September 19, 2024 Minutes
MINUTES OF A MEETING
The Regular Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners convened at 5:35pm September 19, 2024.
LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference
PRESENT: Brenda Penn-Williams, Chair
Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Vice Chair 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
Linda Rolle, Director of Grants
Anna Keegan, Director of Policy and MTW Wendy Gerbier, Director of Learning Centers Nicole Ruffin, Director of Human Resources Sherreida Reid, Partnership Manager
Donna Lattarulo, General Council
ROLL CALL:
At 5:36pm, Chair Penn-Williams opened the meeting. Chair Penn-Williams recognized Vice Chair Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Treasurer John Church, Commissioner Isaac Walcott, and Commissioner Teneshia Jacobs as present acknowledging the presence of a quorum.
Mr. Bovislky introduced Sherreida Reid the newly hired Partnership Manager. Lisa Roger, the longtime serving CNI Partnership manager will be retiring at the end of September.
Report of the Secretary:
Mr. Bovilsky presented the following updates:
a. As a result of the following closings Norwalk Housing received the following in bond fees:
• $625,650 Monterey Village - July 24, 2024
• $480,00 Wall Street Place - August 14, 2024
b. Recent donations to the Norwalk Housing scholarship fund include:
• $25,000 - Proceeds from the Mayor's Ball
• $85,000 - Bauer Family Foundation
• $2,500 - Carl Gerald Cooke Charitable Fund
• $5,000 - Orenstein Family Foundation
• $10,000 - The Per and Astrid Heidenreich Family Foundation
c. Successful Scholarship Ceremony held July 31, 2024, in the M & T Magnificent Room at the SoNo Collection. This ceremony reflected a substantial increase in participants. Sponsors included Pinstripes, SoNo Collection and Costco.
d. Replacement of Main Avenue bathrooms, siding and windows and entry doors have been completed.
e. Upcoming closing of Senior Housing and Colonial Village 2-Bedroom waitlist.
f. 2025 Fair Market Rent set by HUD and the NHA's setting of our payment standards and explained the process by which these payment standards are set.
g. Major projects currently undertaken by Norwalk Housing include:
- Moving to a new office, plans are still in progress
- HOTMA & 5-Year /Annual Plan/ MTW Supplement due 10/2024
- Demolition of Meadow Gardens scheduled 11/ 2024
- New software installation transitioning to PHA Web starting 11/2024
- Opening of Oak Grove 3/2024
- Strategic planning 2025
h. Upcoming events and Board meetings include:
- October 10 at 5:30pm scheduled Regular Board of Commissioners meeting
- October 18 at 6:00pm NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet
- November 14 at 5:30pm scheduled Regular Board of Commissioners meeting
New Business:
Adam Bovilsky presented an overview of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process employed by Norwalk Housing to select a qualified, registered, and certified HAZMAT consultant. This consultant will be responsible for monitoring services for the abatement activities during the Meadow Gardens redevelopment project.
30-41 Treasurer Church moved to approve:
a. Eagle Environmental, Inc to perform HAZMAT abatement monitoring for Meadow Gardens.
Vice Chair Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
Mr. Bovilsky noted these services will be funded with a DECD Brownfields grant awarded to Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, which will be passed through to NHA. Mr. Bovilsky also noted that Eagle Environmental, Inc is familiar with this project and has relevant experience with Brownfield grants.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery, Treasurer Church,
Commissioner Walcott, Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Mr. Bovilsky turned the meeting over to Attorney Lattarulo. Attorney Lattarulo presented the Environmental Land Use Restrictions (ELUR) to be filed for certain buildings at Soundview Landing located at 13- and 20-Day Street. Attorney Lattarulo stated as the parcel of land located at 13- and 20-Day Street were remediated these ELUR filing documents are a State of CT requirement.
30-42 Vice Chair Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve adoption of:
c. Environmental Land Use Restrictions (ELUR) for Phase 1 at 13- and 20-Day Street
Treasurer Church seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery, Treasurer Church,
Commissioner Walcott, Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Mr. Bovilsky noted that the next item was taken out of order.
Mr. Bovilsky then provided a brief background on the Fair Housing Commission, emphasizing its significance for the City of Norwalk and its residents. He noted that the commission plays a role in promoting equitable housing opportunities and addressing discrimination. Additionally, he mentioned the term expiration of Sheri Pritchett, who served as Norwalk Housing's representative on the commission, creating an opening for a new appointee.
30-43 Chair Penn-Williams moved to:
b. Appoint Brenda Penn-Williams as the Norwalk Housing Authority's representative to the City of Norwalk Fair Housing Advisory Commission.
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.
Mr. Bovilsky presented the background of the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing grant and stated if NHA were awarded this grant, it would provide both funding for the development of the property as well as ongoing funding for services. The first step in applying for the grant is to send a Letter of Intent to the local Continuum of Care ("CoC"). The CoC then will choose one agency to apply on behalf of the county to HUD for this competitive grant.
