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
City Council Chambers
212 Main Street, Northampton
Thursday, September 7, 2023, 7 p.m.
This City Council meeting will be conducted in hybrid format with the option for both councilors and the public to either attend in person or participate remotely. The public may follow the council's deliberations by attending in person, 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
For telephone call-in, call:
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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.
7:00P.M.
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). The City Council will hear all persons who wish to be heard thereon.
B.
7:05P.M.
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). The City Council will hear all persons who wish to be heard thereon.
C.
7:10P.M.
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. on Comcast's petition to install underground conduit at 54 Main Street, Florence. The City Council will hear all persons who wish to be heard thereon.
Process note: Withdrawn at Comcast request.
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.
B.
Approve 23.348 National Grid Pole Petition for Loudville Road (Petition# 30749004)
See documents above
C.
Approve 23.360 National Grid/Verizon Pole Petition for Bradford Street (Petition #30759246)
See documents above
D.
23.358 Appointment to Urban Forestry Commission, positive recommendation, City Services - 8/29/2023
Urban Forestry Commission
Jordan Friede, 49 Beacon St., Florence
Term: July 2023 – June 2026
New Appointment
E.
23.361 An Order to Award Contract for FY2024 - FY2026 Audit to Scanlon and Associates - 2nd reading
History:
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 8/2/2023
- referred to consent agenda - 8/17/2023
F.
23.367A Appointments to Various Committees, positive recommendation, City Services - 8/29/2023
Process note: the reappointment of Marilyn Richards to the Northampton Housing Authority (NHA) was temporarily withdrawn so as not to exceed the 45-day timeframe (See Charter Section 2-10) for consideration of mayoral appointments. Additional time was needed since the item was tabled at the 8/29/2023 City Services Committee meeting to accommodate a request for a meeting with the NHA executive director.
Human Rights Commission
Donnell Turner, 73 Barrett St., Northampton
Term: August 2023 – August 2026
New Appointment
G.
23.368 Appointment of Assistant Fire/Rescue Chief Andrew Pelis as Chief of Northampton Fire/Rescue, positive recommendation, City Services - 8/29/2023
Documents:
H.
23.376 Appointment of Chad Dunham as Director of Human Resources - for referral to City Services
8.
Review of Request for Proposals (RFP) for 33 King Street, referred to Finance Committee and Community Resources - 8/17/2023
History:
- referred to Finance Committee and Community Resources (CR) - 8/17/2023
- Unanimous positive recommendations from both Finance Committee and CR subject to the clarification that a range of mixed-income housing (market rate housing or other commercial uses with either affordable or attainable housing, see Scoring Criterion D) will be considered highly advantageous - 9/6/2023
9.
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.
23.373 An Order to Appropriate $206,603 from Stabilization for Emergency Replacement of the Forbes Library Boiler - 1st reading
Process note: Waiver of process/two readings respectfully requested to allow work to be completed by an October deadline.
B.
23.374 An Order to Appropriate up to $20,000 from Senior Services Gift Fund for Painting and Molding at Senior Center - 1st reading
Process note: Waiver of process/two readings respectfully requested to coordinate the work with another project.
C.
23.375 An Order to Accept Gift of Sheds from Ray Ellerbrook Family Memorial Fund - 1st reading
10.
Financial Orders (on 2nd reading)
11.
Orders
A.
23.337 An Order to Adopt the Massachusetts Municipal Opt-In Specialized Stretch Code - 2nd reading
History:
- referred to Legislative Matters (LM) - 6/15/2023
- public hearing held; positive recommendation, LM - 8/14/2023
B.
23.363 Warrant for the November 7, 2023 Biennial Municipal Election - 2nd reading
History:
- introduced and discussed - 8/17/2023
- Amended to change polling places for Ward 4 Precincts A and B from the Senior Center Great Room to Patte's Front Room (Precinct A) and the Activity Room #1 & 2), respectively
C.
23.372 An Order to Authorize Notice of Activity and Use Limitation re Parcel B and Parcel C on the southerly side of the Roundhouse Parking Lot - 1st reading
Process note: As background, the City Council authorized the purchase of Parcels A - D and grant of shared access easements from the Roundhouse Parking lot to the lots by Order 18.225 (An Order to Authorize Roundhouse Parking Lot Fee and Easement Acquisition and Sale) adopted on February 7, 2019.
D.
23.371 An Order to Authorize Partial Termination of Notice of Activity and Use Limitation re Parcel B on the southerly side of the Roundhouse Parking Lot - 1st reading
12.
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
14.
Zoning Ordinances
15.
Information Requests (Charter Provision 2-7) and Committee Study Requests
16.
Resolutions
17.
Proposed City Council Meeting Format for Remainder of Session
18.
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.
19.