Charter & Rules Committee Meeting September 30, 2021

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

Thursday, September 30th, 2021

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: Linda Vacon

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83492936397?pwd=TGxvZjY2eVF3MGxTQi9DSHlLRVJ5dz09

Meeting ID: 834 9293 6397 Meeting Passcode: 593499 or by call in at 1 (646) 558-8656 with same Meeting ID and Passcode.  ***

Agenda:

Item 1: 4-12-21 Meeting Minutes

Item 2: 2-6-18 SULLIVAN — that the DPW commissioners & sewer commissioners meet with the council to discuss merger of elimination of sewer commissioner and the sewer deficit.
*Tabled 3-15-21

Item 3: 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?”

Item 4: 6-1-21 From Atty’s Lisa Ball and Jenna Wellhoff – Legal opinion clarifying City Council Rule 66 specifying quorums and vote threshold requirements.

Item 5: 9-7-21 From Atty’s Lisa Ball and Jenna Wellhoff – Legal opinion on tabling agenda items.

Item 6: 8-3-21 BARTLEY — Holyoke amend its charter to provide for city council confirmation of all new mayoral appointments to the board of public works and the fire commission. Further, the charter be amended to provide for city council confirmation on any current appointees at the time of reconfirmation. Moreover, the Charter and Rules committee and the acting Mayor consider whether to allow a nominee to either or both boards to be appointed directly by the City Council as well as consider any other related actions. Refer to charter and rules.

Item 7: 9-7-21 MCGEE — Ordered that the law department draft a home rule petition to be filed with the Legislature to remove the residency requirement for City Solicitor from section 45 of the Holyoke City Charter.
Section 45 of the Holyoke City Charter reads: No person shall be eligible to any of the offices of the city government, except superintendent of schools, unless he is a citizen and has been a resident of the city for at least two years.
Proposed amendment to section 45: No person shall be eligible to any of the offices of the city government, except superintendent of schools and City Solicitor, unless he is a citizen and has been a resident of the city for at least two years.

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.