Development and Governmental Relations Committee Meeting January 31, 2023
6:30 pm City Hall Holyoke
536 Dwight St, Holyoke 01040
Agenda posted January 23, 2023, 10:15 AM
City Council
Holyoke Massachusetts
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25,
and Chapter 22 of the Acts of 2022,
notice is hereby given of a meeting of the committee on
Development and Governmental Relations (DGR)
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
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: Tessa Murphy-Romboletti
Remote access via www.zoom.us
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86519679385?pwd=WTZzdVhZQVpXc1E4M08yUC9XSk5FUT09
Meeting ID: 865 1967 9385 Meeting Passcode: 126986 or by call in at 1 (646) 558-8656 with
the same Meeting ID and Passcode.
Agenda
Item 1: 12-6-22 Whiting Street Reservoir Committee Study Report
Item 2: 10-4-22 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — That the Honorable City Council, in accordance with M.G.L. ch. 30B and the Holyoke Procurement Ordinance, vote that the City of Holyoke accept the proposal and sell the surplus properties at 297, 301 & 303 Elm Street for $25,800.00 to Carrie and Arthur Naatz. The properties are contiguous parcels of vacant land on Elm Street at the corner of Sargeant Street and described by Assessor’s records as:
297 Elm Street (Assessors Map 004, Block 04, Parcel 005)
Approximately 6,360 square feet in size
Zoned Downtown Residential (DR)
Assessed value is $34,700.
301 Elm Street (Assessors Map 004, Block 04, Parcel 006)
Approximately 6,316 square feet in size
Zoned Downtown Residential (DR)
Assessed value is $34,700
303 Elm Street (Assessors Map 004, Block 04, Parcel 007)
Approximately 8,276 square feet in size.
Zoned Downtown Residential (DR)
Assessed value is $35,000.
Item 3: 1-3-23 BARTLEY — With Holyoke celebrating its 150th anniversary as a City, ORDER that DGR committee invite the committee chair (A. Vega) and any other committee members to a meeting to hear about any plans and to offer any suggestions.
Item 4: 11-15-22 BARTLEY, PUELLO, TALLMAN, VACON — The City Council invite a representative from the Appalachian Mountain Club of Boston to a future DGR meeting to discuss the various hiking trails it maintains in Holyoke including the New England Trail that crosses state property from Rt. 141 (W-7) to Rt. 202 (W-5). Please invite Holyoke’s conservation director to attend, if available, and other interested parties.
Item 5: 12-6-22 BARTLEY — Cataldo Ambulance come before a future DGR meeting to discuss neighborhood concerns relative to parking, upkeep, siren noise and any other relevant issues at the South St. location.
Refer to DGR, Mayor, HFD Chief and Commissioners and Cataldo Ambulance. Copy to management at Elmwood Towers.
Item 6: 12-20-22 City of Holyoke License Agreement Cataldo Ambulance at 490 South St, 600 High St. and 33 Whiting Farms Rd.
LAID ON THE TABLE
Per City Council rule 9P, all items that have been in a committee for at least 45 days without being taken up are deemed tabled.
Item 7: 12-6-22 (copy) BARTLEY, PUELLO — The Mayor and community development dept fund the following project with either CDBG or ARPA funds: Replace the asphalt double-sidewalk located on the west side of S. Elm St. between Wolcott and Congress Streets and replace with a tree belt and install plantings. Receive, adopts and refer to Mayor and Community Development office. Copy to DGR.
Item 8: 11-15-22 PUELLO — That the state delegation be requested to please draft and support legislation that would amend the needle program in the city. The program was voted down twice and stopped a third time through a lawsuit. State legislation was passed to allow its operation. This requested legislation change would only allow needles to be issued to users if a used needle is exchanged. A needle exchange rule would go a long way in helping solve hazard issues in the city.
Item 9: 11-15-22 BARTLEY, TALLMAN — The City Council invite the new owner of the Valley Blue Sox, Matthew Drury, and his executive team to a DGR meeting prior to the 2023 season to discuss the team, Mackenzie Stadium, and increasing attendance and use of the field for Holyoke’s students, etc. Copy to Park & Rec commissioners and department head.
Item 10: 10-4-22 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — Ordered that the Committee on Development and Government Relations invite representatives from the Worcester Red Sox to learn more about its “Town Takeover” initiative in the 2023 season.
Item 11: 6-21-22 From Councilor Vacon communication from Constituent regarding School Takeovers by the state.
Item 12: 5-17-22 MCGEE, BARTLEY — Order that the mayor consider establishing a Holyoke Urban Forest and Tree Committee.
