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AGENDA

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

REGULAR AND PENDING EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

1. June 11, 2024, September 4, 2024, and April 15, 2025 Executive Session Minutes – Reviewed and ready for partial release as of September 17, 2025

2. December 9, 2024 Finance Committee Executive Session Minutes – Reviewed and held in full as of September 17, 2025

3. From City Clerk Brenna Murphy Leary and Admin. Assistant Jeffery Anderson-Burgos-meeting minutes from April 21, 2026

 

LAID ON THE TABLE

4. From City Clerk Brenna Murphy Leary and Admin. Assistant Jeffery Anderson-Burgos – October 7, 2025 meeting minutes

5. From Lauren Niles, Holyoke Planning Board, recommendation for creation of an RC district.

6. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that the city adopt an ordinance that would prohibit the use of SGARs on City-owned properties.
Recommended that the order be adopted, and that the Board of Health be requested for a written plan on transitioning to alternatives.

7. Vacon- Greaney- ORDER: that city council go to the first ballot to elect a treasurer at the April 21, 2026 city council meeting in accordance with our current charter. Our city council appointed Collector has indicated interest in the Treasurer/Collector position. A majority of the city council has had the opportunity to interview our Collector. This appointment would legally establish the Treasurer position & for practical purposes combines the positions, while waiting for further charter changes that will be sent to the state legislature in a home rule petition. Transition changes can happen in coordination with other ordinance changes.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

8. From Mayor Joshua Garcia, letter reappointing Ms. Vanessa Santiago of 75 Sycamore St. to serve as Commissioner of the Parks and Recreation. Ms. Santiago will serve a three-year term, expiring June 30, 2029.

9. From Chief Procurement Officer Jaime Morrow- Memo to Council 5yr Phone Upgrade

10. From Holyoke Redevelopment Authority-meeting minutes from February 18, 2026 meeting

11. From HEDIC-executive and regular meeting minutes from February 26, 2026 and March 19, 2026.

12. From Interim Auditor Sharon Bittner-Willis, FY2026 General Fund & Sewer Enterprise Budget to Actual Reports to 5-1-26.

 

PETITIONS

13. Petition of David Greenberg of 448 Appleton St. for a renewal of a Pawn Broker Application.

14. Petition of David Greenberg of 448 Appleton St. for a renewal of a Second Hand License

15. Petition from Holyoke Turn Verein of 624 S. Bridge St. for a renwal of 1 pool table and 6 bowling alleys

16. Petition of Kevin Rothschild-Shea for a zone change at 172 Sargeant St from BG to DR.

 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

17. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that the DPW Director, Parks Director, and Conservation Director come into a sub-committee meeting to discuss the management strategies currently being used to encourage pollinators. Are we regularly using pesticides on city parks or city land? If so, which ones? Do we have any “no mow” areas put aside on city land as native plant/pollinator spaces? Are we currently planting native plants in city parks and medians?
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

18. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that the Charter and Rules committee, Law Department and Parks and Recreation department check if wording in the appropriate Charter section can be changed so that city lifeguards can be given raises.
Recommended that the order be given a leave to withdraw.

19. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order by School Committee Member Lubold in the interest of student safety that the School Committee in coordination with the City Council considered adopting Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 71, “School Bus Violation Detection Monitoring Systems; Installation and Operation.”
Recommended that the order be adopted.

20. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that the income level be increased to the maximum allowed for seniors seeking tax relief.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

21. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2026, SIX THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($6,000.00) as follows:
FROM
15452-53010 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $6,000.00
TOTAL $6,000.00
TO:
0510-52420 R&M-OTHER $6,000.00
TOTAL $6,000.00
Recommended that the order be adopted.

22. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that in accordance with MGL Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF FIRE SERVICES FIREFIGHTER SAFETY EQUIPMENT, $23,500.00, 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 current results. Said report shall be submitted to the city clerk for addition to the city council’s next agenda.
Recommended that the order be adopted.

23. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that the City Council review and approve the proposed 2026 funding recommendations from the Community Preservation Act Committee.
Recommended that the order be adopted.

24. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred a communication From the CPA Committee- FY26 Recommendations to City Council
Recommended that the order be adopted.

25. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that the city staff attending the Tyler Tech conference in April be requested to come to a Finance Committee meeting to report on what they learned at the conference.
Recommended that the order be given a leave to withdraw.

26. The Committee on Public Service to whom was referred an order that the public service committee invite recommended auditor candidate(s) for an interview.
Recommended that the order be referred to the full Council.

27. The Committee on Public Service to whom was referred a communication From Personnel Director Kelly Curran- City of Holyoke Social Media Policy
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

28. The Committee on Public Service to whom was referred an order that we revisit a discussion about city councilors having Holyoke email addresses. Issues are coming up with some councilors having to delete emails because inboxes are full, and potentially losing emails that are subject to records requests.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

29. The Committee on Development and Governmental Relations to whom was referred a Special permit application of Wrights Block LLC at 106-120 High St (013-01-006) to reconstruct a non-conforming structure to built two egress staircases at the rear for the commercial storefront units into the rear alleyway in footprint of existing staircases per 4.7.3. Recommended that the special permit be granted.

30. The Committee on Development and Governmental Relations to whom was referred a Petition from William F. Sullivan and Co. Inc for a renewal of a Junk Dealer’s License at 107 Appleton St.
Recommended that the license be granted.

31. The Committee on Development and Governmental Relations to whom was referred a communication From Schermerhorn’s Restaurant-communications regarding re-construction, located at 224 Westfield Road, Holyoke.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

32. The Committee on Development and Governmental Relations to whom was referred an order that the City Council approves the Resolution for the Certified Housing Development Incentive Program Project including a Local Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) Agreement with 103 Lyman LLC for the downtown market rate housing development at 103 – 105 Lyman Street (Assessors Map 037, Block 05, Parcel 007).
Recommended that the order be adopted with the condition that all taxes and vacant building fees have been paid.

33. The Committee on Development and Governmental Relations to whom was referred an order That the City of Holyoke accepts a parcel of land identified as a parcel located in the City of Holyoke as shown on a plan entitled, “The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plan of Land in the City of Holyoke Hampden County showing the location of Land taken by the Department of Public Works for Public Recreational Facilities November 29, 1967 Scale 80 feet to the inch,” dated November 29, 1967 and recorded in the Hampden County Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 111-98-B. Such land was acquired by an order of taking recorded in the Hampden County Registry of Deeds in Book 3307, Page 28, from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and declared that such land is for recreation and conservation purposes under the protection of Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. In addition, the City Council adopted a resolution to submit to the State Legislature to adopt such a statewide law.
Recommended that the order and resolution be adopted.

34. The Committee on Development and Governmental Relations to whom was referred an order that the City Council approve the Amendment to the Special Tax Assessment Agreement with Valley Malt LLC for the development that is occurring at their 4 North Bridge Street property. The Special Tax Assessment Agreement was originally approved by the City Council on September 5, 2023.
Recommended that the order be adopted.

35. The Committee on Development and Governmental Relations to whom was referred an order That the Kestrel Land Trust, the Conservation Department, and a representative from the Planning Board be invited to appear before the Development & Governmental Relations Committee (DGR) to provide a comprehensive walkthrough of the steps, requirements, and processes necessary to designate “Elmwood Forest” as conservation land.
Said presentation should include:
• Legal and regulatory requirements for conservation designation
• Any environmental assessments or studies needed
• Potential impacts on land use, zoning, and stewardship responsibilities
• Available conservation tools or partnerships
• Preliminary timelines and cost considerations
Recommended that the order has been complied with to the extent possible.

36. The Committee on Development and Governmental Relations to whom was referred an order that HEDIC or its representatives provided the Council an update on the status of the two land parcels on Whiting Farms Road currently under contract to Cesar Ruiz and/or the USA International Sports Complex Group, including information about how long the litigation is likely to last, and how the parcel will be managed should the City acquire it.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.

