December 3, 2020, 5:00 P.M
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ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MINUTES – Regular Meeting Thursday, December 3, 2020, 5:00 P.M. City Hall Council Chambers ATTENDEES: Mayor Zoppo-Sassu, Commissioner Mills, Hick, Schmelder, Goldwasser (5:10), Cyr, Rasmussen-Tuller, Zammett ABSENT: Council Member Preleski STAFF PRESENT: Justin Malley, Executive Director; Dawn Nielsen, Marketing & Public Relations Dawn Leger, Grants Administrator, Andrew Armstrong, Asst. City Planner GUESTS: Dale Kroop, New Colony Development Anthony Sposato, PEPCO I. Mayor Zoppo-Sassu called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. II. Public Participation There was no public participation. III. Commissioner Rasmussen-Tuller made a motion to accept the minutes of November 5, 2020, seconded by Commissioner Schmelder. The commissioners voted in favor and the minutes were accepted. IV. Consent Agenda Commissioner Schmelder made a motion to file the Consent Agenda seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen-Tuller. All present voted in favor and the motion passed. Dawn Nielsen spoke about the 2 new marketing programs: We are advertising "Shop Local" on social media Welcome Packet – this will be mailed to new residents/homeowners and will also be available to current residents. It has been designed so that the pieces can be used individually as well. There will be seasonal add-ons. The video series is underway, currently highlighting Firefly Hollow. Next Thursday the video on Café Real will launch. V. New Business A. Calendar of Regular Meetings – 2021 Commissioner Schmelder made a motion to approve the 2021 ECD Board Regular Meetings Calendar, seconded by Commissioner Zammett. All present voted in favor and the calendar was approved. B. City Staff Recognition: Public Works Farmers Market Assistance Mayor Zoppo-Sassu spoke about this action item and Justin added comments about how the maintenance division went above and beyond in assisting with the Farmers Market this year. Commissioner Schmelder made a motion to authorize the ECD Director to write a letter of appreciation on behalf of the ECD Board commending the Department of Public Works – 1 ECD Regular Board Meeting December 3, 2020 including the efforts of the maintenance division, streets division, and Frank Nicastro Jr. – for its assistance during the 2020 Farmers Market season. Commissioner Rasmussen-Tuller seconded the motion, all presented voted in favor and the motion was passed. C. 273 Riverside Ave. and 894 Middle St. Updates Justin reported that $75,000 will be made available for site preparation and real estate services and that the RFP copy was included in the meeting packet. We expect the RFP to be released some time in December. The board will see the proposals. D. Planning/Zoning Matters Mayor Zoppo-Sassu said that all commission members were given copies of the Zoning Regulations and drew attention to the first 10 pages. These are the record of the text amendments which have been adopted over the past 30 years and which were not incorporated in the body of the document. A lot has been changed as well and we will be working to make this a much more effective document. To that end, an RFP is going out for a consultant to rework this document. Andrew Armstrong introduced himself and gave a brief update on the planning and zoning matters. As the Mayor has just mentioned, the City has issued an RFP to rewrite the city’s zoning regulations. The current regulations were adopted in 1990 and there has been many changes since that time. There will be a complete reorganization and analysis and the intent is to have a much more relevant and user and business friendly set of regulations. Justin is looking for the board's input on the Zoning regulations going forward. Justin provided an example where the regulations were not clear and caused a great deal of inconvenience. Mayor Zoppo-Sassu added that they are also reaching out to the Chamber as well as land use users (engineers, surveyors, etc.) and attorneys for input. Andrew anticipated that once the consultant is chosen in the new year that the project will take around 12-18 months. It is anticipated that the final document will be electronic and searchable. The Mayor mentioned also that the City Charter and Ordinances are searchable as well. Dale Kroop joined the meeting at 5:25 p.m. V. C. 273 Riverside Ave. Dale introduced himself and spoke briefly about New Colony Development which is a 501c3 organization and a certified Land Bank. He gave a quick synopsis of the process that will take place at 273 Riverside Avenue. Justin spoke about the funding needed for the cleanup which should hopefully be coming but we cannot proceed without it. Justin has spoken with a company that Vesta Corp. has hired to do a market study. This person asked about the O'Connell and Bingham projects so Justin referred her to Ted Lazarus who told her they are