Holyoke City Council Meeting January 18, 2022

Status updates for orders

 

El Consejo Municipal 18 de enero 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/81002552841?pwd=NDYrVU1TKy83Z01qam9ZemlHVnYydz09
Meeting ID: 810 0255 2841 Meeting Passcode: 431387 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
January 18,2022

LAID ON THE TABLE

1. Appointment for 2022 Water Commissioner 3 year term Expires 2026.

2. From City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee and Admin. Assistant Jeffery Anderson-Burgos, regular minutes from the December 21, 2021.

3. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that Chapter 2, Article II, Division 6 “Administrative Assistant to the City Council,” Section 2-181 “Duties generally” be amended to add an additional category of duties pertaining to the management and updates of the city website and social media accounts, including offering guidance to staff members of city departments on use of the website as a records access and communication tool.
have considered the same and Recommended that the order be adopted.

4. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that the city council consider adopting a wage theft ordinance for all contractors doing projects for the city or receiving special tax incentives by the city similar to Easthampton and Springfield with the following purposes: prevent misclassification of employees as independent contractors; assure that employees are paying all payroll taxes and workers compensation premiums; comply with state laws governing the payment of prevailing wages; assure that contractors provide opportunities for Holyoke residents, veterans, people of color and women. Recommended that the order be adopted

5. That the public service committee interview for the water commissioner.

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

COMMUNICATIONS

6. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, letter reappointing Mr. George Mettey, 7 Hemlock Dr. to serve as a member on the Library Board of Directors for the City of Holyoke: Mr. Mettey will serve a two-year term; said term will expire on February 2024.

7. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, letter appointing Ms. Cheryl Figueroa, 223 Pine St. to serve as a Board Member for the Valley Opportunity Council for the City of Holyoke: Ms. Figueroa will replace Anthony Soto and will finish his term; said term will expire on December 31, 2022.

8. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, letter appointing Ms. Jacqueline Watson, 20 Easthampton Rd. #F6 to serve as a Board Member for the Valley Opportunity Council for the City of Holyoke: Ms. Watson will replace Kate Preissler and will finish her term; said term will expire on December 31, 2023.

9. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, letter appointing the following individuals to serve on the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) for the Office of Community Development for the City of Holyoke:

Mr. Terry Gibson
20 Oakwood Ave.

Mr. Russell J. McNiff Jr.
275 West Franklin St.

Mr. Victor Machado
40 Suffolk St.

Mr. Willie Spradley
8 Ross Rd.

Said terms for all appointments will expire on June 30, 2022.

10. From Kathleen E. Degnan, Assistant City Solicitor, letter re: Number of Votes required to Transfer Monies for HR salary.

11. From Brenna Murphy McGee, MMC & Jefffery Anderson-Burgos, Admin to City Council minutes of Special meeting of December 15, 2021, regular meeting of January 4, 2022 and Reorganization meeting of January 3, 2022.

12. From Tanya Wdowiak, City Auditor YTD budget Reports for the general fund and sewer enterprise ending December 31, 2021.

13. From Holyoke Planning Board communication re: Green Valley, 306 Race St. Annual Report.

14. From Holyoke Planning Board communication re: Mill Town Agriculture Annual Report January 2021.

15. From Holyoke Planning Board communication re: The High End Cannabis Co. 110 Winter St. Annual Report.

16. From Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control information through year end December 31, 2021.

17. From Board of Fire Commission minutes of November 30, 2021.

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

18. Ordinance Committee Reports (if any)

18A. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order Special Permit Application of ACMJ Inc for a Marijuana Manufacturing Establishment at 532 Main St (026-03-012) to build and operate a marijuana cultivation and processing establishment. Recommended that the order be adopted with the following conditions:
1. That the owner of the building always pay the commercial property tax rate to the extend allowed by federal, state, and local laws for the duration of the Special Permit.
2. That the business retains a minimum 30% Holyoke residents for non-security jobs.
3. That the hiring preference be given to security personnel that are retired Holyoke police or are a retired member of another police department that now lives in the city of Holyoke.
4. There shall be no marijuana consumption allowed on site.
5. That the hours of operation be set according to City ordinances.
6. That the applicant must abide by Massachusetts General Laws and guidance’s from the Cannabis Control Commission

18B. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order Special Permit Application of Cannalive LLC to operate a marijuana manufacturing establishment at 532 Main St, Suite 301. Recommended that the order be adopted with the following conditions:
1. That the owner of the building always pay the commercial property tax rate to the extend allowed by federal, state, and local laws for the duration of the Special Permit.
2. That the business retains a minimum 30% Holyoke residents for non-security jobs.
3. That the hiring preference be given to security personnel that are retired Holyoke police or are a retired member of another police department that now lives in the city of Holyoke.
4. There shall be no marijuana consumption allowed on site.
5. That the hours of operation be set according to City ordinances.
6. That the applicant must abide by Massachusetts General Laws and guidance’s from the Cannabis Control Commission

