I'm going to call the Friday, October 3rd, 2025 economic and community development committee uh meeting to order. The clerk will please call the role. >> Councelor Gazinska, >> present. >> Councelor Keith, >> present. >> President, >> present. >> Thank you. Announcement of open meeting
recordings. Is anyone here recording meeting the meeting today? There's no one here. No one is recording the meeting other than staff. Begin with the review and approval of the meeting minutes of the September 19th, 2025 meeting. Madam chair, I'd move to wave the reading of the minutes and approve them as presented. >> Second.
>> Motion made by President Tyro, seconded by Councelor Heath to wave the reading of the minutes and accept them as presented. Is there discussion on the motion? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Those oppos say no. Motion passes. Item number two, September economic and
community development update. Good afternoon, Director Stevens. >> Good afternoon, chairs. Starting off, I'll just talk about quickly the rear main project. um that project. We've kind of gone around on some of the task items because we are waiting on approval from National Grid
for that project. Um we've been waiting on them for a number of um actually probably close to two months now for a review of the um the project of the proposed movement of the uh wires underground as well as the um conduits
that we'd have to put in to the uh project site as well. Um, given that we haven't gotten responses from them in regards to whether or not they intend to change the location of any of those conduit positions or any of the movement of the wires underground, uh, we can't move forward with those items on the
schedule. And they've kind of been doing their best to hopscotch around to what items still remain that can be moved forward with so that we remain on schedule. Um, honestly, they've they've been ahead of schedule uh up till now, and I can't fault them for um the delays
from National Grid's part. Uh, we just heard back from Fuss and O'Neal in regards to um this work, and they have gone back to us that they're in the final approval process. They should get back to us hopefully in the next week or two, but this is kind of a point that
could potentially be a choke point uh in terms of uh awaiting the response from National Grid uh further. Um, we're hoping not. I'm pushing Fuss and O'Neal to check in with National Grid as much as is amicable to maintain the relationship that the contractor, the
engineering team, and the city has with with National Grid in terms of getting a response. Um, so we're really pushing all the buttons to make sure that these outstanding items um to kind of move forward with a lot of the project uh move forward um
appropriately. Um they've done work um installed um the water line up to what will be the sidewalk. Um approved the new uh change order which is for the uh blowoff valve. All the everything having
to do with the splash pad and water feature uh on the site. So that was um it's just for the sake of winterizing the site um when it comes to uh this time of year uh to make sure that we can blow out all the water. Um, no backflow
is uh black backflow preventers are installed properly. So, we just had those change orders come in. Um, I still have to review them and give my sign off to send off to the rest of the signitories in city hall. Uh, but we're looking forward to uh moving forward
with that. Um, and I'll have a more um that change order printed out in full for the next department um monthly update. That's really what I have for rear main.
I'll move on to the master plan unless anyone has any questions. >> Uh I have no questions on that. >> Okay. The master plan we are planning on having an open house sometime in late October, early November. Uh probably in
Perry Auditorium. We're aiming for usually around 6:00 to 7:00. We're still finalizing the exact date for that, but it's a you know, come in um you know, it doesn't have to be come in right at 6. Like I said, it's an open house, so people are feel free to come and I'll be glad to kind of at least provide an
update maybe to a member of city council to present at a future city council meeting. Uh given that we'll probably not have the uh we'll probably have the date pretty close in mind uh to the next department uh monthly update. We've reviewed the full inventory and
assessment report uh from Barrett Planning Group for the master plan. Um and I've reviewed specifically the land use and economic development sections which are directly under my purview uh for my department. Um we've sent the
rest of the sections having to do with historical resources, natural resources, um housing development um and transportation to the appropriate departments uh in the city as well. So, we'll we'll move forward with other um
individuals uh whether it they be city officials um city elected officials or other uh community leaders that we think would have um kind of uh weight in the game, you know, in terms of wanting to chime in for for the development of that
project. But that's all I have for the master plan. And just um because I'm a little biased to become on the steering committee um the and I have more info about it. The open house late October, early November that is for the public to come. Yes.
