MEETING MINUTES - DECEMBER 16, 2020
A. Organizational Matters
I. Call meeting to order – Meeting called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Lisa Daily
II. Attendance – Members: L. Daily, A. Church, D. Potack, A. Niles, K. White, R. Monteverde
Others: D. Chafiezadeh, J. Welles, A. Filosa, D. Mangaser, E. Talbott
III. Review & Approval of November 2020 Minutes – Accepted Minutes.
IV. Review & Approval of Draft Quarterly Financial Reports with provision to accept immaterial of the accounts payable for Attys. fees later – Accepted Draft Financial Reports.
B. Property Related Matters
I. New development/2 Family renovations:
1. House to Home update:
i. 27 and 43 Johnston: J. Welles states Board chose contractor per last month’s Executive Session; contract is in process w/the Tener Contracting LLC; started mobilizing and preparing the site; have permit for 43 Johnston; awaiting permit for 27 Johnston St.; completion date by September 2021.
ii. 115 and 150 Lander: J. Welles states we have schematic drawings for 150 Lander St. and ARC approval as of last week. Regarding 115 Lander, plans are in process; contracting services for both would be bid out as in the ones on Johnston St. As part of our House to Home program, they will be owner occupied with one rental unit per building.
2. Holy Deliverance: 37 Chambers/Lander St lots update: J. Welles spoke to Surveyor; they plan on submitting application for subdivision this week; J Welles also spoke with Pastor and she said her attorney said they have to wait until we have subdivision done to seek Attorney General approval to sell a church asset . The surveyor wants to get on Planning Board January agenda; A. Church states that is unlikely as they are three weeks behind. J. Welles states they signed informational three weeks ago. L. Daily suggests following up with them.
3. 143 Washington Street update: J. Welles states: we do not have a signed Contract and were contacted by the BJH attorney to ask if they could get $20,000 off the sale price due to an issue with a shared fire escape; wants to wait until first week of January to sign PSA;. D. Potak motions to offer an Extension but no reduction in the price. Sale is As-is. A. Church seconds the Motion. All are in favor.
4. 62 Campbell–The board approved the Purchaser last meeting, who is a local first time home buyer doing the renovation himself. No mortgage, so should be fast closing; draft Contract of Sale sent to their attorney.
II. Sales of NCLB Development Projects:
1. 104 Washington Street update– J. Welles states the purchaser got approval from zoning on variance; coming back in Jan. to ARC and to the Planning Board; J. Welles states she spoke w/Philippe Pierre and they are working on a redesign of the exterior based on community feedback; plans to reduce height, possibly include community amenity on top floor and new materials for façade. L. Daily states that as per the Planning Board meeting, they will also have to redo the zoning variance to accommodate a set back from the street.
2. Habitat for Humanity- J. Welles states she is waiting on Habitat to sign the Purchase and Sale Agreement; hopes to close mid- January: 2 buildings and three vacant lots on N. Miller St and Johnston St.
III. Building Preservation Program/ Other
1. 128 Dubois update– J. Welles: states that work is largely done; no updated budget from the contractor; but he said the increase will be less than originally stated: Around $218k, down from over 300k. The original budget was $143,000. 38 Lander – lead abatement still in process, but mostly complete.
2. 44 S. Miller update– J. Welles: states a complete demo was approved from SHPO; Demo engineer to do a work plan to include in bid package. When the engineer did the site visit, he thought that we could possibly save the shell, but we would have to do the interior demolition first and then reassess once he can see it better. There’s a party wall between the building next door, so it would be preferable to save the shell.
3. Extensions for 27 City Terrace update – J. Welles: The Board granted 60-day Extension to the owner. On December 7th he got the Certificate of Occupancy. They were planning to sell but needed the C of O before they could sell, as per deed convenants.
4. 59-63 Lander Reverter Action update– J. Welles states Judge awarded Default Judgment in our favor; purchaser has to pay our legal fees. L. Daily asks what shape the building is in? J. Welles states she hasn’t been in either of the buildings. D. Mangaser states that she hasn’t been in several years, but there was a fire in the building before the last sale and they both need a lot of work. L. Daily asks if we can get someone to see what we need to do. J. Welles states that Jeff Wilkinson was the architect for the owner before the reverter and has drawings. Staff will contact him about this.
5. New Business: 115 Johnston Street – J. Welles states: she received a call from Mark Epstein, a developer in Newburgh; he purchased 113 and 115 Johnston Street; bought 115 from the City and 113 from private owner; they have a party wall; He wound up demolishing the buildings and combined two lots into one; wants to donate the lot to NCLB; although he has certain covenants with the property purchased from the City. J. Welles was given an indication that the City might be okay with a transfer. A. Church states: she doesn’t have a problem with it, can be a three-way closing. D. Chafizadeh asks if we have a history of ownership and can we have an Environmental Engineer look at it before accepting it, based on whether we need to do more due diligence and find out if there are title issues; A. Church states: if there are legal issues they could be cleared up. D. Chafizadeh: suggests we accept donation subject to the final contract and due diligence with approval of the Board. D. Potack motions to accept the donation with contingencies on wording in the contract. A. Church seconds the motion w/contingencies. All are in favor.
No EXECUTIVE SESSION
D. Next Board Meeting January 20, 2021, 3:00pm
Meeting is adjourned at 3:40pm.