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: August 17, 2023
Meeting Time: 7 p.m.
This August 17, 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
A.
Announcement of Public Hearing on 23.348 National Grid/Verizon Pole Petition for Loudville Road (Petition# 30749004)
Per M.G.L. Ch. 166, Section 22, the Northampton City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, 212 Main Street, Northampton, MA on National Grid/Verizon's petition to install one jointly-owned pole on Loudville Road. (Petition #30749004). Instructions for accessing the hearing remotely may be found on the September 7, 2023 City Council agenda to be posted on www.northamptonma.gov no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting. The City Council will hear all persons who wish to be heard thereon.
B.
Announcement of Public Hearing on 23.360 National Grid/Verizon Pole Petition for Bradford Street (Petition #30759246)
Per M.G.L. Ch. 166, Section 22, the Northampton City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 7:05 p.m. in Council Chambers, 212 Main Street, Northampton, MA on National Grid/Verizon's petition to install one jointly-owned pole on Bradford Street. (Petition #30759246). Instructions for accessing the hearing remotely may be found on the September 7, 2023 City Council agenda to be posted on www.northamptonma.gov no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting. The City Council will hear all persons who wish to be heard thereon.
C.
Announcement of Public Hearing on 23.335 Comcast Petition for Installation of Underground Conduit at 54 Main Street, Florence
Per M.G.L. Ch. 166, Section 22, the Northampton City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 7:10 p.m. in Council Chambers, 212 Main Street, Northampton, MA on Comcast's petition to install underground conduit at 54 Main Street, Florence. Instructions for accessing the hearing remotely may be found on the September 7, 2023 City Council agenda to be posted on www.northamptonma.gov no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting. The City Council will hear all persons who wish to be heard thereon.
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 June 1, 2023, June 15, 2023 and July 13, 2023 regular meetings and June 15, 2023 and June 30, 2023 Special City Council Meetings
B.
23.353 An Order to Appropriate Stabilization Funds for AOM Fire Suppression System Upgrade - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to consent agenda - 7/13/2023
C.
23.362 Northampton Bowl Applications for Weekday and Sunday Bowling Licenses @ 525 Pleasant St.
Renewal Licenses for:
Name of Business: Northampton Bowl, 525 Pleasant Street
Type of Licenses - Bowling License - Weekday and Bowling License - Sunday
Applicant: J. Michael Corley
D.
23.367 Appointments to Various Committees - for referral to City Services
Human Rights Commission
Donnell Turner, 73 Barrett St., Northampton
Term: August 2023 – August 2026
New Appointment
Northampton Housing Authority
Marilyn Richards, 20 Bridge Road Unit#8, Florence
Term: August 2023 – August 2026
Re-Appointment
E.
23.368 Appointment of Assistant Fire/Rescue Chief Andrew Pelis as Chief of Northampton Fire/Rescue - for referral to City Services
Documents:
8.
Fourth Quarter Financial Report
Presentation by Finance Director Charlene Nardi
9.
Review of Request for Proposals (RFP) for 33 King Street
Process note: Per 21.323 An Order to Acquire, Surplus and Dispose of a Certain Property Located at 33 King Street adopted October 7, 2021, the City Council authorized the Mayor to surplus and transfer property located at 33 King Street subject to the condition that City Council approval of the RFP be obtained prior to its issuance.
10.
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.
23.361 An Order to Award Contract for FY2024 - FY2026 Audit to Scanlon and Associates - 1st reading
Process note: Pursuant to Council rule 3.1.1, "The Finance Committee shall oversee the process of selection of an independent auditor and shall make a recommendation on the award of a contract for auditing services to the full Council."
At its meeting August 2, 2023, the Finance Committee voted unanimously to recommend the award of a contract for auditing services for the FY2024 - FY2026 audit to Scanlon and Associates based on the proposal dated May 9, 2023.
B.
23.365 An Order to Appropriate $20,000 from RRA 2328 to Businesses Participating in Vacant Storefront Program - 1st reading
Process note: The Mayor's office respectfully requests suspension of rules to allow approval at tonight's meeting.
C.
23.366 An Order to Authorize Payment of Prior Year Invoices - 1st reading
Process note: The Mayor's office respectfully requests suspension of the rules to allow approval at tonight's meeting.
D.
23.369 An Order to Appropriate $30,000 from Stabilization for Part-Time Staff Support for Commission to Investigate Racialized Harms - 1st reading
E.
23.370 An Order Authorizing the Lease of a Portion of the Jackson Street Elementary School to Clarke School for the Deaf - 1st reading
Process note: The Mayor's office respectfully requests suspension of rules to allow approval at tonight's meeting.
11.
Financial Orders (on 2nd reading)
12.
Orders
A.
23.363 Warrant for the November 7, 2023 Biennial Municipal Election - 1st reading
13.
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.
14.
Ordinances
15.
Resolutions
16.
Information Requests (Charter Provision 2-7) and Committee Study Requests
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.