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CPC meeting minutes for 12-17-2020-FINALCITY of BEVERLY COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE 191 Cabot Street Beverly, Massachusetts 01915 Phone (978) 921 -6000 Fax (978) 921 -6187 Mayor Michael P. Cahill Chairperson Heather Richter Vice Chairperson Derek Beckwith Members Robert Buchsbaum Nancy Marino Thomas Bussone, H Marilyn McCrory Christy Edwards Wendy Pearl John Hall CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES COMMITTEE /COMMISSION: SUBCOMMITTEE DATE: LOCATION: MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Community Preservation Committee December 17, 2020 Google Meet Virtual Meeting Chair - Heather Richter, Vice Chair - Derek Beckwith, John Hall, Christy Edwards, Thomas Bussone, Robert Buchsbaum, Nancy Marino, Marilyn McCrory, Wendy Pearl. Denise Deschamps - Economic Development Planner, Planning Department, acting as Committee staff Michael Collins, Commissioner of Public Services and Engineering, City of Beverly; Catherine Barrett, Director of Grants, City of Beverly. Jodi Byrne - Recording Secretary 1) Call to Order Chair Heather Richter calls the December 17, 2020 meeting of the Beverly Community Preservation Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. She reads an abbreviated version of the following: Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor's March 23, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Beverly t49OZ4 Community Preservation Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. No in- person attendance of members of the public will be available, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City's website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. Applicants and /or representatives required to appear before the Beverly Community Preservation Committee must make arrangements to present remotely as there is not a physical meeting location. Documentary exhibits and /or visual presentations must be submitted 3 business days in advance of the meeting to Denise Deschamps via email at ddeschamps @beverlyma.gov. If you wish to have a comment and /or question read during the meeting please submit them to Denise Deschamps at ddeschamps @beverlyma.gov. Chair Richter says that anyone who would like a copy of documents from tonight's meeting may contact Denise Deschamps. She states that all votes will be taken in a formal roll call vote. She takes a formal attendance roll call: Chair Heather Richter, Vice Chair Derek Beckwith, Robert Buchsbaum, Thomas Bussone, Christy Edwards, John Hall, Nancy Marino, Marilyn McCrory, and Wendy Pearl. Robert Buchsbaum joins the meeting at 7:19. Wynne notes that in reaching an agreement with the abutting property owner, more land is allowed for the trailhead. She reports that the existing plans to be completed by DPS include the additions of property barrier plantings and a split rail fence. Wynne also says that signage needs to be completed at the estimated cost of $250 (plus volunteer labor). She notes that DPS will relocate the "Enjoy the Public Way" sign closer to the street once the trailhead is complete. Wynne notes that the original application was submitted by the PTO, demonstrating the need for city staff personnel to be involved in all projects. She says that the original plan calls for adding 10 benches and 4 -5 picnic tables along the trail, but that the City will review in order to remain within the $9500 of existing grant funds unspent on this project. She confirms that the DPS Commissioner (Mike Collins) reports that the initial grant will accommodate the remaining parts of the project. She says that there are no further legal actions needed, and that there is interest in moving this project along quickly. Wynne states that she will be the project coordinator and will work closely with Mike Collins. Chair Richter confirms that Wynne is looking for an extension for the original MOU, noting that it was last extended to June 30, 2020. Wynne confirms that she is looking for an extension until August 30, 2021. Marilyn McCrory asks what elements of the project were funded by the CPC. Wynne projects the budget sheet onto the screen for review. Wendy Pearl says that the accounting tally to date shows approximately $10,000 remaining and asks if the project's increase of scope is included. Wynne says that the CPC voted to include this extra work when approving the 2019 extension, and confirms that the remaining budget should cover the remaining parts of the project. t49OZ4 Pearl asks if the CPC can extend an expired MOU. Economic Planner Denise Deschamps says that she contacted the City Solicitor regarding this issue, and the Solicitor prefers to see the agreement before the extension vote. Robert Buchsbaum says that the applicant could reapply if the CPC was not able to renew the MOU. Thomas Bussone states that he does not want to set a precedent for extending an expired MOU and prefers that they submit a new application. The Committee holds a discussion regarding the reasons for the delays and expiration, and Chair Richter states her preference that the CPC receives counsel from the City Solicitor. Pearl says that it is in the interest of the CPC and the city to complete this project and that going through another application would just further delay. She says she agrees with the request from the City Solicitor. Derek Beckwith asks if there is any benefit to voting on this before taking it to the City Solicitor, and Wynne answers that DPS would not begin work until after the next few winter months. The CPC decides to place this item on the agenda for the next meeting of the CPC scheduled in January 2021. 