Finance Committee Meeting February 11, 2025
6:30 pm City Hall Holyoke
536 Dwight St, Holyoke 01040
Posted February 5, 2025, 3:02 p.m.
City Council
Holyoke Massachusetts
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25,
and Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023,
notice is hereby given of a meeting of the committee on
Finance
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
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: Patti Devine
Remote access via www.zoom.us
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86051006263?pwd=BjlpzTiRw44SDAAU0CiN0m7wD5pKwo.1
Meeting ID: 860 5100 6263 Meeting Passcode: 224187 or by call in at 1 (646) 558-8656 with
the same Meeting ID and Passcode.
Live Spanish interpretation will be available on local access channel 15 using the television’s SAP option, through the live stream on the city website, as well as on the Zoom feed by clicking the interpretation option and choosing Spanish.
Agenda
Item 1: Minutes of January 14, January 29, 2025 meetings.
Item 2: 2-4-25 Devine-Ordered, that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “FY2025 FIREFIGHTER SAFETY EQUIPMENT GRANT PROGRAM, $24,081, 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 actual results. Said report shall be submitted to the city clerk for addition to the city council’s next agenda.
Item 3: 2-4-25 DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2025, THIRTY THREE THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($33,000) as follows:
FROM
14101-51105 SR CIVIL ENGINEER $ 17,000
14251-51102 HOISTING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 16,000
TOTAL $33,000
TO:
14102-53010 PROF ENGINEERING SERVICES $33,000
TOTAL $33,000
Item 4: 2-4-25 DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2025, ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($100,000) as follows:
FROM
12101-51107 PATROLMEN $ 50,000
12101-51117 DISPATCH 50,000
TOTAL $100,000
TO:
12102-53010 MAP/DATA MAINTENANCE $100,000
Item 5: 2-4-25 DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2025, EIGHTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($80,000) as follows:
FROM
12101-51105 SERGEANTS $40,000
12101-51107 PATROLMEN 40,000
TOTAL $80,000
TO:
12102-53010 MAP/DATA MAINTENANCE $80,000
Item 6: 2-4-25 DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2025, EIGHTY THREE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FIFTY SIX AND 00/100 Dollars ($83,656) as follows:
FROM
11511-51201 PT ASSISTANT SOLICITOR $83,656
TOTAL $83,656
TO:
11511-51202 PT ASSOCIATE SOLICITOR $83,656
TOTAL $83,656
Item 7: 2-4-25 From Sean Sheedy, Maintenance Admin for Holyoke Public Schools, 2-4-2025 SOI ARP PROJECTS HPS
Item 8: 2-4-25 Devine- That the City of Holyoke appropriates the amount of One Hundred Thousand ($100,000) Dollars for the purpose of paying costs of conducting a Schematic Design Study at Kelly Elementary School located at 216 West Street Holyoke MA 01040 for a potential roof replacement, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto (the “Project”), which proposed repair project would materially extend the useful life of the school and preserve an asset that otherwise is capable of supporting the required educational program, and for which the City of Holyoke has applied for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), said amount to be expended under the direction of Mayor Joshua Garcia. To meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7, Chapter 70B, or any other enabling authority. The City of Holyoke acknowledges that the MSBA’s grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and if the MSBA’s Board of Directors votes to invite the City to collaborate with the MSBA on this proposed repair project, any project costs the City of Holyoke incurs in excess of any grant that may be approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the City of Holyoke; and that, if invited to collaborate with the MSBA on the proposed repair project, the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the City of Holyoke and the MSBA.
FURTHER ORDERED: That the Treasurer is authorized to file an application to qualify under Chapter 44A of the General Laws any and all of the bonds or notes authorized to be issued pursuant to this Order, and to provide such information and execute such documents as may be required for such purposes.
Further Ordered: That there shall be no change in the purpose of this bond authorization without prior vote of approval by the Holyoke City Council
Item 9: 2-4-25 Devine- That the City of Holyoke appropriates the amount of One Hundred Thousand($100,000) Dollars for the purpose of paying costs of conducting a Schematic Design Study at Lt Elmer J McMahon Elementary School located at 75 Kane Road Holyoke MA 01040 for a potential roof replacement, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto (the “Project”), which proposed repair project would materially extend the useful life of the school and preserve an asset that otherwise is capable of supporting the required educational program, and for which the City of Holyoke has applied for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), said amount to be expended under the direction of Mayor Joshua Garcia. To meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7, Chapter 70B, or any other enabling authority. The City of Holyoke acknowledges that the MSBA’s grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and if the MSBA’s Board of Directors votes to invite the City to collaborate with the MSBA on this proposed repair project, any project costs the City of Holyoke incurs in excess of any grant that may be approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the City of Holyoke; and that, if invited to collaborate with the MSBA on the proposed repair project, the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the City of Holyoke and the MSBA.
