Holyoke City Council Meeting April 19, 2022

Status updates on orders

El Consejo Municipal 15 de abril 2022

Meeting will take place at Holyoke City Hall, 536 Dwight St
and can also be accessed remotely via www.zoom.us
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83552250884?pwd=aXBQYUw1ME9PdEdOMFp3NndaNmZZQT09
Meeting ID: 835 5225 0884 Meeting Passcode: 303343 or by call in at 1 (646) 558-8656 with 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 FOR THE CITY COUNCIL
April 19,2022

LAID ON THE TABLE

1. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that the City Council amend Holyoke Zoning Ordinances Section 7.10.5.3(a) by deleting “other
use as listed in Table 4.3 of Principle uses” and inserting the following language in its place: “any pre-existing public or private school providing education in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, or any grades 1 through 12” or other such legal form sufficient to resolve any uncertainty over the interpretation of the existing ordinance as compliant with state law. Recommended that the order be adopted.

2. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order That a handicap sign be placed in front of 56 Linden St. for Hedy S. Jaundoo, Placard # PL4980420 Recommended that the order be adopted.

3. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order That the current buffer in the marijuana ordinance (200feet from any other use…)be reviewed and revised to schools, residences etc. to ensure opportunities for new marijuana businesses and to ensure continued development opportunities for established local business in accordance with our master plan, Connect, Construct, Create. Recommended that the order be adopted.

PUBLIC COMMENT

COMMUNICATIONS

4. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia list of Historic Preservation related repairs needed on city buildings as requested by Councilor Jourdain, Councilor Bartley, Councilor I. Rivera and Councilor Vacon on order filed April 5, 2022.

5. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, letter veto of : Order amend its zoning ordinances to allow for Front Yard pools by special permit of the City Council and to make any necessary changes to the Swimming pool Ordinance, order filed October 5, 2021.

6. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia letter appointing Thomas Wilson, Attorney, 21 Hampton Knolls Rd. to serve as a member on the Library Board of Directors for the City of Holyoke: Attorney Wilson will replace Ms. Stephanie N. Marcotte and will serve the remainder term; said term will expire in February 2024.

7. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, letter appointing Ms. Sarah Wedaman, 28 Howard St. to serve as a member of the Commission on Disabilities for the City of Holyoke: Ms. Wedaman will replace Mary L. Morris and will serve a three-year term; said term will expire in March 2025.

8. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia letter reappointing Mr. Jose Correa, 8 Fairfield Ave to serve as a Commissioner of the Licensing Board for the City of Holyoke: Mr. Correa will serve a six-year term; said term will expire on June 1, 2028.

9. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia letter reappointing Ms. Helen J. Busby, 90 Brookline Ave. to serve as a Commissioner of the Parks & Recreation for the City of Holyoke: Ms. Busby will serve a three year term; said term will expire on June 30, 2025.

10. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia letter reappointing Ms. Kelly Curran, 230 South St. to serve as a member on the Library Board of Directors for the City of Holyoke: Ms. Curran will serve a three-year term; said term will expire on February 2025.

11. Notice of Community Outreach Meeting for Carefully Curated LLC for a proposed Marijuana Establishment at 420 Race St. Suite 1C.

PETITIONS

12. Petition of Ivory Billiard Lounge for a renewal of 19 pool Tables and 1 Billiard table at 151 Chestnut St.

13. Petition of Betlai, LLC for a Zone Change from R-2 to B-L at 0 Pleasant St. ( Parcel: 092-00-112)

14. Petition of David Greenberg for a renewal of a Pawnbroker License at 448 Appleton St.

15. Petition of David Greenberg for a renewal of a Second Hand License at 448 Appleton St.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

16. Ordinance Committee Reports (if any)

17. Finance Committee Reports (if any)

18. Public Safety Committee Reports (if any)

19. Public Service Committee Reports (if any)

19A. The Committee on Public Service to whom was referred an order that the city council review and approve the PR cultural district resolution Recommended that the order be adopted.

