2022-08-03-LEXHAB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Housing Assistance Board Monthly Board Meeting Minutes August 3, 2022 – 4-6 pm – Conducted in the Hudson Room, Cary Hall Call to Order 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) and Jonathan Silverstein. Tara Mizrahi was absent. Also present were Kathryn Roy (Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee), Melinda Walker (Lexington Housing Authority), Bob Pressman (Community Preservation), James Robinson (Management Fellow for the Town of Lexington), Sarah Morrison (LexHAB Executive Director), Pearlene Varjabedean (LexHAB Housing Director) and Regina Brown (LexHAB Financial Administrator). Minutes review of July 13, 2022, Meeting A motion was made and seconded to approve July 13, 2022 meeting minutes. Executive Director Update Sarah Morrison outlined recent activities: • Funding Updates: Work underway on Dana Home funded bathroom renovations; CEL funded LexHAB house shaped magnets for tenants with contact info for repair; Need to work on requests to CPA- energy efficiency upgrades, heat pumps; starting CPA funded work • Strategic Planning: Sarah will circulate outline of strategic initiatives for feedback and task force assignments • Transition: Tara Mizrahi, Jonathan Silverstein, Bob Burbidge Sarah Morrison met to continue editing Special Act; next steps LexHAB presentation to Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee August 10 and present to Select Board with goal of warrant article in Special Fall Town Meeting and submit Home Rule Petition to State Legislature by third week of January 2023 • PR/Collaboration: Town mini ‘Housing Summit’ July 26 organized by Abby McCabe, new planning director (LexHAB, Housing Partnership, Lexington Housing Authority, Affordable Housing Trust Committee, Planning Board, Council on Aging and more); Sarah is new liaison to Housing Partnership; meeting with Maggie Peard, Sustainability Coordinator, to discuss ideas for greening LexHAB, possibilities for CPA funds; submitting press release to local media to announce new ED • Employee Benefits/Human Resources: Met with Henry Liu and Bob Burbidge to complete basic employee benefits package proposal- ICHRA health insurance reimbursement, paid time off Second Quarter Financial Review • Gerry Howell, Treasurer, presented an overview of LexHAB’s second quarter financial review. Property Search and Development • Lester Savage shared Vine Street’s proposed design changes to reduce costs including: • Bob Phelan and Lester evaluated potential property for purchase (single family) and found the amount necessary repairs too costly to warrant pursuing. Will continue search for appropriate properties. Employee Benefits Proposal • Henry Liu presented proposal for basic employee benefits package: ICHRA health insurance reimbursement, paid time off, and list of paid holidays. The board approved the proposal. • Bob Burbidge noted that an employee handbook is in draft form and that he is investigating additional benefits options such as retirement savings plans. He would like to research options for conducting a salary review. Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee • Kathryn Roy 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. LexHAB will present its recommendation to become a 501c3 at the August 10 Trust meeting.