City Council - Ordinance Committee

City of Chicopee City Council Ordinance Committee Approved 11-14-2017 Members James Tillotson, Chair Fred Krampits, Vice Chair Frank Laflamme Timothy McLellan Jerry Roy MINUTES October 10, 2017 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, Fourth Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Members Present: Tillotson, Krampits, Laflamme, McLellan, Roy Also Present: Dan Garvey (Asst. City Solicitor), Councilor Courchesne, Councilor Zygarowski, Councilor Labrie, Councilor Vieau, Jeff Neece (Superintendent DPW), Elizabeth Soja (Administrative DPW), Elizabette Botelho (City Engineer), Monica Blazic (Chicopee Housing Authority), Al Kendall (Handicap Commissioner) 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 Ordinance Committee meet with Chicopee Housing Authority, City Engineer, and Police Department to discuss rights of way in Chicopee Housing Authority property. Monica Blazic stated regarding Federal and State Housing projects; private housing streets are our streets, everything else is owned by the City of Chicopee. Jeff Neece stated that he will research and verify information that was done in 1991. Councilor Tillotson discussed the private and public streets that were on the list. Councilor Vieau asked who has care and control over the Housing courts in his ward. Monica Blazic stated that the Housing Authority has control of them. Al Kendall stated that he is working on the Handicap parking with the Housing Authority. Al Kendall asked for replacement signs that were taken down. Monica Blazic stated that the gas company took out some curbs and removed the signs but they did not put them back. Jeff Neece asked whether we are creating Handicap signs illegally. Councilor Tillotson stated that we have to accept the regulations the Federal Government has adopted. Monica Blazic stated that you cannot put up a sign for everyone who has a handicap placard. She stated we have limited parking spaces in the courtyards. We could modify it if the Housing Authority can afford it. Attorney Garvey stated that on any new development you must have designated spaces. 1 Al Kendall stated that many streets are too narrow for wheelchair accessibility. Jeff Neece stated when we put up a handicap sign we’re saying this is safe for them to get into their vehicles. Councilor Vieau stated that we could do a pilot plan that would create designated parking spots at a cost. This would eliminate requests and create spaces per unit. He stated that if the Housing Authority has encumbered money for material we could implement this and see how it works. Councilor Tillotson stated that very few streets are wide enough to accommodate under the old legislation and they didn’t have to meet every criteria. They are not modern streets. Elizabette Botelho stated that by putting a sign there we are telling them this is safe for you. Jeff Neece stated we should do some legal research so the city does not get sued. Attorney Garvey suggested calling other cities with similar problems. Al Kendall stated that he’s checking into the new Massachusetts Office on Disability regulations to see what the up to date requirements are. He stated that Boston is an old city with similar problems, he is going to see what they recommend. Councilor Laflamme suggested that we send the City Engineer to investigate. Councilor Krampits agreed that the City Engineer and Handicap Commissioner look into this. Public Input Jessica Rodriguez and Juan Ortega, 76 Maple Street, stated that the neighbor thinks it’s their handicap spot. They are using this area for their Daycare parking when they have a massive parking lot in the back. People with a handicap really need this space. Councilor Laflamme stated he will keep Jessica informed with the process. Jessica Rodriquez stated she will wait to see what happens. Councilor Tillotson verified the Housing Authority streets moratorium or no new Handicap signs be put up until we get this straightened out with the State. He asked if all Handicap signs were illegal. Al Kendall answered yes. Councilor Laflamme motion to postpone to the call of the chair – Councilor Roy 2nd the motion Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #2 ORDERED THAT a Safety Zone, 25 MPH speed limit, be established on Front Street starting at the speed indicator sign near Chicopee High School and ending just beyond the Emily Partyka Library. Elizabette Botelho stated that Front Street will qualify for a safety zone. We have to do a speed study for 20 MPH. Councilor Vieau stated that he would like to see 20 MPH the entire length of Front Street. Councilor Laflamme motion to approve subject to speed study – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion. Pending appropriate speed study. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #3 2 76 Maple Street – Handicap Parking Councilor Laflamme motion to postpone to the call of the chair – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion – motion passed ITEM #4 122 Elcon Drive – Handicap Parking Councilor Laflamme motion to postpone to the call of the chair – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #5 38 Peloquin Drive – Handicap Parking Councilor Laflamme motion to postpone to the call of the chair – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #6 94 Prospect Street – Handicap Parking Councilor Laflamme motion to postpone to the call of the chair – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #7 54 Plante Circle – 2B – Handicap Parking Councilor Laflamme motion to postpone to the call of the chair – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #8 7 Forest Street – Handicap Parking Councilor Laflamme motion to postpone to the call of the chair – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #9 Chicopee Street – East side from pole #138 to the corner of Grattan Street – Parking Prohibited Here to Corner Councilor Krampits motion to approve – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable 3 ITEM #10 Holly Street – Both sides entire length – 8 AM – 9 AM & 2 PM – 3 PM Monday through Friday – Parking Prohibited Certain Hours (3 signs each sides) Councilor McLellan motion to approve – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #11 Concord Street – East side entire length - Parking Prohibited Councilor McLellan motion to approve – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion Committee vote 5 - 0 favorable ITEM #12 Baltimore Avenue – At the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and New York Avenue – Isolated Stop Sign Councilor McLellan motion to approve – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #13 Minutes – September 12, 2017 Councilor Laflamme motion to approve – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion – motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM 4