City Council - Ordinance Committee

Ordinance Committee Minutes April 25, 2023 Members present: Councilor Derby, Councilor Riley, Councilor Peake Members absent: Also in Attendance: HR Director Emily Russo, Chief Alberti, City Assessor, Assessor Office Manager Christine Zdonek Meeting called to order by Councilor Derby at 6:00 pm 1. Public Speak Time: 2. Approval of the meeting notes: Councilor Riley motioned to approve the meeting minutes from February 21, 2023, March 7, 2023, and April 11th, Councilor Peake seconded, Vote: 2-0 Approved, Councilor Peake abstained. 3. New Business: Request – Amend the City Ordinances, Chapter 7, Classification & Pay Plan, Exhibit A: - Add the position of Data Collector at a Grade C Director Russo gave an overview of the intent of the position of Data Collector for the Assessor’s office. Assessor Office Manager Christine Zdonek discussed the current structure of utilizing a consultant to do inspections that comes with a $20 inspection for each inspection. 4. Continuing Business: Review Zoning Ordinance – LED Sign & Electronic Message Center Sign Ordinance Councilor Derby gave an overview of the ordinance and the history behind why the ordinance was crafted. Councilors discussed various options to review the ordinance, including but not limited to the duration of messaging, size, brightness, special permit processes, or whether there should be municipal exemptions for public safety road closures or way finder traffic signs. Review Request – Add an Ordinance Regarding the Use of Civilian Traffic Control Monitors Chief Alberti gave an overview of the intent for creating the usage of Civilian Traffic Control Monitors. Ongoing infrastructure projects have overwhelmed the Commonwealth’s Police Departments to cover traffic control duties, so an alternative solution is needed. Traffic Control Monitors must attend a traffic flagging certification program and be CPR/First Aid Certified. The costs are paid by the contractors who are completing the infrastructure projects. The City of Easthampton would collect a 10% admin fee on each job so the positions would generate revenue.  The City’s insurance policies would cover worker’s compensation and liability for workers. Monitors would be required to purchase their own work materials, safety vests for example.  A motion was made by Councilor Peake and Councilor Riley Seconded. Vote: 3-0 Approved to recommend the ordinances be amended to include Sec.7-6. Civilian Traffic Control Officers. 5. Other: Next regular meeting: May 9, 2023, at 6:00 PM. Councilor Peake made a motion to adjourn, and Councilor Riley seconded. Vote: 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:34 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Councilor Brad Riley Clerk to the Ordinance Committee