[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6066428,"mediaKeyId","3174476-7faccc99fc6ddbfd49a0c4e0f147ab9b","parentId",3174476,"title","Board approves AMA consulting contract, architecture and construction agreements and other resolutions","audioSeconds",367,"startMs",2178685,"endMs",2546495,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3174476-7faccc99fc6ddbfd49a0c4e0f147ab9b&start=2178&end=2546","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3174476-7faccc99fc6ddbfd49a0c4e0f147ab9b/thumbnail_2178685.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6066428/New-Brunswick/Middlesex-County/New-Jersey/Board-approves-AMA-consulting-contract-architecture-and-construction-agreements-and-other-resolutions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066428-c160eadc80967540ee488bccdff2c41d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146577&Signature=lgGYI57aD3Q~-Bsug7ZnlyQDN5R4GZxZzJM1Yy~xdaCMMos9yXKtfgHJlfRdrrkvkrH3b8mryIz1iN8QKJmqaZs6HeQRAp5w-zFHwfTIrkJ81SnaMOeN40sh-lKGl1-KQK11YKP-dce0RpBJY-bCo87VRoFNd9C4qeQvEaNpxQpcK3RwJrWbXfiFsKvsqueALKhAGxIC5XEecerCTnY0z9H5Ae0THf9DmqEApPAcPD3bGTMrxrDYkWLsylgDaxquDhnL7ZDwTP--VpD3pNQr6Ul2oChI35tUlu6zmN~5PJxsRx-LZQaNDD7bthwp5lHH64uH7J2j~3Dx2PmCugiDxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Brunswick Today","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","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.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Brunswick Housing Authority Board Meeting - 3/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","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.","taxTitle","New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey","taxId",5537,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6066433,"Housing authority to press developers on six stalled projects, forms committee for Schwartz/Robeson site",513,393475,906825,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3174476-7faccc99fc6ddbfd49a0c4e0f147ab9b&start=393&end=906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3174476-7faccc99fc6ddbfd49a0c4e0f147ab9b/thumbnail_393475.jpg","/articles/6066433/New-Brunswick/Middlesex-County/New-Jersey/Housing-authority-to-press-developers-on-six-stalled-projects-forms-committee-for-SchwartzRobeson-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066433-8d51e5f8638f8c3489544177ebc423e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146577&Signature=T~IStXEk0AA9E9LUBvA2k5bQoTdyaUzBwe0YFjZbFa0mGSo6JkrejOqhovZcQfnoWgzt2ILdqlynSEDTJwwywwWFgBQIyxSZPWJ2t-6vF1XanAorVdLQ-LJY0icnuDE-UnS~AGipF7r7JDGn8skgbdHtcypChM2BUFXeND-PI5Snzgs23M51zbf2tqNcZu9c4sDX9Kzd1FJDTaYyBemSqqzGuLqud0CWnAIR6AY~PrRvcKgJwnyJczaGQpabWaDnc4ceVQ89TEBj6kqOUgHKIZ0Lu8hpBJOQW7RsQOKWS2yPLbYVIwcUYlmRsiRXAnf8nZW4U~AJQkjKQUAQska6kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners discussed next steps on six pending redevelopment projects and agreed with legal counsel’s recommendation to send formal notices and, where appropriate, exercise the authority’s 90‑day contractual rights if developers do not respond.

The board reviewed a memorandum from counsel outlining options at the end of each redevelopment agreement. Commissioner Georgiani said the authority should send a tight response window to developers—suggesting roughly a 10‑day period for an initial reply—and then proceed on the 11th day toward the authority’s next contractual remedies, including the 90‑day cure period where counsel recommends it. Legal counsel confirmed the authority must follow the letter of each agreement before taking enforcement steps, even when developers are in foreclosure or litigation.

Commissioner Waldy raised concerns about projects that date back several years and one church‑led project on George Street that is in litigation, asking how the authority would handle those cases. The authority’s counsel and staff said litigation can be an exception that pauses certain enforcement options; the authority will gather additional information on projects that are subject to active court cases before deciding whether to proceed.

Staff provided a site‑level update on specific properties. Penrose/Hildebrand Commons, the former senior site on Nielsen Street, is awaiting permit approvals from the city and a closing is expected within a few weeks after the city issues permits, staff said. The board postponed an update on a separate digital‑connectivity initiative to a later meeting.

