October 8, 2020 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting

The Special Meeting of the Housing Authority of the City of Norwalk was held at 6:00 PM Thursday, October 8, 2020.  

LOCATION: Zoom Video Conference

PRESENT:
Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Greg Lickwola, Construction Manager
Tom Ivers, CNI Director
Kras Carlucci, Director of Operations
Nicole Ruffin, Director of Human Resources
Wendy Gerbier, Director of Learning Center
Donna Lattarulo, Attorney

PUBLIC ATTENDING:
Johnnie Mae Weldon
Dr. Marie Allen
Deputy Chief Walsh, NPD (executive session only)
Yvette Goorevitch, NPS Chief of Specialized Learning

Meeting began at 6:04 pm.

Chairman Ingraham opened the meeting via Zoom video and recognized the following commissioners present - Vice Chair Brenda Penn-Williams, Treasurer Sheri Brown, and Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery. Chairman Ingraham noted existence of a quorum.

Report of the Secretary:

Mr. Bovilsky presented updates on the following:

• Reporting regarding Soundview Landing Phase 3 DIMEO Workforce hiring initiatives
• COVID 19 monitoring reflecting only two active cases in one development and no other NHA properties. NHA continues to offer testing to residents through the Community Health Center. Kras Carlucci and staff in conjunction with the Norwalk Health Department is continuing to support and update residents regarding COVID 19 safety protocol. COVID 19 Office renovations reconfiguring workspaces and common areas are in process.
• Colonial Village Phase One financing was successfully completed and construction should begin mid-November. Phase Two plans are currently before the Conservation Commission and Zoning Commission. Phase Two Construction is slated to begin the summer of 2022.
• Recap of data on former Washington Village residents returning to Soundview Landing. All tenants with a right of return have been offered units. Some residents have chosen to remain outside of the development with the use of their Tenant Protection Vouchers. Adam noted the new police van funded by CNI has arrived. One of its many uses will be to create a greater police presence at Ryan Park.
• Kras Carlucci and staff are in process of developing the Annual PHA plan. The first Advocates and Community Partners meeting is scheduled November 3rd.
• Next Board meeting is scheduled November 10th and will be held in the Zoom format. At the December 10th meeting the PHA Annual plan will be submitted for Public comment and Board approval.

17-27 Commissioner Brown moved to table:

3.
a. - Discussion of the Section 8 reporting data in addition to
b. - September 8, 2020 minutes and
c. - Department reports.

Commissioner Bermúdez-Montgomery seconded the motion.

Commissioners agreed tabling these items would lessen time spent on official business, allowing additional time for the Executive Session.

Ayes
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Sheri Brown
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery

NO

ABSTAINED

All in favor. Motion was carried.

17-28 Commissioner Brown moved to approve.

a. Commissioners and Staff to attend the NAHRO 2020 National ONLINE Conference November 17-18 at a cost of $145 per member attendee. Early bird Special registration October 13th.

Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion.

Ayes
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Sheri Brown
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery

NO

ABSTAINED

All in favor. Motion was carried.

At 6:32 pm

Commissioner Brown moved begin the Executive Session to discuss a pending legal matter, including Adam Bovilsky, Kras Carlucci, Nicole Ruffin and Donna Lattarulo as staff in attendance. Members of the public, Johnnie Mae Weldon, Dr. Marie Allen, Deputy Chief Walsh, and Yvette Goorevitch were also permitted to stay to provide information to the Commissioners.

Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion.

Remaining Norwalk Housing staff and public were asked to leave the meeting.

Ayes
Commissioner Ingraham
Commissioner Sheri Brown
Commissioner Dupervil
Commissioner Penn-Williams
Commissioner Liza Bermúdez-Montgomery

NO

ABSTAINED

All in favor. Motion was carried.

At 7:51 Mr. Bovilsky reported on two motions:

Commissioner Dupervil moved to table the vote on the legal matter until the November board meeting.

Commissioner Penn-Williams seconded the motion.

All Commissioners were in favor. Motion was carried.

Commissioner Brown moved to come out of the Executive Session.

Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.

All Commissioners were in favor. Motion was carried.

At 7:55 Commissioner Penn-Williams moved to adjourn the meeting.

Commissioner Dupervil seconded the motion.

All Commissioners in favor. The meeting was adjourned.

The meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Adam Bovilsky
Executive Director /Secretary