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2005-06-08 SRA MinutesSRA Minutes June 8, 2005 Page 1 of 4 MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING OF THE SALEM REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD ON JUNE 8, 2005 A Regular Meeting of the Salem Redevelopment Authority (SRA) Board was held in the third floor conference room at the City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street, on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at 6:00pm. Chairman Michael Brennan called the meeting to order and on roll call, the following members were present: Conrad Baldini, Michael Brennan, Christine Sullivan, and Russell Vickers. Michael Connelly was absent. Also present were Lynn Duncan, Executive Director, Tania Hartfod, Economic Development Planner, and Debra Tucker, Clerk. MINUTES Minutes from Special Meetings held May 10, 2005, May 17, 2005, and May 24, 2005 were presented for approval. Mr. Baldini moved that the minutes from the Special Meeting held on May 10, 2005 be approved with the addition of Ms. Sullivan’s comments. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion. The motion passed (4-0). Mr. Vickers moved that the minutes from the Special Meeting held on May 17, 2005 be ap proved. Mr. Baldini seconded the motion. The motion passed (4-0). Ms. Sullivan moved that the minutes from the Special Meeting held on May 24, 2005 be approved. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion. The motion passed (4-0). REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROJECTS 1. 18 Crombie Street (Habitat for Humanity) Bunnie Pasternak, President of Habitat for Humanity, appeared before the board and requested an extension of the current LDA for 18 Crombie Street, which expires July 30, 2005, in order to complete the project. She explained that some additional work on a bulging wall took longer than expected. The family has now been selected and the project is moving forward. Ms. Pasternak asked for an extension to November 30, 2005. Mr. Brennan stated that the LDA does allow for an extension. Mr. Baldini commented that there is a 350- hour sweat equity requirement. He added that the board did not want to punish the family for the delay. Ms. Sullivan moved that the LDA for 18 Crombie Street be extended to November 30, 2005. Mr. Baldini seconded the motion. The motion passed (4-0). DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Project Approval 2. 282 Derby Street (Taste of Cilantro) Ms. Hartford stated that the Design Review Board had reviewed the table and chair location and four five- foot panels of green canvas fencing around the area for the proposed outdoor café. Since the restaurant’s liquor license had not been extended, the owner may not require the fencing. She is working on a seasonal liquor license with the State licensing board. If the seasonal license is approved, they will use the fencing and should it be denied, she will not use the fencing. Mr. Brennan asked if there was ample room for pedestrians to move by. Mr. Baldini said that he had gone to the site and checked it and there was plenty of room. Ms. Sullivan asked if the restaurant had been operating SRA Minutes June 8, 2005 Page 2 of 4 a café on the site already, since she had seen a table and chairs. The landlord, Mr. Osgood, stated that there was one table there for people who take food to go and had been sitting on the curb. Mr. Baldini moved to approve the Design Review Board recommendation for the outdoor café, with the addition of the proposed fencing if the seasonal liquor license is approved. Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion passed (4-0). 3. 180 Essex Street (Z Crepe Cafe) Tracy Thurdin of the Z Crepe Café has proposed an outdoor café along the pedestrian mall. She informed the board that she had a Board of Health inspection scheduled for Monday and that she hoped to open soon. Ms. Hartford reported that the Design Review Board thought that the pedestrian access would be fine and they liked the tables and chairs. Ms. Thurdin stated that she would be speaking with Ellen Talkowsky concerning the plantings in the nearby island. Ms. Sullivan stated that she thought that the board should look at the issue of the current plantings on the mall. She said that it is a 30-year-old design that perhaps should be changed. Ms. Sullivan moved to approve the DRB Recommendation for the Z Crepe Café outdoor seating. Mr. Baldini seconded the motion. The motion passed (4-0). SIGN REVIEW Project Approval 4. 180 Essex Street (Z Crepe Cafe) Tracy Thurdin of the Z Crepe Café presented the proposed signage for her project. There will be one exterior sign with two window signs. Ms. Hartford reported that the Design Review Board had approved the signage. Mr. Baldini moved to approve the DRB Recommendation for the proposed signage for the Z Crepe Café. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion. The motion passed (4-0). DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Project Approval 5. 51-71 Lafayette Street (Derby Lofts) Amy Powers presented proposed changes to the Derby Loft Development project and requested approval. She explained that the clock would be moved one flight up so as to be seen over the traffic lights and sign poles. The clock will be pre-cast and was described as subtle and clean and more refined and better looking and will be incorporated into the building. It will be hard-wired with illuminated hands and will be the same size at 48 inches. The DRB approved the changes. A fabric sample of the awning material was presented. It was described as a low profile awning with no lettering and will be installed along Lafayette and Central Streets approximately three feet two inches off of the building just below the fanlights. She reported that the developers have four retail tenants lined up. Ms. Sullivan moved to approve the DRB Recommendation for the changes to the clock and the installation of awnings at the Derby Lofts project. Mr. Baldini seconded the motion. The motion passed (4-0). SRA Minutes June 8, 2005 Page 3 of 4 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROJECTS 6. Old Salem Jail Lynn Duncan said that