February 13,2025
MINUTES OF A MEETING
The Regular Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners convened at 5:38pm February 13, 2025.
Location: Zoom Video Conference
Present:
Brenda Penn-Williams, Chair
John Church, Treasurer
Teneshia, Jacobs, Commissioner
Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Vice Chair
Absent:
Isaac Walcott, Commissioner
Staff Attending:
Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Alison Mukhtar, Director of Operation
Anna Keegan, Director of Policy and MTW
Charmaine Davis-Ford, Director of Finance
Kras Carlucci, Deputy Director
Jeff Oduro, Director of Technology
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, Outside General Council, Lattarulo Law Firm, LLC
Roll Call:
At 5:35 pm, Chair Penn-Williams opened the meeting. Chair Penn-Williams recognized Vice Chair Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery, Treasurer John Church, and Commissioner Teneshia Jacobs as present acknowledging a quorum was established. She noted Commissioner Isaac Walcott was not expected at tonight's meeting.
Report of the Secretary:
Mr. Bovilsky presented updates:
a. Grant funding recently received:
$10,000 anonymous Scholarship Foundation grant from the New Canaan Community Fund
b. Funding Freeze:
Mr. Bovilsky outlined requests for information being made by the federal government of all federal programs.
c. Meeting with Vincent Tufo:
This meeting explored best practices that Norwalk Housing and its development and real estate division Sound Communities could adapt from Stamford Housing's model and its real estate division, Rippowam Corporation.
d. Major projects in progress include:
- Union Negotiations (contract ends 04/1/2025)
- Software switch to PHA Web is continuing, follow up training
- Demolition of Meadow Garden in progress
- March/April 2025 opening of Oak Grove
- Search for a new/temporary office
- Actively developing an RFP for strategic planning consultants
- Strategic Planning and Decentralization - 2025
e. Upcoming events and Board meetings:
- March 13, 2025 at 5:30 Regular Board Meeting
- April 1, 2025 Fiscal Year beginning
- April 10, 2025 at 5:30 Regular Board Meeting
New Business:
a. RAD / Section 18 Overview
Mr. Bovilsky turned the meeting over to Lisa Endo, who introduced the Leroy Downs project, which is an important piece of the larger South Norwalk Train Station project. Ms. Endo provided an overview of the RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) / Section 18 Blend, a redevelopment funding program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This program enables public housing authorities to convert public housing units into project-based rental assistance, such as Section 8 vouchers. If approved by the HUD, the RAD/Section 18 Blend could provide voucher subsidies that could help fund the new 79 South Main Street project, noting Leroy Downs residents would be relocated to 79 S. Main Street. She concluded by outlining the next steps, starting with resident meetings and a board resolution to approve Norwalk Housing/Sound Communities application for RAD/ Section 18.
Commissioners voiced concerns for the residents of Leroy Downs, especially since many are seniors, and emphasized the need to inform and support them throughout the relocation process. Mr. Bovilsky stated that an onsite Resident Service Coordinator will be available at the new 79 S Main building to support the tenants.
This presentation was for discussion only and a vote was not requested.
b. Mutual Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP)
Chair Penn-Williams requested that this draft be presented to the Mutual Housing Advisory Board before it was presented to the Norwalk Housing Commissioners. Mr. Bovilsky noted that on February 24th this draft ACOP was scheduled to be presented to the Mutual Housing Advisory Board.
The presentation would have been for discussion purposes only. A vote was not requested.
40-00 Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery moved to approve:
c. Staff and Commissioners to attend the PHADA 2025 Annual Convention, May 13-16, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Seattle Washington at an early bird conference registration price of $525.00 and a room rate of $277.00 per night (plus taxes).
Treasurer Church seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Jacobs
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in favor. Motion was carried.
40-01 Treasurer Church moved to approve:
d. Minutes of the January 16, 2025 Meeting
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Jacobs
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Mr. Bovilsky turned the meeting over to Anna Keegan, Director of Policy and Move to Work (MTW), who has a broad range of responsibilities related to policy and compliance with federal regulations while supporting the day-to-day operations housing programs.
Ms. Keegan presented a summary of activities she oversees:
1. HOTMA Compliance: Ensuring Public Housing and Section 8 programs comply with the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) which aims to streamline housing assistance.
2. PHA Plans: Collaborating with staff to develop and update the Annual and Five-Year Public Housing Agency (PHA) plans.
3. MTW (Move to Work) Policy: Overseeing of the Move to Work (MTW) program, compliance and serving as a key resource for NHA staff and managers regarding MTW.
4. MTW conference: representing NHA on the MTW panel at the annual national MTW conference, sharing insights and learning from other agencies.
5. Occupancy requirements: Regular meetings with Alison and staff to review changing occupancy requirements, ensuring that policies are up to date.
6. Forms and HUD Requirements: Updating and creating forms to ensure compliance with HUD requirements, ensuring that all paperwork is in line with federal standards.
7. NHA ACOP: Monitoring updates and changes to the NHA Administrative Plan (ACOP) and drafting the Mutual Housing ACOP, for updates/changes and create draft Mutual Housing ACOP, which details policies on tenant admissions, rents and occupancy.
8. Impartial Hearing Officer: Serving as an impartial hearing officer in cases related to housing disputes.
40-02 Treasurer Church moved to accept:
e. Department Reports January 2025
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Jacobs
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Lisa Endo and Attorney Lattarulo were asked to stay for the Executive Session along with Adam Bovilsky. The remaining NHA staff left the meeting.
40-03 Treasurer Church moved adjourn to the Executive Session.
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Jacobs
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in favor. The Commissioners adjourned to the Executive Session.
At 7:31
40-04 Commissioner Jacobs moved to exit the Executive Session.
Treasurer Church seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Jacobs
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in favor. The Commissioners returned to the Regular Meeting.
40-05 Chair Penn-Williams moved to:
Proceed with the real estate transaction as discussed in the Executive Session.
Treasurer Church seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Jacobs
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in favor. Motion was carried.
Before closing the meeting, Treasurer Church stated that he and his son attended the Learning Center Student Art Showcase, which was held at the Norwalk Art Space January 24th to February 26, 2025. Although this item was not on the agenda, he wanted to share with everyone that this event featured an impressive selection of artwork created by NHA Learning Center students. He expressed his appreciation for the talent and creativity displayed at the showcase.
40-06 Treasurer Church moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Treasurer Church
Commissioner Jacobs
Vice Chair Bermúdez-Montgomery
All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 7:34PM.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director