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2014-09-04CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION: Community Preservation Committee SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: September 4, 2014 LOCATION: Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex Street MEMBERS PRESENT: Wendy Pearl — Chairperson, Darien Crimmin — Vice Chair, Heather Richter, Marilyn McCrory, John Thomson, Robert Buchsbaum, , Leland McDonough, Lincoln Williams & Henry Pizzo MEMBERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner - Environmental Planner; David Lang — Ward 1 City Councilor RECORDER: Amy Maxner Pearl calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Pearl welcomes the group and reviews the CPC's timeline for making final decisions and getting its recommendations to the City Council. She notes that there have been subsets of this group the past couple of months making preliminary decisions pending a final vote by as many of the members as possible and she is glad to see that everyone can make it tonight, as Pizzo will be arriving very shortly. She would like to review all of the projects this evening to make sure everything is covered. Pearl asks if there are any administrative updates. Maxner notes there are none other than some draft minutes that need approval. Pizzo arrives Pearl turns attention to a spreadsheet in which she has itemized the projects and notations relative to provisional funding recommendations and any other issues raised by the CPC in the past deliberations. Members review the spreadsheet, budget tallies and decide to start discussion with Camp Paradise. Below is a synopsis on discussions: Camp Paradise Acquisition — City of Beverly Pearl notes that the preliminary vote was approval to fund this project by a 10 -year bond, and the decision needs to be made whether this is an open space or recreation project. McCrory explains the Open Space Committee's position relative to this being primarily a recreation project and its wish to reserve the 10% of open space. Discussion ensues as to which reserve account the bond payments should come from, and if that can change each budget year. Bond pro -forma are reviewed. Thomson moves to fund Camp Paradise project at the full amount of $450,000.00, by way of a 10 -year bond. Seconded by Pearl. All in favor, the motion carries 9 -0. Thomson moves that the CPC establishes its willingness to reconsider which reserve account future bond payments for Camp Paradise should come from, if this is legally possible, to keep the Committee's budgetary options open. Crimmin seconds the motion. All in favor, the motion carries 9 -0. Brief discussion ensues as to funds left in the open space category once the initial bond payment is made, and whether funds are needed for the CR. Essex Street Housing Roof Replacement — Beverly Housing Authority Richter notes her concern as to the very expensive estimate and her opinion that the project does not meet the spirit of CPA. She notes that her research showed that other similar projects are much lower in cost. Pearl notes that similar projects have been funded in many other cities and towns and has not been challenged. She recognizes the price is high but notes that the State process drives that. General discussion ensues as to the cost estimate and the BHA's presentation at the last meeting Pearl notes that it is important for this Committee to assess the needs of Beverly, where the 10% affordable housing threshold is already achieved, and creating new units isn't necessarily a priority, but preserving existing units perhaps is. Williams moves to fund the project at the full amount of $90,000.00. Brief discussion ensues as to budget overruns and how that can be handled. Crimmin seconds the motion. The motion carries 5 -4 with Pearl, Williams, McDonough, Crimmin and Buchsbuam in favor. McCrory, Richter, Thomson and Pizzo opposed. Harborlight House Thomson recuses himself and leaves the room for this discussion. Maxner explains she spoke with Andrew DeFranza and they are still waiting for word from the State on the Supportive Housing round of funding, and hoping to hear within the next week or two. Williams notes that the market rate units will be the units lost. Pearl notes that the funding match needs to be demonstrated. Discussion ensues as to amount that should be set aside for this project. Community Preservation Committee September 4, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 McCrory moves to set aside $30,000.00 for this project pending additional information from the applicant and the CPC can make a final vote at the next meeting. Seconded by Williams. The motion carries 7 -1, with Crimmin opposed. Thomson returns to the meeting. Pearl notes that the Historic District Commission discussed its potential roles in assisting oversight of projects or consultation with applicants as determined necessary by the CPC in assigning special conditions to historic projects. Beverly Historical Society — Hale House Masonry Repairs Pearl notes that at the previous meeting the CPC voted to approve the project at the full funding amount. Maxner notes that the only left over question is whether a historic restriction should be required and if any additional funding is necessary to carry that out. Pearl notes that is a question for the Solicitor. Discussion ensues as to whether a current restriction exists which may have expired, with Pearl noting that the CPC restriction would be to the benefit of the City in perpetuity. City of Beverly Clerk's Office — Historic Records