
AYES
Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Walcott
All in favor. Motion was carried.
19-25 Commissioner Church mover to approve:
c. Alison Mukhtar and Maria Duhan to attend Nan McKay MTW Training in Washington DC, April 11-12, to be held at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill for a registration fee of $485 per person and room fee of $229 per night.
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
Commissioners emphasized the importance of continuing education opportunities for staff.
AYES
Commissioner Brenda Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Church
Commissioner Walcott
At 6:46pm
Commissioner Church moved to adjourn the meeting.
Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.
All in Favor. Motion was carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________
Adam Bovilsky
Executive Director