the RFP for of the Old Salem Jail redevelopment project was generally in good shape and she asked that the board vote to approve the release of the RFP and the release of the marketing plan. The board has seen the draft of the RFP and the Cecil Group is editing it with comments submitted by the SRA. The marketing plan is not completed yet. Steve Cecil of The Cecil Group discussed the next steps with the Board and explained that there will be a series of products issued. Christine Sullivan volunteered to work with the staff and the consultant on the actual wording. Mr. Cecil reviewed the goal of including current and accurate information on the status of conditions. Although a developer might pursue subsidies, the project must be self-sustaining and must not require public subsidy to succeed. Mr. Cecil recommended that the board not accept a proposal that was contingent or dependent upon subsidy. The overall marketing strategy was discussed. Mr. Cecil explained that Peter Smith had done research on the advertising budget, the scale, and publications. The recommended budget was $5,000.00 with a little room for additional expenses. Mr. Cecil showed samples of ads that other public agencies run as well as private sector ads. He suggested using some of the images that they have already put together. The Planning Department has a list of developers who have show interest. It was recommended that a letter with a copy of the ad be sent out to those interested. Urban renewal plan information will be added to the package. The full environmental report could be made available and not necessarily made a part of the package. Ms. Sullivan recommended that the package be made available online. Mr. Cecil and Ms. Duncan did not think that this would be possible, as the City did not have the capability, although Ms. Duncan would look into it. Mr. Cecil stated that a press release along with the executive summary should be sent out to news desks at the same time as the advertisement to provoke an article. Mr. Brennan asked how long the RFP would be out. Mr. Cecil recommended 6-8 weeks and felt that this would allow developers enough time to put together a team. An extension could always be granted later, if necessary. Ms. Duncan said that the Mayor was urging that they keep a tight turnaround. Mr. Vickers asked when the documents would be available. Mr. Cecil replied 1-2 weeks. The announcements should be around the 3rd or 4th week of June and he recommended mid August for a due date. Ms. Duncan asked when a tour of the jail should be. Mr. Cecil thought that approximately 2 weeks into the process. Ms. Sullivan said that it was critical to get the project out by the 3rd week of June because of the July holiday and said that she was afraid of a summer timetable. Mr. Vickers agreed that the project should proceed in a timely manner. A draft will be provided by Mr. Cecil by next week and Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Duncan will review it. Mr. Brennan asked Mr. Cecil to check on the publication dates for the various recommended journals and papers. Ms. Sullivan recommended getting the information out via the Internet. Mr. Baldini moved to authorize an advertising budget of $9,000.00 for the Salem Jail redevelopment project. Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion, and the motion passed (4-0). SRA Minutes June 8, 2005 Page 4 of 4 Mr. Vickers recommended that they utilize Kate Sullivan of the Mayor’s office as a PR liaison. Mr. Cecil agreed. Ms. Duncan asked if there was a consensus on a $200.00 charge for the RFP cost itself. Mr. Brennan replied that there was. Ms. Duncan said that there was recommendation of $30,000.00 non-refundable deposit. Mr. Cecil said that any higher then the board would be in a position to have to return a portion later. He thought that $30,000.00 to $50,000.00 was reasonable, but thought that it should not be lower than that. This would be a good faith deposit that the proposal was being made in earnest. He added that on a project of this complexity, the board does not want developers to walk away. Ms. Duncan clarified that there is a proposed application fee of $3,000.00 with the submission of t he proposal. A $3,000.00 bid deposit by the top 3 bidders would be held in escrow pending completion of the LDA. Then at the execution of the LDA a $30,000.00 non-refundable deposit will be due. Then there are additional deposits. Mr. Cecil will review the suggestions made by Peter Smith with him and then talk with Ms. Duncan. Mr. Vickers said that he did not think that $30,000.00 at the LDA stage was enough. Mr. Cecil said that the costs to re-bid should be covered. The board discussed the fact that they do not want a developer tying up the project and taking a piece of property off the market with no penalty. Mr. Cecil will work on that. Barbara Cleary asked about the status of the reuse study. Mr. Cecil said that he will be editing it and it will be formally issued. Ms. Duncan added that they are moving forward with the re-zoning. There is a Public Hearing on the matter on June 30th at 7:00 p.m. and she urged SRA members and others to attend. Ms. Sullivan moved to authorize that the Executive Director release the RFP. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion, and the motion passed (4-0). OLD BUSINESS 7. City Accounting Department to Manage the SRA Funds Ms. Duncan said that she got clarification from the Assistant City Solicitor Beth Rennard concerning the fiscal management of the SRA funds by the City of Salem. She stated that it is appropriate and in accordance with M.G.L. 121B and that she recommends SRA approval. Ms. Sullivan questioned the current system if the Executive Director is unavailable. Ms. Duncan said that the By Laws note that the Treasurer and any other of the officers are next in line. Ms. Sullivan stated that she wants to protect the SRA. Mr. Brennan asked that Ms. Duncan obtain clarification. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Ms. Sullivan motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion, and the motion passed (4-0). Meeting stands adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Debra Tucker Clerk