 

MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS

37. DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2026, FORTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($40,000.00) as follows:
FROM
12101-51107 PAY-PATROL OFFICERS $40,000.00
TOTAL $40,000.00
TO:
12101-54221 SUPPLIES-AMMUNITION $40,000.00
TOTAL $40,000.00

38. DEVINE – Ordered, that the City Council authorizes a 5-year contract for VoIP services.

39. DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2026, ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SEVENTY-SEVEN AND 83/100 Dollars ($1,977.83) as follows:
FROM
12102-53190 EDUCATION & TRAINING $1,977.83
TOTAL $1,977.83
TO:
19202-57200 OUT OF STATE TRAVEL $1,977.83
TOTAL $1,977.83

40. DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2026, THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FIFTY AND 00/100 Dollars ($3,150.00) as follows:
FROM
12102-55830 CLOTHING REIMBURSEMENT $1,347.80
12101-51107 PAY-PATROL OFFICERS 1,802.20
TOTAL $3,150.00
TO:
12101-51830 PAY-CLOTHING ALLOWANCE $3,150.00
TOTAL $3,150.00

41. DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2026, TWO HUNDRED TEN THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($210,000.00) as follows:
FROM
12101-51107 PAY-PATROL OFFICERS $210,000.00
TOTAL $210,000.00
TO:
12102-55860 PERSONNEL EQUIPMENT $ 40,000.00
12102-52100 ENERGY-GAS/OIL/ELECTRIC 70,000.00
12102-54220 SUPPLIES-OTHER 100,000.00
TOTAL $210,000.00

42. DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2026, ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO AND 20/100 Dollars ($1,652.20) as follows:
FROM
12102-55830 CLOTHING REIMBURSEMENT $1,652.20
TOTAL $1,652.20
TO:
12101-51505 PAY-TIME OWED BUYBACK $1,652.20
TOTAL $1,652.20

43. DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2026, EIGHTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($80,000.00) as follows:
FROM
12101-51105 PAY-POLICE SERGEANT $80,000.00
TOTAL $80,000.00
TO:
12102-52410 R & M-VEHICLES $30,000.00
12102-54830 SUPPLIES-MOTOR VEHICLES 50,000.00
TOTAL $80,000.00

44. DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2026, ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) as follows:
FROM
12101-51117 PAY-E-911 DISPATCHERS $ 90,000.00
12101-51203 PAY-E-911 DISPATCHERS (PT) 10,000.00
TOTAL $100,000.00
TO:
12102-53010 DATA MAINTENANCE SERVICES $100,000.00
TOTAL $100,000.00

45. DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2026, ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($150,000.00) as follows:
FROM
12101-51107 PAY-PATROL OFFICERS $150,000.00
TOTAL $150,000.00
TO:
12101-51300 PAY-OVERTIME $150,000.00
TOTAL $150,000.00

46. ​​Murphy-Romboletti- Ordered that the City Council issue a proclamation and invite in two of our city’s suburban youth basketball teams (5th and 6th Grade Girls Team, 7th and 8th Grade Boys Team) and recognize them for their outstanding achievements this season.

47. Panitch: Ordered, that the Council designates members of the City’s volunteer boards and commissions as special employees for purposes of the state Ethics Law.

48. Thalheimer, Panitch — Ordered that the City Council review Section 38-71 of the Holyoke Code of Ordinances and amend it as necessary to remove outdated exemptions therein. Receive and send to Ordinance.

49. Vacon- ORDER: That our legal department sent a compliance letter to Marion Construction company re: no engine brakes on Southampton Road. Residents report regular use of engine brakes as drivers from this company are heading toward County Road.

50. Vacon- ORDER: that the city council send a letter of support to Speaker Mariano & Senate President Spika for our State Auditor to audit the Massachusetts legislature as voted by over 70% of voters. See sample letter from Chesterfield for reference.

51. Vacon-ORDER: That all applicants for the position of auditor be sent to the city council as the appointing authority. Any offers of employment & salary prior to May 5, 2026 that have been made to any auditor applicant during the recruitment process be provided to the city council. Three verified references be obtained & a CORI request be submitted that indicates no legal issues prior to appointment of the auditor.

 

 

Addendum:
Per City Council rule 2B, meeting shall end by 10 PM unless an extension is approved by a two-thirds majority of those present. If any items remain, those items will be added to the beginning of the next regular meeting.
The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the chair which may be
discussed at the meeting.
Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be
brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law

LATE FILES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

Petition of Cypress Acquisitions, LLC c/o MacDermid Reynolds & Glissman PC for alteration of a nonconforming structure at 2201 Northampton Street per 4.7.3