Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-24-AHTSC-minThe Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee (ad hoc) Meeting Minutes of August 24, 2022 Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee members present for the public meeting: Kathryn Roy, Chair; Betsey Weiss, Jeri Foutter, Gretchen Reisig, Linda Prosnitz, Carol Marine, Tara Mizrahi. Lexington Staff present for the public meeting: Kiruthika Ramakrishnan, Administrative Assistant Non-voting liaison of the Select Board: Mark Sandeen Other Attendees: Elizabeth Rust RHSO. 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 4:02 pm. The meeting was recorded by LexMedia for future on-demand viewing. 1. Review the issues from the bylaw that were brought up and were discussed with town counsel Ms. Roy shared a draft bylaw of the Affordable Housing Trust. The committee decided that a current resident of low or moderate income housing would qualify to be a trustee. This clause could also be left in the Declaration of Trust. The committee also discussed the purpose of the trust, which cannot be changed. The committee determined what would constitute a quorum. The eventuality of one of the trustees leaving Lexington and the consequences were discussed and it was decided to check with the Town Counsel on what would constitute reasonable transition time. The committee then discussed on the eventuality of a vacancy created by a trustee being absent for a certain number of meetings. The committee decided to go with five consecutive absences or six months of meetings of the trust, in order for the position to be deemed vacant. The committee discussed if there should be term limits, and decided to table the discussion until review with Carol and town counsel. The committee discussed the Powers of the Trustees and wanted to check with the Town Counsel to confirm if the approval has to be in written format. Mr. Sandeen wanted the Trust to have the ability to make recommendations on proposals or Town Meeting warrant articles which would affect housing. The committee accepted the proposed change to “to make recommendations on proposals and Town Meeting warrant articles which affect housing.” The committee discussed the compensation for the Trustees and decided to table the discussion for the next meeting. The goal is to compensate a low- or moderate-income board member for childcare or lost wages they invoked by attending board meetings. 2. Vote on whether to support LexHAB's transition to a 501©3 Ms. Mizrahi gave a brief summary on LexHAB’s proposed process of transition to a 501(c)3. Ms. Mizrahi explained LexHAB’s vision and mission and explained the value in converting LexHAB into a 501(c)3. Ms. Reisig wanted clarification on the Committee’s charge and the proposed 501(c)3’s capability to fulfil the charge. Ms. Mizrahi said that there would be no gaps that the new entity cannot fulfill. Ms. Marine wanted to know what would happen to LexHAB’s current units that are non-deed restricted. Ms. Mizrahi said that there are 28 such units and it is a complicated process to add these units to Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) as they are all occupied. Ms. Mizrahi said that a town affordable housing restriction can be put on some of those 28 units, during the transition process. Ms. Roy wanted to know more details about the money that was set aside for Katahdin Woods. Ms. Mizrahi said that based on a few conversations, her understanding was that the money was used to build Fair View and all the units in Fair View are in SHI. Ms. Mizrahi moved that the Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee vote on their support of LexHAB’s desire to move to a 501(c)3 and agree that such a 501(c)3 would help Lexington to produce affordable housing more quickly, efficiently and economically than that it is currently being produced by the town. Ms. Reisig seconded the motion. The Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee voted in favor of the motion 7 -0-0. Roll Call Vote: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Review the Frequently Asked Questions and responses Ms. Roy shared a draft of Frequently Asked Questions with the committee and discussed the comments of some Town Meeting members with whom she had shared the document. Ms. Roy said that based on their feedback she had made edits to the document to explain the mission of the Affordable Housing Trust in detail. The committee discussed how the Town retains control of affordable housing development after the Trust is created. The committee agreed that the question can be addressed under the question regarding the Town’s involvement in decisions made by the Trust. The committee then discussed the Trust’s ability to buy and sell property. The committee agreed that Select Board approval would be required for purchases beyond a certain threshold, which was to be determined at a later meeting. Adjourn Ms. Reisig moved that The Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee adjourn the meeting held on August 24, 2022. Ms. Murphy seconded the motion. The Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee voted in favor of the motion 7-0-0 Roll Call Vote: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Meeting adjourned at 5:59 pm.