CPC. Minutes.07.22.2020 [revised as of 9-17-2020]-FINAL[2]CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION: SUBCOMMITTEE
DATE:
LOCATION:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Community Preservation Committee
July 22, 2020
Google Meet Virtual Meeting
Chair - Heather Richter, Vice Chair -
Derek Beckwith, Marilyn McCrory, John
Hall, Nancy Marino, Christy Edwards,
Robert Buchsbaum, Wendy Pearl, Tom
Bussone
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
Denise Deschamps - Economic
Development Planner, Planning
Department, acting as Committee staff,
Andrew DeFranza, Harborlight Community
Partners
Jodi Byrne - Recording Secretary
1. Call to Order
Chair Heather Richter calls the July 22, 2020 meeting of the Beverly Community Preservation
Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. and informs everyone that the meeting will be recorded. Chair
Richter takes a verbal roll call and then reads an abbreviated version 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 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 repeats that the meeting is being recorded, and all participants are given the option
of turning off their video and audio. She 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, and she requests that the chat feature only be used only for technical
issues.
2. Review Funding Pre - application submitted by Harborlight Community Partners
Related to the "Briscoe" Proiect
Chair Richter confirms that everyone reviewed Andrew DeFranza's presentation. Denise
Deschamps projects the presentation onto the screen, and DeFranza highlights the main images
and highlights of the project while introducing its three main goals:
1. Make (85) affordable senior housing units.
2. Preserve the historic nature of the building.
3. Preserve recreational space.
He also notes the feature of (6) artist housing units. He says the building is now permitted.
Chair Richter says that the CPC needs to see if this project meets the criteria for both CPA out -
of -cycle projects and for CPA General Evaluation Criteria. Robert Buchsbaum asks how the
artist spaces will be determined. DeFranza says that it is a preference and not a restriction, and
they may have to designate a local group to confirm eligibility as an artist. After this
confirmation, DeFranza states that the artist housing will be available on a first come first served
process.
Nancy Marino asks how the applicant will receive housing vouchers. DeFranza says that during
the funding round, they will ask for Section 8 or Massachusetts Rental Voucher (MRVP) in
certain increments. He states that if they are not awarded the vouchers, it could be detrimental to
the 30% AMI portion of units. Next, DeFranza explains how the project's partnering with
Beacon can help them get the project completed more efficiently.
Wendy Pearl reports that this applicant met with the HDC and that there were no issues
complying with the Secretary of Interior's Standards, making it eligible in the category of historic
renovation. DeFranza says that they want to be able to show the state their funding request in a
single round, thus the plan is to submit the pre - application to the State in November and the full
application in February. Pearl confirms that the CPC could commit an initial partial funding
request with a second commitment toward an application in another round or cycle. She says that
would effectively show the interest of the CPC to the state.
McCrory notes that on the pre - application, the City is the owner. DeFranza says that the City is
the owner, and the applicants hold the site - agreement. McCrory suggests that another option to
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consider is for the City to bond for this project as the CPC does not have the full funds to commit
in one year. Chair Richter confirms that this would have to be a conversation with the City.
Richter suggests a letter of commitment from the CPC. DeFranza says that a commitment would
be needed sometime in late September or early October. Chair Richter notes that the next round
of CPC funding is slated for June 2021. Chair Richter asks DeFranza to speak on why this is an
out of cycle application, and he answers that he wanted to show the funding commitment before
the pre - application submission to the state. Chair Richter confirms with DeFranza the project's
public access areas and that the artist living areas will not be rent or age restricted.
Derek Beckwith reads the six criteria for an out of cycle application (Note: Beckwith read the
six criteria in full. Below is a summary of the six criteria):
1. Determination of eligibility
2. Short window of opportunity for funding
3. Standard application deadline requirements
4. Letter of Intent signed by owner of the property or legal control of property
5. CPA funding importance to the project
6. Project aligns with the goals of the City
[A robust discussion ensues re the "Briscoe" project and whether or not it meets out of -cycle
criteria.]
McCrory says that because the CPC has a pre - application from the applicant, the Committee can
vote on the project's eligibility for Criteria 1: Determination of eligibility.
Pearl motions that the Briscoe Project is eligible for CPC funding under its three goals of
affordable housing, historic preservation of the building, and recreation. Marino seconds. Pearl
amends motion to add recreation to the project's eligibility. Marino seconds the amendment.
There is a roll call vote with each member voting yes: Chair Heather Richter, Marilyn McCrory,
Vice Chair Derek Beckwith, Robert Buchsbaum, Christy Edwards, John Hall, Tom Bussone,
Nancy Marino, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (9 -0).
McCrory states that past protocol follows the process of a submitted narrative that demonstrates
compliance with special application criteria, and the next step for the CPC is to vote on whether
it is eligible for out of cycle funding. She says that after this, the CPC could vote on the amount
of funding and that both considerations can be completed in one meeting.
DeFranza is instructed to add supporting (narrative) details on the out of cycle application and to
submit the full application on August 13, 2020 so that members can review before the next CPC
meeting on August 20, 2020. Pearl confirms with Deschamps that this could be cued so that it is
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on the City Council's upcoming agenda. It is decided that a formal budget review should also be
held at the August 20th meeting of the CPC.
3. Review Harborlight Community Partners Request for Extension of Existing MOU
Related to Hardy Street Proiect
DeFranza states that Harborlight is requesting a three month extension.
Christy Edwards motions to grant the extension of the existing MOU related to Hardy Street
Project to November 30, 2020. Pearl seconds. There is a roll call vote with each member voting
yes: Chair Heather Richter, Vice Chair Derek Beckwith, Marilyn McCrory, Robert Buchsbaum,
Christy Edwards, John Hall, Tom Bussone, Nancy Marino, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes
(9 -0).
4. Review of CPC Meeting Minutes from June 18, 2020
McCrory motions to approve the June 18, 2020 minutes. Edwards seconds. There is a roll call
vote with each member voting yes: Chair Heather Richter, Vice Chair Derek Beckwith, Marilyn
McCrory, Robert Buchsbaum, Christy Edwards, John Hall, Tom Bussone, Nancy Marino, and
Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (9 -0).
5. CPC Subcommittee Update regarding COVID -19 Emergency Housing Relief
Program and Potential Administering Agencies
Chair Richter reports that the subcommittee solicited eight agencies to manage the applications
and disbursement of emergency housing relief. She says that after narrowing the search to two
agencies (Bootstraps and NSCAP), the subcommittee is recommending NSCAP. Chair Richter
and the other subcommittee members state their decision based upon the following criteria that
NSCAP offered:
1. Strong history with this type of funding process
2. Staffing in place
3. Models in place (Salem and Peabody)
4. 10% fee structure billed as funds are expended
5. Ability to get program up and running by September 2020
Beckwith motions that the CPC enter into a MOA with NSCAP to administer the Emergency
Housing Funding Program. McCrory seconds. There is a roll call vote with each member voting
yes: Chair Marilyn McCrory, Heather Richter, Derek Beckwith, Robert Buchsbaum, Christy
Edwards, John Hall, Tom Bussone, Nancy Marino, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (9 -0).
The next step is for NSCAP to begin reviewing citizen applications. It is noted that NSCAP will
provide a monthly report to Denise Deschamps (as staff). Deschamps will need a partner from
the CPC to review these reports and NSCAP will need to submit an MOA to the CPC.
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6. Review Status of Existing CPA Proiects That are Open
Deschamps sent a list to the CPC for review of open projects. McCrory requests an update of
expiration dates. Deschamps says that she will update this report and invites comments and
questions on these projects.
7. Discuss Round 8 Schedule and Potential Changes to CPA Application Documents
McCrory projects an image of proposed changes to the application dates and processes. After a
brief discussion, it is decided that Deschamps will provide a copy of this document to members,
allowing each to review and email Deschamps with suggestions before the August 20, 2020
meeting.
It is also decided that after a budget review, the CPC disclose the remaining amount of available
funds for future applicants. The Committee further discusses an incremental plan to fund
Harborlight's out of cycle application. Deschamps and several members of the committee
including Derek Beckwith, Christy Edwards, Marilyn McCrory and Heather Richter stressed the
importance of making CPA funds available annually, even if the funds available are less robust
than in previous years. If the "Briscoe" project were to be funded, CPA funds could still be
made available to smaller yet strong projects, if the CPC budget is funded at levels consistent
with past years.
8. Other Items
Edwards offers to research and review funding applications from other cities and to offer edits to
the CPC's updated application provided by Deschamps. She asks members to share any
suggestions or applications they favor and says that she will send an edited copy to members a
week in advance of the next meeting. Marino suggests a cover sheet with topic /explanation to aid
applicants. Pearl raises some of the recurring issues such as: 1. lack of understanding site control
2. project description parameters 3. letters of support 4. Budget clarity (quotes for support).
9. Confirm Date of Next CPC Meeting
The next meeting of the CPC is scheduled for August 20, 2020 at 7pm.
10. Adiourn
Beckwith motions to adjourn. Hall seconds. There is a roll call vote with each member voting
yes: Chair Heather Richter, Vice Chair Derek Beckwith, Marilyn McCrory, Robert Buchsbaum,
Christy Edwards, John Hall, Nancy Marino, and Wendy Pearl. The motion passes (8 -0). Tom
Bussone previously left the meeting.
The meeting is adjourned at 8:45pm.
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