City Council - Ordinance Committee

CHICOPEE CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED 2-10-2014 MEMBERS James Tillotson, Chairman Donald Demers, Vice-Chairman Robert J. Zygarowski Frank Laflamme Timothy McLellan MINUTES December 10, 2013 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, Fourth Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Members Present: Tillotson, Laflamme, Demers, Zygarowski, McLellan Also Present: Daniel Garvey (Associate City Solicitor) Frank Czepiel (Commission on Disabled) The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM. ITEM #1 ORDERED THAT an Ordinance be created to require any retail business in the City that provides shopping carts for customers to ensure that the carts do not leave their property. Councilor Tillotson stated that & Regional Manager and Shift Managers were invited tonight and are not present. They do not have a store Manager at this time. If they’re going to change their Managers as often as they do we’re not going to get anywhere. Dan Garvey stated that I’ve done some research and it appears that some communities have some type of ordinance on the books for shopping carts leaving the property. Councilor Laflamme stated that It’s not just the Walmart carts several other stores in the area have shopping carts leaving the property. Councilor Tillotson stated that all stores with shopping carts will be included in the ordinance. Dan Garvey stated we could set up a three tier system such as; a cart retrieval service, an onsite containment program which could become very expensive for these businesses. Councilor Laflamme stated that you won’t completely put a stop to it but you will see a difference with an ordinance in place. Dan Garvey stated that any shopping cart that is found on any public property should be immediately removed from said property. Any cost expended by the city department in the removal of said cart should be paid by the business responsible for the cart, additionally for any cart found on public property a fine of fifty dollars may be assessed against said business for its failure to comply. 1 Councilor Tilloston stated this is why we’re kicking it around; we’re trying to find something that’s going to work. I don’t expect to fix it tonight. Dan can work on the Ordinance and get back to us. Councilor McLellan stated once Dan works on the Ordinance he will file it. Working on Ordinance to prevent shopping carts from being left all over the city. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. ITEM #2 BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Chicopee as follows; that CHAPTER 260, as amended on February 21, 1995, be further amended by adding to the following in schedule AS FOLLOWS: 54 WHEATLAND AVENUE HANDICAP PARKING Frank Czepiel stated I’ve been over there several times during the day and the only time I see cars parked there is at 2:00 pm in the afternoon when people are picking up the kids from school and that’s approximately for one hour and then it’s back to normal. There is a Handicap Parking sign there which is not in the ordinance and is not a legal Federal or State sign. Councilor Tillotson stated the sign was put up before the ordinance was passed. Frank Czepiel answered yes. Councilor Tillotson stated a letter will be sent to Jeff Neece to have it removed. Motion to deny Committee vote 5 – 0 unfavorable. ITEM #3 BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Chicopee as follows; that CHAPTER 260, as amended on February 21, 1995, be further amended by adding to the following in schedule AS FOLLOWS: PARSHLEY AVENUE West side – entire length PARKING PROHIBITED THIS SIDE OF STREET Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. ITEM #4 Minutes – November 12, 2013. Motion made to approve. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:05 PM. 2