Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 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, November 12, 2014. I. Roll Call Chairman Baillargeon called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM and the following answered present: Alice Cunningham Marion Rucker Paul Gauthier Hector Baillargeon Wilma Sullivan was excused. Also present was Charles C. Whitty, Executive Director. The Partnership to End Homelessness of Southeastern Connecticut (PEHSECT), a Continuum of Care (CoC), gave a presentation to the Board that highlighted its mission of creating partnerships of strong collaboration to address the region’s homeless needs. II. PUBLIC HEARING A. Proposed base rent increase for the State Elderly program effective January 1, 2015. Chairman Baillargeon called the public hearing to order and asked if anyone present had any comments on the proposed base rent increase for the State Elderly program effective January 1, 2015. There were no comments. Mr. Whitty noted that no written comments had been received. The Board and staff previously held informational sessions for all three (3) State Elderly developments. Chairman Baillargeon closed the public hearing. III. Minutes A. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on October 8, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. B. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the special meeting held on October 30, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. C. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the special meeting held on October 30, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – November 12, 2014 page 2 D. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the special meeting held on October 30, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. IV. Communications V. Committee Reports A. The Homeownership Committee did not meet. B. The Rent Review Committee did not meet. VI. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Mr. Rucker moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to approve the bills for October, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Report – Mr. Whitty noted that the Authority had 6 vacancies as of November 1, 2014. These units have been leased already to new tenants. Ms. Cunningham moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the November 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 contract for the Eastwood Court roof replacement project was signed on September 29, 2014. The project started on October 20, 2014 and is ninety (90%) percent complete. The Westwood Park electric panel upgrade project will be bid in December. The Authority recently received notification that the company that manufactured and supplied the parts for the wireless fire alarm system at Rosewood Manor and Schwartz Manor was no longer in business. The Authority is working with Fuss & O’Neill on the fire alarm portion of the State Elderly Electrical and Alarm Upgrade project. Bids for the fire alarm replacement at all three (3) State Elderly complexes will be opened on November 17, 2014. Mr. Mainville reviewed an additional proposal to complete the tree trimming and removal work at Hillside Terrace. The trees have caused damage to the roofs and siding and need to be trimmed away or cut down to prevent further damage. 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 with a reduced project scope 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 Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to receive the report. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – November 12, 2014 page 3 D. Section 8 Voucher Portfolio Report - As of November 1, 2014, the total portfolio was 508 Housing Choice Vouchers. Ms. Cunningham moved and Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion to receive the report. Motion carried unanimously. E. Other Items – None. VII. Unfinished Business There was no unfinished business to discuss. VIII. New Business A. Mr. Rucker moved to adopt Resolution R-14-11-1191 to approve a $20.00 base rent increase in the State Elderly Program effective January 1, 2015. Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. B. Ms. Cunningham moved to adopt Resolution R-14-11-1192 to approve the trimming and removal of trees at Hillside Terrace. Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Rucker moved and Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion to withdraw Resolution R-14- 11-1193 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to suspend the rules to receive substitute Resolution R-14-11-1193. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – November 12, 2014 page 4 C. Mr. Gauthier moved to adopt substitute Resolution R-14-11-1193 to approve the award of the bid for the State Elderly Housing Fire Alarm Project. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. D. Commission Members - There was no comment. E. Community Portion of the Meeting – There was no comment. F. Other – None. IX. Executive Session X. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:55 PM. Respectfully submitted, Charles C. Whitty Executive Director Minutes approved on December 10, 2014 Hector R. Baillargeon Chairman