CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting City Councillor Joseph A. DelGrosso City Council Chamber Journal Monday, February 5, 2018 Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order at 6:00 PM. Council Vice-President Joanne McKenna presiding. Salute to the Flag 1 Roll Call of Members Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Jessica A. Giannino Council President Absent Arthur F. Guinasso Councillor Present Patrick M. Keefe Councillor Present Joanne McKenna Council Vice-President Present Steven Morabito Councillor Present Ira Novoselsky Councillor Present John F. Powers Councillor Present Charles J. Patch Councillor Present Dan Rizzo Councillor Absent George J. Rotondo Councillor Present 6:10 PM Anthony T. Zambuto Councillor Present 2 Approval of the Journal of the Regular Meeting of January 22, 2018 ACCEPTED Public Works Sub-Committee Report Members of the Public Works Sub-Committee present during the meeting were Councillor McKenna and Chairman Novoselsky. Councillors Morabito, Powers, and Rizzo were absent for the sub-committee meeting. Addressing the Public Works Sub-Committee were Donald Goodwin, Superintendent of Public Works, Reuben Kantor, Director of Innovation and Data Management, and Allan Fitzmaurice, 311 Office. Various items were discussed including snow removal, outstanding sign requests, status of new public works equipment, and 311 services. Zoning Sub-Committee Report
3 18-034 Comm. from Attorney Lawrence Simeone, on behalf of his client, A Chara Development, LLC, requesting a time extension on special permit C-17-17, 320 Revere Beach Boulevard. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF MGL c. 40A s. 9, SHALL THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN A CHARA DEVELOPMENT, LLC AND THE CITY COUNCIL FOR A TIME EXTENSION TO TAKE ACTION ON SPECIAL PERMIT C-17-17, 320-329 REVERE BEACH BOULEVARD FOR A PERIOD OF SIXTY (60) DAYS FROM FEBRUARY 25, 2018? Councillor Rotondo filed for immediate reconsideration with the hope it does not prevail. Reconsideration failed. ORDERED - ROLL CALL [8 TO 1] Guinasso, Keefe, McKenna, Morabito, Novoselsky, Patch, Rotondo, Zambuto NAYS: Powers 4 17-407 A Chara Development, LLC, 30B Railroad St., Revere, MA 02151, seeking permission from the Revere City Council to raze the existing nonconforming structures and construct a new six story mixed-use structure with two commercial units on the first floor and one hundred and forty-five residential units on the remaining floors at 320-329 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere, MA 02151. The special permit will remain in the Zoning Sub-Committee for further discussion. REFERRED TO ZONING 5 18-015 Baystone Revere, LLC, 540 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere, MA 02151 seeking permission to install a standing accessory sign at 540 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere, MA 02151. SHALL THE CITY COUNCIL GRANT THE RELIEF REQUESTED BY THE PETITIONER TO INSTALL A STANDING ACCESSORY SIGN AT 540 REVERE BEACH BLVD.? Councillor Novoselsky filed for immediate reconsideration with the hope it does not prevail. Reconsideration failed. ABSENT: ORDERED - ROLL CALL [UNANIMOUS] Giannino, Rizzo Communications
6 18-033 Comm. from the Parks & Recreation Director requesting approval of a Conflict of Interest form for John Leone, Sports and Fitness Coordinator and Junior Varsity Basketball Coach. SHALL THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORM FOR JOHN LEONE, SPORTS AND FITNESS COORDINATOR AND JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL COACH? ABSENT: ORDERED - ROLL CALL [UNANIMOUS] Giannino, Rizzo Motions 7 18-035 Motion presented by Councillor Morabito: That the City Council accept the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 64N, Section 3 as amended by Chapter 55 of the Acts of 2017. The acceptance of this provision imposes a 3 percent local tax option on marijuana sales. The revenue generated from the local tax option shall be used to fund education on substance abuse and to help with addiction recovery. Further, that in accordance condition #10 of special permit C-15-12 (permit for the operation of a medical marijuana treatment center on Lot A at 44 Railroad Street), that when the applicant enters into a host community agreement with the City of Revere, the host community agreement shall include a community impact fee of 3 per cent of gross sales per year for 5 years (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 94G, Section 3(d) as amended by Chapter 55 of the Acts of 2017). REFERRED TO LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS 8 18-036 Motion presented by Councillor Morabito, Councillor Keefe, Council President Giannino, Council Vice-President McKenna: That the City Council order the following proposed ordinance to a public hearing: An Ordinance Prohibiting the Distribution of Single-Use, Disposable, Plastic Shopping Bags. Addressing the City Council: Chris Pierannunzi, 10 Walnut Ave., Revere, MA of the Revere Beautification Committee. ORDERED TO PUBLIC HEARING - CC Next: 2/26/2018 6:00 PM 9 18-037 Motion presented by Council Vice-President McKenna, Council President Giannino: The the City Council order the following ordinance to a public hearing: An Ordinance Relative to Snow, Slush, and Ice on Sidewalks.
