City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority, Regular Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday November 13, 2013 at 6:00pm
Meeting Location: Third Floor Conference Room, 120 Washington Street
Members Present: Chairperson Robert Mitnik, Conrad Baldini,
Matthew Veno, Robert Curran, Bob Curran
Members Absent: Russell Vickers
Others Present: Executive Director and City Planner Lynn Duncan, Economic Development Planner Andrew Shapiro
Recorder: Jennifer Pennell
Chairperson Robert Mitnik calls the meeting to order. Roll call was taken.
Annual Meeting
- Annual Report and Financial Report – Executive Director
Duncan noted that Old Town Hall has continued to function well with Gordon College managing the facility; an agreement that has been extended to last until July 2018. Gordon College has made physical repairs, which included new flooring and repainting of the hall. Duncan commented that the City has made repairs to the roof.
The Peabody Essex Museum mechanical penthouse equipment has been completed. Duncan noted that the PEM has selected a new architect to proceed with its expansion, which is due to be complete in 2019.
Duncan noted that the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall’s second phase of improvement was completed prior to Halloween. The restoration of the fountain is going back out to bid in the beginning of December. The scope of work includes shrinking the footprint of the fountain and adding additional lighting.
Duncan noted that an ordinance has been submitted to City Council to create a Public Art Commission.
Duncan commented that the Main Street Winter Market would take place inside Old Town Hall up until December 19th.
MBTA garage continues construction.
Financial Report
Duncan noted that there have been no receipts (other than interest) or expenditures. Ms. Duncan praised the foresight of Mr. Curran who encouraged the SRA to maintain a balance in the account. This will be useful after the SRA enters into an MOA for the court buildings; the SRA will need to spend some funds up front for advertisement of an request for proposals. The proceeds would be reimbursed later.
Baldini: Motion to approve.
Seconded by Veno. Passes 4-0.
- Chairman
- Vice Chairman
- Treasurer
Curran: Motion to extend terms of the existing officers:
- Chairman: Robert Mitnik
- Vice Chairman: Russell Vickers
- Treasurer: Matthew Veno
Seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
- Approval of 2014 Meeting Schedule
Veno: Motion to approve.
Seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
Baldini: Motion to approve.
Seconded by Curran. Passes 4-0.
Old/New Business
- Superior and District Court Buildings: Discussion and vote on memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) for the proposed disposition of buildings.
Duncan noted that the proposed memorandum of agreement’s purpose is to express how the city could facilitate the reuse of these buildings as expeditiously as possible. Legislation has been proposed and would give the authority to DCAMM to transfer the properties to the SRA so the process could move forward and begin the developer selection process. Duncan listed the stated provisions.
Duncan noted that Salem State University and the Secretary Of State (Registry of Deeds) have both expressed an interest in the buildings. Duncan noted that a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) is being drafted and that there are also developers that have expressed interest in the properties.
Veno commented that number 10 – referring to a deadline for when the proposed legislation might be enacted - on the stated provisions should be changed to August 1, 2013 instead of stating July 31, 2013. Veno noted that provision 5 – in regards to the responsibility of providing security and calls for service to the buildings - should also be changed to state specifically that the City of Salem should be responsible not the SRA.
Ms. Duncan agreed with Mr. Veno that his suggested edits should be incorporated.
Emily Udy from Historic Salem Inc. noted her concerns regarding the DCAMM draft MOA as listed below.
- Ensure that the applicable provisions from the 2008 MOA between DCAMM and the MA Historic Commission (MHC) are incorporated into this MOA.
- Make sure that MHC is provided the opportunity to comment during the RFP process.
- Provide the Historical Commission the opportunity to comment on the draft MOA.
Specific content of this RFP
- Stipulation 2b has no time frame for how long the comment period would be. A 30-day period might be more appropriate for Historic Salem to review.
Veno: Motion to approve the MOA and authorize the chair to sign the final document on behalf of the SRA. Propose revisions to the document are listed below.
- Provision number 10 should be changed to August 1, 2013 instead of stating July 31, 2013.
