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1997-01-23 City of Beverly Economic and Community Development Council MINUTES Economic and Community Development Council January 23, 1997 Meeting Members present: Chairman Joyce Golin, Vice-Chairman Bill Rodenbaugh, Dick Mooney, Sandra Reinecke; also present Planning Director Tina Cassidy Golin asks if there are any changes that should be made to the draft minutes of the November 21, 1996 meeting. Reinecke: motion to approve the November 21, 1996 meeting minutes as drafted, seconded by Mooney. All members in favor, motion carries. Golin updates members with respect to Cummings Center. She tells members that the proposed tax increment financing plan was approved unanimously by the Council. She also explained the terms of the abatement agreement and when the new assessments would kick With respect to the land for the new school, Golin states that the City originally was going to purchase a 6½ acre parcel on Balch Street from Cummings Center and take possession of the ponds in exchange for the McKay School. Golin tells members that the Council found two problematic issues with this approach. First, the indemnification clause protecting C-mmings from liability and second, the Activity and Use Limitation (AUL) on the site. Reinecke asks if someone from the City has reviewed the environmental issues associated with this parcel. Cassidy states yes, and explains that the City hired a firm to assess the land and the environmental issues. There were no findings to suggest that the City could not use the parcel for a school. Golin states that ultimately the Council decided to take the land only (not the ponds) by eminent domain and states that she anticipates negotiations regarding price and land swaps. ECDC * Beverly City Hall · 191 Cabot Slreet * Beverly, Massachusetts 01915 · 508-921-6000 Minutes of the ECDC January 23, 1997 page two Next, members discuss the recent round of RFP's for the purchase of the Washington Beadle school site. Golin explains that three bids were received, with the highest proposed purchase price ($1,611,000) from Walgreens. Reinecke noted that there are not enough spaces for the required parking. Cassidy responds that is correct and explains that 70 spaces would be required, and only 56 spaces are on the site, and that acquisition of the adjoining Union Hall property may add an additional 10-12 spots. There is no guarantee at this time that they would acquire the abutting property and Cassidy states that there is an issue regarding the size of a free standing sign, but the final size of that sign won't affect the Company's plans. Mooney asks if the building needs to be torn down for safety reasons. Cassidy states that the Building Inspector has decided that the building is hazardous, and should be demolished for reasons of public safety. Golin tells members that the only other issue that was mentioned by Finance Director Don Young was that any proceeds from the sale of the building may need to be dedicated to pay off the school building project bonds. That issue has not yet been clarified. Next, Cassidy tells the members that there are discussions regarding construction of a 500 car garage and that the decision as to where to place it is still undecided. There are two options: the first being Pleasant Street; the second being River Street. Cassidy explains that there are a number of plans that have already been designed and that they are getting traffic counts. Cassidy states that the City needs to publicize this information, hold a public forum and get input from the public. That public meeting may occur in mid- to late February. Reinecke asks if there are still discussions as to what will go in the building besides parking. Cassidy responds yes and states that she has mentioned a strip of retail space or offices would be a good idea for the facade along Rantoul Street. Next, Cassidy updates the members regarding a shuttle bus service and explains that the Beverly Chamber of Commerce is still discussing the idea of setting up a shuttle bus service at Cummings Center to shuttle the people between that facility and the MBTA train depot. Next, Cassidy updates the members regarding the Airport Road Subdivision and the DEP process, explaining that an appeal has been filed, that DEP did a site visit, that they should be receiving a positive order from DEP any day. Cassidy noted that the next step for the developers will be for them to file a Notice of Intent with Minutes of the ECDC January 23, 1997 page three the Conservation Commission which will require another public hearing and be subject to another appeal period. Mooney asks if Maestranzi has any plans of industrial development for his property off Route 128 and asks if the land is zoned for industry. Cassidy explains that Maestranzi appealed the Conservation Commission's decision, that there is no approval for a subdivision and that there are issues that need to be dealt with before Maestranzi can file a development plan for his property. Next, Golin tells members that the Harbor Management Authority came in to the City Council with a design by John Crowell with respect to the area by the new bridge. Golin states that it is a good design and that there are many good ideas. Cassidy mentions that the Harbor Authority hired a consultant to finalize the plan/frame work for a harbor plan, that bids have been received and that there was a successful bidder. Cassidy states that the Harbor Authority will finalize the plan's frame work and then finish its harbor plan. Cassidy states that Nicholas Zawlas has raised the possibility of either getting college students involved and doing a class project to gather information for an RFP or hire a consultant. Reinecke asks if the Mayor has funded for a Master Plan Study. Cassidy answers that he will be including money in the budget for the next fiscal year for that purpose. Reinecke requests that the ECDC meet with whatever person or consulting firm is hired. Golin states that she will make a suggestion that a member from the ECDC be on that committee with respect to the study of a Master Plan. Next, members get an update from Rodenbaugh on his committee project regarding Framework for Business "Stay/Grow in Beverly" and passes out a packet of information. He mentions that he and Dick Mooney met with the new head of the Beverly Historical Society, David Goss, and that he is aware of the ECDC's existence and that he is interested in continuing to work with the Salem Historic Site Committee and the US Park Service, and is interested in Beverly's historic past and noted that he expressed interest in the City's Marketing Plan. Rodenbaugh then goes through and explains the information presented in the handout and states that a marketing story board is a good idea with an end result - image gets better. Rodenbaugh states that what will need to be done to accomplish this is to get the businesses and the people to respond to the MayOr's survey, then, sit down and try to story board a market plan for the City. Next we would have to do localize and involve ourselves within the region and try to educate the community. Minutes of the ECDC January 23, 1997 page four Rodenbaugh states that he would like to take this project on and asks the members of the ECDC how they feel about the Mayor responding to the results of the business survey and suggested that an open letter be sent to the residents and businesses regarding recent economic development initiatives and successes. Rodenbaugh: motion to recommend to the Mayor that he consider updating the residents and business owners in the City on the actions he has taken in response to the results of the business survey, seconded by Reinecke. All members in favor, motion carries. Reinecke states that more information is needed regarding what type of businesses the City has. Next, Cassidy tells members that she has copies of the zoning map if they are interested. Reinecke: motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Rodenbaugh. All members in favor, motion carries. The next meeting of the ECDC will be held on February 20, 1997. Meeting is adjourned at 8:15 p.m.