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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-18-CPC-min RECEIVED 2021 21 [)ec,4A4 pirn~n Minutes of the Community Preservation Committee 'TOWN CLERK Thursday, November 18, 2021 LIEiNGTON MA Remote Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 869 8806 4599 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; Bob Burbidge, Vice Chair, LexHAB; Cristina Burwell, Executive Director, Munroe Center for the Arts; Mike Cronin (arrived 4:07 PM), Director of Public Facilities; Caileen Foley (arrived 4:37 PM), Executive Director, Lexington Housing Authority; Brian Healy, Architect; William Kennedy, Chair, LexHAB; Carolyn Kosnoff(arrived 4:10 PM), Assistant Town Manager for Finance; Lester Savage, LexHAB; Bob Phelan, LexHAB; Lester Savage, LexHAB; Bob Phelan, LexHAB; Steve Poltorzycki, Chair, Munroe Center for the Arts Development Committee. Ms. Fenollosa called the meeting to order at 4:02 PM. FY23 CPA Funding Request- LexHAB- 116 Vine Street Construction- Mr. Kennedy requested an unspecified amount of funds for the construction phase of 116 Vine Street. LexHAB's goal is to construct six units of affordable housing in two buildings. The project is expected to achieve near net zero energy consumption. Construction documents and specifications will be developed this fall/winter and construction is anticipated to commence in the fall/winter 2022. Ms. Fenollosa stated that the Committee is under timing and funding constraints and that a ballpark figure would be required before the Committee takes their final vote. Mr. Kennedy stated that they could produce a number as long as it is understood that the number is an estimate and not the final cost. Ms. Fenollosa stated that a higher number is ok because unspent money can be returned to the CPF but a lower number would require a supplemental appropriation at Town Meeting. Ms. Fenollosa stated that she supports the project. Ms. Walker asked about the total project cost of Farmview and if the buildings for 116 Vine Street were going to be prefabricated similar to Farmview. Mr. Savage stated that his preference for Vine Street would be stick built construction, not prefabricated, and that the Farmview construction was approximately$3.2 million. Ms. Walker stated that the cost per Farmview unit was an impediment for Mass Housing funding and asked if there would be any additional funding sources. Mr. Kennedy stated that they have not looked into additional funding sources. Mr. Langseth stated that he hopes LexHAB will continue to coordinate with Conservation on the 1 layout of the units. Mr. Pressman stated that he thinks the Committee should set a date for LexHAB to come back after LexHAB works with Colin Smith and Bob Phelan on a cost estimate. Ms. Fenollosa agreed with the request. Mr. Hornig stated that it looks like the units were reduced from eleven to six. Mr. Savage explained that the original presentation to the neighbors was seven or eight units and then it was reduced to six. Mr. Hornig asked if there are any other construction projects in the works and that it seems like very few units are being produced for a lot of money over a long period of time. Additionally, with construction costs so volatile how can LexHAB project an accurate cost. Mr. Savage stated that there are no other construction projects in the works and that Colin Smith has a cost estimator to help develop an estimate. Mr. Pato reminded Mr. Kennedy that LexHAB has yet to present this to the Select Board and should get on their agenda as soon as possible. Ms. Fenollosa invited LexHAB back on December 91"to present the project with cost estimates. The Committee voted by a roll call vote in a straw poll to support the project (9-0). FY23 CPA Funding Request- LexHAB- Preservation and Rehabilitation/ Restoration- Mr. Phelan requested $234,000 in CPA funds for the preservation, rehabilitation and renovation of LexHAB units 9 of which were purchased with CPA funds. Ms. Fenollosa stated that an addendum to LexHAB's application was requested because the CPA only allows rehabilitation funding for units purchased with CPA funds. The application was preliminarily sent to Town Counsel because the requests for painting and the purchase of appliances are typically not allowed under the CPA. Town Counsel responded that the requests are permitted as long as they are part of a bigger capital project and that LexHAB should submit an addendum to clarify. Mr. Hornig asked if this type of project is going to become an annual request. Mr. Phelan stated that LexHAB has developed a 10 year plan to keep units up to date and that years two and three are extensive.The Committee should expect an annual request for unit rehabilitation, preservation and restoration from LexHAB. The Committee voted by a roll call vote in a straw poll to support the project (9-0). FY23 CPA Funding Request- Munroe Center for the Arts-Accessibility- Mr. Poltorzycki stated that the FY23 funding request for accessibility upgrades to the Munroe Center for the Arts (MCA) is premature and that the MCA would like to discuss the next steps with the Committee to address accessibility in the building. Mr. Poltorzycki stated that MCA operates out of a Town owned building under a 10 year lease with the Town. The lower level of the building recently became handicapped accessible but the other two levels are not. Ms. Burwell the building now annually hosts over 1,400 students of all ages and abilities as a community arts center, and strives to serve all residents with educational and creative opportunities in the arts. In order to do this, there needs to be a way to access all three floors for users who are not able to use the stairs. This includes potential tenants, staff, students, parents, and visitors. Their application to 2 the CPC was submitted at this time to meet the CPC's November 151 