Committee Report - Legislative Matters - 2-5-15 — File 198446

Legislative Matters Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 2/12/2015 February 5, 2015 REPORT OF THE LEGISLATIVE MATTERS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mary Jo Rossetti Chair Present Mark Niedergang Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Present William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Present John M. Connolly Alderman At Large Present Robert J. McWatters Ward Three Alderman Present Maryann M. Heuston Ward Two Alderman Present Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present Tony Lafuente Ward Four Alderman Absent Rebekah L. Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Absent Others present: William Roche - Personnel, Candace Cooper - Personnel, Nancy Bacci - Health, Ed O'Donnell - OSPCD, Jason Grossfield - Law, David Shapiro - Law, Jaclyn Rossetti - Communications, Goran Smiljic - ISD, Omar Boukili - Mayor's Office, George Proakis - OSPCD Approval of the January 15, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 197413: Requesting approval of an amendment to Ordinance 2-322 regarding salary ranges. Chairman Rossetti recused herself from all discussion and votes on this matter. Mr. Roche and Ms. Cooper discussed a 3% raise for non-union employees and reported that there are 20 positions available in the city, 7 of which are managerial. The city has had difficulty attracting managerial candidates. Members questioned the prior Collins Group study and the possibility of re- classifying certain positions. RESULT: APPROVED 198318: That this Board discuss an amendment to the Snow Ordinance as it relates to the

Legislative Matters Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 2/12/2015 time frame for clearing sidewalks following a storm. Mr. Boukili reported that the sidewalks in the city look good and that only 100 citations were issued. He stated that there would be no change to the timeline and pointed out that the ordinance does not apply during snow emergencies, noting that snowfall below 4 inches is not considered an emergency. Members discussed the fear of being cited by some elderly residents who are unable to shovel, the policy and its enforcement, sidewalks being buried from plowing, allowing a reasonable amount of time for working families to clear their sidewalks and imposing a stricter timeline for businesses. The Law Department was requested to narrow out properties by the number of units, businesses, etc., and to provide a copy of the Federal Highway Administration’s regulations. The public hearing on the city's snow removal regulations has been rescheduled for February 25th at 7:00 PM. Chairman Rossetti asked that the Administration provide feedback on this item, in the form of a draft ordinance, and post the draft on the city's website, prior to the public hearing. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198398: That this Board's Committee on Legislative Matters review the current pervious surfaces ordinances for their effectiveness and sufficiency. Mr. Proakis discussed the history of the current code. The Law Department will investigate whether the city can prohibit asphalt from being used with new construction. Alderman Ballantyne would like to explore financial incentives for the installation of pervious surfaces and Alderman Niedergang expressed his desire that property owners not be allowed to repave their driveways. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197700: Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition that would increase the number of liquor licenses that the Licensing Commission may issue. Mr. O’Donnell spoke about the importance of having restaurants in the city and reported that the city has 3 all forms licenses. More will be needed for Assembly Square businesses and hotels. Mr. Grossfield stated that the city is seeking non-transferrable licenses and Alderman Sullivan expressed concern about the value of existing licenses being thereby diminished. Alderman McLaughlin’s motion that a communication be sent to OSPCD directing that preference be given to local businesses when submitting recommendations to the Licensing Commission regarding licenses under this Home Rule Petition, was approved. RESULT: APPROVED