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Agenda and Minutes 2011-12-07 City of Northampton Community Preservation Committee 210 Main Street, City Hall Northampton, MA 01060 Community Preservation Committee DATE: Wednesday, December 7, 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 16, 2011 o  7:15 – Housing Partnership, Housing Plan Presentation  7:40 - Debriefing – Round 2 2011 Review Florence Fields special conditions o  8:00 – Plan for 2012 and New Members  8:15 – Discuss 2012-2013 CPC Plan Update  8:25 - Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published  8:30 – Adjourn For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website: http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/ Next Meeting: January 4, 2012 Community Preservation Committee Minutes December 7, 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 Katharine called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Public Comment Dave Herships, Warburton Way, stated that he had some concerns about some of the larger expenses in the Florence Fields application, and commended the CPC for their thoughtfulness in reviewing the application and willingness to support an important project. David stated that the CPC had many discussions about the items in the elements in the Florence Fields proposal not directly related to playing fields. The Committee determined that the restrooms are indispensible, but the playground could be built layer. The concession stand, which was funded with CPA dollars, will be for parents and community members only, and won’t be rented. Frank Olbris, North Farms Road. Broad Brook Coalition, stated that many polls have shown that residents support open space, and the CPC shouldn’t hesitate to fund open space projects. The recent vote to keep the CPA in Northampton is a real mandate to continue open space preservation. Chair’s Report Katharine informed the Committee that she presented the Round 2 recommendations to Council December 1. All received unanimous approval at first reading, with only minor questions. There are no updates regarding the Act to Sustain Community Preservation. Northampton had a two-step upgrade in its bond rating, this is related in-part to the vote to keep the CPA. David asked staff to investigate how the changed bond rating could affect the borrowing costs for Florence Fields. Minutes – November 16, 2011 David moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Jim. The motion carried unanimously. Housing Partnership, Housing Plan Presentation Peg Keller, Gordon Shaw, and Martha Acklesberg represented the Housing Partnership. They distributed copies of the Plan, funded through a CPA grant, to Committee members. Peg highlighted some of the findings and trends highlighted in the report. Northampton has a good reputation for paying attention to affordable housing, and will need to keep the issue in the forefront. The CPC asked about participation in shelter programs. Peg stated that there are a lot of new faces in the cot shelter program, as well as more women than in past years. Jim asked about foreclosures and evictions. Gordon stated that there are at least six evictions weekly in housing court. Peg stated that the Plan is Northampton-centric, but that affordable housing is also a regional issue. Affordable housing of all types is needed. The Committee discussed possible future CPA projects. Downey noted that the CPC reacts to applications presented, and have seen some applicants multiple times. Are affordable housing developers aware of the CPA as a resource? Peg replied that the local match for many housing projects used to be funded with CDBG, which is no longer an option due to the Senior Center, and there is also a backlog of projects at the state level for funding. It is possible that some projects have not reached a point where enough details are known to make a CPA application possible at this point. If requested by the CPC, the Housing Partnership could Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 1 December 7, 2011 prepare an RFP for a project, or could put forward an application for a contribution to the affordable housing trust fund. Peg added that the fund was created as a rental subsidy for Hampton Gardens rents, but is no longer needed for that purpose, and is currently empty. David stated that this would be better received if strong support were expressed, as questions about overall spending on affordable housing, both CPA-funded and in total, have been asked. Peg stated that Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals and Valley CDC operate on different models, but both are successful. Sarah noted that contributions to affordable housing trust funds are explicitly allowed in the enabling legislation. Debriefing – Round 2 2011 Review Florence Fields special conditions o Fran distributed a letter to the CPC regarding the Committee’s decision to prohibit spending of CPA funds on the playground, and asked the CPC to reconsider this condition. Fran noted that the CPC did not hear support for the playground, but that supporters of the project seemed to feel it was a unit. The Committee discussed Fran’s suggestion. Downey stated that it seemed inconsistent with past awards, but the Recreation Commission also expressed willingness to fundraise for that part of the project. Brian added that making a full award could also negate the ability to look elsewhere for funds. Joe suggested that no new information about the project has been received, so it should not revisited. It has already been approved by Council at first reading. Jim moved to eliminate the prohibition in the recommendation and Council resolution regarding playing fields. Seconded by Downey, Bill moved to amend the motion so that the resolution will read that no CPA funds can be spent on playgrounds “before the athletic fields are complete.” Seconded by Jim. David added that the playground is a significant expense, and the Committee should not feel obligated. The motion failed, four in favor, three opposed, and one abstention. The Committee continued Round 2 debriefing. Katharine suggested that the shopping cart and ranking process did not work smoothly this round. The CPC discussed ways to incorporate more detailed financial reviews into the application process. The Committee will continue discussion of the application review process and debriefing at the January 4 meeting. Discuss 2012-2013 CPC Plan Update The CPC agreed that new members should be provided an introduction packet including the enabling legislation, CPC Plan, allowable use chart, and schedule. Discuss 2012-2013 CPC Plan Update The update will be discussed at a future meeting. Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published Katharine distributed cookies and cider to celebrate Fran’s service to the CPC. Committee members thanked Fran for her work on the Committee. Adjourn On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2 December 7, 2011