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The Fall River City Council Committee on Ordinances and Legislation met on September 22, 2026, to consider multiple traffic, parking, and administrative code amendments. After approving the August 11, 2026 minutes, the committee reviewed a slate of proposed handicap parking installations and passed the ordinance through all readings with an emergency preamble. The committee then addressed a miscellaneous traffic ordinance, voting to approve a loading zone for Azor's Market on William Street and pass handicap parking space removals to first reading, while tabling proposed parking restrictions on King Street and a loading zone on 10th Street for further neighbor and delivery impact assessment. The committee subsequently approved a first reading for an amendment to City Code Section 2-41 aligning the Police Chief appointment, powers, and duties with civil service standards following an approved home rule petition. Acting Police Chief J.T. Hoar presented a detailed case study and enforcement proposal regarding the regulation of overnight commercial vehicle parking, suggesting standards based on gross vehicle weight rating (12,000 lbs or more) and towing authority. Councilors expressed support for maintaining the existing $250 fine and a 5:00 p.m. cutoff while clarifying exemptions for emergency repairs. Frustrated by the absence of Corporation Counsel Alan Rumsey, the committee unanimously voted to send a formal letter to the administration requesting mandatory representation from the Law Department at committee meetings. The commercial vehicle parking ordinance was tabled to allow the administration, police, traffic department, and legal counsel to draft a consolidated proposal. A communication regarding the repeal of City Code Section 2-33 concerning outside legal counsel was also tabled due to the legal department's absence.
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Council
City Officials
Public Safety
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The city council committee on ordinances legislation will be called to order.
0:03Cler call the role.
0:04Council here. Council Daniel here.
0:07Vice President here. Council here.
0:11Here. Pursuant to the open meeting law any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium.
0:17Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and deemed acknowledged and permissible.
0:24Item number one this evening is citizens input.
0:29We have none.
0:31Item number two is the minutes for the August 11, 2026 meeting.
0:34Motion to approve.
0:36Second.
0:36Motion to approve made by council.
0:38Second by council of prayer. All those in favor?
0:40Any opposed? The eyes have it.
0:42Item number three is proposed traffic handicap parking referred to the committee on 811 2026 and 98 2026.
0:51They read as follows. Brownell Street North 78 ft east.
0:56Tractor trailer truck. Our seats just vibrated.
1:01Oh, I didn't I'm sorry. I didn't feel that.
1:03The truck was I guess.
1:04Okay. Anyway, sorry.
1:06Brownell Street North, 78 ft east of Alme Street. Cambridge Street south, 70 ft east of Congo Street. Charles Street south, 60 ft east of Mil Street. Eagle Street East, 24T north of Hope Street.
1:19June Street West, 22 feet north of Cherry. Locust Street, South 121 ft east of Orange. Malberry Street East, 161 ft south of William and Malberry Street West, 150 ft south of William. North Main Street east 57 feet south of Vessel Street. Plain Street West 115 ft south of Pine Street. Quesan Street west 67 ft north of Pleasant Street. Snell Street north 269 ft east of Plymouth Avenue.
1:46Stanley Street north 152 feet east of Hanover Street. Trip Street West 51 ft south of Charles Street and Whipple Street West 103 feet north of Cottage Street. Good evening, Director MacArthur.
2:00Good evening, Stephanie MacArthur, director of traffic and parking committee. Any questions for the director or do we have a motion?
2:06I'll motion that the ordinance be accompanied by an emergency preamble.
2:10Motion for emergency preamble made by councelor Canuel, second by councelor Pereira. Any questions? Roll call.
2:17Yes.
2:18Councelor Canuel. Yes.
2:20Vice President Dion.
2:21Yes.
2:22Council Pereira.
2:23Yes.
2:23Chair Repos.
2:24Yes. Is there a further motion?
2:26Recommend that the ordinance be passed through first reading, second reading, enrollment, and ordination.
2:30Motion made by councel annual for all readings and ordination.
2:34Second by vice president Dion.
2:35Questions? All those in favor?
2:37Any opposed? The eyes have it.
2:40Item number four, proposed ordinance traffic miscellaneous referred to the committee on 811 2026 and 98 2022.
2:48Section one is parking prohibited during certain hours. King Street West, 20 feet south of Globe Street, 7 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday. Section two, loading zones. 10th Street West, 213 ft south of Bedford Street, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday.
3:05William Street south, 20 ft west of Eagle Street, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
3:10Monday through Saturday.
