CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS
City Councilors:
Marissa Elkins, At-Large
Jamila Gore, At-Large
Stanley W. Moulton, III, Ward 1
Vice-President - Karen Foster, Ward 2
Council President - James Nash, Ward 3
Garrick Perry, Ward 4
Alex Jarrett, Ward 5
Marianne LaBarge, Ward 6
Rachel Maiore, Ward 7
Meeting Agenda
On-line Video Conference
Meeting Date: June 15, 2023
Meeting Time: 7 p.m.
The June 15, 2023 City Council meeting will be held by remote participation. The public may follow the council's deliberations by watching the meeting live on Comcast channel 15, live-streaming it on YouTube here or joining the virtual meeting by phone or computer. Live public comment is available beginning at 7 p.m.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CALLING IN OR JOINING THE MEETING
Join the meeting: PUBLIC MEETING LINK
For telephone call-in, call:
+929 436-2866 US
MEETING ID: 845 2122 8288
PARTICIPANT#: #
PASSCODE: 279430
1.
2.
Announcement that meeting is being Audio/Video Recorded
This meeting is being audio/video recorded.
3.
Public Hearings
4.
Public Comment
5.
Announcements from Councilors and the Mayor
6.
Presentations
7.
Consent Agenda
Rule 4.4.4 There shall be no debate or discussion by any City Council member regarding any item on the Consent Agenda, beyond asking questions for simple clarification.
Rule 4.4.5 Any item may be removed from the Consent Agenda upon the request of any City Council member prior to the taking of a vote on the motion to approve it. All such items will be considered individually, in the order in which they were removed, immediately following consideration of the Consent Agenda.
A.
Minutes of May 23, 2023 Special City Council Meeting (FY2024 Budget Hearing) and June 1, 2023 City Council Meeting
B.
23.313 Appointments to Various Committees, all positive recommendations, City Services Committee - 6/5/2023
Whiting Street Fund Committee
Andrea Murray, 54 Day Ave., Northampton
Term: July 2023 - June 2026
Reappointment
Board of Assessors
David Murphy, 78 North Elm St., Northampton
Term: July 2023 - June 2026
Reappointment
Central Business Architecture Committee
Melissa Frydlo, 123 South St. #2, Northampton
Term: July 2023 – June 2026
Reappointment
Council on Aging
Adrianne Andrews, 84 Pines Edge Drive, Northampton
Term: July 2023 – June 2026
To fill a vacancy
Mark Bird, 19 West Center St., Florence
Term: July 2023 – June 2026
To fill a vacancy
Housing Partnership
Spencer Ghazey-Bates, 86 Massasoit St., Northampton
Term: July 2023 – June 2026
To fill a vacancy
C.
23.345 Appointments and Reappointments to Various Committees, for referral to City Services
Board of Health
Dr. Suzanne Smith, 134 State Street, Northampton
Term: July 2023 - June 2026
Reappointment
Central Business Architecture Committee
Emily Wright, 244 South Street, Northampton
Term: July 2023 - June 2026
Reappointment
Conservation Commission
Jen Smith, 24 Audubon Road #1, Leeds
Term: July 2023 - June 2026
Reappointment
Elizabeth Spriggs, 79 Reservoir Road #1, Leeds
Term: July 2023 - June 2026
New Appointment
Council On Aging
Karen Lynds, 71 Reservoir Road, Leeds
Term: July 2023 - June 2026
New Appointment
Planning Board
Samuel Taylor, 245 North Street, Northampton
Term: July 2023 - June 2026
Re-appointment
Arts Council
Michael Brown, PO Box 113, Leeds
Term: July 2023 - June 2026
New Appointment
8.
Financial Orders (on 1st reading)
Rule 2.6.1.1.1 Process. Financial orders will be introduced and discussed at a full City Council meeting and referred to either the consent agenda of a future meeting or the Finance Committee for more public input, discussion and recommendation.
A.
23.338 An Order to Establish an Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund - 1st reading
Process note: The Mayor's office respectfully requests a waiver of process (two readings).
B.
23.339 An Order to Appropriate FY2024 Cash Capital to Various Capital Projects - 1st reading
C.
23.340 An Order to Authorize FY2024 Intermunicipal Agreements - 1st reading
D.
23.341 An Order Suspending Section 285-4 C in Support of the Taste of Northampton - 1st reading
E.
23.342 An Order to Approve FY2023 End of Year Budget Transfers - 1st reading
Process note: Waiver of process (two readings) is requested to allow budget transfers to take place prior to the end of the fiscal year.
F.
23.343 An Order to Reprogram Funds to the Ryan Road School Heating Upgrade Project - 1st reading
Process note: Waiver of process (two readings) is respectfully requested to expedite commencement of the project and insure completion prior to the heating season.
G.
23.346 An Order to Reprogram Funds for Jackson Street School Window Repair - 1st reading
Process note: Waiver of process (two readings) is requested to let work commence ASAP and be completed by the end of summer.
9.
Financial Orders (on 2nd reading)
10.
Orders
A.
17.240 Order to Lower Default Speed Limit to 25 mph - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to Transportation and Parking Commission (TPC) and Legislative Matters (LM) - 11/16/2017
- Discussed and continued, LM - 12/11/2017
- Neutral recommendation, LM - 2/12/2018
- No consensus reached so no recommendation made - TPC (2018)
- Updated ordinance reintroduced and referred to TPC and LM - 4/13/2023
- Positive recommendation, TPC - 5/16/2023
- Amended to remove quotes around first 'Whereas' clause and to change references to bicyclists and bicycles to cyclists and cycles, positive recommendation as amended, LM - 6/12/2023
B.
23.337 An Order to Adopt the Massachusetts Municipal Opt-In Specialized Stretch Code - 1st reading
C.
23.344 An Order Amending the Charter to Increase the Number of Forbes Library Trustees - 1st reading
D.
23.347 An Order to Authorize a 50-Month Contract for Network Security Services - 1st reading
Process note: Waiver of process (two readings) is respectfully requested due to the timing of the request.
11.
Ordinances (Not Yet Referred)
Rule 5.2.3 provides that no ordinance shall be voted on by the City Council until it has been considered by the Committee on Legislative Matters.
12.
Zoning Ordinances (Not yet Referred)
Rule 5.2.3 provides that no ordinance shall be voted on by the City Council until it has been considered by the Committee on Legislative Matters.
13.
Ordinances
A.
23.306 An Ordinance Relative to Accessible Parking Spaces - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to Transportation & Parking Commission (TPC) and Legislative Matters (LM) - 5/4/2023
- Positive recommendation, TPC - 5/16/2023
- Positive recommendation, LM - 6/12/2023
B.
23.323 An Ordinance Relative to the Compensation of School Committee Members - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to Legislative Matters (LM) - 6/1/2023
- Positive recommendation, LM - 6/12/2023
C.
23.324 An Ordinance Relative to the Compensation of Elected Officials - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to Legislative Matters (LM) - 6/1/2023
- Neutral recommendation due to unclear language; request to put in date certain for commencement, LM - 6/12/2023
D.
23.325 An Ordinance Relative to the Compensation of City Councilors - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to Legislative Matters (LM) - 6/1/2023
- Positive recommendation, LM - 6/12/2023
E.
23.326 An Ordinance Relative to the Compensation of the Mayor - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to Legislative Matters (LM) - 6/1/2023
- Positive recommendation, LM - 6/12/2023
F.
23.327 An Ordinance Relative to the Compensation of SVAHS Trustees - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to Legislative Matters (LM) - 6/1/2023
- Positive recommendation, LM - 6/12/2023
G.
23.331 An Ordinance to Clarify §312-25 - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to Legislative Matters (LM) - 6/1/2023
- Amended to delete Section 312-25 A re: Loading or Unloading of Commercial Vehicles, Positive recommendation, LM - 6/12/2023
H.
23.332 An Ordinance to Add Fine for Violation of §312-25 - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to Legislative Matters (LM) - 6/1/2023
- Positive recommendation, LM - 6/12/2023
14.
Zoning Ordinances
A.
23.322 An Ordinance to Create a National Flood Insurance Program Overlay District - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to Planning Board (PB) and Legislative Matters (LM) - 5/18/2023
- Planning Board hearing held, recommendation report pending - 6/8/2023
- Legislative Matters hearing held, positive recommendation - 6/12/2023
15.
Information Requests (Charter Provision 2-7) and Committee Study Requests
16.
Resolutions
A.
23.336 A Resolution in Support of an Act Expanding Access to Trails for People of all Abilities - 1st reading
Process note: Sponsors respectfully request two readings since the resolution relates to a pending state bill sponsored by Senator Comerford.
17.
New Business
Rule 4.9 NEW BUSINESS. Any Councilor may introduce any written proposed order, ordinance, or resolution to be considered by the Council at the next meeting, but not to be debated during new business.
18.