19B. The Committee on Public Service to whom was referred an order From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia letter appointing Ms. Lyn Horan, 100 Southampton Rd. to serve as a member of the Commission on Disabilities for the City of Holyoke: Ms. Horan will serve a three-year term; said term will expire on March 2025 Recommended that the appointment be confirmed.

19C. The Committee on Public Service to whom was referred an order From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, letter appointing Mr. Jorge Colon, 101 St. Kolbe Dr. as a member of the Holyoke Redevelopment Authority: Mr. Colon will serve a two year term; said term will expire on November 1, 2024 Recommended that the appointment be confirmed

19D. The Committee on Public Service to whom was referred an order in light or recent news reports on issues with the security of mail in votes, we request the City Clerk and Board of Registrars discuss with the City Council the vote counting and security process to ensure an accurate count and posting of each vote for our elections.
In reviewing the results of the September 1 primary, there was a significant variance between the machine totals posted on the walls at the precincts and the totals listed in the unofficial results. Traditionally, the vote totals posted at the precincts were very close to the final results but at this primary many votes were not reflected in the totals posted at the precincts.
How are mail in votes other than absentee ballots, initially requested by the voter, counted and posted?
How is early voting accounted for, recorded and results posted? Recommended that the order has been complied with

19E. The Committee on Public Service to whom was referred an order that a representative of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and the Holyoke’s Animal Control Department come into the Public Service Committee to discuss a strategic plan in regards to the increasing amount of wildlife in the City of Holyoke Recommended that the order has been complied with

20. Development and Governmental Relations Committee Reports (if any)

21. Charter and Rules Committee Reports (if any)

21A. The Committee on Charter and Rules to whom was referred an order 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 Recommended that the order has been complied with

21B. The Committee on Charter and Rules to whom was referred an order 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? Recommended that the order has been complied with

21C. The Committee on Charter and Rules to whom was referred an 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. Recommended that the order has been complied with

21D. The Committee on Charter and Rules to whom was referred an order 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?” Recommended that the order has been complied with

21E. The Committee on Charter and Rules to whom was referred an order The City Council review and vote on whether the City Clerk should be appointed as opposed to elected Recommended that the order has been complied with

22. Joint City Council and School Committee Reports (if any)

MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS

23. VACON — that our city solicitor draft a ballot question for the next eligible election for voters to decide if the CPA tax should be reduced from 1.5% to 0.5% in light of current financial hardship of our taxpayers.

24. VACON — That our city solicitor draft a ballot question to revoke the CPA tax and that it be placed on the next eligible election ballot for the voters to decide if they want to keep the CPA tax after 5 years.

25. ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered that the Gas & Electric install two street lights and poles on Locust Street between Sargeant St & W. Franklin St, one on each end of the street, to illuminate the dark sections of the street.

26. ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered that the police department provide the city council with a report of the intersections with the highest rates of accidents. A discussion of safety concerns would be helped by having a broader picture of problem areas instead of discussing individual issues. Refer to Public Safety and copy HPD

27. ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered that we consider “do not block the box” pavement markings at the intersection of West Franklin and Linden. This would have two benefits, not blocking cross traffic when backed up from the light and the markings would be an extra indicator of caution to traffic coming down the Linden hill.
Refer to Ordinance and copy the Engineer

28. BARTLEY, MCGEE, PUELLO, TALLMAN — The city council present a Proclamation to GARY ROME HYUNDAI at its 25TH Anniversary celebration on May 13, 2022.  Receive & Adopt.

29. BARTLEY — (Re-file from 2014) The city council and DPW amend any ordinances to allow for road improvements at Whiting Farms Rd. to allow for a dedicated Left-hand turn into K-Mart Plaza and to allow for motorists to also travel towards the Mall in a dedicated lane.  Receive and refer to Ordinance.  Copy to Mayor to consider an appropriation.  Copy to City Engineer to review road improvements.

