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Agenda and Minutes 2013-03-06 City of Northampton Community Preservation Committee 210 Main Street, City Hall Northampton, MA 01060 Community Preservation Committee DATE: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 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  January 16, 2013  February 6, 2013  Meetings with Round 1 2013 Applicants for CPA Funds  7: 05 - City Hall Facade – Northampton Central Services  7:25 – Window Replacement – Forbes Library  7:45 – Access to Housing – ServiceNet  8:05 – Pulaski Park Design – Northampton Public Works  8:25 –CT River Greenway – Northampton Office of Planning & Development  Chair’s Report  CPC Plan Working Session – Housing Section  Adjourn For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee website: http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/ Next Meeting: March 20, 2013 Community Preservation Committee Minutes March 6 , 201 3 Time: 7:0 0 pm Place: Cit y Council Chambers, 212 Main Street Memb ers Present: Downey Meyer, Brian Adams, Bill Breitbart, Dave Rothstein , Debin Bruce , Jim Durfer, David Drake Staff Present: Sarah La Valley Downey ca lled th e meeting to order at 7 : 0 2 PM. General Public Comment None Minutes - January 16, 2013, February 6, 2013 David moved to approve both sets of minutes as presented . Seconded by Dave , the motion carried unanimously. Meetings with Round 1 2013 Applicants for CPA Funds City Hall Facade – Northampton Central Services David Pomerantz, Central Services Director, provided an overview of the project. City Hall was designed in 1850 by William Pratt. The only record of work to the façade since that time was painting in 2004, and window replacement that was completed for the entire City Hall in 2012. Brian asked whether other funds are also being sought. David replied that capital improvement funds are being requested , but that is a very c ompetitive process for all City departments. This project is one of Central Services’ highest priorities. The project would be able to proceed if funded through either avenue, or if it were partially funded by each. Dave noted that the applicant’s res ponse t o questions indicated that the current exterior condition did not pose present structural infirmities. He asked if additional maintenance for this work will be required. David stated that preventive maintenance to the façade was never done, so dama ges have compounded over the years. The trim may require regular maintenance, but the stucco and paint work work should be good for 30 - 40 years. David Drake noted that City Hall was designed in the style of the Wadsworth Athanaeum, but was completed in st ucco as a cost savings. Debin asked about work priorities if less than the full budget amount were awarded. David replied that the stucco and painting would need to be done concurrently, and tht trim work could be done at a later time Window Replacement – Forbes Library Janet Moulding, executive director, provided an overview of the project. Forbes was built in 1893, designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. It is Northampton’s public library, and also houses the Calvin Coolidge presidential libr ary and the Hampshire Room for local history. The buildings current windows do not provide adequate temperature and humidity control that is required for its collections. The library was restored from 2005 - 2009 using $1 million in CPA funds. The applicat ion included windows, but there were not adequate funds to replace the windows at that time. Tom Douglas stated that the building contains large windows with large sashes that are exposed to the elements. The sashes are in poor condition, with heavy dama ge to the lower sashes. A price quote was obtained from Pella as the basis for an estimate, and several other companies also make similar good - quality historic replacement windows that will match the existing windows. Tom noted that the Secretary of the I nterior standards typically suggest storm windows, but storm windows would either displace existing recently replaced shades, or would enclose them so they are no longer operable. Downey noted that the CPA law also requires that projects comply with those standards. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 1 March 6, 2013 Tom stated that MassHistoric would also need to be provided, and a CPA award could potentially be conditioned on MHC approval. Interior storms will be considered if the replacement windows are not approved. Tom indicated that unlike his work w ith the Academy of Music, this time they decided to do the proc ess backwards and request funds from the CPC before securing a decision from Mass Historic for its preference for repair vs. replacement. Dave noted that the answers to CPC members questions indicated that the applicant had not conducted or provided complete assessment of each of the 138 window s proposed for replacement. . Dave noted that the Secretary of the Interior’s guidance on Historic Preservation provides and in - depth explanation of pra ctices that are recommended and those that are not. He read excerpts of those that suggest that air infiltration, broken sashes,and inoperable hardware, in and of themselves, are not situations that would normally warrant replacement, but rather, repair. Tom stated that he conducted a general walkthrough of the facility, a general assessment was done, but documentation on each window was not produced. He indicated that that step would need to occur before appearing before MassHistoric. David noted that there are many cases where original windows have been removed and replaced with historically inaccurate windows, and these cases can benefit from historically appropriate replacements. Since this is not the case in Forbes, David asked why the sashes coul d not be rebuilt. Tom replied that double pane glass would also need to be installed, and noted that there is such demand for historic windows that companies have created very close replacements. Jim noted that it is important to distinguish that the wind ows are being replaced to preserve the library’s collections and interior. Downey asked if the windows need to be operable. Tom indicated that there could be potential cost savings if some or all of the windows were fixed shut. Brian asked if an assessmen t of energy savings from the windows replacement was completed/ Tom said it had not/ Downey asked if there is any possibility for matching funds. Janet stated that capital improvement funds have been requested, but not awarded. Downey asked if there is a cost savings in performing the entire project at once. Tom stated that the project could be split in half and retain the economies of scale savings. Russell Carrier, trustees of Forbes, stated that fundraising is difficult because citizens assume these t ypes of projects will be funded by the CPA. Access to Housing – ServiceNet Wanda Rolon, ServiceNet, and Peg Keller, Northampton Economic Development Office provided an overview of the project. Peg distributed information and data (available