Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2013 The Board of Commissioners (“Board”) of the Norwich Housing Authority (“Authority”) met in regular session at the main office of the Norwich Housing Authority, 10 Westwood Park, Norwich, Connecticut, at 4:30 PM, Wednesday, November 13, 2013. I. Roll Call Chairman Baillargeon called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM and the following answered present: Alice Cunningham Marion Rucker Wilma Sullivan Paul Gauthier Hector Baillargeon Also present was Charles C. Whitty, Executive Director. II. Minutes A. Ms. Sullivan moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on October 9, 2013. Motion carried unanimously. B. Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the special meeting held on October 25, 2013. Motion carried unanimously. III. Communications A. Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion to suspend the rules to receive a letter of recommendation from David Holmes, Capital Studio Architects, regarding the bids for the Structural and Building Systems Improvements at Westwood Park (A Court) that were opened on November 8, 2013. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator, reviewed the bids with the Board. A resolution awarding the bid is on the agenda. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the letter from Mr. Holmes. Motion carried unanimously. IV. Committee Reports A. The Homeownership Committee did not meet. B. The Rent Review Committee did not meet. Mr. Whitty stated that because of increased operating costs the Board may have to consider a base rent increase. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – November 13, 2013 page 2 V. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Ms. Cunningham moved and Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion to approve the bills for October 2013. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Report – Mr. Whitty noted that the Authority had 13 vacancies as of November 4, 2013. Seven (7) units have been leased already to new tenants. Mr. Rucker moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to receive the November 4, 2013 report. Motion carried unanimously. C. Modernization Report - John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator, prepared the report. Mr. Whitty and Mr. Mainville reviewed the same with the Board. Bids were opened on November 8, 2013 for the Westwood Park Utility Tunnel Project for A Court. Barry Associates, Inc. (“Barry”) is the low bidder. Barry was also the contractor for the Utility Tunnel Projects at C and B Courts. Capital Studio Architects (“CSA”) is updating the JFK I Roof Replacement Project – Phase II. The Norwich City Council approved $50,000.00 from CDBG Program Year 39 for this project which will be bid in January 2014. The Authority will be submitting an application for the State Elderly Electrical and Alarm Upgrade project to the State of Connecticut Department of Housing (“DOH”) in January 2014. The Authority has received an Assistance Agreement from DOH for planning preconstruction capital improvements at its state developments. Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion to receive the report. Motion carried unanimously. D. Section 8 Voucher Portfolio Report - As of November 1, 2013, the total portfolio was 501 Housing Choice Vouchers. Mr. Rucker moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to receive the report. Motion carried unanimously. E. Other Items – None. VII. New Business A. Mr. Rucker moved to adopt Resolution R-13-10-1130 to authorize the Executive Director to sign an Assistance with the State of Connecticut Department of Housing, relative to a preconstruction grant; B. Resolution R-13-11-1131 to authorize the Executive Director to sign a Certificate of Applicant and Affidavit of Commercial Transaction and Statutory Waiver of Notice and Hearing with the State of Connecticut Department of Housing, relative to a preconstruction grant; C. Resolution R-13-11-1132 to authorize the Executive Director to file an application for financial assistance with the State of Connecticut for housing rehabilitation and/or development project at Hillside Terrace (104-MR-18A); and D. Resolution R-13-11-1133 to authorize the Executive Director to file an application for financial assistance with the State of Connecticut for housing rehabilitation and/or development project at Eastwood Court (104-E-20), Harry Schwartz Manor (104-E-15) and Rosewood Manor (104-E-32 and 104-E-144). Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – November 13, 2013 page 3 Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. E. Ms. Sullivan moved to adopt Resolution R-13-11-1134 to award the Structural and Building System Improvements Project at Westwood Park (A Court) to Barry Associates, Inc. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to suspend the rules to consider Resolution R-13-11-1137 to authorize the Executive Director to file an application for financial assistance with the State of Connecticut for housing rehabilitation and/or development project at John F. Kennedy Heights II (104-AH-2) and Resolution R-13-11-1138 to contract with Fuss and O’Neill to assist the Authority in filing an application with the State of Connecticut Department of Housing and to complete the design work for the planned improvements at the State Elderly complexes. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Sullivan moved to adopt Resolution R-13-11-1137 to authorize the Executive Director to file an application for financial assistance with the State of Connecticut for housing rehabilitation and/or development project at John F. Kennedy Heights II (104-AH-2). Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Sullivan moved to adopt Resolution R-13-11-1138 to contract with Fuss and O’Neill to assist the Authority in filing an application with the State of Connecticut Department of Housing and to complete the design work for the planned improvements at the State Elderly complexes. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – November 13, 2013 page 4 Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Sullivan moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to move the Executive Session to the next agenda item. Motion carried unanimously. VIII. Executive Session Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to enter into Executive Session at 5:15 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter. Motion carried unanimously. The Board requested that Mr. Whitty be present for a portion of the executive session. Mr. Gauthier moved and Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion that the Board go back into regular session at 5:40 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. The Chairman stated that no votes were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Rucker moved and Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion to resume the agenda order. Motion carried unanimously. F. Ms. Sullivan moved to adopt Resolution R-13-11-1135 regarding a salary increase for the Deputy Executive Director/Finance Director. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. G. Ms. Sullivan moved to adopt Resolution R-13-11-1136 regarding a salary increase for the Executive Director. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. H. Commission Members – There was no comment. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – November 13, 2013 page 5 I. Community Portion of the Meeting – There was no comment. J. Other – None. VI. Unfinished Business There was no unfinished business to discuss. IX. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Rucker moved and Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:45 PM. Respectfully submitted, Charles C. Whitty Executive Director Minutes approved on December 11, 2013 Hector R. Baillargeon Chairman