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Agenda and Minutes 2012-02-15 City of Northampton Community Preservation Committee 210 Main Street, City Hall Northampton, MA 01060 Community Preservation Committee DATE: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 TIME: 7:00pm PLACE: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street (BEHIND City Hall) Contact: Katharine Baker, Chair, Community Preservation Committee bakerkg@comcast.net Sarah LaValley, Community Preservation Planner slavalley@northamptonma.gov (413) 587-1263 Agenda  7:00 - Public Comment  7:05 - Chair’s Report  7:10 - Minutes  January 18, 2012  7:15 – Discussion of Academy of Music Round 2 2011 Project  7:35 –2012 Round 1 Applications  Plan Site Visits  Review Schedule  7:50 – Financial Review and Project Updates  8:00 – Adjourn For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website: http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/ Next Meeting: March 7, 2012 Community Preservation Committee Minutes February 15, 2012 Time: 7:00 pm Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street Members Present: Katharine Baker, Jim Durfer, Downey Meyer, David Drake, Marlene Morin, Staff Present: Sarah LaValley Katharine called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM. Public Comment There was no public comment. Chair’s Report Katharine stated that the Community Preservation Coalition thanked the CPC for paying the 2012 membership fee. Katharine stated that the Mayor’s office will not be pursuing the recent Open Meeting Law regulation that allows remote participation by board and committee members. Katharine informed the CPC that the Friends of Mineral Hills Conservation Area has inquired about the possibility of CPA funds to prevent unauthorized vehicle access. Minutes – January 18, 2012 Downey moved to approve the minutes with minor corrections, seconded by Jim. The motion carried unanimously. Discussion of Academy of Music Round 2 2011 Project Debra J’Anthony thanked the CPC for the award, which was contingent upon a MassCultural Facilities grant that was not received. The Academy was invited to apply again, and the funding agency indicated that the project should be shovel ready. That will not be possible without release of some of the funds from the CPA project for design. Andrew Crystal added that the design items were included in the CPA project budget, and do not represent any additional expenditures. David suggested that it seems reasonable to release some funds to allow the project to move forward. Downey stated that if the grant is not awarded this time, there is the possibility that the project as approved by the CPC and City Council would not be completed. Andrew added stated that if some funds are not provided now, the grant application will most likely not be successful, and it is too early to begin a capital campaign. David stated that the CPC has been generous with the Academy, but they have also done very good work. Downey suggested that $25,000 would be considered a large amount by the CPC for a feasibility study, which is essentially what the project would become if the grant is not received, and this would not be the same project approved by Council. The scenario has changed significantly, and he would feel more comfortable with an expedited application. Debra stated that a grant announcement will be made in June, and the application is due in April. At that time, the Academy must be able to say that the design funds have already been provided. David stated that he would be willing to approve an expedited application, since the funds have already been approved as part of the previous grant. Downey moved to approve an expedited application, with the condition that any funds disbursed be subtracted from the previous grant. Seconded by David. Jim stated that an additional meeting should be held to allow for appropriate public input. Downey amended his motion, to approve submittal of the request as an expedited application. Seconded by David. The motion carried, 4-1. The Committee agreed that a written application must be provided, and that a meeting to review the application will be scheduled for February 29. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 1 February 15, 2012 2012 Round 1 Applications Plan Site Visits o The Committee agreed that site visits to the Hampshire County Courthouse and the Broad Brook Gap parcel should be scheduled for Saturday, March 10. Sarah will work with the applicants to schedule. Review Schedule o Sarah noted that Wayne Feiden may be out of the country on March 7, when applicant meetings are scheduled. The CPC agreed that the March 7 meeting should be cancelled if he is not able to attend, and all applicant meetings conducted March 21. Sarah will provide a revised schedule if necessary. Financial Review and Project Updates Sarah stated that the CPA fund will have more money available at the next round than previously forecasted. Funds returned to the budgeted reserve have not been appearing in financial information provided to staff, which is being corrected. Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published None Adjourn On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25PM Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2 February 15, 2012