in project fil e) to address the Committee’s questions about Northampton’s homeless population. Peg stated that she has worked in the City to address homelessness for many years, and ServiceNet is one of the agencies that provides needed services. Peg stated that home lessness in a regional issue, and the City used to administer a regional McKinney grant that provided funds to reduce homelessness. One of the products and requirements of this grant is a Homlessness Management Information System , which provides data rabo ut homeless individuals and families . Every January, a point - in - time count at each shelter facility along with a count of unsheltered individuals is conducted. ServiceNet is very much involved in this effort. A big identified priority need both locally and regionally to get people into housing is funding for first and last month’s rent and security deposits. Wanda provided an overview of the facilities overseen by ServiceNet. The agency also conducts case management with homeless individuals to try and connect them with permanent housing. The biggest hurdle is typically saving deposits required by landlords. Seth Dunn , ServiceNet, stated that there are many grants available to serve other purposes , but a missing piece is a partnership opportunity for t he agency to work with motivated individuals. ServiceNet has developed criteria for who the program will serve, individuals will need to have ties to Northampton, and will need to be taking advantage of other available programs. The program will be str uctured as a loan program. David noted that the program is structured as grants to individuals, but data shows growth in homeless families. Peg replied that family homelessness is definitely out of control, but there are more resources available to them. ServiceNet’s focus in Northampton is individuals. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2 March 6, 2013 Brian noted that the application states that 17 peo p le benefitted from an existing program, and asked from where those funds came. Wanda stated Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals provided th e funds, but it was a regional program, and did not provide for security deposits. Jim asked how large individual loans would be. Seth stated that lowest local monthly rents are about $500, and the highest rents paid by the program would be about $1000. B ill asked about follow - up and whether applicants’ financial histories are considered. Wanda replied that follow - up visits will be conducted weekly, and that credit reports are conducted. Participants are also required to participate in the shelter’s savi ngs program. Brian asked if the program is eligible under the CPA legislation. Sarah stated that the recent changes made programs serving individuals clearly eligible for agencies that provide services. Brian asked why the request was limited to $10,000. Seth replied that there is not an abundance of affordable units in Northampton, and success with the pilot project would like to be shown. Pulaski Park Design – Northampton Public Works Jim Laurila, City Engineer, provided an overview of the project. R ehabilitation of the park was extensively discussed beginning in 2007, sparked by a proposal for construction of a hotel. A design competition, including community input was held, and the Board of Public Works voted to select Steven Stimson Associates, bu t there was no funding available at that time. Debin noted that the $1.45 million estimate seems very high. Jim stated that the work would include complete rehabilitation, including drainage improvements, and is much more than just landscaping. David stat ed that the construction cost is high, especially during tight fiscal times, but seeking funds for design was a logical next step, and the work would being the park to its full potential. Brian asked where construction funding would come from. Jim replied that it could be a combination of grants and general and capital improvement funds, but this process cannot start until plans are complete. The final construction budget will be set by the City, Debin asked if there is a commitment to hire the selected f irm. Jim replied that there is not, but the vision was to pick up the planning where it was left off. John Skibiskli, Polish Heritage Commiitee, stated that the park is a currently difficult and awkward site for gatherings. Fred Zimnoch expressed concern over ongoing maintenance costs. CT River Greenway – Northampton Office of Planning & Development Wayne Feiden, Director of Planning and Sustainability provided an overview of the project, which would connect the CT River Greenway Park site with the Norwot tuck Rail Trail. It is planned to include a cycle track along Damon Road, a path or boardwalk along the Conservation Commission property, and a bridge to the Greenway park over the historic canal. Matching funds could be provided either with the state PARC grant, or the federal Land and Water Conservation grant. If no grants are received, CPA funds are proposed to be used for design, and construction of the trail on the Conservation Commission - owned segment. Dave asked what approvals are required for c ycle tracks. Wayne replied that it is a city ROW, but MassDOT approval will be needed since reconstruction of Damon Road is currently in planning stages. Dave asked about differences between this project and previously submitted applications. Wayne repli ed that this trail will end at the Greenway Park, but the ultimate vision is to connect to Hatfield. The trail is also not proposed to be paved. Jim asked if it is only for walking. Wayne replied that it would not be suitable for dedicated road bikes. It is not a step to pavement, TRG is not installed as an interim measure. Chair’s Report Downey noted that the Christopher Heights Affordable Assisted Living funding recommendation, and associated TIF, were both approved at first reading. Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 3 March 6, 2013 CPC Plan Wo rking Session – Housing Section The Committee discussed proposed changes to the housing section proposed by Bill. Bill stated that the plan section is a combination of the existing section, priorities of the Housing Partnership, and the input of himself a nd Peg Keller. Jim suggested removing SRO from being a main priority; the focus should be on families. Downey noted that as in other sections, the plan defers to the judgment and expertise of other Committees. Dave suggested that prioritization should not be identified if it is not done in other sections. The Committee agreed that a paragraph should be added to clarify how needs were developed, and reference applicable studies. Debin moved to approve the section with the amendments discussed. Seconded by Dave, the motion carried unanimously. Bill will make the revisions and send the section to Sarah, who will finalize the full plan and make it available. Adjourn On a motion and second, with unanimous vote , the meetin g was adjourned at 9 : 40 PM Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 4 March 6, 2013