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Home My Public Portal About2017-03-20-2017-04-24 RnO_CPC1-2 (002) Watertown Town Council Committee on Rules & Ordinances Meetings on March 20 & April 24, 2017 Report: May 9, 2017 The Rules & Ordinances Committee met to discuss the draft Community Preservation Committee Ordinance. This report covers the two meetings in the Council Chambers on 3/20/17 from 7-8:45 PM and on 4/24/17 from 7:30- 9:05 PM. Present were: Kenneth Woodland (chair), Lisa Feltner (vice-chair),Aaron Dushku (secretary) and various other attendees listed in Attachment A. In the first meeting, several edits were proposed to ordinance text provided by the town's legal team. Those edits were incorporated by the legal team and presented to the committee at the second meeting. The revised copy that was discussed at the second meeting is attached to this report in its marked-up format to illustrate the proposed edits (Attachment B). Discussion centered around the method for choosing a committee chair,the composition of the committee, whether to include a description of the committee's role and the appointing authority for town residents. After much discussion and testimonies at the two meetings,the committee decided to table any final recommendation on the ordinance without first seeking direction from the full town council on the latter of these issues. Councilor Feltner made the following motion, To ask the Town Council to approve of a provision in section 36.02 section 2 of the draft ordinance which would designate the appointing authority as the Town Council. The motion was seconded by Councilor Woodland and approved by a 3-0 vote. Throughout the active discussion of committee members and participants, several documents were presented by Councilor Feltner(Attachment C) and by Mr. Patrick Fairbairn (Attachment D). Report respectfully submitted by Committee Secretary Aaron Dushku. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attachment A. Meeting attendees Attachment B. Second draft of the Community Preservation Committee Ordinance with pending committee revisions. Attachment C. Various documentation provided by Councilor Feltner Attachment D. A letter submitted by Mr. Patrick Fairbairn, Marcia Road Page 1 of 1 Attachment A. Meeting attendees (not including the committee members) 3/20/17 Town Councilor Vincent Piccirilli Town Councilor Tony Palomba Assistant Town Manager/Town Auditor Tom Tracy Assistant Town Manager/Department of Community Development and Planning Director Steve Magoon Senior Planner Andrea Adams Licensing Board Chair Donna Doucette Anthony Kelly, 10 James Street Brian Wyncoop, Rosedale Road Charlie Breitrose, Watertown News Elodia Thomas, Marion Road Joyce Kelly, Historical Society, Marshall Street Katharine Wolf, Sunnybank Road Margie Wayne, Historical Society Maria Rose, 45 Edward Road Michelle Cokonaugher, 37 Paul Street Patrick Fairbairn, 20 Marcia Road Shiela Wyncoop, Rosedale Road 4/24/17 Council President Sideris Councilor Susan Falkoff Councilor Tony Palomba Assistant Town Manager/Town Auditor Tom Tracy Senior Planner Andrea Adams Ann Spitzer, School Street Brian Wyncoop, Rosedale Road Charlie Breitrose, Watertown News David Stokes, Lawrence Street Deborah Peterson, School Street Elliot Friedman, Church Street Elodia Thomas, Marion Road Janet Jameson, Winsor Avenue Joyce Kelly, , Historical Society, Marshall Street Judith Kohler, Emerson Road Marsha Lenhoff, Main Street Michelle Cokonougher, Paul Street Patrick Fairbairn, Marcia Road Shiela Wyncoop, Rosedale Road Susan Flint, Bradford Road Attachment B. Second draft of the Community Preservation Committee Ordinance (on following page) �V:O0A �ciIar FeI+� Details on the exce ent process Somerville used to setup their Community Preservation Committee. Their CPA program has turned out to be a model for the entire state,with excellent projects, virtually no controversy,and strong community and Board of Alderman support and alignment of priorities. Attached is the form that applicants for the at-large positions submit to be considered for appointment in Somerville. The at-large positions have to be filled by Somerville residents who are not City employees or currently holding elected or appointed positions. The applications are submitted to a "Planning Team" which reviews them and submits four recommendations to the Mayor...they could submit to the City Council in your case. Here is the process they used,described by Emily Monea, who was the CPA Administrator at the time for the City. Working with the Mayor's office, ive established a Planning Team (or "Committee to elect the Committee')ofsix individuals to select these four general public representatives, including: 1. Meridith Levy, Deputy Director, Somerville Community Corporation 2. Chris Mancini, Executive Director, Groundrvorks Somerville 3. Ellen Shachter, Senior Attorney, Greater Poston Legal Services& Cambridge Community Preservation Committee members 4. Candace Cooper, Assistant Director of Personnel, City of Somerville 5. Data LeWinter, Director of Housing, City of Somerville 6. Hayes Morrison, Director of Transportation &Infr`astructrn e, City of Somerville We began meeting with these individuals in mid August 2013. We released an application ffor potential CPC representatives]on 8126113 and accepted applications through 9127113 (press release with details here and here; application attached). We received 35 applications. We posted a surumay of each applicant's qualifications (provided by the applicant) on the City website and accepted pttblic comments on the applicants,for two weeks (between 9130 and 10113). We ended up hearingfn•ont over 40 residents during this titre period. The planning Teant members then rated the applicants on their relevant experience, their demonstrated support of all CPA issue areas, and their hard and soft skills (e.g.,finance,project management, community engagement). The Planning Team also focused on diversity, including demographics, geography, length ofresidency, desired term length, and issue area. At the end of the first phase of the evaluation process, the Planning Teant selected 11 applicants to interview. We conducted interviews in October 2013 using the following questions: 1. Why are you interested in the CPA? 2. What, to you, are the best things about Somerville? 3. What would you like to change about Somerville[or your neighborhood]? 4. Have you ever opposed a project chat falls under the purview of the CPA?Ifso, why?If not, what type of project would you oppose and why? 5. Describe a project that falls under the purview of the CPA that you most wart to see in your neighborhood. 6. What factors would you use to determine how to spend CPA money? 7. There's an empty, unused I&centtay building on an otherwise empty,fairly large lot in Somerville. What would you do with it? 8. What relevant skills and experience would you bring to the committee? Whyshoudd you be selected over other applicants? 9. Questions about resume%over letter as needed 10. Do you have any questions for us? Once all of the interviews were conducted, the Planning Tecnn nnet to select four applicants to recornmend to the Mayor for nomination to the Community Preservation Committee. They unanimously selected four individuals. After conducting reference checks on these individuals, ive submitted these names to the Mayor, who recommended them to the Board ofAldernnen in early November The city then put out a great press release describing the open process they used and announcing the appointments. DEADLINE EXTEN ED FOR COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS One week left to apply for one the four public positions on the committee Sunday, September 22, 2013 SOMERVILLE - Time is running out for members of the Somerville community to help shape the future of the city's open space, affordable housing and historic preservation. The City of Somerville has extended the application deadline to Friday, Sept. 27 for the four public positions on the newly formed Community Preservation Committee, which is tasked with evaluating Somerville's needs in open space and outdoor recreation, affordable housing, and historic preservation, and making recommendations to the Board of Aldermen on how Community Preservation Act (CPA) revenues should be spent. Somerville voters overwhelmingly approved adoption of the CPA in November 2012, which will raise an estimated $1.5 million in funding annually via a tax surcharge and state funds designated for those three specific areas.. The committee consists of nine volunteers, including four members from the general public and a member from each of the following bodies: the Planning Board, the Conservation Commission, the Historical Preservation Commission, the Parks and Open Space Department, and the Housing Authority. The City is currently looking to fill the four general public positions. To ensure the most qualified applicants are selected, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has formed a planning team of City experts and community members to review applications, conduct interviews, and consider public feedback on candidates. From the group of applicants, they will nominate candidates for appointment for the Mayor to review. The Mayor will then submit candidate finalists to the Board of Aldermen for approval. Committee members serve three-year terms, but initial appointments to the committee have been staggered, so the City is seeking to fill two one-year term positions, one two-year term position, and one three-year term position. Though it is ultimately the decision of the Community Preservation Committee to decide when and how often to meet, the City expects that it will meet one to two times each month in the evening. The inaugural meeting of the committee will likely take place in December 2013 or January 2014. Being an effective committee member will require that you: • Familiarize yourself with Somerville's affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space/outdoor recreation policies and needs • Familiarize yourself with the law (Community Preservation Act, Mi GL Chapter 44B) that governs the committee • Attend meetings regularly • Foster good relations with other city departments, boards, and commissions • Listen to and be responsive to community feedback • Use fairness and objectivity when making decisions The planning team is seeking candidates who: • Are supportive of all three programmatic areas of the CPA: affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space and outdoor recreation AND • Have demonstrated a commitment to at least one of these areas. In addition, the goal of the planning team is to create a balanced committee that includes members-who: • Come from diverse demographic backgrounds • Represent all geographic areas of the City • Have financial expertise • Have project management experience • Are actively involved in the community MEMBERS SOUGHT FOR COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Residents encouraged to apply; Committee to identify funding priorities for —$1 .5 million per year in open space, affordable housing and historic preservation projects Sunday, August 25, 2013 SOMERVILLE - Do you have a passion for parks, affordable housing, and historic preservation? The City of Somerville wants your help and is now accepting applications for four public positions on the newly formed Community Preservation Committee, which will oversee the selection of projects to be recommended for funding by an estimated$1.5 million in annual Community Preservation Act (CPA) revenues. Residents are encouraged to apply and applications must be submitted by Sept. 22, 2013. Somerville voters overwhelmingly approved adoption of the CPA in November 2012.The act will raise an estimated$1.5 million in funding annually via a tax surcharge and state funds that are designated for major public