Trumbull Housing Authority – July 24, 2017
Trumbull Housing Authority Meeting
July 24, 2017
4:00 pm
Community Room of Stern Village
Commissioners Present: Chairman Janice Kopchik, Deborah Dowd, Paul Niebuhr
Also Present: Executive Director Harriet Polansky
Commissioners Absent: Susan Fatse and Suzanne Donofrio
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 pm by Chairman Kopchik followed by Roll Call and the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Past Minutes
Motion was made by Mrs. Kopchik to approve the minutes of June 26, 2017, as written. Seconded by
Mr. Niebuhr and approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Mrs. Dowd reported for the Trumbull Housing Authority for the period ending June 30, 2017. Stern
Village and Stern Center currently has an overall loss of approximately $116,830. This is attributable to
the numerous vacancies in the Village and Center reducing the rental income, as well as additional legal
expenses, the costs of advertising for the wait list openings and the necessary credit checks, utility rate
increases and usage and the rehabbing of vacated units. If you take into account the funds we add to
our provision for our reserves, the Adjusted Net Income will be a loss of $2,210.
Executive Director’s Report
Ms. Polansky reported the current reserve balance is $1,369,296, which is approximately $6,168 for
each unit in the entire complex. The overall cash position as of June 30, 2017, shows a balance of
$741,472, including the investment account. As of June 30, 2017, Accounts Payable is approximately
$63,755, including the PILOT accrual for the current year. Ms. Polansky will continue to look at other
projects to further improve the facility within the realm of affordability, necessity, and security.
At the present time, the Village has 11 vacancies. At least eight of these will be rented August 1 –
October 1. This does not include units 5, 6, 7 and 8. The Congregate has two vacancies. The Maintenance crew is in the process of rehabbing the units.
There was a significant mold issue in Unit 40 that could have been avoided. Ms. Polansky held a mold
prevention meeting with the residents. ServPro came in to discuss causes of mold and how it spreads.
Residents were instructed how to clean and what to look for. Handouts will be in the August newsletter.
Water spills need to be cleaned up so mold does not develop.
The energy incentive check from UI has been received. Ms. Polansky noted the funds would be used for
several different projects including remodeling of vacant, off-line apartments, heat pumps in the
Congregate dining room and flooring in the community room. Fifteen new chairs have been purchased
and some of the current chairs have been donated to other departments. She is also hoping to replace
the remaining windows in the Congregate and an air handling system for the Congregate kitchen. She
has also asked UI to provide an energy incentive for heat pumps for the dining room.
The Community Room will be closed Tuesday at 4 pm for the installation of flooring. It will be closed
through the weekend to allow the new flooring to set.
Unfinished Business
No unfinished business.
New Business
1. Ms. Polansky noted the Small Cities Grant paid for the heat pumps in all the units. Some funding
was used for the heat pumps in the Community Room. The remainder of the funds will be going
towards six water heaters that need to be replaced. Mrs. Kopchik moved to approve the AIA
change orders for the purchase of six water heaters to be used for the Stern Village. Seconded
by Mr. Niebuhr and approved.
2. Ms. Polansky noted they have been remodeling apartments as they become vacant. Currently, the THA has a building encompassing four efficiency units that are vacant. These units will be
remodeled and upgraded by installing new kitchen cabinets with Universal Design in mind, new
non-slip, easy to clean wood floors, walk-in shower with ADA hardware and grab bars, fresh
paint, and new appliances. The THA will be able to pay for some of these upgrades.
In order to accrue more rental income, the base rent for newly remodeled apartments must
increase. Ms. Polansky noted she will not know what the financial situation for the
Center/Village will be until the State has their own budget. She is proposing that for the newly
remodeled efficiency apartments, the base rate should be $600 and $650 for any of the one
bedrooms that are remodeled in the future. This is based on several discussions with CHFA
about creative ways to increase the rental income and a review of various market studies and
source market information. The new base rent will not affect or apply to the current tenants at
Stern Village. The new units will not be offered to current tenants. A letter will be sent to all
applicants on the wait list alerting them of the newly remodeled apartments and new base rent.
If no one on the wait list is interested in the “Model Units” 5, 6, 7 and 8, they will be advertised
with a higher base rent.
The intention is to phase in the new base rent for Stern Village as units become available
through turnover and vacancies. The THA has the resources to remodel/upgrade units, as per
the model units, in order to charge a higher monthly base or net rent. A discussion was held with
the residents about rents.
Mrs. Kopchik moved to approve the new base rents to be applied to the newly remodeled units
only. The new base rent for efficiencies will be $600 and the new base rent for one bedroom
units will be $650. The remodeled units will be available to incoming residents only. The new
base rents do not apply to existing Stern Village residents. Seconded by Mr. Niebuhr and
approved unanimously.
Updates from the Stern Village Resident Association
Sandy Fisher noted there will be a potluck on October 18 from noon until 3 pm. John will be contacting
different politicians. They will have letters printed up that residents can sign for various concerns such
as Medicare and Medicaid that will be forwarded to these individuals. Maureen was elected as
member-at-large and will serve as secretary. Gloria will put together a list of people to be contacted
because they are ill or had surgery. She noted Kim is no longer with them because the funding from the
state is not available.
Ms. Polansky noted a new pool table and two chairs were donated by a Trumbull resident who moved
from the area.
Resident Comments
Deborah Dowd – noted she will be having back surgery this week. The Resident Association is in good
hands while she is gone.
Lee – questioned the new siding noted in the newsletter. Ms. Polansky stated some of the exteriors of
the buildings will be updated but not the siding.
Joan – asked if there was a store that could donate appliances for remodeled units. Ms. Polansky noted
that once they become a 501c3, this type of donation will be possible. 501c3 status has been applied for
but Ms. Polansky has not heard any update.
Sandy – Requested a printer for the Community Room. Ms. Polansky noted there will be a printer in the
Congregate that the Resident Association can use. Ms. Fisher also questioned how to get more
residents involved in their community. It was suggested that a questionnaire be developed to ask
residents their interests and what they would like to see for activities.
Adjournment
There being no further business, motion was made by Mrs. Kopchik to adjourn the meeting at 4:35 pm.
Seconded by Mr. Niebuhr and approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Crandall
Clerk