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Board approves AMA consulting contract, architecture and construction agreements and other resolutions
Summary
The New Brunswick Housing Authority approved a slate of resolutions including a $130,000 management‑consulting contract with AMA Consulting, architectural and legal services, and multiple maintenance contracts. The meeting recorded roll‑call votes for each resolution.
The New Brunswick Housing Authority approved multiple procurement and administrative resolutions during its virtual meeting, including a management‑consulting contract with AMA Consulting, auditing and architectural services, redevelopment legal counsel, and several maintenance and modernization contracts.
Curtis Kaldell, representing AMA Consulting Group, presented the firm’s services before the board. Kaldell said AMA helps housing authorities with ‘‘rewriting or making sure that admin and ACOP plans are compliant’’ and with ‘‘process mapping to remove redundancies, again, to make the housing authority run more efficiently.’’ The board approved a contract with AMA Consulting, LLC for management consulting services at an hourly rate and a not‑to‑exceed amount of $130,000.
Other approvals included contracts for auditing services, architectural and engineering services, redevelopment legal services, accounting support, and unit‑modernization, plumbing, electrical, and general maintenance work. Anthony Muzi (Tony Muzi), the authority’s fiscal controller, explained that a separate resolution was needed to update bank signatories so staff can access account statements and manage banking questions.
Key votes at the meeting recorded two regular absences, Commissioner Caldwell and Commissioner Medina Hernandez. Commissioner David Blevins, newly sworn in, abstained on some items where he identified as new to the board and otherwise voted with the majority. The chair and commissioners provided brief remarks on contractor performance and procurement; staff said some contracts drew limited bidders because of the paperwork and HUD compliance requirements.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 8 — Authorize annual auditing services contract with GM Polo & Associates. Motion passed. Roll call: Chairman Wright yes; Commissioner Georgiani yes; Commissioner Waldy yes; Commissioner Dunlap yes; Commissioner Blevins not eligible to vote on this item. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 9 — Ratify and approve payment of bills for February 2025. Motion passed. Roll call: Wright yes; Georgiani yes; Waldy yes; Dunlap yes; Blevins yes. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 10 — Authorize architectural and engineering services contract with McKernan Architectural and Engineering Services (not to exceed $60,000). Motion passed. Roll call: Wright yes; Georgiani yes; Waldy yes; Dunlap yes; Blevins yes. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 11 — Authorize Wilentz law firm for redevelopment legal services (hourly rates noted). Motion passed. Roll call: Wright yes; Georgiani yes; Waldy yes; Dunlap yes; Blevins abstain. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 12 — Authorize AMA Consulting LLC management consulting (not to exceed $130,000). Motion passed. Roll call: Wright yes; Georgiani yes; Waldy yes; Dunlap yes; Blevins yes. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 13 — Authorize accounting services (hourly rates; not to exceed $59,000). Motion passed. Roll call: Wright yes; Georgiani yes; Waldy yes; Dunlap yes; Blevins yes. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 14 — Contract with Magic Touch Construction for unit modernization and maintenance repair (not to exceed $150,000). Motion passed. Roll call: Wright yes; Georgiani yes; Waldy yes; Dunlap yes; Blevins yes. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 15 — Contract with Magic Touch Construction for plumbing repair and maintenance (not to exceed $150,000). Motion passed. Roll call: Wright yes; Georgiani yes; Waldy yes; Dunlap yes; Blevins yes. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 16 — Magic Touch Construction maintenance and repair (not to exceed $150,000). Motion passed. Roll call: Wright yes; Georgiani yes; Waldy yes; Dunlap yes; Blevins yes. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 17 — Magic Touch Construction for electrical repair and maintenance (not to exceed $122 per hour; not to exceed $100,000 total). Motion passed. Roll call: Wright yes; Georgiani yes; Waldy yes; Dunlap yes; Blevins abstain. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 18 — Remove former employees from bank accounts and add Anthony Muzi (bank signatory updates). Motion passed unanimously. Roll call: Wright yes; Georgiani yes; Waldy yes; Dunlap yes; Blevins yes. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 19 — Appoint Alamo Insurance Group as risk manager broker (fee equal to 6% of assessment cost to the JIF). Motion passed. Roll call: Wright yes; Georgiani yes; Waldy yes; Dunlap yes; Blevins yes. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 20 — Resolution to extend contracts 30 days while procurement finishes: pulled by the chair; no action taken.
- Resolution 21 — Ratify and approve revised utility allowance schedule for the Housing Choice Voucher program. Motion passed. Roll call: Wright yes; Georgiani yes; Waldy yes; Dunlap yes; Blevins yes. Outcome: approved.
Staff and commissioners said most contracts were awarded after an RFP process; several vendors were the only bidders because HUD compliance and procurement paperwork limit participation. Kaldell and other presenters told commissioners AMA will assist with grievance hearings, eligibility and recertification processing, and process mapping. The authority’s fiscal controller said updating bank signatories will permit staff to obtain statements and open online access for accounting duties.
The board closed public comment after a brief period and moved on to the resolutions listed above. Several items included routine administrative explanations and staff assurances that budgetary oversight will continue.
