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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-07-CPC-min Minutes of the Community Preservation Committee Thursday, November 7, 2019 Hudson Room Cary Memorial Building 1605 Massachusetts Avenue 4:00 PM Committee Members Present: Marilyn Fenollosa (Chair); Charles Hornig (Vice-Chair), David Horton (arrived 4:24 PM), Jeanne Krieger, Joe Pato, Bob Pressman, Melinda Walker, Dick Wolk (left at 5:12 PM). Administrative Assistant: Gina Federico Other Attendees: Wendy Manz, Capital Expenditures Committee liaison to the CPC; Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager for Finance; Alex Dohan, Conservation Commission, Phil Hamilton, Chair, Conservation Commission (arrived at 4:10 PM); David Langseth, Vice Chair, Conservation Commission; Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator (arrived at 4:10 PM); Bob Burbidge, Vice Chair, LexHAB; Pat Goddard, Executive Director, LexHAB; Kate Murphy, Accountant, LexHAB; Melisa Tintocalis, Director, Economic Development. Absent: Lisah Rhodes Ms. Fenollosa called the meeting to order at 4:04PM. Review of Grain Mill Alley- 2015 Annual Town Meeting (ATM) appropriated $18,000 for design improvement to Grain Mill Alley and $127,838 in 2016 for the development of the 'bookends' at either end of the Alley. The Committee requested that Ms. Tintocalis explain why the project has had little progress to date. Ms.Tintocalis explained that an appraisal was done for the parcel which was discussed in Executive Session with the Board of Selectmen (BCS). The BOS are in favor of moving forward and a meeting is scheduled with the Historical Society in three weeks to discuss how to proceed. Ms. Tintocalis explained that a sliver of land of approximately 300 sq. ft. is owned by the Historical Society. Mr. Hornig asked if the scope of the project has remained the same since the initial appropriation in 2015. Ms. Tintocalis explained that the project has remained the same in regards to the bike node but she would need to review the original proposal. Mr. Hornig asked if the bike node is going to be the only item addressed and if so then the project is different than originally presented. Ms. Tintocalis said yes. Mr. Wolk asked if there was a concern with condo owners in the area. Ms. Tintocalis responded that the redevelopment project will not move forward because the condo owners are concerned with excess noise. Ms. Fenollosa 1 requested that Ms.Tintocalis present the Committee with a memo detailing the scope of the project and a timeline of when funds are going to be spent by the first week of December, to be available for the December 5t" CPC meeting. Farmview LexHAB- Mr. Goddard came before the Committee to discuss the supplemental request for FY21 CPA funding as well as the memo between the Town of Lexington and LexHAB regarding the Farmview project. Ms. Kosnoff stated that it was her understanding that LexHAB would not come back to the Town for additional funding and that she would not have signed the memo between the Town and LexHAB if that was their intention. Mr. Pressman suggested a Special Town Meeting (STM) to have an article on the warrant for$153,750 so that funds would be available at the close of the STM to complete the work at Farmview. Mr. Hornig asked if the appropriation was available on May 1, 2020 would that be acceptable to get the work done. Mr. Goddard said yes. Mr. Goddard explained that LexHAB made a commitment to the Town in the Memo. LexHAB is committed to completing the project and when funding was denied by Mass Housing LexHAB pursued additional funding from the CPC to fulfil the commitment to the Town. Mr. Pato stated that the BOS has not discussed the request yet but the Board interpreted the memo as LexHAB would not be back for additional funding. A future request for funding from LexHAB will be met with a high sense of skepticism. Ms. Manz stated that the Capital Expenditures Committee has not reviewed the FY21 CPA funding request or the memo but is encouraged to know LexHAB has the funds to cover the commitment without Town support. Ms. Manz suggested that if LexHAB has sufficient funds to cover the work it would be in their best interests to do so instead of presenting the request to Town Meeting for the third time. Mr. Wolk asked if the property rents were sufficient enough to cover the maintenance of the properties. Mr. Goddard explained on an individual basis the rents are not sufficient to cover the maintenance on the properties but when the figures are net out it is sufficient. Ms. Walker stated that the current problem with the memo is a problem of interpretation of a paragraph and then proceeded to read a list of the number of individuals on the waiting list for affordable housing in Lexington. Mr. Hornig stated that the $169,347 has potential legal problems and the $153,750 has potential political problems. It was the general consensus of the Committee to seek advice from Town Counsel.The Committee voted in a straw poll to support the project at $153,750 (5-1-1). Ms. Fenollosa abstained and Mr. Pato voted no. FY21 CPA Funding Request- Daisy Wilson Meadow Preservation- Mr. Hamilton requested $22,425 in CPA funds to preserve approximately 5 acres of meadow at Daisy Wilson Meadow to improve passive recreation opportunities, enhance wildlife and plant habitat. The project is part of a multi-year Conservation Meadow Preservation Program. Mr. Hornig asked if the Committee will see an annual request for meadow preservation. Mr. Hamilton explained that Daisy Wilson Meadow has been neglected and that is the reason for the request. The Conservation Commission does anticipate another request in FY22 for West 2 Farm Meadow and subsequent requests in the future for meadow preservation. The Committee voted in a straw poll to support the project (7-0). FY21 