>> And to share their insight on what has been done so far in the master plan and give um their kind of their feedback on that. That is that that's an in-person event to be able to do that. Whereas a lot of this has been done I mean it's been posted on the city website for months and months about you know how they can contribute to it. But this is
an inperson for Q&A and for feedback. >> Yeah. Very high level overview of each of the chapters uh for the inventory and assessment of what has been done so far, what has been identified as um potential
areas of uh address for us to make note of in the master plan. Um and it's a chance for us to get public feedback um you know which is required as part of the actual process of developing the master plan in and of itself. Um, so again, I'll look forward to sharing
around um I'll probably send around individualized um emails to all the city councilors to let them know when that date is um finalized. Um we're just trying to figure out we're bouncing around a couple dates and they all happen to land on dates where there are major city events happening. So, we want
to make sure that we pick a date that it can be kind of the highlight so that there's no conflicts of different um events happening so that we can get more of attendance like we did to the last one um back in May.
Um the hazard mitigation plan the my department has reviewed uh chapters three and five for the risk assessment for community assets and community capabilities of the drafted plans and I've sent all the outstanding comments
and questions related to those chapters back over to the planning group um that we're working with which is uh Weston and Samson. We did hold a public information session on September 18th uh about the plan. However, no attendees were present uh for it. It was
advertised on social media. It was advertised on the city's homepage. It was advertised um in a number of places, but um unfortunately no attendees. So I'll look you know with that being kind of
the availability of the planning group to host that um host that uh public information session. I will I'll look to holding one myself at a future info session um so that we can get hopefully
some public input um into that and similarly to the master plan >> and what I'm sorry the um the public info session that was held with no attendees when it went back. >> Yep. That was on September 18th. >> September. Thank you. >> Okay. Any questions, comments from
anybody? Go ahead. >> Um I don't I just want to say that it's just obviously you did everything you could to go ahead and get the word out for the public to go ahead and and attend. It's just disappointing that no one attended and >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You know, it's we put it out there. We
put these you we we put these um out for the public to go ahead and, you know, put their two cents in, put their concerns, things such, you know, how we supposed to know what you want, what you would like if you're not attending this. Yeah, we we do our
best to kind of infer, you know, the best movement for for the city in terms of a lot of our in terms of our risk assessment. Um, you know, but a lot of the people dealing with this, I mean, there are many people in the city who have lived here their whole
lives who know the city better than say myself who have been here for a year and I can only learn so much in a year, you know. So, we do our best to infer um off of our experiences, what we deal with in our day-to-day in terms of our roles here. Um but really the public um is a
truly invaluable resource for plans like this. So that's why I hope to host a second one uh myself cuz I understand the need for public feedback for this. And even though we don't have necessarily in our contract with Weston and Samson to host a second info session
for for specifically this, that doesn't mean it's going to stop me from at least giving a second chance at getting public feedback for this. >> And I was going to thank you for >> and I was going to say and I appreciate the the extra effort to do so. and you
know on your end to do that and >> um you know we'll see what we get from it and I I certainly think that um the best thing to do is put the opportunity out there and see if we get any any feedback. >> Yep. >> Anything further? >> Absolutely. >> Go ahead.
>> I will kind of keep these together uh cuz they're both GR uh related. um the Garbos property sale and 205213 property sale both are which still under executive session because we haven't ended entered the closing for both of them but we are moving forward with
sellers for both properties I'm sorry you said garbos and then what was the second >> the 205 213 Main Street >> uh the Garbos being um I believe it's 115 Mil Street and 85 Winter Street parcels right next to Tany Crossroads um
just for for the sake of the public um Those both those parcels being in urban renewal zones, the land disclosure agreements for both have to be approved by EOHLC in regards to them being sold uh either for the betterment of the
public uh for a public good or at a fair market uh valuation. Um so we are in the process of working with HLC in terms of um moving forward with the LDA uh specifically for the Garbos 205213.