FURTHER ORDERED: That the Treasurer is authorized to file an application to qualify under Chapter 44A of the General Laws any and all of the bonds or notes authorized to be issued pursuant to this Order, and to provide such information and execute such documents as may be required for such purposes.
Further Ordered: That there shall be no change in the purpose of this bond authorization without prior vote of approval by the Holyoke City Council
Item 10: 2-4-25 Devine- That the City of Holyoke appropriates the amount of Seventy-Five Thousand($75,000) Dollars for the purpose of paying costs of conducting a Schematic Design Study at Lt Clayre Sullivan Elementary School located at 400 Jarvis Avenue Holyoke MA 01040 for a potential partial roof replacement, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto (the “Project”), which proposed repair project would materially extend the useful life of the school and preserve an asset that otherwise is capable of supporting the required educational program, and for which the City of Holyoke has applied for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority(“MSBA”), said amount to be expended under the direction of mayor Joshua Garcia.To meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7, Chapter 70B, or any other enabling authority. The City of Holyoke acknowledges that the MSBA’s grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and if the MSBA’s Board of Directors votes to invite the City to collaborate with the MSBA on this proposed repair project, any project costs the City of Holyoke incurs in excess of any grant that may be approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the City of Holyoke; and that, if invited to collaborate with the MSBA on the proposed repair project, the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the City of Holyoke and the MSBA.
FURTHER ORDERED: That the Treasurer is authorized to file an application to qualify under Chapter 44A of the General Laws any and all of the bonds or notes authorized to be issued pursuant to this Order, and to provide such information and execute such documents as may be required for such purposes.
Further Ordered: That there shall be no change in the purpose of this bond authorization without prior vote of approval by the Holyoke City Council
Item 11: 2-4-25 Devine- That the City of Holyoke appropriates the amount of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand ($150,000) Dollars for the purpose of paying costs of conducting a Schematic Design Study at Holyoke High School located at 500 Beech Street Holyoke MA 01040 for a potential roof replacement, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto (the “Project”), which proposed repair project would materially extend the useful life of the school and preserve an asset that otherwise is capable of supporting the required educational program, and for which the City of Holyoke has applied for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), said amount to be expended under the direction of Mayor Joshua Garcia. To meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7, Chapter 70B, or any other enabling authority. The City of Holyoke acknowledges that the MSBA’s grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and if the MSBA’s Board of Directors votes to invite the City to collaborate with the MSBA on this proposed repair project, any project costs the City of Holyoke incurs in excess of any grant that may be approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the City of Holyoke; and that, if invited to collaborate with the MSBA on the proposed repair project, the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the City of Holyoke and the MSBA.
FURTHER ORDERED: That the Treasurer is authorized to file an application to qualify under Chapter 44A of the General Laws any and all of the bonds or notes authorized to be issued pursuant to this Order, and to provide such information and execute such documents as may be required for such purposes.
Further Ordered: That there shall be no change in the purpose of this bond authorization without prior vote of approval by the Holyoke City Council
Item 12: 2-4-25 Devine- That the City of Holyoke appropriates the amount of Seventy-Five Thousand($75,000) Dollars for the purpose of paying costs of conducting a Schematic Design Study at Maurice A Donahue Elementary School located at 210 Whiting Farms Road Holyoke MA 01040 for a potential partial roof replacement, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto (the “Project”), which proposed repair project would materially extend the useful life of the school and preserve an asset that otherwise is capable of supporting the required educational program, and for which the City of Holyoke has applied for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), said amount to be expended under the direction of Mayor Joshua Garcia. To meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7, Chapter 70B, or any other enabling authority. The City of Holyoke acknowledges that the MSBA’s grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and if the MSBA’s Board of Directors votes to invite the City to collaborate with the MSBA on this proposed repair project, any project costs the City of Holyoke incurs in excess of any grant that may be approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the City of Holyoke; and that, if invited to collaborate with the MSBA on the proposed repair project, the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the City of Holyoke and the MSBA.
