Holyoke City Council Special Meeting June 30, 2025
6:00 pm City Hall Holyoke
536 Dwight St, Holyoke 01040
Posted June 26, 2025, 3:40 p.m.
Please be advised that a special meeting of the Holyoke City Council will be held:
Date: Monday, June 30, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: City Council Chambers
The meeting can be accessed remotely via zoom.us
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81092981546?pwd=GHE4a8GdQS3kpDFhZiJUnyzDaasrjl.1
Meeting ID: 810 9298 1546 Meeting Passcode: 477404 or by call in at 1 (646) 558-8656 with 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. DEVINE – Ordered, That there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2025 from fiscal year 2025 the free cash balance certified by the Division of Local Services as follows:
FROM: FY2025 Free Cash
TO: 8811-10400 Capital Stabilization
2. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order To Police Chief Keenan: What are the current procedures for cash seizures? (specifically with Main St.)
Recommended that the order has been complied with.
3. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2025, TWO THOUSAND SEVENTY FOUR AND 96/100 Dollars ($2,074.96) as follows:
FROM
12101-51107 PATROLMEN $2,074.96
TOTAL $2,074.96
TO:
12101-51912 P.O.S.T. STIPEND-CHIEF $2,074.96
TOTAL $2,074.96
Recommended that the order be adopted.
4. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2025, THREE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED TWENTY ONE AND 95/100 Dollars ($353,221.95) as follows:
FROM
12101-51107 PATROLMEN $353,221.95
TOTAL $353,221.95
TO:
12201-51180 INJURED ON DUTY $353,221.95
TOTAL $353,221.95
Recommended that the order be adopted.
5. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that City Council consider the possibility of structuring a standardized relocation bonus for positions with a residency requirement.
Recommended that the order be given a leave to withdraw.
6. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2025, THREE THOUSAND SEVENTY FIVE AND 00/100 Dollars ($3,075) as follows:
FROM
16101-51102 REFERENCE LIBRARY ASSISTANT $3,075
TOTAL $3,075
TO:
16101-51108 CUSTODIAN $1,025
16101-51112 FINANCIAL MANAGER 850
16101-51114 COMPUTER COORDINATOR 1,200
TOTAL $3,075
Recommended that the order be adopted.
7. 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 “DOE ENERGY EFFICIENT CDBG, $76,420, 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.
Sec 2-509 – Grant Reporting
Any city department, of which has received grant funding by approval of the city council pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, or any other authorizing criteria, shall within a reasonable period of time, but no later than 60 days from the conclusion of said grant, generate a detailed report which outlines the planned outcomes with the documented actual results. Said report shall be submitted to the city clerk for addition to the city council’s next agenda.
Recommended that the order be adopted.
8. 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 “FY25 MA DEPT OF FIRE SERVICES SAFE AND SENIOR SAFE GRANT, $9,799.85, 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.
Sec 2-509 – Grant Reporting
Any city department, of which has received grant funding by approval of the city council pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, or any other authorizing criteria, shall within a reasonable period of time, but no later than 60 days from the conclusion of said grant, generate a detailed report which outlines the planned outcomes with the documented actual results. Said report shall be submitted to the city clerk for addition to the city council’s next agenda.
Recommended that the order be adopted.
9. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that the City Council review the FY26 Paving Program memo and consider how best to address our most pressing roadwork.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.
10. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that there be and is hereby appropriated by transfer in the fiscal year 2025, TWENTY FOUR THOUSAND AND 00/100 Dollars ($24,000) as follows:
FROM
14251-51102 HOISTING OPERATOR $24,000
TOTAL $24,000
TO:
6990-10400 FUEL DEPOT $24,000
TOTAL $24,000
Recommended that the order be adopted.
11. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order that the amount of one million and five hundred-thousand dollars ($1,500,000) is appropriated for the purpose of financing the demolition, remodeling, reconstruction, engineering, construction, equipping or re-equipping of various municipal facilities, and purchase of municipal vehicles, including the payment of costs incidental or related thereto. 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. Chapter 44, Section 7 or any other enabling authority.
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 these projects.
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.
12. DEVINE – That the amount of one million and five hundred-thousand dollars ($1,500,000) is appropriated for the purpose of financing the demolition, remodeling, reconstruction, engineering, construction, equipping or re-equipping of various city facilities, and purchase of vehicles, including the payment of costs incidental or related thereto. Please see attached list for specific projects. 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. Chapter 44, Section 7 or any other enabling authority.
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 these projects.
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 this authorization is valid for projects initiated during Fiscal Year 2026 and there shall be no change in the purpose of this bond authorization without prior vote of approval by the Holyoke City Council.
13. The Committee on Finance to whom was referred an order The Treasurer & Auditor provide the City Council with an update & timeline for the certification of free cash.
Recommended that the order has been complied with.
14. Jourdain- Ordered that the following Charter Change be adopted:
Charter Sec. 39. – City solicitor.
AMEND
FROM:
The city solicitor shall perform those all legal services in which the city is interested and attend to all proceedings at law or in equity to which the city is a party, and to all claims made to the city council. For these purposes he shall have sole charge of all such matters and proceedings. He shall give in writing his legal opinion upon any of the municipal affairs of the city, upon the request of the mayor or city council, and in addition shall give his opinion upon the law relating to municipal affairs in any department, upon request made by the head of such department.
