Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 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, November 13, 2024. I. Roll Call Chairman Bergren called the meeting to order at 4:40 PM and the following answered present: Benjamin Lathrop 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. Chairman Bergren thanked Vice-Chairman Lunt for chairing the last two meetings. Ms. Lunt moved and Mr. Lathrop seconded the motion to add under Communications C. Memo dated November 13, 2024 from Jeffrey Arn, Executive Director, regarding Negotiated Union Contract Revisions. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Lunt moved and Mr. Lathrop seconded the motion to add under New Business A. Resolution R-24-11-1703 to approve a tentative collective bargaining agreement with UE Local 222, CILU #37. Motion carried unanimously. Keith Milton joined the meeting at 4:45 p.m. II. Minutes A. Ms. Lunt moved and Mr. Milton seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on October 9, 2024. Motion carried unanimously. III. Communications A. Community Comment / Public Comment – None. B. Presentation by Jason Geel, Maletta and Company, regarding the FY 2024 (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024) Audit Report. Mr. Milton moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to receive the FY 2024 audit report. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – November 13, 2024 page 2 C. Memo dated November 13, 2024 from Jeffrey Arn, Executive Director, regarding Negotiated Union Contract Revisions. Mr. Arn reviewed the memo with the Board and noted that the contract was due to expire on March 31, 2025. Informal meetings took place that resulted in a negotiated three year agreement beginning April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2028 with UE Local 222, CILU #37. Mr. Milton moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to receive Communication C. Motion carried unanimously. IV. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Ms. Lunt moved and Mr. Milton seconded the motion to approve the bills for October 2024. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Reports – Mr. Arn noted that the Authority had 13 vacancies as of November 1, 2024 and 8 units were rented in October. 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 is complete. The close out paperwork for this project will be submitted to CHFA. The contract for the Dorsey Building Exterior Upgrades project was awarded to 4 You, LLC and signed on June 20th. This project started July 8th. The old siding and wood window trim has been removed and new siding, AZEK trim, new soffit covering, aluminum facias around storm doors are being installed along with LED lighting, new decking and railings. An expanded covered garbage enclosure has been built. Funding came from the 2023 and 2024 Federal Capital Fund Program. The Maintenance Boiler Room Fire Alarm System upgrade has started and will be completed by the end of November. This project will bring the buildings into compliance with the City of Norwich’s Fire Marshall’s Office. Housing Authority Insurance, the Authority’s insurance carrier, recommended this upgrade. The City Council approved funding of $219,712.00 at its meeting on June 17th for the Rosewood Manor Exterior Wrapping Project – Phase II. This project will be bid in January 2025. The Authority applied for and received a Capital Fund Lead Based Paint Grant of $7.5 million to remove the deteriorated siding, the lead based paint siding under the current siding, insulate and reside the buildings at Oakwood Knoll. A Request for Proposals for environmental testing has been developed. Future projects include the Oakwood Knoll Cast Iron Sewer Pipe Replacement, Oakwood Knoll Attic Insulation project and the State Elderly – Rosewood Manor, Schwartz Manor, Eastwood Court – Security Camera Project. A future CDBG project will be to replace the boilers at the State Affordable development – John F. Kennedy Heights II. D. Housing Choice Voucher Portfolio Report - As of November 1, 2024, the total portfolio was 447 Housing Choice Vouchers (“HCV”). E. Procurement Log – No new items. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – November 13, 2024 page 3 F. Other items – Funding availability regarding housing for Homeless Veterans. No report to update. Ms. Lunt moved and Mr. Milton 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-24-11-1703 to approve a tentative collective bargaining agreement with UE Local 222, CILU #37. Ms. Lunt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Milton, Lunt, Lathrop, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. B. Commission Members - None. C. Other - None. VII. Executive Session No Executive Session was held. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – November 13, 2024 page 4 VIII. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Milton moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:25 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey S. Arn Executive Director Minutes approved on December 11, 2024 Alan H. Bergren Chairman