30-44 Commissioner Walcott moved to ratify:
d. Letter of Intent (LOI) to Opening Doors of Fairfield Count for HUD Permanent Supportive Housing grant.
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.
Mr. Bovilsky stated that if Norwalk Housing were to become Fairfield County's representative for the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing Grant it would then become necessary to apply for the HUD Supportive Housing Grant.
30-45 Commissioner Jacobs moved to approve:
e. Authorization to apply for HUD Permanent Supportive Housing grant Treasurer Church seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery, Treasurer Church,
Commissioner Walcott, Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Presentation on 5-Year Plan, Annual Plan and Moving to Work (MTW) Supplement
Mr. Bovilsky then introduced Kras Carlucci who provided an overview of the Norwalk Housing 5-Year Plan and Annual Plan, highlighting the major past programs and policies and future planned activities of the agency.
Kras Carlucci introduced changes to the Moving to Work (MTW) supplement affecting both Section 8 participants and Section 8 Landlords. Chair Penn-Williams stated as part of the Administration Plan for Section 8, she would like the board to consider allowing heads of household to bring their parents onto their vouchers. Mr. Bovilsky stated there were several policy considerations involved in this decision and staff would like time to come up with a list of pros and cons to such a policy.
Ms. Carlucci then presented an update on the Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) changes required by HUD, which brings significant changes to the administration of Section 8 and Public Housing programs. She announced plans for sessions with residents to provide detailed information on what to expect regarding these changes.
Additionally, Ms. Carlucci mentioned that yesterday, on September 18th, HUD issued a memo indicating a delay in the implementation of HOTMA provisions relating to participant income and asset calculations. In response, the Norwalk Housing Authority proposes that the HOTMA updates which are covered by this delay be included in an appendix that will go into effect on HUD's new implementation date, whenever that is announced.
Ms. Carlucci also presented changes to the (ACOP) Admissions and Continuing Occupancy Plan.
Mr. Bovilsky responded to Commissioner queries regarding the policy changes and reiterated that tonight's presentation was an executive summary of the formal plans available on our website and in the lobby of the Housing Authority. A public hearing and final vote will take place at the October 10, 2024, meeting.
Mr. Bovilsky noted that the development of the new Oak Grove Learning Center presents an opportunity for naming rights. One suggestion is to name after Curtis Law, the founder of both the Learning Centers and the Norwalk Housing Foundation.
30-46 Chair Penn-Williams moved to:
g. Name the new Oak Grove Learning Center after Curtis Law.
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.
Mr. Bovilsky introduced a suggested change to the Norwalk Housing Authority's personnel policy on education reimbursement. Staff recommends expanding Education Assistance to include part-time staff. He noted that this change would not cover the cost of fees but will cover the tuition.
30-47 Chair Penn-Williams moved to approve:
h. Revisions to the personnel policy re: Section 406: Education Assistance to include part-time staff
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.
30-48 Treasurer Church moved to approve:
i. Tuition assistance in the amount of $5,400 for Sheiree Powel to attend Sacred Heart University.
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.
30-49 Chair Penn-Williams moved to approve:
i. Tuition assistance in the amount of $4,200 for Jill Murray to attend the University of Bridgeport.
Treasurer Church seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery, Treasurer Church,
Commissioner Walcott, Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
30-50 Treasurer Church moved to approve:
j. Nan McKay HCV Specialist virtual training, with exam, for three Section 8 Specialists, September 23-27, at a total cost of $4,050.
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery, Treasurer Church,
Commissioner Walcott, Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
30-51 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:
k. Sherreida Reid and Nadine Delcin to attend the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce Norwalk Leadership Institute at a cost of $1750.
Treasurer Church seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery, Treasurer Church,
Commissioner Walcott, Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
30-52 Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:
l. Minutes of the meeting July 11, 2024
Chair Penn-Williams seconded the motion.
AYES
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery, Treasurer Church,
Commissioner Walcott, Commissioner Jacobs
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Mr. Bovilsky turned the meeting over to Charmaine Davis-Ford for the financial report. Due to the cancellation of the August meeting, the report reflects May tenant collection data, including receivable rates and outstanding balances. Ms. Davis-Ford noted that NHA is working with fifty-nine tenants facilitating repayment agreements. She then discussed the Colonial Village ledger along with the consolidated gross income and expenditures for Federal properties. She highlighted that, because of the finance department's conservative projections, Section 8 income exceeded budget projections.
Mr. Bovilsky noted that most meetings typically involve two departments presenting to the Commissioners. Tonight, Anna Keegan was scheduled to present the 5-Year plan, the Annual plan and MTW supplement information she had prepared. Although she was unable to present at tonight's meeting, she was available to answer questions.
30-53 Treasurer Church moved to approve:
m. Department Reports July 11, 2024
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.
30-54 Treasurer Church moved to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 7:46pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director