Preservation Pearl recalls that the Committee voted to approve this project at the full amount. Members agree that the funding amount does not need to be revisited and no further discussion is needed for this project. McCrory asks if the funding amounts can be revisited should the Committee find it is over budget. Pearl concurs noting that the goal tonight is to provide decisions for Maxner to develop the recommendation document for final review. Hastings House — Architectural Analysis Pearl recalls that the Committee voted to fully fund this project, with members concurring there is no need to revisit this vote. First Parish Church — Accessibility Analysis & Sanctuary Floor Pearl notes that the Committee voted to not fund the Sanctuary Floor Project but did approved the Accessibility Analysis at the full amount. Maxner asks if HDC input is needed on the scope of work. Pearl confirms that this would be a part of the MOA. Lynch Park Carriage House Feasibility Study Pearl explains the Committee voted to approve this project at the full funding amount, with members agreeing no further discussion is necessary. Community Preservation Committee September 4, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 Pearl asks if Councilor Lang would like the floor. Lang notes that he is here on behalf of the Ryal Side Civic Association's project, a pavilion for Obear Park. He notes he feels that he should have attended previous CPC meetings to better engage with the Committee in its deliberation over this project. He reads briefly from the draft minutes from a previous CPC meeting where the Committee's evaluation of the project was discussed and he advocates for the CPC to reconsider its decision not to fund this project. He notes that there is support from the City and the Parks & Recreation Department as he and Bruce Doig have been talking about this for a while. Details of the CPC's questions from the minutes are discussed. CPC members explain the Criteria and its rationale for initially rejecting funding this project and deficiencies in the application, but that this was a worthy project in and of itself and would like to see this project come back perhaps next year. Lynch Park Bathroom Upgrades Maxner reviews the previous vote on the Lynch Park Bathroom project, which approved $50,000 plus and additional $20,000 for design, City to develop better design with public input and come to CPC for approval. Discussion of design that is in more keeping with the historic character of Lynch Park. Discussion ensues as to which board (HDC or DRB) should review the design and this can be a part of the MOA. Pearl notes that the CPC's criteria calls for a project to not adversely affect other CPA categories. Pearl moves to fund $50,000 plus $20,000 for a better design, provisional upon public process, DRB approval of design and opportunity for CPC to review final design. Discussion ensues on the motion. Thomson seconds the motion. All in favor, the motion carries 9 -0. Dane Street/Lyons Bathroom Upgrades Maxner reviews the previous vote which rejected the project this year and to give the City an opportunity to develop a better, more holistic design with the understanding that additional CPC funding may be available for a more comprehensive plan/design. Pearl asks if there is any further discussion needed, members have no further comments. Ellis Square Redesign Maxner reviews the CPC's vote that approved to fund the project, reserving the opportunity to revisit the amount and whether it should be a bonded project. Members review the running total of expenditures so far. Thomson moves to fund the project at full amount and bond at 10 years. Discussion ensues on the motion, with review of debt service amounts per year, if bonding is warranted for this project, and where the project falls within the DOR's matrix. Crimmin seconds the motion. Further discussion ensues on the motion. The motion carries, with Buchsbaum abstaining. Community Preservation Committee September 4, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 Lvnch Park Splash Pad & Plav Eauinment Maxner notes that the CPC tabled this vote. Extensive discussion ensues around lack of design, its location and historic context in the park, funding options and the City's timetable for the Common Backyard Grant. Williams moves not to fund this project. McDonough seconds the motion. The motion carries, this project is rejected and not funded under CPA. Crimmin moves that the CPC revisit this vote at its next meeting. McDonough seconds the motion. Motion carries 7 -2 with Buchsbaum and Williams opposed. Bruce Doig will be invited to the next meeting to further discuss. Approval of Minutes The draft May 29, 2014 meeting minutes are reviewed. Thomson moves to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Williams. The motion carries 8 -0 -1, with McCrory abstaining. The draft July 17, 2014 meeting minutes are reviewed and members offer edits. Thomson moves to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded by Richter. The motion carries 6 -0 -3 with Williams, Crimmin and Pizzo abstaining. The draft August 14, 2014 meeting minutes are reviewed. McCrory moves to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Pearl. The motion carries 5 -0 -4 with Buchsbaum, Pizzo, McDonough and Williams abstaining. There being no further business, Williams moves to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Seconded by Pizzo. All in favor, the motion carries 9 -0. Community Preservation Committee September 4, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5