Community Preservation Committee

City of Lowell – Community Preservation Committee Community Preservation Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 26, 2022, 6:30p.m. Conducted in-person and via zoom Note: These minutes are not completed verbatim. For a recording of the meeting, visit www.ltc.org Members Present Adam Baacke, Chair Francesca Cigliano, Member Brad Buitenhuys, Member Christine McCall, Member Sinead Gallivan, Member Sidney Liang, Member Troy Depeiza, Member Philip Shea, Member Ryan Rourke, Member Members Absent None Others Present Serena Gonzalez, Assistant Planner A quorum of the Committee was not present. A. Baacke called the meeting to order, the time was 6:30pm. I. Minutes for Approval February 17, 2022 Meeting Minutes C Mccall motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by F Cigliano. Approved unanimously (8-0). B Buitenhuys not present yet. II. Continued Business Public Hearing: Committee and public comments to assess and prioritize City assets, opportunities, and challenges related to the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Input will be used to inform the City of Lowell Community Preservation Plan which will guide the Committee on CPA funding decisions. On Behalf: None Speaking In Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: None Motion: None III. New Business MVHP Condition Appeal: MVHP has submitted a letter appealing the affordability restriction on the One+Lowell project. On Behalf: Cathy Mercado - MVHP Speaking In Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: A Baacke says that the CPC is requiring similar recapture for similar projects. He said that the loan recipients would not be limited to affordable homes, the restriction would create an affordability restriction on the property purchased. It is not intended to limit the properties loan recipients can purchase. He said that if the homes bought with the CPA money were to be sold within 5 years that the money would be repaid to the CPA. P Shea asked if the committee has limitations that they need to pay attention to. A Baacke said that affordable housing projects must have an affordability restriction. B Buitenhuys said that the recaptured funds should go back to the CPA. C McCall said that the recaptured funding should go back to the CPA but is open to lifting the affordability restriction because it makes it difficult for One+Lowell recipients to create generational wealth. C Mercado says that the affordability restriction will make the program less successful than the one in Boston. F Cigliano agreed that the affordability restriction would impact the success of the program. S Liang said he is in favor of lifting the affordability restriction. T Depeiza said that the affordability restriction should be lifted. Motion: B Buitenhuys motioned to remove the affordability restriction, seconded by F Cigliano. Passed unanimously (9-0). Annual CPA Budget Appropriation Vote: Vote on the appropriation of CPA funds for Fiscal Year 2023. On Behalf: None Speaking In Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: None Motion: B Buitenhuys motioned to recommend to the Lowell City Council to appropriate or reserve from Community Preservation Fund annual revenues or available funds for committee administrative expenses, debt service, community preservation projects and other expenses in Fiscal Year 2023, with each item to be considered a separate appropriation. Seconded by S Gallivan. Passed unanimously (9-0). Elect New Vice-Chair: Committee will vote to elect a new Vice-Chair to replace Member Slagle. Speaking In Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: F Cigliano said that C McCall should be the vice-chair. Motion: F Cigliano motioned to elect Member McCall as the Vice-Chair, seconded by B Buitenhuys. Passed unanimously (9- 0). Review Community Preservation Plan Update: Review the updated Community Preservation Plan which lays out goals for CPA projects in the City for FY2023 based on results gathered from community outreach. On Behalf: None Speaking In Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: None Motion: F Cigliano motioned to accept the changes to the Lowell CPA plan, seconded by B Buitenhuys. Passed unanimously (9-0). IV. Other Business V. Notices VI. Further Comments from Community Preservation Committee Members VII. Adjournment B Buitenhuys motioned to adjourn, seconded by R Rourke . Passed unanimously(9-0). Meeting adjourned