September 11, 2007

Here is the agenda to the September 11, 2007 City Council Meeting

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 – 7:30 P.M.

AGENDA

1.         Open microphone

COMMUNICATIONS FROM HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR

2.         A communication submitting an Order authorizing the Retirement Board of the City of Pittsfield to voluntarily transfer assets of the retirement fund to the Pension Reserves Investment Trust

3.         A communication requesting the City Council’s Committee on Community and Economic Development hold a public hearing on the City’s Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report

4.         A communication submitting an Ordinance amending the City Code, Chapter 13, Article V, with regard to all-night parking

5.         A communication submitting an Order authorizing the City of Pittsfield to pay a previous year’s expense in the amount of $866.22

6.         A communication submitting an Order authorizing the City of Pittsfield to accept a grant of funds in the amount of $146,580 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

7.         A communication submitting an Order authorizing the City of Pittsfield to accept a grant of funds in the amount of $8,220 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs

APPOINTMENTS

8.         Appointment of Bruce Kilmer as a Deputy Fire Chief in the Pittsfield Fire Department

9.         Appointment of Stanley Caesar as a Captain in the Pittsfield Fire Department

10.     Appointment of Elmer Gage as a Lieutenant in the Pittsfield Fire Department

11.     Appointment of Matthew Kudlate, William Prendergast, Joshua Healy, Peter Amuso and Allan Catalano as Firefighters in the Pittsfield Fire Department

12.     Appointment of Donna Kasuba as a member of the Board of Library Trustees

13.     Appointment of Bruce Collingwood as the engineer designee for the Cinema Center Design Review Committee

14.     Appointment of Stephen Barry as the architect designee for the Cinema Center Design Review Committee

15.     Appointment of Joseph Guertin, Louise McCue, Will Garrison, Kathleen Reilly, Rebecca Smith, Jean Nudd and Heather Williamson as members of the Historical Commission

PUBLIC HEARINGS

16.     A public hearing on a petition to amend the City Code Chapter 23, Zoning, to reclassify land at 55 Spring Street from RM to BG

17.     A public hearing on a petition Jennifer Hersch to amend the City Code, Chapter 23, Zoning, to reclassify land at 127-133 Wahconah Street from CWS to BG

18.     A public hearing on a petition from Petricca Development, LLC to amend the City Code Chapter 23, Section 3.301, to reclassify a 15.582-acre parcel of land located south of the Pittsfield/Lanesboro line identified as Assessors Map No. K17-0001-201 (formerly K16-0001-101)

COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICERS AND BOARDS

19.     A report of the Traffic Commission on a petition from Councilor Costi for installation of “No Parking” signs at the intersection of Elberon and Allengate Avenues, recommending installation of “No Parking Here to Corner” signs 50 feet from the intersections of both streets

20.     A report of the Traffic Commission on a petition from Councilor Costi for installation of “Slow Children” signs on lower Brown Street, recommending approval

21.     A report of the Traffic Commission on a petition from Councilor Tyer for installation of “One Hour” parking on Livingston Avenue, recommending approval

22.     A report of the Traffic Commission on a petition from Peter Arlos asking the Council to vote against making McKay Street impassible for any period of time and against elimination of parking, recommending it be filed

23.     A report of the Traffic Commission on a communication from Mayor Ruberto proposing temporary parking changes in the area of McKay Street to allow for the construction of the Beacon Cinema Center, recommending the plan be amended and approved

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

                        Reports of the Committee on Ordinances and Rules

24.     A report of the Committee on Ordinances and Rules on an Ordinance amending the City Code, Chapter 16, Personnel, Sec. 16-12(a) Unstepped rates, recommending approval

25.     A report of the Committee on Ordinances and Rules on an Ordinance amending the City Code, Chapter 16, Personnel, Sec. 16-12(a) Management Pay Scale, adding Assistant Building Commissioner, recommending approval

26.     A report of the Committee on Ordinances and Rules on an Ordinance amending the City Code, Chapter 11, Licenses, Registrations and Permits, Article IV, Alarm Permits, recommending it be amended and approved

27.     A report of the Committee on Ordinances and Rules on a petition from Councilor Marchetti to amend the City Code, Chapter 4 ½ , making changes to the fine structure for section 3-49, Exterior Property Areas, recommending approval

28.     A report of the Committee on Ordinances and Rules on a petition from Councilor Farley-Bouvier requesting the City institute a demolition delay policy in an attempt to protect historic buildings, recommending approval

29.     A report of the Committee on Ordinances and Rules on a petition from Councilor Maffuccio for creation of an ordinance to define a common driveway, recommending approval

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

30.     An Order transferring $48,000 from the Unclassified Contingency Account to an account for the Assistant Building Commissioner (tabled 8-14-07)

NEW BUSINESS

31.     A request from Petricca Development, LLC to allow withdrawal of its rezoning petition filed on July 3, 2007

32.     A petition from Peter Arlos requesting the Council ask the Chief of Police to apply for grant funds from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for the purchase and installation of wireless surveillance cameras

33.     A petition from Peter Arlos requesting the Council vote to take all necessary steps to enable the City to join the state’s health insurance program as part of the Municipal Partnership Act

34.     A petition from Peter Arlos requesting the Council vote to place a non-binding ballot question on the November municipal ballot regarding the support of legalizing casino gambling in Massachusetts

                 MATTERS TENTATIVELY REFFERED BY THE PRESIDENT UNDER RULE 27

            Referred to the Community and Economic Development Board

35.     An application from G.B. New England 2, LLC for a drive-up window at the intersection of Merrill Road and Dalton Avenue as part of a proposed construction of a CVS building

36.     An application from the Animal Control Commission to amend the City Code, Chapter 23, Zoning, Article 23-9, Section 9.204 “Non-Household Animals”

Referred to the Traffic Commission

37.     A petition from Councilors Costi and Markham to set the speed limit on Springside Avenue to 30 mph

38.     A petition from Councilor Lothrop for a study regarding institution of a commercial truck ban on South Mountain Road

Referred to the Committee on Public Works and Utilities

39.     A petition from Councilor Lothrop requesting the City accept the water and sewer utilities beneath Eaton Lane

Referred to the Commissioner of Public Works and Utilities

40.     A petition from Councilor Maffuccio to place Crystal St. and Sixth St. on the chip seal list

PLACED ON FILE

41.     Annual report of the Pittsfield Fire Department (on file in City Clerk’s Office)