Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 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, July 9, 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 Paul Gauthier Hector Baillargeon Also present was Charles C. Whitty, Executive Director. II. Minutes A. Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the special meeting held on June 18, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. III. Communications A. Letter dated June 18, 2014 from David Holmes, Partner, Capital Studio Architects, LLC, regarding a fee proposal for the Electric Panel Upgrades at Westwood Park. Mr. Whitty and Mr. Mainville reviewed the project with the Board. Mr. Mainville noted that this was a continuation of the Westwood Park utility tunnel rehabilitation project when new electrical feeders were extended to each apartment. Mr. Rucker moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to receive the communication. Motion carried unanimously. B. State Quarterly Reports for June 30, 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. The Board reviewed the HUD REAC inspection report from June 10, 2014. Mr. Whitty noted that the Authority scored 99 out of 100 points. Because of the high score, the Authority will not have another inspection until 2017 and will continue to be regarded by HUD as a High Performing PHA. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – July 9, 2014 page 2 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 June, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Report – Mr. Whitty noted that the Authority had 11 vacancies as of July 1, 2014. These units have been leased already to new tenants. Ms. Cunningham moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the July 1, 2014 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. 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 Westwood Park electric panel upgrades will be designed and the project will be bid in September or October. 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. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the report. Motion carried unanimously. D. Section 8 Voucher Portfolio Report - As of July 1, 2014, the total portfolio was 496 Housing Choice Vouchers. Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the report. Motion carried unanimously. E. Other Items – None. VI. Unfinished Business There was no unfinished business to discuss. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – July 9, 2014 page 3 VII. New Business A. Ms. Sullivan moved to adopt Resolution R-14-07-1175 to accept a proposal from Capital Studio Architects regarding the Electric Panel Upgrades at Westwood Park. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. B. Mr. Rucker moved to adopt Resolution R-14-07-1176 regarding the placement or erection of storage sheds and / or accessory buildings. Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion. Mr. Whitty reviewed with the Board the resolution and the need to clarify and amend the Authority’s policies regarding sheds, storage buildings or accessory structures on Authority property. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. C. Commission Members - There was no comment. D. Community Portion of the Meeting – There was no comment. E. Other – Mr. Whitty explained that because of a change in Connecticut General Statutes, Section 8-41 public housing authorities are required to adopt a Tenant Commissioner Election Policy (“Policy”). Mr. Whitty recommended that the Board authorize the Executive Director to enter into an agreement with the Connecticut Urban Legal Initiative, Inc. (“CULI”) to assist the Authority in developing and implementing such a Policy. Ms. Sullivan moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to suspend the rules to add Resolution R-14-07-1177 to the agenda relative to authorizing the Executive Director to enter into an agreement with CULI to assist the Authority in drafting and implementing a Tenant Commissioner Election Policy. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – July 9, 2014 page 4 Mr. Rucker moved to adopt Resolution R-14-07-1177 to enter into an agreement with the Connecticut Urban Legal Initiative, Inc. to assist the Authority in drafting and implementing a Tenant Commissioner Election Policy. Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Whitty thanked Ms. Sullivan for her assistance with processing the renters’ rebate forms for the residents at Westwood Park. VIII. Executive Session No executive session was held. IX. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:20 PM. Respectfully submitted, Charles C. Whitty Executive Director Minutes approved on August 13, 2014 Hector R. Baillargeon Chairman