3:12Section three is handicap parking removals. Third Street East 192 feet south of Morgan. Arizona Street south 237 feet west of County Street. Baker Street east 100 feet south of Warren Street. Botwell Street west 135 ft north of Alden Street. Cross Street East 20t north of Fruit Street. Division Street North 80t east of Grant Street. Downing Street south 213 feet east of Hafford Street. Dwelly Street south 20t west of
3:42Tuttle Street. Garfield Street west 86 feet south of Globe Street. John Street West 30t south of Branch Street. Lynen Street west 85 feet north of Walnut Street. Monttop Street east 113 ft south of Slate Street. Orchard Street north 22 feet west of Quarry Street. St. Mary Street west 13t south of Norfolk Street.
4:04South Beach Street west 257t south of Middle Street. Tesman Street north 145 ft west of Manchester Street. Walnut Street north 101 ft east of Lynen Street and William Street north 36 feet east of Malbury Street. Good evening, Director MacArthur.
4:21Good evening.
4:22Any questions for the director?
4:23Councelor Pereira.
4:24Section one and section two. Could you tell us about this parking prohibited for what purpose? And section two, the loading zones also. It just seems like a long time. Could you tell us what those are from?
4:36So section one, the parking prohibited during certain hours. That's uh for King Street. That request came in through the Veterans Association of Bristol County uh for that new location that they're moving to. Um the request when they came to the traffic commission um is for parking prohibited just during their business hours uh 7:00 a.m. through 6 p.m. for large deliveries. Um, if
4:58vehicles are parked during those times when they when they're open, if they have large deliveries, food deliveries, large trucks that are trying to get in and out of their driveway, it's going to make it difficult for those trucks to make that turn over there on King Street.
5:11Well, I will say at that new location down on Globe Street, there's also a food pantry that's going to be there.
5:17So, they are going to need a lot of vehicles coming in to drop to deliver.
5:22Yeah, it was it was mentioned that they do have a large driveway at the traffic commission. Um however their concern um was of the residents um their concern was if their vehicles getting damaged with large box trucks coming in and out of the driveway for the deliveries.
5:35Okay. And section two and section two for the loading zone. Uh one was for a business at 4510th Street. Um this one is a little different. Um it's for Shoreline Solutions. So it's basically a storage garage. Um and same thing they have issues is with um Hyundai. Um, of course they park their vehicles there.
5:56It's the only business on 10th Street.
5:58Um, but what he was saying is the vehicles from Hyundai, they park their vehicles on the street and then there's no parking for them to unload within their garage. So, it's technically as a business, but it's not a fully operational business. It's mainly it's a storage unit. So, he was looking for loading zones in order for him to unload um all of his equipment out of the garage.
6:22And then for William Street, that was for Azor's Market. Um that's right at the corner of William and Eagle. As we all know, parking is difficult down there. So when they're getting deliveries for the store, um that's what they were requesting it for. Same thing.
6:36So Shoreline is a storage company.
6:40No. So Shoreline Solutions, uh basically what they are, their business, um is outboard engines. So their business is mainly out of Middle is how he explained it to the board. Um, but he has these large engines within this garage unit on 10th Street. Um, and in order for him to load and unload the vehicle, he needs that space. And in between, so there is both curb cuts. So there's literally one
7:05parking space directly in front of the unit, right in front of the building.
7:08Um, so how he was explaining was that with it being the only parking space per se, it's never available and parking is prohibited on the opposite side of 10th Street. So pulling up, he was having difficulties with loading and unloading that not being available.
7:22I just think it's 7 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
7:25I mean, I'm sorry. It's uh 6:00 a.m. to 700 p.m.
7:31Sunday. It's like the whole Sunday.
7:34I mean, does he do work on Saturdays and Sundays?
7:36So he he claims he does his deliveries.
7:41I mean, parking is tight for everybody.
7:43Mhm.
7:44And if he said, "Okay, we do deliveries, but we do them during this time."
7:48So, how he explained it is depending on where they're being delivered to and the time frame of of how long it's going to take for him to deliver to. Because he's like, "Sometimes I do deliveries to Connecticut. He does deliveries to further states. So, depending on how far the delivery is, he has to be early at the shop in order to load and unload."
8:05Okay.
8:07With that, I yield.
8:08Thank you, Council Daniel.
8:10Thank you. Now, just with regard to the section one, the King Street 7 a.m. um I don't uh sorry, section two, the 10th Street one. Uh 6:00 a.m. is early. We have quiet hours through 7:00 a.m.
8:26Monday through Friday.
8:27We have quiet hours through 8:00 a.m.
