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April 1 2015 Community Preservation Committee Minutes.pdfNorthampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 1 April 1, 2015 Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes April 1, 2015 Time: 6:00 pm Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street Members Present: Downey Meyer, Glenn Connly, Brian Adams, Dave Rothstein, Debin Bruce, Marlene Morin, Linda Morley, Toni Hochstadt Staff Present: Sarah LaValley Downey called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM. General Public Comment Jenny Fleming urged the Committee to support the Pulaski Park project. Mary Kasper stated that there has been a good deal of publicity regarding the Park’s design and cost, and expressed support for the project, noting that it will have a very large return on investment. Deb Jacobs noted that the City approved the CPA at the highest three percent rate to allow projects like Pulaski Park to be funded. Mike Kirby stated that some minutes are missing from the website and it is difficult to use. Approval of Minutes – March 4 and March 18, 2015 Dave moved to table to provide additional time for review of the revisions, and noted that some discussions could be elaborated in more detail. Debin seconded, but stated that it is important to provide an overview of topics discussed, and that verbatim discussions are unnecessary. The motion carried unanimously. Chair’s Report Downey stated that projected state match for the next fiscal year is the lowest it has been since the CPA was adopted, and suggested that people contact their legislators regarding the importance of CPA funds. Begin funding Recommendations for Round 1 2015 CPA Funds Marlene noted that available funds are not sufficient to fund all of the projects. Downey added that cash on hand is limited, but that the Committee also has the ability to recommend bonding. Downey suggested that the Committee begin discussions at the highest ranked project, as indicated on the ranking sheets completed. The Committee will place projects into the ‘shopping cart,’ and revisit for final votes. Pulaski Park Redevelopment Glenn moved to fully fund the project at the $1.675 million requested. Seconded by Toni. Debin expressed appreciation for press coverage of the project, and suggested bonding a smaller amount now, with additional funding to match the second PARC grant later. Linda also expressed support for that approach. Glenn stated that the entire project should be funded, with careful consideration of bonding details. Brian asked if there is any advantage to hold off on bonding until funds are needed. Sarah stated that this would reduce the initial bond term, and leave more cash available for the next few rounds. Debin asked if the CPC could commit to fund the second Overlook phase without providing the funds. Downey replied that the current CPC cannot obligate future CPC’s. Dave stated that he has unresolved questions about the roundhouse development, and also about the overall cost given that the applicant did not explicitly account for cost when soliciting public input during any stage of the design process. While in favor of funding phase 1, he expressed concern about using public CPA funds on the evergreen tree. Brian asked about possible bonding for the second $200,000 Overlook phase. Sarah stated that there could be enough available cash in a future round so that bonding would not then be required. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2 April 1, 2015 Marlene expressed concerns about maintenance, and suggested that reducing overall costs would provide a cost savings to taxpayers. Toni replied that the DPW addressed maintenance and did not foresee issues, and that the Mayor indicated that the park cost was part of discussions from the start. Glenn stated that he has heard a great deal of support from residents who still acknowledge the cost, and suggested funding the entire park now. Debin noted that similar urban parks have similar costs, and noted that the evergreen tree isn’t a Christmas tree until lights are placed on it, which will not be funded with the CPA. Dave noted that the tree is being replaced with a costly large tree, and added that he would prefer not to bond for work that will not be immediately begun. Debin pointed out that the CPA already paid for the Park’s design. Brian noted that the existing park has a very poor reputation. The decision to rehabilitate the Park is not a request for taxpayers to pay anything additional, but rather about what will not be able to be funded later as a result. Brian moved to amend the funding motion to $1,450,000; removing the Overlook portion of the project and recommending a BAN of five years to City Council. Seconded by Debin. Linda asked about possible other terms. Sarah replied that those can be provided, but some interest benefits may be lost. Dave noted that taxpayers must continue to pay for bonding obligations even if the CPA is repealed, and suggested that he would be more comfortable with shorter terms. Marlene agreed. Linda proposed amending the