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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-04-LEXHAB-min LexHAB Board Meeting May 4,2021,2021-8:00 AM—HELD BY Remote Connection Open to Public Minutes of the rneeting held virtually due to COWD — 19 on May 4, 2021 at 3:00 am Members present were. Bob Burbidge, Bill Kennedy, Henry Liu, Les Savage, Bob Phelan, Martha Wood, Gerry Howell, Donna Leary Bill Hays. Also present were Pearlene Varjabedian, Housing Director and Karen Iverson, Regina Brown, Financial Administrator, Patricia S. Nelson, counsel to LexHAB, Bob Pressman of the Lexington Housing Partnership, Elizabeth Rust, RHSO, Carol Kowalski- Assistant Town Manager-Town of Lexington, Tara Mizrahi—Affirmative Investments The Chairman, Bob Burbidge presided. Lex Media recording. AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST - Carol Kowalski reviewed how this was initiated. Select Board wanted to be informed about Housing Trusts. There was a sense of wanting to have a greater amount of affordable housing in Lexington. - Affordable Housing Trust is a form of trust that the legislature adapted making it easier for municipalities to have a trust. - A trust allows the Town to use within the stabilization fund. - Housing Development Corporation —Similar to LEXHAB. There would be degrees of municipal control. There is an option to reconstitute LEXHAB as a Corporation. - There is a distinction with a Community Development Corporation —this can have a broader scope that involves healthcare, support of small business etc.... - Liz Rust, RHSO reviewed the Housing Corporation which is a separate entity from the Town. Separate from 501C3. - CDC 40H is a specialized form of Non-Profits. Resident engagement and how board members serve and participate. - A housing trust would be on the Town side as a receptacle to receive in for later use. - Carol Kowalski indicated a Housing Trust would be managed by Town Finance Department—Agency of the Town. - Bob Pressman inquired if the Trust would be a replacement for the stabilization fund? - The Trust has its own Trustees governed by a declaration of Trust. Lexington would develop its own Trust and tie in certain activities with the Select Board approval. - Bill Kennedy inquired — how the Development Corporation deals with public bidding, procurement, and labor standards? - Liz Rust referred to Procurement Law Ch 30B and Prevailing Wage L:aw Ch 247/9 - Members are appointed by the Town. Follow open meeting law. - Carol Kowalski believes the Trust would reduce restrictions and burden on LEXHAB so that we may fulfill the LEXHAB mission. The Housing Development Corporation needs a solid director. - Lester Savage inquired about existing assets and issues of transferring the Liz Rust responded that the Deed that the Deed wild be transferred to the Trust and it is a huge aspect once the entities are set up. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust is subject to all Municipal laws. - The trust would not be subject to taxes, it would have its own Taxpayer ID. - May 17 - Pamela Hallet Arlington Housing Corporation will be speaking. - Bob Burbidge indicated someone from the LexHAB Board would like to be a part of the committee being developed. - May 17 meeting Bob Burbidge, Bill Kennedy, Lester Savage and Pat Nelson will attend. Minutes from the April 1, 2021 meeting reviewed. - Motion to accept April 1, 2021 meeting minutes. All in favor by Roll Call. Minutes from the April 14, 2021 special meeting reviewed. - Motion to accept April 14, 2021 meeting minutes. All in favor by Roll Call. Bob Burbidge reviewed the Muzzey Sale Verifications • Spoke with Liz Rust, RHSO. Jim Malloy agrees for Liz Rust to be responsible for the sale calculations/verifications at Muzzey. • 3 Chestnut must be added to this last as well. TASK FORCE Executive Director Committee Review Reviewed Executive Director position update. Tenant Policy and procedures Task Force Henry Liu reported the Task Force Poly Committee has not had a chance to meet this month. FINANCIAL OPERATIONS -Gerry Howell reviewed Financials with Regina Brown, Financial Administrator -Reviewed the costs broken down Reviewed need to use the same auditor as the Town. Henry Liu questioned the accounting payroll expenses. Martha Wood questioned the property tax. Motion to accept Financial report Review. All in favor by Roll Call. PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT FARMVIEW • Lester Savage reported that we signed off yesterday. WRIGHT FARM - New fencing is in place. - Paving is in, putting a walkway to the building. VINE STREET - Wetland analysis has been completed. - Colin Smith will review wetlands and design. - Lester called Lexington Police to begin the traffic analysis. - Bob Burbidge will set up next neighborhood public meeting. OPERATIONS TASK FORCE - Bill Kennedy reviewed the Lean Multi Family Program. Regional submitted the application for 41 Units. Hoping for Muzzey unit's assistance with heat pumps NEXT MEETING UPDATES - Tenant Selection Policy—Task Force - Bob Burbidge will be reaching out to Seven Hills Communications - Lester Savage to reach out to Solar. - Will revisit the 10-year report. Martha Wood has asked to not be renewed as a Board member. She had a request for her position on the Board to be filled by Tara Mizrahi. Will approach the Select Board and ask to approve her application. NEXT MEETING Next regular meeting will be June 2, 2021 at 8 AM EXECUTIVE 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 Lexington Housing Assistance Board and to discuss tenant matters that if considered in Open Session might adversely affect privacy rights of individuals.