Zoning and Planning will meet in person (Room 204) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, April 10 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following requests:
- City Council authorization, pursuant to the 2020 Revised Citizen Participation Plan, to submit the FY2024 Annual Action Plan to the .U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the City of Newton Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) funds and the West Metro HOME Consortium.
Chair’s note: This week’s discussion will continue to focus on the various metrics we may wish to amend for version 2 VCOD, including incentivizing affordable units and other standards. In addition, we will discuss how other ordinances control “by-right” development.
- Review, discussion, and possible ordinance amendments relative to Chapter 30 zoning ordinances pertaining to Mixed Use, Business Districts, and Village Districts relative to the draft Zoning Ordinance – see Planning Memo.
Finance will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, April 10 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Request for a discussion with the Law Department and each City department regarding the use of revolving accounts with possible ordinance amendments if needed.
- Request to establish a departmental revolving account within the Department of Public Works Fleet Division per MGL Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2. The revenue is being generated from the sale of surplus Public Works equipment and parts through a government auction. The Department would like to request an annual spending limit of $200,000.
- Reappointment of Carl F. Valente to the Financial Audit Advisory Committee
Chair’s Note: It is the Chair’s intent to entertain a motion of no action necessary on the following item:
- Request the City Council approve authorizing the Mayor to appropriate the state reimbursement of $60,826.31 for McKinney-Vento and Foster Care Transportation funds from the general fund to the School Department.
Financial Audit Advisory Committee will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, April 12 at 8AM. The agenda includes the following:
- Review the FY 22 Single Audit.
- Discuss any questions that the committee may have.
- Vote to submit the audit reports to the Finance Committee of the City Council.
- Discuss the FY 23 audit.
See City of Newton FY 22 ACFR, City of Newton FY 22 Management Letter, City of Newton FY 22 Single Audit
Programs and Services will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, April 12 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Appointment of James Cote to the Licensing Board
- Appointment of Harry Meade to the Biosafety Committee
- Appointments of Bill Dain and Maureen Sullivan to the Human Rights Commission
- Request to advance the City Seal Working Group’s recommendation to update the City Seal.
- Request to transfer $150,000 from a Law Department Full Time Salaries to Account for Legal Services to retain outside counsel to continue the work of Deputy City Solicitor Jeffrey Honig
- Request to revise and amend Chapter 21, Art. III Trees (sec. 21-60 through 21-89) to extend tree protection to all trees 6 inches DBH (diameter at breast height) and greater within the City (with no exempt lots); to update tree removal permits, fees, and compensation; and to strengthen protection for existing and replacement trees (Councilor version)
- Request to review and amend Chapter 21, Art. III, Division 3, Tree Preservation to increase replacement requirements for larger trees, add protections for smaller trees, limit removal of trees without replacement, enhance procedures for protecting trees, increase payment required for trees cut without replacement, protect trees on lots adjacent to construction, provide Tree Warden with additional professional input on trees on private properties (Executive and Tree Warden Version)
- Reappointment of Julie Winsett to Urban Tree Commission
- Reappointment of James Harper to the Farm Commission
- Reappointment of Gary C. du Moulin to the Biosafety Committee
Public Facilities will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, April 12 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Appointment of David Gane to the Design Review Committee
- Request for a grant of location to install and maintain a gas main in Valentine Street
- Request from the Department of Public Works to provide an update on the Sustainable Materials Management Division
- Request for the Public Buildings Department to provide an update on the Countryside School Project
- Requesting to appropriate and expend $1,150,000 and authorize a general obligation borrowing of an equal amount for the feasibility study at the Franklin Elementary School and authorization to apply any premium received upon the sale of the bonds or notes, less the cost of preparing, issuing, and marketing them, and any accrued interest received upon the delivery of the bonds or notes to the costs of the project and to reduce the amount authorized to be borrowed for the project by like amount.
Public Safety and Transportation scheduled for Wednesday, April 12 has been canceled (see Meeting Cancellation Notice).