Ordinance and Administration Committee

By City Clerk at 7:57 am, Dec 21, 2023 City of Amesbury Office of the City Clerk 62 Friend St. Amesbury, MA 01913 City Council Ordinance & Administration Subcommittee Meeting Minutes October 16, 2023, at 7:00 PM City Hall Auditorium- 62 Friend St. Councilor Lennon called the mee�ng to order at 7:03 PM Roll was called and present were: Councilors Lennon and Rinaldi, Atorney Johnson and Atorney Raffa. Also present were Ann Marie Casey and Chief Craig Bailey. Chairman Frey was absent. Approval of Minutes- September 18, 2023 • Councilor Rinaldi made a mo�on to approve the minutes as presented. The mo�on was seconded by Councilor Lennon. The mo�on passed unanimously (2-0). Topics for Discussion- 2023-029 An Ordinance to define and implement civil enforcement procedures for public marijuana (cannabis) consumption. – Mayor, Councilors Stanganelli, Rinaldi, & Deschenes Sponsor • Chief of Staff Ann Marie Casey briefly summarized the revisions to the original bill, including striking of additional language beyond “smoking” and including language that defines the right- of-way. • Councilor Rinaldi made a motion to send 2023-029 to the full City Council with a positive recommendation for a public hearing on October 24. The motion was seconded by Councilor Lennon. The motion passed unanimously (2-0) 2023-065 -An Ordinance to Amend the Amesbury Zoning Ordinances to Extend the Retail Marijuana Overlay District to the Central Business and Central Industrial Districts of the City. - Councilor Stanganelli, Councilor Rinaldi, Councilor Deschenes, Councilor Hogg, and Mayor Gove Sponsors • Chief of Staff Ann Marie Casey summarized revisions to the bill, mainly the adding of a severance clause which would trigger if the shape of the central business or industrial district were changed. • Public Comment: o Kirby Mastrangelo (45 Main Street) Spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance and spoke of how the ordinance would help the community. o Gina Faro (45 Main Street) Spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance, stating that it would help people whop are in need. Ms. Faro also presented a petition with several dozen signatories supporting 2023-065. o Steve Stanganelli (12 Amidon Ave.) Spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance, stressing that the intent of the bill is not to single out any particular business, just to provide boundaries. • Councilor Rinaldi made a motion to return 2023-029 to the full City Council with a positive recommendation for a public hearing on October 24, subject to the recommendations from  Planning & Development and the Planning Board. The motion was seconded by Councilor Lennon. The motion passed unanimously (2-0) 2023-066 - An Ordinance to Amend the Amesbury Zoning Ordinances to Adopt a Limit on the Number of Retail Licenses to be Issued. - Councilor Stanganelli, Councilor Rinaldi, Councilor Deschenes, and Councilor Hogg Sponsors • Chief of Staff Ann Marie Casey commented on the revisions to the bill. • Public Comment: o Scott Winters (146 ½ Market Street) Spoke on the bill, stressing the need to be very careful with market forces when approaching a cap as high as 40%. o Kirby Mastrangelo (45 Main Street) spoke in opposition to the bill, stating that there are already too many barriers for the industry without there being a cap in place. • Councilor Rinaldi made a motion to return 2023-029 to the full City Council with a positive recommendation for a public hearing on October 24. The motion was seconded by Councilor Lennon. The motion passed unanimously (2-0) Councilor Rinaldi made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 PM. The motion was seconded by Councilor Lennon. The motion passed (2-0). Respectfully Submitted, Jess Manning November 15, 2023