TO:
The city solicitor shall perform those legal services in the city as the city council shall establish by ordinance. He or she shall give in writing their legal opinion upon any of the municipal affairs of the city, upon the request of the mayor or city council, and in addition shall give his opinion upon the law relating to municipal affairs in any department, upon request made by the head of such department.
***Item to be removed from the Charter and Rules Committee***
15. Charter changes related to Municipal Modernization Package be adopted.
***Item to be removed from the Charter and Rules Committee***
16. JOURDAIN, BARTLEY — Ordered, That Charter Sections 19 and 34 be amended and elsewhere as appropriate to allow for all appointments to the Fire Commission and DPW Commission to be appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation by the City Council.
***Item to be removed from the Charter and Rules Committee***
17. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that City Council adopt the attached Substitute Municipal Modernization Ordinance
Recommended that the order be adopted, adding the Chief Administrative and Financial Officer (CAFO) to Grade 17 of Schedule A, the Treasurer/Collector to Grade 14 of Schedule A, and the Comptroller to Grade 13 of Schedule A.
18. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that the position of Chief Administrative and Financial Officer be created and added to Schedule A
Recommended that the order has been complied with.
19. The Committee on Ordinance to whom was referred an order that the Personnel Department and Law Department work in conjunction to update the following ordinances to reflect a modern Human Resources Department:
Article I
30-1 (a)
82-4 (c)
82-5 (c)
Article II Division I
2-40 (a)
2-43 (e) (k)
2-64
2-66 b (3)
2-67 (a)
2-69 (h)
Article II Division II
2-86
Article II Division VI
2-182 b (3) e (2)
Article III Division II
2-311 a, b, c, d
2-312 a, b (21)
2-313
2-314
Article IV 2-422 (b)
Recommended that the order be adopted.
20. The Committee on Charter and Rules to whom was referred an order that the City of Holyoke shall create an Administrative and Finance Department. Said acceptance shall be subject to implementation by city ordinance and any necessary amendments to the City Charter. This order shall be referred concurrently to Charter and Rules and Ordinance to be considered jointly, with recommendations regarding implementation to be reported back to the City Council jointly. See attached: Municipal Modernization Act of 2025.
Recommended that the order be adopted.
21. The Committee on Charter and Rules to whom was referred an order that City Council adopt the attached Substitute Municipal Modernization Ordinance
Recommended that the order has been complied with.
22. The Committee on Charter and Rules to whom was referred an order The City of Holyoke amends any charter, ordinance and any other regulations relative to its Tax Collector and combines the office with its City Treasurer so long as a charter change to appoint rather than elect Holyoke’s City Treasurer is approved by the legislature and Holyoke voters.
Recommended that the order has been complied with and referred to the Ordinance Committee.
23. The Committee on Charter and Rules to whom was referred an order With community support, order that the following section of our Codes of Ordinances and charter be updated to reflect use of email as sufficient for special meeting notice:
Sec. 12. – Special meetings of city council.
The Mayor or City Council President may at any time call a special meeting of the city council by public posting through the city website along with written notifications thereof, together with a statement of the subjects to be considered thereat, to be deposited in the post office, postpaid and addressed to the persons to be notified, at least forty-eight hours before the time appointed for such meeting, or to be left at the usual place of residence of each member of the council, by email at least forty-eight hours before the time appointed for such meeting. (Acts 1965, c. 187; Acts 1992, c. 189)
Recommended that the order be adopted.
24. Optional Central Finance Department budget.
25. Jourdain – Ordered that the City Council adopt the attached draft ordinance establishing the role of Parliamentarian of the City Council.
LATE FILED ORDERS AND COMMUNICATIONS
26. JOURDAIN – Ordered that section 13 of the Holyoke Charter – Rules of city council; president pro tempore; method of sitting; journal; roll-call votes; quorum; general powers; no compensation. – be amended using the attached language.
*Added June 30, 2025, 4:05 p.m.
27. JOURDAIN – Ordered that section 14 of the Holyoke Charter – Transactions by council or members in behalf of city prohibited, except in case of veterans’ aid – be amended using the attached language.
*Added June 30, 2025, 4:05 p.m.
28. JOURDAIN – Ordered that section 22 of the Holyoke Charter – Power as to laying out, etc., of streets; damages; ordinances, etc., involving expenditures in excess of two hundred dollars.- be amended using the attached language.
*Added June 30, 2025, 4:05 p.m.
29. JOURDAIN – Ordered that section 24 of the Holyoke Charter -Presentation of ordinances, orders, etc., to mayor; approval; veto; passage over veto – be amended using the attached language.
*Added June 30, 2025, 4:05 p.m.
30. JOURDAIN – Ordered That section 41 of the Holyoke Charter be deleted.
*Added June 30, 2025, 4:05 p.m.
31. JOURDAIN – Ordered that section 49 of the Holyoke Charter – Transfers of appropriations; authorization of expenditures without appropriation; approval of bills, pay rolls and vouchers; fiscal year. – be amended using the attached language.
*Added June 30, 2025, 4:05 p.m.
32. JOURDAIN – Ordered that section 53 of the Holyoke Charter -Loans, bonds and notes. – be amended using the attached language.
*Added June 30, 2025, 4:05 p.m.