18C. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order Special Permit Application of H&H Holdings Inc for a Marijuana Establishment at 40-48 Main St (033-04-009) and (033-04-010) to operate a cultivation and product manufacturing establishment. Recommended that the order be adopted with the following conditions:
1. That the owner of the building always pay the commercial property tax rate to the extend allowed by federal, state, and local laws for the duration of the Special Permit.
2. That the business retains a minimum 30% Holyoke residents for non-security jobs.
3. That the hiring preference be given to security personnel that are retired Holyoke police or are a retired member of another police department that now lives in the city of Holyoke.
4. There shall be no marijuana consumption allowed on site.
5. That the hours of operation be set according to City ordinances.
6. That the applicant must abide by Massachusetts General Laws and guidance’s from the Cannabis Control Commission

18D. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that That the City of Holyoke, re-examine the current ordinance which only specifies that the snow and ice shall be removed from the entire width of the sidewalk on all portions of streets on which parking meters are installed but does not state this for residential zones.
Sec. 78-141. – Removal of snow and ice.
(a) No owner or person in control of an estate abutting upon any street, lane, court, or square within the city where there is a sidewalk shall place or suffer to remain for more than 24 hours any snow upon such sidewalk, or any ice upon such sidewalk unless such ice is made even and covered with sand, sawdust, ashes or other suitable material to prevent slipping; nor shall any person place any ice or snow onto other private property or public ways. This section shall apply to snow or ice which may have fallen from any building upon such sidewalk and to snow which may have accumulated upon such sidewalk by drifting, and to ice formed from water running or accumulating upon such sidewalk.
(b)
On all portions of streets on which parking meters are installed, all snow and ice shall be removed from the entire width of the sidewalk within eight hours after the cessation of any snowstorm.
(Code 1972, § 18-15)
We are currently having issues with the owner of 921 Dwight Street, Holyoke, MA in which he does not abide by the ordinance and when he finally gets to complying he shovels out a 12 inch pad as wide as the shovel in his corner lot located on Linden and Dwight Street. Residents have raised their avid discontent in the matter, the HPD and BOH have tied resources in the matter and as most recent as this last snow storm it appears that the owner is not aware of his property lines and responsibility. See library of images that I am including as an example since the snow season started. Recommended that the order be adopted.

18E. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that the language in the Holyoke municipal code, Sec 14-5, (a),(1), a, be removed from the code. The language of this code reads as: “A dog may be off restraint if under adequate voice control of a person, and that person has a leash in their possession. A dog which does not respond to commands of the person in control of such animal is not under restraint.” This language, especially “if under adequate voice control,” is overly subjective and does nothing to protect another person or animal from injury should a dog owner not maintain control of their dog. Recommended that the order be adopted.

18F. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order That the City adopt a temporary moratorium on issuing special permits for MME’s and on the use of land and structures in the City for MME’s for a period of six months, so the City can study and enact ordinances that protect the health and well being of its citizens and businesses that may be negatively impacted by MME’s including but not limited to:
-Studying and evaluating the potential health hazards and economic impact of air emitted from MME’s
-Studying and evaluating the effectiveness of the latest filtration and mitigation technology for emissions from MME’s
-Implementation of effective filtration and mitigation system minimum requirements to eliminate air quality hazards and nuisance odors emitted from MME’s
-Implementation of effective buffers to protect citizens and businesses from air quality hazards and nuisance odors emitted from MME’s
-Development and implementation of clear and enforceable air quality and nuisance odor standards and penalties, including fines and operation shut downs
-Identifying the appropriate city department for monitoring and enforcement of air quality and nuisance odor violations
-Exploring dedicated funding for monitoring and enforcement of air quality nuisance odor emissions from MME’s. Recommended that the order has been complied with, with a further recommendation that appropriate departments research potential health and quality of life impacts that have been raised.

19. Finance Committee Reports (if any)

19A. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2022, FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($5,000.00) as follows:
FROM:
11411-51101 ASSESSOR $5,000.00
TOTAL: $5,000.00
TO:
11412-53090 ASSESSMENT UPDATE $5,000.00
TOTAL: $5,000.00 Recommended that the order be adopted.

