Finance Committee

CITY OF GARDNER CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MEETING OF MAY 1, 2013 Finance Committee Members Present: President Alice Anderson and Councillors Ronald Cormier and Patrick Gerry. Others Attending: Mayor Mark Hawke; City Auditor Calvin Brooks; Economic Development Coordinator Trevor Beauregard; Councillor Karen Hardern; and, City Clerk Alan Agnelli. The meeting was called to order by President Anderson at 3:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall. President Anderson read aloud the following Announcement, in accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law: Any person may make a video or audio recording of the open session of this meeting so long as it does not interfere with the conduct of the meeting. All documents and exhibits used or referenced at this meeting shall be submitted in duplicate to the City Clerk, as they become part of the minutes of the meeting. Is there anyone present who will be recording this meeting? No one responded. 1-1 MINUTES OF APRIL 10, 2013 REGULAR MEETING On a motion by Councillor Ronald Cormier, seconded by Councillor Patrick Gerry, it was voted to waive reading and to approve the Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting of April 10, 2013, as printed. 2-1 $200,000 LOAN ORDER – GARDNER BROWNFIELDS REVOLVING LOAN FUND PROGRAM (MAIN STREET SITES ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION) President Anderson informed the Committee that a loan order for $200,000 through the Gardner Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Program to pay costs of environmental remediation of the site for the new police station would be placed on the Council Calendar for Monday, May 6 for referral to the Finance Committee. She added that Economic Development Coordinator Trevor Beauregard should attend a meeting of the Council to make a presentation. Mayor Hawke recommended that any questions concerning the borrowing should be submitted in advance to Mr. Beauregard and/or the Mayor, as timing is of great concern. Mr. Beauregard noted that the environmental remediation project would be placed out to bid in May and a contract should be executed by June. He added that funding must be in place in order for the project to commence. President Anderson emphasized that Councillors must submit any questions well in advance of the special session, if possible. 2-2 MAYOR’S FY2014 BUDGET PROPOSAL Mayor Hawke informed the Committee that he would be filing his FY2014 Budget Proposal with the Council at its May 20, 2013 Regular Meeting. 6-1 REAL PROPERTY DISPOSAL MANUAL President Anderson informed the Committee that the City Solicitor has not yet responded to her request for the status of the land disposition guide. She stated that she would send another letter to him asking for a response, since it has been 13 months since the Committee made its first request. 6-2 WEST LYNDE STREET PARKING LOT (NORTH) “AIR RIGHTS” (HW-4 PROJECT) Mayor Hawke informed the Committee that he would be seeking the City Council’s approval of “air rights” for the West Lynde Street Parking Lot (North). The authorization would allow the developers of the Heywood-Wakefield 4 Project to submit a resident parking plan with DHCD in order to seek funds to constructs a parking deck over the existing lot. The Mayor noted that the appraised value of the “air rights” is $85,000, which would be paid to the City. Page 1 of 2  CITY OF GARDNER CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MEETING OF MAY 1, 2013 Councillor Ronald Cormier noted that the City Solicitor would prepare appropriate language for the Council to act on the measure. President Anderson asked for the name of the appraiser that arrived at the $85,000 figure. The Mayor responded, stating that the appraiser is the same person that the City uses for property easements. He added that the figure for the “air rights” is still subject to negotiation between the City and the developers. The Mayor informed the Committee that the developer would be filing its Pre-Application with DHCD by May 15; therefore, the City needs to expedite authorizing the “air rights.” Councillor Patrick Gerry questioned the impact that the construction of a parking deck would have on current users of the lot. The Mayor responded, stating that a parking study was completed which indicated that there would be minimal impact to the public’s current parking habits. Councillor Gerry asked whether HW-4 residents would use the lower lot that is currently used for the public. The Mayor responded, stating that the City and the developers would prepare a plan to address such a scenario. He noted that the City has been reviewing overnight public parking conditions and overall needs for some time. The Mayor added that the HW-4 project has an 18 to 24 month build- out, so he would be evaluating short and long-term parking needs, including the potential for public parking in the event the closed Gardner Cinema is razed. On a motion by Councillor Ronald Cormier, seconded by Councillor Patrick Gerry, it was voted to recommend that the City Council declare the airspace available for disposition and to authorize the Mayor to seek proposals for the leasing of the airspace. 6-3 WEST LYNDE STREET PARKING LOT (NORTH) PARKING SPACES LEASES (HW-4 PROJECT) President Anderson asked the Mayor if the draft Lease Terms document reflects the actual terms of the Lease. The Mayor responded, “Yes,” except for a few commas and technical language. He noted that the parking space appraisal figure is firm ($3.90 per space per rental week). President Anderson stated that the option presented is the most palatable in relation to prior proposals. Councillor Ronald Cormier added that the project would be a significant revenue generator. On a motion by Councillor Patrick Gerry, seconded by Councillor Ronald Cormier, it was voted to recommend that the City Council declare 20 parking spaces at the West Lynde Street Parking Lot (North) available for disposition and to authorize the Mayor to seek proposals for leasing. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Councillor Patrick Gerry, seconded by Councillor Ronald Cormier, it was voted to adjourn at 3:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ALAN L. AGNELLI City Clerk Page 2 of 2