Everett City Council
Monday October 23, 2023
Clickable Transcript Printable Transcript Agenda
The order of items in transcripts appear in the chronological order in which they were taken up. Some Agenda items may have been skipped.
Public Participation
Residents expressed their concerns and criticisms regarding various city issues during a public hearing. Peggy Serino highlighted the problem of overcrowded schools and the misallocation of funds, arguing against the use of ARPA money for temporary classroom trailers and advocating for the rehabilitation of Pope John. She also questioned the management of city properties, specifically the pricing and disposal of Pope John, and criticized the administration for extravagant spending. David Forton raised concerns about planned traffic sign restrictions on Maple Ave, emphasizing potential inconvenience for residents. Carol Polish spoke on animal welfare, requesting an investigation into an incident where a cat was allegedly shot by police. Paula Sterite criticized the city's approach to addressing school overcrowding, arguing for the renovation of Pope John to accommodate elementary students and expressing concern over the misuse of funds and property tax exemptions. Sandy Juliano voiced frustration over unfulfilled promises regarding Pope John's use as a middle school and called for action against school overcrowding. Steve Iannaco supported a proposal to regulate the use of electric scooters and other small vehicles on streets, citing safety concerns. Bonnie LeMagne shared a personal account of facing homelessness and criticized the city's lack of support for low-income residents. Lastly, James LeMagne highlighted the issue of speeding and dangerous driving in residential areas, calling for more traffic enforcement and signage to ensure safety.
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Item 10
During a city council meeting, Councilors Richard Della Isola and Darren Costa presented concerns regarding the Ferry Street project, including issues such as problematic sidewalk designs and the placement of poles and bump outs that may hinder accessibility and safety. Della Isola provided photographic evidence of these issues, stressing the need for corrective measures. City Engineer Erick Swanson responded, explaining the rationale behind certain design decisions, such as bump outs to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety, and addressed each concern with assurances that some conditions were temporary and would be addressed. Discussions also covered the impact of project designs on emergency vehicle navigation, parking availability, and the need for better communication with residents about construction schedules. Several council members expressed personal experiences and constituent complaints about specific project elements, such as damage from bump outs and concerns over lost parking spaces. The council contemplated actions to address these concerns, including petitioning for design changes and improving public outreach on construction updates.
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Items 1 & 2
In this section, Michael Marchese, acting as President, proposed two items for consideration. The first item requests approval for a $59,688 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Office of Grants and Research for the Fiscal Year 2024 Municipal Road Safety Grant. The grant is designated for the Everett Police Department to bolster traditional enforcement efforts, enhance local traffic safety through varied funding applications including equipment acquisition, and initiation of innovative traffic safety programs. The second item seeks approval to utilize a $750,000 grant received from the United States Forest Service. The aim of this grant is to enlist community members and volunteers in an effort to rehabilitate and restore the natural ecosystem functions of the deteriorated wetlands within the Gateway Park vicinity.
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Items 3, 4, & 5
Michael Marchese, as President, submitted three petitions: one for the renewal of a Class 2 motor vehicle dealer license for Everett Auto Gallery located at 1993 Riviera Beach Parkway, another for the renewal of a Class 2 motor vehicle dealer license for Casino Auto Sales at 163 Ferry Street, and a third for the renewal of a redemption center license for Lee Redemption Center at 74 Spring Street. All the necessary documentation for these petitions was found to be in order.
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Items 6, 7, & 8
Councilor Stephanie Martins offered committee reports on three items: the discussion on improvements for the Gallon Street training system to address historic basement flooding, an update on the Alpine Park renovation and the repaving of Hamilton, Hoyt Streets, and Silver Road, and the replacement of lead pipes as discussed with the city engineer. Martins highlighted that a detailed meeting was held in the government operations at 6 o'clock, advising residents to watch the meeting and refer to the online committee report for comprehensive responses from the city engineer. She concluded by moving to accept the committee reports and file them.
