2022-04-06-LEXHAB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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RECEIVED LexHAB Meeting Minutes 2022 12 May, 9h HIIIT"m April 6,2022—4:06 pm—Conducted via Zoom. TOWN CLERK LEXINGTON MA Call to Order A meeting of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB)was called to order at 4:07 pm. LexHAB members present were Bob Burbidge (Chair), Lester Savage (Vice-Chair)Tara Mizrahi, Henry Liu, Gerry Howell, Bob Phelan and Donna Leary. Also present were Sarah Morrison (LexHAB Executive Director), Pearlene Varjabedian (LexHAB Housing Director), Regina Brown (LexHAB Financial Administrator) Robert Pressman (Housing Partnership Board), Melinda Walker (Lexington Housing Authority)Janina Goerstein, Lexington Resident, and Jodia Finnegan, Lexington Resident Minutes review of March 2,2022, Meeting A motion was made and seconded to approve March 2, 2022 meeting minutes and was approved by a roll call vote. Executive Director Update Sarah Morrison outlined recent activities: • Submitted CEL proposal. Request for$7,000 for'LexAppreciate Project':welcome packages for new residents and gift bags for existing residents comprised of items from local business and artists • Piloted 'welcome packages' to new tenants with household gifts from local businesses along with flyers of town activities and town resource booklet • Looking into Housing and Homelessness RFP from Greater Boston Association of Realtors • Began researching employee benefits: ICHRA, paid time off, 403b, schedule for employee reviews, employee handbook draft from Bob Burbidge • Met with Town and Town Counsel to get legal perspective on options for changing LexHAB's ties to Town • Met with LexRAP to discuss potential collaboration and housing needs • Met with Lexington Human Services team • Will be contacting Strategic Planning Task force members with date for first session: Lester Savage, Bill Kennedy, Donna Leary and Tara Mizrahi. Town Meeting Update • Bob Burbidge reviewed Article 10j LexHAB's request for CPA funds for preservation and rehabilitation of existing units: $234,000 request • Jodia Finnegan asked about the reasons for the request and wondered why LexHAB income from rents could not cover preservation and rehabilitation. • Henry Lui noted that LexHAB rents cover basic expenses and repairs but not all capitol expenses. Henry explained that LexHAB tenants pay 30%of their income for rent whether or not there is a voucher or other funding to cover the full value of the rent.This means that income from rents are well below the market rate amount. As a result, LexHAB's rental income is insufficient to cover the entirety of needed preservation and rehabilitation. Bill Kennedy stated that when CPA funds are for affordable housing, LexHAB requests them because that is what the funds are for. Regna Brown said she would make the capital expenses available for review. • Jodia Finnegan said that she had work to be done on her unit. Bob Burbidge asked her to contact LexHAB staff for assistance. • Bob Pressman and Melinda Walker both spoke in favor of Article 35, Open Space Residential Developments. Task Force Updates • Henry Liu said that the Policy and Procedures Task Force would defer to LexHAB staff to create a transfer policy and minimum rent policy. • Lester Savage stated that Vine Street is proceeding to construction drawings, though plans to put project out to bid are on hold because of challenges with high costs including costs due to prevailing wage. Bob Pressman asked about public bidding and ways to reduce costs. Bill Kennedy noted significant financial savings of not going through public bidding and eliminating prevailing wage costs.