2010-01-07
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
LOCATION:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Economic and Community Development Council
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS:
RECORDER:
Thursday, January 7,2010
Beverly Public Library - Barnet Gallery
Chair Patricia Grimes, Vice Chairman Neil Douglas, Bill
O'Hare, Tina Cassidy, Don Fournier, Ed Cahill, Bill
Howard, Frank Killilea
None
None
Eileen Sacco
Grimes calls the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
1. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the ECDC meeting held on October 1, 2009 were presented for approval. Grimes
asks if there are any changes/corrections that need to be made. There are none.
Fournier:
Motion to approve the draft minutes of the ECDC meeting held on June 16, 2009.
Howard seconds the motion, all members in favor. The motion carries (8-0).
2. Discussion: Continued: ECDC Partnership with Endicott Colle2e. Salem State
Colle2e and/or North Shore Alliance for Economic Development (Dou2las and
Cahill)
Douglas addresses the ECDC and explains that he has reviewed a draft proposal from William
Luster of the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development that is the result of several
meetings with him. He explains that the proposal envisions a planning program commencing on
February 1, 2010 following approval by the ECDC and the Alliance Board in January.
Douglas explains that since the last meeting of the ECDC scheduled in December was cancelled
he would encourage full consideration of this proposal tonight.
Douglas explains that he feels that this proposed program with the Alliance entails a well-
conceived and potentially very productive initiative by the ECDC for the following reasons:
(1) It is firmly grounded on the shared commitment to advance economic and community
development;
(2) It is keyed to a major public improvement program involving the construction of a new
road and improvement program which will have a major economic impact;
(3) It will embrace a District which includes and serves some of Beverly's largest and
expanding businesses;
(4) It includes significant tracts of underutilized or vacant land;
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(5) It provides a direct opportunity for the ECDC to assume a more proactive position
through advocacy for specific development programs, revenue generation, permitting
process, job creation and value added to our tax base;
(6) It is conceived as a major public initiative with direct staff support embracing all
constituency interests at both and regional levels;
(7) It will provide the ECDC with a well-designated information system for this District and
in part for the City constructed with professional input from Salem State College. The
system will form the basis for the development of a marketing program, web system
design and an ongoing maintenance program. In short, it becomes a prototypical
example of what the ECDC could add to the economic development of the City if similar
proactive programs were centered on the waterfront, or the retail corridors of Dodge
Street, Rantoul Street and Cabot Street.
Douglas notes that Luster is very enthusiastic and prepared to jump into this work. He noted he
has a lot to offer the ECDC and this Beverly centered project may contribute greatly to the future
credibility of the Alliance as an important agency for economic and community development on
the North Shore. He also notes that the ECDC has been trying for three years to accomplish
something of this magnitude, noting present members and prior members to focus on the mission
of the ECDC. He recalls that the ECDC spent a considerable amount of time meeting with
various business people in the city and a letter was drafted and sent to Mayor Scanlon identifying
projects on the waterfront.
Douglas requests that the ECDC consider three things this evening. He asks that they take action
to adopt this proposal this evening, appoint a representative from the ECDC to act as a liaison
between the Alliance and the City/ECDC, and to designate Bill O'Hare of the Office of
Community Development as the point person for the City on this project.
O'Hare explains that he would do the leg work contacting city departments for information such
as GIS etc.
Cassidy clarifies that the ECDC would be recommending to the Mayor that the City endorse the
study concept in a letter to Mayor Scanlon.
Douglas agrees and states that he has met with Mayor Scanlon regarding this project and he is
supportive of it. He also notes that this will not cost the City of Beverly anything. He notes that
there is a potential cost down the road of approximately $5,000 for marketing materials to be
printed once they are developed, but the question of funding publications can be answered later.
Cahill addresses the ECDC and notes that he was present for the presentation made by Mr.
Luster at the October meeting and he supports it.
Howard notes that he is on the Board for the Alliance. He also notes that the Alliance is
presently one person, Bill Luster and he is not sure where this proposal falls in the priorities of
the Alliance. He adds that if state funding for the Alliance does not come through after June 30,
2010 he is not sure where that will leave the organization.
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Howard also notes that Salem State College does a lot of reasonably priced services but it is not
free. Discussion ensues regarding the Alliance and the time that they have for 30 important
projects.
Cahill says that Luster has important contacts and expertise and anything that we could get out of
this would be a plus.
Douglas states that we have to focus on the next steps and he envisions this as something that
pushes the agenda of the ECDC. He notes that the ECDC initiated some discussions with
Endicott College that did not get this far. He states that Luster "knows his way around" and
understands the issues. He further notes that Luster has experience in economic development
and says a great deal of his support of this proposal is because of Luster.
