The Fall River Community Preservation Committee (CPC) met on January 22, 2020, to conduct regular business, address correspondence, and prepare for the FY 2021 funding cycle. The committee noted several vacancies, including the recent resignation of Charlie Moniz from the Planning Board, along with vacant mayoral and Housing Authority seats. The committee approved meeting minutes from October 22, 2019, and June 25, 2019, and reviewed updates regarding pending CPA projects involving City Planner Bill Roth, including the Kennedy Park Overlook, East Bay bike path, and Quequechan River Rail Trail.
The committee spent substantial time reviewing proposed edits by member Al Lima to the Community Preservation Plan, debating geographic equity of funding, affordable versus low-income housing classifications, and park project approvals. The committee voted to publicly advertise for a real estate attorney on a consulting basis at approximately $250 per project (estimated total under $5,000 from administrative funds) to clear a backlog of 18 past preservation restriction deeds. Members also voted to continue paying parking expenses for administrator Sandy Dennis through June 2020.
Finally, the committee acknowledged the withdrawal of an application by Michael Abbasi for the Quequechan River Rail Trail Rodman Street annex and reviewed a request from the Little Theatre of Fall River for $40,115 in additional funds. Because only $1,600 remained in available FY 2020 funds, the request could not be granted immediately, though members noted potential unspent funds could be reappropriated in FY 2021. The committee scheduled upcoming hearing dates in February 2020 to review 18 new FY 2021 project applications.
Topics discussed
- 0:26 · Committee Vacancies and Updates
Discussion regarding Charlie Moniz’s resignation, reappointments of John Brant and Kristen Oliveira, and sending a letter to the administration regarding vacancies. - 1:54 · Meeting Minutes Approval — approved
The committee approved the minutes of October 22, 2019, and June 25, 2019. - 2:40 · Public Records Requests — approved
Discussion of public records requests from Patrick Higgins and an inquiry regarding 363 Highland Avenue with no matching CPA records. - 5:21 · Status of Active City CPA Projects
Review of progress on the Kennedy Park Overlook RFP, East Bay bike path consultant, Vietnam Veterans South Watuppa land transfer legal work, and Quequechan trail. - 7:33 · Annual Community Preservation Plan Revisions
Detailed discussion of suggested edits to the CPC plan, addressing neighborhood distribution, park board approvals, affordable vs. low-income housing distinctions, and natural resource sections. - 44:14 · Preservation Deed Restriction Backlog and Attorney Procurement
Discussion and vote to advertise for a consulting real estate attorney to complete deed restrictions on 18 past CPA projects at roughly $250 per project. - 48:01 · Withdrawal of Quequechan River Rail Trail Rodman St Annex — passed
Michael Abbasi withdrew the FY21 application for the Quequechan River Rail Trail Rodman Street annex. - 48:31 · Little Theatre Additional Funding Request — passed
Discussion of Little Theatre’s request for $40,115 and the lack of remaining FY20 funds beyond $1,600. - 50:47 · Administrator Parking Reimbursement
Approval to pay parking fees for administrator Sandy Dennis through June 2020 out of administrative funds. - 51:36 · FY 2021 Project Review Schedule
Discussion of calendar dates to schedule hearings across February 2020 for the 18 submitted FY 2021 project applications. - 1:02:49 · Adjourn the meeting — passed