Holyoke City Council Meeting January 2, 2018

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
January 2,2018

The meeting was called to order by President McGee at 07:06 PM.

The Clerk called the roll. Absent members: 0 Present Members 13 (Anderson-Burgos, Bartley, Bresnahan, Leahy, Lebron-Martinez, Lisi, McGee, McGiverin, Roman, Sullivan, Tallman, Vacon, Valentin).

The name of Councilor Sullivan was drawn to head the roll call voting.

President McGee announced that Councilor Valentine would be running a bit late because she was picking up a family member from the airport.

LAID ON THE TABLE

PUBLIC COMMENT

COMMUNICATIONS

List of appointments for January 2018.
Councilors suggested that the order of the voting go with who was randomly selected by the President of the Council instead of the traditional alphabetical order that had been done previously. Mike Sullivan’s name was called to head the roll call and therefore Mr. Sullivan was the first to state a name for each position: Clerk called the roll: Ryan Allen received 11 votes on the first ballot. Valentin and Bresnahan was absent. Mr. Allen will serve a one year term expiring January 2019. Councilors discussed that in Charter and Rules the Council adopted a two year term for the City Council Admin. Assistant. Councilors discussed whether or not the vote to expand the term of Admin. Assistant would need a charter change. It was referred to the Law Dept. in order to figure out what the term would be.
—> Motion was made and seconded to go to the first ballot for the position of Administrative Assistant to the City Council. Ryan Allen received 11 votes on the first ballot. Valentin and Bresnahan was absent. Mr. Allen will serve a one year term expiring January 2019.
—> Motion was made and seconded to go to the first ballot for the position of Water Commissioner. John Barrett received 12 votes on the first ballot. Valentin was absent. Mr. Barrett will serve a 3 year term expiring January 2021.
—> Motion was made and seconded to go to the first ballot for the position of Whiting Street Fund. Patricia Devine received two votes (Leahy & Roman) and John Pietrykowski received 10 votes on the first ballot. Valentin was absent. Mr. Pietrykowski will serve a 3 year term expiring January 2021.

From Mayor Alex B. Morse letter appointing Ms. Cappie Glica to serve as a Commissioner of the Council on Aging for the City of Holyoke; Ms. Glica will serve a one-year term; said term will expire August 2018.
—> Received and referred to the Public Service Committee.

From Brenna Murphy McGee CMC, City Clerk, minutes of December 19, 2017.
—> Laid on the table.

Motion was made and seconded to adopt the City Council Rules as currently constituted

Presidents Report: Council President McGee spoke and stated that he has spoken to Scott McKenzie from Holyoke Media and noted that there are still some issues with the microphones in the Council Chambers but that he is still in the process of testing the microphones and making improvements. It was noted that he was able to fix the buzzing noises that were coming through the microphones. Councilor McGee also gave update on panic buttons that would be a direct link to the HPD in case of an emergency. It was noted that Councilor McGee would be talking to Councilors and HPD to see where the best place for the panic buttons would be in the Chambers. Councilor McGee also gave update on the Christmas party noting that the party would be in the library section of the Delaney House. Councilor desks were also discussed briefly with Councilor McGee stating that there will be two empty desks. Councilor McGee stated that he would be up for hearing suggestions from other Councilors. It was also noted that Councilor McGee would look for input on committee assignments and would hopefully have the assignments ready over the weekend.

ORDERS AND TRANSFERS

VACON Ordered, that the radar speed Sign be placed on Rock Valley Road between Mt Road and Keyes road as residents are reporting cars traveling at high speeds.
—> Received and adopted. Referred to the DPW.

BARTLEY Ordered, that Hon. Mike Knapik, Director of Gov. Baker’s western Massachusetts office, appear before the DGR committee.  Mr. Knapik to attend the same meeting with Sen. Humason and Rep. Vega.
—> Received and referred to the Development and Governmental Relations Committee.

MCGEE Ordered, that order that the handicap parking sign near 970 Hampden Street be moved back away from the driveway as it is becoming a safety hazard for the home owner.
—> Received and referred to the Ordinance Committee.

Rules were suspended to allow Rory Casey to address the Council and give an update on the City Govt. portrait. Mr. Casey gave background on the picture noting that in previous years the City Council Admin. Assistant was not budgeted to pay for the portrait but there were a series of financial transfers that were made to pay the bill. It was noted that the same was the case now and that there was money found to be able to pay for the previous picture that is at this point unpaid. It was noted that the money needed is about 4,000 dollars. It was noted that the FT would be forthcoming to pay that previous bill. It was noted that to pay for the current bill money is budgeted.

LATE FILED ORDERS & COMMUNICATIONS

From Joshua Pueschel, City Auditor, letter re: Budget balancing and Free Cash.
—> Received and referred to the Finance Committee.

Adjourn at 07:32 PM.
A true record
ATTEST:

______________________________
City Clerk