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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-01-LEXHAB-min KtLtllVt [J Lexington Housing Assistance Board 2023 27 main, I 127 am Monthly Board Meeting Minutes June 1,2022—4:05 pm—Conducted in the Hudson Room, Call to OrderLEXINGTON MA A meeting of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB)was called to order at 4:05 pm. LexHAB members present were Bob Burbidge (Chair), Lester Savage (Vice-Chair), Bill Kennedy(Clerk),Tara Mizrahi, Henry Liu, Gerry Howell and Bob Phelan. Donna Leary and Henry Liu were absent. Also present were Sarah Morrison (LexHAB Executive Director) and Regina Brown (LexHAB Financial Administrator) Minutes review of May 4,2022, Meeting A motion was made and seconded to approve May 4, 2022 meeting minutes. The motion was approved. Executive Director Update Sarah Morrison outlined recent activities: • Funding Updates: Attended Dana Home reception and received $60,000 for renovating 3 bathrooms; notified of $5,300 award from Community Endowment of Lexington • Strategic Planning: First of three planning meetings will took place May 23 5-6pm. Two more session will take place June 20 and July 11. • Transition: Met with Town Counsel May 26 to discuss steps and timeline for Home Rule • LexRAP collaboration:Two refugee families moving into units in June and July • Storage Space:John Biggins needs a heated space 700-800 square feet for work and storage. Lester Savage found a possibility and will connect with John to discuss details. • ED intro meetings: Sarah continues introductory meetings with local leaders, social services organizations (Town Manager, Library). Sarah drafted a press release for local media outlets announcing her hiring. Bob Burbidge recommended Lexington Observer as well as Lexington Times. Affordable Housing Trust Committee • Tara Mizrahi outlined the recent work of the Housing Trust Task Force and the goal: to create Trust in order to make affordable housing development more nimble.Will present to Capitol Expenditures Committee June 6,Sam. Sarah Morrison and Bob Burbidge will attend to hear presentation. The Task Force will conclude its work in June with draft of Housing Trust to be established. Property Development • Lester Savage and Bob Phelan will be meeting with Colin Smith, Architect to conduct value engineering and identify any areas for cost reduction. Strategic Planning • First of three planning meetings took place May 23 5-6pm with Lester Savage, Bill Kennedy, Donna Leary and Tara Mizrahi. Donna Leary was ill and could not attend. First session focused on identifying LexHAB's core strengths and possible opportunities to pursue.Two more session will take place June 20 and July 11. Employee Benefits • Bob Burbidge, Henry Liu and Sarah Morrison are part of the HR/Benefits task force focused on creating an employee handbook and benefits package.They will be meeting in June to begin drafting policy and an outline for benefits. LexHAB Transition • Tara Mizrahi and Sarah Morrison shared the current information gathered from the recent meeting with Town Council, including the timeline for transition. • Using Home Rule the timeline for transition to become an independent non-profit would follow the two year legislative schedule.Current legislative cycle ends on July 31, 2022 and the next Town Meeting Fall 2022,approval from legislature would be Spring/Summer 2024. • Board members agreed that it is imperative to gather as much information as possible on how operating as an independent 501c3 will change costs and to detail all areas that will be affected. Board members decided that as many details as possible must be fleshed out before proceeding, including estimates for independent property and liability insurance coverage, director and officer insurance and any other new expenses. While there will be cost savings in the development process there will also be cost increases for insurance coverage and more information on these expenses is needed before moving forward. Sarah Morrison will contact other CDCs with similar property portfolio to investigate their expenses and contact insurance providers as well as the Town to pull together numbers for the next board meeting. 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. The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 6, 2022 @ 4:OOpm in person at the Hudson Room in the Cary Memorial Building.