Ordinance Committee Meeting May 21, 2025
Posted May 14, 2025, 1:23 p.m.
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
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
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: Israel Rivera
Remote access via zoom.us
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87919176656?pwd=x6w1y8o3cakj8qxeZvRwuvNKOxjwG7.1
Meeting ID: 879 1917 6656 Meeting Passcode: 352728 or by call in at 1 (646) 558-8656 with the 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
Item 1: Minutes of March 19, 2025 meeting.
Item 2: PUBLIC HEARING 4-1-25 Devine-ORDERED that a public hearing be held inviting the Planning Department, Health and Conservation Departments and the Ordinance Committee to hear the “Pros and Cons” of the possibility of including any additional wording to the “Keeping Backyard Hens” ordinance.
Item 3: 3-4-25 Bartley- Ordered that Schedule B, Compensation for Elected Officials of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances be amended as follows:
City Clerk: $90,000
*Tabled 3-19-25
Item 4: 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, 12-12-23, 9-25-24
Item 5: 2-4-25 Rivera, J, Devine, Anderson-Burgos – Order that Davin Pasek (Zoning Official), a representative from the Law Department, Nicole Maisonet from Vcare, and Tammie Kozuch from Holyoke Health Center to attend a city council meeting to discuss Ordinance 6.4.6#6 and explore potential changes to the ordinance.
Item 6: 10-15-24 Rivera, J.-Order that Vcare on High Street be allocated an additional parking This request is necessitated by the increase in participants and the operation of spot. vans for transportation. Many of these participants are elderly individuals who rely two on wheelchairs, electric scooters, and walkers. This action is essential to ensure their safety and accessibility.
*Tabled 2-19-25
Item 7: 1-7-25 Vacon, Jourdain-ORDER-that the City Council establish minimum eligibility requirements (such as a four your degree in accounting/finance & 3 years successful management experience), for appointment as Treasurer prior to the initial appointment(if voters approve the appointment).
*Tabled 4-7-25, 4-16-25
Item 8: 9-5-23 (referred from Public Safety 1-7-25) GIVNER, TALLMAN – With community support, Order that temporary speed humps be placed on Taylor Street to be followed by permanent speed humps for resident safety. This is a densely populated and highly trafficked through street due to its proximity to a grocery store and its one way direction. Petition attached.
*Tabled 3-19-25
Item 9: 1-21-25 Greaney, Ocasio – (copy) Ordered that flashing stop signs be placed at the intersection of Jackson and Commercial Streets.
*Tabled 3-19-25
Item 10: 6-4-24 BARTLEY, OCASIO — The City determine a more efficient manner to remove Handicap/Disability signs. Perhaps a database should be maintained by the Clerk. City addresses with Handicap/Disability signs in front of a parcel’s address should maintained and made public. Further, for example, on an annual basis, each addressee with such a sign should be notified and must affirm whether or not the sign should remain. Refer to Ordinance for a follow-up.
*Tabled 8-14-24, 9-25-24, 10-9-24, 11-13-24, 12-11-24
Item 11: 3-7-23 MCGEE — Ordered, that the Zoning Ordinance be amended to add a section for Short Term Rentals, in addition to amending Section 2 DEFINITIONS, and any other sections that may apply to this use.
*Public hearings held 4-25-23, 5-23-23, 8-22-23, 10-24-23, 1-23-24.
Tabled 1-23-24 Pending Planning Board recommendation.
Item 12: 3-7-23 MCGEE — Ordered, that the Zoning Ordinance be amended to add a Section for Tiny Houses, in addition to amending Section 2 DEFINITIONS, and any other Sections that may apply to this use.
*Public hearings held 4-25-23, 9-26-23, 11-28-23, 1-23-24.
Tabled 1-23-24 Pending Planning Board recommendation.
Item 13: 1-21-25 J. Rivera – As per the property manager’s request from Lyman Terrace Apartments, we are requesting three parking spots for the staff in front of 17 Hampden Street, along with signs indicating “Parking for Lyman Terrace Staff.”
*Tabled 3-19-25
Item 14: 3-4-25 Givner-Handicap application from Yolanda Velazquez for a handicap sign at 120 Oak St. #1.
