Charter and Rules Committee Meeting April 12, 2022
6:30 pm City Hall Holyoke
536 Dwight St, Holyoke 01040
City Council
Holyoke Massachusetts
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25,
and Section 20 of Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021,
notice is hereby given of a meeting of the committee on
Charter and Rules
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
6:30 PM
Meeting to take place at
Holyoke City Hall, 536 Dwight St
and can be accessed remotely on Zoom Meetings
Per order of the Chair: Jose Maldonado Velez
Remote access via www.zoom.us
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86850696482?pwd=b25ja3gvMHhtMFR4RTFYb25uSkpIQT09
Meeting ID: 868 5069 6482 Meeting Passcode: 343592 or by call in at 1 (646) 558-8656 with the same Meeting ID and Passcode.
Agenda
BALLOT QUESTIONS
Item 1: 11-16-21 BARTLEY — The City Council review and vote on whether the City Clerk should be appointed as opposed to elected. Refer to Charter and Rules
*Tabled 2-23-22
Item 2: 6-15-21 LISI — that the City Council vote to place the following question on the ballot as a binding referendum: “Should the City Treasurer be changed from an elected position to an appointed position that combines the duties of Treasurer and Tax Collector?” REFILE from 3/2
*Tabled 9-30-21, 2-23-22
Item 3: 6-15-21 LISI — that the City Council, in accordance with MGL Chapter 43, Section 43, submit the following question to the voters as a binding referendum: “shall this City allow the sale of marijuana products, as those terms are defined in G.L. c.94G, 1, for consumption on the premises where sold, a summary of which appears below?
*Tabled 2-23-22
CHARTER CHANGE
Item 4: 4-6-21 MURPHY — Ordered that the city charter be amended so that if there is a vacancy in the mayor’s office and the president of the city council cannot assume the duties full time, the full council would then select another councilor to assume the role of acting mayor by majority vote of the council. The acting mayor would still continue to represent their constituents as a councilor.
*Tabled 4-12-21, 2-23-22
COUNCIL RULES
Item 5: 1-18-22 MALDONADO-VELEZ — Order that the City Council Rules are reviewed, reorganized, and that titles are added for accessibility.
*Tabled 1-26-22, 2-23-22
Item 6: 2-1-22 From Councilor Maldonado-Velez, City Council Rules examples with titles and sections. Send to Charter & Rules
Amherst (https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/46001/Amherst-Town-Council-Rules-and-Procedures?bidId=)
Boston (https://www.boston.gov/departments/city-council/city-council-rules)
*Tabled 2-23-22
Item 7: 12-21-21 ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered, that Rule 38 be amended by striking out “a 2/3 super majority” and replacing it with “a majority of all eligible members”
*Tabled 1-26-22, 2-23-22
Item 8: 12-21-21 ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered, that a new rule be created stating that “For the purposes of determining voting majorities and super majorities at full City Council meetings, eligible voting members shall mean the full body of the City Council except any members that may have properly abstained from participating in debate for a vote.” In addition, in any rules referring to the full membership of the City Council for determining a voting majority or super majority, amend them to state “eligible members of the City Council.” These locations are in Rule 35 and Rule 66.
*Tabled 1-26-22, 2-23-22
Item 9: 9-7-21 LISI — Ordered, that That we change our rules to pass ordinances other than zone changes by a simple majority.
*Tabled 2-23-22
Item 10: 1-18-22 MALDONADO-VELEZ — Order that we create a Technology Advisory Board to advise the council on the impact and implications of technological innovations on financial services, human services, infrastructure, politics, taxing of tech companies. The board will give recommendations on policy change in order to bring our systems up to date.
*Tabled 1-26-22, 2-23-22
Item 11: 2-1-22 MALDONADO-VELEZ — relook at committee responsibilities and restructure. Refer to Charter & Rules
*Tabled 2-23-22
Item 12: 4-5-22 MALDONADO-VELEZ — Ordered, Order that we create a Cannabis Committee to strictly deal with Marijuana special permits and ordinance changes related to cannabis.
Item 13: 11-16-21 VACON — That City Councilors will attend City Council and City Council Committee meetings in person. Exceptions can be made for remote attendance by the City Council President and/or Committee Chair as long as the Chair and a quorum is present in person
*Tabled 2-23-22
Item 14: 1-18-22 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI, JOURDAIN — Ordered that the City Council adopt a rule to establish a two-year legislative term. Any orders pending in committee or not acted on by the end of the legislative term must be re-filed at the start of the subsequent legislative term.
*Tabled 2-23-22
Item 15: 4-5-22 MALDONADO-VELEZ — Ordered, That we add a city council rule which requires a unanimous vote to continue meetings past 10pm.
Administrative Assistant: Jeffery Anderson-Burgos
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 may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Also one or two items may require the committee to enter into executive session at this meeting. Agenda subject to change up to two business days (48 hours) prior to posted meeting time.