Rehabilitation Review Committee

MINUTES OF THE REHABILITATION REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING February 13, 2013 9:15 AM Members Present: Rodney Bowie, H. Tucker Braddock, Gary Evans, Jim Roberts, Jim Troeger Absent: Joe East, Kevin Lin Others Present: Denise Blake, Wayne Sharkey Chairman Rodney Bowie called the Rehab Review Committee meeting to order at 9:20 AM. A quorum was determined. Motion was made by Rodney Bowie and seconded by Jim Troeger to postpone acceptance of the minutes of the December 12, 2012 meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Old Business No old business to discuss. New Business No new business to discuss. Application Approvals/Denials/De-obligation of Funds Denise Blake provided all members present with a list of new rehab and/or lead applications recommended for approval. She stated all applicants met eligibility requirements and all taxes are current. The applications were as follows: Project Application Type # of units Lead Award Rehab Award LP1222 Investor Owner 4 $52,000 N/A Rodney Bowie made a motion to approve the lead applications presented. Jim Troeger seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Denise Blake then presented the committee members with information on a previously approved project recommended for de-obligation of funding. The property owner requested in writing to withdraw from both the Rehab and Lead Programs, as detailed below: Application # of Lead Rehab Project Reason for De-obligation Type units Award Award Owner – RP/1207/LP1215 1 $16,000 $15,000 Withdrawal per homeowner Occupant Rodney Bowie made a motion to de-obligate funding for the projects presented. Jim Roberts seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Appeals/Requests Wayne Sharkey presented the committee with the following documentation: (a) Letter of termination of the contractor, American General Building Services, on project RP1102/LP0952, (b) Letter of appeal from the homeowner. Wayne explained that the City of Norwich bidding policy requires the Community Development office to accept a new contractor if the he/she is the low bidder and has all required documentation (license, insurance, lead certifications). There were some issues with American General Building Services on a previous project, as well as a letter from a similar program in New London citing problems with this contractor’s quality of work. However, upon discussion with Corporation Counsel, the Community Development office was advised to offer the contractor another opportunity. After numerous problems with this current project (and the homeowner’s dissatisfaction), American General Building Services was fired and another subcontractor was hired to correct the problems and complete the job. Following the new contractor’s review, several items need to be re-addressed, exceeding the original contract amount. The homeowner is requesting $3,236.00 to cover the amount exceeded by her original Property Rehabilitation award amount of $30,000.00. Jim Troeger asked if the homeowner will be responsible to pay back this overage when paying on the rehab loan. Wayne explained that he does not feel it is the homeowner’s responsibility. Jim then suggested looking into the State of CT home improvement fund, which was designed specifically for these types of situations. Gary Evans stated that he would have no issue pursuing recapture of the lost funding, but believes it to be the responsibility of the homeowner to apply for it, since he/she is the one who entered into the contract with American General Building Services. Tucker Braddock made a motion to approve allocation of additional Property Rehabilitation funding in the amount of $3,236.00 to allow adequate completion of the project. Jim Roberts seconded, and the motion carried unanimously (Gary Evans recused himself). Tucker then suggested that the Community Development office notify the Better Business Bureau regarding American General Building Services. Adjournment Jim Troeger made a motion to adjourn, Gary Evans seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:11 AM.