*Tabled 3-19-25
LAID ON THE TABLE
(Items taken up at previous meeting(s) and laid on the table. Discussion may or may not take place)
Item 15: 4-18-23 MCGEE — Ordered, that the position of Chief Administrative and Financial Officer be created and added to Schedule A
*Referred back 9-18-24, Tabled 9-25-24, 4-7-25, 4-16-25
Item 16: 4-1-25 Magrath-Smith, I. Rivera, Murphy-Romboletti — Ordered, 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.
*Amended and tabled 4-7-25, tabled 4-16-25
Item 17: 10-15-24 Rivera, J.- Request for School Zone Designation and Traffic Safety Measures on Race St. The new location of LightHouse Holyoke at 92 Race St. has raised safety concerns due to high traffic speeds; the Department of Public Works has indicated that the area needs to be designated as a school zone to improve safety; requests the designation of Race St. near 92 Race St. as a school zone; Request the installation of temporary “SLOW DOWN” signs in the area to enhance safety while the designation is processed.
*Tabled 3-19-25
Item 18: 3-4-25 Devine, Givner – ORDERED: that the Directors of the Board of Health, Zoning, Planning, and the Animal Control Officer and Law Department meet with the Ordinance Committee to discuss Ordinance Sec. 14-12 as it relates to #2 Hens, specifically the keeping of hens DEFINITIONS, SPECIAL PERMIT PROCESS, SPECIFICATIONS AND DIMENSIONS, GENERAL REGULATIONS, VIOLATIONS and any and all regulations whether State or Federal that may be pertinent.
*Tabled 3-19-25
Item 19: 1-17-23 I. RIVERA — Order that the honorable city council work with the city solicitor’s office to draft an ordinance prohibiting the discrimination or discriminatory practices based on an individuals, or the perception of an individual’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, domestic relationship status, parental status, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, criminal history or the use of a service animal.
*Tabled 2-19-25
Item 20: 10-4-22 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — Ordered that the City examine and study the Schedule A increases that were recommended by the salary study completed in 2014, so that we can implement salary adjustments that are competitive and more aligned with neighboring municipalities in order to retract and retain City employees.
*Tabled 4-25-23, 2-7-24, 10-9-24, 11-13-24
Item 21: 5-2-23 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — Ordered, That schedules B and C of ordinance 2-35 be updated as appropriate with competitive salaries to attract and retain employees.
*Tabled 3-27-24, 10-9-24, 11-13-24
Item 22: 3-21-23 PUELLO — That the following entry be added to the City Ordinances Sec. 86-325. – Schedule IV: Stop streets, this will be directed to the Ordinance Committee to be heard.
Street Stopped/ Vernon St
Direction of Travel/ Southerly
Intersection/ Main St
*Tabled 4-25-23, 8-14-24, 10-23-24
Item 23: 9-7-21 MURPHY — Ordered that the city council work with the mayor to establish a formalized procedure for any request to have a street closing.
*Tabled 10-23-24
Item 24: 11-16-21 MCGEE — ORDERED that the City Council amend Ordinance 2-69 by striking section (g) (2) from the ordinance. That section states ” No employee of the city shall simultaneously serve on the city council during their time of employment.”
*Referred back 11-21-21, Tabled 8-14-24, 9-11-24
Item 25: 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, 12-12-23, 9-11-24
Item 26: 8-1-23 GIVNER — With community support, order that the City of Holyoke establish, in the Schedule A, a Homeless and Housing Liaison position.
*Tabled 6-5-24
Item 27: 1-22-24 (Referred back 4-2-24) DEVINE, GIVNER, J. RIVERA — Ordered, to add the position of City Engineer to the Ordinance under Schedule A, Grade 13.
*Referred back 4-2-24, tabled 4-24-24
Item 28: 12-19-23 MALDONADO VELEZ — Ordered, Order that the city creates a Housing Committee tasked with creating policy suggestions and implementation of office of tenant protections, office of returning citizens and homelessness liaison. Roles and committee to be created by Ordinance while bylaws to be created by the committee.
The committee should included at least one of the following – 1 tenant in market rate housing, 1 tenant with section 8 voucher holder, 1 tenant with MRVP or continuum of care, 1 tenant of HHA, 1 tenant representative of local organization working on housing issues, 1 home owner, 1 landlord.
