Meeting Minutes – August 11, 2014
REGULAR MEETING OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY
OF THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN
August 11, 2014
The Monthly Meeting of the Housing Authority of the City of Middletown was held at the Senior Center Meeting Room, 150 William Street, Middletown, Connecticut on Monday, August 11, 2014.
Chairman Noglow called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and called the roll.
PRESENT: Evan Noglow, Chairman; Sebastian J. Santacroce, Commissioner; Izzi Greenberg, Commissioner (phone); Senova Stone, Commissioner;
ALSO PRESENT: William Vasiliou, Secretary; Tom Guzzi, Financial Manager; John Rumberger, Facilities Manager; John Boccalatte, Esq.
ABSENT: Phil Cacciola, Commissioner (unexcused absence)
PUBLIC SESSION: NONE
FOLLOW-UP REPORT: NONE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Santacroce, seconded by Commissioner Greenberg; it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the May 12, 2014 meeting as submitted. Sommissioner Stone abstained from the voted
On motion by Commissioner Greenberg, seconded by Commissioner Santacroce; it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2014 meeting as submitted. Commissioner Santacroce abstained from the vote.
On motion by Commissioner Greenberg, seconded by Commissioner Santacroce; it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the July 14, 2014 meeting as submitted. Commissioner Santacroce abstained from the voted.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: On motion by Commissioner Santacroce, seconded by Commissioner Noglow; it was unanimously voted to approve the bills as submitted.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: Secretary Vasiliou reported on 7/31/14 A/R which shows increases of $4,044.22 for Conn 9-3, $5,803.45 for Conn 9-4, $48.02 for Conn 9-5 and $32.00 for MM. Net decreases of $2.041.76 for Conn 9-2 and $297.30 for MR.
LEGAL ACTION: Attorney Boccalatte stated his 7/31/2014 report shows four summary process actions and two way attachments started and $881.62 collected on vacated accounts.
FINANCIAL: Mr. Vasiliou reported that HUD has madated a change in the formula for calculating flat rents at the Federal complexes. Flat rents are a maximum rent that have been tied to a formula based on the real cost of housing for the area. HUD now mandates that flat rents must be calculated at 80% of the Fair Market Rents published by HUD each October. This has resulted in an amendement to the flat rent policy in the Annual Plan.
On motion by Commissioner Santacroce, seconded by Chairman Noglow, it was unanimously voted to adopt Resolution 2014-11 and waive reading of the same.
RESOLUTION 2014-11
WHEREAS: The Housing Authority of the City of Middletown wishes to maend its flat rent policies to comply with the statutory changes contained within, Public Law 113-76, the Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriation Act.
WHEREAS: The Housing Authority of the City of Middletown will set the flat rental amount for each public housing unit that complies with the requirement that all flat rents be set at no less than 80 percent of the applicable Fair Market Rent (FMR) adjusted, if necessary, to account for reasonable utlities costs. The new flat rental amount will apply to all new program admissions effective October 1, 2014. For current program participants that pay the flat rental amount, the new flat rental amount will be offered, as well as the income-based rental amount, at the next annual rental option.
The Housing Authority of the City of Middletown will place a cap on any increase in a family’s rental payment that exceeds 35 percent, and is a result of changes to the flat rental amounts follows:
- Multiply the existing flat rental payment by 1.35 and compare that to the updated flat rental amount;
- The PHA will present two rent options to the family as follows:
- The lower of the product of the calculation and the updated flat rental amount; and
- The income-based rent
Mr. Vasiliou reported that the Admin fee will be administered at 79.4% for the coming year. This is an increase from the approximately 68% administered last year.PERSONNEL: NONE MAINTENANCE: 190 work orders were completed in July. Vacant unit prep continues at all complexes. MHA is awaiting the REAC score from the July 10th & 11th inspection. MODERNIZATION: Federal: Security cameras are operating at Sbona Tower. Installation work at Traverse Square is 2/3 complete. Work continues at Maplewood Terrace for renovations to house the storage rack for the camers system. SHRP/MR: Final punch list items for electrical project are being addressed. Cubeta and Kieft Road punch list is being determined by the architech on August 11th & 12th. Final retainage payment for the furnace project was released & authorized by the CHFA observer.
OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Vasiliou reported that he has no further information of the status of the repairs to the fountain in Spear Park as authorized by the city council. The City has commissioned a comprehensive study of all the city parks before renovation work at any park can be started.
NEW BUSINESS: On motion by Commissioner Santacroce, seconded by Commissioner Noglow; it was unanimously voted to adopt Resolution 2014-10 concerning compliance with IRS directives as related to defined contribution plans.
RESOLUTION 2014-10
WHEREAS: The Housing Authority of the City of Middletown administers a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.
WHEREAS: The Housing Authority of the City of Middletown wishes to amend said plan to comply with regulatory directives from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the Defense of Marriage Act Revenue Ruling 2013-17 and IRS notice 2014-9 as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Middletown that the defined contribution plan be amended as follows:
Effective September 16, 2013 the term “spouse” is defined to mean the person to whom the participant is leagally married under the laws of the state or county in which the marriage was celebrated, without regard to whether such marriage is recognized under the laws of the state or country in which the participant resides.
Mr. Vasiliou informed the Board that quality control issues have plagued the SHRP/MR project and that work on this project has essentially been stopped by the architect until a field inspection and review is completed. CHFA and DECD are concerned as the completion date of March 2014 was not met. All parties continue to meet to correct the problems that have been identified. Attorney Boccalatte has also been informed of the situation and is reviewing all documents. Mr. Vasiliou will keep the Board informed in this matter.
William Vasiliou
Secretary