City Council 4/16/2024
En Español
AGENDA
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Petition for Pole and Wire Locations. The Holyoke Gas and Electric Department
requests permission to locate a line of wires, cables, poles and fixtures, including the
necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, along and across the following public way
or ways:
One (1) street lgit hole between property line of 31 O’Connor Ave and 33 O’Connor Ave.
Holyoke
PUBLIC COMMENT
LAID ON THE TABLE
COMMUNICATIONS
2. From Mayor Joshua Garcia, letter reappointing Mark Cutting of 40 Briarwood Dr., to
HEDIC. Mr. Cutting will service a three-year term expiring June 30, 2027.
3. From Mayor Joshua Garcia, letter reappointing L. Dorothea MacNeil of 226 Beech St. to
serve as the Republican Member for the Board of Registrar of Voters. Ms. MacNeil’s
will serve a three year term expiring on March 31, 2027.
4. From Mayor Joshua Garcia, letter reappointing Lizabeth Rodriguez of 193 Brown Ave.
to the Historical Commission. Ms. Rodriguez will serve a three-year term expiring April
16, 2027
5. From Mayor Joshua Garcia, letter reappointing Christopher Gauthier of 1 Taylor St. to
the Historical Commission. Mr. Gauthier will serve a three-year term expiring on May 1,
2027.
6. From City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee and Admin. Assistant Jeffery Anderson-Burgos,
meeting minutes from April 2, 2024
7. From Councilor Bartley, Minutes of DGR meeting
8. From Holyoke Redvelopment Authority, minutes for November 15, 2023, January 17,
2024 and February 21, 2024 meetings.
9. From HEDIC, minutes from February 29, 2024 meeting
10. From Holyoke Historcial Commission, minutes from January 8, 2024 and December 12,
2023 meetings
PETITIONS
11. Petition from various Holyoke residents, petition regarding CPA rate change 12. Petition from Ivory Billards Lounge for 17 pool tables
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
13. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order etition for Speed Humps
for Laurel Street.
Recommended that the petition be granted.
14. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that an ordinance be
established to address the 2/3 majority vote of the body for votes. Legal please provide
the language necessary for review.
Recommended that the order, with two separate legal drafts, be referred to the Council
without recommendations.
15. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that we ban single use
plastic bags, straws, and/or food containers.
Recommended that the order be given a leave to withdraw.
16. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order Settlement Agreement by
and Between the City of Holyoke and N.A.G.E. R1-180 Clerical Union
Recommended that the order be referred to the Council without recommendation.
17. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby
appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2024, SIXTY THOUSAND AND 00/100
Dollars ($60,000) as follows:
FROM:
11211-51276 MAYOR-CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS: $60,000
TO:
11411-51102 ASSISTANT ASSESSOR: $3,000
11411-51125 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT-ASSESSOR: $3000
14221 -51105 DPW PROPERTY BUILDING CUSTODIAN: $6,000
16931-51101 WAR MEMORIAL SR BUILDING CUSTODIAN: $3,000
16931-51102 WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING CUSTODIAN: $3,000
11611-51105 2ND ASSISTANT CITY CLERK: $5,000
11611-51126 SR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT-CITY CLERK: $3,000
11611-51125 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT-CITY CLERK: $3,000
11631-51103 ASSISTANT REGISTRAR OF VOTERS: $3,000
12401-51126 SR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT-BUILDING & CODES : $3,000
15101-51126 SR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT-BOARD OF HEALTH: $3,000
15101-51109 SANITARIAN I: $10,000
15101-51104 PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE: $2,000
11461-51106 SR DEPUTY TAX COLLECTOR: $5,000
11451-51131 SR PAYROLL SPECIALIST: $5,000
Recommended that the order be referred to the Council without recommendation. 18. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that the City Council review
for approval the FY24 projects recommended for funding by the Holyoke Community
Preservation Act Committee (CPAC).
Recommended that the Appleton Mill project be referred to the full Council without
recommendation all and other projects be adopted
19. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order The DPW and Mayor
consider repairing the sidewalk and tree belt proximate to 548 South St. Send copy to
Finance. Request appropriation from Mayor if this Order makes sense.
Recommended that the order be referred to the mayor.
MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS
20. Givner- Ordred the DPW install a handicap sign at 199 Beech St for Pablo
Gonzalez. Handicap Placard PL2280794.
21. Magrath-Smith- Ordered, that City Ordinance section 74-34 be revised to remove (2):
“Any entity that does not receive city solid waste collection services will be exempt from
this section if they can prove that the cost of implementing such a plan, over a 12-month
period, would cost more than their current solid waste removal plan.”
22. Ocasio- ordered that the DPW install a handicap sign at 624 South East St. #202 for
Syliva Reyes. Handicap Placard PL780517
23. Ocasio- Ordered that the DPW install a sign at the Entrance to Holyoke coming North
on Route 5 ,that notifies drivers Not to use Air Brakes unless Emergency
24. Ocasio- Ordered that the School Department provides a Crossing Guard at the corner
of South Bridge St and Sargent St. To protect the children and families crossing the
street. Coming to and from Morgan School this is a very dangerous situation that
needs immediate attention.
25. Ocasio- Ordered that a Don’t Block Driveway sign be installed at Elliott Place on Main
Street.
26. Ocasio- Ordered that all the Money meters throughout Holyoke be checked, to see if
broken or just need a change of (9V) battery.
27. Ocasio- Order that the Speed Humps in front of Dean School and Raised Crosswalks
be repainted, yellow to help distinguish them from the roadway to improve safety and
effectiveness.
28. Bartley, Rivera, Sullivan- DPW install a STOP sign at Charles St. where it intersects
Laurel St. Receive, Adopt, Refer to DPW and please follow-up with the admin.
Assistant in 45 days to advise if/when installed.
29. Bartley, Sullivan, Rivera- HPD enforce the STOP sign at Brown Ave and Laurel
St. Receive, Adopt, Refer to HPD for implementation and send to Public Safety for a
follow-up meeting in 2 months to review results. 30. Bartley, Rivera- DPW install “warning” sign to motorists of 3-way STOP signs at Charles
St. // Washington Ave. Receive, Adopt, Refer to DPW. Send order to Public Safety for
a follow-up and send communication to Admin Asst in 45 days to advise if/when
installed.
31. Bartley, Sullivan, Rivera- Have the HPD advise on the status of formation of a traffic
bureau and a code enforcement.
32. Bartley, Rivera, Sullivan- The mayor and the DPW finance speed humps at Laurel
St. Please see the Petition approved in ordinance 4/10/24 and (I hope) at full city
council 4/17/24. Refer to Mayor and Finance.
33. Bartley- The fencing around the Fitzpatrick Rink – especially along the N-side of
Parenteau Dr. – is disgraceful and in desperate need of repair. Please notice the
glorious Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the vendor operating the rink. The
vendor to its credit as done great work to repair the fence along S. Elm St. Refer to
state DCR, the vendor for the Rink, and Rep. Duffy. Please copy Public Safety to
follow-up on this in 60 days with a status report.
34. Bartley- OPED please provide status on 245 High Street. Building sits across High St
from City Hall and the windows are boarded with plywood. Minutes from DGR meeting
are attached as a communication. Refer to OPED, Mayor and Law Dept.
35. Bartley- DPW conduct the following on the ‘way finder’ signs in Smith’s Ferry: fix the
damaged ‘Holyoke Country *Club’ sign on the southbound side of Rt 5 and install a new
sign on the northbound side of Rt 5 as it’s been missing now for a few years. Receive,
Adopt and Refer to DPW. Copy to Public Safety to follow-up in 45 days.
36. Bartley, Vacon- DPW remove the broken metal pole protruding from the tree belt near
the Shell Station on Whiting Farms Rd. Receive, Adopt and Refer.
37. Bartley- DPW repair the “Hamshire St” street sign located at corner of Pine St. Sign is
damaged. Receive, Adopt and Refer. Copy to Public Safety for follow-up in 45 days.
