Agenda and Minutes 2011-11-16
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Community Preservation Committee
DATE: Wednesday, November 16, 2011
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
November 2, 2011
o
Financial Review
7:15 –Funding Recommendations for 2011 Round 2 CPA Applications
Current CPA funds vs. bonding
o
Rank Applications
o
Discuss Conditions
o
Final Recommendations
o
Project Updates
Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
9:30 - Adjourn
For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website:
http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/
Next Meeting: December 7
Community Preservation Committee Minutes
November 16, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street
Members Present: Katharine Baker, Brian Adams, David Drake, Jim Durfer, Bill Breitbart,
Joe DeFazio, Downey Meyer, Fran Volkmann
Staff Present: Sarah LaValley, John Frey
Katharine called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Public Comment
Dave Rothstein, CPC at-large member-elect, stated that he looks forward to serving on the
Committee.
Chair’s Report
Katharine stated that the gaming bill passed, but did not include the amendment that would have
provided additional state CPA matching funds.
Ann-Marie Moggio, Recreation Director, stated that there has been no funding announcement
regarding the PARC grant.
Minutes – November 2, 2011
David moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Fran. The motion carried unanimously.
Funding Recommendations for 2011 Round 2 CPA Applications
Katharine suggested that the funding discussion begin with a decision regarding the amount of
cash that should be allocated this round. There was consensus that some funds be left
available for the next round.
Joe suggested that a limit should be agreed upon for spending for all projects except Florence
Fields, and that bonding should be recommended for the Fields in whatever amount the
Committee decides is appropriate. There was consensus that this is a good approach.
The Committee discussed the Florence Fields project.
Katharine suggested that the award be limited to field-related improvements, as support specific
to the playgrounds and other improvements was not expressed.
Downy suggested that the pavilion and playground could be constructed in a later phase, but
playing fields must come equipped with backstops and other essentials, so those should be
funded.
Jim asked if the CPC has planned other projects. Downey replied that it is preferable to react to
applicants proposals, but sometimes the amount of funding requested forces the Committee
to make choices and prioritize.
The Committee discussed the council recommendation and resolution process.
The Committee looked at various funding options, removing some elements of the project.
Joe noted that the Committee seems to be in favor of reducing the recommended award from the
amount requsted.
David stated that the need and opportunity for the project is exceptional. Support for the
playground was not expressed, but the fields should not be partially funded.
Joe suggested that a $1.2 million award would fund the complete project, minus the PARC grant
and the playground, pavilion, related budget elements. And their contingency.
David moved to recommend bonding of $1.2 million, with the added understanding that if the
PARC grant is not received, that amount be increased by $757,000,
Fran suggested that a resolution be presented assuming receipt of the PARC grant, and then
consider options if the grant does not come through.
Downey moved to amend David’s motion to state that the Committee recommend bonding of
$1,957,000, but only $1.2 million of that bonding authority be exercised if a PARC grant is
received. Seconded by David.
Fran stated that she would rather frame the motion for the smaller amount.
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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November 16, 2011
The motion carried unanimously.
The Committee reviewed and finalized the recommendation sheet that will be presented to Acting
Mayor Narkewicz and City Council. The recommendation includes the stipulation that CPA
funds not be used on the playground or pavilion.
The Committee discussed the Academy of Music recommendation.
David stated that he is in favor of funding the entire amount requested in the application.
The Committee discussed the condition of the Academy of Music seats.
The Committee discussed the Beaver Brook bridge application.
Brian suggested that the applicant could return in another round.
Downey stated that the project is very important, and should be at least partially funded.
Jim noted that the project does not have other available funding sources.
The Committee discussed the Greenway application.
Brian asked if the project must be fully funding to proceed.
Wayne Feiden, project applicant, clarified that full funding would allow the path to get to a design
phase that would allow the project to enter the queue for other funding sources.
The Committee discussed the Mineral Hills bookends project.
Downey noted that these are priority open space parcels.
Brian noted that the applicant might not have an opportunity to return in another round, and the
project would be lost if not funded now.
Brian moved to recommend funding of the Academy of Music project at $275,000, and the
Mineral Hills bookends at $302,000. Seconded by Fran.
Downey encouraged also funding the Beaver Brook bridge project. Fran suggested that the bridge
repair is important, but that it is also important to leave funding available for the next round.
The motion carried, 6-2. Downey and Jim opposed.
The Committee Committee reviewed and finalized the recommendation sheets for Mineral Hills
and the Academy of Music that will be presented to Acting Mayor Narkewicz and City
Council. The Academy of Music recommendation includes a stipulation that CPA funds are
contingent upon other grants or fundraising as proposed in the application.
Katharine stated that the recommendations will be presented to the Acting Mayor on November
21, the will receive two Council readings in December.
The next agenda will include a discussion of the process followed during the funding round, and a
preliminary discussion of the CPC Plan update.
Project Updates
None
Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published
None
Adjourn
On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes
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November 16, 2011