President Christine “Efficient” Madore ran another tight meeting, so this will be brief. The mayor filed a resolution to recognize the service of the almost 200 residents serving on city boards and commissions. Most of these positions are volunteer and as the resolution points out, draws upon their experience and expertise to make the city better. Along with the city, we thank you all for your service!
The committees have been busy, busy, busy, and the majority of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing what they’ve been up to. Additionally, many of the matters were either referred to or remained in committee, so I’ll organize by committee today.
Public Health, Safety and the Environment (PHSE)
PHSE will host a meeting to review how the city can work with citizen groups on preserving and renovating the Salem Common. The Friends of the Common raised $50K in 2019 to hire a consultant to conduct an inventory of the Common. That firm provided a blue print of the work needed. The Friends have raised another $50K and are keen to implement some of the recommended changes. They requested an audience with the PHSE to brief them on what they’ve been up to and to explore ways to work with the city. Madore proposed an amendment to explicitly invite groups who have been working concurrent to these efforts: The Common Neighborhood Association, Parks & Rec Department, and Jenna Ide, who also works on city projects. (Approved.)
Administration and Finance (A&F)
The A&F committee will keep the matter of proposed funding ($50K) for the bike share program in committee. Chair Councilor Turiel expects to hold the meeting on Tuesday, when a representative from the bike share program will be available to discuss the program in-depth. The committee recommended that the council adopt the revolving fund account for solar renewable energy with one change (adding “municipal” to the language). Keeping the fund allows the city more flexibility on how and where they apply those credits, which should result in more renewables across the city. The council concurred; the matter passed.
Government Services
Chair Councilor Hapworth filed a couple of presentations that had happened at the last meeting and gave brief recaps. Staff from Governor Baker’s office presented on the housing choice initiative. Staff from the SiFi program presented on their efforts to wire up the city. Finally, the matter of including Naumkeag art in Chambers will remain in committee. The artists have been selected, a review panel comprising tribal members will make the final decision, and there is discussion pending around the frame.
Community and Economic Development (CED)
Chair Councilor Dominguez filed the Foundation Trust presentation that was held at the last CED committee meeting. It outlines grants available to the city.
Ordinances, Licenses, and Legal Affairs (OLLA)
OLLA has been busy, and will continue to have their work cut out for them! The Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance was returned from the planning board with small recommended changes, but a unanimous recommendation to adopt the matter. Chair Councilor Morsillo encourages all interested parties to watch or listen to the planning board’s meeting to hear how they came to their decision. The hope is to iron out the small changes in OLLA and bring the matter forward for adoption at the next council meeting. Morsillo also explained the committee’s recommendation to modify the taxi license ordinance. Taxi drivers were worried about the competition with the Salem Skipper, especially in light of the higher insurance and decreased ridership. The ordinance amendment will keep the number of licenses the same but modifies the distribution between livery and taxi licensing. OLLA also updated the application process to ensure the city council has oversight on the naming of roads. The city clerk and city solicitor will work to implement those changes.
All other matters were general housekeeping and the meeting adjourned at 8:02.
Respectfully submitted, Jen Lynch