*Tabled 2-7-24
Item 29: 1-18-22 MALDONADO VELEZ — Order that we look into creating an ordinance around trash pick up that is similar to when it snows, where residents, business owners, and the city are responsible for the trash on their property.
*Tabled 5-11-22
Item 30: 4-6-21 MURPHY, LISI — Ordered that the city council consider adopting a wage theft ordinance for all contractors doing projects for the city or receiving special tax incentives by the city similar to Easthampton and Springfield with the following purposes: prevent misclassification of employees as independent contractors; assure that employers are paying all payroll taxes and workers compensation premiums; comply with state laws governing the payment of prevailing wages; assure that contractors provide opportunities for Holyoke residents, veterans, people of color and women.
*Referred back 1-18-22
Item 31: 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.
*Referred back 2-6-24
ADMINISTRATIVELY LAID ON THE TABLE
(Per City Council Rule 9P, “Any order not acted on within 45 business days shall be deemed tabled.” Items within this section are laid on the table by virtue of being in the committee more than 45 business days. Discussion of these items is unlikely, but any item may be removed from the table upon motion of the committee.)
Item 32: 8-4-20 MCGEE — Ordered, That the ordinance committee review the draft Telecommunication ordinance changes. This is being filed on behalf of a constituent request.
Item 33: 3-2-21 From Harold and Lois Darcy, concerned citizens
Item 34: 1-18-22 GIVNER — Ordered, that That the City of Holyoke amend ordinance that provides Columbus day as a Holiday be updated to wording that reflects that Columbus Day will now be referred to as “Indigenous Peoples Day, formerly known as Columbus Day”
Item 35: 3-15-22 JOURDAIN, VACON — Ordered, that That Columbus Day holiday ordinance be changed so the holiday be known as both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day so everyone may celebrate both, one or the other, or neither if they choose according to their own conscience. This will allow the maximum amount of sensitivity to the issue.
Item 36: 4-5-22 MALDONADO VELEZ, I. RIVERA — Order that we add a Grant Manager position to oversee, streamline, and expand our grant applications and money for our city.
Item 37: 4-5-22 From Massachusetts Association of Realtors, Guide to Understanding housing choice and its opportunities.
Item 38: 4-5-22 GIVNER — Ordered, With community support: That the Holyoke City Council adopt, and create a method of enforcement for, a wage theft ordinance for all contractors doing projects for the city or receiving special tax incentives by the city similar to Easthampton and Springfield with the following purposes: prevent misclassification of employees as independent contractors; assure that employers are paying all payroll taxes and workers compensation premiums; comply with state laws governing the payment of prevailing wages; assure that contractors provide opportunities for Holyoke residents, veterans, people of color and women.
Item 39: 4-5-22 I. RIVERA — Order that legal review the Boston Cannabis Equity program ordinance and begin to draft language similar to it for the purposes of creating a Holyoke Cannabis Equity program.
Item 40: 4-5-22 MALDONADO VELEZ — Order that we allow for overnight parking on city parking lots for people to sleep in their cars. This would be an added measure in the work already being done to provide a safe, temporary place for our unhoused population until a more long term solution is created.
Item 41: 6-7-22 GIVNER — Ordered, With community support, Pouloit Pool will be free to Holyoke residents with a target market of students and seniors. A Holyoke pool pass should be easily obtainable at the Parks and Rec office with proof of Holyoke residency including but not limited to a Holyoke school ID, Holyoke Library card, State ID, Mail, etc. A daily fee of no more than $3 shall be charged for adult residents and no more than $5 for adult non-residents, along with a $2 fee for non-resident students and seniors.
Item 42: 6-7-22 GIVNER — Ordered, With community support, the City of Holyoke request a PVTA bus stop be added on Appleton between Linden and Locusts streets.
Item 43: 6-7-22 JOURDAIN, I. RIVERA — Ordered, That City Council create an ordinance that states that no department establishes user fees until those have been established by ordinance (unless governed under some other law). Additionally, that a pool pass system be established which allows all Holyoke residents to receive a free pool pass for city pool administered by the Parks & Recreation dept. A fee shall be established for non-Holyoke residents only at a rate to be determined by ordinance.
