CITY COUNCIL

The following are selected highlights from this week’s City Council meeting. View the full agenda HERE.

CITY COUNCILOR WILL PUELLO NOT IN ATTENDANCE

The City Council meeting began with the customary attendance roll call. While City Councilors Juan Anderson-Burgos and Kevin Jourdain had previously informed Council President Todd McGee that the former would be absent and the latter a little delayed, Mr. Puello’s absence was not recorded other to mark him as absent. Mr. Puello has been headlining the news this week after being arrested on child pornography charges.

FIRST BALANCED BUDGET IN THREE DECADES
City Councilor and Chair of the Finance Committee Joseph McGiverin announces that for the first time in 30 years, a balanced budget has been composed by a mayor. In this case, he is referring to Mayor Joshua García. Proposed budget can be seen here.

EN ESPAÑOL: ROLL CALL ON ITEM SPOKEN IN SPANISH
Spanish is spoken in Holyoke by about half the population. City Councilor Israel Rivera expressed support for a motion by voting “Sí.”

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
City Councilor José Maldonado Vélez asks when the City Council is going to recognize that their colleague, Will Puello, was arrested on child pornography charges. Said Vélez Madonado: “Is now the time to discuss what has come to light about one of our colleagues?” Council President McGee said that there was nothing on the agenda regarding this topic and that the police are investigating.

TOURISM COMMITTEE ACTIVATED
From the agenda: The scope of the Committee is to:
1. Create and market a new brand for Holyoke,
2. Initiate permit reform for events, public gatherings, beautification, and public art.
3. Annually monitor and report the progress of tourism initiatives to Mayor and City Council.
4. Review infrastructure maintenance program.
5. Coordinate business communications and Holyoke tourism opportunities into one marketing effort.
6. Establish and support signature destinations and districts such as a Puerto Rican Cultural District on Main Street and The Canal District.
7. Promote ecotourism and outdoor recreation.
8. Make recommendations for a financial and human resources plan.
9. Recommend annual updates to the Holyoke Tourism Strategic Plan.
The Committee will utilize the Holyoke Tourism Strategic Plan. The Committee will, from time to time, update and revise the plan as they find necessary.
The Committee should comprise one representative appointed by each of the following agencies: Holyoke Local Cultural Council, Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, Holyoke Office of Planning & Economic Development, Holyoke City Council, Holyoke Historical Commission, and Wistariahurst Museum. A minimum of five (5) and up to eight (8) at-large members will be nominated and recommended by the Committee and appointed by the Mayor for a three-year term.

MOTION FOR POLICE TO CATCH SPEEDERS
City Councilor Kevin Jourdain: “That the Police Chief make speeding prevention on Mountain Road a priority.  The city needs to please put the speed limit machine back out on Mountain Road in a strategic location, as well as, increase the amount of speeding enforcement on the street (i.e. tickets to speeders).  It is a dangerous and reoccurring problem.  If the Police Chief has further recommendations for the City Council on other measures he feels would be helpful to address the problem please let us know.”

CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING
The City Council Budget Hearing heard from several department heads on May 17. The Council has 45 days to review the proposed budget by the mayor. Councilors may only cut funds not add to the budget. City Audior Tanya Wdowiak gave an overview of the city’s revenues. Following is a timestamped review of the hearing:

Auditor reviews the proposed 2023 budget
Mayor Joshua García talks about his budget
Budget is reviewed in more detail
Treasurer’s report
Assessor’s report
Auditor’s report
Finance Department director’s report

 

FULL LIST OF CITY COUNCILORS: https://www.holyoke.org/city-council-members/

PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/111428Z6FXhLjRv52dTH8vbk64cnDkN-xWtHFOSV6cXE/edit#gid=0