WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=El9ZI5hIpWU NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: El9ZI5hIpWU): - 00:00:01: Meeting Start, Minutes Approval, CDBG Project Funding Intro - 00:00:51: National Objectives and Slum/Blight Designation Explained - 00:03:50: Expanding the Slum/Blight Inventory: Benefits and Costs - 00:06:51: Expanding Inventory Provides Alternative Pathway with CDBG Funding - 00:12:25: 205-213 Main Street Demolition, Greenwood Pool Updates - 00:15:36: Public Social Services and Veterans Outreach Updates - 00:16:26: FY24 and FY25 Project Updates and Bidding - 00:18:51: Public Social Services, Agreements, and CDBG Entitlement Application - 00:21:21: Meeting Adjournment, Final Comments and Thanks Part: 1 1 00:00:01.880 --> 00:00:19.720 So, today is Tuesday, April 28th. It is 4:30. Uh now it's time for open meeting recordings. There is no one here besides staff. Uh the posting is behind me. Um moving on to meeting minutes. Voting 2 00:00:19.720 --> 00:00:37.080 to approve the minutes from March 24th, 2026 public hearing and regular meeting minutes. I'll make a motion to approve. It's in the minutes as they're written. I'll motion to second. Motion is second. All in favor say I. I. 3 00:00:37.080 --> 00:00:51.760 All those in favor say I. Motion carries. Moving on to new business discussion. Slum and blight inventory required for CDBG slum and blight area designation. Assistant Director, you have us. So, if 4 00:00:51.760 --> 00:01:08.120 you refer to the memo in your packet, um it outlines that there are two requirements for CDBG projects to be funded. One is that they be eligible under the Housing and Community Development Act, and the other is that they meet a national objective. So, 5 00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:24.320 eligibility is usually pretty easy. There are many, many things. Pretty much everything you can think of that is related to housing improvements or community development improvements are eligible. So, that's not usually an issue, but national meeting a national objective 6 00:01:24.320 --> 00:01:41.480 can be tricky. There are three overall categories of national objec- objectives. There's low mod national objective, you know, you're serving people who are lower moderate income. That's under 80% of area median income. There's a slum blight national objective 7 00:01:41.480 --> 00:01:58.840 that can either be area slum and blight removal or um prevention or um spot spot removal. So, like one house being demo- demolished. And then there's the urgent need national objective, which is hardly ever used. It's for 8 00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:13.920 instances of a disaster like when the when the um tornado hit Springfield, they they used that national objective. So, for us, it used to be much easier for the city to categorize projects as meeting the low and moderate income 9 00:02:13.920 --> 00:02:30.440 national objective. It's still easy for our public social service projects because they're directly serving low and moderate income people. But, for things like infrastructure, public facility improvements, we don't meet the 51% overall city low 10 00:02:30.440 --> 00:02:45.640 mod requirement like we used to. So, most of the projects we want to do serve the whole city like for instance, the removal removal of the Greenwood Pool. That fell under a citywide benefit, and we were able to do that. Um 11 00:02:45.640 --> 00:03:01.440 now with the new census data being released about 2 years ago, um Gardner's percentage is 40 3.7. It was 54.1. So, um so that drop makes it harder for 12 00:03:01.440 --> 00:03:17.440 us to categorize infrastructure and public facility projects under that low mod national objective. In 20 way back in 2016, we um did a slum and blight area inventory that allowed us to 13 00:03:17.440 --> 00:03:33.680 receive designation from the state that if we were doing projects that were eliminating or preventing slum or blight in that designated area, we can meet we can fall under that slum blight area national objective. So, our current um designation is going to expire on June 14 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:50.160 30th of this year. So, we need to do a new inventory so we can have that option, that slum blight area option available to us when we're deciding what projects to fund. Any questions about that so far? 15 00:03:50.160 --> 00:04:06.080 Okay. So, our current um slum and blight inventory follows the borders of if you look at the the map with the red outline, follows the borders of the the downtown redevelopment 16 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:22.960 or the downtown urban renewal plan, excuse me. So, this is what the inventory that was done in 2016 captured. It looked at all the properties in that area, all the infrastructure in that area, and there's a form that the state has that they're 17 00:04:22.960 --> 00:04:41.320 ranked, you know, in fair condition, poor condition, good, excellent. Um so, they did that we did have that inventory done for us by the BSC Group back in 2016 and it was approved. What we're and we need to get it updated. So, what we're proposing for 18 00:04:41.320 --> 00:04:56.760 this time is for BSC Group to to complete a new inventory. They're one of our on-call engineering firms, so it falls within the scope that allows them to do this. We don't have to go out for bid again. Um they gave us a very good price initially 19 00:04:56.760 --> 00:05:15.400 of 25,000 for an inventory of the area that I just described, but thinking about it, um we're recommending that they