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Item 9
Councilor Jimmy Lee proposes a resolution to implement citywide speed bumps to address speeding issues in Everett City, citing a recent accident as an example of the dangers of speeding. He suggests a simple and cost-effective design for speed bumps, emphasizing their strategic placement around schools and long streets to improve safety. Council members express agreement on the problem of speeding and discuss various aspects of traffic management, including the use of temporary speed bumps, the impact of noise from vehicles, and the need for additional police enforcement. Some councilors suggest alternative traffic calming measures like raised crosswalks, but express concerns about cost and effectiveness. The council debates the feasibility, financial implications, and community support for implementing speed bumps, with some members advocating for a practical approach to speed bump design. The discussion concludes with a decision to refer the matter to traffic engineering and invite the city engineer to elaborate on the feasibility of speed bumps in the city.
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Item 12
The public hearing item addressed by Council President Michael Marchese called for the approval and establishment of polling places for the 2023 municipal general election. The discussion included the provision of early voting details, notably the initiation this Saturday at city hall from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, which also marks the deadline for voter registration. Registration can be completed online until midnight. Early voting continues the following week with specified hours, including extended hours on Monday and Thursday. The specific polling locations across various wards and precincts were outlined, with guidance provided for accessing the Pollen School's front entrance and recommendations on parking. The session emphasized the importance of correct polling venue identification for voters, the schedule for early voting, and the general election day operations from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, alongside locations for vote by mail and early vote tabulation.
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Item 14
Councilor Stanley Martin introduced a resolution declaring October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting that breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Massachusetts. With over 6,770 individuals expected to be diagnosed in 2023 and more than 760 fatalities, Martin emphasizes the importance of early detection in saving lives. The resolution aims to honor survivors, remember the deceased, and support those currently battling the disease, as demonstrated by some members wearing pink in solidarity. Martin moved to approve the resolution.
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Item 15
The Everett City Council discussed a resolution proposed by councilors Stephanie Martins and Vivian Nguyen concerning an update from the licensing commission on scheduling a public hearing about an ordinance to ban alcohol nips. The ordinance was introduced in May in response to complaints from residents about the prevalence of broken and discarded nips in their community. The council acknowledged that the licensing board, not the city council, has the authority over this matter, but expressed concern over the lack of updates on the ordinance's status and the scheduling of a public hearing. The council also noted a previous effort to include nips in the bottle bill at the state level, which had not progressed, suggesting it might be time to revive this initiative.
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Item 16
Councilor Stephanie Martins proposed a resolution requesting updates from the CFO and city engineer regarding previously approved funds for a raised crosswalk on Chestnut Street. She highlighted that despite prior budget allocations for a permanent raised crosswalk solution, the temporary speed bump that was installed was removed and never replaced. Martins emphasized the community's demand for this feature to address speed concerns and sought clarity on the project’s status and the utilization of allocated funds, urging the traffic commission and city engineer to provide an update on the project's progress and funding status.
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Item 17
Councilor Stephanie Martins proposed a resolution urging the administration/schools to organize a community information forum to discuss the capacity of local schools and provide clarity on the current discussions around this issue. Despite active discussions among the council, school committee, and administration for over a year, Martins highlighted a significant gap in communication with the broader community, particularly among regular residents and the immigrant community. Many are unaware of the discussions, including the recent vote on a feasibility study and the considerations around using modular units. Martins emphasized the need for more inclusive communication efforts, suggesting schools should partner in these efforts due to their direct reach to parents. The discussion also touched on using the schools' communication platforms, such as dojos in different languages, to ensure wider community engagement and participation in future forums. The goal is to educate and involve more people in the conversation, making sure they're aware of the options being considered, such as modular units, and the overall school capacity issues.
