Meeting started at 6:00. All members were present, as well as the city attorney, a representative of the police department, engineer George Hyde, and by zoom, Pat Escher. Approximately 10 members of the Public were in attendance.
The agenda was approved, with some minor reshuffling of the order of items.
Opportunity for public presentations was provided, but none were forthcoming.
The Consent Agenda consisted of nine items:
- A “cultural event” at Race and Cedar streets on October 8 from 4pm to 8pm.
- Chesapeake College, Habitat for Humanity, and Dorchester County Health Department volunteer event in the parking lot behind the college, from 10am to 12pm.
- Support for Alpha Genesis CDC and Cross Street Partners tax credits for renovations the Woolworth building on Race Street.
- Establishing staggered terms for HPC commissioners.
- Leonard’s Lane Park engineering design awarded to Rauch Engineering.
- Renovations to shed at Cannery Park.
- Maces Lane project manager agreement.
- Approval of city streets to be resurfaced in FY23
- Engineering contract for Trenton Street Pump Station to George, Miles & Buhr .
Two proposed ordinances were presented for second reading:
- Ordinance No. 1203—for the permitting of tattoo parlors in the Downtown / Waterfront Development District. The applicant, Trevor Howith, made a short presentation and the public was invited to comment, but none chose to do so. The commissioners discussed and were in favor of approving. The vote to adopt was unanimous, with the exception of Brian Roche recusing.
- Ordinance No. 1204—for enacting a new article into the City Code for the regulating of short-term rentals (STR). The matter was open to public comment, with a number of attendees speaking. Two differing opinions on an exception to this ordinance for the Ironman and Eagleman events were discussed at length. Some commenters were in favor of having an exception that would relieve homeowners who rent out their homes for these events from the requirement that they follow the fees, taxes, inspections, and so forth that are being proposed for people who rent out their houses from 3 days to 30 days each year. Others felt that it was unfair that people renting for the two events could do so without any requirements or oversight. The result was that the Ironman / Eagleman exception did not carry. This means that anyone who rents their house for more than three days a year will have to meet the full requirements of Ordinance 1204. The ordinance was otherwise passed with some minor amendments.
City Manager, Tom Carroll made a presentation on a “Water and Sewer Rate Analysis”. He explained the lines that are printed on our bills each month and showed graphs of the projected increased demands on the systems over the next 5 years. He detailed the capital improvements that are needed to maintain the systems. He noted that 60% of town residents pay the minimum bill of $53.14 each month. As a result of increased use and deteriorating infrastructure, the water rates will have to be increased over the next 5 years—sewer rates should be able to remain as they are. These increases would result in water / sewer base charges of $58.49 per month.
Tom also noted that solid waste (trash) rates will probably go up in October. Consideration is being given to changing pick-ups to one trash and one recycle per week. A commissioner suggested that a stormwater fee might be a way to increase revenue, but this was considered to resemble a “rain tax” and was dropped.
The proposed Gran Fondo New York (GFNY), a bicycle race, discussion and presentation were tabled.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:45, whereupon the commissioners moved into closed session to discuss the acquisition of real property by the City and personnel matters.
by Rick Klepfer
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.