expand that area. If you look at the last map, um so that it captures not only the area in yellow, 20 00:05:15.400 --> 00:05:30.800 but um the other areas covered by the four census tract block groups in Gardner that have the highest concentrations of low and moderate income residents. So, it's not a huge difference. It's a little bit of, you know, um 21 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:48.480 the the area that I think would see the most benefit from being part of this designation is census tract 70731 and 70733 because just driving through those neighborhoods, I think there's some infrastructure improvements, for instance, that could be funded with CDBG 22 00:05:48.480 --> 00:06:03.240 Um if we were able to designate them as part of the area. So, we asked the BSC Group for another um another scope of work that included the expanded inventory, and they came back 23 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:18.800 today, actually, um because their initial estimate was for approximately 300 parcels, and the the new estimate would add an additional 670 parcels, approximately. 24 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:35.320 Um their estimate went up from 25,000 to an additional 35, for a total of 60,000, which um before we started this process, we got some information from the state on what other communities who have done an inventory least recently um what their 25 00:06:35.320 --> 00:06:51.480 scope was and the cost, and this is very reasonable compared to what we very reasonable um compared to what the other communities [clears throat] are paying at a similar inventory completed. So, when BSC when the BSC Group is done with this inventory, they'll give us 26 00:06:51.480 --> 00:07:10.720 everything we need to submit to the state to ask for the area designation. Any questions, Jason? Did I word it in a good way? No, yeah. I and I just to reiterate, you know, the the fact that the LMI at large population in in Gardner has 27 00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:26.760 gone down, it it proves a challenge for us in terms of moving forward with with, you know, CDBG projects now that we can't do anything that's at a benefit at large to the community. So, we had some issues with the Greenwood Memorial uh 28 00:07:26.760 --> 00:07:43.280 Pavilion um and a couple other projects back when it was actually being proposed for the School Street um school demolition and then the construction of the expanded parking facilities. There was a lot of justification that went into that, as well, while we were using the updated 29 00:07:43.280 --> 00:07:59.320 LMI data. So, expanding the Slum and Blight Inventory to these census tracts provides us with an alternative pathway in terms of being able to utilize our CDBG funding for local projects. Now that we really feel like we've we've 30 00:07:59.320 --> 00:08:16.160 done a lot for the urban renewal plan area, and now we feel like it's it's warranted to look into some areas that have been neglected that's that have been outside of that um since the the urban renewal plan was adopted back in 20 2012, 2011. I forget I always flip-flop 31 00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:33.039 cuz one's one's Mill Street on maybe 12 and and I think downtown is 11. I think you're right on that. Um but yeah, it provides us an a different avenue of of being able to to move forward with um you know, different CDBG projects. And this um review would be 32 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:52.960 for a 10-year Yes. period. Yes. And we don't we don't you know, vote, but we just wanted your input um having, you know, living being being from Gardner and longer being in the community longer than Jason and I have been, we wanted your input on 33 00:08:52.960 --> 00:09:08.920 It gives you a a wider opportunity. So, I think it's good. And this extends in the way to Green Street, it looks like. Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> A little further, actually. Like what street? Yes. 34 00:09:15.520 --> 00:09:31.800 There's a lot down there. Yeah. Especially um the playground Yep. Mhm. is in there. This conversation like really initially started because Amy and I [clears throat] take the same direction to get here, and those streets exist 35 00:09:31.800 --> 00:09:47.840 outside of the urban renewal plan and the Slum and Blight Inventory, and we I think we said to each other, "Why aren't these streets being inventoried along with the streets that, you know, I think by large are in pretty good standing 36 00:09:47.840 --> 00:10:02.840 within the urban renewal area?" You know, there are some areas that are more fair to poor. Um you know, but some that are in pretty disrepair that really makes us feel like we have to expand where we're looking at. And you know, this gives us a great 37 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:20.360 basis to to go off of and work with BSC hopefully in the future. Um it's outside of the bounds of the um on-call contract, but hopefully if we work with them in the future as we as we have historically been uh for this work, you know, it provides us an opportunity to 38 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:37.000 work with them and with their existing understanding of now this urban renewal area and now the expanded or expanded area as well. Cool. And this So, we're looking at just the census tract block groups. 39 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:53.640 Does it include where where the pool is today, the um Yeah. So, it it does include both the the outlays of the downtown urban renewal area and the census block. So, just consider that all is as one area. >> Okay. Consider it one area. Okay, perfect. 