8:30on the weekends.
8:31Um wouldn't this be disruptive to the neighbors in the neighborhood starting at 6 a.m. for this?
8:38I mean, like I said, I mean, I can definitely bring it back to the traffic commission for discussion to see if we can amend the time frame if that's at the will of the committee.
8:47Yeah, I think I'm supportive if it's, you know, within the quiet hours, but I think 6 a.m. is really, really early.
8:52Okay.
8:53And I just don't want people in the neighborhood to be uh complaining about, you know, loading that's going on and and waking them up if they're sleeping.
9:01So, Okay.
9:02Um I don't think we need to go back to traffic, though. Potentially, we could make that amendment here on the floor.
9:06could surely do so.
9:08Um, so I'd make a motion to amend the section to 10th Street West uh from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday. Sorry, Saturday and Sunday, which be consistent with our quiet hours.
9:31Okay, so repeat that one more time. 7 a.m. 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. And what's Saturday and Sunday?
9:35uh 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
9:38Okay. So, the motion is to amend section 2 loading zones 10th Street to amend it to 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and then 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
9:49Saturday and Sunday as made by councelor Canuel.
9:56Saturday and Sunday and Sunday. That motion is made by councel Canuel. Is there a second?
10:05I think councelor Kadim had his hand up.
10:08We have a motion. Do I need a second?
10:10Um, I'll second it for conversation for for discussion.
10:16Vice President Dion for discussion.
10:18Councelor Kadim.
10:20So I I appreciate what my colleagues doing, but I think the loading zone is just for no parking, right? So it doesn't necessarily mean that they're going to be loading the vehicles, right?
10:28So I the only concern I would have and I' I'd probably support tableabling it so we can just get more information uh because it's clearly a difference between loading the vehicle and making sure that the space is available for trucks to be there to to load begin the loading at 7 a.m. Right. So I I wouldn't want to have if they're trying to get the trucks loaded at 7 a.m. having no
10:48parking at 7 a.m. and then somebody's still there waiting for a vehicle to leave. So I I guess that would just be the clarification um that I would want and then even if there is a noise, we still have the ordinance that would be enforced either by the police department or somebody uh for nu nuisance noise or anything like that if they are loading at six o'clock.
11:06So I guess that's the only thing I would want clarification on.
11:10Do you council?
11:11I yield. I'm sorry.
11:11Director MacArthur, just for clarification, is there any signage there currently?
11:15No, there is.
11:16So it's nothing. Okay. Excellent.
11:17Council Dion.
11:19Yeah. I'm trying to understand exactly where this is. So Hyundai goes from uh Pleasant Street partially up between Bedford and Pleasant.
11:27Yeah.
11:28Well, I know it's between Bedford.
11:29So Hyundai's right over here's right here. So there's the curve.
11:32So they're next door.
11:34They're across the street from Hyundai, but one space up because we got Kentucky across. So they're the next the next block over.
11:42Right. And there's only one parking space at the present time. um depending on how the vehicles park, but I mean if you're looking at this photo, there's a Nissan Alsar in that picture. I mean, you can't even if pulling up right to that curb cut, evening the curb cut, you can't technically fit another vehicle behind that.
12:00It's garage.
12:00And that's actually um the personal vehicles of the people that work at Hyundai that park there.
12:06Correct.
12:08But they can only fit one car. I mean, yeah. I I don't think one vehicle makes a huge difference.
12:16Um, so I guess my question would be in that 13-hour period on a reg on an average, how many motors does he have to load or unload in that 13 hours, seven days a week?
12:35Because does the window need to be that big? again, there really aren't residences there that it's going to interfere with. So, in that respect, I don't have issue with it. Um, you know, I think when I go back and forth, I I think I'm okay with it. And I I think also um getting the information council Kadim was discussing would would be important.
13:00Um, yeah. And then that Yeah. Uh, now on King Street, I'd like to address that.
13:07How what length of what length of the street are we talking about? Um 20 feet space.
13:15Well, it's 20 ft south of Globe. So, no, it's 181 ft. So, it starts right at the corner of Globe, goes beyond the driveway, and then additional footage beyond their driveway from there on in order for them to be able to make that turn in either direction depending on where the delivery truck is going to and from.
13:36So, is the truck going to park in the no parking area or is this just so they can get in?
13:41This is just so they can get in and out of the parking lot. And it is it is pretty it is really tight down there. Um especially if you have vehicles parked on both sides and from here to the corner it's only 20 ft.
13:56No, no, it's so it's it's a total of 181 ft.