CPA Funding Request- Parker Meadow Accessible Trail Construction- Mr. Hamilton requested $551,026 in CPA funds for the construction phase of the accessible passive recreation trail system project at Parker Meadow Conservation area. Parker Meadow is a 17 acre parcel located near Lexington Center with access off the Minuteman Bikeway. The Conservation Division has been working with Kyle Zick Landscape Architecture on the Phase 1 design plans.The design phase appropriated in FY15 is expected to go out to bid in February 2020. Mr. Hornig asked if Conservation is confident that the request would be adequate to cover the cost of the project. Ms. Mullins responded that they are requesting funds for the full design costs and that the amount requested would be appropriate to complete the project. Ms. Walker inquired if the project manager would be a landscape architect since the scope of the project covers both cement and fields. Ms. Mullins responded that a landscape architect would be utilized. It was noted that this project is categorized as recreation and it was suggested the Conservation Commission coordinate with the Recreation Department in the future to make sure that the CPF Recreation budget is allocated equitability. The Committee voted in a straw poll to support the project (7-0). FY21 CPA Funding Request- Wright Farm Site Access Planning and Design- Ms. Dohan requested $69,000 in CPA funds to hire a consultant to develop a site access and design plan with cost estimates for conservation land access, parking and trail access at Wright Farm. The plan will take into account proposed uses for the barn and property that have come out of ongoing educational needs and barn architectural assessments. Wright Farm is approximately 13 acres purchased in 2012 and 2015 Ms. Dohan displayed two concept photos of the area depicting potential parking scenarios and crops. Ms. Krieger asked how many spots will be available at the site. Ms. Dohan stated that parking will be addressed in the design plan. Ms. Walker asked if they anticipate building another structure on the site. Ms. Dohan explained that the barn that is currently there is not fit for human use but it has been deemed a historic structure so that it cannot be torn down. The plan is to convert the building into an educational center with flex-space for events such as weddings. The Committee voted in a straw poll to support the project (6-0-1) Mr. Pato abstained. Executive Session under Exemption 6 The purpose of the session would be to discuss a conservation land acquisition. After a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted by roll call (7-0) to enter into Executive Session at 5:54 PM under Exemption 6 to consider the purchase, 3 exchange, lease or value of real property and to reconvene in Open Session; the Chair declaring that an Open Meeting might have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Town. At 6:11 PM, after a motion duly made and seconded, the CPC voted in a roll call vote (7-0) to exit Executive Session and return to Open Session to attend to the remaining agenda items. Debt Service/CPA Finance Ms. Kosnoff distributed 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). Ms. Kosnoff stated that $6.8 million is the projected revenue for FY21 including a state match calculated at 10 months using the new fee rate and 2 months at the old fee rate. The total amount of debt obligated to be paid in FY21 is $3,016,730. Preliminary estimates suggest that the Community Preservation Fund balance will be $5,205,957 after debt service and funding all FY21 project requests. Mr. Pressman noted that the amount budgeted for 116 Vine Street Design Funds should be increased from $75,000 to $100,000 on the excel spreadsheet per the CPC meeting on 10-17- 19. 2019 Needs Assessment Report- Ms. Fenollosa reminded the Committee about the 2019 Needs Assessment Report and stated that the edited drafts should be sent to Ms. Federico before Friday November 22nd for review during the public meeting on Thursday December 5th. A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday December 12th to receive comments from the public. Committee Business- Ms. Federico informed the Committee of an update from the Town Managers Office regarding the FY21 CPA funding request for Restoration of Margaret Lady of Lexington Painting. The Committee had requested that Ms. Labrecque inquire about the insurance on the painting as well as the appraised value.The 2016 appraised value is $5,000 and restoration work on the painting will have little impact on the appraised value according to the conservator.This is due to lack of interest in the subject matter/ portraits. The Town Managers office supports the request to restore the historic resource back to premier condition with the knowledge of the lack of impact on the appraisal. Ms. Federico also informed the Committee that the painting is covered by Town insurance under the fine arts clause. Minutes-After a motion duly made and seconded, the minutes from the Public Meeting on 10- 24-19 were approved as submitted (6-0-1) Ms. Walker abstained. After a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 6:32 PM. The following documents were used at the meeting: 1. FY21 CPA Funding Application- Conservation Land Acquisition 2. FY21 CPA Funding Application-Wright Farm Site Access Planning and Design 3. FY21 CPA Funding Application-Daisy Wilson Meadow Preservation 4 4. FY21 CPA Funding Application- Parker Meadow Accessible Trail Construction 5. Community Preservation Fund Balances dated 11/7/19 6. CPA Fund- Projected Revenues and Debt Service dated 11/7/19 7. Lewis A. Shepard 2016 Appraisal Report for the Town of Lexington page 4 8. Correspondence with Elizabeth Leto-Fulton dated 11/1/19 Respectfully submitted, Gina Federico Administrative Assistant Community Preservation Committee 5