Ordinance Committee Meeting December 12, 2023

Posted December 8, 2023, 9:29 AM

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City Council
Holyoke Massachusetts

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25,
and Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023,
notice is hereby given of a meeting of the committee on
Ordinance

Tuesday, December 12, 2023
6:30 PM

Meeting to take place at
Holyoke City Hall, 536 Dwight St
and can be accessed remotely on Zoom Meetings
Per order of the Ordinance Chair: Linda Vacon
Remote access via www.zoom.us https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83177436694?pwd=OEsrK2JFYWZ5SWVIdHlOQlUvQko4dz09
Meeting ID: 831 7743 6694 Meeting Passcode: 289877 or by call in at 1 (646) 558-8656 with the same Meeting ID and Passcode.

Agenda

Item 1: 8-1-23 JOURDAIN — Ordered, That Cook and Company be invited to a future finance subcommittee meeting to review their recent health insurance analysis for the city.

Item 2: 3-21-23 JOURDAIN — Ordered, The City of Holyoke develop a personnel policy for the handling of administrative leave and codifying the rules into Ordinance as recommended by the Personnel Dept including but not limited to when employees should or should not be placed on paid leave or unpaid leave. The current process appears lacking objective standards. Taxpayers should also be protected to ensure people who should not be out on paid administrative leave are placed on unpaid administrative leave.
*Tabled 5-23-23, 6-27-23, 9-12-23, 10-24-23

Item 3: 3-7-23 MCGEE — Ordered, that the Zoning Ordinance, Section 6.4.2 Exemptions, be amended to add a letter,
(k) Banners or signs associated with a civic or municipal program may be allowed in all districts. Community or commercial sponsorship may be displayed on said banner or sign provided that the banner or sign itself is not be greater than six (6.0) square feet. These installations must be approved by the City and by the Department of Public Works as applicable.
*Public hearing closed 11-28-123

Item 4: 5-16-23 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — Ordered, that the City Council amend Ordinance 2-336(a) and (b) to reflect a streamlined process for disposition of tax title properties and other properties not needed by the City for municipal purposes and to add a new section for the creation of an Abutter Lots Sale Program.
*Tabled 6-27-23, 8-22-23, 9-12-23, 11-28-23

Item 5: 9-5-23 JOURDAIN, MCGIVERIN, MCGEE — Ordered, that the Ordinance Committee invite in the Mayor and DPW superintendent to review Chapter 74 of our ordinances on Solid Waste and how this reconciles with the proposed roll-out of a new residential trash pickup program in light of our already existing laws in this area.  It is requested that they review their proposal with us so we and citizens can understand it better.
*Tabled 9-12-23, 11-28-23

Item 6: 10-17-23 BARTLEY — The DPW and Law Dept work with the Ordinance committee to invoke some flexibility in the new trash bin program. For example – to allow single family homes to apply for more than one 96-gal bin so long as the homeowner’s request is reasonable and justified. Example two – to allow for the homeowner to swop out the 96-gal bin for a smaller, more suitable trash bin. Refer to Ordinance.
*Tabled 11-28-23

Item 7: 10-3-23 (referred back 12-5-23) GIVNER — With community support, Order that our trash receptacle ordinance be updated to reflect the following:
Update to Ordinance Chapter 74 Section 2:
(a) Residential rubbish receptacles.
(1) 96 gallon, rodent proof, water tight, residential rubbish receptacles are provided by the City. One receptacle is provided to each residential unit or household. Additional containers are not available and cannot be acquired.  Lost or damaged containers must be purchased from the City/DPW by residents at the current rate. A smaller receptacle may available by request. Considerations are made on a case by case basis and depend on need as determined by the disabilities commission/senior advocate/ personal / health advocate?
&
(3) Should the number of containers necessary to contain all refuse at a given residential location exceed 1 95 Gallon receptacle on a weekly basis, the superintendent of public works will have the right to require the property to utilize an alternate method of collection.
-To Ordinance / Copy to DPW

Item 8: 2-21-23 PUELLO — in accordance with the city charter, create ordinance language that confirms, no sitting city councilor shall become a member of any board or commission in city government during the term of office. To Ordinance Committee
*Tabled 11-28-23

Item 9: 11-21-23 PUELLO — That we consider crafting an ordinance stipulating requirements for expenditure of funds of the police special events line and requirements. Example: committee organized event, private businesses participating, alcohol served, who is profiting etc.
*Tabled 11-28-23

Item 10: 11-21-23 RIVERA_J — That a handicap sign be placed in front of 34 No. Summer St. for Jeysha L. Detres Hernandez, Placard # PL5620318, Exp: 10/14/2027.

Item 11: 11-21-23 GIVNER — Ordered, Per constituent request, order to install a handicap sign for Natalia Munoz at 247 Walnut St

Administrative Assistant: Jeffery Anderson-Burgos
The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Also one or two items may require the committee to enter into executive session at this meeting. Agenda subject to change up to two business days (48 hours) prior to posted meeting time.