14:01Right. From there to here.
14:02Correct.
14:04Correct. and beyond the driveway and the first 20 ft you can't park anyways.
14:07Correct.
14:08So really we're talking 160 ft but ordinance wise we have to now are there any houses impacted by that? Are there any residents impact and how many?
14:17Right. And that was that was discussed about how heavy residential it is within the area. So that's why they had recommended the board had actually recommended to put the hours of operation instead of parking prohibited at all times. That's when they had the discussion at the traffic commission to put the hours from 7 a.m. to 6 pm on when the deliveries.
14:35Now, I think on that too, I'd be more concerned with how late are the typical deliveries. Do they really have deliveries right up until 6:00 p.m.? The deliveries tend to stop sooner than that.
14:47Um, most people get out of I mean, people who are getting out of work, if they're getting out at 5:00, they have to wait till six o'clock before they can park in front of their house. That seems um counterproductive.
15:01I mean, I don't know if that's something we can look into um that maybe we could just shorten the window um on the on the on the nighttime hour just to be able to accommodate the neighbors a little bit better. Um, I don't know anybody else's feelings, but I think I'd like to see if um, realistically what the actual and consistently what the delivery times are. Um, I think the food banks deliver
15:31earlier than that. So, I don't think that's an issue. And as far as the other companies, I have I don't know. I don't know how many deliveries they get. I don't know.
15:41Well, yeah, I think I'd like to look into that and see if we really need it to go till 6:00 just so both parties can um receive fair treatment. So, with that, I yield.
15:53Council Daniel Canuel.
15:54Thank you. So, I'll withdraw my motion to amend it. Um street the other one.
16:02Uh I was looking to originally amend section two, which was 10th Street. So, I'll withdraw that motion. Um and like the as council kadim had requested more information on on that. Um with that I think given some of the discussion I would make a motion to table section one and section two and make a motion to pass section three uh through first read.
16:28So I got you. So I would make the recommendation that we u separate sections one two and three and vote on them individually.
16:35Sure. Okay. and separate 10th Street and William Street.
16:39Yeah, he's separating.
16:47Yeah, gotcha.
16:48Absolutely.
16:49Doing an A and a B.
16:50So, we need to make a motion to separate sections one, two, and three.
16:55I make a motion to separate and then separate section two into two pieces as well.
16:59I'll second that.
17:04Um, no, we'll just separate them. So, motion made to separate sections one, sections two into two parts, and then section three has been made. Is there a second?
17:14Second.
17:15Who made the You made the original motion.
17:17He made a second.
17:18Second first by council purr, second by council. All those in favor?
17:21I.
17:22Any opposed? The eyes have it.
17:24Motion on section one for King Street.
17:26Motion to table.
17:28I just have a question. Go ahead. Council, did you say on um one on Globe Street, it's before and after the driveway?
17:37Correct.
17:38Because if cars are coming in either direction, why don't you tell them they can only come in this way?
17:44The tractor trailer delivery. I don't I don't know where these where they're delivering from to be honest with you.
17:50I think it would be really hard.
17:52I think it would be hard for them to come down, right, versus coming off of Globe and going up King. The other way is tighter and you're near school.
18:00Absolutely. Y So if they're going to, you know, they all come in this way, then you're only doing that half.
18:05Well, I also think it's when they're exiting the driveway as well of which direction that just tell them you got to go this way.
18:13It's really hard because we're in a we're in a CVS.
18:16No, we're in a predicament because parking is so tight, right, for our residents and to just, you know, well, this is, you know, for this we're doing this for that, right? You're taking away parking that is really needed.
18:32So when you talk to them again about it, maybe that's a suggestion.
18:34Include that as well.
18:36Part of the information to one side.
18:38Yeah, I yield.
18:40Okay.
18:41Okay.
18:41Council Canuel, your motion.
18:43Uh motion to table section.
18:44Second.
18:45Okay. So motion to table parking perimeter during certain hours for King Street. Motion to table made by councelor Canuel. Second by Vice President Dion. All those in favor?
18:53Any oppos? The eyes have it. Section two, 10th Street.
18:57Motion to table 2A.
19:00Okay. Motion to table 10th Street parking loading zones made by councelor Canel. Second by vice president Dion.
19:08All those in favor.
19:09Any opposed? The eyes have it.
19:1710th Street.
19:18Correct.
19:20You're welcome. Section two, William Street. Do we have a motion?
19:23Motion to pass. Motion to approve made by council of Pereira.
19:27Second.
