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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-06-LEXHAB-min 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. • Tara Mizrahi outlined the work of the Housing Trust Task Force.The priority is to create the Trust in order to make affordable housing development more nimble.The Task Force will conclude its work in June with draft of Housing Trust to be established. Organization Transition Options • Tara Mizrahi and Sarah Morrison summarized their meeting with Town Counsel about the options for Changing LexHAB's ties to the Town of Lexington to allow for more flexibility and greater cost savings during development. • The three options include: a Home Rule petition to the State Legislature changing the charter to separate LexHAB from the Town; the creation of a non-profit organization with different board members than LexHAB to lead development; or a hybrid solution with the combination of Home Rule and a new non-profit that dissolves once LexHAB becomes independent from the Town. • Tara and Sarah will work with Town to get more details from Town Counsel on the process and timeline. Bob Burbidge noted that engaging Michelle Ciccolo would be helpful as well. LexRAP Collaboration • Sarah Morrison shared LexRAP's desire to collaborate to house refugees and outlined possible options including master leasing a unit to LexRAP or LexRAP acting as a guarantor for a refugee applicant without sufficent income. Tara Mizrahi, Bob Burbidge and others stated that they would like to see a collaboration with LexRAP in whatever way made sense for both organizations. Sarah will follow up with LexRAP to discuss details. New Business • Sarah Morrison asked if Board members would be amenable to meeting in person for the next meeting on May 4. All Board members agreed to meet in person beginning in May. 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, May 4, 2022 @ 4:OOpm in person at the Hudson Room in the Cary Memorial Building.