Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 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, June 12, 2024. I. Roll Call Chairman Bergren called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM and the following answered present: Frances Patterson Mary Ellen Lunt Alan Bergren Also present were Jeffrey S. Arn, Executive Director, John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator, and Joanne M. Drag, Deputy Executive Director/Finance Director. Ms. Lunt moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion to suspend the rules to add under III. Communications - C. Memo dated June 12, 2024 from Jeffrey Arn, Executive Director, regarding an Authority Repayment Agreement Policy Change and to add under VI. New Business – B. Resolution R-24-06-1693 to amend the Authority’s Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan regarding the repayment agreement policy change. 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 May 8, 2024. Motion carried unanimously. Keith Milton joined the meeting at 4:35 p.m. III. Communications A. Community Comment / Public Comment – None. B. Letter from David Holmes, Capital Studio Architects, regarding the Dorsey Building Exterior Upgrades project bid responses. Mr. Arn and Mr. Mainville reviewed the results with the Board. C. Memo dated June 12, 2024 from Jeffrey Arn, Executive Director, regarding an Authority Repayment Agreement Policy Change. Mr. Arn noted that this was a recommendation from the Authority’s attorney to implement this change to eliminate a conflict with its legal documents. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – June 12, 2024 page 2 Mr. Milton moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to receive Communications B. and C. Motion carried unanimously. IV. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Ms. Patterson moved and Mr. Milton seconded the motion to approve the bills for May 2024. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Reports – Mr. Arn noted that the Authority had 22 vacancies as of June 3, 2024 and 14 units were rented in May. 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 Sunset Park exterior renovation project started July 24, 2023 and is substantially complete. Sidewalk replacement and exterior painting is on-going. PAC Group is the Construction Manager for this project. The Rosewood Manor siding and exterior wrapping project–Phase I started in March and is substantially complete. 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 at its meeting on June 17th. The Dorsey Building Exterior Upgrades project plans were available on May 13th and bids were opened on June 6th. The recommendation from Capital Studio Architects is on the agenda along with a Board resolution regarding this project. Funding will come from the 2023 and 2024 Federal Capital Fund Program. Benjamin Lathrop joined the meeting at 4:45 p.m. D. Housing Choice Voucher Portfolio Report - As of June 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. E. Procurement Log – Rosewood Manor – removal of nine (9) maple trees; Rosewood Manor – painting of the Community Room; Hillside Terrace – painting of door trim and exterior decorative medallions. Mr. Arn reviewed the projects with the Board. 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 is exploring the possibility of modular housing options. Mr. Arn noted that Representative Joe Courtney visited the Authority on June 6th and met with Board members and staff. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – June 12, 2024 page 3 Ms. Lunt moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion to receive items B. through F. above. Motion carried unanimously. V. Unfinished Business No unfinished business. VI. New Business A. Mr. Milton moved to adopt Resolution R-24-06-1692 to award the Dorsey Building Exterior Upgrades project to 4 You, LLC. Ms. Patterson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Milton, Patterson, Lathrop, Lunt, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. B. Mr. Milton moved to adopt Resolution R-24-06-1693 to amend the Authority’s Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan regarding the repayment agreement policy change. Ms. Lunt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Milton, Patterson, Lathrop, Lunt, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. C. Commission Members – Ms. Patterson noted that, as the Board’s Resident Commissioner, it is important to keep the lines of communication open. Chairman Bergren reminded the Board to be mindful of the roles of the staff (administration) and the roles of the Commissioners acting as a body (policy). Mr. Milton said that his tour of the Authority’s properties and facilities was very informative. D. Other - None. VII. Executive Session No Executive Session was held. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – June 12, 2024 page 4 VIII. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Patterson moved and Mr. Milton seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:35 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey S. Arn Executive Director Minutes approved on July 10, 2024 Alan H. Bergren Chairman