City Council · September 10, 2024 · 7:00 PM
City Council Meeting
Council will consider mayoral appointments and several first-reading administrative and ordinance measures including AO 2024-04 reorganizing the DPW Sewer Division; amendments to the Community Preservation Committee, Fire Safety fees, Subdivision Rules for MS4 compliance, and animal/dangerous dog hearing authority; and multiple budget transfer orders affecting mayoral and sewer budgets.
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Key decisions
Accepted Administrative Order 2024-04 (reorganizing DPW to add stormwater into the sewer enterprise and implement stormwater user fee)
Referred Ordinance 2024-109 (amend Community Preservation Committee composition to nine voting members) to Ordinance & Administration and scheduled second reading for 2024-09-24
Referred Bill 2024-110 (transfer $4,863 from FY25 budget reserve to mayor salaries/wages for communications director salary increase) to Budget & Finance and scheduled second reading for 2024-09-24
Referred Bill 2024-111 (transfer $19,500 from FY25 budget reserve to reimburse compensation study and hire recruiting firm for CFO search) to Budget & Finance and scheduled second reading for 2024-09-24
Referred Bill 2024-112 (update fire safety inspection and permit fee schedule under new State fire code) to Ordinance & Administration and Budget & Finance and scheduled second reading for 2024-09-24
Allowed Bill 2024-113 to be withdrawn as requested
Referred Bill 2024-114 (amend animal code to designate chief of police or designee as hearing authority for nuisance/dangerous dog hearings; remove breed names; change 'town' to 'city') to Ordinance & Administration and scheduled second reading for 2024-09-24
Referred Bill 2024-115 (amend FY25 operating budget to increase sewer enterprise budget from $2,458,729 to $2,808,729 to account for new $25 quarterly stormwater fee) to Budget & Finance and scheduled second reading for 2024-09-24
Agenda
Appointments
5. Mayoral Appointments
Mayoral appointments to vacant or specified city positions (details not listed on agenda).
Licenses
6. Monthly list of licenses
Presentation of the monthly list of licenses.
AO 2024-04 (DPW Sewer Division reorganization)
An Administrative Order reorganizing City government under the Home Rule Charter by reorganizing The Department of Public Works, Sewer Division. Mayor is sponsor.
First Readings
2024-109 (Community Preservation Committee composition amendment)
Amend the composition of the Community Preservation Committee to increase to nine voting members by adding a member of the Amesbury Housing Trust and a member of the general public. Councilor Frederique sponsor.
First Readings
2024-110 (Budget transfer to Mayor Salaries & Wages)
Authorize transfer of $4,863.00 from the FY25 Budget Reserve account to Mayor Salaries & Wages to cover a salary increase for the Communications Director. Mayor sponsor.
First Readings
2024-111 (Budget transfer for compensation study and recruiting)
Authorize transfer of $19,500.00 from the FY25 Budget Reserve account to Mayor Other Expenses and Administration & Finance Other Expenses to reimburse accounts for the compensation study and cover recruiting firm costs for a CFO search. Mayor sponsor.
First Readings
2024-112 (Fire Safety Inspection / Permit Fees update)
Ordinance to change various Fire Safety Inspection and Permit Fees and adopt an updated Schedule of Fees based on the 2022 MA Comprehensive Fire Code and fee review. Mayor sponsor.
First Readings
2024-113 (Subdivision Rules — MS4 compliance)
Ordinance to amend the Amesbury Subdivision Rules and Regulations to comply with EPA 2016 NPDES MS4 Permit requirements. Mayor sponsor.
First Readings
2024-114 (Amend Chapter 204 — dangerous/nuisance dog hearings)
Ordinance to amend City Code Chapter 204, “Animals,” designating the Chief of Police or designee as hearing authority for nuisance and dangerous dog hearings and removing breed names; updates references to City of Amesbury. Councilors Corcoran, Gilday, Hogg, and Redfern sponsors.
Late Files
2024-115 (Amend FY2025 Operating Budget — Sewer Enterprise increase)
Order to amend the Operating Budget for FY2025 to increase the Sewer Enterprise budget from $2,458,729 to $2,808,729 to account for current user fee collections and a new $25 quarterly stormwater user fee effective October 1, 2024. Mayor sponsor.
Late Files
2024-116 (Payment of prior year invoices)
Order to approve payment from the FY25 general fund operating budget for listed prior year invoices for operating expenses rendered in prior fiscal years; requires two-thirds Council approval. Mayor sponsor.