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2006-04-12 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Economic and Community Development Council SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: April 12, 2006 LOCATION: Sohier Room, Beverly Public Library MEMBERS PRESENT: Tina Cassidy, Carla Cox, Frank Killilea, Pat MEMBERS ABSENT: Grimes Neil Douglas, Bill O’Hare, and Don Stacey RECORDER: Eileen Sacco The meeting commenced at 7:00 p.m. Cox opens the meeting and notes that since there is not a quorum present this evening the Council can review some matters but no official action can be taken by the Council this evening. Update: ECDC Recommendations to Mayor Scanlon Regarding Waterfront Development Issues Cox initiates a discussion on the letter she prepared to send to Mayor Scanlon on the recommendations of the ECDC regarding the waterfront. She notes that she made some changes suggested at the last meeting, which are highlighted and reviews them. Cox refers to the genesis of the handicap access apparatus being proper for the pier and suggests that we should make sure it will be beneficial to the Harbor Authority before spending Seaport Bond Council money on it. Cassidy notes that she is not sure if they pursued a variance from the Architectural Access Board for the pier originally, or not. Cox suggests that she will make the final changes to the letter and mail copies to the members not present this evening. On-going Build-Out Study of Waterfront Parcels Cassidy reports that she met with Vine Associates on the Ventron site and they are willing to share their information to help with the study. She also notes that the GIS Department is preparing a presentation for the ECDC on the study and it should be completed in mid May. Bass River dredging Cassidy explains that the bottom line is that the initial analysis of the river’s sediment material shows that the City might be able to dispose of it at sea, which is less expensive. She notes that Beverly has applied for a grant from the Seaport Draft Minutes 4-12-06 ECDC Meeting Page 1 of 3 Bond Council for core samplings and detailed chemical testing of the dredge material as the next step. Cassidy also reports that Bourne Engineering met with MassElectric in connection with the dredging study the City hopes to undertake. MassElectric was helpful and shared information on what was found in the sediment they remediated several years ago. She notes that there is an area within the Bass River that has been identified by Mass Electric that is contaminated and they are responsible to clean that area up, if dredging moves forward. Cassidy also reports that it appears that MassElectric has no foreseeable need for the Keyspan property on River Street and explains that there is a moderate to high level of contamination on the site, according to MassElectric personnel. She notes she is not sure what level of remediation is required for the site but that it might be a Brownfields site that the City could help clean up and turn into a productive property for the tax roles. Cassidy also reports on the re-zoning of the Bass River area. She notes that the Wilkescraft building on Park Street was slated for residential redevelopment and a variance was applied for, requesting condos. She explains that it was withdrawn at the request of the Chairman of the ZBA in order to wait for the City to rezone the area. She explains that one of the major issues to resolve is the industrial zoning and uses within the district. She notes that the abutters are concerned that existing auto body shop and similar uses may be a concern for condo owners in the future, noting the activities associated with uses like auto body shops would bother them. Master Plan Cassidy informs the ECDC that Mayor Scanlon is committed to hiring a consultant to get the major components of the Master Plan implemented during the next fiscal year. Massachusetts Economic Development Incentive Program Cassidy explains that there is a pending application for a Tax Increment Financing Agreement (TIF) from Cell Signaling, the new owners of the former Kings Grant Inn. Cassidy explains that a TIF agreement provides some relief from local property taxes and some state taxes. She notes that the applicant has submitted applications in both Beverly and Danvers. Cassidy explains the approval process for the TIF and notes that the Mayor will refer the application to the ECDC for a recommendation as to whether it should be submitted to the City Council for approval. She hands out copies of the application which details the TIF proposal and the increments at which the taxes will increase. Cassidy also informs the Council that former ECDC Vice-Chairman Bill Rodenbaugh has reviewed these types of applications for the ECDC in the past and he is willing to do the same with this application, if the committee so wishes. She Draft Minutes 4-12-06 ECDC Meeting Page 2 of 3 explains that he reviews the application and does research and would report his findings to the ECDC. Cox asks how much time is needed to consider this. Cassidy explains that they are th aiming for June 30 for approval from the state so that they can qualify for the investment tax credit for all of this fiscal year. Cassidy recommends that if the ECDC wants Mr. Rodenbaugh to review the application she would have him submit his comments for distribution at the next ECDC meeting in May and also have Cell Signaling come to the meeting to make a presentat ion. Grimes cautions that politically there has been a lot of fallout from TIF’s. Cox states that the TIF is a tool to improve economic development and should be used wisely. Cassidy notes that the City Council has to approve all aspects of any TIF’s and that the Town of Danvers must approve this application as well. She says that Peter Milano of Massachusetts Office of Business Development is willing to give an overview of the State’s Economic Development Incentive Program at the next meeting. Cox agrees that it would be a good idea to have a brief presentation by him, and notes that educating the ECDC would make the recommendation more viable. Approval of Minutes The approval of the minutes of the ECDC meeting held on March 8, 2006 was postponed for lack of a quorum. Summer Meetings Members held a discussion on meeting during the summer months. It was suggested that no meeting be held in July 2006. Cassidy will check with members not present to see if they are in agreement. Next Meeting The next meeting of the ECDC will be held on May 10, 2006. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Draft Minutes 4-12-06 ECDC Meeting Page 3 of 3