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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-05-LEXHAB-min RECEIVED LexHAB Meeting Minutes 2022 31 Mar, 1 M Il' III "m TOWN CLERK January 5,2022—4:00 pm—Conducted via Zoom. LEXINGTON MA Call to Order A meeting of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB)was called to order at 4:06 pm on Wednesday,January 5, 2022. LexHAB members present were Bob Burbidge (Chair), Lester Savage (Vice-Chair), Donna Leary,Tara Mizrahi, Henry Liu, Gerry Howell, Bill Kennedy and Robert Phelan. Also, present were Pearlene Varjabedian (LexHAB Housing Director), Regina Brown (Financial Administrator), Robert Pressman (Housing Partnership Board), Doug Lucente (LexHAB Select Board liaison), and Jonina Gorensein Schonfield (Lexington resident). Minutes review of December 1,2021, Meeting A motion was made and seconded to approve meeting minutes of December 1,2021 and was approved by a roll call vote. Tenant Selection Plan Discussion The Policy and Procedures Task Force indicated that there was nothing to report. It was anticipated that the Tenant Transfer Policy would be revisited. For information only. Regulatory Agreements Tara Mizrahi reported that she has begun the review of regulatory files in the LexHAB office and indicated that she had hoped to complete the review by the tentatively scheduled meeting of March 3, 2022. Donna Leary offered to assist Tara in the effort. For information only. 116 Vine Street Update Lester Savage provided an update on the proposed development at 116 Vine Street,which included the following: • Hancock Associates presented their report to the Conservation Commission. Given that roof overhangs were not considered by Colin Smith (LexHAB architect), the footprint for the building at the rear of the property will have to be moved slightly. • Continued discussions with the Conservation Commission were scheduled to continue of Monday, January 24, 2022 at 7:00pm. • Doug Lucente indicated that at an upcoming Select Board meeting, ARPA funding would be discussed and suggested that the current request by LexHAB for construction design costs of$115,000 could be considered by the Select Board. He also indicated that the deadline for submitting additional ARPA funding requests was Friday, January 7, 2022 at 5:00pm. For information only. LexHAB Legacy Initiative Reviewed Bob Burbidge and Lester Savage provided an update on the LexHAB Legacy Campaign. The highlights of which were as follows: • Lester is working with Kristen Elworthy(Seven Hills Communications)to edit an article that Kristen created which is scheduled to be published in the next edition of the Colonial Times. • It was agreed that a separate bank account should be established as a repository for any donations that LexHAB might receive moving forward that might be forthcoming as a result of this campaign. For information only. ARPA Funds In addition to requesting ARPA funding for Vine Street Construction Design costs, it was reported that certain smaller single-family homes that occasionally appear on the market might be suitable for LexHAB purchase. It was agreed that LexHAB would request funding for up to four single family homes should availability of such properties take place. Given that use of ARPA funds for affordable housing has been approved, it was agreed that LexHAB should make a request of the Select Board. Any monies allocated would be used by LexHAB to serve as a down payment on the property. Under this scenario, LexHAB would secure the mortgage with the hope that the debt would be serviced by the rents received. Bill Kennedy made a motion that was seconded and reads as follows: LexHAB should approve a Task Force to be made up of LexHAB members to present a case to the Select Board for up to $1.5 million for affordable housing including $115,000 for design and construction drawings for Vine Street with the remainder to be used for additional units of affordable housing. The motion was approved unanimously by a roll call vote. Executive Director Discussion Bill Kennedy reported that Bob Burbidge, Lester Savage and Bill Kennedy met via Zoom with Lexington resident Sarah Morrison for the position of Executive Director. Bob reported that Sarah had pertinent experience and had excellent employment references. All three endorsed an offer of employment to Sarah Morrison for the position of Executive Director. For information only. 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 unanimously by a roll call vote. The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 3,2022 @a 4:00pm via Zoom.