19:27Second by vice president Dion. Any questions? All those in favor? Any opposed? The eyes have it.
19:33Section three, handicap parking removals.
19:36First reading.
19:37Motion to pass to first reading made by councelor Pereira. Second by councelor Canuel. Any discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? The eyes have it.
19:47Thank you very much. Right.
19:50Item number five is the proposed ordinance amending city code 2-41 chief of police appointment powers and duties and term referred to the committee on 69 2026.
20:04I have the director of human resources and the city administrator.
20:09Good afternoon to both of you. When you get settled, if you can introduce yourselves for the record, please.
20:17Good afternoon. Nick Molini, director of human resources. Ann O'Neal, Souza, city administrator.
20:22Thank you both. Good evening. Um, whoever would like to start. Mr. Molini, if you'd like to go ahead.
20:27Sure. The purpose of this is as a result of the home rule petition to change the police chief over to civil service. This is just updating the ordinance to reflect the civil service language for police chief. So, it is replacing the existing um ordinance in full.
20:45Okay.
20:48Vice President Dion.
20:50Yeah. My question is under civil service is um a three-year contract still applicable?
20:57Yes.
20:59Yes.
21:01Okay.
21:02And actually this will mirror the current uh language for the fire chief which is also civil service.
21:10Correct.
21:11Okay. With that I yield. Thank you.
21:13Council Daniel, just uh has corporation council uh reviewed this?
21:19Yes.
21:19Okay. Thank you. Question.
21:22Anything else from the committee?
21:25We have a motion.
21:26Motion to recommend the ordinance be passed through first reading.
21:28Motion uh made to pass through first reading made by councelor Canuel.
21:31Second.
21:32Second by council prayer. Any discussion? All those in favor?
21:35Any oppose? The eyes have it.
21:37Motion to lift item six from the table.
21:39Motion to lift item six from the table is made by councelor Canuel. Second second by councel Ferrero. All those in favor.
21:45Any oppose? The eyes have it.
21:48Item number six is the proposed ordinance for all night parking of commercial vehicles which was tabled in 811 2026.
21:55We invite Chief of Police. Good evening sir.
21:58Good evening.
21:59And Director MacArthur as well.
22:02Introduce yourself for the record, please.
22:03Uh JT Lord, chief of police.
22:08Ian O'Neal, Soua, city administrator.
22:10Stephanie MacArthur, director of traffic and parking.
22:12Thank you. Uh just for the committee's edification, just so you're aware, uh we did receive uh notification from corporation council. He was unable to be here this evening. Um and he has now.
22:29So, as I was saying, Corporation council notified us this afternoon he was unable to attend tonight's meeting. So, he did share with me uh via email. quote, "I am happy to review the proposed ordinance after receiving the committee's thoughts and suggestions. To date, he has not reviewed the ordinance regarding all night parking or commercial vehicles.
22:45Um, but as we know as a committee, we have had these discussions. Um, so I will turn to the chief of police first.
22:50If you'd like to speak on the matter, sir."
22:52Yes, sir. So, I had already provided this uh case study that we did. I'll just pass out copies to each one of them by each one of you.
23:01I already provided one to the clerk.
23:10just enough.
23:12Did my math correct? Um, so obviously I'm not asking for you to digest it right now, but uh I did some research in neighboring communities, uh, communities of like size, uh, urban areas, and kind of summarize what I was able to find online, um, and how things kind of lay out through other municipalities. Um and then I gave some comments as far as um how our ordinance is. Uh on the last few
23:41pages you're going to see a law enforcement vehicle identification guide. I provided that because I think there's some confusion around um tonnage versus gross vehicle weight rating and what's the best uh to gauge a commercial vehicle. Uh I can speak from experience when I was a new officer on the road and was introduced to this ordinance. Uh, I think many times people were saying
24:03there was a commercial vehicle parked on a road and it was a simple 1500 series pickup truck or an F-150 with a commercial plate. Um, if you have a small business, you can register a vehicle. You could register a a Tesla to a commercial plate. Just because it's a commercial plate, yes, it makes it a commercial vehicle. But I think the spirit of the ordinance was to stop these type of box trucks taking up
24:29space, taking up additional spaces in in tight areas, thickly settled areas, but also it's a nuisance for certain areas when it it sticks out like a sore thumb.
24:38Uh speaking to some citizens out there, that's the big issue that they were feeling is is that they don't want this on a side street takes up four parking spots. It makes it very hard to navigate through those streets. So, kind of where I'm going with this is I think the ordinance needs to be revised that there's going to be some tenants that we meet to um essentially enforce this
24:58ordinance. So, replacing that capacity of two tons or more with a gross vehicle weight rating of 12,000 pounds or more.