Commissioners and staff also discussed the Schwartz/Robeson site, a larger redevelopment where preliminary massing studies show it could support between about 1,000 and 2,000 housing units depending on scale. Chairman Wright urged forming a special committee to provide continuity and shepherd the project through finance and design stages. The chair and staff encouraged commissioners and community volunteers to join but advised keeping the committee under a quorum threshold (fewer than four commissioners) to avoid triggering the authority’s public‑meeting requirements for committee sessions unless the board decides to notice those meetings publicly.

Charlie Crataville, a New Brunswick Today editor who spoke during public comment, welcomed the authority’s tougher stance toward delinquent developers and urged the authority to consider making committee meetings public even if the membership is kept below a quorum. Crataville said public notice and participation could increase transparency for a project that will affect many residents.

The board did not adopt policy changes immediately but directed staff and counsel to prepare and send the recommended notices to developers and to return with updates on litigation‑encumbered projects.","The New Brunswick Housing Authority agreed to send formal notices and pursue its 90‑day contractual remedies where appropriate for six pending redevelopment projects, and commissioners moved to form a committee to shepherd a large proposed Schwartz/Robeson redevelopment that could yield up to 1,000–2,000 units.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6066438,"David Blevins sworn in as New Brunswick Housing Authority commissioner",203,42895,246845,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3174476-7faccc99fc6ddbfd49a0c4e0f147ab9b&start=42&end=246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3174476-7faccc99fc6ddbfd49a0c4e0f147ab9b/thumbnail_42895.jpg","/articles/6066438/New-Brunswick/Middlesex-County/New-Jersey/David-Blevins-sworn-in-as-New-Brunswick-Housing-Authority-commissioner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066438-c3b9ac35e5c2b3277aa1196a4508edd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146577&Signature=frf5CJafAGz5lNlYFb9OIjfUn9eGc~AXqS~Cr-TFfUrKOGmx8ERTS0XLJMN5D3jbZDe2kIAJctEV0NmQe3duiZhQoa6MUP5ZFdNOHC7PTDWg4E24QxOyG6lCwNjvNJMYaqrWeE6741SisnbedUZUysaqTxYj4IuIUFGID~GMvY~G-K8FcyTfLvEe3h3Qm~Oam5AKBuYdxmYr81WNlW88V9Xls~dH8pASAp6Se8YqsieERcDAumH9SQjd7bfKO~h~-93IoU7uCWNNTVIGw73rb21ZmsTGD3gspdW1G40ly5WUeAhwb3bSS5VeIpVb5M3TCYH8Zld3ianYe4zsrrCqRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Blevins was sworn in as a commissioner of the New Brunswick Housing Authority during the authority’s virtual meeting.

Alberto administered the oath of office and led Blevins through the traditional affirmation, which included promises to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and to “justly perform all of the duties of commissioner of the housing authority of the city of New Brunswick.” After the oath, Blevins said, “Thank you very much. Happy to be part of the organization.”

The board addressed procedural limits tied to the timing of Blevins’ appointment. Chairman Wright noted that Blevins should not vote on the consideration of minutes from the prior meeting because the new commissioner had not been on that earlier meeting’s record; the minutes vote was taken by the sitting members without Blevins’ participation. Blevins participated in later votes once the chair confirmed he was eligible to vote on subsequent resolutions.

The meeting notice and the board’s use of an electronic format were read at the start of the session in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-9.3.

Chairman Wright and fellow commissioners welcomed Blevins and invited him to engage in forthcoming committee work and redevelopment discussions, saying the authority expects continuity and active participation from its new member.

No formal action beyond the swearing-in was taken specifically to confirm Blevins’ appointment during the meeting; the oath and the chair’s rulings established his participation status for the body’s business that followed.","David Blevins took the oath of office during a virtual meeting of the New Brunswick Housing Authority and was welcomed by commissioners. The board noted he could not vote on some earlier items but participated in subsequent business.","actionData","errors"]

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Board approves AMA consulting contract, architecture and construction agreements and other resolutions

Housing authority to press developers on six stalled projects, forms committee for Schwartz/Robeson site

David Blevins sworn in as New Brunswick Housing Authority commissioner