Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017 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, April 12, 2017. 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. II. Election of Officers Mr. Gauthier moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion that, in accordance with the amended by-laws of the Norwich Housing Authority, the following Commissioners be elected as officers of the Authority for a one year period, or until their successors are elected and qualified: Hector R. Baillargeon, Chairman Paul R. Gauthier, Vice-Chairman Marion G. Rucker, Assistant Treasurer Wilma Sullivan, Assistant Secretary Chairman Baillargeon asked if there were any other nominations. There were no other nominations. Motion carried unanimously. III. Minutes A. Mr. Rucker moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 8, 2017. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – April 12, 2017 page 2 IV. Communications A. Section 8 Management Assessment Program (“SEMAP”) Certification form HUD-52648 for fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. Mr. Whitty reviewed the form with the Board. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the communication. Motion carried unanimously. B. Application to Authorize Lowering Eligibility Age in State Elderly Developments to Fifty-Five (55) years old. Mr. Whitty reviewed the application with the Board. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the communication. Motion carried unanimously. C. Fair Housing Action Plan for Schwartz Manor. Mr. Whitty noted that this form was part of the State Sponsored Housing Portfolio (SSHP) grant application for Schwartz Manor. Mr. Gauthier moved and Ms. Cunningham seconded the motion to receive the communication. Motion carried unanimously. D. Fair Housing Action Plan for Eastwood Court. Mr. Whitty noted that this form was part of the State Sponsored Housing Portfolio (SSHP) grant application for Eastwood Court. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the communication. Motion carried unanimously. V. Committee Reports A. The Homeownership Committee did not meet. B. 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 March, 2017. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Reports – Mr. Whitty noted that the Authority had 16 vacancies as of April 1, 2017. He noted that the State Elderly vacancies will continue to be difficult to fill due to the discontinuance of the State Elderly Rental Assistance Program funding. Because of the difficulty in filling the State Elderly units, the Authority will be exploring the possibility of using Project Based Vouchers in its State Elderly developments. Ms. Cunningham moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the April 1, 2017 report. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – April 12, 2017 page 3 C. Modernization Report - John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator, prepared the report. Mr. Whitty reviewed the same with the Board. A meeting was held with the contractor, JD & D regarding the Oakwood Knoll Roof Replacement Project on March 16, 2017 and the contract was signed on March 29, 2017. This project is scheduled to begin May 1, 2017. The Authority submitted the CDBG application for the Ductless Split Heating System Upgrade at Rosewood Manor on March 1, 2017. A public hearing with the Community Development Advisory Board was held on March 23, 2017. The Authority received an Assistance Agreement from the State of Connecticut Department of Housing for planning preconstruction capital improvements at its state elderly developments. The Authority applied on April 27, 2016 for two separate grants for interior and exterior renovations at Eastwood Court and Schwartz Manor, however, the State did not approve the aforesaid grants. The Authority met with CHFA and DOH officials on February 2, 2017 regarding the next funding round in April. The Authority is currently working on submitting a grant for Eastwood Court and Schwartz Manor for the next funding round on April 26, 2017. The Authority was also awarded a predevelopment grant for Sunset Park. Capital Studio Architects is developing plans and specifications for the Sunset Park interior and exterior renovation project and Eagle Environmental has been conducting preliminary testing. A meeting with the residents was held in November and the Resident Participation Plan is being drafted. The Authority will have a Federal REAC (Real Estate Assessment Center) inspection on April 20, 2017. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the report. Motion carried unanimously. D. Section 8 Voucher Portfolio Reports - As of April 1, 2017, the total portfolio was 512 Housing Choice Vouchers. Ms. Cunningham moved and Mr. Rucker 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. Ms. Cunningham moved to adopt Resolution R-17-04-1347 to certify the Section 8 Management Assessment Program for March 31, 2017. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – April 12, 2017 page 4 B. Ms. Cunningham moved to adopt Resolution R-17-04-1348 to submit an application to the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to lower the eligibility age in the State Elderly developments to fifty-five (55) years old. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. C. Ms. Cunningham moved to adopt Resolution R-17-04-1349 to file a grant application with the State of Connecticut Department of Housing relative to Schwartz Manor. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. D. Ms. Cunningham moved to adopt Resolution R-17-04-1350 to file a grant application with the State of Connecticut Department of Housing relative to Eastwood Court. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. E. Ms. Cunningham moved to adopt Resolution R-17-04-1351 to adopt a Fair Housing Plan for Schwartz Manor. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – April 12, 2017 page 5 F. Ms. Cunningham moved to adopt Resolution R-17-04-1352 to adopt a Fair Housing Plan for Eastwood Court. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. G. Commission Members – There was no comment. H. Community Portion of Meeting – There was no comment. I. Other – None. IX. Executive Session No Executive Session was held. 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 4:55 PM. Respectfully submitted, Charles C. Whitty Executive Director Minutes approved on May 10, 2017 Hector R. Baillargeon Chairman