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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-27-AHTSC-min 1 The Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee (ad hoc) Meeting Minutes of July 27, 2022 Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee members present for the public meeting: Kathryn Roy, Chair; Betsey Weiss, Gretchen Reisig, Jeri Foutter, Carol Marine, Tara Mizrahi. Lexington Staff present for the public meeting: Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development; Kiruthika Ramakrishnan, Administrative Assistant. Non-voting liaison of the Select Board: Mark Sandeen Ms. Roy conducted a roll call to ensure that all the members of the Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee (ad hoc) and members of staff present could hear and be heard. Ms. Roy chaired the meeting and called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm. The meeting was recorded by LexMedia for future on-demand viewing. 1. Review of Frequently Asked Questions and associated documents Ms. Roy shared the Frequently Asked Questions prepared by the committee. The committee discussed the response to a question as to what an Affordable Housing Trust would do. Ms. Kowalski shared Arlington’s list from their FAQ. The committee agreed that the response from Arlington’s document was more comprehensive and should be adopted. The next question discussed was if the Town would retain control of affordable housing development, after creation of the Trust. Ms. Kowalski said that Town Meeting would still review planned development districts and the Zoning Board of Appeals would still have authority over 40B comprehensive permitting. The committee then discussed if the Town would be involved in decisions made by the Trust. The committee decided to clarify that the Trust will be a Town entity, bound by procurement laws, open meeting laws and Community Preservation Act (CPA) eligibility regulations and procedures. The committee discussed the sources from which the trust could receive funding. It was decided to add bill numbers and list the sources and also add that Community Preservation Act (CPA) is the most common source of funding for Affordable Housing Trust. The committee also discussed to what entities the Trust will distribute its funds and the committee agreed that all recipients will be bound to the terms and conditions of the award which will be memorialized in a recorded document. The committee discussed if the Trust can purchase/sell or transfer property. Ms. Kowalski said that she, along with the director of Regional Housing Services Office, was planning to have a meeting 2 with the procurement officer to discuss examples of cases and the best way to handle each case. The committee decided that the Trust can purchase/sell or transfer property and also recommended that the Select Board approval would be required above a certain threshold. The committee discussed if the Affordable Housing Trust was allowed to borrow to buy property and also to determine if the Trust can hold property. It was decided that the Trust can hold property and hire a property manager. The committee also would recommend that transactions above a pre- determined limit will require Select Board approval. Also, at present, the Trust had no intention to be a holder or manager of property for a long term and it is the intention of the Trust to transfer rights of the property to a Developer. A few questions on LexHAB were to be clarified by Sarah Morrison, Director of LexHAB and Ms. Mizrahi after a detailed review. The committee decided once approved by the AHTSC to circulate the Frequently Asked Questions document, along with the by-law to the Capital Expenditure Committee, Community Preservation Committee, Appropriations Committee, and the Select Board. Ms. Roy shared a document that detailed the control that can be exerted by the Town over the Affordable Housing Trust. The committee discussed and made minor edits to the document. The committee agreed that this document should also be sent to the afore said entities. 2. Update from Ms. Mizrahi regarding LexHAB’s transition to an independent non-profit Ms. Mizrahi said that the LexHAB Board decided to move ahead to become a non- profit organization through the Home Rule Petition. Ms. Mizrahi added that LexHAB realized that there may be a time constraint if they need to be ready for a home rule petition in January vs. May. Ms. Roy added that Ms. Morrison mentioned the only new fee not covered by rentals would be insurance, estimated to cost $500 - $1000 per affordable home per year. Ms. Roy asked the committee if they would like to vote in support of LexHAB. The committee said that they need some more clarity on the entire process before going in for a vote. Ms. Morrison would be asked to present on 8/10/22 focusing on part 2 of the Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee’s charter. 3. Upcoming Meetings The Committee briefly discussed about upcoming meetings and decided to hold their next meeting on Wednesday August 10th at 4 p.m. Adjourn 3 Ms. Weiss moved that The Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee adjourn the meeting held on July 27th, 2022. Ms. Marine seconded the motion. The Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee voted in favor of the motion 6-0-0 Roll Call Vote: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Meeting adjourned at 5:58 pm.