ORDERED TO PUBLIC HEARING - CC Next: 2/26/2018 6:00 PM 10 18-038 Motion presented by Councillor Novoselsky: That the Mayor provide an accounting of the list of sidewalk repairs approved by the City Council last year in the amount of $200,000. The accounting shall include the complete list of locations of potential sidewalks to be repaired, the locations of sidewalks repaired and the amount of money spent as of this date (Feb 1, 2018). 11 18-039 Motion presented by Councillor Novoselsky: That the Mayor include in the FY19 funding the installation of HP crosswalk ramps on Eliot Road at the intersections of Porter Ave., Garfield Ave., Curtis Rd., and Clark Rd. There are many Elderly and HP residents on Eliot Road in homes and at the RHA facility that have difficulty crossing at the intersections. Addressing the City Council was Robert Bent, 103 Eliot Road. 12 18-040 Motion presented by Councillor Rizzo, Councillor Powers: That the Mayor direct the City Engineer, along with outside engineering firm, CDM Smith, meet and discuss a long term solution to the flooding problems that exist on Sagamore Street. Further, that this meeting be held in conjunction with the Public Works Sub-Committee to allow for impacted residents to be informed of the meeting by virtue of the public/open meeting law so they can provide testimony as to their individual situations. Councillor Rizzo was absent and asked that his motions be held over to the next meeting. TABLED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/26/2018 6:00 PM 13 18-041 Motion presented by Councillor Rizzo, Council Vice-President McKenna: That the Mayor and Inspectional Services contact the owner of One Beach Street to investigate the compliance of the original plan which was to make this a 55 and older building. Further, that a report verifying and/or confirming residents in that building are all in compliance with what was originally expected and agreed to is sent to the City Council. Councillor Rizzo was absent and asked that his motions be held over to the next meeting.
TABLED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/26/2018 6:00 PM 14 18-042 Motion presented by Councillor Powers: That the Mayor request the owners or their representatives of Wonderland to come before the City Council to discuss the following: 1.) Why has the demolition of Wonderland Park ceased? 2.) With regards to several piles of rubble in the parking lot, is there any contaminated material? 3.) When will the broken glass in the grandstand and clubhouse be removed, which constitutes a danger to the public? And 4.) When the demolition will be completed? 15 18-043 Motion presented by Councillor Rizzo: That the Mayor request all future Site Plan Review meetings to be held in the City Council Chambers and televised just like any other board in the interest of complete transparency. Councillor Rizzo was absent and asked that his motions be held over to the next meeting. TABLED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/26/2018 6:00 PM 16 18-044 Motion presented by Councillor Rizzo, Councillor Novoselsky: That the Mayor instruct the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department inmate crew to pay special attention to open space at the corner of North Shore Road and Beach Street. This area is a spot that attracts trash and other debris on a regular basis. Councillor Rizzo was absent and asked that his motions be held over to the next meeting. TABLED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/26/2018 6:00 PM 17 18-045 Motion presented by Councillor Rotondo: That the proposed zoning amendment for the Suffolk Downs Overlay District include a condition for a 15% inclusionary zoning for affordable housing.
