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Agenda and Minutes 2012-11-07 City of Northampton Community Preservation Committee 210 Main Street, City Hall Northampton, MA 01060 Community Preservation Committee DATE: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 TIME: 7:00pm PLACE: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street (BEHIND City Hall) Contact: Downey Meyer, Chair, Community Preservation Committee downeymeyer@gmail.com Sarah LaValley, Community Preservation Planner slavalley@northamptonma.gov (413) 587-1263 Agenda  General Public Comment  Minutes  October 17, 2012  Chair’s Report  Financial Review/Update  Approval of FY13 financial transfers  Complete Funding Recommendations for Round 2, 2012  Adjourn For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website: http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/ Next Meeting: December 5 Community Preservation Committee Minutes November 7, 2012 Time: 7:00 pm Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street Members Present: Downey Meyer, Brian Adams, Bill Breitbart, Joe DeFazio, Dave Rothstein, Debin Bruce, Jim Durfer, Staff Present: Sarah LaValley Downey called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. General Public Comment None Minutes - October 17, 2012 Debin moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Bill. The motion carried unanimously. Chair’s Report No discussion Approval of FY13 financial transfers Jim moved to approve financial transfers of estimated revenue into reserve accounts and debt service. Seconded by Bill, the motion carried unanimously. The Order will be read at first reading for the next City Council meeting. Complete Funding Recommendations for Round 2, 2012 Downey suggested that the Committee established an approximate target allocation amount for the Round, and then discuss projects in order of the priorities identified by Committee members. Dave noted his preference that the Committee carry over a small amount of funds from this round to bolster a rainy day fund, should it be needed in the future.Jim moved to allocate $450,000 for the Round, noting that this is slightly less than half of the total available for the year. Seconded by Brian. Dave moved to amend the motion to spend ‘not more than’ $450,000. The amendment was accepted, and the motion carried unanimously. State Hospital Fountain Debin moved to recommend $62,100 for the project; the restoration of the fountain, plus $20,000 for park development expenses. Seconded by Brian. The Committee discussed the details of the project. Debin noted that the projected budget for the park portion of the project seems high, so partial funding seems appropriate. Joe stated that is an excellent project that should be partially funded through CPA. He agreed that the estimate for the park seems high, but that the full fountain restoration cost and a portion of the park should be funded. Brian moved to recommend $75,000 in CPA funding, to allow for fountain restoration and sitework for the park. Seconded by Debin. Dave suggested that the Committee fund the full restoration work and condition up to half the funds needed for sitework on the applicant providing matching funds. Jim noted that some of the line-item estimates in the budget seem high, but that $75,000 would allow flexibility to restore the fountain, and then use additional funds as needed to work on the park. Debin stated that the intent is not to encourage an additional application for the same project in the future. The motion carried unanimously, with a condition that the park be permanently protected. Fitzgerald Lake Invasives Control Jim moved to recommend funding the project at the full $7,400 requested, with no unique conditions. Seconded by Brian, the motion carried unanimously. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 1 November 7, 2012 Veterans Field Debin moved to recommend funding at the full $45,000 requested. Seconded by Dave. Brian noted that the Recreation Commission indicated that the bleachers were not an integral piece of the project and could be cut if needed. Downey stated that parent participation in sports is decreasing, and if there is no central seating location, it will discourage parents from attending. Dave noted that the bleachers are a small cost, and would encourage peope to sit together. Joe stated that he feels the bleachers are important. Dave suggested a condition to memorialize the stated commitment to continue to provide for multiple uses. Brian noted that this is a good principle, but suggested it would be more appropriate as a ‘whereas’ notation in the Council Order. Bill expressed support for the project, but noted that a great deal of funds have been spent on recreation projects. If funds are limited following discussion of other projects, this one could be revisited. Sarah noted that the recent changes to the CPA Enabling Legislation have made it allowable to use open space reserve funds for recreation projects. The Committee agreed to take recreation project funds from the open space reserve account if possible. The funding motion carried unanimously. Connecticut River Greenway Bill moved to recommend funding at the full $190,000 requested. Seconded by Brian. Debin