38. Devine- Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year
2024, TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY SEVEN AND 22/100 Dollars
($2,457.22) as follows:
FROM:
12201-51105 FIREFIGHTER $2,457.22
TOTAL: $2,457.22
TO:
12201-51180 INJURED ON DUTY (PAY PERIOD #20) $2,457.22
TOTAL: $2,457.22
39. Devine- Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year
2024, TWENTY THREE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED NINETY SEVEN AND 20/100
Dollars ($23,797.20) as follows:
FROM:
12101-51105 SERGEANTS $10,493.16
12101-51107 PATROLMEN 13,304.04
TOTAL: $23,797.20
TO:
12101-51180 INJURED ON DUTY $23,797.20
TOTAL: $23,797.20
40. Devine- Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year
2024, THIRTY TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SEVENTY FIVE AND 00/100
Dollars ($32,975.00) as follows:
FROM:
8811-10400 CAPITAL STABILIZATION $32,975
TOTAL: $32,975.00
TO:
16303-58001 RECREATION CAPITAL OUTLAY-VEHICLES $32,975
TOTAL: $32,975.00
41. Devine- Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year
2024, EIGHTY THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED SIXTY AND 00/100 Dollars ($80,160) as
follows:
FROM:
8811-10400 CAPITAL STABILIZATION $80,160
TOTAL: $80,160
TO:
12203-58000 FIRE DEPT. – CAPITAL OUTLAY VEHICLES $80,160
TOTAL: $80,160
42. Devine- Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year
2024, TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($25,000) as follows:
FROM:
15101-51103 SANITARIAN II $11,000
15101-51107 SANITARIAN III 6,000
15101-51109 SANITARIAN I 5,000
15101-51111 FLOATING CLERK 3,000
TOTAL: $25,000
TO:
11512-53010 SPECIAL COUNSEL $20,000
11512-53006 PROFESSIONALSERVICES -OTHER 5,000
TOTAL: $25,000
43. Devine- Financial Order: That the amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000) is
appropriated for the purpose of financing the demolition, remodeling, reconstruction,
engineering, construction, and equipping or re-equipping of various city parking facilities, including the payment of costs incidental or related thereto. To meet this
appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow said
amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7 or any other enabling
authority.
FURTHER ORDERED: That the Mayor is authorized to contract for and expend any
state aid available for the project; and that the Mayor is authorized to take any other
action necessary or convenient to carry out these projects.
FURTHER ORDERED: That the Treasurer is authorized to file an application to qualify
under Chapter 44A of the General Laws any and all of the bonds or notes authorized to
be issued pursuant to this Order, and to provide such information and execute such
documents as may be required for such purposes.
Further Ordered: That there shall be no change in the purpose of this bond
authorization without prior vote of approval by the Holyoke City Council.
44. Devine- Ordered, that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council
hereby accepts the provisions of the “MASSDEP FY24 SEWAGE NOTIFICATION
ASSISTANCE GRANT, $50,000, NO MATCH” 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.
Sec 2-509 – Grant Reporting
Any city department, of which has received grant funding by approval of the city council
pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, or any other authorizing criteria, shall within
a reasonable period of time, but no later than 60 days from the conclusion of said grant,
generate a detailed report which outlines the planned outcomes with the documented
actual results. Said report shall be submitted to the city clerk for addition to the city
council’s next agenda.
45. Devine- Ordered, that the amount of ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFTY AND
00/100 Dollars ($1,950) be authorized from the COMPUTER Department’s SOFTWARE
LICENSE/USAGE FEES (11552-53100) appropriation in fiscal year 2024 for services
rendered in fiscal year 2023 which were unencumbered at the 2023 fiscal year end.
46. Devine- ordered that the handicapped access ramp from the City Hall parking deck into
City Hall be replaced as finances allow.
47. Devine-That City Council rule 9 (Committees) Section (P) be amended to change 45
days to 60 days. New language: All orders sent to any subcommittee be acted upon
(taken up, not disposed of) within 60 days shall be deemed tabled.