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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-01-LEXHAB-min Lexington Housing Assistance Board Monthly Board Meeting Minutes November 1– 3:30-5:30 pm – Conducted in the Hudson Room, Cary Hall Call to Order A meeting of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB) was called to order at 3:38 pm. LexHAB board members present were Bob Burbidge, Lester Savage, Henry Liu, Russ Tanner, Eric Brown and Jonathan Silverstein. Sarah Morrison, Executive Director, Pearlene Varjabedian, Housing Director and Regina Brown, Finance Director, also in attendance. Minutes review of Meeting Minutes th A motion was made and seconded to approve October 4 meeting minutes. All approved. Motion to Enter Executive Session Motion to enter executive session to discuss strategy and value with respect to purchase of real property, and to reconvene thereafter in open session, was made by J. Silverstein, seconded by H. Liu, and passed unanimously on a roll-call vote at 3:44. Whereupon, the Board entered into executive session for the stated purpose. Resumption of Open Session The Board returned to open session at 4:05pm Reports had been emailed out ahead of meeting Executive Director Report: (1) Shared tenant letter expressing gratitude for LexHAB’s affordable housing as a survivor of domestic violence (2) Keeler Farm Way – will discuss in Exec Session (3) Muzzey- Heat pump installation issues th (4) Call for Art notices are out related to HOME. 10/28 opening- runs through 11/19. Housing Roundtable 11/2 from 5-7- reps from different groups (5) Fundraiser 11/16 from 5-7—would like Board members to ask for donations for raffle. Businesses to sponsor events. Sarah would also like each board member to invite ten people each- $25/ticket. Eventbrite event will be sent out. Contributions are welcome. Property  Purchase and Sale, two family property Nov. 1  New minimum income policy needs approval by RHSO to complete new Marketing Plan and Lottery Administration Scope of Services with Metro West- RHSO has questions  Meeting with Keeler Farm HOA Nov. 7  Unresolved issues with Muzzey re: heat pump installation  New Trustees needed for Parker Manor and Keeler Farm Fundraising  ‘Home’ Art Exhibit at LexArt: October 28- November 19. Fundraiser Nov. 16, 5:30- 7:30pm at Nye Gallery, 130 Waltham Street. Discussed ticket sales, fundraising status and ways to increase success of evfent.  Community Endowment of Lexington pushed application deadline for capacity building grants to February 2024 with grant awards in May/June. Will submit proposal for strategic planning consultant to prepare for transition to 501c3 and create long term strategic plan.  Looking for funding sources for energy efficiency measures that Mass Saves did not cover; opportunity through MA Department of Energy Resources’ Low and Moderate Income Housing Decarbonization Grant, other state initiatives  Community Preservation Committee Fund Application due Nov. 1: requesting a total of $482,365: $115,740 to subsidize low income tenants below minimum rent; $366,625 for Preservation, Rehabilitation and Restoration including $91,000 in decarbonization initiatives (Solar and gas to electric conversion). Collaboration  Congratulations and appreciation to Housing Director for successful 10/25 Housing Resource Fair  ‘HOME’ exhibit at Nye Gallery, 130 Waltham, October 28- November 19  Housing Roundtable @ LexArt Nov. 2, 5-7pm  LexHAB Housing Book Display at Cary Library, promoting events and housing research Sustainability  Important progress across single and multi-family sites- see Sustainability Report  Drafting consultant job description funded by CEC decarbonization grant Transition  Met with Town and Town Counsel on Sept. 27 to review timing, procedure and draft Memorandum of Agreement drafted by J. Silverstein drafted related to property transition. Need to investigate property titles, details on 501c3 creation, status as nonprofit corporation. Housing Director Report VACANT UNITS  One – One-bedroom unit at Muzzey  Two new units added to Inventory – waiting for them to go on SHI List  One two-bedroom Lottery Unit will be opening. POLICY  Discussion regarding EV charging for tenant cars, particularly in units transitioning to solar. Should LexHAB be paying for tenants to charge their electric vehicles?  Housing Director asked that Board vote to revise LexHAB application to delete statement that applications expire after one year. R. Burbidge moved to extend application duration to 3 years; L. Savage seconded; motion passed unanimously.  Update on maintenance and landscaping needs.  Discussion re: delay in heat pump installation requiring some tenants to purchase oil due to winter approaching. Suggested the Board agree to some sort of compensation for tenants placed in this position. J. Silverstein moved to authorize the chair, Executive Director and Housing Director to implement a reasonable compensation structure. H. Liu seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Treasurer’s Report- Henry  Sent out highlights  Net Income still up from last year—revenue ahead of budget; repair and maintenance costs are below budget. Sustainability- Regina  7 heat pumps already put in, 5 more scheduled in November  Muzzey project to replace heat pumps and air handlers for all 12 LexHAB units at Muzzey is on hold, because the condominium trustees are requiring an “Access Agreement.” Project is now tentatively scheduled for January 2024  Gas to all Electric HVAC systems: 9 Kimball and 1001/1003 Mass Ave have been iden?fied as units for conversion.  Solar projects: o 34A Lowell St– Installa?on will begin October 31 st. o 454 Marre? - Installa?on will begin November 7 th. New Business  Affordable Housing Trust - Bill Erickson of the Affordable Housing Trust gave a presentation, including discussion of Lowell Street property owned by Town. J. Silverstein moved to authorize the Executive Director to send a letter of support of Affordable Housing Trust’s application to the Community Preservation Committee; H. Liu seconded; motion passed unanimously. The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 6, 2023 @ 3:30pm in person at the Hudson Room in the Cary Memorial Building. Motion to Adjourn Open Session at 5:30pm The Chair moved to adjourn the Open Session and go into Executive Session to discuss strategies in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel, resident issues and litigation that to discuss in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body, LexHAB. The motion was seconded.The motion was approved by roll call vote. All approved.