Holyoke City Council Meeting January 4, 2022

AGENDA FOR THE CITY COUNCIL
January 4,2022

LAID ON THE TABLE

1. 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.

Committee Members:
Rebecca Lisi
Juan . Anderson-Burgos
Linda L. Vacon
Terence Murphy
Libby Hernandez
—> Report of Committee received and laid on the table.

PUBLIC COMMENT

COMMUNICATIONS

2. List of Appointments for 2022

3. From Mayor Joshua Garcia, letter of appointment for new Personnel Director Kelly Curran

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

5. From Ryan Murphy, letter of interest/resume in Water Commission Vacancy

6. From Timothy Keane, letter of interest/resume in Water Commission Vacancy

7. From Lawyers for Civil Rights Boston, regarding seating of City Councilors Israel Rivera and Jenny Rivera

8. Notice of Community Outreach Public Meeting for Marijuana Cultivation and manufactoring Establishment at 475 Canal St.

PETITIONS

9. Petition of Eric Toensmeier for a renewal of a Home Occupation at 145 Brown Ave. for a writing and consulting business

10. Petition of WTM-SB LLC for a Marijuana Establishment at 120 Middle Water Street

MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS

11. 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.”

12. JOURDAIN — 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.

13. JOURDAIN — That the DPW and Sewer Commission do a study and seriously consider adopting a sewer maintenance insurance program for homeowners that is modeled off the Water Department’s water maintenance insurance program. The Water Department program has been a great accomplishment and has been very warmly received by residents who appreciate this very low cost protection.  That the DPW report back to the City Council on their findings by April 1, 2022.

14. JOURDAIN — That the Mayor be requested to hire a Full-Time Marketing and Public Relations Director for the City of Holyoke with the goal of improving the image of the City of Holyoke and aggressively seeking outside private investment to Holyoke.  A position of this nature should have a high Return on Investment (ROI) which should also be tracked.

15. JOURDAIN — That the School Receiver Mr Soto and his team be requested to develop a formal financial literacy curriculum for the schools as a measure to increase financial literacy of students and to end the cycle of poverty in the city.

16. JOURDAIN — The Holyoke Gas and Electric be requested to take all necessary steps to end the gas moratorium.  That they report back to the City Council by April 1, 2022 on their recommended plan of action including potential time table to bring the moratorium to an end.

17. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2022, EIGHTEEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTEEN AND 34/100 Dollars ($18,417.34) as follows:

FROM:
12101-51104 LIEUTENANT $3,883.22
12101-51105 SERGEANT 3,361.90
12101-51107 PATROLMEN 11,172.22
TOTAL: $18,417.34
TO:
12101-51180 INJURED ON DUTY $18,417.34
TOTAL: $18,417.34

18. MCGIVERIN — 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

19. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2022, TWENTY TWO THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE AND 10/100 Dollars ($22,145.10) as follows:

FROM:
15431-51103 PAY-INVESTIGATOR $22,145.10
TOTAL: $22,145.10
TO:
15431-51105 PAY-NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICER $22,145.10
TOTAL: $22,145.10

Addendum:

LATE FILES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

A. From Tanya Wdowiak, City Auditor, explanation of transfer to Personnel Director account.

B. From Councilor Michael Sullivan, communication from John Aubin regarding the future of MME’s in the City of Holyoke

C. TALLMAN, LEBRON-MARTINEZ, SULLIVAN, BARTLEY — Ordered, That the city council give a proclamation to Garvulenski Service Station for 50 years of service to the citizen of Holyoke and surrounding communities.

D. SULLIVAN — That the City Council approve the recommendation of the CPA for the expenditure of $60,000 for the restoration of the Lady Liberty statue in Veterans Park.  Total cost estimate is $110,000.  State has already “earmarked” balance but must be used in FY22.

E. From Councilor James Leahy, letter from Holyoke Taxpayers Association regarding proposed wage theft ordinance

F. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, letter detailing position on the Wage Theft ordinance

G. From Councilor Michael Sullivan, communication from John Aubin providing opinion from Atty Roger P Lipton on city liability related to denying marijuana establishment special permits.

H. BARTLEY, LEAHY, MURPHY, VACON — That the Health Director, Building Commissioner and any other relevant city official meet ASAP with the Ordinance Committee to discuss odor mitigation at marijuana entities in Holyoke for the purpose of a) amending city ordinances and/or b) adding language to the list of conditions typically added to the Marijuana Special Permit.

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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