Public Safety Committee Meeting September 30, 2020

City Council
Holyoke Massachusetts

Notice of Committee Meeting
There will be a regular meeting of the committee on

Public Safety

Meeting to take place remotely on Zoom Meetings on Wed. 9/30 at 6:30PM
Per order of the Chair: Terence Murphy

Agenda:

1. Councilor Murphy: Ordered that the director of the health department, a representative of the police department, the director of veterans services, and other interested parties appear before the public safety committee to discuss the problems associated with tented camps throughout the city.  Evidence points to health hazards including significant needles around these sites, as well as trash and other materials.  What can the city legally to do to clear these camps?  Have we found any effective ways to provide options to encourage those in need to various service options such as housing, drug addiction servives, and veterans services?

2.Councilor Hernandez: Ordered, serious concerns on the removal of trash at 50 Clinton Ave, property managed by Wayfinders.  Met with landlord and learned that there is a clearance issue when the privately contracted trash removal company arrives for trash pick up.  They cannot obtain enough space to enter area to where dumpsters are located.  Management has been fined by both city and police departments for attempting to at mitigating situation and being penalized for it.  I order a study to be conducted in an effort to find a solution to this situation.  The property houses programs that helps young adult mothers get back on their feet, this landlord/organization has been a long ally to city of Holyoke bringing much needed social services to our residents and we need to ensure this issue is looked at and we cease all fines until then.

3. Councilor McGee, Tallman, Bartley: Ordered that the public safety committee invite in representatives of the Boys and Girls Club in order to get an update on the clean up efforts to the old ski house.

4. Councilor Murphy: Ordered that the public safety committee meet with the police and fire chiefs, the director of ambulance service, and interested social service agencies to consider whether Holyoke should implement a 900 response program similar to CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streeets) program used in Eugene and Springfield, Oregon.

5. Councilor MdGee: Ordered that the board of health come before the public safety committee to discuss an update on the committee on COVID-19 procedures for city hall employees/departments.

6. Councilor Hernandez: Follow up questions from constituent Kocayne Givner regarding CC meeting 4/21/20 in which O’Connor Street was discussed and a traffic study is in order:  “Lawler Street has speed bumps. Would this be an option for O’Connor Avenue in order to deter through traffic and speeding?  “Are there plans to continue single lane traffic with bike land and parking on both sides of the street.”

7. Councilor McGee/Anderson-Burgos: Order that the public safety committee invite in the board of health to address and review the leash law.

8. Councilor Lebron-Martinez, etc: Ordered that the city including but not limited to the boards of health, Holyoke police department, DPW take serious measures specially during the COVID-19 epidemic and beyond in regards to the sex trafficking activities, Johns surrounding the corridor of Maple Street, Cabot Street, Chestnut Street, Essex,Appleton, Dwight Streets and last but not least Elm Street.  That the DPW place receptable trash around these streets listed areas for litter left behind.  Police representative,

9. Councilor Anderson-Burgos: Ordered that a traffic study be done on Sargeant Street observing traffic between St Jerome and Sycamore. Residents have mentioned several accidents in this area, possible due to speed and obstructed views as vehicles travel around the bend.  They have suggested a four way stop may be helpful at either Magnolia or Sycamore.

10. Councilor Anderson-Burgos: Ordered that a traffic study be done at the corner of West Franklin and St Jerome.  Residents are concerned about vehicles traveling down West Franklin at high speeds and the potential for collisions with vehicles with an obstructed view driving off of St Jerome because of the bend in the road.  They are asking for either speed bumps or a four way stop sign.

Administrative Assistant: Ryan M. Allen
The listing of matters are those reasonable 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.