Item 13: 5-3-22 PUELLO — That Mary Nathan, disaster program manager for the Western MA Red Cross be invited to discuss available resources and programs for displaced families as a result of fires or other disasters.
Item 14: 5-3-22 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — That OPED and the Holyoke Redevelopment Authority attend an upcoming D&GR meeting to update the council on the Urban Renewal Plan and ongoing projects related to the plan.
Item 15: 5-3-22 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — That the Committee on Development & Government Relations be provided a list of all special permits issued by the Council. Please include a 5 year look-back on how many permits have been issued, and a rough estimate of the total amount of staff time required to review and process these permits. Refer to the City Clerk, OPED, the Council’s Administrative Assistant and Law Department.
Item 16: 4-5-22 PUELLO — That the DPW provide quotes and an acquisition plan for movable speedbumps/humps and required lights/signage to establish temporary traffic control points for each ward, (7) to be paid for through cannabis stabilization. Additionally requested to explore whether existing movable police signs/radars with custom lettering would provide sufficient signage for the TCPs.
Item 17: 4-5-22 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — Order that we invite our US Congressional and Senatorial Representatives to a DGR meeting.
Item 18: 4-5-22 BARTLEY, PUELLO — The Mayor develop a schedule of projects/programming to the CC’s DGR committee to be funded via marijuana stabilization funds. If possible, please send said schedule on a quarterly or semi-annual basis in order to promote consistent and efficient project development. Copy to Mayor and City Auditor.
Item 19: 3-15-22 (copy, taken up by Finance 5-2-22) PUELLO — That the Office of Planning and Economic Development be invited to discuss the reasons behind the absence of medical marijuana providers in the city, the original intended reason for cannabis legalization. The goal of this discussion is to come up with a viable pathway to provide this service for residents so they may enjoy their tax benefits and have their medical needs fulfilled. If a plan is already underway this discussion will inform residents of their upcoming benefits.
Item 20: 3-1-22 RIVERA_I — Order that the council invite the DPW director of Chicopee to speak on their refuse pickup system that was developed several years ago and what the cost benefits are to their community.
Item 21: 3-1-22 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — Ordered that the Development & Government Relations Committee invite the development team from Wayfinders to provide an update on the Library Commons project and other upcoming projects within the City
Item 22: 1-4-22 JOURDAIN — That our state delegation and Mayor be invited before the finance committee to have a dialogue on how we can improve our local aid funding formulas with the state and together develop a plan of action. Then collectively discuss our strategy on how to act upon that plan to ensure Holyoke is actually receiving the money it needs to operate effectively and is getting its “fair share.”
Item 23: 11-16-21 Letter from a Citizen of Holyoke, requesting a crosswalk be placed at the Whiting Street Reservoir.
Item 24: 10-5-21 MCGEE, SULLIVAN — The honorable City Council Invite OPED director and representatives from Winn Development to provide an update on the 216 Appleton St project.
Item 25: 10-5-21 BARTLEY — The City Clerk please send a communication to City Council in time for its 2nd meeting in October 2021 on the following ( based upon the preliminary election of 09/21/2021):
A. turnout-did Holyoke meet expectations? How did Holyoke do compared to our neighbors?;
B. the new voting machines-any issues?
C. Satisfaction (or not) with the current polling locations
D. General impressions on Holyoke elections.
Item 26: 9-7-21 MURPHY — Ordered, that the DGR committee meet with the Soldier’s Memorial Commission the Veterans service director, and the Supt of DPW as well as our State Senator and State Representative to discuss the administration and maintenance of the War Memorial building.
Item 27: 8-3-21 MCGEE — Order that the DG&R committee invite in the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke Leadership team to discuss their two ARPA proposals: child care expansion project and proposal to serve homeless/DCF involved youth.
Item 28: 8-3-21 MCGEE — Order that the DG&R committee invite in representatives from Holyoke Medical to get an update on the hospital
Item 29: 2-2-21 MCGEE Ordered, that the City Council invite in Jennifer Howard and other members of DCR to discuss Mt. Tom.
Item 30: 1-19-21 LEBRON-MARTINEZ — That the city council thru the appropriate committee invite Dr. Vazquez Matos current superintendent to give us an update about the status of the schools during this pandemic and future plans for students of HPS.
Item 31: 1-19-21 BARTLEY — That Dr. Alberto Vazquez Matos, HPS’ Receiver, appear before the DGR committee.
Item 32: 1-5-21 MCGEE Ordered, that Order that the city council DGR committee invite in and meeting with Roca member
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.