investments in open space and outdoor recreation, affordable housing, and historic preservation. The Community Preservation Committee, required by the CPA, is tasked with evaluating Somerville's needs in those three specific areas and making recommendations to the Board of Alderman on how CPA funding should be spent. The committee consists of nine volunteers, including four members from the general public and a member from each of the following bodies: the Planning Board, the Conservation Commission,the Historical Preservation Commission, the Parks and Open Space Department, and the Housing Authority.The City is currently looking to fill the four general public positions. To ensure the most qualified applicants are selected, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has formed a planning team of City experts and community members to review applications, conduct interviews, and consider public feedback on candidates. From the group of applicants, they will nominate candidates for appointment for the Mayor to review. The Mayor will then submit candidate finalists to the Board of Aldermen for approval. "The diversity of expertise of Somerville residents is one of the greatest strengths of our city, as is our residents' passion. The Community Preservation Committee will leverage those strengths to guide CPA funds towards the best possible uses," Mayor Curtatone said. "Somerville works best when we involve the community in shaping our vision for the future and in our decision making process, from our long-term SomerVision comprehensive plan to Our grassroots-oriented Somerville by Design neighborhood planning sessions. The Community Preservation Committee will once again tap the wisdom of our community, match with our City experts' know-how, and build a better city for all." Committee members serve three-year terms, but initial appointments to the committee have been staggered, so therefore the City seeks to fill two one-year term positions, one two-year term position, and one three-year term position. Though it is ultimately the decision of the Community Preservation Committee to decide when and how often to meet, the City expects that it will meet one to two times each month in the evening. The inaugural meeting of the committee will likely take place in December 2013 or January 2014. Being an effective committee member will require that you: • Familiarize yourself with Somerville's affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space/outdoor recreation policies and needs • Familiarize yourself with the law(Community Preservation Act, MGL Chapter 44B)that governs the committee • Attend meetings regularly • Foster good relations with other city departments, boards, and commissions • Listen to and be responsive to community feedback • Use fairness and objectivity when making decisions The planning team is seeking candidates who: • Are supportive of all three programmatic areas of the CPA: affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space and outdoor recreation AND • Have demonstrated a commitment to at least one of these areas. In addition, the goal of the planning team is to create a balanced committee that includes members who: • Come from diverse demographic backgrounds • Represent all geographic areas of the City • Have financial expertise • Have project management experience Are actively involved in the community HOW TO APPLY: Interested residents should complete the application available on the City's website at htti3://www.somervillema.aov/sites/defaufVfiles/leciacv/CPC%20anplication 8%2026%2013.13df or outside the SomerStat Office at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Completed applications should be sent to Candace Cooper(ccooper@somervillema.gov or 617.625.6600 ext.3306) by September 22, 2013.All residents are welcome to apply. No nomination is required to submit an application. Please note that if you choose to apply for the Community Preservation Committee, your name and a portion of your application (a brief summary describing why you are a qualified candidate) will be posted on the city website for public review between September 23 and October 6.All community members are invited to provide feedback on candidates during this time. To find out more about serving as a CPC member, please visit the following websites: http://www.somerviliema.gov/apa http://www.communitvi)reservation.orq/ 1 CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Application to be a Committee Member Submission deadline: November 4, 2016 Please complete Parts I and I1 of the application. Submit all materials by email or mail or in person to: emnlovment onoortunitiesOsomervillema.aov Questions can be directed to: Kristen Stelljes, Community Preservation Act Manager kstellies(a),someivillema.aov 617-625-6600 x2107 City Hall- 93 Highland Ave. Somerville Part I: Applicant Information Name: Address: Primary Phone: Email: Ward: How long have you lived in Somerville? Are you interested in serving a second term on the Committee? Fl Yes ❑ No The following demographic questions are optional: Gender: ❑ Other ❑ Female Age: ❑ Male ❑ 18-24 ❑ 25-34 Race/Ethnicity(you may select more ❑ 35-44 than one): ❑ 45-54 ❑ White ❑ 55-64 ❑ Black ❑ 65-74 ❑ Hispanic ❑ 75 or older ❑ Asian/Pacific Islander CITY HALL•93 HIGHLAND AVENUE SOMERVILLE,MASSACHUSETTS 02143 (617)625-6600 GXT.2500•TrY:(617)666-0001•FAx:(617)625-0722 ivww.somervillem a,gov Page 2 Part 11: Materials Please include the following materials in your application: 1. A cover letter answering all of the following questions: a. Why are you a good candidate for the Community Preservation Committee (CPC)? b. How have you demonstrated a commitment to at least one of the three programmatic areas of the Community Preservation Act(affordable housing, historic preservation,and open space/outdoor recreation)? c. What other skills or assets would you bring to the CPC? 2. A resume 3. Three references 4. A brief