Holyoke City Council Special Meeting January 8, 2019

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
January 8,2019

The meeting was called to order by President McGee at 07:16 PM.

The Clerk called the roll. Absent members: 0 Present Members 12 (Anderson-Burgos, Bartley, Bresnahan, Leahy, Lebron-Martinez, Lisi, McGee, McGiverin, Sullivan, Tallman, Vacon, Valentin).

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

Councilor Valentin volunteered to head the roll call. The council decided to vote in reverse alphabetical order.

Councilor Bartley spoke and stated that he would like to see the order for voting be changed. Councilor Bartley noted that he has not seen any rule that says the roll for appointments need to go in alphabetical order. Motion was made and seconded to take the vote in reverse alphabetical order: Motion passed by voice vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Residents interested in filling the Ward 2 seat came to the microphone to speak.
It was noted that that each potential candidate would have up to 5 minutes to be able to speak to the Council and state why they should be appointed to the Ward 2 City Council seat.

Marilyn Sanabria of 20 Resnic Blvd. spoke: Mrs. Sanabria spoke and stated that she has lived in Ward 2 for most of her life. Mrs. Sanabria read her letter of interest that was presented to the Council. Mrs. Sanabria gave the reasons that she is seeking to be the Ward 2 Councilor and also gave her qualifications for the position.

Diosdado Lopez of 19 Springdale Ave. spoke and gave a list of concerns and issues effecting Ward 2. Some of the issues included trash and littering issues. It was also noted that Springdale Turn Hall was major concern and that he would like to ensure that it is safe from a potential fire. Mr. Lopez stated another bevy of goals and ideas he has to improve Ward 2.

Councilor Bartley addressed the Council as a point of order and mentioned an email in which he was blind copied on by former Assistant City Solicitor Chris Erchull. It was noted that in the email which was a farewell email sent out on one of the last days that Atty. Erchull was working in the City Law Dept. mentioned a legal dispute in which Mr. Diosdado Lopez was involved with. Councilor Bartley noted that it was bizarre that such an email would go out especially in a farewell email. It was noted that other Councilors also received the same email. Councilor Bartley stated that he felt that the timing of the email was to discredit Diosdado Lopez because it was public knowledge that the critical vote for the Ward 2 Council would be upcoming. Councilor Bartley stated that he feels that the email was politically motivated and asked Councilor Todd McGee to look into the situation.

Terence Murphy of 1062 Main St. spoke and gave information about himself and the reason he is seeking the Ward 2 Council seat. Mr. Murphy gave an overview of his background noting that he has 10 years of experience as a City Councilor. Mr. Murphy stated that if he was appointed to be the Ward 2 Councilor he would not seek re-election to ensure that a fair and even political race can take place for the ward 2 seat in the next election. Mr. Murphy stated that he would like to see more people involved in public service and he was hoping that there would be a large field of candidates for the next election. Mr. Murphy gave some of what his ideas and efforts what the Ward would look like.

Roberto Lopez spoke and stated that he is a homeowner in Holyoke and has lived in the City for 30 years. Mr. Lopez stated that he would work to fight blight and crime in the ward.

COMMUNICATIONS

Letter from President McGee, appointment of Ward 2 Councilor
—> Election of City Council Ward 2

Motion was made and seconded to proceed to the 1st ballot for the City Council Ward 2 position:
The Council voted in reverse alphabetical order and Marilyn Sanabria received 5 votes, Diosdado Lopez received 4 votes, Terence Murphy received 2 votes and Roberto Lopez received 1 vote.

The Council voted as follows:
Anderson-Burgos-Sanabria
Bartley- Diosdado Lopez
Bresnahan-Murphy
Leahy-Diosdado Lopez
Lebron-Martinez-Sanabria
Lisi-Sanabria
McGee-Sanabria
McGiverin-Diosdado Lopez
Sullivan-Roberto Lopez
Tallman-Murphy
Vacon-Diosdado Lopez
Valentin-Sanabria

A motion was made and seconded to proceed to the 2nd ballot for the City Council Ward 2 position:
The Council voted in reverse alphabetical order and Marilyn Sanabria received 4 votes, Diosdado Lopez received 4 votes, Terence Murphy received 3 votes and Roberto Lopez received 1 vote.

The Council voted as follows:
Anderson-Burgos-Sanabria
Bartley- Diosdado Lopez
Bresnahan-Murphy
Leahy-Diosdado Lopez
Lebron-Martinez-Sanabria
Lisi-Sanabria
McGee-Murphy
McGiverin-Diosdado Lopez
Sullivan-RobertoLopez
Tallman-Murphy
Vacon-Diosdado Lopez
Valentin-Sanabria

A motion was made and seconded to proceed to the 3rd ballot for the City Council Ward 2 position:
The Council voted in reverse alphabetical order and Marilyn Sanabria received 4 votes, Diosdado Lopez received 1 votes, Terence Murphy received 6 votes and Roberto Lopez received 1 vote.

The Council voted as follows:
Anderson-Burgos-Sanabria
Bartley- Murphy
Bresnahan-Murphy
Leahy-Murphy
Lebron-Martinez-Sanabria
Lisi-Sanabria
McGee-Murphy
McGiverin-Murphy
Sullivan-Roberto Lopez
Tallman-Murphy
Vacon-Diosdado Lopez
Valentin-Sanabria

A motion was made and seconded to proceed to the 4th ballot for the City Council Ward 2 position:
The Council voted in reverse alphabetical order and Terence Murphy was appointed the Ward 2 City Councilor with 9 votes. Marilyn Sanabria received 2 votes and Diosdado Lopez received 1 vote.

The Council voted as follows:
Anderson-Burgos-Murphy
Bartley- Murphy
Bresnahan-Murphy
Leahy-Murphy
Lebron-Martinez-Sanabria
Lisi-Murphy
McGee-Murphy
McGiverin-Murphy
Sullivan-Murphy
Tallman-Murphy
Vacon-Diosdado Lopez
Valentin-Sanabria

ORDERS AND TRANSFERS

MCGIVERIN Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2019, FOUR HUNDRED THREE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED FOUR AND 41/100 Dollars ($403,804.41) as follows:

FROM:
*****-***** FREE CASH $403,804.41
TOTAL: $403,804.41
TO:
12201-51103 CAPTAINS $36,079.27
12201-51104 LIEUTENANTS 66,180.22
12201-51105 FIREFIGHTERS 280,059.87
12201-51107 SUPERVISOR FIRE ALARM 3,709.53
12201-51109 ASST SUPERVISOR FIRE ALARM 3,312.17
12201-51110 FIRE ALARM OPERATOR 14,463.35
TOTAL: $403,804.41

To the City Council:
I hereby recommend the passage of the above order at the meeting of your Council to be held Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

Alex B Morse, Mayor

—> Received and referred to the Finance Committee.

Adjourn at 07:50 PM.
A true record
ATTEST:

______________________________
City Clerk