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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-7-LEXHAB-min 1 Lexington Housing Assistance Board 2023 27 Jain, I 126 arn Monthly Board Meeting Minutes September 7,2022—4-6 pm—Conducted in the Hudson Room, Ca Call to OrderLEXINGTON A meeting of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB)was called to order at 4:05 pm. LexHAB members present were Bob Burbidge (Chair), Bill Kennedy(Clerk), Donna Leary, Henry Liu, Gerry Howell (Treasurer), Bob Phelan, Lester Savage (Vice-Chair),Tara Mizrahi and Jonathan Silverstein. Also present were Bob Pressman (Community Preservation),James Robinson (Management Fellow for the Town of Lexington), Ingrid Klimhof(League of Women Voters), Sarah Morrison (LexHAB Executive Director), Pearlene Varjabedean (LexHAB Housing Director) and Regina Brown (LexHAB Financial Administrator). Minutes review of August 3,2022, Meeting A motion was made and seconded to approve August 3, 2022 meeting minutes as amended. Executive Director Update Sarah Morrison outlined recent activities: • Funding Updates:John Biggins continuing work on Dana Home funded bathroom renovations; Working with Bob Phelan and John Biggins on requests to CPA- energy efficiency upgrades, heat pumps; John Biggins started CPA preservation funded work • Strategic Planning: Sarah circulated outline of strategic initiatives for feedback and assignments • Transition: Sarah presented to Select Board on LexHAB's proposed reorganization to 501c3 to be considered for inclusion in Fall Special Town Meeting. Select Board unanimously expressed support for LexHAB's proposal and inclusion in Special Fall Town Meeting. Next Steps will be preparing for Special Town Meeting, meeting with Committees and Town Meeting Members. • PR/Collaboration: Sarah participating in Town's Citizen Academy. LexHAB participating in several upcoming events including CEL Lex Doing Good Fair at Community Center October 22, Senior Wellness Fair at Scottish Rite Museum October 12, Rotary Club October 31. • Employee Benefits/Human Resources: first ICHRA health insurance reimbursement distributed to staff. Property Search and Development • Lester Savage shared information about a potential property to consider for purchase. Board discussed purchase criteria. Will continue search for appropriate properties. Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee • Tara Mizrahi outlined the recent work of the Affordable Housing Trust Committee and the goals: to create an Affordable Housing Trust in order to make affordable housing development more efficient and nimble.The Trust Committee is working to get a warrant article in Special Fall Town Meeting proposing the creation of an Affordable Housing Trust. Human Resources • Bob Burbidge and Henry gave an update of the proposal for ancillary staff benefits.They will look at offerings and discuss further at the next meeting. • Bob had talks with Terri Diggins regarding a salary survey for Executive Director and Housing Director. • A motion was made and seconded that the executive director, with authorization of the chair or vice-chair, be authorized to expend up to$1,500 in the aggregate for unanticipated and unbudgeted expenses subject to ratification by the Board at its next meeting. Also that the chair be authorized to expend up to $1500 in the aggregate for unanticipated and unbudgeted expenses, subject to ratification by the board at its next meeting. Public Relations • Bob Burbidge signed up LexHAB for a booth at Discovery Day on October 8. Board discussed materials needed for outreach, including banner. He suggested LexHAB have a booth at the Genesis Foundation Run in November. Board discussed other opportunities for community outreach. Strategic Plan • Sarah distributed the Strategic Plan Outline to the board and went through the individual initiatives. She asked and received volunteers to work on the various initiatives. LexHAB Transition • Sarah Morrison summarized presentation to Select Board and next steps to prepare for Special Fall Town Meeting. • Sarah and Bob Burbidge discussed how to get info out to town meeting members for LexHAB's warrant article in the Special Fall Town Meeting including a mix of individual meetings and presentations to Town committees and local groups. • A motion was made and seconded to authorize Sarah and Jonathan work with Town Counsel to submit a warrant article to Town Meeting by September 8 that proposes the Town to submit a Home Rule Petition to the Legislature that allows LexHAB to transition to a non-profit housing corporation. • Tara Mizrahi, Jonathan Silverstein, Bob Burbidge, Lester Savage will continue to work with Sarah to prepare for Special Fall Town Meeting Motion to Adiourn Open Session The Chair moved to adjourn the Open Session and go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation as an Open Meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the LexHAB and to discuss tenant matters that if considered in Open Session might adversely affect privacy rights of individuals. The motion was seconded. The motion was approved. The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 5, 2022 @ 4:OOpm in person at the Hudson Room in the Cary Memorial Building.