Item 44: 6-7-22 VACON — Ordered, Amend the speed hump ordinance (section b) that when a city engineer evaluation and report determines eligibility for speed humps on a city street, then temporary speed humps may be installed.
Item 45: 8-2-22 I. RIVERA — Ordered, That the honorable city council pass an ordinance banning facial surveillance technology (Please see attachment).
Item 46: 10-4-22 MCGEE — Ordered, That the City Solicitor be given the authority to hire a paralegal above mid range up to no more than max without needing further approval from CC due to special circumstances.
Item 47: 10-4-22 MCGEE — Ordered, That Department heads be given the authority to hire Schedule A positions above mid-range up to no more than max without needing further approval from CC due to special circumstances.
Item 48: 11-1-22 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — Order that we revise Section 58 – 18 of our City Ordinances to establish that it is the responsibility of the business establishment to collect and return shopping carts to their original locations. Any business that does not adhere to this ordinance shall be subject to a fine of no less than $25 and not more than $300, to be issued by the city’s enforcement officer.
CURRENT ORDINANCE: Any individual or group who removes a shopping cart from the business lot where the cart originated shall be subject to a fine of no less than $25.00 and not more than $300.00, to be issued by the city police department.
Item 49: 12-20-22 (copy, original sent to Public Safety) Petition from Residents of Holyoke in support of a Tenant Bill of Rights.
Item 50: 1-17-23 I. RIVERA — Order that honorable city council add a section to Holyoke code of ordinances titled “Human Relations”.
Item 51: 1-17-23 I. RIVERA, JOURDAIN, MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI, TALLMAN — (copy – original sent to Public Safety, complied with 3-7-23) Order that the honorable city council invite in the chief of police to discuss whether or not the department has a “Traffic Squad”, ordinance references the designation of 6 officers that are required to act as traffic officers. Constituents are concerned with drivers that speed, eat stop signs, etc …
Investment in a “Traffic Squad” as city ordinance states, should help tremendously with mitigating some of our constituent concerns.
Sec 50-42. – Traffic squad-Designation and training of members.
The chief of police shall designate six members and such additional members as may from time to time be required to act as traffic officers. Such members shall receive and be given thorough and adequate training in the regulation and direction of traffic, in accordance with a uniform and recognized standard.
Item 52: 2-7-23 MCGEE — Ordered, that the residency requirement for the CPO/Purchasing Director position be removed.
Item 53: 3-7-23 JOURDAIN — Ordered, that the City Council work with the Treasurer to review and codify the city’s investment policy by ordinance.
Item 54: 4-4-23 I. RIVERA, GIVNER, MALDONADO VELEZ, MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI, J. RIVERA — (copy – original sent to Public Safety, complied with 5-2-23) Ordered, that Chapter 50, Article II of the Holyoke City Ordinances be amended to add Section 50-56 establishing a Police Commission.
Item 55: 5-16-23 VACON, JOURDAIN — Ordered, An ordinance be created that requires a department head to report (with an incident report explaining the cause) any loss in their department over $500 in value to the City Council and Mayor within 30 days.
Item 56: 6-20-23 MALDONADO VELEZ, GIVNER — Ordered, that we create an ordinance that if the J owner of a rental property does not live in Holyoke, they are required to hire a local property management company that is accessible to our residents. There have been too many issues with rental property regarding rodents, water, and electrical problems where residents have been unable to get in contact with the owner in order to remedy the situation.
Item 57: 10-3-23 GIVNER — (copy, original sent to Charter and Rules) Ordered,
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 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)
Item 58: 10-17-23 From Board of Public Works, Mary L. Monahan, Chairperson letter re: FY24 Sewer Rate.
Item 59: 10-17-23 MCGIVERIN — Ordered, That the City Council adjust the sewer rate according to updated operation costs and revenue projections, along with projected deficit for FY 2024.
Item 60: 12-19-23 MALDONADO VELEZ — (copy, original sent to Public Safety) Order that the council works with Tapestry, state delegation, and appropriate city departments to work towards creating safe injection sites. These would be medically supervised and connect users to services available in our community.
