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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-04-CPC-min RECEIVED IIS ov, 3 1"7 Ila ui °m Minutes of the Community Preservation Committee TOWN CLERK Thursday, November 4, 2021 LEXINGTON MA Remote Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 820 0593 0416 4:00 PM Committee Members Present: Marilyn Fenollosa (Chair); Charles Hornig (Vice-Chair), David Horton, Jeanne Krieger, David Langseth, Joe Pato (arrived at 4:10PM), Bob Pressman, Lisah Rhodes, Melinda Walker. Administrative Assistant: Gina Federico Other Attendees: David Kanter, Vice-Chair, Capital Expenditures Committee liaison to the CPC; Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs; Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation; Mike Cronin, Director of Public Facilities; Christine Dean (arrived 5:23 PM), Community Center Director; Rick DeAngelis, Chair, Recreation Committee; Christopher Filadoro, Superintendent, Tree Warden; Carolyn Kosnoff(arrived 4:10 PM), Assistant Town Manager for Finance; Shawn Newell, Assistant Director of Public Facilities; Dave Pinsonneault (arrived 5:03 PM), Director of Public Works; Melinda Spencer, Community Center Office Manager. Ms. Fenollosa called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM. FY23 CPA Funding Request- Center Recreation Complex Bathrooms & Maintenance building renovation- Mr. Cronin requested $915,000 in CPA funds for the complete renovation of the Center Recreation Complex Bathrooms and DPW Maintenance Building.The three main areas that this renovation will focus on are increasing safety through a modified layout, installing gender-neutral restrooms and storage considerations. Ms. Fenollosa asked if a prefabricated structure was considered for this project. Mr. Cronin explained that a prefabricated structure is not suitable for this project and storage needs. Mr. Horton asked about the design of the structure and lighting. Mr. Cronin stated that there would be six bathrooms total, two handicapped accessible and one family bathroom. Lighting will be addressed to create a more inviting area. Mr. Pressman mentioned the previous requests for funding of this project. 2020 ATM: $100,000 for design and engineering, funding source "GF (Free Cash)"; 2021 ATM proposal: $915,000 for construction, funding source "GF (Debt)." He stated that he believes the building is a responsibility of the Town, not CPA. Mr. Pato stated that he is concerned that the Bathroom and Maintenance Building may be torn down in two or three years because of the new High School construction. Mr. Cronin stated that it is possible that the buildings will be torn down. Ms. Walker reminded the Committee of escalating construction costs and asked what year the cost estimate was produced. Mr. Cronin stated that costs were reviewed in 2020 and 2021 believes that the project is going to come in under budget. Mr. Hornig stated that 1 there are a lot of requests for CPA funding and the Committee will have to prioritize projects. Mr. Pressman stated that the project should move forward with tax levy funds and not CPA funds. Mr. DeAngelis stated that the bathrooms are in woeful condition and users do not feel comfortable using the current facilitates. The Committee voted by a roll call vote in a straw poll to support the project (8-1). Mr. Pressman voted no, he supports the project but believes CPA is not an appropriate funding source. Mr. Pato and Mr. Langseth voted yes contingent on the project not being torn down during the High School construction. FY23 CPA Funding Request- Playground Enhancements- Pour-in-Place Surfaces- Multiple Elementary Schools- Mr. Newell requested $1,508,700 in CPA funds to replace the current safety surfacing with Pour in Place (PIP) safety surfacing at the Bowman, Bridge, Estabrook and Fiske Elementary schools. A new playground will be installed at the Fiske Elementary school with PIP surfacing. PIP surfacing has a life cycle of approximately 15 years. Ms. Fenollosa noted that the Capital Improvement Request (CIP) had some errors and that a revised version should be submitted. Ms. Fenollosa stated that as proposed the playgrounds safety surfacing would all be on the same life cycle and deteriorate at the same time. Mr. Newell explained that the surfacing at each school could be replaced in consecutive years starting on year 15. Ms. Walker stated that she is concerned that some of the project is not funded through the school budget and feels as if municipal and school requests are getting away from the intent of the CPA legislation. Mr. Horton stated that before CPA most school playgrounds were funded through PTA fundraisers. Mr. Pressman asked about the cost per school and Mr. Newell said it was approximately $350,000 per school with Fiske costing more. Mr. Hornig stated that he doesn't understand why four schools are requested at once. Mr. Newell stated that they want to get the schools on the same life cycle and then space out future funding requests. Ms. Fenollosa stated that the Committee is going to hold off on a straw vote given the questions and lack of information provided in the CIP request. Ms. Fenollosa invited Mr. Newell and Mr. Cronin back to a CPC meeting in December to present a revised CIP. FY23 CPA Funding Request- Park Improvements-Athletic Fields- Fiske- Ms. Battite requested $250,000 in CPA funds to renovate the Fiske School Fields. The renovation will include the installation of an irrigation system, laser grading, new natural grass, and the installation of new backstops, fencing and signage. This request is a part of an annual program that Recreation and DPW work together on. Ms. Fenollosa asked how this request would impact with the Fiske Playground renovation previously presented by Facilities. Ms. Battite stated that Recreation and Facilities would work 2 together on timing so that both resources are not taken offline at the same time. Mr. Coleman stated that a new irrigation system would need to be installed at the Fiske Field instead of an upgraded one because the Fiske Field is one of a few fields in Town that does not have an irrigation system. The Committee voted by a roll call vote in a straw poll to support the project (9-0). FY23 CPA Funding Request- Park Improvements- Hard Court Surfaces- Farias &Gallagher Courts- Mr. Coleman requested $2,500,000 in CPA funds to renovate the Farias Basketball Courts and Gallagher Tennis Courts. In addition to new courts, the