June 10, 2008

Here is the agenda to the June 10, 2008 City Council Meeting

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

JUNE 10, 2008 – 7:30 P.M.

AGENDA

1.         Open microphone

COMMUNICATIONS FROM HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR

2.         A communication submitting a Resolution authorizing the City of Pittsfield to become a welcoming city as part of the Welcoming Massachusetts Campaign

3.         A communication submitting an Order authorizing the City of Pittsfield to enter into a license agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the purpose of constructing and maintaining the public sidewalk at Bank Row and East Street

4.         A communication submitting an Order authorizing the City to accept a grant in the amount of $75,000 from the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency

5.         A communication submitting an Order authorizing the City to accept funds in the amount of $10,000 from General Electric

6.         A communication submitting Orders authorizing and taking by eminent domain of three permanent drainage easements on property owned by Joseph Kroboth and located between Kara Drive and Leona Drive

APPOINTMENTS

7.         Appointment of Peter Marchetti as a member of the Conservation Commission

PUBLIC HEARINGS

8.         Public hearing on 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 (to be continued)

9.         Public hearing on 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 (to be continued)

10.     Public hearing on 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 (to be continued)

11.     Public hearing on a 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

12.     A petition from Councilor Costi that the City consider using its own towing vehicle to impound cars left on public ways during snow emergencies

13.     A petition from Councilor Costi requesting the Traffic Commission change the amount of spaces that is required to move a vehicle after parking in a space for the allotted time to at least one block

14.     A report of the Traffic Commission on a petition from Councilor Costi to eliminate heavy truck traffic from Plastics Avenue, recommending it be filed

15.     A report of the Traffic Commission on a petition from Councilor Costi, Yvonne Pearson and Gior Witkowski to explore the possibility of an additional 75-100 parking spaces in the downtown, recommending the petition be approved with a list of recommendations compiled from the site visit and requesting Commissioner Collingwood return to the Traffic Commission’s July 1 meeting with as many changes as possible

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

                        Report of the Committee on Community and Economic Development

16.     A report of the Committee on Community and Economic Development on an Order approving the Urban Housing Initiative Tax Increment Financing Plan and Zone, recommending approval of the geographical amendment setting the opportunity area, and directing the DCD staff to come forward with guidelines to approve a project, with the understanding that no TIF will be approved without guidelines

Reports of the Committee on Finance

17.     A report of the Committee on Finance on an Order for an appropriation from the Water Enterprise Fund/Certified Retained Earnings (Fund 60) in the amount of $100,000 to an account in the Department of Public Utilities/Water Division, recommending approval

18.     A report of the Committee on Finance on an Order for an appropriation from the Water Enterprise  Fund/Certified Retained Earnings (Fund 61) in the amount of $100,000 to an account in the Department of Public Utilities/Water Division, recommending approval

19.     A report of the Committee on Finance on an Order for an appropriation from the Water Enterprise Fund/Certified Retained Earnings (Fund 60) in the amount of $150,000 to an account in the Department of Public Utilities/Water Division, recommending approval

20.     A report of the Committee on Finance on an Order for an appropriation from the Sewer Enterprise Fund/Certified Retained Earnings (Fund 61) in the amount of $150,000 to an account in the Department of Public Utilities/Water Division, recommending approval

21.     A report of the Committee on Finance on an Order for an appropriation from the Sewer Enterprise Fund/Certified Retained Earnings (Fund 61) in the amount of $200,000 to an account in the Department of Public Utilities/Sewer Division, recommending approval

22.     A report of the Committee on Finance on an Order for an appropriation from the Water Enterprise Fund/Certified Retained Earnings (Fund 60) in the amount of $225,000 to an account in the Department of Public Utilities/Water Division, recommending approval 

23.     A report of the Committee on Finance on an appropriation from the Sewer Enterprise Fund/Certified Retained Earnings (Fund 61) in the amount of $300,000 to an account in the Department of Public Utilities/Sewer Division, recommending approval

Report of the Committee on Public Works and Utilities

24.     A report of the Committee on Public Works and Utilities on a petition from Councilor Cost, Yvonne Pearson and Gior Witkowski to explore the possibility of an additional 75 to 100 parking spaces in the downtown area, recommending referral to the Traffic Commission

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

25.     Appointment of Martin Streit as a police officer in the Pittsfield Police Department

NEW BUSINESS

26.     A petition from Peter Arlos requesting the City Council to vote to institute a policy forbidding city employees from taking home city-owned vehicles

27.     A petition from Peter Arlos requesting the City Council to vote to ask its State representatives to add a line item to the state budget earmarking $20 million to aid poor and disabled residents in paying their heating an utility costs