deadline. The MCA met with Jim Malloy, Carolyn Kosnoff and Mike Cronin to discuss the process before requesting construction funds. Ms. Kreiger left at 4:50 PM. Mr. Cronin stated that the proposed project looks great but there are a couple of steps that need to be followed first.The Design Review Team (DRT) needs to review the project as well as the Capital Expenditures Committees (CEC), the Appropriation Committee (AC) and the Select Board (SB) before presenting to the CPA for construction funds. Ms. Fenollosa stated that CPA funds are allowed to address accessibility but are not allowed to be used for new construction. Mr. Pato stated that the proposed time frame is aggressive and optimistic and as the Select Board liaison to the Commission on Disability he is hopeful that the MCA can make this project happen in the near future. Mr. Pressman asked about the other funding sources listed as "private" and asked if an application will be made in tandem with this request. Ms. Burwell stated that the State has a one for one match up to $200k. Mr. Pressman asked if the matching funds would affect the amount of CPA funds needed. Ms. Burwell said yes. Mr. Horton asked about using space at Muzzey and Ms. Burwell explained that there is not adequate soundproofing. Ms. Fenollosa asked how much of these improvements are the Town's responsibility and Mr. Poltorzycki responded none. Ms. Rhodes asked about parking and Mr. Healy stated that there needs to be a parking study. Mr. Langseth stated that the Committee needs to know which portion of Phase 1 is CPA funding-eligible. Ms. Burwell stated that they are looking for advice on the best way to proceed. Ms. Fenollosa stated that question is better suited for Mike Cronin and the Select Board. Mr. Cronin stated that review by the DRT, CEC, AC and SB needs to be the first step. Mr. Langseth suggested drafting a letter of support and Ms. Walker agreed to draft the letter for the Committee to review on December 91h. Mr. Langseth brought forth a motion to express support of the concept recognizing that the request is premature. The motion was seconded and then withdrawn to discuss at a future meeting. Mr. Cronin left the meeting at 5:33 PM. Ms. Burwell, Mr. Healy and Mr. Poltorzycki left the meeting at 5:34 PM. FY23 CPA Funding Request- Lexington Housing Authority-Vynebrooke Village Modernization Prosect- Ms. Foley requested $556,763 in CPA funds to supplement state funding for a large- scale modernization project at Vynebrooke Village, including the conversion of three units into fully handicapped accessible units. Project funding from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCH) is currently$3,877,787.51. 3 Mr. Hornig stated that some of the items listed in the application are items that LexHAB left out of their application because the affordable units were not purchased with CPA funds. Ms. Fenollosa stated that Town Counsel will have to review the application before final votes. Mr. Hornig stated that there is an equity issue because LexHAB received pushback for similar requests. Mr. Pressman identified items in the LHA application that could potentially be CPA eligible. Ms. Foley stated that she would revise the application to identify and itemize CPA eligible items. Ms. Walker stated that ModPHASE helps seniors stay in place and that this is a unique way to look at the elderly in a public setting. Mr. Langseth stated that he would feel more comfortable voting on an itemized list instead of a number to fill the gap and does not remember the project coming before the Conservation Commission. Ms. Fenollosa stated that the Committee supports the project but there needs to be a better breakdown of CPA eligible expenses. Ms. Foley will submit a revised application before the December 91" CPC meeting. Mr. Pato left the meeting at 5:54 PM. Ms. Foley and Mr. Kanter left the meeting at 5:55 PM. Debt Service/CPA Finance Ms. Kosnoff presented two Excel spreadsheets to the Committee detailing CPA funds, projected revenues, and debt service (CPA-Funds Projected Revenues and Debt Service) and (Community Preservation Fund Balance). The first spreadsheet Ms. Kosnoff presented was the Community Preservation Fund Balance and stated that $8.1 million is the projected revenue for FY23 including a state match calculated at 38%. The total amount of debt projected to be paid in FY23 is $1,866,600. Preliminary estimates suggest that the Community Preservation Fund balance will be $7,818,752 after debt service and funding all FY23 project requests not including 116 Vine Street Construction costs, which are yet to be determined. Ms. Kosnoff left at 6:10 PM. 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:OOPM. LexHAB Guidelines-The Committee did not discuss this agenda item. Minutes-After a motion duly made and seconded, the Committee voted by a roll call vote to approve the minutes from the Public Meeting on 10-28-2021 and 11-4-21 (7-0). Committee Business- Ms. Federico informed the Committee that she has been promoted within the Finance Department and that her start date is 11-29-21 but she will continue to support the Committee until the end of 2021. 4 After a motion duly made and seconded, the Committee voted by a roll call vote (7-0) to adjourn at 6:14 PM. The following documents were used at the meeting: 1) Community Preservation Fund Balances dated 11-18-2021 2) CPA Fund- Projected Revenues and Debt Service dated 11-18-2021 3) FY23 Funding Application- LexHAB Preservation & Rehabilitation 4) FY23 Funding Application- LexHAB- 116 Vine St. Construction 5) LexHAB 116 Vine St. Power Point 6) FY23 Funding Application- Munroe Center for the Arts 7) FY23 Funding Application- Lexington Housing Authority 8) Excel Spreadsheet- Project List 9) 10-28-21 Draft Minutes 10) 11-4-21 Draft Minutes Respectfully submitted, Gina Federico Administrative Assistant Community Preservation Committee 5