- Provision 5 should be changed to state that the city of Salem would be responsible not the SRA.
- Provide a 30-day time frame for a comment period.
Seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
- Discussion Of Community Preservation Fund Criteria
Duncan noted that a public meeting on the Community Preservation Act was held this week. The City needs to develop a community preservation plan that would include criteria for selecting projects. Duncan commented that the application for a project would be a two-step process, which would include a brief explanation of the proposed project and a few survey questions. Duncan noted that evaluation criteria would be needed for the DRB. Flexibility should help capture opportunities.
Mitnik commented that he would be interested in what the Point and Bridge Street neighborhoods have to say regarding these projects. They would be the closest neighborhoods to the Downtown / Urban Renewal Area and both commercial businesses and residential properties should be included. For that matter, “gateway” areas to the Urban Renewal area should also be given priority when considering projects.
A consensus was also reached in terms of suggesting to the CPA that funding criteria should remain as flexible as possible in order to capitalize on opportunities that may arise.
Duncan noted that the SRA just got approval from HUD to utilize Community Development Block Grant funding downtown. The City has been using other funding sources for improving signage and storefronts. This would allow improvements to be made on lighting and benches.
Sign, Awning, Lighting, and Façade Review
- 43 Church Street (Turner’s Seafood): Discussion and vote on proposed flags and revisions to previously approved signage.
The Board reviewed a submission that includes a letter, cut sheets and photos of the proposed flags and signage.
Shapiro noted the proposal is to erect 4 flags on the existing building with other previously approved signage. Flags should be historic scenes from Salem’s past presented in muted tones. The applicant has agreed to take down any flagpoles that will not be used. Shapiro commented that a new piece of signage would be located in the entry door window. Signage would state “Turners Seafood at Lyceum Hall” - only at this one location. Turner’s Seafood window decals would have increased signage dimensions of 36”x12” and be located at the two center windows on the buildings front façade and the two side windows. Shapiro commented that the DRB recommended removing the thick black border located around the lettering. Shapiro noted that the blade sign would be black and
gold leaf and decrease in size to 42”x42”.
Baldini: Motion to approve as recommended by the DRB,
Seconded by Curran. Passes 4-0.
- 50 St. Peter Street (A&B Burgers): Discussion and vote on proposed signage.
The Board reviewed a submission that includes photos, cut sheets, and a letter for the proposed signage.
The applicant, Tom Holland, noted that the number of colors expressed in the signage has been simplified. The blade sign is now proposed as being perpendicular with the front face of the building.
Shapiro noted that the DRB advised the signage proportions to follow the dimensions on the data sheet provided by the sign company. The blade sign would be double backed, and there should be no exposed fasteners.
Holland commented that the fixed sign would have no fasteners and be connected with only mortar so that no damage would occur to the brick facade.
Duncan noted that she did not realize what the burger was. Duncan commented that it looks like an abstraction. She is concerned about using the term beer on the signage.
Baldini noted that he understood the logo right away. The secondary sign describes the first signage if it is misunderstood.
Veno noted that he did not understand the logo. If the businesses function was known, then signage would become clearer.
Baldini: Motion to approve as recommended by the DRB, with the addition of “Burgers and Beer” to be added to the proposed freestanding sign.
Seconded by Curran. Passes 3-1.
- 201 Washington Street (Beijing Herbal Foot Spa): Discussion and vote on proposed signage.
The Board reviewed a submission that includes cut sheets and photos of the proposed signage.
Shapiro noted that the approval is for an A-frame sign. This was approved by the DRB. Branding would replicate the previously approved building signage. Shapiro noted that required clearances have been met – there will be 8ft of clearance.
Curran: Motion to approve as recommended by the DRB,
Seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
Minutes
The minutes from the October 9, 2013 regular meeting was reviewed.
Veno: Motion to approve.
Seconded by Curran. Passes 4-0.
Adjournment
Curran: Motion to adjourn,
Seconded by Veno. Passes 4-0.
Meeting is adjourned at 7:24 pm.
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