Uh we're in a little bit um you know I think further back than that. We've just kind of given initial notification to the buyer that the board is looking forward to moving uh forward with the sale um and just getting the lawyers
involved in terms of drafting up um the terms of the purchase and sale agreement therein. But you know, I don't want the city thinking that these parcels are just sitting vacant and that we're not looking to do anything with them. These are high priority items specifically for
myself. Um, I have plenty of I have a lot of correspondence both with uh the GR's real estate lawyer, John Barrett, as well as the the lawyer uh representing the sellers from or the buyers from
Garbos as well as the um buyer from 20513 um and giving kind of recommendations therein to kind of guide them on um next steps of how this kind of process moves forward. So doing our best to move forward and make sure that these these
parcels are are allocated properly to a a you know good public use. Um or maybe not necessarily public use but you know a a use that the public can be proud of um it going towards. >> Thank you. >> Question comments really please.
>> Um just for clarity um just for clarity um 205 Main Street's the property right across from the police station. Yes, >> there's >> I know one of the concerns with 205 213 is that it was too close to the existing
street uh main street there. Um all properties built, you know, following the sale uh and development have to follow modern uh city code. So there isn't going to be the worry about not being able to see around that corner if you're going down Willow Street um
and trying to take a turn and wondering whether or not there are any cars coming. I know that was a concern for a lot of citizens um and any developments again are are will have to follow modern city code rather than what was followed um at the time of that building's
construction. Um, so they'll have to be pushed further back from from the from Main Street to give proper sight lines. >> Appreciate the clarification on that because that is a good question people have. The amount of relief I've heard from constituents being like, "Oh, you know, with the building gone, I can see so much better. I feel so much safer."
>> So, it is uh, you know, and it needed it needed to it had lived its life and it needed to be done anyways, but it's just kind of an active thing that's for public safety that's helpful. So, um, any other further question, comments? >> Thank you. the Greenwood pool. Um I know
we had the road closed on October 1st for utility disconnections and the asbesus abatement uh was successfully completed uh prior to that. Uh one of the things that is outstanding for this is the site ID review with um mass D.
Um, the only waste generation that we're expecting from the site is the waste oil uh remaining in the equipment that was used to, I believe, heat the building, potentially heat the pool. I wasn't sure if the pool was heated or not. Um, but there is waste oil um in the uh some of
the equipment that we have to file with Mass D in terms of getting their review of that. Um, we're just waiting to hear back from them in terms of um in terms of that. We're just making sure that we're follow following all the correct processes to make sure that those
materials are identified properly um and are properly, you know, then disposed of. Um so we're just waiting to hear back from from them on that. Um and yeah, I I'd say that's that's pretty
much where that project stands. Um once we get the filing from mass D they can move out that remaining equipment uh dispose of that remaining waste oil and move on with the above ground building demolition.
>> Thank you. So everything seems on schedule as much as it >> I mean now we we're already at the beginning of October and I believe the original schedule had it for above ground building demolition at mid October just about. So, we're maybe like
a week, two weeks out. Um, but I would say we're at the behest of mass D at this point, similar to National Grid. Um, it is at the top of their inbox because there there was uh, you know, we we had
filed it and time bond have been very clear with uh with them about the need for for this to move forward with this project. Um so um I I'll still hope that we can get the above ground building demolition started um in mid-occtober
but again it's going to be at the behest of mass D in regards to when we can get that site ID review uh filed for the project. Thank >> you questions or comments? Uh thank you Kinskus. Um, one of the things was I think there was a little bit of a delay
because we couldn't get detail to go ahead and cover it to go ahead and that's why they couldn't get detail from what I understand talking with the construction crew was behind because the police couldn't get detail. So >> that was also that was also a delay of
getting the utility cuts and move on to other task items that they need to get completed before the above ground building removal was the delay of the police detail in order to close the road. But I believe there were two instances of um requests for police
details that were then um cancelled or rescheduled and then put forward to a different day. So I mean that's relate us back. But, you know, the the the project itself, everything that my department can do and the construction team can do without the both um police
detail um now that that's completed but had been delayed and mass D um and their filing um those are all being done. >> Thank you. Anything? >> I'd say the only other thing besides
talking about Mackie Park is just give a quick update on the complete streets grant program. that is a grant program that is filed ever uh bianually. Um, so this is right around the time where we would be able to put in for another round of um, grant funding, but the city
