Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2024 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, April 10, 2024. I. Roll Call Chairman Bergren called the meeting to order at 4:38 PM and the following answered present: 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. Election of Officers Chairman Bergren asked for nominations for officers from the Board. Ms. Patterson nominated the following slate of officers: Alan Bergren, Chairman Mary Ellen Lunt, Vice-Chairman Benjamin Lathrop, Assistant Treasurer Vacancy, Assistant Secretary Frances Patterson, Resident Commissioner Chairman Bergren asked if there were any other nominations. Hearing no other nominations, he closed nominations and asked for a motion to appoint the slate of officers as presented. Ms. Lunt moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the slate of officers as presented be elected. Motion carried unanimously. III. Minutes A. Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 13, 2024. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – April 10, 2024 page 2 IV. Communications A. Community Comment / Public Comment – None. B. Section 8 Management Assessment Program (“SEMAP”) Certification form for March 31, 2024. Mr. Arn reviewed the SEMAP form with Board and noted that this is an annual requirement. Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to receive Communication B. Motion carried unanimously. V. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to approve the bills for March 2024. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Reports – Mr. Arn noted that the Authority had 26 vacancies as of April 1, 2024 and 4 units were rented in March. There is a waiting list for all properties. C. Modernization Report - John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator, prepared the report. Mr. Mainville and Mr. Arn reviewed the same with the Board. The Sunset Park exterior renovation project started July 24, 2023. This project is substantially complete. Exterior painting will be completed this month weather permitting. Sidewalk and driveway replacement has started and is on-going. PAC Group is the Construction Manager for the project. A contract signing for the Rosewood Manor siding and exterior wrapping project–Phase I took place on February 28th. This project began in March. The Authority submitted the CDBG PY 50 application on February 1st for Phase II of the project and met with the Community Development Advisory Committee (“CDAC”) on March 5th. The CDAC is recommending the requested funding be approved by the City Council. Capital Studio Architects is 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 and it is anticipated that this project will be bid in the Spring. The LED Lighting Upgrades project at the Maintenance Office, Garage, Boiler Room building, Carpenter Shop and Dorsey Building began on April 1st. D. Housing Choice Voucher Portfolio Report - As of April 1, 2024, the total portfolio was 461 Housing Choice Vouchers (“HCV”). The HCV waiting list was open for one week from January 8 through January 12, 2024. Pre-applications were completed on-line. Affordable Housing is the contractor that processed the pre-applications, performed the lottery selections and will maintain the waiting list. E. Procurement Log – No new contracts. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – April 10, 2024 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. Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to receive items B. through F. above. Motion carried unanimously. VI. Unfinished Business None. VII. New Business A. Ms. Patterson moved to adopt Resolution R-24-04-1687 to certify the Section 8 Management Assessment Program for March 31, 2024. Ms. Lunt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Patterson, Lunt, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. B. Commission Members – None. C. Other - None. VIII. Executive Session No Executive Session was held. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – April 10, 2024 page 4 IX. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey S. Arn Executive Director Minutes approved on May 8, 2024 Alan H. Bergren Chairman