25:06Um, and if you do some research on what gross vehicle weight is, it's an objective standard that can be verified through our registration records. So, it's something easy an officer can look up, but also DOT standards. If it's above 10,000 uh gross vehicle weight, it has to have a DOT number on the outside.
25:22So, these are like visual cues, almost like a registration sticker. If it's a 20 and it's on a plate, we know that it's expired. So, if we know that there's a DOT number on a vehicle, we know that it may be in the category of where we want to enforce it. Um, and I kind of go into some detail here, uh, around focusing on residential neighborhoods because that's really where the issue is. Um, and then
25:44obviously clearly established hours and then exceptions. I I listened and watched the meeting from the last time you guys convened regarding this and I think that's a a viable thing because the city's going to have a lot of development going on. We need to have some exemptions to that because you're going to have commercial vehicles parked for a period of time uh in order to uh
26:04stimulate commerce here and development.
26:07It'd be kind of punishing if trucks always have to be taken off. I think you have to think of it as hey we'll suffer a little bit to be greater later. Um and then consistent enforcement. I think using this guide that is right from the uh the law enforcement guide from the federal government. This is something that we can train both the police as well as the traffic enforcement uh from
26:27Stephanie's department so that we're all on the same page. Uh and I think one of the things we need to add in here is a clear towing authority. It's something we don't have right now. Uh because there's got to be times where especially, you know, from a police perspective, EMS or fire, if a truck is parked in a residential area and we can't get an engine or a ladder truck
26:46through, we have to have the ability to move that. Um so I think that's important to have there. And obviously the fine structure as anything should be escalating consequence. I do give some suggested draft ordinance language at the end. Um and I also request that the public be notified because I think you have to acknowledge that uh people have to acknowledge that they know at least
27:05we put it out there with due notice. So a 30-day notice before we change it.
27:09Obviously not everyone tunes into these meetings to be apprised of what might be changed. But um it is interesting what other areas are doing with this. Uh, but I think for what I put in this report, it's it would be sufficient to what I've heard from citizens as well as what you guys have said in previous meetings.
27:28Thank you, Chief Councel Canuel.
27:32Thank you.
27:34So, Chief, I appreciate uh what you've done here and put forward to us. I know I've heard from many residents who complain, you know, especially on South Main Street, um because they were seeing the um commercial vehicles parked and they're saying it's, you know, above the two tons the way the ordinance reads, but as you've pointed out, it's the capacity uh that it can hold. So, I
27:56appreciate that distinction. Um couple notes. Um, just looking quickly at what you've suggested. The current ordinance is till 5:00 p.m. Um, you have 6 p.m.
28:07here. Is that intentional or is that um I was just kind of giving some leeway. I think 6:00 is kind of the governed standard of like dinner time. So, after 6:00, but if you wanted to stay with the 5:00 p.m., I wouldn't object to that.
28:19Okay. Yeah. I think it just goes back to what councelor Dion was saying previously where people come getting out mostly at 5:00 p.m. looking for parking spots. Um, so I would be prefer to keep that the same. And then the uh meaningful, you have the language here, meaningful uh penalties. Uh $50 for a first violation, 100 for a second within 12 months, 200 for subsequent. Uh currently the ordinance
28:45reads $250 per um infraction. Um is that intentional change you're looking to make or suggesting to us or uh I'm kind of putting it food for thought. I figured it would be a collective conversation and having an escalating consequence and kind of seeing it from both sides. Um, obviously you can't rule with an iron fist on everything. You kind of have to have a conversation on seeing both sides of
29:10that argument, but if it's the will of the committee and the council to keep the the fine structure the way it is, I'd be fine with it. Uh, I think it should be elevated in any sense. So, I think what I was trying to lay out there is like the escalating consequence. Um, but I think giving us the towing authority, uh, kind of will go to some of those curve balls that we've been
29:28thrown where we we can keep putting tickets on it and the tickets disappear every day and then the people keep seeing the truck there. Uh, if we can, uh, explain that, hey, this is a hazard, a firet truck can't get through, then it kind of gets people to act on what they're doing if we're going to tow it out of there.
29:44Yeah. Um, just help me understand how would if someone's going out to enforce let's say first violation, second, third, is that something they easily see, how how would they know that this has gotten two tickets already, four tickets?
29:59So, I think that's a problem we have just in the existing structure, right?