had been awarded, I believe, $100,000 for the calendar year um, and had been awarded uh, previously $889,83 leaving the city with a possible uh,
grant funding of $10,917, which doesn't really give the city a whole not um it really gives it nothing in terms of actually moving forward with any of our complete streets projects that we already have. But this did give us a chance before we found out about that award. We were able to move forward
and get reestimations on the remaining complete streets projects to really put us in a good place um for the next grant cycle for when the the funds get, you know, re recycled. Um basically when each calendar year um the
city gets a certain aotment um th those funds get spent out um either at the beginning of the year or at the end of the year um in terms of its grant awards and um those would would you know kind of uh come back at the beginning of next year. So we can look towards um having a
pretty good application in u depending on what our aotment is for the next grant cycle at the beginning of 2026. >> Great. Thank you. Questions, comments from appreciate that. Thank you very much,
Director Stevens. That concludes the September economic and community development update. >> Good update. >> Yes. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Um, and I will give an update at uh the next regular city council meeting. Thank you, President Ty, for putting that on the agenda. If there is
nothing for first item on the agenda in subcommittee item 11454, a report on the investigation of the Matthew Park project, uh we will get um an update from Director Stevens. We had also submitted some questions to uh two questions that were motioned by
President Tyrus to uh Mayor Nicholson. the those questions and the answers to them are in our packet for today. I don't know if we want to begin by discussing those. It's whatever pleasures of the committee. Um or if we wanted to go ahead with Dr. Stevens. I
think we should start with director Stevens because it might kind of allude to that and then if we have other questions we can go from there if that's okay with the committee. >> Director Stevens, >> we move forward with change order five for the project uh which is for the wheelchair accessible rounded sycamore
table. Um, I won't go into the full name. It's actually quite long in terms of how it's bolted together. It's sand blasted. Um, the checkerboard top for the tables. Um, and the semig gloss.
It's we've been given word from VYB on September 19th that the work is looking to about 6 to 8 weeks out. So given that we're September 19th, that gives us roughly
end of October, early November. Uh or yeah, would that be end of October? 6 to 8 6 to 8 weeks out. Um that's that's the that's the latest that they they gave us in terms of in terms of the timeline for that. Um >> so they would start 6 to 8 weeks out or
they like what does that mean? The word that we got from them was as discussed before per the manufacturer only one of the seats can be left out to maintain the stability of the table. I sent over an an okay to go ahead for the order and they said it was six to week
six to 8 weeks out. Please let me know if there are any changes by Monday. Um and that was from Sharon over at BusyB. We've responded to them twice following that um on September 19th and September 23rd saying checking in on the schedule for when the start of the construction
will be. Um given that the end of the October Fest event has already occurred and we're looking towards um you know when construction will actually begin. Um I believe the estimated uh construction completion time included in
my packets uh for the last meeting was I believe mid November. Um so it would be a pretty quick turnaround. I mean there isn't that much work to be done. >> So I guess that's my question is like so it sounds like from September 19th
work's going to begin 6 to8 weeks out. >> Yeah. >> But the work itself only takes a couple of weeks is my >> Yeah. we would still have the sub the the project completion date of mid November. >> Um I believe it might have been the 14th. I don't have that contract
amendment with me in terms of >> yeah I'm just looking for a time frame and just to understand that like that has not changed. So like they might not have an exact date and I understand from what you have said that they are um you know they are held to what manufacturers
have and you know that kind of stuff. They've obviously already been working on this since our last meeting because it's it was signed and said and delivered and done. So I understand that. So basically none of that has changed is what I want to make sure cuz that's those are the questions. We get a lot of it. The bones of it are important and I appreciate the detail too, but I
just want to make sure I'm not understanding it differently. >> No, that you know they need to get all the materials in place to move forward with the the full contract amendment that I had presented at the last meeting. Um, and all of those materials have a total timeline of 6 to 8 weeks
out from September 19th. >> Great. Thank you. I appreciate the clarification. >> Yeah, that's that's that's really all I have for for the project. Um, if we hear back from Busybe in regards to what the actual timeline of construction will be,
again, me and both uh both I and uh Nick Day over at Time Bond is one of the project engineers uh have been on top of BusyB trying to get a clear answer as to when the construction will start, but given their response of the 6 to 8 weeks, it seems like they'll still be in
compliance with the contract amendment and the project completion date of uh mid November. >> Great. Thank you. Any questions, comments on that info regarding the Mcki card project? Any further questions or comments?
