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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-05-LEXHAB-min LexHAB Board Meeting January 5,2021-8:00 AM—HELD BY Remote Connection Open to Public Minutes of the meeting held virtually due to COVIID 19 on January 5, 2021 at 8:10 am Members present were. Bob Burbidge, Bill Kennedy, Henry Liu, Les Savage, Bob Phelan, Donna Leary, Martha Wood, Gerry Howell, and Bill Hays. Also present were Pearlene Varjabedian, Housing Director and Karen Iverson, Patricia S. Nelson, counsel to LexHAB. Sue Barry,Selectwoman, Bob Pressman of the Lexington Housing Partnership, and Tara Mizrahi of Affirmative Investments. Absent was Martha Wood and Regina Brown, Financial Administrator The Chairman, Bob Burbidge presided. Lex Media recording. Henry Liu Co-Host. Minutes from the November 30, 2020 meeting were reviewed and accepted as amended. All in favor by Roll Call. Reviewed Vine Street Meeting minutes held on December 9, 2020. Motion to accept pending any spelling errors the Vine Street Minutes from 12/09/2020 meeting. All in favor by Roll Call. LOGO for LexHAB reviewed. Take out the adding Inc. Tenant Policy and procedures Task Force Motion to adopt Determination Qualification for Placement for tenant suitability under 760 CMR5:08 for all. Units. All in favor by Roll Call. All members present except Martha Wood. Discussion took place regarding Emergency Housing Application. Suzie Barry mentioned website status inquiry. FINANCIAL REPORT Gerry Howell reported that he has reviewed all figures with Regina through November 30, 2020. PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT FARMVIEW • Lester Savage reported that we are still holding back$28K until Triumph completes the punch list items,windows, drawers in kitchen installation. Close to being completed by the end of January. Unoccupied units still needing maintenance work on. WRIGHT FARM • Dishwasher is being installed. Electrical shop teacher will be returning. Aulson will not be able to pave until Spring. All delays are COVID-19 related. • Most likely end of February timeline to be able to be rented for occupancy. VINE STREET • Public Meeting for Vine Street held on December 9, 2020, • Concerns with traffic were expressed. • Colin Smith is putting together plans for a 6-unit plan with two structures that is still economically feasible. • Will be speaking with Colin to see how the plans look. • Met with Towns design review team—Planning Board Director, Building Fire Chief and DPW. Fire department needs to look at plans. Lester will be speaking with Assistant Fire Chief Tim Flaherty. • Planning Director wondered why we are not trying to get more units. Told them that neighborhood wants to limit units. Need to look at the parking lot lighting, size of lot and code requirements. Mike McLean—police representative did a review of the street two years ago. Lester to follow through to get this report. His take was that there was not a lot of traffic and it is minimized at rush hour traffic. He did not want us to encourage parking along Vine Street. We do not want to promote parking along Vine Street. If we wanted to promote sidewalks,there would need to be some land taking and we do not want to get into that. • Jim Kelly—Building Commissioner looked at the parking plan. Colin Smith will investigate planting areas to divide it up. • We will also look at Bike Racks. • Going forward we are trying to meet at the end of January with the Neighbors. • Colin Smith will make adjustments to the plans to review with the neighbors., • Sue Barry—Inquired if we were planning to come to the select Board Meeting Monday January 11. Starting 2021 the meetings are held the 2nd and 4t" Monday. On Agenda for January 11, 2021 • Bob Burbidge announced the next community meeting will ne January 27, 2021 at 7 PM. The invites are already sent. Has not sent to the abutters and will send in conjunction with the mailers. • Suzie suggested to mail prior to Thursday of this week and include that LEXHAB will attend the Select Board meeting on January 11, 2021. Suzie will ask for it to be posted on the Town Website. STRATEGIC INITIATIVES • Solar power development—properties have been identified by Google Maps that have the best Solar orientation and they looked at 5 to 10 premium spots. • Bob Burbidge—reported that excess energy can be transferred to other properties. • Suzie Barry agrees with the concept. Indicated housing has been increasingly a concern. Town Manager was looking at turning LexHAB into a 501C3 status. FOUNDATION FUNDING • Dana Home—Press release went out for this Grant. • Bob P, Pearlene V and John B will look at preliminary ideas for a possible Home Grant Meeting... MARKETING CONSULTANT Discussed benefits of hiring marketing consultant Seven Hills Communications for the purpose of Developing a marketing program to reach out to citizens in town to consider LexHAB as part of their estate planning. • Bob Burbidge recommends Kristen Elworthy who did remarkable work in the past with Genesis. • Bill Kennedy and Les spoke in favor of hiring a marketing consult to increase the amount of affordable housing in Lexington and promote LexHAB mission. • Bob Burbidge—indicated that one way of achieving goals is this marketing approach. He recommends LexHAB enter a contract with Seven Hills Communications for 8 months at$1150 per month (paid advertising and other expenses extra.) • Discussion took place. Motion to Hire Seven Hills Communication and their proposal under Strategy One for a cost of$1150 per month. All in favor by Roll Cal 7-4/1 abstain, 0 against. Henry Liu was not part of the discussion and he abstained. UPDATES Policy and Procedure—more movement on revised Code. Financials will take a deeper look next month. Property Development—Lester Savage to review Strategic Initiatives—Solar and Foundation Funding will be reviewed. Reviewed the Emotional support Animal requests and insurance. Next meeting Tuesday February 3,2021 at 8 AM. EXECUTIVE 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 Lexington. Housing Assistance Board and to discuss tenant matters that if considered in Open Session might adversely affect. privacy rights of individuals.