motion to include $100,000 in funds from available reserves, and $1,350,000 in bonding. Brian accepted the suggested amendment. The motion carried unanimously. Historic Northampton Online Map Debin moved to fully fund the project as requested. Seconded by Brian. Linda noted that there have been excellent efforts to revive the institution, but expressed concern that the CPA seems to be the primary source. Dave noted that the project as proposed encompasses the entire City, but there is less need for documentation of some resources, and that a future more targeted applicati0n could be more competitive. Toni agreed, and stated that she would not support partial funding as the application did not delineate what that could accomplish. Downey added that a budget for someone to run the website should also be included. The motion failed, 1-7. Seth Thomas Clock Debin moved to fully fund the project as proposed. Seconded by Linda. The Committee agreed that the project is not time-sensitive, as long as the clock can be moved and stored, and asked staff to request additional information about the cost of these items. Dave noted that this project has a lot of potential for fundraising. Vote tabled until the additional information is provided. Broad Brook Greenway Acquisition Brian moved to fully fund the project as proposed. Seconded by Debin. Brian stated that it is an excellent opportunity to expand the Greenway, and build on the public- private partnership of the City and the Broad Brook Coalition. Linda agreed. Dave stated that the urgency of acquiring this parcel is unclear. Brian noted that the option will run out before the next round will be funded. Dave suggested that it could be extended, and development pressure appears limited. Downey stated that there is more concern about logging. Dave asked if active beaver management is occurring. Downey replied that management on private property by the City only occurs in emergency situations, and this will provide opportunities. The motion carried unanimously. Conservation Fund Brian moved to fund the project at $20,000. Seconded by Glenn. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 3 April 1, 2015 Brian asked about the existing fund. Sarah replied that $10,000 remains of the most recent CPA award, and that all is committed to planned projects. The motion carried unanimously. Union Street Jail Staircase Linda moved to fund the project at $20,000. Seconded by Debin. Glenn stated that he has heard a great deal of negative feedback about the possibility of CPA funds being used on this project. Linda noted that it is a very important historic resource, and that the condominium owners are working hard in a responsible manner to ensure it is maintained. Brian noted that there is no public use of the building, and that it would set an interesting precedent for CPA funds being used for private buildings. Dave noted that it is a myth that CPA funds can’t be used on private property, but even if it is eligible, there are a number of other factors that the Committee must consider, such as the Plan criteria, the availabile budget and strength of other proposals. Downey noted that many historic structures are in private hands, but that the public benefits of providing public funds for work to them must always be considered. The motion failed unanimously, with one abstention. The CPC discussed possible conditions for the projects. A third party CR will be required for the new acquisition as mandated by the enabling legislation. Dave moved to include a condition that CPA funds will not be used for the purchase, transport or plant the 18-22 foot tall evergreen tree. Seconded by Debin. Downey expressed agreement regarding perceptions of mixing church and state, noting that the fact that fundraising exists for the lights recognizes the issue. Glenn suggested that the tree is less about religion than the mood of the season. Toni stated that she would not be in favor of the CPA inserting such a requirement after all of the public comment that has occurred. Linda suggested that the point is valid, but the requirement is a bit extreme. Dave noted that not everyone celebrates the holiday for which the tree is recognized to be a symbol, and that requiring funding come from another source would be more inclusive and respectful of the community as a whole.Brian noted that the tree will still be able to be funded through other sources. The motion carried, 4-3, with 1 abstention. Marlene moved to include a condition that the existing tree remain, since it is loved by many people. Seconded by Debin. Debin suggested that the tree will likely not be able to remain alive after construction is complete. The motion failed 1-7. Sarah provided additional information from Wayne Feiden received via email about the Seth Thomas Clock. $3,000 would allow for storage and transport, and purchase of an integral decorative piece that will likely be unavailable in the future. Brian moved to recommend $3,000 for that work. Seconded by Marlene, the motion carried unanimously. Adjourn On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM