City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority, Annual Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday November 4, 2009, at 6:00pm
Meeting Location: Third Floor Conference Room, 120 Washington Street
Members Present: Chairperson Michael Brennan, Robert Mitnik, Conrad Baldini, Michael Connelly
Members Absent: Russell Vickers
Others Present: Executive Director and City Planner Lynn Duncan
Economic Development Manager Tom Daniel
Recorder: Lindsay Howlett
Chairperson Michael Brennan calls the meeting to order.
Executive Director’s Report
Duncan shares that Daniel and she recently toured transit-oriented development professional around downtown Salem as part of a mobile workshop included in the national Rail~Volution conference held in Boston. Duncan adds the participants loved the tour, and we look forward to offering similar mobile workshops at future conferences.
Annual Meeting
Annual Report
Duncan talks about this fiscal year’s accomplishments. Duncan highlights that a lot of work has been done on the Salem Jail since April. It is very exciting to see all of the progress, and phase one will be completed in the first half of 2010.
Duncan notes the parking management study is underway with Daniel as the project manager. Duncan reminds the board that the first public meeting is Monday, November 16 at Old Town Hall. Duncan asks everyone to please take the online survey.
Duncan reviews the year’s accomplishments noted in the Annual Report. There was an expansion in outdoor dining during the year, the farmers’ market was a huge success, and several businesses added new signage and made exterior improvements. Duncan notes that the Old Town Hall lease with Gordon College has been working well, and through the partnership, the building was eligible to receive $250,000 in grant funds. In addition to the Old Salem Jail and new court complex, other significant projects have advanced, notably the elevator at City Hall will be under construction shortly, the South River Harborwalk is under construction, and the redevelopment of the Salem News building was completed this year and all units are rented. Brennan adds it has been a great year for all projects
downtown.
Financial Report
Duncan states that from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 we have had a stable bank account with not a lot of activity. Duncan affirms the account to have about $45,535.00 and reminds that about $25,000 of that is going towards the current parking study.
Baldini: Motion to accept financial and annual report as presented, seconded by Mitnik Passes 4-0.
Election of Officers:
Baldini nominates Brennan as Chair, Mitnik as Vice Chair, and Connelly as Treasurer, seconded by Connelly. Passes 4-0.
Approval of 2010 Meeting Schedule:
Mitnik: Motion to approve meeting schedule, seconded by Connelly. Passes 4-0.
Mitnik: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
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