Housing authority approves video-security completion, $10,808.58 change order and federalization of two sites

The Housing Authority Board approved a certificate of substantial completion for video-security upgrades at Father Vincent de Fario Village, a $10,808.58 contract change order for gas-piping repairs at Cardinal Laveres Towers, and a motion to federalize two properties after receiving an approval letter from EOHLC.

The action matters because each item affects operating safety, capital budgets and the procurement steps the authority must follow for multi‑million dollar projects. Board approval moves construction and compliance steps forward and triggers additional designer-selection and procurement requirements for large federalized awards.

Board members voted unanimously to approve the certificate of substantial completion for the video-security system upgrades at Father Vincent de Fario Village after a motion and second. The board also approved change order number 1 for gas-piping repairs at Cardinal Laveres Towers, which increased the contract by $10,808.58 “for removal and demolition work associated with the existing HVAC equipment located in the mechanical room.” The chair called for a voice vote; members answered “Aye,” and the motions passed.

During the executive director’s update, staff said they had received an approval letter from EOHLC to “federalize Cauchy Road and Bishop[e] departments.” The executive director told the board that each award for those sites was “over a million dollars” and that, under state law, the authority must go through a designer‑selection committee for projects with designer contracts estimated to exceed $1 million. The executive director described the subsequent process as lengthy: designing the scope of work, producing drawings and then moving into procurement.

The executive director credited facilities staff for recent operational work and noted that the authority will proceed with the federalization steps now that the formal letter is in the board packet. The board record shows the motion to approve the federalization was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Background material in the meeting packet included the EOHLC approval letter and a note that the two awards being federalized exceed $1 million each, which will require designer selection and additional procurement steps. The board did not adopt any changes to procurement policy at the meeting; members discussed only approval of the specific federalization and capital contract adjustments.

Board actions recorded at the meeting also included standard approvals of vouchers, management reports and the July 2 financial report earlier in the session.