Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2023 The Board of Commissioners (“Board”) of the Norwich Housing Authority (“Authority”) met in regular session at the Westwood Park Community Room, 10 Westwood Park, Norwich, Connecticut, at 4:30 PM, Wednesday, October 11, 2023. I. Roll Call Chairman Bergren called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM and the following answered present: Kenneth Scandariato Frances Patterson Mary Ellen Lunt Alan Bergren Benjamin Lathrop was excused. Also present were Jeffrey S. Arn, Executive Director, John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator and Joanne M. Drag, Deputy Executive Director/Finance Director. II. Minutes A. Mr. Scandariato moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on September 13, 2023. Motion carried unanimously. III. Communications A. Community Comment / Public Comment – None. Mr. Scandariato moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion to add to the agenda D. Memo dated October 11, 2023 from Jeffrey Arn, Executive Director, regarding the State of Connecticut Public Act No. 23-207 and Norwich Housing Authority Rent Collection and Resolution No. R-23-10-1666 regarding compliance with Public Act No. 23-207. Motion carried unanimously. B. Norwich Housing Authority 2023 Emergency Operation Plan (“EOP”). Mr. Scandariato noted that an action plan should be added as an addendum to the EOP. Mr. Arn invited Mr. Scandariato to the next quarterly Safety Committee meeting in December to review the EOP and to discuss an action plan with the Safety Committee. C. Quarterly Reports for the quarter ending September 30, 2023. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – October 11, 2023 page 2 D. Memo dated October 11, 2023 from Jeffrey Arn, Executive Director, regarding the State of Connecticut Public Act No. 23-207 and Norwich Housing Authority Rent Collection. Mr. Arn reviewed Public Act No. 23-207 with the Board and noted that he is awaiting legal counsel’s clarification on the calculation of late fees. Ms. Lunt moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion to receive Communications B. thorough D. Motion carried unanimously. IV. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to approve the bills for September 2023. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Reports – Mr. Arn noted that the Authority had 23 vacancies as of October 1, 2023 and 6 units were leased in September. There is a waiting list for all properties. C. Modernization Report - John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator, prepared the report. Mr. Arn and Mr. Mainville reviewed the same with the Board. The Dorsey Building Emergency Generator replacement project was awarded to Rock-Vern Electric. The lead time for the generator is approximately six (6) months. The anticipated installation date is now January 2024. The Sunset Park exterior renovation project started July 24th with roofing and blown-in insulation. The roofing portion of the project has been completed along with approximately fifty (50%) percent of the blown- in insulation. The replacement of the front cement patios has also been completed. The siding removal, abatement, residing and window replacement portion of the project has also begun. PAC Group is the Construction Manager for this project. The City Council approved funding the Rosewood Manor siding and exterior wrapping project at its June meeting. Capital Studio Architects (“CSA”) is completing the plans and specifications. This project will be bid in January 2024. CSA is also developing plans for the building and site renovations project at Westwood Park and Dorsey Building. Funding for this project will come from the 2023 Federal Capital Fund Program. 1. Quote Tabulation for Threshold Ramps at Rosewood Manor and Schwartz Manor Mr. Mainville reviewed the quote tabulation with the Board. The ramps are aluminum and will be adjustable and moveable. D. Housing Choice Voucher Portfolio Report - As of October 1, 2023, the total portfolio was 476 Housing Choice Vouchers (“HCV”). The HCV waiting list will be opened later this year with applications being completed on-line. E. Procurement Log – No items to report. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – October 11, 2023 page 3 F. Other items – Funding availability regarding housing for Homeless Veterans. A meeting with the Veterans’ representative to discuss housing options will be scheduled. Mr. Arn noted that he will pursue opportunities for housing for veterans. The annual Holiday Dinner will be held on December 15th at Bella Fiore Restaurant. Joseph Keith, Maintenance Supervisor, will be retiring at the end of the year. Lisa Axson’s, Federal Resident Services Coordinator, last day will be October 19th. A Safety Committee was formed and will meet quarterly. The first meeting was held last week with a representative from the Workers’ Compensation Trust, who is the Authority’s agent, facilitating the meeting. Mr. Arn noted that he had a meeting with Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) regarding the co-gen plant. He is working with NPU to resolve the issues that it has with restarting the co-gen plant. NPU requires a dry pack transformer be installed in the utility room at C Court and a commissioning test performed before the co-gen plant can be restarted. The commissioning test will cost approximately $4,400.00. Mr. Scandariato moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to receive items B. through F. above. Motion carried unanimously. V. Unfinished Business None. VI. New Business A. Mr. Scandariato moved to adopt Resolution R-23-10-1664 to approve the Norwich Housing Authority 2023 Emergency Operation Plan. Ms. Lunt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Scandariato, Patterson, Lunt, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – October 11, 2023 page 4 B. Mr. Scandariato moved to adopt Resolution R-23-10-1665 to purchase threshold ramps at Rosewood Manor and Schwartz Manor. Ms. Patterson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Scandariato, Patterson, Lunt, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. C. Mr. Scandariato moved to adopt Resolution R-23-10-1666 to comply with the State of Connecticut Public Act No. 23-207 regarding late fee charges and to amend all policies and leases to be in compliance with Public Act No. 23-207. Ms. Patterson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Scandariato, Patterson, Lunt, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. D. Commission Members – Mr. Scandariato thanked the staff for completing the EOP in a timely manner and looks forward to attending the December Safety Committee meeting. E. Other – None. VII. Executive Session No Executive Session was held. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – October 11, 2023 page 5 VIII. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Lunt moved and Mr. Scandariato seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:05 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey S. Arn Executive Director Minutes approved on November 8, 2023 Alan H. Bergren Chairman