Holyoke City Council Special Meeting September 16, 2019
6:30 pm City Hall Holyoke
536 Dwight St, Holyoke 01040
AGENDA FOR THE CITY COUNCIL
September 16,2019
MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS
1. MCGEE — Ordered, that the City Council vote to approve an exemption from MGL Ch. 268A, Sec. 20(b), the Conflict of Interest Law, for Lhea Destromp, an employee of the Parks and Recreation Department, to work as a contracted employee for personal services with the School Department.
2. MCGIVERIN — that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “2019 CONNECTICUT RIVER CSO CLEAN UP PROGRAM” 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.
3. MCGIVERIN — that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “FY2018 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT – SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS (AFG-SCBA)” 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.
4. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2020, TWENDY TWO THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FORTY THREE AND 25/100 Dollars ($22,643.25) as follows:
FROM:
12201-51104 LIEUTENANTS $7,846.53
12201-51105 FIREFIGHTERS 14,796.72
TOTAL: $22,643.25
TO:
12201-51180 INJURED ON DUTY $22,643.25
TOTAL: $22,643.25
5. MCGIVERIN — DUE TO THE DECREASE IN STATE CHARTER SCHOOL SENDING TUITION ASSESSMENT FROM $12,559,586 TO $12,522,870 BETWEEN FY2020 HOUSE BUDGET PROPOSAL AND CONFERENCE COMMITTEE:
SCHOOL DEPT. PAGE 28:
LINE 18202-56513 CHARTER SCHOOL SENDING TUITION: DEDUCT $36,716.00
ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION OF $12,559,586
6. MCGIVERIN — DUE TO THE INCREASE IN STATE EDUCATION RECEIPTS FROM $76,631,340 TO $78,419,665 AND THE INCREASE IN TUITION ASSESSMENTS FROM $14,999,765 TO $15,294,871 BETWEEN THE FY2020 HOUSE BUDGET AND CONFERENCE COMMITTEE :
SCHOOL DEPT. PAGE 28:
LINE 13001-51000 PERSONAL SERVICES INCREASE BY $1,493,219
ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION OF $43,500,000
LINE 18202-56511 SCHOOL CHOICE SENDING TUITION INCREASE BY $331,822
ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION OF $2,440,179
ASSESSMENTS OFFSET BY ADDITIONAL STATE EDUCATION RECEIPTS
7. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2020, EIGHT THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY THREE AND 00/100 Dollars ($8,583.00) as follows:
FROM:
11351-51105 HEAD ADMIN CLERK/AUDIT $8,583.00
TOTAL: $8,583.00
TO:
15431-51104 HEAD ADMIN CLERK/VETERANS $8,583.00
TOTAL: $8,583.00
8. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2020, SEVEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY FOUR AND 25/100 Dollars ($7,484.25) as follows:
FROM:
11521-51104 HEAD ADMIN CLERK/PERSONNEL $7,484.25
TOTAL: $7,484.25
TO:
15431-51104 HEAD ADMIN CLERK/VETERANS $7,484.25
TOTAL: $7,484.25
9. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2020, NINE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND 49/100 Dollars ($9,100.49) as follows:
FROM:
15101-51107 SANITARIAN III $9,100.49
TOTAL: $9,100.49
TO:
15431-51102 DEPUTY COMMISIONER $9,100.49
TOTAL: $9,100.49
10. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2020, TWELVE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED NINETY ONE AND 00/100 Dollars ($12,591.00) as follows:
FROM:
11511-51101 CITY SOLICITOR $12,591.00
TOTAL: $12,591.00
TO:
15431-51102 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER $12,591.00
TOTAL: $12,591.00
11. MCGIVERIN — that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2020, THREE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY AND 00/100 Dollars ($3,840.00) as follows:
FROM:
11511-51108 PARALEGAL $3,840.00
TOTAL: $3,840.00
TO:
15431-51102 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER $3,840.00
TOTAL: $3,840.00
12. MCGIVERIN — that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “FY2018 ASSISTANT TO FIREFIGHTER GRANT (AFG)” 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.