summary(150 words or less) describing why you are,a qualified candidate for the CPC. This information will be posted on the city website for public review between November 8-27. Please submit all materials by November 4, 2016 by email to: emnlovment onnortunitiesnnsomervillema.eov CITY HALL•93$IGIILAND AVENUE•80,NIERVILLE,MASSACHUSETTS 02143 (617)625-6600 ExT.2500•TTY:(617)6W0001•FAX:(617)625-0722 www.somervalenia.gov grtrq Statement in support o enhanced community participation in the appointment process,with reference to the drafting of the Watertown Community Preservation Committee ordinance-- presented at the Town's Rules and Ordinances Committee session 24 April 2017 On 20 March 2017,the Rules and Ordinances Committee of the Town Council held its first session to discuss the drafting of the Watertown Community Preservation Ordinance. The principal concern was procedural—how to appoint the four non-statutory Committee members. Traditionally, most appointments to Town committees and boards have been made by the Town Manager and approved by the Town Council. Those of us at the core of the CPA adoption movement in Town have noted the extraordinary nature of the proposed Community Preservation Committee and recommended that its appointment procedure for the four at-large members be treated in a non-traditional way, i.e. that these members be appointed by the Town Council. Why the Town Council? • The CPC is unlike the Town's other appointed bodies. It will represent a broad spectrum of public interests as opposed to one specific area of concern and comes with its own administrative budget. • The CPA was a community-driven initiative resulting from a widespread grass-roots citizen campaign that mustered a majority Town vote in favor of its creation. • The CPC should reflect the community theme that is central to the CPA and should strike a balance between the representatives on the Town Committees and qualified residents. • Those community residents should be selected by the body closest to the community,that being the elected Town Council. • The CPA fund is a community fund for specific community projects that can be recommended by organizations,a group of residents or a Town Department. The Town Council is also the only body that cannot suggest a project to be funded by the CPA and thus will not be looking to fill the CPC with individuals who support specific projects. • To the objection that cronyism might play a part if the selection process were to involve our Councilors,we propose the creation of explicit criteria by which individuals would be nominated and a process for selection created by the Town Council President that is transparent. What are the Important Criteria for a Candidate? • Watertown residence; • a demonstrable interest in community service; • experience in Watertown's community affairs; • preferably, interest and experience in open space/outdoor recreation, historic preservation, or affordable housing; • additional professional expertise in community development, project management,finance, real estate, law and architecture; • freedom from all other Town government commitments (e.g. as employees, appointees or elected officials)during their respective terms of service on the Community Preservation Committee. It should be noted that only the first-year selection would require approval of all four members at once. The reappointment schedule would thereafter be phased to stagger each member's term of service. 1 Creation of a Community Preservation Committee in Watertown is not without precedent statewide. Over 160 communities present that number of individual stories to tell. One general lesson appears to be that the four non-statutory members are essential to an effective Community Preservation Committee, providing balance between the five appointees of administrative origins and the creativity and innovative zeal that private citizens can bring to the process. Waltham's experience is a case in point. Appointments initially passed top-down through the Mayor for implementation by individuals who did not have strong connections to the community and the activist movement that had brought the CPA to town. CPA implementation lagged. It was only when the City Council got involved directly in the recruitment and appointment process for the four non-statutory members that the Waltham Community Preservation Committee really took off and got some great things done (e.g. acquisition of the Fernald Property). Among neighbor communities,Somerville and Newton are considered to have exemplary systems that fully engage the potential of those four appointees to be chosen from outside the existing administrative structure. Each municipality has its own story to tell. Each story should also be seen,like any legislative exercise, as a work in progress. The CPA allows for changes along a course that naturally includes an element of trial and error. Our Watertown CPA movement has submitted to the Rules and Ordinances Committee a draft ordinance that seeks to flesh out the one presented by that committee for public discussion last month. In doing so,we make our ordinance relatively self-explanatory. We incorporate some of the CPA text verbatim or in paraphrase. We also include provisions from the text of other town ordinances that have proven effective and potentially useful to Watertown, We see our drafting effort as a contribution to the final product. Inevitably,there remain some differences to discuss. Please accept these thoughts in the spirit in which they arose—concern for promoting and sustaining our community's quality of life for all residents. We will continue to follow the Town Council's deliberations on this draft ordinance with close interest and further commentary, in hopes of a timely outcome. Once our Community Preservation Ordinance is ratified,we who laid its foundation can stand back at last and welcome in another shift to start the buildingl Patrick Fairbalm 2