>> I'd just like to speak to the motions last week and uh thank the mayor for the answers and the letters provided. Uh because I think they they've answered a few questions for me. Um so, and they're important questions, right? because there were two questions of um why now was the funding made available for Mackie Park from downtown phase 3 and uh
you know what were the department monthly updates that were an output of the Magi Park investigation. I think they've they've made me realize some uh operations of the city and where I think we need to do better. Um, we have, you know, this committee formed due to
Mackie Park and to provide additional oversight uh to your department, Director Stevens, which I think um very pleased and very impressed with the the progress and the changes made to that department. I think uh are excellent. But in reviewing the letter, I I found
that the committee's question answered, and this is what the the mayor responded. The funds became available due to the receipt of an accurate final quote from both the contractors related to downtown phase 3 and Mackie Park, allowing for the difference of funds to be freed up
from their previously assigned uses. And what that means is that at the end of August, um the city auditor reclassified about $20,000 um from downtown phase 3 from ARPA funds for downtown phase 3 to Mackie Park. Um now that
reclassification is a pretty big number. It didn't require a council vote, but it raises the questions of of communication, transparency, and awareness of of what the problems the city's facing because I believe when we reviewed, and I'm glad that we had monthly department updates to review, the augur had placed a question mark in
February next to the Mackie Park uh line item under section of funding source issues within the city. So, back in February, we had been made aware this this funding issue was happening. Uh this committee was formed in January
during rules reform. Um so in review you know we noted from a February report that the auditor had identified funding issues. The committee had been updated and notified that we were waiting on wires uh from the mayor to be moved for the funding to be freed up. In August
after the chair uh had you know requested additional funding sources to be pursued so that the project could be completed um a reclassification occurred. um from the ARPA funds. Uh so I think it highlighted for me that while it's good that we have monthly department updates that are delivered to
the mayor, I think the tool by which those department updates could be improved. Um I certainly had a hard time following the updates in terms of you know for example what what month the update was being given in um where projects laid where inter relations or
dependencies related between different departments. I think if some of those things were called out earlier uh in the spring, even summer, we'd be in a different position right now where we're fighting against the backdrop of winter coming for construction season ending. Uh and obviously missing October Fest
and the summer abuse by, you know, a significant um disproportionate part of our city for representation. So, I thank the director. you know, obviously from your updates, you've been um you've been hammering away at this problem. And I think it's unfortunate that it took um
you know, the question from the chair for a meeting to finally occur in mid August for this idea for reclassifying funds to come around. Glad it happened now. Um but I think there's just areas for improvement um that we should be
cognizant of. So um I thank the mayor for the update and I've certainly learned something from it. Thank you, President Tyler discussion. You know, I I would just add that I or I would say that, you know, I do agree with that. Again, could not have been
more transparent with us up to and worked harder to get the original funds where they needed to be when finally it was like I'm glad that we're sitting here saying we have 6 to8 weeks out. We have, you know, a completion date that has not changed. That to me is where where we are and I don't know if that
would have happened if you hadn't you know acted in the mid July to b say like okay what are we doing here? So um you know I do appreciate those conversations but again it the the point of this committee was to offer support and so I'm glad that we were able to do that but certainly is by the actual meeting
department. So thank you for that. Um anything further on this item? >> Okay. So if there are no objections, we will keep it on the calendar as we've said in previous meetings until the project is completed. And you know, I don't I expect kind of here on moving unless we have other questions that pop
up uh that we will be updated on and hoping that it just stays on this schedule and we get there and we can, you know, visually see it. Uh for your department's sake and all the work that you've put in to be able to do that. Um but certainly we will keep it on there
for the project's completion. Okay, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So move second. >> Motion made by C by President Tyro, seconded by councelor Heath to adjurnn. All those in favor say I. I. Those oppos say no. Motion passes. Meeting stands adjourned. Thank you.