Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 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, May 8, 2024. I. Roll Call Chairman Bergren called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM and the following answered present: Keith Milton Frances Patterson Benjamin Lathrop Mary Ellen Lunt Alan Bergren Also present were Jeffrey S. Arn, Executive Director, and Joanne M. Drag, Deputy Executive Director/Finance Director. Ms. Patterson moved and Mr. Lathrop seconded the motion to suspend the rules to add under V. Unfinished Business – Election of Officer – Assistant Secretary. Motion carried unanimously. II. Minutes A. Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on April 10, 2024. Motion carried unanimously. III. Communications A. Community Comment / Public Comment – Ms. Theresa Atieh, 4 Kennedy Drive, Norwich, addressed the Board regarding her and her sister, Marie’s, issues at their apartment. Mr. Arn stated that he would look into their situation and report back to the Board at its next meeting. B. Application to Authorize Lowering Eligibility Age in State Elderly Developments to age Fifty-Five (55). Miss Drag reviewed the application and the submission process with the Board and answered questions from the Board. C. U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) - Section 8 Income Limits as of April 3, 2024. Mr. Arn noted that the income limits are set by HUD on an annual basis. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – May 8, 2024 page 2 D. 2024 Federal Income Limits for admission and continued occupancy. E. 2024 State Income Limits for admission and continued occupancy. HUD sets the income limits annually and the Authority uses those limits to set the admissions and continued occupancy for the Federal and State programs. F. Updated Capitalization Policy – Miss Drag reviewed the Capitalization policy with the Board and the need to update the capitalization amount. G. FY 2024 Financial Statements – Drafts (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024). Miss Drag discussed the financial statements with the Board and answered questions from the Board. Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to receive Communications B. through G. Motion carried unanimously. IV. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Ms. Lunt moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion to approve the bills for April 2024. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Reports – Mr. Arn noted that the Authority had 25 vacancies as of May 8, 2024 and 6 units were rented in April. There is a waiting list for all properties. C. Modernization Report - John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator, prepared the report. Mr. Arn reviewed the same with the Board. The Sunset Park exterior renovation project started July 24, 2023 and is substantially complete. Sidewalk replacement is on- going using contingency funds and the exterior painting has started. PAC Group is the Construction Manager for this project. A contract signing for the Rosewood Manor siding and exterior wrapping project–Phase I took place on February 28th. This project started in March and is on-going. 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 finalizing 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 this project will be out to bid on May 13th. The LED Lighting Upgrades project at the Maintenance Office, Garage, Boiler Room building, Carpenter Shop and Dorsey Building is complete. D. Housing Choice Voucher Portfolio Report - As of May 1, 2024, the total portfolio was 460 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. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – May 8, 2024 page 3 E. Procurement Log – No contracts. F. Other items – Funding availability regarding housing for Homeless Veterans. A meeting with the Veterans’ representative to discuss housing options has not been able to be scheduled. Mr. Lathrop informed the Board that he would like to explore the possibility of modular housing options. Ms. Lunt moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion to allow Mr. Lathrop and Mr. Arn to explore other types of housing for veterans. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Arn noted that he will pursue opportunities for housing for veterans through New Castle Housing Ventures, a consulting firm. Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to receive items B. through F. above. Motion carried unanimously. V. Unfinished Business A. Election of Officer – Assistant Secretary. Chairman Bergren noted that that the City Manager recommended to the City Council to appoint Keith Milton to fill the vacancy on the Board. The position of Assistant Secretary is currently unfilled. Ms. Lunt moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion to elect Keith Milton to the Assistant Secretary position. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Bergren and the Commissioners welcomed Mr. Milton. VI. New Business A. Ms. Patterson moved to adopt Resolution R-24-05-1688 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. Ms. Lunt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Milton, Patterson, Lathrop, Lunt, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – May 8, 2024 page 4 B. Ms. Patterson moved to adopt Resolution R-24-05-1689 to establish the 2024 Federal Income Limits for admission and continued occupancy. Ms. Lunt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Milton, Patterson, Lathrop, Lunt, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. C. Ms. Lunt moved to adopt Resolution R-24-05-1690 to establish the 2024 State Income Limits for admission and continued occupancy. Ms. Patterson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Milton, Patterson, Lathrop, Lunt, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. D. Ms. Patterson moved to adopt Resolution R-24-05-1691 to adopt the updated Capitalization Policy. Ms. Lunt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Milton, Patterson, Lathrop, Lunt, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. E. Commission Members – Mr. Lathrop thanked the staff for their commitment to the Authority. F. Other - None. VII. Executive Session No Executive Session was held. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – May 8, 2024 page 5 VIII. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Lunt moved and Mr. Milton seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey S. Arn Executive Director Minutes approved on June 12, 2024 Alan H. Bergren Chairman