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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-28-AHTBT-min Page 1 of 2 Affordable Housing Trust Meeting Minutes of March 28, 2024 10:00 am Hybrid meeting on Zoom and attended in-person in Ellen Stone room, Cary Hall Affordable Housing Trust Board Members present: Elaine Tung, Chair; Mark Sandeen, Linda Prosnitz, William Erickson, Tiffany Payne (joined at 10:10am) Staff present: Liz Rust, RHSO Director; Ragi Ramachandran, Administrative Assistant Other attendees: Bob Pressman, Rick Jette Ms. Tung chaired the hybrid meeting and called the meeting to order at 10:05 am. 1. Approve Meeting Minutes Ms. Tung requested a motion to approve the minutes of 2/26/24 and 2/27/24 AHT meetings. Mr. Sandeen moved. Mr. Erickson seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 4-0-0, by a roll call vote (Sandeen – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes, Erickson – yes). Meeting minutes approved. 2. Chair, Select Board, Board/Committee Liaison and RHSO/staff report Mr. Erickson and Ms. Tung attended the informal property acquisition working group’s first session on 3/21/24. This group aims to develop communication lines and coordination for potential property acquisitions. Ms. Rust shared that the kickoff meeting for the Housing Needs As sessment was scheduled for Apr. 10 with the group consisting of Kathryn Roy, Tiffany Payne, Melinda Walker, Nanette Byrnes and Sarah Morrison. Ms. Tung updated that Article 10i will be heard first on Apr. 3 followed by Article 33. Ms. Payne attended the Mel King Institute training, and shared that it was a very well organized and informed training on affordable housing. 3. LexHAB purchase The Trustees reviewed LexHAB’s potential purchase in Lexington. The purchase and sales was signed on Fri, Mar. 22. In a prior Executive session, the Affordable Housing Trust had voted, pending Select Board approval to grant LexHAB in the amount of $600,000 to purchase the property. At the Town’s request, the funding is subject to a drainage easement that needs to be in place at time of closing, for the drainage culvert on the property. The closing is anticipated on May 15, 2024. The Trustees took a formal vote to approve the funding. Ms. Tung requested a motion to appropriate LexHAB in the amount of $600,000 to purchase 50 Valleyfield Street Lexington, contingent upon the Select Board approval and the drainage easement. Mr. Sandeen moved. Ms. Payne seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Payne – yes, Sandeen – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes, Erickson – yes). 4. Lowell Street and North Street Mr. Erickson shared the details from Conservation Commission’s ANRAD hearing of parcel 68-44. An abutter had raised concern with the flagging, and the hearing was continued to Apr. 8. Page 2 of 2 Ms. Tung stated that the Trust has received new letters of support for Article 33 from the Housing Partnership Board, the Tree Committee, State Representatives Michelle Ciccolo and Gordon, and Mike Kennealy. These letters are posted on the Town website. Ms. Tung will be attending the Human Rights Committee’s meeting where they will be discussing Article 33. The Trustees reviewed the proposed amendments to Article 33 from Tony Galaitsis. Mr. Sandeen stated that the Select Board opposed both amendments by a vote of 5-0. Ms. Tung shared that the Capital Expenditures committee voted against the amendments by a vote of 5 -1. The Trustees had a detailed discussion and voted to oppose the two proposed amendments. Mr. Erickson moved that the Affordable Housing Trust oppose the proposed first amendment to Article 33. Ms. Payne seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Payne – yes, Sandeen – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes, Erickson – yes). Mr. Sandeen moved that the Affordable Housing Trust reject the proposed second amendment to Article 33. Mr. Erickson seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes, Sandeen – yes, Erickson – yes, Payne – yes). Mr. Sandeen moved to authorize the Affordable Housing Trust Chair to post the statement from the Affordable Housing Trust discussion to the TMMA list, and to respond to any questions that may come from the TMMA members on Article 33. Ms. Prosnitz seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Sandeen – yes, Payne – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes, Erickson – yes). Ms. Tung stated that Dawn Mckenna asked if the Trust would consider changing the Article 33 motion to insert either number of units or a specific building height. Mr. Sandeen advised that this should be requested of the Select Board as the Select Board views it as their motion. There was discussion about tenant rights, eviction procedures, and the management of affordable housing properties. Ms. Rust clarified that tenants and owners have specific policies under their lease, and tenants have legal protections. The Trustees noted that unforeseen circumstances can lead to difficulties in rent payment. Ms. Prosnitz emphasized that both tenants and landlords have protection and the rights apply whether it’s an affordable housing development or market rate development. Ms. Rust explained that the housing opportunity through Modernization Act will introduce an asset cap for eligibility and annual certification. Concerns about property management organization were raised . Ms. Rust suggested evaluation through existing agreements, and monitoring. The Trustees will be attending the Town Meeting in-person on Wed, Apr. 3 where Articles 10i and Article 33 will be discussed. 5. Confirm future meeting dates The next meeting was proposed for the end of April. The Trustees agreed to coordinate with Town staff on the meeting date. 6. Adjourn Mr. Erickson moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Ms. Payne, and on a roll call vote: (Erickson – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Sandeen – yes, Tung – yes, Payne – yes), the meeting adjourned at 11:39 am. List of documents reviewed: Article 33 Amendment 1, and Article 33 Amendment 2