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
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
September 16,2019
The meeting was called to order by President McGee at 06:30 PM.
The Clerk called the roll. Absent members: 3 (Bresnahan, Leahy, Valentin) Present Members 10 (Anderson-Burgos, Bartley, Lebron-Martinez, Lisi, McGee, McGiverin, Murphy, Sullivan, Tallman, Vacon).
The name of Councilor Anderson-Burgos was drawn to head the roll call voting.
ORDERS AND TRANSFERS
MCGEE Ordered, that Ordered, that the City Council vote to approve an exemption from MGL Ch. 268A, Sec. 20(b), the Conflict of Interest Law, for Lhea Destromp, an employee of the Parks and Recreation Department, to work as a contracted employee for personal services with the School Department.
—> Received and Adopted on a call of the roll of the yeas and nays –Yeas 8–Nays 0–Absent 5 (Anderson-Burgos, Bresnahan, Leahy, Lisi, Valentin).
Approved by the Mayor.
UNDER DISCUSSION:
Lhea Destromp was present at the meeting and gave an overview of the work she is doing for the City. It was noted that she works for the public schools and was also at times working at the Parks and Rec. It was noted that there was a clause in her contract with the Holyoke Public Schools would ensure that she would need to get an exemption to do this work which would be 4-6 hours a week with parks and rec. Parks and Rec director Sheppard stated that she supported Mrs. Destromp getting this exemption stating that she does a good job in her special employee status and that she performs as Mrs. Mud Pie for the dept. Lhea Destromp gave overview of the hours she works and duties she performs for the schools noting that she works with a diverse population kids to help them gain life and living skills along with academic skills. Councilor Bartley asked why this employment status was only caught now and was not seen from the beginning of the employment. It was noted by Terry Sheppard that there was not a conflict of interest at the beginning of Lhea’s employment. Councilor Bartley suggested that there should be procedure in effect so that the employee should not be the one to have to catch these conflicts. It was noted that the pay rate was 14 dollars an hour and that the hope was that Lhea would be able to have one event every month. It was also noted by Mrs. Sheppard that the hope was that some of these events would be self-sustaining. It was further noting that the employment status would be casual part-time status. Terry Sheppard gave overview of how jobs are advertised when there are openings in the departments. Councilor McGiverin and Murphy gave some compliments to Mrs. Destromp for work she has done. Motion was made and seconded to approve the order: Clerk called the roll: Item 1 adopted 8-0 Yeas 8–Nays 0–Absent 5 (Anderson-Burgos, Bresnahan, Leahy, Lisi, Valentin)
MCGIVERIN Ordered, that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “2019 CONNECTICUT RIVER CSO CLEAN UP PROGRAM” 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.
To the City Council:
I hereby recommend the passage of the above order at the meeting of your Council to be held Monday, September 16, 2019.
Alex B Morse, Mayor
—> Received and referred to the Finance Committee.
MCGIVERIN Ordered, that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “FY2018 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT – SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS (AFG-SCBA)” 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.
To the City Council:
I hereby recommend the passage of the above order at the meeting of your Council to be held Monday, September 16, 2019.
Alex B Morse, Mayor
—> Passed two readings and Adopted on a call of the roll of the yeas and nays –Yeas 10–Nays 0–Absent 3 (Bresnahan, Leahy, Valentin).
Approved by the Mayor.
Motion was made and seconded to suspend the rules and take items 4, 5 and 6 as a package
MCGIVERIN Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2020, TWENTY TWO THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FORTY THREE AND 25/100 Dollars ($22,643.25) as follows:
FROM:
12201-51104 LIEUTENANTS $7,846.53
12201-51105 FIREFIGHTERS 14,796.72
TOTAL: $22,643.25
TO:
12201-51180 INJURED ON DUTY $22,643.25
TOTAL: $22,643.25
To the City Council:
I hereby recommend the passage of the above order at the meeting of your Council to be held Monday, September 16, 2019.
Alex B Morse, Mayor
—> Passed two readings and Adopted on a call of the roll of the yeas and nays –Yeas 10–Nays 0–Absent 3 (Bresnahan, Leahy, Valentin).
Approved by the Mayor.
MCGIVERIN Ordered, that DUE TO THE DECREASE IN STATE CHARTER SCHOOL SENDING TUITION ASSESSMENT FROM $12,559,586 TO $12,522,870 BETWEEN FY2020 HOUSE BUDGET PROPOSAL AND CONFERENCE COMMITTEE:
SCHOOL DEPT. PAGE 28:
LINE 18202-56513 CHARTER SCHOOL SENDING TUITION: DEDUCT $36,716.00
ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION OF $12,559,586
To the City Council:
I hereby recommend the passage of the above order at the meeting of your Council to be held Monday, September 16, 2019.
Alex B Morse, Mayor
—> Passed two readings and Adopted on a call of the roll of the yeas and nays –Yeas 10–Nays 0–Absent 3 (Bresnahan, Leahy, Valentin).
Approved by the Mayor.
MCGIVERIN Ordered, that DUE TO THE INCREASE IN STATE EDUCATION RECEIPTS FROM $76,631,340 TO $78,419,665 AND THE INCREASE IN TUITION ASSESSMENTS FROM $14,999,765 TO $15,294,871 BETWEEN THE FY2020 HOUSE BUDGET AND CONFERENCE COMMITTEE :
SCHOOL DEPT. PAGE 28:
LINE 13001-51000 PERSONAL SERVICES INCREASE BY $1,493,219
ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION OF $43,500,000
LINE 18202-56511 SCHOOL CHOICE SENDING TUITION INCREASE BY $331,822
ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION OF $2,440,179
ASSESSMENTS OFFSET BY ADDITIONAL STATE EDUCATION RECEIPTS
To the City Council:
I hereby recommend the passage of the above order at the meeting of your Council to be held Monday, September 16, 2019.
Alex B Morse, Mayor
—> Passed two readings and Adopted on a call of the roll of the yeas and nays –Yeas 10–Nays 0–Absent 3 (Bresnahan, Leahy, Valentin).
Approved by the Mayor.
UNDER DISCUSSION:
Councilor McGiverin gave information on each order and noted that these appropriations were needed to round out the budget in the Schools in Items 5 and 6. Councilor McGiverin talked about the increase in Chapter 70 monies and how the money would go directly in to salary line items. It was noted by Councilor McGiveirn that these orders if adopted would solidify the budget for the schools. Councilor McGiverin also gave information on the Injured On Duty order noting that the money is contractually obligated and used as an accounting mechanism. Motion was made and seconded to adopt Items 4, 5, and 6: Clerk called the roll: Item 4, 5, and 6 adopted 10-0 (Bresnahan, Leahy, Valentin absent)
Motion was made and seconded to suspend the rules and take Items 7, 8, 9 and 10 as a package
MCGIVERIN Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2020, EIGHT THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY THREE AND 00/100 Dollars ($8,583.00) as follows:
FROM:
11351-51105 HEAD ADMIN CLERK/AUDIT $8,583.00
TOTAL: $8,583.00
TO:
15431-51104 HEAD ADMIN CLERK/VETERANS $8,583.00
TOTAL: $8,583.00
To the City Council:
I hereby recommend the passage of the above order at the meeting of your Council to be held Monday, September 16, 2019.
Alex B Morse, Mayor
—> Received and referred to the Finance Committee.
MCGIVERIN Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2020, SEVEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY FOUR AND 25/100 Dollars ($7,484.25) as follows:
FROM:
11521-51104 HEAD ADMIN CLERK/PERSONNEL $7,484.25
TOTAL: $7,484.25
TO:
15431-51104 HEAD ADMIN CLERK/VETERANS $7,484.25
TOTAL: $7,484.25
To the City Council:
I hereby recommend the passage of the above order at the meeting of your Council to be held Monday, September 16, 2019.
Alex B Morse, Mayor
—> Received and referred to the Finance Committee.
MCGIVERIN Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2020, NINE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND 49/100 Dollars ($9,100.49) as follows:
FROM:
15101-51107 SANITARIAN III $9,100.49
TOTAL: $9,100.49
TO:
15431-51102 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER $9,100.49
TOTAL: $9,100.49
To the City Council:
I hereby recommend the passage of the above order at the meeting of your Council to be held Monday, September 16, 2019.
Alex B Morse, Mayor
—> Received and referred to the Finance Committee.
MCGIVERIN Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2020, TWELVE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED NINETY ONE AND 00/100 Dollars ($12,591.00) as follows:
FROM:
11511-51101 CITY SOLICITOR $12,591.00
TOTAL: $12,591.00
TO:
15431-51102 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER $12,591.00
TOTAL: $12,591.00
To the City Council:
I hereby recommend the passage of the above order at the meeting of your Council to be held Monday, September 16, 2019.
Alex B Morse, Mayor
—> Received and referred to the Finance Committee.
Recess was taken for 10 minutes at 7:03pm
Meeting was reconvened at 7:13pm: It was noted that Councilor Lisi had joined the meeting making for 9 Councilors present at the meeting.
MCGIVERIN Ordered, that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2020, THREE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY AND 00/100 Dollars ($3,840.00) as follows:
FROM:
11511-51108 PARALEGAL $3,840.00
TOTAL: $3,840.00
TO:
15431-51102 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER $3,840.00
TOTAL: $3,840.00
To the City Council:
I hereby recommend the passage of the above order at the meeting of your Council to be held Monday, September 16, 2019.
Alex B Morse, Mayor
—> Received and referred to the Finance Committee.
Motion was made and seconded to suspend the rules and take items 3 and 12 as a package.
MCGIVERIN Ordered, that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “FY2018 ASSISTANT TO FIREFIGHTER GRANT (AFG)” 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.
To the City Council:
I hereby recommend the passage of the above order at the meeting of your Council to be held Monday, September 16, 2019.
Alex B Morse, Mayor
—> Passed two readings and Adopted on a call of the roll of the yeas and nays –Yeas 10–Nays 0–Absent 3 (Bresnahan, Leahy, Valentin).
Approved by the Mayor.
UNDER DISCUSSION:
Rules were suspended to take up Items 3 and 12 as a package: Finance Chair McGiverin spoke and gave information on the two grants. Councilor McGiverin spoke on SAFER grant and noted that it is a typical yearly grant and noted that it is for a significant amount of money. It was noted that the Fire Chief was present to speak on the two grants. Rules were suspended to allow the Fire Chief Pond to address the Council. AFG SAB Grant was addressed first. It was noted that the grant in Item 3 was for $382,200 and would require a 10% match from the City. Chief Pond noted that the grant would need to be accepted by September 27th and that was the urgency in having the Council review and adopt the grant. It was noted that the grant money would be used for outfitting all the fire trucks in the City with self-contained breathing apparatus, which is very important for the fire fighters. It was also noted that money would also go to other specialized clothing and helmets and masks and would be a very big help for the department. Councilor Bartley asked for a letter from the auditor to see what the balance is of the bond that is being used in the situation. Motion was made and seconded to ask for the balance of the bond funds are and what the intended use is of the balance if any by the next full Council meeting. Motion passed 9-0. Motion was made and seconded to adopt Item 3: Item approved 10-0 (Bresnahan, Leahy, Valentin absent) Deputy Chief gave information on the 2018 AFG Grant (Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant) in Item 12. Relevant information on the grant was given to the Council by Chief Pond and it was noted that the grant was for 6 fire fighters to get full salary benefit percentages for three years. Chief Pond broke down the dollar amount for each year that would be included in the grant. It was noted by Chief Pond that this grant would need to be approved before they hire 6 new fire fighters or the fire fighters would not be eligible to receive the grant funds. It was also noted that the grant required no match from the City. Motion was made and seconded to approve the grant in Item 12: Item 12 approved 10-0 (Bresnhan, Leahy, Valentin absent)
Adjourn at 08:42 AM.
A true record
ATTEST:
______________________________
City Clerk