suggested partial funding, noting that $175,000 would allow the project to begin. Dave proposed an amendment to require conditions that CPA funds can only be used as a match for the PARC grant if received, and that public meetings regarding details of the boathouse uses will be needed. Seconded by Debin. Jim suggested funding 75% of the request, noting that this would create incentive to complete the project with additional leveraging. Debin pointed out that $100,000 in match has already been provided. The Committee discussed Dave’s suggestion, and what the project would look like if the PARC grant were not received. Downey noted that while a detailed discussion was not provided in the application, the budget indicates that proposed grading and fill would equal the CPA award amount. The motion carried 6-1. Foreclosure Prevention Program Bill moved to recommend funding at the full $42,446 requested. Seconded by Debin. Debin noted that it is cost effective to fund a proactive program, and that this is the only housing project proposed this round. The Committee discussed eligibility of the project. Sarah stated that amendments to the Enabling Legislation have cleared up questions about direct funding to individuals. However, it could be questioned whether it qualifies as support of affordable housing, since participation in the program is not limited. Dave expressed concern about the applicant’s second presentation, whichhe thought backtracked on some important considerations raised in the application.But also noted that it is a program that could have beneficial impacts. Jim expressed opposition, noting that the CPC has typically not recommended projects to fund staff. Additionally, HAP recently received a $500,000 grant to offer the same services. Bill noted that the application was clear about the services that would be provided, and demonstrated that demand exists. Salaries are also funded with every CPA project that includes construction. The foreclosure legislation that was recently enacted requires negotiation, but professional assistance will still be required. The Committee read a press release about the HAP grant. Joe stated that he does not support the project because it does not seem to directly address the purpose of the CPA legislation, and funding staff positions should not be encouraged. Sarah suggested that if the Committee has concerns about funding staff, the grant could be constructed to require invoices submitted for services provided. The motion failed, 3-4. Brian requested that staff communicate that additional information about the HAP grant is needed. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2 November 7, 2012 Conservation Fund Brian moved to recommend funding $60,000. Seconded by Debin. Jim suggested a 50% level of $50,000. Dave suggested that the level of funding for this program is also tied to the Conservation Fund. Downey stated that the Conservation Fund is very different from the APR program, as each have different priorities. The Conservation Fund allows quick action, but the APR program is intended to maintain farmland and prevent agricultural segmentation. Dave expressed concern that many large land purchases have been made possible with the CPA, and articulation about preservation goals will be needed for future requests. The motion carried unanimously. Local APR Joe moved to recommend funding at the full $60,000 requested, seconded by Bill. Bill stated that he does not like the nature of the proposal. While he supports farmland preservation, he would like specific information to be able to weigh the merits of a proposed acquisition. Downey suggested that the Conservation Fund is for acquisition of property where an immediate threat is present, and can’t see funding the APR program at the full amount requested for less time-sensitive purchases. Joe accepted an amendment to recommend funding at $35,000, the same percentage as the Conservation Fund. The motion carried, 5-2. Municipal Buildings Debin moved to fund only the City Hall portion of the project application. Seconded by Brian. Debin noted that City Hall is an important historical building, as well as the center of city government. Dave remained concerned about the applicant’s focus on deferred maintenance. He also noted that the applicant focused on aesthetic as opposed to structural deficiencies at City Hall and that the city has not prioritized work to the buildings through the capital improvements process. He also noted that without additional information, the Committee oculd not evaluate whether and how the City would satisfy the Dep’t of the Interior’s Guidelines. The Committee discussed the project details, noting that additional work beyond painting may be more appropriate for a historical rehabilitation project. Joe suggested that the Committee ask the applicant to take a more detailed look at the historic preservation sections of the CPA Plan and enabling legislation, and return in a future round with a more appropriate application. The Committee agreed. The motion failed, unanimously. Other Business Not Foreseen When Agenda Was Published None Adjourn On a motion and second, with unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 3 November 7, 2012