19B. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2022, SIXTEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY AND 00/100 Dollars ($16,180.00) as follows:
FROM:
11351-51102 ASSISTANT AUDITOR – PAY $9,800.00
11351-51105 HEAD CLERK – PAY 6,380.00
TOTAL: $16,180.00
TO:
11452-56000 IRS PENALTIES $16,180.00
TOTAL: $16,180.00 Recommended that the order be adopted.

19C. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order That the Assessors appear before the City Council to discuss the current property tax exemption amounts and qualifying criteria to see if any adjustments can and should be made to ensure all deserving residents who should qualify for assistance get that assistance. We also want to make sure we are strategically taking advantage of all state subsidized exemptions for the financial support of our needy residents especially as the city has continued to increase property taxes to record levels. This is hitting many people hard and they need our help. Recommended that the order has been complied with, with a further recommendation that the age for eligibility of a 41C exemption be lowered to 65.

20. Public Safety Committee Reports (if any)

21. Public Service Committee Reports (if any)

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

23. Charter and Rules Committee Reports (if any)

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

MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS

25. MALDONADO-VELEZ — Order that we degender the language of rule 2

26. MALDONADO-VELEZ — Order that we degender the language of rule 4

27. MALDONADO-VELEZ — Order that we degender the language of rule 37

28. MALDONADO-VELEZ — Order that we degender the language of rule 62

29. MALDONADO-VELEZ — Order that the City Council Rules are reviewed, reorganized, and that titles are added for accessibility.

30. MALDONADO-VELEZ — Order that we include closed captioning on Zoom and other virtual spaces.

31. MALDONADO-VELEZ — Order that we ban single use plastic bags, straws, and/or food containers.

32. MALDONADO-VELEZ — Order that we look into creating an ordinance around trash pick up that is similar to when it snows, where residents, business owners, and the city are responsible for the trash on their property.

33. MALDONADO-VELEZ — 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.

34. MALDONADO-VELEZ, ANDERSON-BURGOS — Order that we create a Food Economy Coalition to identify and propose innovative policies, programming, and/or project solutions to improve the Holyoke food system and food entrepreneurship. Recommendations will be made to aligned bodies, such as the Office of Planning & Economic Development, the City Council, and relevant city departments (eg. DPW, BOH, etc.)

35. MCGEE — that the chief of police come before the finance committee to discuss the staffing issues it is having with the department and the budgeting concerns.

36. MCGEE — that the legal department, chief of police, auditor and mayor come before the finance committee to address the 4th captain position.

37. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2022, ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND 00/100 Dollars ($185,500.00) as follows:

FROM:
12101-51510 SICK BUYBACK $100,000.00
12101-51505 TIME OWED 45,000.00
12101-51500 VACATION BUYBACK 40,500.00
TOTAL: $185,500.00
TO:
12102-55860 PERSONNEL EQUIPMENT $21,000.00
12102-54221 SUPPLIES-AMMO 14,500.00
12102-53010 DATA MAINTENANCE 36,000.00
12102-52410 R&M M/V 20,000.00
12102-53190 EDUCATION & TRAINING 30,000.00
12102-54830 M/V SUPPLIES 14,000.00
12102-54800 M/V FUEL 30,000.00
12102-54200 OFFICE SUPPLIES 20,000.00
TOTAL: $185,500.00

38. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2022, SIXTEEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED TWO AND 10/100 Dollars ($16,902.10) as follows:

FROM:
12101-51104 LIEUTENANT $3,883.22
12101-51105 SERGEANT 3,361.90
12101-51107 PATROLMEN 9,656.98
TOTAL: $16,902.10
TO:
12101-51180 INJURED ON DUTY $16,902.10
TOTAL: $16,902.10

39. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2022, TWO HUNDRED FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($205,000.00) as follows:

FROM:
12101-51104 LIEUTENANT $30,000.00
12101-51107 PATROLMEN 105,000.00
12101-51117 E911 DISPATCHER 70,000.00
TOTAL: $205,000.00
TO:
12101-51109 RESERVES $30,000.00
12101-51300 OVERTIME 175,000.00
TOTAL: $205,000.00

40. MCGIVERIN — that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “FY2022 SENATOR CHARLES E. SHANNON, JR. COMMUNITY SAFETY INITIATIVE (SHANNON CSI), $556,355.26, 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.

41. MCGIVERIN — Ordered to accept the recent in-kind gift contribution from Ceaco to the Veteran’s Services Office of 1 pallet of various games/puzzles valued at $2,821.50.

42. MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI, ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered 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.

43. MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI, ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered that the City Council amend Holyoke Zoning Ordinances to correct the site plan review process in Section 7.10.6.5(b).

44. MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — Ordered that the City Council consider–and, requested that the Mayor direct appropriate City staff to study–options for amending existing zoning regulations for Cannabis Businesses to better diversify the siting of marijuana businesses in the City.

Proposed options should consider all permissible uses under 935 CMR 500.050 and give consideration to the state’s “recommendation [] to zone cannabis businesses based on the nature of their primary business operations” as opposed to overly-restrictive zoning, resulting in marijuana businesses being “crowded into small sections of a municipality, often areas with a vulnerable or low-income population.”

45. MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI, RIVERA_I — Ordered that the City of Holyoke equally and equitably _I investigate air quality concerns relating to commercial uses in and around the IG zone, regardless of whether the commercial use is a cannabis business or non-cannabis business.

46. MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — Ordered that the City Council adopt a rule to establish a two-year legislative term.  Any orders pending in committee or not acted on by the end of the legislative term must be re-filed at the start of the subsequent legislative term.

47. MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — Ordered that the City Council amend or clarify enforcement of Rule 61 so that a committee must act on an order within 30 days of City Council referral.  Any order not acted on within 30 days shall be deemed tabled.

48. 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 299 and 307 Walnut Street for $10,000 to OneHolyoke CDC.  299 and 307 Walnut Street are adjacent vacant lots totaling approximately 10,976 square feet in size.  The properties are identified in the Holyoke Assessor’s records as Map 004, Block 06, Parcels 004 and 005, zoned Downtown Residential (DR) and have a combined assessed value of $69,000.

49. 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 394 High Street for $15,000 to WF Real Estate Holdings LLC (affiliated with Way Finders, Inc.). 394 High Street is a vacant lot approximately 4,095 square feet in size.  The property is identified in the Holyoke Assessor’s records as Map 011, Block 04, Parcel 014, zoned Downtown Business (BC) and has an assessed value of $21,900.

50. 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 400 High Street for $15,000 to WF Real Estate Holdings LLC (affiliated with Way Finders, Inc.). 400 High Street is a vacant lot approximately 3,833 square feet in size.  The property is identified in the Holyoke Assessor’s records as Map 011, Block 04, Parcel 013, zoned Downtown Business (BC) and has an assessed value of $24,300.

51. PUELLO — That the Law Department give an opinion regarding who is at fault, if a property owner clears/properly removes snow for their area of responsibility within the allotted twenty four hours, and a DPW plow truck or similar city contracted vehicle plows snow back onto that property owners area of responsibility before/after the allotted time.

52. PUELLO — That the DPW Superintendent work with the Fire Department Alarm Division and explore the costs to install blinking/flashing lights to alert residents of any upcoming parking bans, possibly at the following locations or throughout the City (Main and Cabot, Sargeant and Main, Jackson and Main, Maple and Sargeant, Maple and Jackson, Pine and Resnic.

53. PUELLO — That the DPW install the appropriate signage and convert the intersection of Chestnut and Franklin streets into a three way stop. Drivers are speeding on Franklin Street and an existing blind spot on Chestnut street poses a significant hazard.

54. PUELLO — That the DPW install another “Do Not Enter” sign at the intersection of Springdale Avenue and Main Street. Drivers are entering Springdale Avenue from Main Street traveling against the “One Way” and are failing to see the only existing sign.

55. RIVERA_I — that the City Council invite the Department of Public Works as well as the Park & Recreation Department to meet with the Public Safety Committee around addressing the graffiti at the SkatePark located at Pulaski Park along with also exploring the possibility of developing a larger master plan for Pulaski Park in its entirety.

56. RIVERA_I — that the City council invite the Department of Public Works as well as the Parks & Recreation Department to a Public Safety committee meeting to address the upkeep and or improvement of Laurel St. Park.

57. RIVERA_I — that the city council invite the Mayor, Community Development, Parks & Recreation Department as well as Public health  to a Public Safety committee meeting to discuss developing so form of community coalition around addressing homelessness, substance abuse, and youth programming.

58. VACON — that each city department ensures compliance with the ordinance to clear snow from sidewalks within 24 hours for city owned properties.  There is a specific constituent request for the sidewalk near the field near McMahon School.

59. VACON — that our City Engineer recommend and implement safety improvements on Westfield Road at the curve near #292.  Another driver ran off the road in December into two front yards and left the scene.

60. VACON — 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.

61. VACON — Amend city council rules by adding: Legal form for Ordinance changes shall be provided 48 hours prior to a City Council meeting.
If legal form is not provided 48 hours prior to the meeting, upon objection of any member of the City Council, the matter will be tabled until the next meeting.  The purpose of this rule is to ensure that each Councilor has time to read proposed changes prior to voting on the matter.

62. ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered that a pedestrian crosswalk be placed where Portland St meets Beech St. A student was struck by a car as she tried to cross the street from the front of Holyoke High School.
Refer to Public Safety, copy to DPW

63. ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered that SUEZ and the Holyoke Housing Authority meet with the public safety committee to discuss how to fix the flooding issues that residents from Beaudoin Village have been experiencing for years.
Refer to Public Safety, copy to Suez, HHA

64. ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered that DPW and Parks & Rec look into making Rohan Park a kids and dog park. As it stands only half of the park is being utilized.
Refer to Public Safety, copy to DPW, Parks & Rec

65. ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered that the DPW change the size of the “no turn on red” signs located on the corner of Hillside Ave and Cherry St. The current signs are too small, making drivers unaware of them.
Refer to Public Safety, copy to DPW

66. ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered that “cross street does not stop” signs be placed on the stop signs where Locust meets Hampshire. There have been many near misses from drivers on Hampshire likely expecting drivers on Locust to stop at the intersection.
Refer to Public Safety, copy to DPW

67. ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered that the sidewalk in front of 211 West Franklin St be repaired. The roots from the tree in front of the house has raised the sidewalk making it difficult to transport their disabled child.
Refer to Public Safety, copy to DPW

68. ANDERSON-BURGOS — Ordered, “Pursuant to the authority granted them under section 3 of chapter 556 of the Acts of 1948, the city council declares the duties and qualifications of the general superintendent of the department of public works under qualifications and duties.”
The code in question is Sec. 2-201 Duties and Qualifications
This was a request from DPW Commissioner, Patti Devine. They’ll explain more when it’s taken up in committee.
Refer to Ordinance

69. BARTLEY — The city amend its ordinances to limit parking during business hours in front of 548 South St as this is a new restaurant in W-3.  Refer to Ordinance, city engineer.

70. BARTLEY — The DPW and Mayor consider repairing the sidewalk and tree belt proximate to 548 South St.  Send copy to Finance.  Request appropriation from Mayor if this Order makes sense.

71. BARTLEY — The city DPW fix the gaping hole in sidewalk proximate to 366-372 High St.  Refer to DPW.  Please repair asap as the property is soon to go under massive renovation.

72. BARTLEY — That the DPW fully plow, sand, salt all of Ogden St.  Receive, adopt, refer to DPW with copy of Public Safety.

73. GIVNER — That a streetlight be installed, by the City of Holyoke,  at pole #10 on Sycamore St as requested by Mr. White of 50 Sycamore St. There is a retaining wall there and it is very dark in the evening.  Suspicious activity has been occurring frequently.  Lighting this area will add to the safety of our community and contribute as a deterrent against crime and loitering.

74. GIVNER — That the City of Holyoke address poorly or un-plowed alleyways. Residents on the block of 192 Walnut str have been paying to have been paying to have alley plowed. Why are these not being plowed by the city if they are used by DPW for refuse pickup and access for Fire, Utilities, and police?

75. GIVNER — That the city of Holyoke install storm warning lights much like those in neighboring communities. These would act to signal coming snow and other inclement weather storms, prompting residents to check our city web site as well as their preferred news sources. Storm warning lights would also act as a parking ban notification in an effort to assist our overextended police department.

76. GIVNER — That the City of Holyoke amend ordinance that provides Columbus day as a Holiday be updated to wording that reflects that Columbus Day will now be referred to as “Indigenous Peoples Day, formerly known as Columbus Day”.

77. GIVNER — That the Holyoke City Council adopt a wage theft ordinance for all contractors doing projects for the city or receiving special tax incentives by the city similar to Easthampton and Springfield with the following purposes: prevent misclassification of employees as independent contractors; assure that employees are paying all payroll taxes and workers compensation premiums; comply with state laws governing the payment of prevailing wages; assure that contractors provide opportunities for Holyoke residents, veterans, people of color and women.

78. GIVNER — That the City of Holyoke enforce no parking zones and implement warnings and or small fines for vehicles in violation. This is a danger and in many neighborhoods, makes it impossible to see oncoming traffic when turning onto or of side streets. Especially concerning in Ward 4 is the intersection of Hampden St at O’Connor Ave.

79. GIVNER — That the City of Holyoke adopt a camera speed violation system in order to deter speeding on commuters through streets especially Beach, Hampden, Dwight, Maple, and High Streets . Holyoke has a city wide speed limit of 25mph. A ticketing system would remove this burden from our police department in some of the busiest areas while creating revenue for our city. It would also greatly reduce speeding and the running of traffic lights, by default increasing resident safety and life quality in all of our neighborhoods.

 

 

Addendum:
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

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