City Council - Property Committee

Property minutes 8/17/2022 Meeting called to order at 18:21 Meeting remotely Present Homar Gomez, JP Kwiecinski , Owen Zaret Discussed new city quick actions will discuss at next meeting Public Speak: Nicole LaChapelle. Mayor Read joint proclamation from a variety of housing organizations regarding affordable housing in the city School Reuse Members and councilors Owen Zaret: Spoke about buildings and potential uses Homar Gomez: Added saw needs for those buildings for the community as a whole. Need to understand the draft RFP and what can and can not be changed. Recommended Michael Owens speak to needs of community and what can and can not be changed Brad Riley: Was at the walk through Was on the committee that drafted the RFP Has heard some of the ideas A lot of the ideas are built into the draft A lot of public feedback and community need is built into the proposal Discussed the difference between non profit and private developers Councilor Kwiezinski spoke to the process moving forward and thinking about how to approach this Councilor Zaret: We need to set a schedule now and think about the community as a whole Councilor Gomez: We need to be cognizant of the winter approaching, expenses and need to schedule Councilor Kweicinski set the following two meetings: August 31st at 6 September 14 at 6 The chair stated that the Schools no longer need schools and need council to look to recommend to accept as surplus Michael Owens: chief procurement officer Relapsed as surplus not being used for education Offered a Spreadsheet for operating expenses including outside services inspections lighting, sprinklers, boiler cleaning, etc DPW and procurement have reached out to auction houses Chair: Asked for a copy of cost of buildings to operate Letter request to accept and if members of community can use exterior features Mayor Lachapelle: Council will see spreadsheet and appropriation at next council meeting as new business The City needs to accept in order to access exterior features and make provisions Public speak Kate Banigan White: Agree with Brad Riley that need to focus on affordable housing in terms of use. Need to maximize housing opportunities Max Swisher: Resident of Easthampton works at new city. Housing is urgent in the city. The RFP represents a process by a lot of people and time and effort Kiam McQuaid: In support of the RFP as written. RFP reflects the concerns of the community. City council will have an opportunity to address the bids Scott Cavanaugh: Supports RFP as written number one priority as housing. Second priority is community connection look at walkable and sustainable use. Maintain walkable and bike able assets such as playgrounds. Need nodes of connections for walking and biking. Parking could be better allocated through way finding. Shira Simon: 2006 resident. Owner of a multifamily from 2015 and single family 2017 Member of the fair and affordable housing partnership Shared an anecdote about how to help people who need more affordable housing Kaihla Laurent: Supports the RFP as written. Top priority as housing. Some thoughts on affordable housing that this affects everyone in the community. Janna Tetreault 52 Pomeroy: Chair of affordable and fair housing Fully supports RFP as currently written Works at community action pioneer valley Spoke about rental assistance in the city and who received those benefits Jeff Bagg: Would like to have the consultant at the next meeting to explain the RFP and how it should work. Flexibility for how a group responds to the RFP. There are community goals and needs. Need to let developers evaluate buildings and present back to city council and council can approve. Need to make sure that there are other councilors available who are aware and can participate. There is a lot of information on the project website Documents about the state of the schools and condition Mayor: Points look at page 29 of the RFP City has spent resources on making affordable housing available The council will have another chance to to review proposals Mayor is recommending removing the RFP from the committee at the September 7 meeting and moving to city council for a full vote Councilor Zaret: There are many resources are available on the website we need to move forward Councilor Gomez: Be ready to review the RFP and be ready to move forward Is our job to do our due diligence and respect the work of the group but is also our job to review and move forward Spoke to understanding needs for housing Motion to adjourn made by councilor Gomez and seconded by Zaret Committee approvdd 3-0 Meeting adjourned at 19:46