project will provide new fencing, athletic equipment, storage shed, shelter, site amenities, tennis practice backboard and signage. Mr. Coleman explained that the current courts are asphalt and that the proposed improvements would upgrade the surface to a post tension court surface which has a 25 year warranty. Ms. Fenollosa noted that CPA funds recently funded a request for Gallagher Courts. Mr. Coleman stated that the Gallagher Courts were installed in 2000 and resurfaced twice, most recently in 2015. Mr. Langseth stated that given the size of the request the Committee needs to think about priorities and asked if the basketball courts and tennis courts could be separated into two requests. Mr. Coleman stated that if the project is completed in 2 phases it would be more expensive to complete the project. Additionally, Recreation would like to limit the impact of construction to only one season. Mr. Langseth asked how the High School renovation would impact the courts. Ms. Battite stated that a survey on the parcels has been done and a conversation at the community level needs to take place. There is a possibility that the courts will be demolished during the High School renovation. Mr. Pato stated that the community had a similar conversation when the Center Track requested funding but decided to go forward with the investment since there would be at least seven years of use by the community and High School track team. The new basketball and tennis courts would only have two or three years of use before a new High School construction. Ms. Rhodes stated that this is a recurring conversation and stakeholders need to discuss the issue so that the Recreation Committee can move forward with their work. Mr. Cronin stated that a committee is being formed to address these concerns and that the Town Manager is involved with the process. Mr. Pressman discussed the Recreation Enterprise Fund and asked if revenue from the Enterprise Fund could be used to fund a portion of this project. Ms. Battite stated that in 2020 the Enterprise Fund went bankrupt and they are still trying to recover from it. Mr. Kanter stated that the CEC recommends using CPA funds as much as possible. The Committee voted by a roll call vote in a straw poll to support the project (7-0-2). Mr. Pressman and Ms. Walker were a wait. Mr. Pato and Mr. Langseth voted yes contingent on the project not being demolished during the High School construction. 3 FY23 CPA Funding Request- Park and Playground Improvements- Kinneens Park- Ms. Battite requested $200,000 in CPA funds to update and replace the playground equipment and safety surfacing, install fencing around the playground, signage, park benches, and a bike rack at Kinneens Park. Ms. Battite stated that the play equipment would be for children ages two- twelve with PIP safety surfacing in specific locations. Mr. Coleman stated that fencing will be added around the playground because currently there is none. Ms. Fenollosa asked if the hardcourt surface that was funded in 2016 with CPA funds needs to be torn up for the park improvements. Mr. Coleman stated that the hardcourt surface does not need to be torn up. Ms. Fenollosa asked about community engagement. Mr. Coleman stated that there will be community involvement similar to Rindge Park. Mr. Hornig stated that there are a lot of requests for CPA funding this year and the Committee may have to prioritize which projects receive funding. The Committee voted by a roll call vote in a straw poll to support the project (9-0). FY23 CPA Funding Request- Community Park Master Plan- Lincoln Park- Ms. Battite requested $100,000 in CPA funds to complete a master plan of Lincoln Park. The results of the plan will provide a strategic road map for implementing improvements, enhancements and upgrades at Lincoln Park. Ms. Fenollosa asked about the difference between a master plan and a capital plan. Ms. Battite explained that a master plan evaluates everything including the entire parcel and a capital plan addresses end of life items. Mr. Horton asked about organizations that conduct a master plan study. Ms. Battite stated that Weston & Sampson has a division for master plans as well as Activitas. Ms. Kreiger stated that this is an opportunity to have a new set of eyes and prospective for the park. The Committee voted by a roll call vote in a straw poll to support the project (9-0). Ms. Dean arrived at 5:23 PM. Ms. Battite, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Cronin, Ms. Dean, Mr. DeAngelis, Mr. Filadoro, Mr. Newell, Mr. Pinsonneault and Ms. Spencer left at 5:2413M. 2021 Needs Assessment Report-The Committee discussed the yearly Needs Assessment Report and Ms. Federico reminded the Committee that a public hearing is scheduled for 12-16- 21 at 7:0013M. LexHAB Guidelines- Ms. Fenollosa suggested that Mr. Hornig, Mr. Pressman and Ms. Walker review and revise the LexHAB Guidelines for acquisitions because they may no longer be 4 appropriate given market conditions. Mr. Hornig agreed to review the Guidelines with Mr. Pressman and Ms. Walker once Special Town Meeting is over. Committee Business- Ms. Federico discussed the presentation schedule and notified the Committee that on 11-18-21 the Lexington Housing Authority, LexHAB, the Munroe Center and Ms. Kosnoff will be presenting their FY23 CPA funding request. Ms. Walker inquired about a possible CPA application for the Stone Building. Mr. Pato stated that he would be surprised if there was an application since the Stone Building Feasibility/ Re- use Committee is an advisory committee and they are not charged with submitting an application for CPA funds. Ms. Fenollosa stated that she had an application inquiry and told them that they need to discuss submitting an application with the Select Board since they are an advisory committee. After a motion duly made and seconded, the Committee voted by a roll call vote (9-0) to adjourn at 5:30 PM. The following documents were used at the meeting: 1) CIP- Playground Enhancements- Pour-in-Place Surfaces 2) CIP- Center Recreation Complex Bathrooms & Maintenance Building Renovation 3) CIP- Community Park Master Plan- Lincoln Park 4) CIP- Park and Playground Improvements- Kinneens Park 5) CIP- Park Improvements- Hard Court Surfaces 6) CIP- Park Improvements-Athletic Fields- Fiske 7) Email dated 10-25-21 from Melissa Battite about funding Respectfully submitted, Gina Federico Administrative Assistant Community Preservation Committee 5