MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF STAMFORD JULY 26, 2017 A regular Board meeting of the Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Stamford was held at 40 Clinton Avenue, Stamford, Connecticut on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Commissioner Penfield called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. Attendees Present: Richard Ostuw Absent: Kristella Garcia Tim Hodges Courtney Nelthropp Also Present: Natalie Coard Steven Brown Jackie Figueroa Jon Gottlieb Lisa Reynolds Peter Stothart Christine Young Ricardo Morales Monique Moye A. Approval of Minutes - Approval of minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of June 28, 2017 Commissioner Penfield moved, Commissioner McCullough seconded The minutes were approved. B. Public Comment Ricardo Morales, a resident of Stamford Manor, spoke of his observations regarding the undesirable conditions in some of the apartments at Stamford Manor. Ms. Coard discussed that Stamford Manor is a federally funded public housing complex, and COC does its best to both maintain and provide upgrades to the building. Ms. Coard noted that the staff would investigate his concerns and would take appropriate action. C. Board Committee Reports 1. Human Resources Committee Commissioners Williams-Brown, Penfield and Ostuw and Ms. Tantimonico were in attendance at the HR Committee meeting on 7/25/17. Ms. Tantimonico reported on open positions: an Administrative Coordinator and Assistant Property Manager on the East Side. Ms. Tantimonico noted she has been working on union negotiations with staff and Attorney Jacques. Attorney Jacques presented a general overview on union negotiations in the public sector verses the private sector. Commissioner Ostuw gave a Junior Achievement presentation on the importance of attitude, skills and education for employment to COCs high school summer interns. Feedback from all of the 2017 summer interns was positive. 2. Operations Committee Commissioner McCullough, Ms. Figueroa and Mr. Brown were in attendance at the Operations Committee meeting on 7/25/17. Mr. Brown reported that an automated work order system with Central Communications, which connects to our HAB software, is a pilot program underway on the East Side. Mr. Brown noted that, providing the system proves dependable, COC will implement it at COC s other properties. Mr. Brown reported that, effective 8/1/17 for all properties, COC will utilize one banking location - Webster Bank for multi- DDA lockbox rent payments. Ms. Figueroa discussed the positions that have been filled on the East Side to include an Assistant Property Manager and Administrative Coordinator. Mr. Brown provided an update on current procurement activity and noted Mr. Stothart would discuss tonight s resolutions.
3. Finance Committee Commissioners Penfield, Williams-Brown, and Ostuw, Mr. Tufo, Ms. Reynolds, Mr. Feda, Ms. Coard, Ms. Villegas, Mr. Brown and Ms. Luzietti were in attendance at the Finance Committee meeting on 7/25/17. Mr. Feda and Ms. Coard provided an overview of the Quarterly Financial Report as of 6/30/2017. Mr. Feda focused on the year-end results of the properties and programs and discussed both financial as well as operational variances as well as management s commitment to continuous improvement. Mr. Feda discussed the Wormser/Czescik loan repayment proposal, and outlined the components of the repayment plan and how the plan would impact the balance sheets and anticipated cash flow at the affected properties. Ms. Reynolds provided an update on the FY 2017 COC annual audit. Ms. Reynolds reported that Paul Rodriquez is no longer with COC and introduced the new Junior Accountant Alexis Luzietti. Ms. Reynolds noted that the second Financial Board training session originally targeted for August will be postponed to September to facilitate maximum attendance. 4. Development Update At the Rippowam Corporation meeting held on 7/25/17 Mr. Gottlieb presented the July development report, reflecting projects in construction, predevelopment and in long-range planning. D. Report from Executive Director Ms. Coard reported on the extensive opportunities that Family Centers Resident Service Coordinators (RSCs) have provided to residents to encourage community building. Ms. Coard referred to the article in the July/August 2017 COC resident newsletter, which shows that the number of residents engaged and participating in activities has nearly doubled in a year. Ms. Coard stated Family Centers is actively working to increase the number of contacts with residents and noted they will continue to conduct resident engagements in response to identified needs in the areas of health, wellbeing, finance, education and family strengthening. Ms. Coard noted that, with the property managers and RSCs working together, we continue to engage COC residents to build community and progress towards self-sufficiency. Ms. Coard reported that her role and function as the ED will evolve as she continues to reach out, build relationships and attend community meetings with external partners. Ms. Coard discussed how Gloria DePina, member of Congressman Jim Himes' staff, met with COC employees and gave a review of her role and expectations. Ms. Coard and the COC team provided an overview of the properties and programs available to residents. Ms. Coard reaffirmed COCs commitment to serving the Stamford community. Ms. Coard plans on establishing a system of communication with community advocates to mitigate questions and concerns they may have and to inform them of our needs and the families we serve. E. Resolutions 17-26: Approve Authorize the Housing Authority of the City of Stamford d/b/a Charter Oak Communities ( HACS ) to enter into a certain ground lease with Lawnhill Terrace Phase 2 Limited Partnership (the Partnership ), and authorize the Seller Note Loan, Rippowam Park Loan, HACS City Loan, and Project Reserves Loan (each as hereinafter defined) to the Partnership all in connection with the redevelopment of Phase 2 of Lawnhill Terrace (the Project ). Commissioner Penfield moved, Commissioner Ostuw seconded. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that: 1. HACS enter into the Ground Lease with the Partnership for the Property, and enter into any and all agreements, documents or papers necessary in connection with the Ground Lease. 2. HACS extend the Loans to the Partnership in accordance with the Loan Documents and take whatever additional action may be required pertaining to said Loans. 3. HACS, and Vincent Tufo as CEO of HACS, and any other officer of HACS, be, and hereby are, authorized to do and perform all such further acts and things as may be necessary or convenient in order to consummate the transactions authorized in the foregoing resolutions or as otherwise required in connection with the completion of the Project, and any actions heretofore or hereafter taken in carrying out the purposes of these resolutions is confirmed, approved and ratified in all respects. 4. That certain Resolution No. 17-26 dated July 26, 2017 remains in full force and effect. 2
5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately. 17-27: Approval of the Capital Fund Program Amendment to the Consolidated Annual Contributions Contract - 2017 Capital Fund Program CT26P007501-17 Capital Improvement Grant Be it resolved, that the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Stamford d/b/a Charter Oak Communities that the Executive Director is authorized to approve the Amendment to the Consolidated Annual Contributions Contract for the FY 2017 Capital Fund Capital Improvement Grant in the amount of $972,336.00. (See attached forms HUD-52840-A.) 17-28: Authorize Change Order No. 5 for Boiler Room Upgrades and Improvements at Stamford Manor Communities that the Executive Director is authorized to execute Change Order No. 5 for Boiler Room Upgrades and Improvements at Stamford Manor with Hunter Mechanical for the amount $13,188.28 raising the total authorization to $84,969.79. Further expenditure shall not be exceeded without Board authorization. 17-29: Authorize Change Order No. 2 for Added Funding and Contract Extension for Office Supplies, Furniture & Equipment with Staples Advantage Communities that the Executive Director is authorized to execute Change Order No. 2 for the contract extension and additional funding for Office Supplies, Furniture & Equipment with Staples Advantage for a total amount not to exceed $65,000.00. Further expenditure shall not exceed without Board authorization. 17-30: Authorize Change Order No. 2 for Added Funding and Contract Extension for Paint and Miscellaneous Supplies with the Sherwin-Williams Company 3
Communities that the Executive Director is authorized to execute Change Order No. 2 for the contract extension and additional funding for Paint and Miscellaneous Supplies with the Sherwin-Williams Company for the amount $25,000.00 raising the total authorization to $73,000.00. Further expenditure shall not be exceeded without Board authorization. 17-31: Authorize Change Order No. 3 for Added Funding and Contract Extension for Elevator Maintenance Services with Northeast Elevator Service Corporation Communities that the Executive Director is authorized to execute Change Order No. 3 for the contract extension and additional funding for Elevator Maintenance Services with Northeast Elevator Service Corporation for the amount of $75,000.00 raising the total authorization to $467,000.00. Further expenditure shall not be exceeded without Board authorization. 17-32: Authorize Change Order No. 1 for Added Funding and Contract Extension for Inspection and Testing of the Fire Alarm Systems with FireTech Engineered Systems Communities, that the Executive Director is authorized to execute Change Order No. 1 for a contract extension and additional funding for Inspection and Testing of the Fire Alarm Systems with FireTech Engineered Systems for the amount of $30,000.00 raising the total authorization to $75,000.00. Further expenditure shall not be exceeded without Board authorization. 17-33: Adopt Policy of Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action Pertaining to Acceptance of a Grant Award from the State of Connecticut Communities that the above referenced Policy of Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes 4a-60 (a)(1) and 4a-60a (a)(1), as amended, be immediately adopted and in force. 4
F. Executive Session No Executive Session was held. G. Adjournment At 7:01 p.m., after a motion duly made by Commissioner Penfield and seconded by Commissioner McCullough, the Board meeting was adjourned. S:\Executive\Board Meetings\2017\07-2017 Vincent J. Tufo Chief Executive Officer 5