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Home My WebLink About2022-02-02-AC-min RECEIVED 02/02/2022 AC Minutes 2022 "12 IIC Ilia,4�:33 pirn~n Minutes "roWN Cl ER,K Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee (AC) t l M G,l� � A February 2, 2022 Place and Time: Remote Participation: in accordance with Section 20 of Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 "An Act Relative to Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency", communication took place via a Zoom teleconferencing session that was open to the public; 7:30 p.m. Members Present: Glenn Parker, Chair; Sanjay Padaki, Vice-Chair; Alan Levine, Secretary; Anil Ahuja; John Bartenstein; Eric Michelson; Meg Muckenhoupt; Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager, Finance (non-voting, ex officio) Members)Absent: Lily Manhua Yan Other Attendees: David Kanter, Capital Expenditures Committee liaison; Marilyn Fenollosa, Chair, Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Mr. Parker called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm, reviewed the authorization for meeting remotely, and stated that the meeting was being recorded for the purpose of creating minutes. Announcements and Liaison Reports There were none. Article 10: Appropriate for Community Preservation Act(CPA)Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Projects Using PowerPoint slides, Ms. Fenollosa provided background information on the funding of CPA projects that have supported Community Housing, Historic Resources, Open Space, and Recreational Resources. Lexington has been receiving State matches since 2008, with Lexington's percentages and amounts received varying based on the funds available and the requests of other participating towns. Lexington is receiving $2,500,261, based on a 45.5% match in FY2022. There is currently $16,523,252 available for 2022 Annual Town Meeting (ATM) appropriations to support projects, which is larger than usual because relatively small amounts were requested in the last two fiscal years most likely due to COVID-19 effects. If all of the 2022 proposed projects and administrative costs are approved, $3,115,061 will remain in the Community Preservation Fund. Ms. Fenollosa continued with information about each of the projects for which the CPC is supporting an appropriation, which included the following: (a) Archives& Records Management/Records Conservation& Preservation: In the process of preserving the records, they are also digitized, which increases their accessibility. (b) Wright Farm Barn Stabilization and Preservation: The CPC member who voted against the funding felt that renovation of the Barn for a public use would be too expensive and would not be likely to be carried out. (c) West Farm Meadow Preservation: This area is used for a variety of outdoor activities. (d) Playground Enhancements Poured-in-Place Surfaces: The material used for the surfaces is a liquid that solidifies, improves safety, reduces maintenance, and eliminates the need for bark mulch. CPA funds cannot be used for maintenance, only capital costs. (e) Center Recreation Complex Bathrooms: Design and engineering were funded in 2020 for six bathrooms; this is a request for construction funds. The CPC member who did not support this expenditure is concerned about the future location of a new high school. The CPC 1 02/02/2022 AC Minutes member who abstained felt the funds should come from the General Fund rather than the CPA. (f) Park Improvements—Hard Court Resurfacing, Farias Basketball and Gallagher Tennis Courts: These courts are used for basketball, tennis and pickleball. The intention is for these projects to be completed in the next fiscal year. (g) Park and Playground ImprovementsKineens Park: The equipment is at the end of its useful life. (h) Park ImprovementsAthletic Fields, Fiske School: These are well-used fields. (i) Community Park Master Plan Lincoln Park: The Recreation Department has conducted surveys to determine needs. A Master Plan is needed to prioritize projects that have been identified in the surveys or are in the Recreation Department's five-year capital plan. (j) Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB) Preservation, Rehabilitation, and Restoration of Affordable Housing: LexHAB owns units across Town, and the rents don't cover the capital improvements that are needed. (k) LexHAB-116 Vine Street Construction Funds: After studies and outreach to neighbors, this project has reached the construction phase. The two buildings, with a total of six affordable housing units, will include energy savings components. The $5.3 million estimate was made by an architect in December 2021. The estimate assumes prevailing wage, as required. Mr. Kanter suggested that there may be a revised cost estimate closer to the ATM when construction documents are completed. Ms. Kosnoff noted that the Select Board has expressed some interest in using some American Rescue Plan Act funds for affordable housing. This could include funding for LexHAB if requested. (1) Lexington Housing Authority (LHA) Vynebrooke Village Modernization: Only minor improvements have been made at Vynebrook Village since it was built in 1973. In 2019, LHA won a Modernizing Public Housing and Supporting Elders (MODPhase)grant to help pay for the $4.4 million total cost for modernizing the facility. CPC is recommending approval of$160,790 for elements of the modernization project that are CPA eligible. The grant includes access to a variety of services and resources. (m)CPA Debt Service: All currently outstanding CPA debt will be fully paid in FY2024 except for the Cary Memorial Building upgrades, which will be paid in FY2025. Ms. Kosnoff added that a Bond Anticipation Note (BAN)will be issued in the spring for the Community Center Renovation debt, which will be paid in FY2023. Most of the $772,208 for the Cary Memorial Building Upgrades is a bond paydown, but there will also be a BAN of about $38,000 for this project. (n) Administrative Expenses: $150,000 has been requested every year for some time and that amount is also requested this year. Last year unused funds were returned. There was discussion about using available cash versus incurring debt, particularly considering the anticipated increase in interest rates. It was noted that CPA funds can only be used for CPA- eligible projects thus limiting the value in borrowing for CPA projects. There was also discussion about a potential increase in CPA participation by additional towns, which might impact Lexington's portion of the available state matching funds. It was generally agreed that this was unlikely. Future Meetings Mr. Padaki reported that he had emailed Dave Pinsonneault, Director, Department of Public Works (DPW) about attending a future AC meeting to discuss Article 12: Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment. It was suggested that Mr. Pinsonneault also be prepared to respond to questions about Article 14: Appropriate for Wastewater System Improvements. It was agreed to 2 02/02/2022 AC Minutes put Wednesday, February 9 on the meeting schedule. Mr. Padaki will find a date when Mr. Pinsonneault can attend. It was noted that Budget Summit IV has been cancelled. Ms. Kosnoff explained that there are plans to meet after Town Meeting to discuss the Department of Public Facilities 20-Year Master Plan. Minutes of Prior Meetings A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the January 26, 2022 meeting, as edited. The motion was approved by roll call vote. VOTE: 7-0 Use of WDesk for Creating this Committee's Report Mr. Parker demonstrated tools available in WDesk In response to a request for an end of the calendar year Other Public Employee Benefits balance, Ms. Kosnoff explained that the only official numbers, which incorporate all booked activity, are the June 30 end of the fiscal year balances. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 9:52 p.m. The motion was approved. VOTE: 7-0 Respectfully submitted, Sara Arnold Approved: February 9, 2022 Exhibits • Agenda, posted by Mr. Parker • The Community Preservation Act in Lexington, Article 10: FY2023 Projects; Presentation to Appropriation Committee, February 2, 2022 3