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Item 18
Michael Marchese presented a resolution requesting city and state adoption of motor vehicle regulations for nonregistered vehicles like scooters and bikes, citing public safety concerns due to their lack of visibility and restrictions. He emphasized the danger these vehicles pose in bike lanes and to pedestrians, suggesting that these vehicles should be registered, helmet usage mandated, and their usage restricted on certain roads. Marchese proposed referring this issue to the state senator and the local police department for action. Echoing Marchese's concerns, Lattanzi highlighted the specific dangers of scooters on Broadway, pointing out the potential for accidents due to their low visibility and lack of registration and inspection, suggesting that involving the state senator could be a productive step forward.
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Item 19
Council Darren Costa presented a resolution for a beautification program aimed at small businesses, highlighting the need for aesthetic enhancements amidst challenges posed by construction and the aftermath of quarantine periods. Costa emphasized the importance of such improvements, especially for minority and women-owned businesses, suggesting that signage and façade upgrades could foster a more engaging cityscape, boost local commerce, and establish a citywide standard of improvement. He proposed that the administration and planning department explore potential funding avenues for this initiative, requesting feedback within a timeline of a month and two meetings.
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Item 20
Councilor Darren Costa proposed a resolution requesting city funding for a grant program aimed at managing damage to homes caused by construction, with measures including subsidizing power washing. Costa emphasized the importance of addressing not only physical damage but also enhancing the area's aesthetics, particularly for homeowners and renters affected by state projects in the Ferry and Elm neighborhoods. He proposed collaborating with the state for financial support and suggested forwarding the proposal to the planning board and administration for further development of a program specifically designed to assist in the beautification and repair of homes impacted by construction activities.
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Item 21
Councilor Darren Costa introduced a resolution requesting the creation of a program to market the benefits of residential exemption and to audit the current list of homeowners with the exemption. Costa highlighted the importance of outreach, mentioning personal encounters with residents unaware of their eligibility for the exemption. He expressed reservations about the assessor's suggestion of requiring reapplication for the exemption and emphasized the need for a method to verify eligibility, utilizing various databases. The discussion evolved to potentially inviting Mr. Devereaux from the assessor's office to a Ways and Means meeting to further explore viable auditing methods and ensure effective communication about the exemption to residents.
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ITem 22
Councilor Darren Costa introduced a resolution requesting the city to report on the number of extra conduits installed to facilitate citywide public Wi-Fi. Costa, expressing his concern for transparency and forward planning, noted his consistent inquiries whenever relevant discussions arose over the last 16 months. His goal is to send this query to the Mayor’s office and the planning department to get an inventory, or at least an account, of added conduits provided by NSTAR, National Grid, or other construction services. This effort is rooted in past public hearing agreements on the feasibility of installing extra conduits for city use, highlighting the importance of infrastructure readiness for public Wi-Fi deployment.
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Item 23
Councilor Vivian Nguyen proposed a resolution to address recurring traffic and parking issues on Maple Street, a narrow, one-way street shared with the Webster School and the Elliott Center Food Pantry. Residents have been unable to access their driveways or find parking due to the street being used as a shortcut and for school pickups. Nguyen's solution is to restrict street access during certain hours to alleviate the inconvenience for residents. The motion seeks to refer the item to the traffic commission for consideration.
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Item 24
Councilor Stephanie Martins proposed a resolution to ensure the involvement of the Animal Control Officer (ACO) in animal-related matters, including the implementation of a new policy regarding the housing of found dogs in an improvised kennel at the police station. Martins highlighted the importance of the ACO's involvement in instances like these, citing past discussions and an ordinance mandating the ACO's notification in certain cases, which she feels is not being adhered to. Despite her meeting with the police chief, who is open to police officers performing some animal control duties, Martins argued that communication with the ACO is crucial, especially in instances of animal harm. She expressed concerns about the conditions and readiness of the new kennel, including an incident where a dog was left injured and bleeding, and a personal story reflecting the lack of communication when a family's lost dog was housed at the station without the ACO's knowledge. Martins pushed for a motion to involve the ACO in all animal-related activities and to receive updates on the mishandled cat incident and the inadequate conditions of the kennel.
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