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, October 19, 2023, 7 p.m.
The October 19, 2023 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 will begin at 7 p.m.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CALLING IN OR JOINING 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 Tax Classification Hearing
Per M.G.L. Ch. 40, Section 56, the Northampton City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 7 p.m. in hybrid format in Council Chambers, 212 Main Street, Northampton, MA to discuss the percentages of the local tax levy to be borne by each class of real and personal property within the City of Northampton for FY2024. Information regarding this hearing will be available for public inspection on line at www.northamptonma.gov on or before Tuesday, October 31, 2023 after 12 p.m. Instructions for accessing the hearing remotely will be posted on the November 2, 2023 City Council agenda on www.northamptonma.gov no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting.
B.
Announcement of Public Hearing on 23.377 National Grid/Verizon Pole Petition for Water Street (Petition #30817064)
Per M.G.L. Ch. 166, Section 22, the Northampton City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 7:15 p.m. in Council Chambers, 212 Main Street, Northampton, MA on National Grid/Verizon's petition to relocate Pole #15 on Water Street. (Petition #30817064). Instructions for accessing the hearing remotely may be found on the November 2, 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
A.
'A Stone's Throw' Exhibit Preview
Presentation by Veterans' Services Director Steve Conner
B.
FY2024 First Quarter Financial Report
Review by Finance Director Charlene Nardi
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.
23.384 An Order to Appropriate $15,000 to Hire Stantec to Evaluate Parking Fee Structure - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to consent agenda - 10/5/2023
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.
23.388 An Order to Rescind $690,000 Borrowing to Acquire Property on Sylvester Road - 1st reading
9.
Financial Orders (on 2nd reading)
10.
Orders
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.
A.
23.349 An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 350-12.2 Outdoor Lighting - 1st reading
12.
Ordinances
A.
23.387 An Ordinance to Make Sunday Parking Free in Gothic Street Garage - 2nd reading
History:
- Rules suspended to waive referral to Legislative Matters (LM) - 10/5/2023
13.
Zoning Ordinances (Not yet Referred)
Process note: Per M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 5, the city council shall submit proposed zoning ordinances to the planning board for review within fourteen days of receipt. No zoning ordinance or amendment thereto shall be adopted until after the planning board in a city or town, and the city council or a committee designated or appointed for the purpose by said council has each held a public hearing thereon, together or separately.
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.
Zoning Ordinances
15.
Information Requests (Charter Provision 2-7) and Committee Study Requests
16.
Resolutions
A.
23.389 A Resolution in Support of Picture Main Street - 1st reading
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.