totally leased out. E. Manufacturing Technical Assistance Program and Façade Improvement Program Justin updated the board on these two programs. We have $50,000 available in the Manufacturing Technical Assistance Program which was approved last year. Dale Kroop excused himself at 5:36 p.m. 2 ECD Regular Board Meeting December 3, 2020 Justin spoke about collaborating with CONNSTEP to help the smaller manufacturers. We hope to launch the programs in January with Guidelines for the Board to review. Justin asked the board how would they like the approval process to be done. Commissioner Schmelder said that the board should only approve the guidelines and that the staff should approve the grants if they are, for example, only up to $10,000. The Mayor agreed. F. Project Status Updates Justin and the Mayor reviewed current projects: Dodge Village as it relates to the Riverside Ave. corridor: there have been conversations with the owners Battisto Road: new business moving into a vacant building (Food Manufacturing) – 30,000 square feet – would like to be up and running by beginning of January Bristol Hospital – update on Main St. buildings: expect to close on Eagle and Funk buildings this month Bristol Commons: new ownership Parcel 10: They are planning to submit a site plan in December or January for early spring construction season Mamatseo building: Kind Care is finalizing their financing and closing on property. Justin is negotiating a tax assistance agreement. Dawn is working on signage for the site (for after they close their financing). Other recent activity: Torrington Bank on corner of Brook St./Route 6; D’Amato is doing a development off North St.; Burlington (previously Burlington Coat Factory) in Bristol Plaza as an anchor tenant; Family Roots opened on Riverside Ave. Several restaurants have also opened. Justin reported that Family Roots Produce Market opened today. He answered questions about the plans of a regional coffee chain and he will follow-up with the company. Justin and the Mayor answered questions on other locale businesses and construction activity. Dawn Leger excused herself at 5:51 p.m. VI. New Business by Commissioners – There was no new business by Commissioners. VII. Old Business by Commissioners – There was no old business by Commissioners. VIII. Any Other Business A. City Council Liaison Report Council Member Preleski was not present. Mayor Zoppo-Sassu spoke about his recent activities as he is working on her behalf getting the business community involved on the zoning RFP. B. Committee Updates 1. CDBG Policy Commissioner Schmelder reported that the CDBG Policy Committee met and that all requests for the third round of CARES Act funding (CV-3) were funded and some funds were set aside for administrative expenses as some funds may be needed unexpectedly. 3 ECD Regular Board Meeting December 3, 2020 Commissioner Schmelder made a motion to approve the submission of a Substantial Amendment to the Annual Action Plan to HUD to address the COVID-19 pandemic by accepting a CARES Act grant known as "CDBG-CV3" from HUD and using said funds for the following allocations: Applying Agency ECD Board Recommendation 1. Shepard Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center $20,000 2. Imagination Museum Early Learning Center $75,000 3. United Way of West Central CT $10,293 4. HRA of New Britain $30,000 5. New England Carousel Museum $ 8,500 6. Bristol Preschool Childcare Center $75,000 7. St. Vincent DePaul Mission $34,000 8. Bristol Boys and Girls Club $40,000 9. For Goodness Sake (one year award) $10,000 10. Zion Lutheran Church – Meals for Neighbors $ 3,400 Administrative Expenses $76,548 Total $382,741 And to authorize the Mayor, or acting Mayor, to sign any and all documents related to the submission of this Substantial Amendment and its obligations, and to forward this information to the City Council for action. Commissioner Hick seconded the motion, all present voted in favor and the motion passed. 2. Industrial Justin reported that Bob Desmarais came to the meeting. He owns property (8-9 acres) behind ESPN North Campus. He is looking to develop this property with several buildings and also is looking at the SEBBP lots 8 and 9. He originally wanted just access but is now interested in one or two buildings on these properties. Commissioner Cyr said that a motion was approved by the Committee and read the motion. This basically explains how these lots would be taken off the market for 90 days. It would basically be an industrial park within and industrial park and there will be multiple buildings. Commissioner Cyr made a motion to allow SE Middle LLC, represented by Mr. Robert Desmarais, a period of 90 days beginning December 3, 2020, to conduct initial due diligence efforts, including the drafting of preliminary site plan(s) required for execution of a Letter of Intent, for industrial building(s) on Lots #8 and Lot #9, Business Park Drive, in the Southeast Bristol Business Park.