3) WORK SHOP FOR CPA ROUND 8 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS -The CPC will provide a helpful workshop for those pre - applicants who were notified that they are eligible to advance to the next phase of the grant application process which entails the completion of a full application. Christy Edwards presents information on the process and components of the full application. She provides a series of projected slides including the following: 1. Application Sections a. General Information b. Project Category and Purpose - note specific definitions for each category C. Budget Request and Summary Information d. Project Narrative - specific project description and goals including applicant/organizational background, project partners, public support and site control, feasibility, maintenance and long -term preservation, and maps and visual materials e. Project Budget - sources of funding /total project funding for each part of the project including all expenses and total costs including necessary quotes f Project Schedule - steps and milestones of project including start and completion date estimates g. Additional Information - supporting documentation such as professionally prepared quotes, letters from the community, documentation on site control, natural resource features, historical reports, maps or other visuals h. Required Applicant/Owner Signatures - applicant must sign and date, including the owner (if not the applicant) 2. Application Schedule a. Jan. 12, 2021 - applications due by noon b. Jan - March 2021 - CPC deliberates C. Mid March - April 2021 - CPC recommendations made to the City Council d. April/May 2021 - City Council votes on recommended applications e. June 2021 - Project Award Announcements 3. Q & A with Applicants Kenneth Cormier - 0 Folger Ave. Project t4 s o2 s Mr. Cormier asks how he is to determine the cost (property purchase price) and percentage (amount he should request from the CPC) for his and his sister's (Carmen Madore) project and how to arrive at a tax value for the land in question. He says that he is trying to find a purchaser who would donate this land to the city. He also asks if someone could preview his application before its final submission. Economic Planner Deschamps offers to review the application. McCrory notes the need for a land appraisal. City Planner Wynne says that the land would require an acceptable appraisal (not a tax appraisal). Pearl says that the challenge is that the owner of the land cannot apply for CPC funding to purchase the land. She explains that the owner of the property needs to secure a buyer who would purchase the land for the intended use of open space. She says an example of such a buyer could be a non - profit or a conservation partner who could then apply for CPA funding. McCrory confirms that the buyer of the land could apply for CPA funds for the purchase and the land would then be reserved in perpetuity for open space. She says that the buyer could also commit to fundraising in addition to the CPA grant to come up with the funds necessary to purchase the land. Deschamps and Wynne clarify that the city does not want to be the purchaser, but that the buyer can still apply for CPA funds. It is explained that in this case, the application would be submitted by the buyer, and Cormier would sign off as the owner. There would be an agreement between the owner and the buyer, and if the CPA funds were not awarded the sale would become void. Pearl says it is also the due diligence of the CPC to have a separate appraisal form the buyers and sellers appraisal. McCrory offers the Camp Paradise project to illustrate. She reports that in this project, the land was purchased in order to be held for open space, and the buyer sought half of the money from the CPC, and state grant funds and other sources for the other half. Cormier notes the short time frame to find an interested purchaser. Edwards says that if this cannot be done in time, there will be another round of funding applications accepted this same time next year. Deschamps offers her contact information for follow up. 4) Review and Approval of CPC Meeting Minutes from November 19, 2020 The minutes from the November 19, 2020 minutes are discussed and amended. Marilyn McCrory motions to approve the November 19, 2020 minutes as amended. Vice Chair Derek Beckwith seconds the motion. Chair Richter takes a formal roll call vote: Chair Heather Richter, Vice Chair Derek Beckwith, Robert Buchsbaum, Tom Bussone, Christy Edwards, John Hall, Nancy Marino, Marilyn McCrory, and Wendy Pearl. (The motion passes 9 -0). Other Business Pearl asks if the Committee is open to a reconsideration of the Beverly Farms Community Garden pre - application. McCrory states her concerns regarding the project's eligibility. John Hall states that some of the items the Committee questioned on this pre - application were also t 4 cs oz s questioned on other project applications. Beckwith says that he would be in favor of a reconsideration of this pre - application. Wendy Pearl motions to reconsider the Beverly Farms Community Garden pre - application. John Hall seconds the motion. There is a roll call vote with Vice Chair Derek Beckwith, Wendy Pearl, Nancy Marino and John Hall voting yes. Robert Buchsbaum, Thomas Bussone, Christy Edwards, Marilyn McCrory, and Chair Heather Ricther vote no. The motion does not pass (4 -5). 5) Adjourn Thomas Bussone motions to adjourn the meeting. John Hall seconds the motion. Chair Richter takes a formal roll call vote: Chair Heather Richter, Vice Chair Derek Beckwith, Robert Buchsbaum, Tom Bussone, Christy Edwards, John Hall, Nancy Marino, Marilyn McCrory, and Wendy Pearl. (The motion passes 9 -0). The meeting is adjourned at 8:45 pm. The next meeting of the CPC is scheduled for January 21, 2021 at 7 pm. t A}s s oz s