Item 61: 12-19-23 MALDONADO VELEZ — Order that the city creates an Office of Tenant Protections, that would oversee rental registration, certificate of occupancy and public database implementation, build relationships with landlords, tenants and community agencies to create recurring Know Your Rights and Responsibilities program, and house tenant legal services.
Item 62: 12-19-23 MALDONADO VELEZ — (copy, original sent to Public Safety) Order that we create pathways for community ownership of property (land trusts, condominium conversion, cooperative housing etc).
Item 63: 1-2-24 I. RIVERA — (copy, original sent to Public Safety) Order that the honorable city council request that the mayor, Department of Public Works, and the parking advisory committee at the Public Safety committee to discuss the possibility of making parking enforcement a subdivision of the Traffic division.
Item 64: 1-2-24 I. RIVERA — Order that the honorable city council place a temporary moratorium on cannabis retail business. Until the footprint of where this industry can be located within the city of Holyoke, I believe it prudent that we put a temporary halt on permitting new business.
Item 65: 1-22-24 DEVINE, GIVNER, J. RIVERA — Ordered, That the City Council resurrect the “Peace and Good Order Ordinance.”
Item 66: 2-20-24 From Jane Mantolesky, Assistant City Solicitor, Approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment
Item 67: 3-19-24 From Melissa Lafond, communication regarding speed hump petition from September 28, 2022
Item 68: 3-19-24 From Board of Public Works, communication regarding City Engineer position
Item 69: 4-16-24 MAGRATH-SMITH — Ordered, that City Ordinance section 7 4-34 be revised to remove (2): “Any entity that does not receive city solid waste collection services will be exempt from this section if they can prove that the cost of implementing such a plan, over a 12- month period, would cost more than their current solid waste removal plan.”
Item 70: 5-21-24 MAGRATH-SMITH — Ordered, that the language from sections 7 4-32, 7 4-33, 7 4-34, and 74-35 be updated based on guidance from the Board of Public Works and the Recycling Advisory Committee.
Item 71: 8-6-24 RIVERA I. – Ordered 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 Ill Division II
2-311 a, b, c, d, 2-312 a, b (21), 2-313, 2-314
Article IV
2-422 (b)
Item 72: 8-6-24 From Mayor Joshua Garcia and Personnel Director Kelly Curran-COH Remote Telecommuting Pilot Program
Item 73: 9-18-24 Givner-As a service to property owners, order that the City of Holyoke create an ordinance of fully transparent timelines and dated building department policies and procedures for Holyoke property owners. In order to hold property owners accountable there must be clear systems that can be followed and enforced.
Item 74: 9-18-24 Givner- With community support, order that the City of Holyoke create an ordinance of accountability by business owners in the form of public trash bin sponsorships. The idea would be to partner with chains, bodegas, grocery, and convenient stores in an effort to mitigate trash issues in our city.
Item 75: 10-1-24 Speed Hump Petition from Hampshire Street Residents.
Item 76: 10-15-24 Bartley, Anderson-Burgos, Devine, Givner, Greaney, Jourdain, Magrath-Smith, Murphy-Romboletti, Ocasio, Rivera, I., Rivera, J., Sullivan, Vacon-A moratorium be established granting Holyoke’s multi-family property owners, as defined by 780 CMR 110.7, as amended and effective 10/11/24, more time to come into compliance with MA STATE BUILDING CODE regulations. In terms of rollout, the city’s building commission, seems to have imposed an unrealistic two-month turnaround for the hundreds of property owners impacted. Note that the Building Commission, for unexplained reason(s), admittedly dropped the ball on this regulation for decades. Thus, a moratorium of 18-36 months be established to allow property owners a realistic time to hire the appropriate professionals, make necessary improvements, and then contact the Building Commission for an inspection. During said moratorium, no fines shall accrue and any fines previously imposed will be rescinded. Property owners are nevertheless obligated to complete the requirements and to timely respond to the Building Commissioner during this moratorium. For authority to create a moratorium see M.G.L chapter 143, §§3, 3A.
