Ordinance and Administration Committee

By City Clerk at 7:58 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 November 20, 2023, at 7:00 PM City Hall Auditorium- 62 Friend St. Councilor Frey called the mee�ng to order at 7:05 PM Roll was called and present were: Councilors Lennon and Frey, Atorney Johnson and Atorney Raffa. Councilor Rinaldi was absent. Also present: Chief of Staff Ann Marie Casey. Approval of Minutes- October 16, 2023 Councilor Lennon made a motion to continue the discussion of minutes to the next regularly scheduled meeting on December 18. The motion was seconded by Councilor Frey. The motion passed unanimously (2-0). Topics for Discussion- 2023-097 - An Ordinance to amend the Amesbury Zoning Ordinance to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) in the City of Amesbury. -Mayor Gove, Councilors Deschenes, Stanganelli, and Rinaldi Sponsors • Councilor Frey read the recommendation from the Planning Board. • Councilor Lennon voiced her concern about 2023-097, saying that the way the proposed ordinance is worded makes it essentially 2-family by right as long as the second unit is subordinate to the original unit, and would cause undue burden on Inspectional Services and an influx of substandard housing units. Councilor Lennon made a motion to continue the discussion of 2023-097 to the next regularly scheduled meeting on December 18. The motion was seconded by Councilor Frey. The motion passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-098 An Order for the Amesbury City Council to vote to accept provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, section 5B, and to dedicate Local Option Meals Tax receipts to the special stabilization fund created by Bill No. 2013-025. -Mayor Gove and Councilor Frey Sponsors • Councilor Lennon inquired as to why the Public Works Director is the only person responsible for making the decision on what to do with the money, and not the City Council or Planning Board. • Councilor Frey clarified that sidewalk repair is the intended purpose for the money, and that this ensures that money goes to that purpose. • Chief of Staff Ann Marie Casey further clarified that an Appropriation Fund allotment would require a 2/3 vote by the City Council. Councilor Lennon made a motion to continue the discussion of 2023-098 to the next regularly scheduled meeting on December 18. The motion was seconded by Councilor Frey. The motion passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-099 An Ordinance to amend the bylaws of the Open Space, Natural Resources and Trails Committee to specify the membership to include one member of the City Council. -Councilor Frey Sponsor • Councilor Frey provided context for the proposed ordinance, saying that the requirement that two City Councilors attend Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee meetings is difficult and creates delays. • Councilor Lennon asked whether they can strike the City Council representative from the board altogether, questioning the necessity for Council representation on this particular committee. • Attorney Raffa suggested that the committee require an odd number of members, up to seven. Councilor Lennon made a motion to continue the discussion of 2023-099 to the next regularly scheduled meeting on December 18. The motion was seconded by Councilor Frey. The motion passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-100 An Ordinance to amend the City of Amesbury Traffic and Parking Regulations Chapter 439, Section 86, Schedule 1: Parking to include designated no parking zone on North side of Lions Mouth Rd.- Councilor Frey Sponsor • Councilor Frey provided background for the proposed ordinance, that the proposal is to codify no parking signs that have already been put in place by the Police. • Attorney Raffa said that the language in parts of the proposed ordinance is unclear and would recommend striking the word “additionally” from the summary. Councilor Lennon made a motion to refer 2023-100 to the full City Council for their next scheduled meeting on November 28 with a positive recommendation, subject to subsequent revisions. Seconded by Councilor Frey. The motion passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-101 An Ordinance to amend the City of Amesbury Traffic and Parking Regulations Chapter 439, Section 89, Schedule IV: Stop Signs to add stop signs at intersection of Lions Mouth Rd and Kimball Rd. – Councilor Frey Sponsor • Councilor Lennon made a motion to refer 2023-101 to the full City Council for their next scheduled meeting on November 28 with a positive recommendation. Seconded by Councilor Frey. The motion passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-103 An Ordinance to increase the exemption on Personal Property Taxes from $3,000 as approved in 2020-035 (as amended) to $10,000 as allowed under MGL Ch. 59, Section 5, Clause.54 – Councilors Stanganelli, Rinaldi, Deschenes, and Hogg Sponsors • Councilor Lennon questioned the necessity of the proposed ordinance, noting that the personal property tax exemption was only recently raised from $1,000 to $3,000. Councilor Lennon made a motion to refer 2023-103 to the full City Council for their next scheduled meeting on November 28 with no recommendation. Seconded by Councilor Frey. The motion passed unanimously (2-0). 2023-105 An Order of the Amesbury City Council to approve and accept a Preservation Restriction Agreement on property located at 6 Center Street, Amesbury, and to authorize the Mayor to execute said Preservation Restriction Agreement on behalf of the City of Amesbury. - Mayor Sponsor • Councilor Frey provided a brief summary. • Attorney Raffa noted that the name mentioned in the order is written in several ways, as WG Osgood and George W. Osgood, and would like some clarity as to what is the correct name Councilor Lennon made a motion to continue the discussion to the next regularly scheduled meeting on December 18. The motion was seconded by Councilor Frey. The motion passed unanimously (2-0). Councilor Lennon made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 PM. The motion was seconded by Councilor Frey. The motion passed (2-0). Respectfully Submitted, Jess Manning December 13, 2023