30:02So, we can find someone $250 repeatedly unless we contact Steph and see how many times they wrote that ticket or we're logging it in our system each time.
30:11That's how we would be able to determine it because it's a city ordinance violation. It's not something that's readily available on like your RMV record. So, it is something that is kind of a nuisance to track. Uh, but I do feel like some people have no regard for it. They're renting vehicles that are box trucks and they're just letting it ride until it becomes a problem when she
30:33flags it for an RMV issue. But then it's taking the benefit of that gap in enforcement because the person rents it from, you know, enterprise or budget, whatever. Um, it takes a little bit before that person gets notified that, hey, you have five, six, 700, $800, $900 worth of fines in Fall River. Um, so with that said, again, the towing authority is something I'd really like to see in there. And then like you're
30:58saying, tracking the subsequent violations would be a little bit more laborous for us, but I wanted to kind of be broad in some ideas that we could talk about.
31:06Okay. So, yeah, I think for me 5 p.m. uh keeping it there be preferable. I I think where the ordinance fine is today, the $250 I think where people were getting some reactions uh to it. Um I if it's going to be more difficult for us to track a first, second, third, I would say just stick with what we got. It's stronger. So with that, I'll yield to my colleagues.
31:30Thank you, Council Lad.
31:32Yeah, I would agree because part of the reason why we increased it was because people just weren't just didn't care.
31:38You know, okay, I get a $25 ticket, who cares? I get a $50 ticket, who cares?
31:42Now they're paying attention. And I've actually noticed a lot more vehicles not parked on the street anymore in driveways and in different places where I wasn't seeing them before. So it is effective. So yeah, I I agree. And the five o'clock as well. Um the only other thing I was thinking was in terms of um exemptions.
32:03Nobody knows when their furnace or their hot water tank is going to let go. And sometimes that's in the middle of the night. And if a plumber comes during the middle of the night, I don't think you should be penalized after an hour when he's addressing an emergency situation.
32:18So, I think somehow we need to fit that into the um exemption category. I mean, if you're there because I mean, no heat in the winter can be a life-threatening situation.
32:29So, it's in that bullet number two. It says construction, landscaping, repairs, deliveries, or other work at an adjacent property.
32:35Yeah. Well, spell it out.
32:38I guess Yeah. I I think I'd like to be more specific because, you know, when I look at landscaping, okay, landscaping, you don't need to be there at 1:00 in the morning, but a plumber might.
32:49What What happens in the summer like with a landscaper parking there at let's say 6:30?
32:54So, that's what we're going to have to establish. And then I think that's what I mean. I think I think in terms of this, we might need maybe just a little more specificity perhaps.
33:03Of course. um where with the emergency situation that wouldn't m that would be 24 hours a day because you don't know when somebody's heat is going to go out or their hot water tank's going to let go. Um so I think that yeah it's just a little bit different. Um otherwise I think this is great. I think it's a great guide. Um you obviously did put a lot of time and thought into it and I'd
33:26like to have the opportunity to look through it even more. But um yeah, I think in general we're definitely moving in the right direction and uh with that I yield. Thank you, Council Per.
33:39Chief, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this. Um and like my colleague said, I would also like some time to review it.
33:48Um just for the record, this isn't like I have non-negotiables here. I'm just kind of giving you a guiding light. So, I'm willing to No, I understand and I I appreciate the time you took to do this to look at these case studies and work on this because I've got numerous calls that if it just says commercial plate that where am I going to park where you've kind of outlined where that's not exactly what it is.
34:10But one thing I will say, this came into us in August and it went to cooperation council in August. We are in September.
34:22closer to the end than the beginning.
34:24And I'm upset at the fact I'm feeling some frustration that corporation council is not here. We get a message at what time did you get that email?
34:343:00 this afternoon.
34:35At 3:00 for a meeting that starts at 5 because I think the email said he hadn't had a ch time to look at this.
34:44Correct. Today I have not reviewed the ordinance regarding all night parking or commercial vehicles.
34:48Okay. But yet the chief of police that's dealing with a lot of stuff as well found time. That's upsetting to me. I want a letter to administration and city administrators here that whenever there's an ordinance committee meeting or a council meeting, someone from the law department should be here. If it's not corporation council, it should be somebody else. We've said it again and
35:10again and again. And you know, I just do want to thank you, Chief. This is good.
