Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, JULY 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, July 10, 2024. I. Roll Call Chairman Bergren called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM and the following answered present: Keith Milton 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. Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on June 12, 2024. Motion carried unanimously. III. Communications A. Community Comment / Public Comment – None. B. Letter dated June 17, 2024 from Jennifer Gottlieb Elazhari, Director, CT Program Center, HUD Office of Public and Indian Housing regarding the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) designation and score for Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2024. Mr. Arn discussed the SEMAP with the Board and noted that the Authority is designated as a High Performer with a score of 96%. C. Financial Reports 1st quarter FY 2025 (April 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025). Miss Drag reviewed the reports with the Board. Ms. Patterson moved and Mr. Milton seconded the motion to receive Communications B. and C. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – July 10, 2024 page 2 IV. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Mr. Milton moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion to approve the bills for June 2024. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Reports – Mr. Arn noted that the Authority had 20 vacancies as of July 2, 2024 and 2 units were rented in June. 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 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 recommended funding Phase II of the project and the City Council approved funding of $219,712.00 at its meeting on June 17th . The contract for the Dorsey Building Exterior Upgrades project was signed on June 20th and this project started July 8th. Funding will come from the 2023 and 2024 Federal Capital Fund Program. The Authority applied for a Lead Based Paint Grant through HUD for removal and replacement of siding at Oakwood Knoll. D. Housing Choice Voucher Portfolio Report - As of July 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 – None. F. Other items – Funding availability regarding housing for Homeless Veterans. ConnNAHRO will be sponsoring a program regarding the HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program and the application process for VASH Housing Choice Vouchers which will provide housing assistance for veterans. Mr. Milton moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion to receive items B. through F. above. Motion carried unanimously. V. Unfinished Business No unfinished business. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – July 10, 2024 page 3 VI. New Business A. Commission Members – None. B. Other - Nicklaus Mayo, Senior Risk Consultant, Housing Authority Insurance, performed a risk assessment survey at Schwartz Manor, Westwood Park, Oakwood Knoll and JFK II on July 10th. VII. Executive Session No Executive Session was held. 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 4:55 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey S. Arn Executive Director Minutes approved on August 14, 2024 Alan H. Bergren Chairman