Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2014 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, February 12, 2014. I. Roll Call Chairman Baillargeon called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM and the following answered present: Marion Rucker Wilma Sullivan Paul Gauthier Hector Baillargeon Alice Cunningham was excused. Also present was Charles C. Whitty, Executive Director. II. Minutes Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on January 8, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. III. Communications Micheal Brillas of the Landon Group, the Authority’s Information Technology consultant, presented to the Board a proposal to update the Authority’s computer operating system and existing hardware. The current Microsoft XP operating system will not be supported in the near future by Microsoft. The upgrade proposed will be to Microsoft Windows 7. At risk would be the stability and security of the computer infrastructure system if an upgrade is not implemented. Mr. Brillas answered questions from the Board regarding the upgrade and the cost of the proposed improvements. A. State quarterly reports for December 31, 2013. Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the quarterly reports. Motion carried unanimously. B. Federal Low Income Public Housing Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2015 (April 1, 2014 – March 31, 2015). Mr. Gauthier moved and Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion to receive the budget. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – February 12, 2014 page 2 C. Recommendation letter dated February 6, 2014 from David Holmes, Capital Studio Architects, regarding the JFK I Roof Replacement Project. Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion to receive the report. 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. V. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion to approve the bills for January, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Report – Mr. Whitty noted that the Authority had 5 vacancies as of February 1, 2014. These units have been leased already to new tenants. Mr. Rucker moved and Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion to receive the February 1, 2014 report. Motion carried unanimously. C. Modernization Report - John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator, prepared the report. Mr. Whitty reviewed the same with the Board. The Westwood Park Utility Tunnel Project for A Court started on December 2, 2013 with Barry Associates, Inc. The abatement portion of the project has been completed and work is ongoing. Bids were received on January 29, 2014 for the JFK I Roof Replacement Project – Phase II. The Authority submitted an application for the State Elderly Electrical and Alarm Upgrade project to the State of Connecticut Department of Housing (“DOH”) on January 9, 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 February 1, 2014, the total portfolio was 505 Housing Choice Vouchers. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the report. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – February 12, 2014 page 3 VII. New Business A. Ms. Sullivan moved to adopt Resolution R-14-02-1152 the Federal Low Income Housing Program Operating Budget for FY 2015 (April 1, 2014 - March 31, 2015); B. Resolution R-14-02-1153 to award the John F. Kennedy Heights I Roof Replacement Project; and C. Resolution R-14-02-1154 to contract with Employee Assistance Program Services with Behavioral Health Connecticut, LLC d/b/a Solutions EAP. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes –Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. D. Mr. Rucker moved to adopt Resolution R-14-02-1155 to renew the contract with Landon Group, Inc. for computer technical services and support; and E. Resolution R- 14-02-1156 to upgrade the computer hardware and software. Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. F. Ms. Sullivan moved to adopt Resolution R-14-02-1157 regarding a pay increase for nonunion employees effective April 1, 2014. Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. G. Commission Members- There was no comment. H. Community Portion of the Meeting – There was no comment. I. Other – There was no comment. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – February 12, 2014 page 4 VI. Unfinished Business There was no unfinished business to discuss. VIII. Executive Session Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion to enter into Executive Session at 5:50 PM to discuss a legal matter. Motion carried unanimously. The Board requested that Mr. Whitty and Miss Drag be present for the Executive Session. Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Gauthier seconded to exit the Executive Session at 5:58 PM. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Baillargeon noted that no votes were taken. 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 6:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Charles C. Whitty Executive Director Minutes approved on March 12, 2014 Hector R. Baillargeon Chairman