40 00:10:54.480 --> 00:11:09.839 And so, all these funds will be taken out of our our CDBG administrative budget. Yeah. Iris was just giving me an update. We have approximately 25,000 in 2022-23 funds that can be put towards this, and we 41 00:11:09.839 --> 00:11:25.800 haven't tapped into any of our fiscal year 24 funds yet for administration. So, we have Cool. adequate resources to be able to do this. And we have to use that 22-23 sooner than later, right? Yes. You have to use it pretty 42 00:11:25.800 --> 00:11:47.520 Yes. immediately. Yes. So, we have to encumber for the for the work. >> Yeah. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. I mean it makes sense to Yeah. I I've been up-to-date on all the conversations and everything. So, I 43 00:11:47.520 --> 00:12:05.800 guess everything's good. Any If you guys have any questions, um you know, on um on the expanded area. Um and before now that we can uh I think it makes sense um as far as we we have to do the do the review anyway, and it makes sense 44 00:12:05.800 --> 00:12:25.240 to expand it into these areas, and um we have the funds available, so it's that makes sense. All right. Moving on. Comments. Old business, FY22-23 45 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:41.680 project updates. Demolition of 205- 213 Main Street. That's on me. Um we still have the property up uh for uh sale with the GRA. The We did receive an offer, which we're still 46 00:12:41.680 --> 00:12:57.080 deliberating, um but we did just uh reduce the price as well to incentivize um some uh additional interest in the property, but that was before we had received um 47 00:12:57.080 --> 00:13:11.920 the concrete offer. Um we're still waiting on a couple other interested parties that have expressed interest in the site, so hopefully we're looking to sell um this construction season. Will Will there be any restrictions on 48 00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:28.120 what goes in? There's no There's no soil contamination or active use limitation on the property. So, there's no there's no actual limitation um in terms of what can go there except that what is currently like available for um zoning. So, it's not current 49 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:43.720 requirements. Yeah. Current setback requirements is not what it was. Not what it was. Not what it was. The The demolition of the property was to bring it [clears throat] into compliance with current modern setback requirements. Not have a grandfather in of a non-existing structure. Right. So, then by saying 50 00:13:43.720 --> 00:14:00.560 that it will be set back more so you can still see up the street. >> Yeah. Yeah. The The That's going to complaint by and large. Likely the limitation on no left-hand turns coming down Willow Street would likely not be lifted because the main 51 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:15.760 issue with that is trucks. Any Any Any Any large vehicles coming down they don't have enough turning radius to be able to turn down that street. So, that restriction would likely stay in place, but it would still provide a 52 00:14:15.760 --> 00:14:31.760 safer option for for people going down who are looking to take a uh a right on red there when there's no incoming traffic. Uh Moving on, Greenwood Pool demolition. Now we're moving forward to completion 53 00:14:31.760 --> 00:14:46.920 on that. Yeah. So, the contractor APW is finishing up some plumbing and seating work on the gate and the fencing. And an electrical 54 00:14:46.920 --> 00:15:01.760 electrical work that I just talked to Time Bond today that we might take out of the current contract and put it in phase two because of some issues Jason and I haven't had a chance to talk about this either, but some issues with 55 00:15:01.760 --> 00:15:19.360 National Grid what they're requiring to be done. I guess Time Bond hoped to tie into the existing meter through the pole and services there. They They can't do that. They have to install a new pole. 56 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:36.005 So, So, more to come on that, but it will either be done soon or it will be done as part of phase two. Um but it will be done and that will be great to get that project closed out. Um Let me just keep going. Public 57 00:15:36.005 --> 00:15:51.600 [clears throat] Social Services, uh we have a two two open projects that we provided um reallocated funds to the Gardner Community Action Committee Food and Heating Assistance Expansion Project and the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center of Veterans Services Expansion 58 00:15:51.600 --> 00:16:07.600 Project. Both of those are nearing completion. Um Amherst need to touch base with them. They submitted an invoice recently, but they still have a little bit of money left in different categories. So, I want to find a way to spend what they have left. So, I'll follow up with them on that. 59 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:26.600 And then the Gardner CAC, um they're still waiting for delivery of their cargo van, um but they've spent almost all of their other money for um food and heating assistance. So, um we should be in good shape with both of those to be completed by June 30th. 60 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:42.839 Okay. Yeah, Greenwood Um moving on to FY24, is there any questions comments on those? The FY24 project updates, Greenwood Pavilion. So, this is exciting. It's almost ready to go out to bid. Um they're