December 12, 2024 Minutes

MINUTES OF A MEETING

The Regular Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners convened at 5:36pm December 12, 2024.

Location: Zoom Video Conference

Present:
Brenda Penn-Williams, Chair
John Church, Treasurer
Isaac Walcott, Commissioner
Teneshia, Jacobs, Commissioner

Absent:
Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Vice Chair

Staff Attending:
Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Alison Mukhtar, Director of Operation
Charmaine Davis-Ford, Director of Finance
Lisa Endo, Director of Development
Linda Rolle, Director of Grants
Leroy Fender, Director of Maintenance
Greg Lickwola, Director of Modernization
Ann 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 5:36 pm, Chair Penn-Williams opened the meeting. Chair Penn-Williams recognized Treasurer John Church, Commissioner Isaac Walcott, and Commissioner Teneshia Jacobs as present acknowledging a quorum was established. Ms. Penn-Williams noted Vice Chair Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery was not expected at tonight's meeting

Report of the Secretary:

Mr. Bovilsky presented updates:

a. Grant funding recently received includes:
- $5,000 continuing contribution from the Maurice Goodman Foundation
- $75,000 grant from the Ritter Family Foundation to support the Learning Center
Student Success tutoring program.
- Along with fifty (50) new computers, the Comcast Corporation Project Up program donated $10,000 to support the Learning Center Student Success tutoring program.

b. Eighty- Eight Thanksgiving Turkeys were distributed to Learning Center families.

c. Major projects in progress include:
- Closing on and moving to a new office, this will be discussed in tonight's Executive Session.
- Demolition of Meadow Gardens begins in December
- The Central Office implemented PHA software, which supports the Finance Team, the Maintenance Department and Housing Operations. Our goal is to improve communication, efficiency and effectiveness with HUD, tenants, landlords and vendors.
- Opening Oak Grove- February 7, 2025 6/7 buildings.
- Draft RFP for strategic planning 2025 and & Decentralization is prepared and will be finalized in January.

d. Upcoming events and Board meetings:
- December 19th - Norwalk Chamber of Commerce Holiday Reception at Shore and Country Golf Club
- Due to a conflict with an upcoming PDADA conference January 5-8, 2025, Commissioners agreed to change the date of the Regular January 6th Board Meeting to January 16, 2025.
- February 13, 2025 Regular Board Meeting

New Business:

Mr. Bovilsky presented the Request for Proposal (RFP) for repairing the Ludlow Commons elevators, L Ludlow Commons, a congregate living facility housing managed by Human Services, houses frail residents which require the use of wheelchairs. Gina Hutchinson, the Ludlow Commons Residential Manager, recommended repairing and modernizing the elevator to better accommodate all residents. After obtaining three quotes for the repairs, Ms. Hutchinson suggests selecting Schindler Elevator, as they submitted the lowest bid with the most suitable schedule and timing for the project. CHFA has the approved financing of this project.

30-80 Treasurer Church moved to approve:

a. Schindler Elevator to modernize the Ludlow Commons elevator

Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.

Ayes 
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor. Motion was carried.

Mr. Bovilsky introduced the next item which was the acceptance of the Comcast/Xfinity Service Agreement to provide Xfinity digital service to Roodner Court. Mr. Bovilsky noted that Norwalk Housing Attorney Donna Lattarulo vetted the contract.

30-81 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:

b. Comcast/Xfinity Agreement to install wiring to Norwalk Housing properties.

Treasurer Church seconded the motion.

Attorney Lattarulo noted that Xfinity will submit a separate contract for each building and this current vote would allow Xfinity to install service at all buildings.

Ayes 
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor. Motion was carried.

Mr. Bovilsky introduced the request for approval of a commercial lease agreement with the Bamu Project LLC, to utilize kitchen space at Ludlow Commons. He explained that the kitchen space would be used at times when it is not being utilized to prepare meals for Ludlow Commons residents. Mr. Bovilsky also noted that Marie Carlucci, a managing partner of the Bamu Project, is the daughter of Kras Carlucci, the NHA Deputy Director.

30-82 Treasurer Church move to approve:

c. Lease of Ludlow Commons kitchen to the Bamu Project, LLC

Commissioner Walcott moved to second the motion.

Attorney Lattarulo stated that she had fully researched the contract explaining that the Bamu Project was fully insured for use and would be paying fair market rates for the space. Commissioner Walcott indicated that his vote was contingent upon the condition that the kitchen would be made available to any eligible user in the future.

Ayes 
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor. Motion was carried.

30-83 Treasurer Church moved to approve:

d. Commissioners and staff to attend the 2025 Mid-Winter Conference & Exhibition to be held at Mohegan Sun Sky Convention Center at a member registration cost of $675 person and room rate of $259 per night plus taxes and fees.

Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.

Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor. Motion was carried.

30-84 Treasurer Church moved to approve:

e. Minutes of the meeting of November 14, 2024

Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.

Ayes 
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor. Motion was carried.

Mr. Bovilsky noted the next item on the agenda was the Department Reports and introduced Nicole Ruffin and Charmaine Davis-Ford as presenters for the evening. Ms. Ruffin took the floor and shared that NHA currently employs 111 staff members. She introduced the names of new employees referencing the positions they have filled and highlighted the open positions. Ms. Ruffin explained that in addition to overseeing the onboarding of newly hired employees and monitoring requirements of established staff, she acts as a liaison between Norwalk Housing and the Norwalk Police Department.

Mr. Bovilsky then turned the meeting over to Charmaine Davis-Ford to present the Finance Report. Ms. Davis-Ford provided an update on accounts receivable and outstanding balances, noting that the Finance Department is continuing to work with fifty-one families under repayment agreements. She also presented the operating statements for Colonial Village, Federal amps, and Section 8. The last segment of her presentation included a review of monthly bills.

30-85 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:

f. Department Reports

Treasurer Church seconded the motion.

Ayes 
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor. The motion was carried.

Mr. Bovilsky asked Alison Mukhtar, Charmaine Davis-Ford, Lisa Endo, Leala Marlin and Donna Lattarulo to remain for the Executive Session, while the rest of the staff left the meeting.

30-86 Treasurer Church made a motion to adjourn to the Executive Session.

Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.

Ayes 
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor. Motion was carried.

At 7:02

30-87 Treasurer Church made a motion to exit the Executive Session.

Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.

Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor. Motion was carried.

30-88 Treasurer Church move to add an item to the agenda:

g. To act on real estate matters discussed in the Executive Session.

Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.

Ayes 
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor. The motion was carried.

30-89 Chair Penn-Williams moved to:

h. Cease attempting to finalize the real estate transaction discussed in the Executive Session.

Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.

Ayes                                            No 
Chair Penn-Williams                      Treasurer Church
Commissioner Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs

All in favor. Motion was carried.

30-90 Treasurer Church moved to adjourn the meeting.

Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion. All if favor.

The meeting adjourned at 7:27pm.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director