July 11, 2024 Minutes
Minutes of Meeting
The Regular Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners convened at 5:36pm July 11, 2024.
LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference
PRESENT: Brenda Penn-Williams, Chair
Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Vice Chair - arrived at 5: 40pm
John Church, Treasurer
Isaac Walcott, Commissioner
Teneshia Jacobs, Commissioner
STAFF ATTENDING: Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Kras Carlucci, Deputy Director
Alison Mukhtar, Director of Operations
Charmaine Davis-Ford, Director of Finance
Lisa Endo, VP of Development
Wendy Gerbier, Director of Learning Centers
Nicole Ruffin, Director of Human Resources
Leroy Fender, Director of Maintenance
Donna Lattarulo, General Council
PUBLIC ATTENDING: Todd McClutchy, Principle, JHM Group
Andrew Murray, JHM Group
Roll Call:
At 5:36pm, Chair Penn-Williams opened the meeting. Chair Penn-Williams recognized Treasurer John Church, Commissioner Isaac Walcott, and Commissioner Teneshia Jacobs as present, acknowledging the presence of a quorum. She noted that Vice Chair Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery will join shortly.
Report of the Secretary:
Mr. Bovilsky presented the following updates:
a. Our Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program has seen another participant successfully graduate.
b. We have passed a milestone in the redevelopment of Meadow Gardens. Demolition signs were officially posted, with demolition scheduled to begin in October 2024. One tenant remains but will be relocating soon.
c. This year the scholarship program received fifty-four (54) applicants. The Scholarship Ceremony will be held at 5:30 PM July 31, 2024, at the Sono Collection M & T Magnificent Room.
d. Major Events Planning -
• CHFA and DECD Meadow Gardens funding application
• Finding then moving to a new central office
• October 2024 Implementation of HOTMA, Annual plan / 5-year plan / MTW Supplement due 2.5 months early
• October 2024 - demolition of Meadow Gardens
• December 2024- software system switch to PHA Web sometime in December
• January 2025 -Opening of Oak Grove
e. Upcoming Events / Board Meetings:
• July 31, 2024- Scholarship Ceremony 5:30 PM at SONO Mall
• August 8, and Sept 12, 2024, 5:30 PM via ZOOM- Regular Board Meetings
New Business:
30-20 Treasurer Church moved to approve:
a. Resolution Authorizing the issuance and sale of up to $64,000,000 in Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds, Series 2024, on behalf of JHM Financial Group LLC, for the development of Wall Street Place to be located at 61 Wall ST and 17 Isaacs ST, Norwalk CT.
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
Mr. Bovilsky reminded Commissioners that this development had been discussed previously and noted that all units of this development will be maintained as affordable housing at various levels of affordability from 30% to 80% Area Median Income. NHA's fee was also mentioned.
Todd McClutchy and Andrew Murray of JHM Group were available to answer questions.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Todd McClutchy and Andrew Murray left the meeting.
30-21 Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:
b. Executive Director to execute the Sub Recipients DECD Brownfields remediation grant Agreement for Meadow Gardens in the amount of $3.3M.
Treasurer Church seconded the motion.
Lisa Endo took the floor, explaining that this is a reimbursement grant. She also mentioned the use restrictions, stating this development must remain affordable housing. Adam Bovilsky thanked Senator Bob Duff, emphasizing that his support and leadership have been critical in helping us receive this grant.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
30-22 Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:
c. Commissioners and Staff to attend 2024 CONN NAHRO Annual Convention & Exhibition Sunday, August 25-28 at the Mohegan Sun Sky Convention Center Uncasville, Connecticut for a registration cost of $695.00 and room rate of $199.00 per night plus taxes and fees.
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
30-23 Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:
d. Commissioners and staff to attend the NAHRO National Conference and Exhibition September 26-28, at the Marriott Orlando World Center Hotel in Orlando, Florida for an early bird registration cost of $695 (thru 8/15/2024) and room rate of $289.13 per night including taxes and fees.
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
30-24 Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:
e. Commissioners and staff to attend the PHADA Legislative Conference, September 8-10 at the Royal Sonesta Washington D.C. Capitol Hill for a registration cost of $525.00 and a room rate of $259.00 per night plus taxes and fees. Treasurer Church seconded the motion.
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
30-25 Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:
f. Minutes of meeting June 13, 2024
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
g. Department Reports
Mr. Bovilsky introduced Charmaine Davis-Ford to present the Finance report. Ms. Davis-Ford stated that the accounts receivable report reflects an improving rent collection rate and that established repayments agreements are being received. She then reviewed the Operating Statement noting Federal operating income is increasing. She mentioned two extraordinary expenditures
1. Roodner Court Learning Center roof repair
2. King Kennedy sewer repair.
In response to Commissioner Walcott's question, Ms. Davis-Ford stated that Norwalk Housing does have insurance coverage for these repairs and that recovery for some of the costs is expected sometime in July. Ms. Davis-Ford stated that the financials are in good shape.
Mr. Bovilsky turned the floor over to Greg Lickwola to update Commissioners on recent and future modernization initiatives.
- June 2024, replacement of the single bottom elevator cylinder at 20 West was successful. The elevator has passed the State of CT inspection.
- July 2024, Replacement of Main Avenue bathrooms/siding/entry doors will begin next week
- September -December 2024, 20 West bathrooms will be replaced, and a new handicap ramp will be added.
- June 2024, the architect has signed the contract for preliminary drawings of new kitchens at 16 School Street. Work should be completed within 12 months. The funding process is just beginning.
- 2025, plans include replacement of Ludlow Village kitchens, bathrooms at John Shostack, and windows/sidewalks at Irving Freese Apartments.
Mr. Bovilsky then moved on to the addendums, leaving the Executive Session as the last item discussed during this meeting.
30-26 Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:
h. Staff and Commissioners to attend Leo Dauer Memorial Commissioners Conference. This conference offers three (3) working sessions with identical agendas and instructors. Registration costs are $895 per person. HDLI has negotiated a room rate of $485/night at the Harborside Inn, located on 3 South Water Street, Edgartown, MA, rates available only during conference dates.
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
30-27 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:
i. The utilization of Department of Housing (DOH) financial assistance in the form of a pre-development grant in the amount of $500,000 to assist with pre-development activities related to Mutual Housing properties.
Treasurer Church seconded the motion.
Mr. Bovilsky noted that this grant will be used for predevelopment costs. Approximately $210,000 of this grant would be allocated to the Hanford COOP and the remaining $290,000 would be allocated to 79 S. Main Street.
Staff not involved in the Executive Session left the meeting. Adam Bovilsky, Kras Carlucci, Lisa Endo and Charmaine Davis-Ford remained.
At 6:15pm
30-38 Commissioner Walcott moved to go into Executive Session.
Commissioner Church seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
At 7:54pm
30-39 Chair Penn-Williams moved to exit the Executive Session.
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
30-40 Chair Penn-Williams moved to adjourn the meeting.
Treasurer Church seconded the motion.
All in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:56pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________
Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director