going to advertise it in the Central Registry 61 00:16:42.839 --> 00:17:00.200 this week, but I think because of some timing issues we needed delay that a week or two, um but it's very soon. So, that should be completed this construction season. Awesome. That's great. And then moving on to 2025 project updates, downtown improvements phase 62 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:15.480 five, design and construction for Willow Street, Main Street, Pleasant. So, Tighe & Bond um has completed the 75% plans and they said they would get them to us probably within the next week for our review. They have some questions for us that 63 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:32.480 we need to answer before the final And I'm sure we need probably run these by DPW engineering to get any input from them. Um but that's, you know, that should be able to go out for bid as well this construction season. Um 64 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:47.760 Awesome. Uh phase six design only though for uh City Hall Ave. So, um I haven't we haven't issued the notice to proceed um to Tata & Howard Bond yet to have the design completed for this because I kind of want to see the 65 00:17:47.760 --> 00:18:04.120 results of the inventory um so we don't just in case it didn't come back as contributing to Slum and Blight. Cuz that was our justification for Right. Yeah, why spend money on it um so without that. So, I'm delaying that a little bit 66 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:19.240 um but um we're ready to go as soon as we have that. Waterfruit Street uh community center fire alarm electrical improvements. So, um as I mentioned at previous meetings, this was this project was you know, 67 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:35.480 flagged by state by EOHLC um because they were concerned about the feasibility of the project and how the CDBG funded portion fits into the overall project for renovating that building and what the future uses are. 68 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:51.320 So, we're still working um on that and having a discussion with them. We need to follow up with them within the next week or so get them some additional information, some newer information and then kind of go from there. And moving on to public social services. 69 00:18:51.320 --> 00:19:06.960 So, we are um having a meeting next Tuesday with four of the five public social services and the reason why we didn't include St. Paul's Episcopal Church for the community garden expansion is because their project, even though it's a public 70 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:23.440 social service, has a few different requirements than the others because of the construction associated with their garden and retaining wall. So, we have some different environmental review requirements that we need to meet and we have um Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates that they need to pay um and they need 71 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:40.320 to include that when they get quotes for the work to be done. So, we'll have a separate meeting with them, but next Tuesday we're having a meeting with the other four providers [clears throat] just to go over things like invoicing um reporting. We're We're supposed to monitor annually. Um so, those kind of 72 00:19:40.320 --> 00:19:55.320 things just so we're all on the same page, we all know the period of performance for these grants um because I think there's been some confusion about that in the past because it is confusing. There the OEO C when they award CDBG funds, they they have an 18-month period 73 00:19:55.320 --> 00:20:11.000 of performance that overlaps from year to year and it can get very confusing for these agencies to know what year they're actually in. Um so, we'll talk about all those things when we meet on Tuesday. Um but the the grant agreements are out with the exception of St. Paul's 74 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:30.360 and you know, hope and well, actually the Gardner athletic program, too. I need to get the end up list out when we meet on Tuesday, but we'll get that out and um then they're ready to go start spending money and serving using the money to serve the people in need. And finally, the 2026 CDBG mini 75 00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:47.680 entitlement application. So, we submitted a week early, which is good. Um and you know, now it's just a waiting game. So, I feel like we're in good shape this year, better than last year just because we did a lot of work during the year to get our CDBG management plan 76 00:20:47.680 --> 00:21:04.320 in place and other policies and procedures in place that EOHLC reviewed recently and approved. So, I think I think we'll be in good shape this year. And in future years? >> Yes. We're setting up a good foundation so that this process is 77 00:21:04.320 --> 00:21:21.120 easier for us, easier for the social service providers, and so we have an easier time identifying projects for us to move forward with with the expanded slum and blight. So. Just setting ourselves up for success. Not a bad thing. No, not at all. 78 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:36.520 Nothing else on the agenda. Um any final comments on any of the items discussed, or do I hear a motion to adjourn? I'll make a motion to adjourn. Second. Motion to adjourn. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. 79 00:21:36.520 --> 00:21:42.600 Motion carries. Meeting's adjourned. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks.