Holyoke City Council Special Meeting November 9, 2023
6:00 pm City Hall Holyoke
536 Dwight St, Holyoke 01040
Posted November 3, 2023, 12:00 PM
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25,
and Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023
notice is hereby given that there will be special meeting of the
Holyoke City Council
Thursday, November 9, 2023
6:00PM
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/83372651402?pwd=YnVrRVNPclMvU1NCYjE5ck5SMDR3Zz09
Meeting ID: 833 7265 1402 Meeting Passcode: 627202 or by call in at 1-646-558-8656 with the 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
1. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, supplemental budget.
2. From Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, executive summary for supplemental budget.
3. From Mayor Joshua A Garcia, Proposal for Ezekiel’s Plan: Operation Safe Streets
4. From Atty Michael Bissonnette, Asst City Solicitor, Memo on Optional Municipal Administration Act (MGL Chapter 43C).
5. MCGEE — Ordered, that the City of Holyoke accepts and adopt the provisions of MGL Chapter 43C entitled “Optional Forms of Municipal Administration.”
6. MCGIVERIN — Ordered, that pursuant to Section 12 of MGL Chapter 43C, the City of Holyoke, acting by and through its City Council and Mayor, creates a Finance Department as provided for in the statute subject to implementation by city ordinance approved with an effective date no later than December 31, 2025.
7. From Community Preservation Committee, Revised scope of work for FY23 CPA Wistariahurst restoration of damaged porch structures project
8. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order Petition of Amie Matos, street vendor application, 363 Main St
Recommended that the order be given a leave to withdraw.
9. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order Special permit application of Blossom Flower LLC at 1 Cabot Street (048-01-010) for a cannabis third party transporter license.
Recommended that the special permit be granted.
10. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order That a handicap sign be placed in front of 541/2 Davis St, for Angel Luis Vazquez Natal, Placard # PL5800106.
Recommended that the order be adopted.
11. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order That a handicap sign be placed in front of 584 So. Summer St. for Wilfredo Lorenzi, Placard #PL2230484.
Recommended that the order be adopted.
12. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that two handicap parking spots be installed at the new park at Kennedy field.
Recommended that the order be adopted.
13. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order to remove a handicap sign from the front of 60 North East St. the person has moved.
Recommended that the order be adopted.
14. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order to establish a Holyoke Food Coalition by city ordinance.
Recommended that the order be adopted.
15. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred Zone change application from DR to BC for Jose Almonte at 549-551 South Bridge St (029-08-002) to rebuild convenience store following a recent fire.
Recommended that the zone change be granted.
16. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “FY2023 BJA COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID, STIMULANT, AND OTHER SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM, $1,000,000, 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.
Recommended that the order be adopted.
17. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44 Sec. 53A, the City Council hereby accepts the provisions of the “FY2023 BJA EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM, $40,949, 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.
Recommended that the order be adopted.
18. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order That the City appropriate the amount of twelve million, seven hundred eight thousand, seven hundred seventy-five dollars ($12,708,775) for the purpose of paying costs of the construction at the H.B. Lawrence School for a potential window and door replacement project, at the Lt. Elmer J. McMahon Elementary School for a window and door replacement project, at the Maurice A. Donahue Elementary School for a partial window and door replacement project and at the William J. Dean Vocational Technical High School for a boiler replacement project, (The invitation for the partial window and door replacement project at the Maurice A. Donahue Elementary School is limited to the
window section from the original 1973 building.) including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto, and for which the City may be eligible for a grant from the
Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), said amount to be expended under the direction of the School Committee. To meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. Chapters 44, 70B, or pursuant to any other enabling authority. The City acknowledges that the MSBA’s grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any project costs the City incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the City; provided further that any grant that City may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall not exceed the lesser of (1) eighty percent (80%) of eligible, approved project costs, as determined by the MSBA, or (2) the total maximum grant amount determined by the MSBA; provided that any appropriation hereunder shall be subject to and contingent upon the City being awarded a grant from the MSBA for the Project; and that the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the City and the MSBA and the amount of any ESSER reimbursement payments received by the City. FURTHER ORDERED: That the Mayor is authorized to contract for and expend any
state aid available for the project; and that the Mayor is authorized to take any other action necessary or convenient to carry out this project. FURTHER ORDERED: That the Treasurer is authorized to file an application to qualify under Chapter 44A of the General Laws any and all of the bonds or notes authorized to be issued pursuant to this Order, and to provide such information and execute such documents as may be required for such purposes. Further Ordered: That there shall be no change in the purpose of this bond
authorization without prior vote of approval by the Holyoke City Council
Recommended that the order be adopted.
19. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2024, THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($300,000) as follows:
FROM:
12101-51107 PATROLMEN $300,000
TOTAL: $300,000
TO:
12101-51300 OVERTIME $300,000
TOTAL: $300,000
Recommended that the order be adopted.
20. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2024, TWO HUNDRED FIFTY SIX THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($256,000) as follows:
FROM:
8811-10400 CAPITAL STABILIZATION $256,000
TOTAL: $256,000
TO:
12103-58002 CAPITAL OUTLAY – HPD OTHER EQUIPMENT $256,000
…-… SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT …
TOTAL: $256,000
Recommended that the order be adopted.
21. From Atty Crystal Barnes, Meara Law LLC, Proof of Insurance and redline license agreement for Canal Row LLC.
22. The Committee on Development and Governmental Relations to whom was referred an order that the City Council approve a license agreement between the City of Holyoke and Canal Row, LLC for the use of a portion of the sidewalk located at the intersection of Race and Middle Streets for the construction of an ADA compliant ramp.
Recommended that the order be adopted, contingent on proof of insurance being provided.
23. The Committee on Development and Governmental Relations to whom was referred an order That the Honorable City Council, in accordance with M.G.L. ch. 30B and the City ordinance for property disposition, vote that the City of Holyoke accept the proposal and sell 107 Clemente Street for $34,700.00 to Housing Innovations and Programming, Inc. (a division of Holyoke Housing Authority). The property is described in the City Assessor Records as Map 028, Block 03, Parcel 002, consisting of approximately 6,534 square feet of vacant land. The property is zoned as Downtown Residential (DR) and has an assessed value of $34,700.00.
Recommended that the order be adopted.