35:15Um, we'll look at it and I'm sure that if we table it now, the next meeting, I'm sure somebody will be here and we can finally get the ordinance done. I mean, to come, this is the second meeting. We're going to have a third meeting to do something. I hate dragging our feet. You've got something to do, do it. I don't know. There was something about doing something or getting off the pot. Yeah, it's what I
35:38feel. I don't know exactly what it was, but you know what I mean. So I make a motion that we send a letter to administration on behalf of this committee that corporation council needs to be here when we have it.
35:53So motion made to send a letter to the administration uh regarding corporation council either corporation council or representative made by councel. Is there a second on the letter?
36:05Second second by vice president. Any discussion on the submission of a letter? Is this letter for just ordinance committee or on behalf of the ordinance committee?
36:14Is it applying to just this committee or to both the committee and the full council that you want them there?
36:20I'd put it for full counsel too, but since full council is not here to vote on it.
36:23Correct. So it would be there's a majority here, but it would be appropriate for the ordinance and legislation committee.
36:30You motion made and seconded. All those in favor?
36:33Any opposed? The eyes have it.
36:36Motion to table. Before we do that, I just want to highlight a few things. So, we do have an ordinance in front of us just for some historical understanding.
36:44The traffic uh commission did meet and did propose an amendment. I'm sensing that there is not an appetite for this particular amendment um with the chief in his provided case study. Um so, at this point, it would be appropriate to table it. Um or we could just refer the ordinance to corporation council for review along with uh chief horse case study so he can make an amendment to the ordinance.
37:12Council Dion.
37:13Yeah. No, I think I think we need to review both, digest both um and then when we feel we've come to a consensus, then forward it to corporation council for the actual ordinance. um because maybe even the traffic department needs to weigh in on it. I don't know how we send an ordinance that we're looking at this information and saying, "Well, we might want to change things. I think we need to do it comprehensively."
37:38Um but just my opinion with that I yield.
37:42It's the will of the committee. Just understand if we table it, it's going to bring to another meeting and if corporation council where's design is here, it's going to result in a meeting which then will result in another meeting for a revised ordinance. So just to the edification of the committee council prayer I would say send both of these packets that we received both from traffic as
38:03well as what the chief proposed that we put together an ordinance. We know that we want it to be five. We know more or less what we want. I I agree with uh councelor canal that the fine should be the same amount. We do want to do something with towing. Put it put it in. Now, Corporation Council is not here, but this meeting is going to be televised. Maybe he can take the time to
38:25watch this meeting and see what some of our concerns are and come up with an ordinance that if we have to tweak it when he comes to the next meeting, then we can tweak it. But if we don't table, what are we going to do here? We're not going to send an ordinance to him because we don't have one written up. So, that's what I would say. table it but send everything to him
38:47and then we'll have somebody else and let him watch this meeting. He heard what some of the concerns were from some of uh my colleagues.
38:54Understood.
38:55With that I yield.
38:56Council Kim.
38:57So I was just going to say the exact same thing that council Pereira had mentioned. I I think the administration's here. I think you've heard what we have to say. I prefer the uh chief's or ordinance or recommendations. I I think um they're good.
39:09There's a lot more information in there.
39:11It calls everything out. Uh I think the other ordinance was was lacking, but I I do agree that the fine should be uh staying at the 250 so that way we don't have to track down whether or not we've already issued multiple fines. Um but I guess what I would suggest is that uh the administration, traffic, police uh work with corporation council to go over something and then draft something for
39:29us based on the comments that we've had and just come back down to us. So uh we can streamline this process because I think once we get that I think if there's any changes could be minor tweaks. So that would be my suggesting suggest that I yield.
39:42Thank you. Vice President Dia, something to add.
39:46Um, no, I think I'll yield at this point. Thank you.
39:48And just as the chair of the committee to the city administrator, once that happens and you have a draft ordinance, can you let me know? We can get on the next agenda as soon as possible. All right. To the committee, do we have a motion?
40:00What's the table?
40:01Motion to table made by councel, second by vi by uh president try again by councelor Pereira. All those in favor?
40:09Any opposed? The eyes have it.
40:12Item number seven is a communication corporation council request to strike out 2-33 in city code which relates to the authority to retain outside legal counsel. Um as I mentioned corporation council is not here. Um so councel I move uh no representative from corporation council's office. I'll make a motion to table this.
40:32Second motion to table made by councel second by councel purr. All those in favor I.
40:37Any opposed? The eyes have it. That is it for this evening. Motion.
40:40Motion to adjurnn.
40:41Motion to adjurnn made by council.
40:43Second by vice president Dion. All those in favor? Any opposed? The eyes have it.
40:46The committee on ordinance and legislation is now adjourned. Thank you.