City Council - Property Committee

Property Committee Meeting Meeting Minutes: January 28, 2020 Councilor Zaret called the meeting to order at 5:16 pm. Members Present: Chair Owen Zaret, Clerk Lindsey Rothschild and Councilor James Kwiecinski Also in Attendance: Parks and Rec Director John Mason, City Planner Jeff Bagg, City Council President Peg Conniff, City Councilor Homar Gomez, Lori Fisher of 20 Lawler Drive, Scott Cadieux of 9 Knight Avenue, Teresa Barut of 9 Knight Avenue, Elaine Wood of 9 Overlook Drive, Parks and Rec Commission Member Jim Ramsey of 3 Campbell Drive Approval of Minutes: No minutes were presented. Public Speak Time: No comments from the public. Continuing Business: Proposed Dog Park: ● 11/21 - A non-binding public vote narrowed down proposed sites to Nonotuck Park & Oliver park across from solar field ● John Mason, Director of Parks and Recreation submitted letter to the committee outlining concerns and issues the Parks and Recreation Commission has regarding a Dog Park located at Nontuck Park. (letter attached) ● City Planner Jeff Bagg said that Nonotuck had to be included in the process because of its location near town while also being away from residents., near town, away from residents ● City Planner Jeff Bagg shared memo from the Berkshire Design Group which outlined the process undertaken to develop a feasibility study of potential sites for a public dog park in the City of Easthampton. The report focused on “Site 1”, a parcel on Oliver Street -- as it was the 2nd choice, after Nonotuck from the public present at the 11/21 meeting. (Letter attached) ● The City Planner identified the steps in the process as - A) identify a parcel 2) Can we find funds to match construction phase? 3) Create maintenance plan ● The City Planner: Plot on Oliver -- Cost is at 275K, up to 225K of which is covered by grant. The expectation is that the cost would go up. After the design phase, another decision to be made. Do we want to go forward with a construction grant? How would we cover gap over 225K plus the 10%? CPA Funds? ● The City Planner: Single family abutter has concerns about site regarding noise, garbage and loose dogs. ● Elaine Wood suggested a committee to oversee the building of the dog park.  ● Scott Cadieux said that the general consensus at the 11/21 meeting was that people didn’t want a dog park near their homes. ● There was discussion whether or not to have a community meeting or public hearing. ● The City Council will make decision whether to go forward with the grant. ● The City Planner will reach out to the abutter and other nearby residents to the proposed Oliver Street site. ● Councilor James Kwiecinski asked about the cost to maintain a dog park. Park Director John Mason said that he would ask his colleagues about general numbers by March City Council Meeting. ● Council President Peg Conniff would like an understanding of economic design and suggested the ad hoc committee be formed after the awarding of a design grant A motion was made by Councilor Rothschild and seconded by Owen Zaret, it was unanimously voted accepting Oliver Street as the proposed site for the dog park. ● Councilor Rothschild asked the public present --- are you all in strong support? The public in attendance said yes. ● The city wide inventory will be addressed at the next meeting. A motion was made by Councilor Kwiecinski and seconded by Lindsey Rothschild, it was unanimously voted that this meeting adjourn Respectfully Submitted, Councilor Lindsey Rothschild Clerk to the Public Safety Committee