Cassidy suggests a few revisions to the proposal for clarification purposes. She suggests that
under Zoning and Permitting in the first bullet "such as" be added to the end of the sentence; in
the second bullet that "consideration of' be stricken; in the third bullet "consideration of' be
stricken and in the fifth bullet "Economic Target Area" be changed to "Economic Opportunity
Area. "
Grimes asks for a consensus of the ECDC on the proposal. She asks for a motion if members so
choose.
Douglas:
Howard:
motion to adopt the proposal from the North Shore Alliance for Economic
Development, and to refer the matter to Mayor Scanlon with the expectation that
the Mayor will move forward with this. Cassidy seconds the motion, all members
in favor. The motion carries 8-0.
motion to recommend that two members of the ECDC be appointed to meet with
the Alliance to determine how to proceed. Fournier seconds the motion, all
members in favor. The motion carries 8-0.
Discussion ensues as to members' availability to work on this initiative.
Cassidy:
Cassidy:
motion to appoint Neil Douglas to serve as the liaison between the ECDC (on
behalf of the City) and the Alliance for the purpose of this undertaking. Cahill
seconds the motion, all members in favor. The motion carries 8-0.
motion to appoint Bill O'Hare to serve as the point person to coordinate and
facilitate the work ofECDC and the Alliance on this initiative. Killilea seconds
the motion, all members in favor. The motion carries 8-0.
Fournier asks if any thought has been given to a fall back position if the Alliance does not work
out. Douglas explains that Mayor Scanlon has talked with Salem State College President Pat
Messervey and she has offered assurances that the work could be advanced. He notes that if it
does not work out we will have to look at other prospects. He says he feels that the North Shore
Chamber of Commerce should have an Economic Development Committee.
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Grimes states that a letter has to be drafted to the Mayor and if it is time sensitive she would have
to do it right away as she will be on vacation.
Douglas will draft a letter and get it to Grimes this week.
3. Discussion: U pdatin2 of the Citv of Beverlv Website and the Creation of a
Revamped/Enhanced ECDC Webpa2e
Cassidy explains that the city is updating its website and notes that she has had discussions about
this with Cahill.
Cahill states that he has had discussion with Cassidy and has met with the consultant the city
hired to assist in the updating of the website. Representatives of Beverly Main Streets also
attended. He explains that they discussed options for the ECDC to get additional information on
the website and he suggested a box that could be called How To Do Business In Beverly. He
explains that the box would have links that would open to the appropriate areas for permitting
and applications etc.
Cassidy explains that she sent an email to the City's IT Director Russell Fisk discussing
suggestions for the ECDC page. She suggests that she could look at some web sites and meet
with Douglas and Cahill to come up with a framework for the consultant on the information that
the ECDC would like to have on the web site.
Cahill notes that the Chamber of Commerce has some interns that may be able to help with that
research and offers to talk with the Chamber's Executive Director, Sheila Field, about that.
4. Update from Plannin2 Director Tina Cassidv on Development Projects and
"Development Scorecard"
Cassidy updates the ECDC on the status of development projects in the City as follows:
Beverly Farms OSRD - Preliminary Review by the Planning Board is underway and a formal
filing is expected in January 2010.
Curry Architecture Senior Housing Project - All permits are secured and construction is
expected to start in the Spring of2010.
CVS Plaza - Construction is almost complete. A January 2010 store opening is expected.
Former Mayflower Motel- Construction is underway on the replacement project that will
provide affordable housing units.
MBTA Garage - The MBTA's Invitation To Bid process was unsuccessful: T Design/build
expected to start in March of2010.
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McKay School- Clarifiying Zoning Amendments filed with the City Council in January 2010.
RFP should be issued in the Spring of2010.
Cassidy notes that the Registry of Motor Vehicles is still in its current location but will be
leaving the premises soon. She explains that the owner of the building is looking for a tenant
and may have a potential use as a gym.
Black Cow - City portion of the Marina project is permitted and construction is scheduled to be
completed by May 1 st. The Black Cow needs a Chapter 91 license and can start construction
after that.
Cassidy updates the ECDC on the Parking Lot Improvement Project that the city is undertaking
and it should be completed in the Spring. Howard suggests that he City work with the Chamber
of Commerce and Beverly Main Streets on this. Cassidy states that she will take with Mike
Collins who is coordinating the paving etc. and suggest that he communicate with the businesses
on lot closings if there are any.
Old/N ew Business
5. ECDC Meetin2 Schedule for 2010
Cassidy reviews the meeting schedule for the ECDC for 2010 as follows:
March 3,2010
June 2,2010
September 1, 2010
December 1, 2010
6. Adjournment
Grimes asks if there is any other business for the Board to conduct at this meeting. There is
none.
Cassidy:
motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Killilea. All members in favor, the
motion carries 8-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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