Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 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, May 14, 2014. 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 Hector Baillargeon Paul Gauthier was excused. Also present was Charles C. Whitty, Executive Director. II. Minutes Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on April 9, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. III. Communications A. State Quarterly Reports for March 31, 2014. Mr. Whitty reviewed the reports with the Board. Ms. Sullivan moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to receive the reports. 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 in the State Elderly, State Moderate and State Affordable programs. V. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to approve the bills for April, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – May 14, 2014 page 2 B. Vacancy Report – Mr. Whitty noted that the Authority had 9 vacancies as of May 1, 2014. These units have been leased already to new tenants. Mr. Rucker moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to receive the May 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 structural repairs and electrical work are complete. Bids were received on January 29, 2014 for the JFK I Roof Replacement Project – Phase 2 and a contract with JJS Universal Construction Company was signed on February 27, 2014. Work started on April 10, 2014 and is complete. The Authority submitted an application to the City of Norwich Community Development Office for PY 40 funding on March 5, 2014 for the JFK I Roof Replacement project – Phase 3. The Community Development Advisory Committee recommendation was to not fund the project. This funding request ($77,000.00) would enable the Authority to complete the balance of the roofing project at JFK I (11 buildings). These roofs are over 19 years old and badly need to be replaced in order to preserve and protect the integrity of the roofs and buildings. Without CDBG PY 40 funding, the project will remain unfinished. Action by the Norwich City Council on this request will take place on Monday, June 16, 2014. The Eastwood Court roof replacement project is currently being designed by Capital Studio Architects. This project will go out to bid at the end of August. 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. This project was not funded, however, the Authority will apply again during the next round of funding. The Authority has received an Assistance Agreement from DOH for planning preconstruction capital improvements at its state developments and a predevelopment planning grant for Sunset Park. The Federal REAC inspection will take place on June 10, 2014. Ms. Sullivan moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to receive the report. Motion carried unanimously. D. Section 8 Voucher Portfolio Report - As of May 1, 2014, the total portfolio was 485 Housing Choice Vouchers. Mr. Rucker moved and Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion to receive the report. Motion carried unanimously. VI. Unfinished Business There was no unfinished business to discuss. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – May 14, 2014 page 3 VII. New Business A. Ms. Cunningham moved to adopt Resolution R-14-05-1164 regarding Flat Rents for the Federal Low Income Public Housing units. Mr. Whitty reviewed the revised HUD mandated flat rent schedule with the Board and the reasons for the new rent structure. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes –Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. B. Mr. Rucker moved to adopt Resolution R-14-05-1165 to authorize bidding the Eastwood Court improvements project. Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes –Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. C. Mr. Rucker moved to adopt Resolution R-14-05-1166 relative to the Eastwood Court roof replacement project. Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes –Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. D. Ms. Sullivan moved to adopt Resolution R-14-05-1167 relative to a Planning Grant for Sunset Park. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. E. Commission Members - There was no comment. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – May 14, 2014 page 4 F. Community Portion of the Meeting – There was no comment. G. Other – There was no comment. VIII. Executive Session Mr. Rucker moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to enter into Executive Session at 5:35 PM to discuss a personnel matter. Motion carried unanimously. The Board requested that Mr. Whitty and Miss Drag be present for the Executive Session. Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to exit the Executive Session at 5:55 PM. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Baillargeon noted that no votes were taken in Executive Session. Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to suspend the rules to consider Resolution R-14-05-1168 regarding a job description for an Administrative and Property Management Aide and Resolution R-14-05-1169 establishing a pay rate for the Administrative and Property Management Aide. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Rucker moved to adopt Resolution R-14-05-1168 regarding a job description for an Administrative and Property Management Aide. Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Sullivan moved to adopt Resolution R-14-05-1169 establishing a pay rate for the Administrative and Property Management Aide. Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – May 14, 2014 page 5 IX. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Sullivan moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:05 PM. Respectfully submitted, Charles C. Whitty Executive Director Minutes approved on June 11, 2014 Hector R. Baillargeon Chairman