May 13, 2008

Here is the agenda to the May 13, 2008 City Council Meeting

PITTSFIELD CITY COUNCIL

MAY 13, 2008 – 7:30 P.M.

AGENDA

1.         Open microphone

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR

2.         A communication informing the Council of a presentation of the annual report of Downtown Inc.

3.         A communication submitting an Order authorizing the City to accept the provisions of Mass. General Law, Chapter 32B, Section 19, as amended, for the purpose of transferring the City’s health insurance subscribers to the Group Insurance Commission

4.         A communication submitting an Order authorizing the City to accept a grant of funds in the amount of $5,800 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety

5.         A communication submitting an Order authorizing the City to use $350,000 from the GE Economic Development Fund for LTI Smart Glass, Inc.

APPOINTMENTS

6.            Appointment of Gail Molari as a member of the Airport Commission

7.            Appointment of Robert Harrison as a member of the Green Commission

8.            Appointment of Joseph LaRoche as a member of the Green Commission

9.            Appointment of John Wood as a member of the Green Commission

10.            Appointment of Carmen Massimiano, Louis Costi, Patrick Mele, Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Cheryl Bethel, Pam Malumphy, John Krol, John Barber, Frank LaRagione and Floriana Fitzgerald as members of the School Building Needs Commission

PUBLIC HEARINGS

11.       Public hearing on the application from Verizon New England to install and relocate poles on West Housatonic Street

12.       Public hearing on the application of Rick and Jayne Stohr, RJ Stohr Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, 90 North Street, for a secondhand dealers license

13.       Public hearing on the application of Dino Zabian, MMZ Jewelry, 160 Elm Street for a secondhand dealers license

14.       Public hearing on the petition from David A. Norton and Elizabeth V. Norton to amend zoning at property located at the corner of West Housatonic Street and Hungerford Street, identified as Assessors Map D5, Block 3, Lots 110, 11 and 12 from R12 to BG

15.       Public hearing on the petition from the Community Development Board to amend the City Code, Chapter 23, Zoning, by the addition of a new section 4.321, Smart Growth Overlay District, as well as amendments to Section 3, Zoning Districts

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICERS AND BOARDS

16.       A memorandum from the School Building needs Commission informing the Council of a joint meeting with the School Committee and School building Needs Commission on May 19, 2008 to discuss the results of the High School Team Study

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Report of the Committee on Community and Economic Development

17.       A report of the Committee on Community and Economic Development on an Order authorizing the City of Pittsfield to use $250,000 from the GE Economic Development Fund for the Berkshire Museum

Reports of the Committee on Public Health and Safety

18.       A report of the Committee on Public Health and Safety on a report from the Board of Health regarding monitoring procedures, outcomes and upcoming work at Hill 78 and Building 71, recommending it be accepted and placed on file

19.       A report of the Committee on Public Health and Safety on a petition from Peter Arlos that five hazardous waste collection stations be established at the City’s five fire stations for collecting used energy-saving light bulbs, recommending it be placed on file

20.       A report of the Committee on Public Health and Safety on a petition from Peter Arlos requesting creation of a seven-member committee to study the increasing number of level 2 and 3 sex offenders in the City and make recommendations to protect its citizens, recommending it be placed on file

NEW BUSINESS

21.       A petition from Thom Pecoraro for approval to establish a community food garden on the Westside at the corner of Bradford Street and Robbins Ave.

22.       A petition from Peter Arlos asking the Council to send a letter to the President asking him to waive the federal gasoline tax from July 1, 2008 to the day after Labor Day

23.       A petition from Peter Arlos asking the Council to request a $35,000 grant from the Attorney General to help schools combat bullying and harassment

MATTERS TENTATIVELY REFERRED BY THE PRESIDENT UNDER RULE 27

Referred to the Community Development Board

24.       An application from Cafua Management Company, LLC to amend the zoning ordinance to reclassify land on the west side of North Street, identified as Assessor’s Map H14, Block 7, Lot 102 from RM to IL (on file in City Clerk’s Office)

25.       An application from Cafua Management Company, LLC for a special permit for a drive through under Article 23-7, Section 7.839 for property located on the west side of North Street, identified as Assessor’s Map H14, Block 7, Lot 102 (on file in City Clerk’s Office)

26.       A petition from Community Development Board to amend the City Code, Chapter 23, Zoning, Sections 2.2, 4.320 and 7.831 that establish the Downtown Arts Overlay District