FURTHER ORDERED: That the Treasurer is authorized to file an application to qualify under Chapter 44A of the General Laws any and all of the bonds or notes authorized to be issued pursuant to this Order, and to provide such information and execute such documents as may be required for such purposes.
Further Ordered: That there shall be no change in the purpose of this bond authorization without prior vote of approval by the Holyoke City Council
LAID ON THE TABLE
Item 13: 3-19-24 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI – Ordered that the City Council invite the Mayor, Police Department and relevant financial department heads to a future meeting of the Finance Committee to provide an update on the status of the off-duty police account and former vendor Off-Duty Blue.
*Tabled 4-3-24, 5-15-24, 8-12-24, 9-11-24
Item 14: 10-15-24 DEVINE – Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2025, ONE HUNDRED EIGHT THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED NINETY FIVE AND 56/100 Dollars ($108,695.56) as follows:
FROM: 8815-10400 CANNABIS STABILIZATION $108,695.56
UPDATE TO FY2025
TOTAL: $108,695.56
TO: 19412-57630 SOLICITOR – CLAIMS & DAMAGES $108,695.56
TOTAL: $108,695.56
*Tabled 10-22-24, 11-25,24, 12-9-24
Item 15: 11-7-24 – Murphy-Romboletti- In an effort to provide clarity for all councilors and the public, ordered that the law department provide guidance or a memo that outlines the number of votes required for different items related to finance, ordinances, real estate and other relevant voting topics.
*Tabled 1-14-25
Item 16: 11-7-24 – Murphy-Romboletti- Ordered that the law department provide a legal opinion on the number of votes required to make transfers from a special stabilization fund.
*Tabled 1-14-25
ADMINISTRATIVELY LAID ON THE TABLE
Item 17: 9-4-24 From Stephen Superba – Email regarding Police Department Cash Seizures
Item 18: 10-15-24 OCASIO, GREANEY – Order that the City replace the Traffic Light that was on Vernon St and Main St. And know longer there due to car accident. Safety issue kids walking to and from Dean Tech cars speeding.
Item 19: 10-15-24 JOURDAIN, OCASIO – Mayor and DPW please replace the traffic light at the corner of Main Street and Vernon Street as soon as possible. The City Council has requested it be replaced multiple times after it was hit in a traffic accident on July 1, 2022. It should not be removed because of alleged expense to replace. Mayor and Law dept please also provide us with what collection efforts including lawsuits that may have been filed against the operator who damaged the light controls to reimburse the city for the damage before any applicable statute of limitations expires. Please also advise if the city has any potential insurance coverage for this claim. Finance should meet to discuss with all parties involved.
Item 20: 11-7-24 – Magrath-Smith, Jourdain – Ordered that the City Solicitor, Auditor, and Treasurer develop and present a clear policy regarding the use of the remaining collected cannabis fees, outlining a process for billing hours to the cannabis fund for work done by city employees connected to cannabis-related activities, such as:
1. Inspections of cannabis businesses
2. Processing of licensing and excise payments for cannabis businesses
3. Cannabis-related educational programming in schools
4. Safe driving and DUI prevention campaigns related to cannabis use also develop and present guidance on the use of cannabis fees for capital improvements or equipment (including related labor costs to support those projects and purchases) that is consistent with offsetting the impact of cannabis-related activities.
Item 21: 11-7-24 – Magrath-Smith, Jourdain – Ordered that the City Solicitor develop and present a clear policy regarding acceptable fees that can be levied against future cannabis businesses related to concrete, specific impacts of cannabis businesses where they exist.
Item 22: 11-7-24 – Magrath-Smith, Jourdain – Ordered that the HR Director come into Finance to present which HR functions are being completed by which Departments, Commissions, or Boards with a goal of seeking out areas where we can become more consistent or streamline processes and positions in the future with the goal of enhancing a more centralized HR function in our city.
Item 23: 11-7-24 From Mayor Joshua Garcia- 2023 Signed MOU HPD RollKall
Item 24: 11-7-24 From Mayor Joshua Garcia- 2021 Signed MOU HPD RollKall
Item 25: 11-7-24 HPD – OffDutyBlue Services Agreement
Item 26: 12-3-24 BARTLEY -Ordered, the mayor be requested to act on the bond study from last year and put together a plan to demo the old police station.
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. Agenda subject to change up to two business days (48 hours) prior to posted meeting time.