I'm going to call to order the Friday, August 22nd, 2025 economic and community development committee meeting. The clerk will please call a role. >> Council presence >> present. >> Council president >> present. >> Thank you. Is anyone here recording
today's meeting except for staff? Okay. We will begin with the review and approval of the meeting minutes of June 27th, 2025. Madam >> chair, I move to wait for the minutes and approve them as presented. >> Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed? No.
Motion passes. >> We will begin with introduction of assistant director of community development. >> So this is Amy Uaz, the new uh assistant director of community development and planning. Amy started with us I believe
July 7th um and comes from us from the uh city of Newton and then prior to that HUD if I have that right >> previously HUD then the city of Newton before that so comes with us with a wide variety of experience especially dealing
with community development block grant uh distribution of that at the federal level um and has worked with a lot of the people and uh individuals that we ourselves work with at the economic or the executive office of housing and livable communities. So, she brings a
great great perspective to to our office. Um, but I'll kind of pass it off to her and she can kind of talk through some of the things potentially uh if it'd be okay before the uh August update of talking through some of the things that she's been able to kind of do for
the department uh thus far. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Some of them are very mundane, so I won't >> No, I mean, honestly, it's just >> reorganized. >> It's the It's the It's the welcome and what have you been up to and what are you going to do and go for it.
>> It's all been great. >> Yeah. So, first off, um just wanted to figure out where everything was, what we were working on, history of, you know, recent projects, try to get a sense of where they're at. And um Jason's been
amazing um filling me in on everything and the rest of our team and our department. And um we have been working closely with HLC to try to close out a couple grant years that were still open. Um Jason I know has been working to
reconcile all the the financial piece of that. Um we've been working on the Greenland pool demolition project that's underway now. um should really get underway next week. They've been doing work over there for the past few weeks, but I think the major demolition will
start, you know, to happen soon. Um been working with the public social service providers to get their contracts executed for 2024 funds and, you know, get them moving forward to allow them to invoice and um get the money to them for
the people they are serving. Um what am I forgetting? She's underelling the public social service services. We have an entirely new um contract that includes uh expectations for reporting
um quarterly as well as just laying out the full expectations uh of our public social service providers. Um so it provides really clear communication between the city and um you know uh
community um community providers like GEM uh the CAC, Voices of Truth to name a few that are in our 2024 uh bucket for CDBG. Um and I believe all of them are really happy to see this, you know,
clear uh this uh clarity be provided through the through these uh through these contracts of knowing now what they need to provide. Cuz to just provide some context, HLC, the housing and livable communities is the distributor of these funds to us.
And when we have to justify payments to them for the public social service providers, we have to give them you know a the invoices to prove of expenditures as well as who the beneficiaries are. So the they you know are are providers to
people who are low or moderate income um considered LMI for short and they need to provide proof b either based on the those uh demographics that they work with um at least in terms of race,
ethnicity and economic status. Um there are some groups that are considered exempt and automatically considered part of those groups, but a lot of them are ones that those uh public social services work with. Um so hopefully, you know, they've all been down, they've all
read the contracts, signed off on them. Um and so we have them going through the proper procedure of being signed signed off by myself, um the city solicitor, uh then city auditor, and then and then soon to be mayor. Uh this kind of standardizes the system so that we can
have this in place for future years and that our public social service providers can know in future years what to expect. Uh rather than have it kind of be unclear because there were a lot of questions that we had to answer from them in regards to what was expected
that now we have one one stop uh for for all of that. So >> one stop one contact >> one stop one contact. So I think I think Amy's really selling selling short by keeping it that and keeping it >> tooting my own horn. So um other
>> I love it. I love tooting my I love tooting the department >> whole eight months for you. >> That's really >> it is it has been nothing but a pleasure. Um Amy Amy's come in and organized our filing system of or keeping everything in one place
virtually um for all of our files for CDBG. It's it's really easy to access all of that now and comes in with ideas for and we'll get into this a little bit into the August update, but ideas for potential uh other projects, ways to
kind of narrate them in a way that HLC can can work with and approve as potential projects for the city. So, she comes with that experience and, you know, we're we're I'm extremely glad to have her. I'm glad we spent the time
needed to to find the perfect candidate for for the role. Um and I couldn't have asked for a better one. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. I have a question. So, uh, the the standardized systems, um, that is really exciting for me just being a
member of CDBG steering committee now because that was a big topic in our last meeting discussion was all of the few years closeouts and you had updated us um, the council through the written update that you know those things have been closed out and so it's it's nice
that the expectation moving forward won't be that these things just take forever and they just sit there like that's not how this is supposed to work. So, uh that's wonderful because especially the social service piece is super important for gardener. Uh and also again the CDB BG program in
general. We it just has to be maintained regular. We're very lucky to have it quite honestly. So, um we want to you know take it seriously and treat it professionally. So, I really appreciate that. And again, July 7th, we have to remember you've been here what, like six weeks or seven weeks or something. That's a great first step in my opinion.
Um but sounds like you've had a lot going on uh and in CDBG once we pick up again in September because we're going to meet in September um to kind of resume that whole monthly meeting thing we should be doing now that we have someone else here to support that. I think that's going to be a great first
meeting. You know, >> we'll have a lot to talk about in that first meeting. There there's a lot of all it's all good news and we'll get into it a little bit more during the update, but it's all it's all been good news in that front. just me being part of that as well and kind of connecting with this, you know, uh, committee as
well is is really helpful to know that that's coming up, you know, down the road. Um, and I think it'll be a great first meeting, especially now that you'll be in place, you'll have been here for at least a couple months at that point. Um, so that was really the only comment, counselor. >> U, welcome to the city gardener. I think it's important for us to all
acknowledge, too, that uh, the reason we're here is, you know, this department had a lot of reform that it's gone through. The reason this committee exists is for that as well. I think the mayor and I um you know have implemented both reform through ordinance with the
CD CDBG u ordinance that restructured that how the city of Garter ran that program and Jason certainly and the mayor have implemented water reform within the community development department. It sounds like um just in the six or seven weeks you've been here, it's clicked and I think uh it sounds
like we have a force multiplier in our hands. We've been very impressed with Jason's performance and the changes we've seen and looking forward to the changes and new perspective that you'll also bring uh to the department. So, welcome and uh it's kind of good to celebrate milestones like that when you get to. So, best of luck.
>> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, President Taros. I am very excited to have you here. Uh I'm very excited for Jason to have you here. >> I'm beaming every day I come in and like know what like a 40hour work week is like soon. Yeah.
>> Um so, uh and we we this it's a really exciting time to join the city, but it's really exciting time particularly to join this department. This committee's role is to support the department. Um you know, the um Jason's the department head and the mayor is the head of all
the department heads and and we really stay on our side of that line, but we believe in a lot of collaboration in terms of be able to do the best we can for the city. And so that was one of the reasons that the city council vote to form the subcommittee. Uh and we will continue with it as long as we need to
to be sure that the department has what it needs and things are getting done um from our side of it. And we just always wanted especially um with Jason at first, you know, he got his assistant and obviously he um he still had uh the conservation agent, you know, in in in
the the room, but there was a lot of there was a lot of space that needed to be filled after the first couple months that he was here. So that was this is a really good you know milestone for this committee as well and for you know the department reaching that is really exciting. So welcome again. >> Thank you.
>> You got it. Anything else >> for the introduction? Are you good to go? >> I'm good. >> We're good. >> Awesome. Well thank you very much Amy. Very nice to meet you. >> Sure. >> Um >> do you want me to stay or do you want me to >> You can wrap up the rest of your day. >> All right. No good. Okay. >> Thank you very much.
>> The the my update my updates Thank you. >> Thank you much. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> And have a good weekend. >> Okay, moving on to the August economic and community development update >> cuz we're talking about CDBG. I might as
well stick to that. Um I'll mainly be talking about for 2022 2023. I in my last written update I had given that almost all the projects except for the only outstanding one was Greenwood Pool uh had been completed and uh officially
closed out with HLC. So they are very glad to see that that is moving along. Uh financially we finally were able to close out block grant 19. That still leaves 20 and 21. But, you know, it it
it takes a long time for between myself and the the city treasurer to to kind of parse through and and make the appropriate reclasses and transfers needed to uh get ourselves on on proper financial footing for for the errors
that were were done previously. So, we're very glad to see that moving along and HLC is very glad as well uh to see the progress being made uh slowly but incrementally uh from there. Going back to project side for 2024,
um on Wednesday, the bid for School Street School uh had officially gone out. Um I know that was a project that was previously under uh our 2024, the only project in our 2024 application. So, we're currently in the process of
reviewing a couple different projects uh for potential uh re reclass uh to um to reclass to uh to make up those those funds. We also have some funds for 2022 23 for um lack of administration fees
for the lack of staffing uh for uh during the last few months um as well as a couple of the projects coming in under budget. So, I believe that amount is close to about 200,000 and the school street school is right around like 770.
So, it's pretty close to or about $1 million for us to look to uh for for future projects. Um, >> we can uh I don't know how how much you want me to get into what we're >> if I could add to that, Madam Chair. Thank you. Um just for the benefit of
the public watching um that this was said in the previous CDBG steering committee meeting, but since it's been a little while since we've had that due to the staffing changes that we've had and you know just trying to get the projects back up to where they currently are thanks to the massive amounts of work that Jason and Amy have been doing over the past several months. Uh school fruit
school as uh director Steven said was slated for demolition. We did have uh 700 about $770,000 in CDBG funds set aside for that demolition process. Uh but in reviewing, you know, dotting every eye and crossing
every tea through that process, we while we're working on making sure that the city doesn't become the next absentee landlord in the city and that we are holding ourselves to the same standard that we're holding our private sector partners through through the ordinance that we recently passed uh with the uh nuisance and blighted properties uh
project. This is basically one last hailmary pass, if you will, to see if we can save School Street School structure itself as a historic building in the city. Um because we have received a significant amount of interest in the building since we actually made the announcement that the building was going to be torn down um from uh various other
developers from around the state, both local and uh Western Mass, uh that said, you know, we saw you were going to tear this down. Can we take a look at it before you you tear it down? So, because as a result of that interest that we've received, um we figured we'd go out one last time. Uh the bids opened this past
Wednesday and they're due on September 24th. Uh so we'll be able to evaluate those requests for proposal process uh receipts, if you will. Um at that time where it's an RFP process like we've done before, we actually evaluate on the technical proposal, meaning what they'd
actually like to do with the building before we evaluate on the price of the building. Uh back in 2017 when the city council set the minimum price for before any of us were in elected office at that time uh the previous administration had put it up for a dollar uh minimum bid. That's what we're required to follow
there too. So that is what went up uh for there too. So we'll see what responses come back from that. If we decide in the end to go forward with the sale of the property through this RFP process, uh I've asked Director Stevens and assistant director Ysef to uh talk
to HLC now to see what's the process like to reallocate that million dollars because if it's in a regular given year, we can allocate funds up to 15% to social services and up to three different infrastructure projects in the city, be they either private sector or public sector uh process uh projects
that are done there. and private mainly through the nonprofit organizations um or where this is a reclass of those funds. Are we still bound by those parameters? Is there more flexibility with it? Is there more stringent guidelines with it because it's a reclass? So, that's the process that we're viewing right now on the back end
of things while that RFP process is opening up uh on the front side of things. We've had about 15 people request information on the School Street School building as uh from the uh sitewalk date to the plans of the building, the floor plans, the building permits associated with it, the ANR plan
that we did with it, all of those things there too. Uh so we're working with the city purchasing department and the city's law department and the city's engineering department uh to go through all of that process right there to make sure that they're getting all of the answers that they need. Um, and then again, as always, under the general laws, if a person who's interested in an
RFP asks a question that the city provides an official answer for, we actually have to uh record a copy of that question and answer publicly available on the city's website. That way, if someone else has the same question, they have the same information and it's an equal footing for everyone who's there. Uh, so that's what's happening on that uh front. Uh, I have
begun to form the review committee for the RFPs. Uh, proposals that come in. Uh thank you councelor Kazinskus for being one of the three uh to agree I always try to include a counselor on that. Um >> thank you for thank you for referring me president. >> Yes, >> I'm excited. This is this is this is
exciting. >> Um Dr. Stephanie MarQuetti is uh also agreed to be on it where she's currently working on rehabbing some school buildings in the town of Winon. Uh having that experience of seeing what you need to rehab a school building into a potential housing project or something like that. Um all of those things I feel like that'd be good background for
there. So, we're still working on trying to find a third person for that. Um, and we're moving forward uh with that. But, I just know because it's been a while since we said that at the CDBG steering committee just for the benefit of the public. This is just to see like one last chance. And if we don't get a
proposal that we feel works for this one, I feel like we're going to have to move forward with that demolition just because of the current state of the building itself. Um, I don't think we'd get another construction season out of it. But it's up in uh from the engineering reports that we've had done of the building itself uh and the building department's review with the
previous couple commissioners where it stands right now, the bones are still good and it's still able to be saved. We just want to make sure we don't draw that out too long so we run into a situation like we're with the Greenwood pool all over again. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you Dr. Stevens. I uh one of the things
about this the school street school the demolition and now kind of backtracking. I think I really do think having the announcement was great because like you said it literally advertised that there's this building here where people may have not known about it and a lot of people or developers or you know they do these kind of things they all talk to
each other and say hey do you see this building so I think that's probably where it came from and I we just have to do what makes sense you don't have to make everything an absolute if it's if the city is still in a good financial state to do I mean it there's a lot of factors there but if it's still if the still if the city is still in a good
place and this is a consideration that makes sense to do it. It's okay to change the course and then find the right path to go down in my opinion. So, I'm glad that we didn't just go ahead with what we were going to do and I think it makes sense to go through this process in this case. I al also think it
shows that we're willing and open to do those kinds of things. You know, um Gardener's been a city for over 100 years a much longer and we do have these kinds of structures and buildings that exist. It's great to see what we can do with them um besides, you know, just to to tear them down. But in some cases
that makes the most sense to do it and we do the very best we can to preserve, you know, the history and the things that have been done in those buildings. So, um I'm excited to see what comes from it moving forward. I don't think it's a loss at all to not have torn it down yet. Uh and I, you know, we'll
obviously you're on top of it, so we'll see what comes of it. >> Thank you. And if we do look towards any potential other projects, because it is over 10% of the total budget that we have for each of these CDBG grant periods, uh that does warrant us to go
through a full public hearing. So if we do have to do any other projects to reappropriate these funds, if we are able to to sell the school and and rehab it, then just for the public to know, there will be a chance for for public feedback in regards to the proposed
potential projects. uh for that. So regardless of which path we go down, we're always looking to include the public and make sure that they're aware and included in the in the process. >> Thank you. >> And that's a locally set project uh process for the having the public hearing as a way to gain public input.
The requirements of um housing and urban development and housing livable communities uh only require that we solicit some type of public input via either a written form or something like that. We have chosen locally to do the public hearing uh for that matter. So to be able to get the direct feedback from
the residents themselves. Um and in a similar vein, um Helen Race Auto School is set to be released for an RFP within the next two to three weeks with a mid-occtober um opening deadline. Um so we'll see how the responses for that one go, but it'll be the same process. >> Okay. Thank you very much. I appreciate
the public piece. I I have had constituents talk to me about Helen Mesa more recently who live um in the area and they're you know they have ideas and also concerns about what may go there if housing goes there and you know what different things are and I you know just
made them aware that this is a very public process and you know the best interest of the city is is in mine there um cuz they like where they live and they want to stay there and you know people when there's going to be a change in their neighborhood it is totally understandable that they want a part of it. I'm glad that I mean we have to do
it but I I like the idea of doing it in a public hearing setting because I just think it's just the most personal and direct way to do it. So appreciate that. >> Anything further on that on school street school? No. >> No. >> Okay. >> Moving on from there, our 2025
application. We still have not heard any feedback. Usually feedback comes in uh either late August or September as we're now almost in September. I imagine that's when we'll eventually hear our feedback in regards to our application submitted then. But that that was
already vetted through the CG steering committee. So we will notify uh if they come in into into in line where we have the steering committee and the feedback to share within the steering committee itself then all the better. Um so we'll
look forward to hearing back from HLC in regards to that. Um, moving on from there, outside of CDBG projects, starting with the rear main project, uh, it's continued on schedule. Uh, we've seen most of the remaining submitts for
the project come in, um, submitts for the shade structure, um, the water feature, the, uh, location of where we're going to be putting, uh, the hookups for the water man, which I will get into because we've been doing some
investigative uh, diggings. on Svin uh Svin's Alley I believe is called locally. It's the area that kind of leads into Rear Main from Main Street. Um and we've also begun putting down the second layer of fabric uh the geotech fabric. So that completes that
additional work and kind of levels off the uh actual um area back there and brings us to the initial scope of work. The initial scope is happening in conjunction with this additional work. Uh we are not just doing one and the other. There are probably like four or
five different projects all happening at the same time back there between uh removal of underground structures um sewer water uh drainage all happening at the same time. I know a trench was being dug actually starting I believe on
Wednesday on the uh service alley for the rear main uh site the for the beginning of the um both uh I believe data cable uh that'll be going there from uh for Verizon starting from like
the Cumber Cumberland uh Cland Farms uh side of things. So connecting up there so we're looking forward to continuing that work. Um, and I've I've been very glad to see everything continue on as it has. We should really get honestly into a very good point after next week cuz
next week should finish off all of the additional work and should bring us into a much cleaner schedule of maybe one to two items uh happening in conjunction and having it be a much more structured um pattern throughout the rest of the
process. So, I'll hopefully have an updated uh schedule. Uh there's a couple edits that I I had sent over in regards to some of the later items that I know we had discussed of the loming and seating being off in the spring uh which hopefully provides some some clarity uh
in terms of the notes section uh for that. So, hopefully I'll have that sent over from the contractor by our next meeting to to submit. >> Thank you. for the public watching because there's been work over there. I've also gotten questions about Rear Main Street because people are seeing things going on. What are they doing
back there? And it's like I know there's a sign and we've, you know, done what we've done, but I just want to be clear. I've had a lot of questions about parking back there and where it's going to be, when it's going to be and all those things. Can you speak to that at all right now? Just >> So, the project itself isn't going to be
completed till at the latest May of next year. We are hoping for sooner, but we want to give ourselves that flexibility given the finishing items that need to be done that require warmer weather and the the melting of of all available snow
such as loming and seating, stamped pavement, uh pouring of concrete uh just to get the the actual site uh wrapped up and finished. Once the project is completed, either in what would be considered, uh, fiscal year Q3 or Q1,
um, or early into Q2, uh, or fiscal year Q4, um, whichever you're going off of, um, we will look forward to wrapping up the site, taking off all the fencing, and then then moving on to the, uh, we should already be well into the process
of the other half of the rear main project. Uh but the parking that will be located for for that half will will be will be open once the project is completed. >> So the the this this part that will be completed by May of 2026 latest how much
parking is going to be available? >> I don't have the exact number of ballpark 100 spaces. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. That's that's just what I was like something just so that we have something where it's there is going to be parking and it's going to be around 100 spaces. super helpful >> and that's free unmetered municipal
parking for the public. Uh while the next phase of it does include a housing portion of the site, that parking for that facility itself is allocated for in that second half portion. So this 100 spaces will remain free access to the public. >> Thank you.
>> Um businesses I mean everyone has started to which again once you we're advertising it by the work being done, right? And so I was like these are great questions. go get clarity, you know, at this next meeting or so just on that because I know there's plans and there's all these things and that's that's fine,
but I thought I would just have a, you know, straightforward answer on that for us. So, thank you. Any other questions on that? Go ahead. >> All right. The North Central Pathway Connector, I know I had mentioned in my written update that the project was completed. We ended up having a meeting
with National Grid um out on the trail uh for they have work that they need to complete on the uh main power lines between the substation and switch station that goes out uh past Park Street. Um that's going to take them
from probably January of next year through a full calendar year. So, I know our my my department and I really want to move forward with the North Central Pathway and the remaining segments of trail that need to be paved in similar line with what it's already been
created. Uh but unfortunately with the work that they're going to be doing on that way, uh stops us from being able to to do that. Um, it honestly actually kind of sets the uh welcome mat for us to to move forward from there because they're going to be expanding the the clearing um and makes things a lot
easier for us once we're once we're in there. So, uh just as a notification, my first of probably many notifications to the public that that will be forthcoming and uh that section and pathway will be closed down. not the section that we've already paved because that's away from
what has gonna be going for national grid, but the unpaved section that is yet to be completed, which I know is a common pathway for people to to walk and use, >> beginning where the yellow gate is on street. >> Um, I would say also it enables us to
kind of move with National Grid in a way that is collaborative for the rest of the project. we have to come up with a um agreement, a license agreement for the usage of the the path. So, we look forward to really utilizing the next year to both plan out the remainder of
the path as well as work collaboratively with National Grid in terms of designing that that license agreement that will master we're calling it a master license agreement for now, but seeing through the entire remainder of the path, including the bridge that will eventually go over Route 140 and
complete the project. So even though we are delayed a year, you know, it'll, like I said, a set us up for success with the work that National Grid's already going to be doing for us and enables us to kind of set the groundwork needed to to really, you know, move off
from there and then look for future grant cycles for the mass trails grant to fund the remainder of the project. >> Great. I know a lot of times with with most um with most state grants is if we have progress and they see the money being spent and the work getting done
and all of those things in the future when we apply for things they go oh gardenard gardener applies it gardener does it they see that we put our investment in their investment goes somewhere I mean that only helps in the future the more things that we complete and we do it well and thoughtfully it's it is like gold when it comes to
applying for funds in the future as we all know so I really appreciate this moving forward the delays a delay. It's where it was, but I I think the excitement about it is totally warranted because this this will be a big one for us for sure and it will be noticeable particularly and useful by the public and that's who it's for. So,
>> I know a lot of people already use it. >> I've I've gotten a lot of comments come to my office about like when I mention like, "Oh, what does your department do?" And I say like, "Oh, one of the things you probably know is the North Central Pathway, the new pathway that goes off of Cemetery Road and the paving on Cemetery Road as well." And they were like, "Oh, wow. Yeah, that's
>> that's really really something. like it's really beautiful to go through there. So, I I really welcome anyone who hasn't had the chance to go through to to really see what the work that our department has done in terms of trying to bring some beauty and and engagement along the short line of of Crystal Lake
uh to to Gardener. >> Thank you. We have further go. >> All right. The two plans currently engaged uh in the city, the master plan and hazard mitigation plan. For the master plan, we have received the full
uh draft of the inventory and assessment for all five of the chapters that includes housing, transportation, historic uh historic and natural resources, economic development, and land use. Um so currently myself as well as a number of people on the steering
committee as well as people outside of the steering committee but are generally associated with the city between conservation agent uh potentially the um other members who have relevant fields that lend themselves to certain categories are in review of that. Uh,
and we'll look forward to having that in a more finalized state before we present it to the public at a public hearing um, a public meeting and and having that be a discussion for for you know a good amount of feedback. But it is a sizable document probably about 120 130 pages.
Um, so we're we're really happy with the work that the planning group has done for the master plan and uh, I'll have my homework ready for me this weekend. >> Yeah, it's it's sizable. Uh, I have to say the um like Jen Dherty, the group that is is managing this, they're
fantastic. They are so actionoriented and they just get it done. They're easy to communicate with. And it seems like you've had a good experience with them being part of the steering committee. >> I mean, they just I this I think it is such a useful tool to get this done. They're just very thoughtful and professional. So, I've been really
impressed so far by them. um >> the hazard mitigation plan. Uh chapters since we last met, chapters, I don't know if I mentioned chapters one and two being completed and reviewed. Then chapters three and five have also been
sent over to my office for me to review with a couple questions uh related to expected growth in gardener. Whether that growth is generally at the end of all of all the questions going to be considered an increase or decrease to
hazard uh um risk to gardener. Um, but we're currently I'm currently still reviewing that, answering their questions, getting them feedback in regards to both those chapters. And we we already have uh in place a public feedback session, I believe, on
September 18th. Um, it is the 18th. Um, we currently already on the website have a uh survey for people to engage with uh to participate in and provide feedback on what they feel uh is most uh
applicable for potential hazards as well as um potential ideas for for mitigation risk mitigation ideas uh for the city to to potentially implement into this plan. So, continue to provide that feedback. We're not going to have that open until
like early October and highly recommend anyone who's interested to attend the September 18th uh meeting. That'll be in the Hubard Conference Room 203 on 115 Pleasant Street, City Hall annex. Um that's all I have for that. >> Thank you.
>> Moving on from there, the I'm just going to touch base on the GR and its actions. Um, as many of the city, most of the city is already aware, we're currently in the process of the sale for the Garbos property. Um, due to executive session,
I can only talk about certain items in rel relation to this. Um, but what I can say is that we're currently uh in the process of designing the purchase and sale agreement and land disclosure agreement. Uh, and that's kind of what has caused the hiccups for for moving
forward with this. Um there are certain stipulations because the Garvos property is included in one of the urban renewal zones that there are very specific things that we have to include in the specifically the land disclosure agreement and it not only has to get
approved through us as well as the purchaser. But it also has to be sent to the state and housing and livable communities to then approve the land disclosure agreement. And then once they get their approval, it's tacked on to the purchase and sale agreement and then we can enter the closing from there. So
we're currently in the we've sent the agreement over, gotten feedback back. We've sent the feedback back to them and got it back and now we're we we should be good to go. Um I'm just waiting for the green light from our attorney uh for for the um
>> yeah for the for the land disclosure agreement and then we can send over to the state for their review. So I look forward to um providing a little bit more insight into the the process there once the executive sessions uh that kind of have overseen the sale and discussion
for this uh action um lifted and and moved from there. Um so I'll provide some more updates uh once that once that's occurred. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> On from there I don't really have much else. Uh, I mostly it's in relation to
Mackie Park, which is one of the items for us to discuss further on. Um, but I don't know if the the mayor had anything further that he wanted to add that. Um, >> Jason's still not sleeping. Um, he's uh he's still doing a ton of work here. I think he touched on most of it there
too. The Greenwood Greenwood Pool projects moving forward as was said earlier. Um, and it's really the biggest thing that's been going on is the CDBG talking with uh HLC and HUD to see how we can reappropriate those funds if we can. Um, that way we have the plan in place. That way once we know what's happening with
School Street School, let's just go with whether it's plan A or plan B. >> Um, and that's really been taking up a lot of the time aside from the different project oversight that's been going on with everything too. So, >> um, >> look forward to we're going to have a lot to talk about in September. um because projects are going to be either
midway done, just starting or getting clearance to do the beginning preliminary work on new projects. Um so I anticipate that to be a larger update, but for now that's all I have to >> I'm waging whether I could fit a hammock in my office or not for some uh
>> No, >> you can't. You're not going to. >> I'm kidding. Um, but yeah, that's everything I have really for the the update outside of Mackie Park. >> So, I know that we introduced uh your new assistant director today, but you do
have your new >> um the new business manager position. >> Yep. >> In there as well. And that person has started. >> Yep. They started last Monday. >> So, very new. >> We said August. So, I was like she does not need to come to this meeting. Uh but
that's really exciting. I think that is an update in itself that she did start and she's here and she's moving and grooving. >> Our team is fully staffed for the first time. >> Officially fully staffed. >> Yeah, our department is fully staffed. >> Great. >> Which is it feels great to have a team that I can rely on to come in come in
early when needed, same as I do the work that we need to get done and understand that we can't repeat the same mistakes. Be very clear about kind of the history of the department, especially in the last 12 months. um and move from there.
Move in a really good solid direction. Um really kind of clear the cobwebs out of of everything. Um and you know, I'm thankful to have these conversations that have enabled us to bring this new position in that o like oversees a good
amount of the department and and uh bring in a really solid candidate uh through the funding that we've been able to get for for this position. >> Great. I think it's one of the things that is important to remember is that your department is one of those that it
can literally pay for itself over and over and over again because of the work that the natural work you just do in the department and things you bring in. And so that's the return we're looking for in this new position. You know, that's the return. Um it sounds like that message has been sent and she's she's excited to be here and ready to go. So,
at our September meeting, we'll bring or later in September, maybe the early October meeting, we'll bring her in and have her introduce herself. But I'd like to let her get here for a second. >> She's already just to just to highlight one of the things that she's done and it she did it in like a day. Uh, but one of
the North Central Chamber had reached out to my department in terms of advertising uh all the available uh businesses in our industrial uh zone parcels. So they wanted the names of the businesses, what their uh like NI NICS
association is, their phone numbers and their their like company name and and address. I might have said that already. Um I was like to Amy, I was like, I think this is a really good opportunity. You can identify potentially vacant land as well as currently used land uh as well as all the businesses in Gardener
that are currently using our industrial parcels. and she did that in a day uh and got that information back to me of labeling out all the vacant parcels that exist in Gardener that are currently industrial uh zoned and all that information that we need to get over to
North Central Mass to advertise every single business in Gardener that's currently existing on uh industrial zone properties. So, I'm I'm more than encouraged by by her start and the work that she's going to do. she's already
itching to do the same with all the commercial properties as well. >> Um, and and look towards that because it provides us with really good insight that we didn't really have of an inventory of all of those businesses and all of those parcels that >> we can really leverage for future businesses to come in for the vacant
ones and promotion of the existing ones that are already here in Gardener. So, really happy with Iris's first two weeks. >> Great. Well, thank you. I thought I was going to say that's a great inventory for you to have anyways and if maybe a yearly or every six months then you just do anyways like update like that's
information your department should have and it's great that there was kind of a jump a reason for her to do it right away you know it's something she probably would have done but great awesome like >> that's that's good to hear. So thank you uh for the update if there isn't anything more we can move on to the next
item. Okay. Uh we will should we motion on the item the update? >> Uh move I'd like to move that the uh chair give an update to the full council on our next city council meeting. >> Second all those uh is there discussion?
All those in favor say I. >> I say no. Motion passes. So we will I'll do an update to the next meeting. Okay. Um, moving on to item 11454, a report on the investigation of the
Mackie Park project. Director Stevens, >> hopefully this is some good news for you all. Uh, both on both sides of things. We've to talk about the wires really quick. It's not the good news that I want to say, but there has been good movement there as well. I know it's it's
this is work associated with downtown phase 3. I'm talking about downtown phase 3 and associated with Mackie Park because there was expected to be unexpended funds from that project to fund the remainder of the Mackie Park uh final uh piece of the the project to
make it fully ADA compliant. Um the remaining wires uh I believe there there might be there there might be one set of wires left but the Verizon wires have been moved. The Comcast wires have been moved. The MBI wires have been moved and I believe the
only ones potentially remaining exist on pole three. There are seven poles that are currently double poles. Um, and those were waiting they were initially waiting on NBI to move their wires before whatever the utility provider is to move those. That is not the update I
I want to give. The update I would like to give uh alongside that good news and that good movement is that we've have gotten the you know estimated cost of remaining work from eh Perkins from our engineering team and that we've chosen
to move the the funds that we're expected to have unencumbered uh over to the Mackie Park account. So, we've been able to move those funds, which is to the amount of $14,77253 over to that account, as well as the
remaining funds from what uh what remains of Park Street Park, which was to the amount of $18,2534. So, both of those, one of them was a a reclass, one of them was a reappropriation of funds, uh, just based on the account types that we're moving them from. Um, but that brings us to a
total with the remaining funds in the Mackie Park of, uh, $37,71768. So, that gets us a high portion of the way to the remaining funds. And honestly, next week we plan to talk
about what funds uh are remaining to to be added to that because I believe the the total amount needed for that was about 50 50 52,000 uh for the remaining work. Uh I've also contacted Busybe uh the uh contractor
for the project and let them know that we need a um reestimate for the project. uh they don't think it's going to be that much different than what was originally uh estimated for the additional work. So, we're pretty sure that we can go off of what we had originally estimated for the for the
project for that. But, they're going to get us to that either by end of next week or early the week following. >> The uh Palaski Park upgrades that we recently undertook came in significantly under budget. That was the new drainage work improvements that we did at the dog park, the new walking trail uh that's
going around the park, and then the new um rubber mulch that's going underneath the playground equipment. All of that came in under budget. So, that's likely where we're going to take the remaining funds from uh now that that project's set to be completed at the end of this week um to be able to move that in and be able to move forward. Uh, also an update from our last meeting is uh,
previously we said that this would likely be a two-eek bid process in order to put the ramp in uh, and checking through the uh, general laws for procurement for um, 4049m which is the construction uh, general law and chapter 30 which is the procurement law. This can be done as a simple contract
amendment with the contractor who built the park from the uh, to begin with itself. Uh therefore that means we don't have to go back up to bid and can just simply start the project again once the contractor uh mobilizes and signs the uh basically contract amendment adding it as an agenda to the contract itself. Uh
so that saves us some time on that too. >> So okay so I would just say then let's remember this then for the future so that we don't think we have a twoe process. You know what I'm saying? Like this is that's huge. That saves a lot of time on that project. So now we know but let's try to remember that one for the
future. or at least that process wherever you went back and looked or however you got there to it because that is super helpful and I mean hopefully we wouldn't have a Mackie park again you know situation but should there be things happen all things considered let's just remember like let's make sure we understand the process fully
>> yeah absolutely the process it's a case by case basis with the inspector general's office just because of the amount of time that had elapsed from when that contract was quote closed out to where we are now they have to be the approval authority in between so they they said since it was substantially similar to the project itself Great. >> That's what I'll make.
>> Okay. >> Um, yeah, I I don't really have any any further comments in relation to this item. I'm glad that we've been able to uh allocate all the funds that we've been able to and have a process for conversations next week to allocate the
remaining funds needed for this project. Um, glad that we were able to get in contact with the contractor. glad we were able to also uh find out about the lack of necessary bid process for this and that I was just able to notify the
contractor and say we were able to move forward with this with you uh when your schedule allows um so they're already aware that we're looking to move forward with this project cuz by the time that they're ready to remobilize we will have the funds together to finish this to finish this work.
>> Thank you. Any comments? President Harris. So to be clear, so we're about halfway through finding funds to reclassify to pay for the >> I would say about >> three quarters >> three quarters cuz it's it's about about 37,000 and we need about
>> Oh, as in those that have been identified >> identified to because you said it's 52,000 from a a quote from >> By last last December, last November. >> Yeah, around that time frame.
The reason we said two uh two/ird of the way there rather than half >> is because the meeting scheduled for Tuesday to make sure that >> the funding is there for the other portion. So >> funding significantly there that's being reclassified. Um the contractor is willing to come back. >> Yeah,
>> I was on the phone with them today. >> Very good. Um and we already have the designs, the engineering drawings, everything that >> Yep. >> before shovels hit the ground. Um it sounds so it sounds like by the end of August we should be in a much better position to know exactly when acup
it it it was weird talking with them on the phone and it was as if no time had passed on their end they like knew it immediately after like I think based off the phone like the the caller ID that they had of like what I was calling about and I was like oh >> that's good. No they did they did good
work. Um yeah, we're definitely appreciative that they're willing to to come back because it certainly helps the city out that we don't have to go through the bid process because it's with the existing contractor, right? Yeah. So, >> um all very good news and and I'll be holding my breath till September the uh
the update on how it went. So, and I did I actually did uh get a call from um Director Cormier, the purchasing director, and uh it's because I sent an email out to you all about let's find maybe let's find a different funding source, you know, since the last time that we had met just cuz we want to get
this moving and you know, you've done all this great work and it just seemed like it wasn't going anywhere. So, the pickup that's happened since then has been significant and I really appreciate that. Uh, Director Cormmer had called just to follow up about that email just to make sure I was aware of how some of
these things worked um with just the contract and kind of a timeline and things. Uh, I know that there are some events now that have been scheduled there and obviously there's uh, you know, there's a lot going on in September once school starts. So, uh, you know, he had mentioned just in terms
of the work being done, they want to be sure it doesn't disrupt anything that may be scheduled over there. So, I I'm fine with that knowing that we're going to have the funding. We're going to have an estimate. They're going to schedule a time to do it. Um, you know, President Tyros had done the Mackie Park project report. It, you know, we're coming up in
a year in October. So, sometimes these things do take that amount of time and we've missed this season, but I can't say that there hasn't been work done at all and we tried to figure it out. uh this could have sat for much longer for sure, but I you know knowing that by the end of August as you said there's going to be even that much more forward and we
do have everything else in line. You know if this does get done in October or whatever it is that's fine but it it's because we have a plan and there is a it's a process. It just seemed like you were at a stalemate for so long with it even though you were working on it and trying to get the information because the funds really is what it comes down
to. So, as long as this continues to moving forward, I you know, this is this is all good news. Uh, and I I do appreciate that. I didn't know if um I really didn't know what the makeup was going to be for to get to the 52,000, but I appreciate that info today. That's
really helpful. >> Please don't forget a permit. >> Nope. >> They know where the park is. They know everything. So, >> yeah. >> Drive by all the time. In September, we'll definitely look forward to probably hearing about ongoing work and
then hopefully in October we can >> just get it >> just close it off. So, >> yeah, be done. Great. Well, thank you very much. Uh, anything further on that item? >> Okay. Uh, item 11529, a discussion of the regional planning commission.
>> I didn't really have too much to add uh beyond what we had discussed uh with my kind of presentation of MRPC versus CMRPC. uh Montichus Regional Planning Commission and Central Mass Planning Commission uh for anyone or Central Mass Regional Planning Commission, sorry, for
anyone who's watching who's not aware of those acronyms. um and the discussion between the pros and cons of of both with MRPC having more of a smaller net of uh of available um offerings and MRP
CMRPC having a more broader but definitely a wider net also of municipalities that look to them for for help with those offerings. Um MRPC had uh reached out to us in terms of doing onboarding training for our staff for
CDBG as Amy and Iris got on boarded both as the program representative and fiscal representative uh um respectively for our community development block grants. Um and the financial side of things can
be a bit difficult uh with there being specific uh systems for submissions certain requirements uh from the state. Obviously Amy's pretty pretty well verssed in that but even she was like interested in seeing what kind of expertise they were going to offer. Um
that was supposed to happen I believe uh Wednesday of last week. Um but on Monday of last week, they had emailed me notifying that their lead fiscal representative had uh put in their twoe notice and they had to focus on uh
reallocation of of their responsibilities. But to kind of make amends with that uh upon uh outreach uh this week, they uh the president of MR MRPC had reached out to various uh town
managers uh and uh fiscal teams over in the their surrounding uh municipalities that they oversee uh to see if any would be willing to step in and and train uh the staff, at least answer any questions that they had out outstanding. Um, so
I'm really uh thankful for that kind of introduction because it not only um gives us people to talk to for this training, but it also kind of introduces us to the central mass uh kind of planning group at large in terms of um
potential people to to reach out to um in the future. So, you know, I still look forward to working more with MRPC in terms of what they what they do offer us um once they get more on stable footing uh for um at least their their
team structure as they kind of reall again reallocate those responsibilities cuz it sounded like it was it was enough to to shake them uh to to need to reschedu this for for you know far enough into the future that they look towards um finding someone to kind of
step in and help out. So, wish them all the best with that. Um, but I don't know if you either of you had any any questions in regards to this item. Um, but that's currently where my department stands. >> Thank you. >> Will MRP Thank you, Council. Will MRPC
still be providing training uh eventually or was it did they share any material or was it the peer networking? >> It was the peer networking. Yeah. >> Okay. Is there still a plan for them to come in and do training when they >> they or was it a single resource that's
>> Yeah, I think they have to see who they hire first to see if they actually have the background to be able to confidently do the training. >> Yeah. >> Um yeah, I I'd be happy to wait for more time on this just to see results of the love to see some sort of actual
effort and training put in. >> Yeah. Yeah, 100%. I would as well. Yeah, it it it really is unfortunate that it was two days before >> our training one week later and we would have been >> good to go. Um but >> well, I think that was one of the last
updates was like, hey, they're going to come in and do or what I think I called you to see how it's going or yeah, this is what they're going to do. >> But to know that it was what they were going to do and let's see what again this is all to see what they are going to be able to do for us >> and to show Yeah. Yeah,
>> and they they really did put their best foot forward in trying to find an alternative uh for us um in that way. So, >> I'll uh look forward to >> and please report back to if if the peer networking works out where there is kind of a meeting or some some information
shared that would also satisfy my my >> I think it's probably going to be one of the administrators for the town of air. Okay. um they had had reached out and said like they would just ask me some questions in regards to what the training like would be. Um so I think
I'll just reach out and uh my plan is to reach out and and kind of coordinate with them >> from there. So >> great. >> Yeah. >> Great. Thank you. Anything that we'll keep that Yeah, more time we'll keep that on there. So uh
11454 and 11529 will remain on the agenda if there unless there's any Objection. >> No objection. Okay, great. Thank you. So, those will remain on our agenda. Anything further? >> Move to return. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. I. Those
opposed, no. Motion passes. Meeting center adjourned.