Fitchburg Housing Authority

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK May 21 2024 1:50 pm Fitchburg Housing Authority Minutes of FHA Regular Board Meeting, April 17, 2024 Daniels Heights Community Room, 1 Daniels Heights Street, Fitchburg, MA A Regular Meeting of the Fitchburg Housing Authority was called to order by Chair, Linda Byrne at 8:45 AM on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in the Daniles Heights Community Room at 1 Daniles Heights Street in the City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Present: Absent: FHA Board Members: FHA Board Members: Linda Byrne, Chair Thomas Hughes, Member-State Appointee Adam Goodwin, Vice Chair David Rousseau, Member-Tenant Representative David Basilio, Treasurer FHA Staff: Douglas M. Bushman, Esq., Executive Director & CPO, FHA Board Secretary FHA Staff: Andrew Skoog, Deputy Director Kim Hergert, Director of Finance & HR Yoko Ishii, Executive Clerical Assistant Genesis Ruiz, Director of Public & Community Housing Bruce Budrick, Director of Maintenance and Facilities Alicia Santucci, Executive Clerical Assistant Mayor’s Office Myles Phillips-Wilcox, Deputy Chief of Staff, Fitchburg Mayor’s office FHA Tenants: Daniels Heights -Janice Spellane, Bette Vancour, Milagro Ortiz, Quorum: Yes (Quorum Requirement: Three FHA Board Members) 1. Motion to Open Meeting Chair, Linda Byrne opened the meeting at 8:45 am Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 2. Motion to Open Public Comment on Agenda Items, Maintenance, & Occupancy Issues Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor Janice Spellane of Daniels Heights tenant said that yesterday’s Daniels Heights listening session was great and productive, and lots of misunderstood issues were taken care of. Bette Vancour, Daniles Heights tenant, claimed that her back hallway needs to be cleaned by showing some pictures to the Board, also she addressed the trash issue. Douglas Bushman, Executive Director stated that the FHA now has 10 full maintenance staff and anticipated it to be resolved more quickly. The Chair stated that tenants should contribute to keep common areas clean. Milagro Ortiz, Daniels Heights tenant, complained about the neighbor’s noise issue. Andrew Skoog, Deputy Director spoke about the 30-Day notice to the tenant. 3. Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Session Meeting held on March 20, 2024 Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 4. Motion to Approve FHA Payables for March -April FY 24 (Attachment A) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 5. FY2024 Budget Submitted- resubmitted $220,000 exemption for the vacancy project. Waiting for the final approval. . 6. Tenant Account Receivable (TAR) Updates (Attachment B) The Executive Director updated TAR, the FHA received more collections. “Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family”  7. Audit The Executive Director spoke about the FY 23 Audit, and the PMR is skipped this year, David Basilio, Treasurer, asked who does the Audit. The Executive Director replied, multiple firms will conduct the audits. 8. Welcome New Maintenance The Two newest maintenances, Alexandr Algarin, and Ramon Nieves introduced before the bord meeting. The Executive Director updated maintenance team positioning. The Board discussed maintenance uniforms for residents’ safety. 9. Motion to Approve MA DLS Wage Rate Modification (Attachment C) Move: : Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor The Board discussed about the difference of the wage between foreman and assistant foreman. 10. High School Students Internship Program The Executive Director spoke about the high school internship program in maintenance related to the vacancy program. 11. College Student Intern The Executive Director updated Mr. Hughes’s son will be hired as a College Intern this year. 12. Vacancy The deputy Director spoke about the evictions and vacancies. The Chair asked once evicted how long takes until they are leaving. The deputy Director answered that it could be up to 90 days. Also mentioned, the improvement in vacancies can be seen at Wallace Tower in April. The board discusses the fee and waiver on vacancies. 13. Union Agreement Mediation The Deputy Director updated Union Negotiation matter; the Board discussed in the Executive session about this topic. Resident Services The Chair spoke about how great Marci Haneisen is doing. The Executive Director spoke about that both RSC grants were approved, and he stated that the FHA will hire another RSC. The Chair asked how many RSC will be in the FHA. The Executive Director replied that there will be Three RSC, Marci works for FSS (HUD) and RSC Task as well, Other two RSC work for the State RSC tasks. Construction 14. Project# 097120 Daniels Heights Parking & Curb Replacement Project The Deputy Director spoke about the parking project in Daniels Heights. We will request more work and resubmit to the state. The project will be done next year. 15. Project# 097132 Wallace Tower Bidding Stage The Deputy Director updated that we are out to Bid on this project. The Sub constructor bid result comes on April 22. On May 6th we will know the Bid Result for prequalified General Constructor. David Basilio, Treasure, asked if the windows & doors are added. The Deputy Director answered this is still an alternative, but a floor was added. 16. Project# 097156 Creative Placemaking, C. J. Durkin The Deputy Director explained that it is ready to go out Bid. 17. Project# 097161 76 Mechanic Street The Executive Director updated the Board that the Bid will be gone out. The Chair asked if we are making this a veteran’s housing. The Executive Director replied that he is working on it. He mentioned that the FHA will have a house tour for the board once it is done. “Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family” 18. Project# 097181 Storm Door Replacement Project-Green Acres, Force Account The Deputy Director stated that this project is ongoing, replaced 20 doors. 19. Project# 097187 Green Acres Basements- Water Infiltration – Bruce Budrick, Director of Maintenance and Facilities is working on it. 20. Motion to Approve Lowest & Responsive Bid Project# 097201_Wallace Tower Asbestos Abatement Project Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor The Executive Director stated that This motion will authorize the Executive Director and the FHA Chair to execute a contract with the lowest and responsive bid after approval from EOHLC. 21. Motion to Approve Project# 097202_Design Selection Committee Emergency Roof Replacement-C. J. Durkin Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor The FHA Subcommittee voted to approved CSS Architects Inc for the project. However the FHA request that the full FHA board also vote on accepting CSS as well. 22. 174 Milk Street Renovation Project The Executive Director gave Genesis Ruiz, Director of Public & Community Housing credits for designing and picking the interior the kitchen. 23. Motion to Enter to Executive Session (at 9:39am) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 24. Motion to Close to Executive Session (at 10:00am) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 25. Motion to Adjourn Regular Session (at 10:00am) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor “Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family”