Item 77: 10-15-24 Bartley, Anderson-Burgos, Devine, Givner, Greaney, Jourdain, Magrath-Smith, Murphy-Romboletti, Ocasio, Rivera, I., Rivera, J., Sullivan, Vacon-As a compendium to the moratorium, an ad hoc committee comprised of representatives from the Building Commission and multi-family owners and the city council be immediately formed. The building committee shall be charged with effectively and efficiently implementing the certificate of inspection requirements and ensuring that it is more efficiently complied with after this initial roll out. Note that as properties change hands and staffing resources change and institutional memory fades this committee will make sure Holyoke doesn’t face a similar issue in the future. For authority to create an ad hoc committee see M.G.L. chapter 143, §§3, 3A.
Item 78: 11-7-24 Anderson-Burgos-The DPW install a handicap sign for Yolanda Gonzalez at 50 Arthur St.
Item 79: 11-7-24 Anderson-Burgos – Ordered that the fine for violating the ordinance on parking in front of driveways be increased. The amount of increase can be discussed based on what is reasonable and what is allowable.
Item 80: 11-7-24 BARTLEY, VACON-The city council ordain a new crosswalk near the main gate to Holyoke Community College.
Item 81: 11-7-24 Bartley, Ocasio- DPW post ‘no left turn’ and ‘no U-turn’ signs at the traffic light near Brightside Ave and the jug handle. Motorists are consistently making illegal (and very dangerous) turns.
Item 82: 11-7-24 Vacon, Givner, Ocasio- ORDER: that the city engineer provide draft language for a formal program to prioritize and schedule placement of speed humps and recommend other traffic calming/safety interventions based on data collected from speed data collection via tubes or radar. That additional traffic speed data collection units be purchased as needed for the program.
Establish a method for seeking traffic safety/calming recommendations so that citizens can request measures for improvements to neighborhood traffic issues before completing a petition for a speed hump or raised crosswalk.
Please include police department input for the enforcement component.
Item 83: 11-19-24 BARTLEY, VACON – The City consider installation of flashing Crosswalk signals at the two crosswalks proximate to Metcalf.
Item 84: 12-17-24 Magrath-Smith – Ordered that Council separate the positions of Parks Superintendent and City Forester and make necessary changes in Ordinance in order to do so. Our current combined position is not supported by Ordinance.
Item 85: 12-17-24 Ocasio-the DPW and City Engineer revisit crossing from Capri Pizza to Key Food, It’s dangerous. Please install the proper STOP signs with lights and SPEED Humps.
Item 86: 12-17-24 Ocasio-Order that a “Don’t Block the Box” be painted in comer of Sargent and Elms St. on both sides.
Item 87: 1-7-25 Devine, Givner – ORDERED: that all Collective Bargaining Agreements or Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement that are sent to the City Council for passage be red-lined ONLY TO THOSE ITEMS pertaining to appropriations and that no other subjects be entertained or red lined except appropriations.
Item 88: 8-6-24 (referred from Public Safety 1-7-25) GIVNER – By request of several business owners, update Graffiti ordinances 74-100 & 74-101 to transfer law enforcement responsibilities onto HPD instead of property owners. OR, give building owners warnings with a grace period of a specified number of days to clean up the graffiti BEFORE being fined. Building owners are currently fined for Graffiti creation on their property. This seems unfair as building owners are not tagging their own property and cannot control unlawful acts happening to their property.
Item 89: 3-18-25 Murphy-Romboletti- Ordered that, at the recommendation of the Holyoke Police Department, the City Council review and update its towing ordinances related to fees (Sec. 86-133)
Item 90: 3-18-25 Magrath-Smith, ordered that a procedure for tracking updates in Municode be created for Ordinances similar to the grant reporting procedure established by Councilor Bartley.
Item 91: 3-18-25 Murphy-Romboletti-Ordered that the City Council update its ordinances in Chapter 86 -Traffic and Vehicles to include language that clarifies rules and restrictions related to the city’s street sweeping schedule.
Item 92: 3-18-25 Magrath-Smith, ordered that the Ordinance Committee make necessary changes in order for us to align city ordinances to the revised notification procedure for regular, sub-committee, and special meetings recently drafted in Charter and Rules.
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. Agenda subject to change up to two business days (48 hours) prior to posted meeting time.