30. BARTLEY — The DPW and Mayor locate public spaces where trash and recycling receptacles can be placed and maintained.  This should start off as a pilot program and it will require funding and management to ensure the debris/recycling bins are maintained but hopefully it will be a success and Holyoke can expand its scope.  Refer to Public Safety. Copy to Mayor, DPW.

31. BARTLEY, PUELLO — The City DPW, Engineer and Mayor look to remove one-half of the “double sidewalk” between Wolcott & Congress Ave for the purpose of re-installing a tree belt and/or adding angled parking.  This is supported by the abutters who brought this to my attention.  This would “green” the area and add additional parking crucial to this
neighborhood. Copy to City Engineer, Mayor and DCR.

32. MCGEE — Order that the city council invite in Jim Lavelle of HG & E and his representatives to a city informational session in order to update residents on general matters related to the HG&E (I.e. pole locations, moving poles, cost analysis of wires above vs underground).

33. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2022, TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($25,000.00) as follows:

FROM:
15432-57700 VETERANS BENEFITS $25,000.00
TOTAL: $25,000.00
TO:
16502-52500 R&M FIELDS $25,000.00
TOTAL: $25,000.00

34. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2022, TWO HUNDRED FIFTY FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($255,000.000) as follows:

FROM:
12101-51107 PATROLMEN $215,000.00
12101-51105 SERGEANTS 25,000.00
12101-51201 MATRONS 15,000.00
TOTAL: $255,000.000
TO:
12102-52500 R&M BUILDING $245,000.00
12102-55860 PERSONNEL EQUIPMENT 10,000.00
TOTAL: $255,000.000

35. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2022, TWELVE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE AND 45/100 Dollars ($12,285.45) as follows:

FROM:
11411-51101 ASSESSOR $12,285.45
TOTAL: $12,285.45
TO:
11412-53010 PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT $11,917.45
11412-53030 PRINTING/BINDING 368.00
TOTAL: $12,285.45

36. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2022, TWENTY THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED SIXTY ONE AND 26/100 Dollars ($20,661.26) as follows:

FROM:
12101-51104 LIEUTENANT $3,883.22
12101-51105 SERGEANT 6,723.80
12101-51107 PATROLMEN 10,054.24
TOTAL: $20,661.26
TO:
12101-51180 INJURED ON DUTY $20,661.26
TOTAL: $20,661.26

37. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2022, TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FORTY AND 6/100 Dollars ($2,240.06) as follows:

FROM:
12201-51105 FIREFIGHTERS $2,240.06
TOTAL: $2,240.06
TO:
12201-51180 INJURED ON DUTY $2,240.06
TOTAL: $2,240.06

38. PUELLO — That “No Jake Brakes” signs be installed at the intersection of Ingleside and Main facing south and another at the north end of Springdale Park facing north. This will allow police to cite trucks using them over the raised crosswalk. It is unlawful to utilize jake brakes in Holyoke.

39. PUELLO — That a “No Parking Sign” be installed adjacent to the entrance to the parking lot at 415 Main. Drivers are blocking the entrance ramp thinking the building is still vacant.

Addendum:

LATE FILES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

A. From Anthony Soto, Superintendent/Receiver, Holyoke Public Schools, Update on the middle school building project

B. VACON — that our City Solicitor provide a legal opinion re: is the use of CPA funds for a roof project for property owned by a private corporation an allowed use of CPA tax dollars?

C. From John Kelley, Planning Board Chair, Explanation of Planning Board decision regarding front yard swimming pools

D. MCGEE — Ordered, That the DPW/City Engineer come before the Public Safety to address tree removal on Princeton St. and offer up some solutions to the amount of trees that were removed. Maybe follow-up with DCR (Sarah Greenleaf).

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 not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law

______________________________
City Clerk

• PDF
• 4.7MB

Download