City Council - Ordinance Committee

City of Chicopee City Council Ordinance Committee Members James Tillotson, Chair Fred Krampits, Vice Chair Frank Laflamme Timothy McLellan Jerry Roy MINUTES September 13, 2016 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, Fourth Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Members Present: Tillotson, Laflamme, McLellan, Roy Absent: Krampits Also Present: Dan Garvey (Asst. City Solicitor), Councilor Zaskey, Councilor Councilor Courchesne, Councilor Labrie, Frank Czepiel (Commission on Disabled) The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM. In compliance with the open meeting laws the Chairman asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting. Hearing none the meeting continued. ITEM #1 ORDERED THAT the PVTA appear before the Ordinance Committee to review and consider relocating the bus stop at 334 Broadway. Josh Rickman, PVTA Manger of Operations and Planning was present at the meeting. Councilor Zaskey stated that the resident at 334 Broadway has expressed concern about the new location of the bus stop in front of his driveway. Trash is being dumped, people waiting for the bus block his driveway, and it just feels very uncomfortable to have the bus stop located so close to his home. Josh Rickman stated that this bus stop was changed in September 2015 and was installed in the spring of 2016. It services bus X90 heading south to the Springfield Plaza. There are approximately 5-10 passengers. He stated that the bus could be relocated but it may cause the same complaints. PVTA could install a sign in English and Spanish stating that there is a trash container of the bus. The committee members felt that the bus stop could be relocated closer to Lincoln Grove Park. Mr. Rickman stated that there would be no stop between the old Uniroyal and Copperline. Someone who has difficulty walking would have a hard time. It was suggested that a bus stop be created on Grove Street to help with that concern. Councilor Zaskey and the PVTA to work out an ordinance. Committee vote 4 - 0 favorable. ITEM #2 Chapter 262-1 A Prohibited Storage Delete “or unregistered” To read: A. No person, company or corporation in control of real property in the City of Chicopee, other than a bona fide licensed commercial auto salvage yard or commercial garage, as determined by the License Committee of the City Council, shall permit the outdoor storage or parking thereon for more than three days of an abandoned, disassembled, inoperable motor vehicle. Councilor Courchesne stated that he is requesting this ordinance change because it conflicts with another ordinance on the books. This will help the Health Department with enforcement. Councilor Tillotson suggested adding the following language to the end of the section 262-1 A “except for one unregistered vehicle that is operable.” Councilor Laflamme stated that he is concerned that someone who is working on his/her own vehicle will no longer be allowed to do that under this ordinance. Attorney Garvey stated that currently the person is unable to work on unregistered vehicles outside. A homeowner is able to make repairs to his/her own unregistered vehicle in the garage. Motion made by Councilor McLellan and second by Councilor Tillotson to approve with new language. The new 262-1 A will read as follows: No person, company or corporation in control of real property in the City of Chicopee, other than a bona fide licensed commercial auto salvage yard or commercial garage, as determined by the License Committee of the City Council, shall permit the outdoor storage or parking thereon for more than three days of an abandoned, disassembled, inoperable motor vehicle except for one unregistered vehicle that is operable. Committee vote 4 – 0 favorable. ITEM #3 YALE STREET North side – for a distance of 21 feet from the intersection of Yale Street and Muzzy Street - PARKING PROHIBITED HERE TO CORNER Councilor Laflamme stated that under Chapter 90 of the state statute prohibits parking 20 feet from any intersection. A sign is not required as it is state law. He further stated that it’s an enforcement issue. He suggested that the committee meet with the Police Chief to discuss this issue. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor McLellan to postpone. Motion passed. ITEM #4 ASINOF AVENUE Westerly side – Across from 49-59 Asinof Avenue - PARKING PROHIBITED Frank Czepiel stated that the proposed ordinance is needed as this area is located on a curve. Committee would like this proposed ordinance postponed until the committee meets with the Police Department. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor McLellan to postpone. Motion passed. ITEM #5 WARREGAN STREET East side for a distance of 35 feet from the intersection of Chicopee Street PARKING PROHIBITED HERE TO CORNER Councilor Courchesne stated that this is located near the bar on Chicopee Street and it is difficult to see when exiting the street. Committee would like this proposed ordinance postponed until the committee meets with the Police Department. Motion made by Councilor McLellan and second by Councilor Laflamme to postpone. Motion passed. ITEM #6 CHICOPEE STREET For a distance of 30 feet from the intersection of Warregan Street PARKING PROHIBITED HERE TO CORNER Motion made by Councilor McLellan and second by Councilor Laflamme to postpone. Motion passed. ITEM #7 SUNNYMEADE AVENUE Both sides – for a distance of 40 feet at the intersection of Broadway - PARKING PROHIBITED HERE TO CORNER Councilor Zaskey stated that the buses dropping off and picking up students at Chicopee High School have a difficult time entering and exiting Sunnymeade Avenue when cars are parked in that area. This ordinance would alleviate that issue. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor McLellan to approve. Committee vote 4 – 0 favorable. ITEM #8 CHAPEL STREET – 25 MPH – Entire length – both sides (post signs around 33 Chapel Street and 194 Chapel Street) – SPEED LIMIT Councilor Tillotson stated that the state recently passed a law authorizing the local government to establish speed limits in their communities. Speed studies are no longer required to post speed limit signs on streets. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor McLellan to approve. Committee vote 4 – 0 favorable. ITEM #9 LAFAYETTE STREET – 25 MPH – Entire length – both sides (post signs after the intersection of Grattan Street and Lafayette & around 202 Lafayette Street ) – SPEED LIMIT Councilor Tillotson stated that the state recently passed a law authorizing the local government to establish speed limits in their communities. Speed studies are no longer required to post speed limit signs on streets. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor McLellan to approve. Committee vote 4 – 0 favorable. ITEM #10 26 Kaveney Street – Handicap Parking Frank Czepiel stated that the Commission for Disabled voted favorably to approve this Handicap parking request. Motion made by Councilor McLellan and second by Councilor Laflamme to approve. Committee vote 4 – 0 favorable. ITEM #11 Minutes – August 30, 2016. Motion made by Councilor McLellan to approve. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM.