City Council Committee on the Community Preservation Act Hearing on Dockets #0407 and #0614

Docket #407, Message and order for an appropriation order in the amount of Twenty-Four Million Three Hundred and Nine Thousand Dollars ($24,309,000.00) from the Fiscal Year 2020 Community Preservation Fund revenues for community preservation projects at the recommendations of the City of Boston Community Preservation Committee ("CPC"). The CPC is recommending $15,750,000.00 in affordable housing projects, $3,440,000.00 in historic preservation projects and $5,119,000.00 in recreational use and open space projects.  This matter was referred to the Committee on February 26, 2020; and,

Docket #0614,  Message and order authorizing the appropriations of Seven Hundred Eighty-Two Thousand Three Hundred Ninety-Two Dollars ($782,392.00) for the administrative and operating expenses of the City of Boston Preservation Committee (“CPC”) for Fiscal Year 2021, and a further appropriation order in the amount of Twenty-Five Million Five Hundred Seventeen Thousand Six Hundred Eight Dollars ($25,517,608.00) from the Community Preservation Fund’s (“the Fund”) estimated annual revenues for Fiscal Year 2021, to be appropriated and reserved for future appropriation. The Fund was created upon the adoption of the Community Preservation Act (the “Act”) in November 2016 and is funded in part by the 1% property tax-based surcharge on residential and business property tax bills that took effect in July 2017 and an annual state distribution from the Massachusetts community preservation trust fund.  This matter was referred to the Committee on April 8, 2020.

NOTICE:  The Boston City Council may have a quorum in attendance due to standing committees of the City Council consisting of both voting and non-voting members.  However, members attending this duly posted meeting are participating and deliberating only in conjunction with the business of the standing committee.

Attendance  In accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Executive Order modifying certain requirements of the Open Meeting Law and relieving public bodies of certain requirements, including the requirement that public bodies conduct its meetings in a public place that is open and physically accessible to the public, the City Council will be conducting this hearing virtually.  This enables the City Council to carry out its responsibilities while adhering to public health accommodations and ensuring public access to its deliberations through adequate, alternative means.  The public may watch this meeting via live stream at www.boston.gov/city-council-tv.  It will also be re-broadcasted at a later date on Comcast 8/RCN 82/Verizon 1964.

Public Testimony

Written comments may be sent to the Committee or staff email (below) and will be made a part of the record and available to all Councilors. Members of the public wishing to testify virtually via videoconference should email the staff contact for a link and instructions to do so no later than the end of business on the day before the scheduled hearing date.

Mail Address:  Dockets #0407, #0614 City Council, City Hall, 5^th Floor, Boston MA  02201

Fax Number:  617-635-4203 Attn:  Christine O’Donnell, Dockets #0407, #0614 

Committee Email:  ccc.cpa@boston.gov 

Staff Email:  christine.odonnell@boston.gov   Staff Telephone:  617-635-1185