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2014-11-12CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Open Space and Recreation Committee November 12, 2014 Charlie Mann (Chairperson), Elizabeth Dunne, David Gardner, Barbara King, David Long, Marilyn McCrory, Sandra Stacey, Bill Squibb James Matz, David Brewster Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner Jane Dooley Chairperson Mann calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Principal Items of Business Open Space & Recreation Plan Update — Review Draft Survey, Work Plan and Next Steps Discussion ensues about draft survey with suggestion to separate passive recreation and open space information from active park recreation programs section. Maxner will provide comments to Crosbie. The Committee provided comments to Crosbie via email after last month's meeting. A list of priority parcels for open space has been included. Staff will do the greatest percentage of updates to the Open Space & Recreation Plan which must be completed by June 2015. Discussion continues on draft survey with comments to include inviting language, and how to phrase question to identify if responders believe there is enough open space or would they like to see more and in what parts of the City; especially as this relates to the priority parcels list. In addition, questions will address how frequently users visit a particular open space and for what activity, and what could be done to improve an area (i.e., trash barrel). A general comment box will be included at the end of the survey. At a public meeting (i.e., December 10 or 11 at City Hall), a link will be provided for people to do the survey online at the open space website page or hard copy will be provided that can be completed and dropped off at the library, and /or City's Planning Department,. Discussion ensues about how to publicize the survey so the public will respond (i.e., use a PDF flyer), including possibility of hardcopy at sites such as YMCA, Beverly bike shops and Atomic Cafe. The link to the survey will be on the City's website home page, and OSRC Facebook page. Si2nne — Subcommittee Report on Activities Mann summarizes results of subcommittee meeting about how trail signage should be improved in the City and how Cummings Foundation and Cell Signaling have offered to fund this signage. The Commission has $1,000 in profit share from first ECGA trail run. Three components are being Open Space & Recreation Committee November 12, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 considered for signage: way- finding /location of trail heads on the street, updating trail head kiosk signs with current trail layout, and trail intersection. Discussion addresses completing a grant application based on existing formats that work and how foundations typically have grant application templates that could be used. The Committee considers what it wants to fund and graphics for up to 18 way- finding signs, and 5 or 6 kiosks that need updating. The Committee will investigate graphics currently used for other municipalities' signs to develop its own graphic as well as determine color and logo (i.e., frog). Maria Arcieri in the City's Engineering Department can help with graphics. Signage lettering will have to be 3" high so trailhead names can be read from a car. A map will be developed to identify where way - finding signs should be located throughout the City. Discussion ensues about need to update trail maps for new kiosk signs with existing graphics including: Greenwood, Greens Hill, and Fox Hill. Also, the emerald necklace plan does not differentiate open space and trails from other City properties and if it could be changed for easier recognition by website users reviewing a master map. The Committee estimates amount of small trail signs that might be required with numbering or lettering to define zones. There is also mention of wheelchair accessibility on the trails. The Committee notes that use of G.I. S. maps in a graphic presentation could be used for trailhead intersections. Mann offers to touch base with Roland Adams, G.I. S. Manager. Discussion was on details associated with trail easement from Cummings at 50 Dunham Road. Acceptance of Previous Minutes — October 1, 2014 Members provide amendments to Maxner. Gardner moves to accept the minutes as amended. Seconded by McCrory. The motion carries 8 -0. Other Business & Updates Community Preservation Committee (CPC) — Update on Committee Activities/Meetings Maxner reports that the CPC made project recommendations to City Council which were approved last week so the first round of CPA funding has been completed. Discussion addresses use of CPA's open space funds for Camp Paradise acquisition project for at least the first bond payment. Community Gardens Relocation — Update Mann updates the Committee on a site walk to address Waring School encroachment on Con Com land and the need for community gardens relocation with Waring School staff, OSRC representatives, City Planning staff, Conservation Commission representatives, and Ed Becker from ECGA. He describes how the best outcome would be if the School's playing field could remain in the same location and a land swap is done which would require a 2 /3rds vote from the Legislature. He believes that a 3:1 swap ratio would be advisable. A trail loop would be identified in the proposed community garden location and trail access would be increased. The result of the proposed swap is that more land would be protected and the land currently used by the School for a field would be restricted so no other use could be implemented in that area. Also, the Committee Open Space & Recreation Committee November 12, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 notes that the opportunity for parking in the School's parking lot would be formalized. Maxner will be working with representatives from the School to prepare the package for Becker to approach the heirs with this land swap proposal. Discussion ensues about how developer Tom Carnevale has a purchase and sale agreement for the property across the street (former Sweeney property) and the Conservation Commission is going to be reviewing the wetland line. Carnevale has a conceptual subdivision plan for six to eight lots. Maxner notes that Carnevale reported he had an LSP on site and arsenic has been found that has to be cleaned up. Maxner has informed the developer regarding the proposed spot for community gardens and public access as well as bringing in water to the gardens. The Committee mentions importance of right of way remaining in existing spot. Discussion was on whether or not the Commission would allow electricity to be brought to the community garden as well as use of a greenhouse. Update on state lifting designation for marine industrial use at Beverly's waterfront Discussion ensued as to the public meeting held on future zoning change for Beverly's waterfront relative to current designation by state as marine industrial (i.e., City pier to end where Jubilee Yacht Club is located) and how it could incorporate mixed use (retail, residential, parking). Greens Hill — 27X Discussion ensues about this moving ahead in land court and advertisement in Salem News has been placed. Bathing Beach Lane Mann updates the Committee on status of Bathing Beach Lane public access noting changes in G.I. S. site and City having deeded access toward water at the bottom of hill at Bathing Beach Lane. There is not a deeded right of way or private beach associated with subdivision and there is an unknown owner situation. Three of four heirs are interested in cooperating with the City but one is interested in financial solution (i.e., waiving back taxes). Mann has been working with City Solicitor. Adiournment There being no further business to discuss, Gardner moves to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Seconded by Mann. The motion carries 8 -0. The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at City Hall, 3 rd Floor Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.