City Council 2/16/2021

Agenda:

LAID ON THE TABLE

1. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order the mayor, the auditor, and the city’s financial team as needed, provide draft internal controls on how city grants are to be administered so that future governments (re: city taxpayers) are not faced with paying for administrative shortfalls. Recommended that the order be adopted.

PUBLIC COMMENT

COMMUNICATIONS

2. Communication from Mayor Alex B. Morse re: Cinder email and attachments (General fund debt model for the Citys Peck School prospective project).

3. From Brenna Murphy McGee. MMC and Jeffery Anderson-Burgos, Admin. Ass’t to City Council minutes of February 2, 2021.

4. From John Kelley, Chairman Holyoke Planniing Board letter voting unanimously to appoint Kate Kruckemeyer as the Planning Board representative, to serve a 3 Year term on the Whiting Reservoir Study Committee.

5. From Lori Belanger, Purchasing Director letter in response to School Department rebid procedure for Owners Project Manager (OPM).

6. From Holyoke Public Schools, Letter re: Alberto Vazquez Matos, Receiver.

7. Communication regarding Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts (MIFA).

8. From Comcast letter re: A resolution opposing Internet Data Caps & Committing to Analyzing Internet Access and Affordability.

9. From MassDOT letter re: Holyoke-Reconstruction of I-91 Interchange 17 and Route 141.

10. From Holyoke Coalition Community Coordinator communication on behalf of HEALing Communities Study, and email to invite City Council to assign a representative.

11. Community Outreach meeting for GreenGrab Inc. for a Cannabis Cultivation Establishment.

12. From Canna Provisions, Inc. letter re: Annual Special permit reporting requirement for the marijuana establishment.

13. From Paper City Cannabis/Abby Property Management re: informational meeting for a proposed Retail Marijuana Establishment at 40 Lyman St.

14. Notice of Community Outreach meeting for a proposed Marijuana Establishment for 12 Crescent St.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

15. Ordinance Committee Reports (if any)

15A. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that in an effort to enhance food access and security for our residents during these uncertain times that we expedite a backyard chicken ordinance as well as review of the permitting process for community gardens to ensure that it facilitates easy access and use of such sites. Recommended that the order be adopted.

16. Finance Committee Reports (if any)

16A. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2021, SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN AND 60/100 Dollars ($7,114.60) as follows:
FROM:
16101-51110 REFERENCE LIBRARY ASST. – NIGHT $7,114.60
TOTAL: $7,114.60
TO:
16101-51102 REFERENCE LIBRARY ASSISTANT $7,114.60
TOTAL: $7,114.60 Recommended that the transfer be approved.

16B. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2021, THIRTEEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN AND 39/100 Dollars ($13,927.39) as follows:
FROM:
16101-51111 LIBRARY ASSISTANT-NIGHT $13,927.39
TOTAL: $13,927.39
TO:
16101-51107 LIBRARY ASSISTANT $10,000.00
16101-51102 REFERENCE LIBRARY ASSISTANT 3,927.39
TOTAL: $13,927.39 Recommended that the transfer be approved.

16C. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that a department that has over 5% of unreconciled grant funds resulting in a reduction of free cash to the city, will be subject to any legal remedy to return the same amount of funds to the city within the next fiscal year. Recommended that the order has been complied with, with a copy to the legal department.

16D. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that the City Council create a revolving fund to be set up for the Cities municipal rideshare funding received by the state through the Transportation Network Company (see attached). Recommended that the order be adopted, and referred to Ordinance.

17. Public Safety Committee Reports (if any)

17A. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order Constituents have brought to my attention the dangerous speeds that vehicles are traveling at when taking a left onto Hampden Street coming up from Lincoln. Can a stop sign for pedestrians walkway be installed preferable with lights in the middle to create a sense of urgency on slowing down as many constituents use this crosswalk to get to one of the bigger shopping centers in the area, Stop-n-Shop. Recommended that the order has been complied with.

17B. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order Study on the possibility of single lane parking or a no parking zone near narrow and/or s shape turn on O’Connor Avenue to allow large such as emergency, fire trucks, DPW, to obtain enough clearance to get through at all times. Recommended that the order has been complied with.

17C. The Committee on Public Safety to whom was referred an order that the committee reviewing the status of dangerous buildings provide the city council a report of all buildings now marked with a red X, including ownership and if there are plans for those buildings in the near future. Also, if possible, an estimate of what it would cost to demolish each of these buildings. Recommended that the order has ben complied with.

18. Public Service Committee Reports (if any)

19. Development and Governmental Relations Committee Reports (if any)

20. Charter and Rules Committee Reports (if any)

21. Joint City Council and School Committee Reports (if any)

MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS

22. MCGIVERIN — That the City Council create an ordinance for a revolving fund for marijuana impact fees.

23. MCGIVERIN — That the Finance Committee invite Tanya Campbell of Melanson and Heath to discuss the fiscal 2020 certification of free cash process.

24. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2021, FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED ELEVEN AND 88/100 Dollars ($4,511.88) as follows:

FROM:
12201-51105 FIREFIGHTER $3,175.17
12201-51104 LIEUTENANT 1,336.71
TOTAL: $4,511.88
TO:
12201-51180 INJURED ON DUTY $4,511.88
TOTAL: $4,511.88

25. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2021, TWELVE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FORTY AND 31/100 Dollars ($12,540.31) as follows:

FROM:
12101-51105 SERGEANTS $3,295.98
12101-51104 LIEUTENANTS 3,807.08
12101-51107 PATROLMEN 5,437.25
TOTAL: $12,540.31
TO:
12101-51180 INJURED ON DUTY $12,540.31
TOTAL: $12,540.31

26. MCGIVERIN — that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “NEIGHBORHOOD HUB PROGRAM, $100K, NO MATCH, 2 YEAR, ” grant and authorizes the establishment of a Fund or other method appropriate for the accounting of the receipts and expenditures of all resources associated with the administration of said grant.

27. MCGIVERIN — that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “MASSDEP SMALL SCALE INITIATIVES, $1,500, NO MATCH, EXPIRES 6/30/2021,” grant and authorizes the establishment of a Fund or other method appropriate for the accounting of the receipts and expenditures of all resources associated with the administration of said grant.

28. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2021, TWO HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($220,000) as follows:

FROM:
0430-59710 SALE OF REAL ESTATE $220,000
TOTAL: $220,000
TO:
14303-58000 TRASH-CAPITAL OUTLAY MOTOR VEHICLES $220,000
TOTAL: $220,000

29. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2021, THREE HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($330,000) as follows:

FROM:
0430-59710 SALE OF REAL ESTATE $48,026
8810-59710 STABILIZATION 281,974
TOTAL: $330,000
TO:
14303-58000 TRASH – CAPITAL OUTLAY VEHICLES $330,000
TOTAL: $330,000

30. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2021, THREE HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($330,000) as follows:

FROM:
8810-59710 STABILIZATION $330,000
TOTAL: $330,000
TO:
14303-58000 TRASH- CAPITAL OUTLAY VEHICLES $330,000
TOTAL: $330,000

31. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2021, ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($100,000) as follows:

FROM:
8810-59710 STABILIZATION $100,000
TOTAL: $100,000
TO:
14252-53100 SNOW REMOVAL SERVICES $100,000
TOTAL: $100,000

32. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2021, ONE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($160,000) as follows:

FROM:
8810-59710 STABILIZATION $160,000
TOTAL: $160,000
TO:
12203-58000 FIRE DEPT. -CAPITAL OUTLAY VEHICLES $160,000
TOTAL: $160,000

33. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2021, THIRTY SEVEN THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY AND 00/100 Dollars ($37,750) as follows:

FROM:
12942-53010 CONTRACT FORESTRY SERVICES $35,000
14301-51106 WASTE RECYCLE COORDINATOR 2,750
TOTAL: $37,750
TO:
12942-53001 FORESTRY VEHICLE LEASE $37,750
TOTAL: $37,750

34. MURPHY — Ordered that the superintendent of the DPW appear before the DG&R committee to try to develop a better communication system notifying residents that their trash/recycling won’t be picked up because of a snow storm. In addition, the discussion should include trying to find a way to get back to the pick up for those residents within a shorter time period. When considering recycling pickup, a cancellation rather than a postponement means they have almost one month’s of materials to store. Would this be an area where working with ROCA might be able to more quickly recover these services after the storm?

35. MURPHY — Ordered that the public safety committee meet with the principal of Holyoke High School, the receiver, the mayor, the police chief and the vice chair of the school committee to discuss concerns about materials being promoted within the high school which seem to only further alienate the community from the police department. As an example of things to do instead of calling the cops is: “don’t feel obligated to defend property-especially corporate private property. Before confronting someone or contacting the police, ask yourself if anyone is being hurt or endangered by property theft or damage. If the answer is no, then let it be.” The goal of the order is to build a greater understanding and respect between the police and the community.

36. MURPHY — Ordered that the DPW fix the paving on Race Street near Sargeant Street especially where Handicap entrance to the building is located. The depression continues to puddle and pose a safety hazard to customers trying to enter the business.

37. SULLIVAN — That the manager and appropriate staff members of
BARTLEY H.G.& E. be invited in to update the council on any
VACON findings regarding municipal broadband projects, related
costs, and potential benefits and/or risks.
Send
to Dev. & Govt. Rel.

38. ANDERSON-BURGOS — that the city of Holyoke undertake a feasibility study to figure out how to transfer power lines to underground. The study should seek to understand the costs, the obstacles, the potential cost savings, the impacts on service reliability and on public safety, and to seek what grants or other types of funding are available to limit the city’s cost of doing this.

39. ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered, that Sec 86-321 of the City’s Parking Ordinance be amended by striking the following section:

Northampton St.
East
A point 20 feet North of Corser St.
A point 200 feet North of Corser St.
2 hour parking 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday

40. LEAHY — Ordered, that the Department of Public works and SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions provide a timely plan to the Holyoke City Council regarding street sweeping of city streets in Spring, 2021. The report should be specific as to when sweeping will take place by neighborhood to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
Last year a similar order was filed, and it took many follow-up calls/emails to get a response. I have been advised that there is an obligation to sweep every street at least once. Verification of this minimum standard and a plan to exceed it for our residents is appreciated and emailed to me as chair of the Public Service Chair.

41. LEAHY — Ordered that, with the contract with SUEZ coming to a close in the next few years that a third party audit the facilities, equipment and every aspect of the contents of the contract.