REFERRED TO ZONING 18 18-046 Motion presented by Councillor Rotondo: That the following Special Legislation be approved: An Act Relative to the Tenure of Office of the City Clerk of the City of Revere Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows: SECTION 1. Notwithstanding section 12 of chapter 41 or section 18 of chapter 43 of the General Laws, the city clerk of the city of Revere, at the time this act takes effect, shall hold office continuously until a vacancy occurs by death, resignation, or retirement. The City Council shall remove her only in the case of just cause in accordance with the provisions of section 41 of chapter 31 of the General Laws. SECTION 2. Any vacancy occurring shall cause this act to be repealed. The vacancy shall be filled by the City Council pursuant to section 18 of chapter 43 of the General Laws. SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage. SHALL THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE TENURE OF OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF REVERE? Councillor Giannino was absent due to the flu, but she submitted commentary via email regarding this motion: "I fully support this motion. Ashley is an asset to the council and to City Hall. This is not a position that anyone could fill. It takes years of learning and research to be as educated as Ashley is on the ins and outs of City government. We are lucky to have a professional as dedicated and educated as Ashley." Councillor Zambuto filed for immediate reconsideration with the hope it does not prevail. Reconsideration failed. ABSENT: ORDERED - ROLL CALL [UNANIMOUS] Giannino, Rizzo 19 18-047 Motion presented by Councillor Rotondo: That the City of Revere look into the feasibility of building a new Revere High School in the Cooledge Street projects while simultaneously building apartment style housing for current and future residents. REFERRED TO WAYS & MEANS 20 18-048 Motion presented by Councillor Rotondo: That the City of Revere work with MGH, Cambridge Health Alliance, and North Suffolk Mental Health to conduct a community health assessment. The objective of this assessment is to determine the various types of illnesses our community faces. Additionally, that this health survey take into account citizens
receiving home care, and medical calls in the city over a one-year period. This survey should be broken down by adult and pediatric. REFERRED TO PUBLIC SAFETY 21 18-049 Motion presented by Council Vice-President McKenna, Councillor Patch, Councillor Keefe: That the Mayor contact MassDOT and the City's State and Federal Delegations to conduct a noise abatement study and request the installation of sound barriers along Route 1 between Route 16 and Copeland Circle. Commuters during the work week utilize Route 1 from points north of Boston, Route 128, and Interstate 95, causing a regional traffic problem that directly impacts the quality of life of Revere residents. 22 18-050 Motion presented by Councillor Patch, Council Vice-President McKenna: That the Mayor request MassDOT to clean Route 1 from Asti Avenue to Copeland Circle. The amount of litter on this stretch of highway is an eyesore and affects the quality of life residents who own property bordering this stretch of state highway. 23 18-051 Motion presented by Council Vice-President McKenna, Councillor Novoselsky, Councillor Powers: That the City of Revere establish an evacuation plan for Revere Beach Boulevard. The current plan on file with the Fire Department is outdated and does not take into account any of the new and future development occurring on the boulevard. 24 18-052 Motion presented by Council Vice-President McKenna, Councillor Novoselsky, Councillor Powers: That the Mayor request the DCR to amend the parking regulations on Ocean Avenue and Revere Beach Boulevard in the vicinity the new residential developments on Ocean Avenue. It is the understanding of the City Council that the management of the buildings charges its residents a monthly fee to park on site. Residents avoid the additional cost by parking on the public way reducing traffic flow to one lane on Ocean Avenue and eliminating parking for visitors to Revere Beach. The current regulations (4 hour parking) in place are not enforced by the State Police or DCR.
Late Motions 25 18-053 Motion presented by Councillor Rizzo: That the Mayor and Chief of the Fire Department appear before the City Council to discuss staffing of both personnel and equipment at the Revere Fire Department. This motion is prompted by the devastating fire at 81 Central Avenue that damaged two other neighboring houses. A pump was out of service at Central Fire which could have drastically reduced response time and been a significant factor with regards to life safety. Ordered adjourned at 8:25 PM. Attest: City Clerk