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11-05-2014 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGREGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL Minutes dated November 5, 2014 Meeting was called to order by President Johnson at 7:00pm at the Auditorium at the Roberta G. Doering School, 68 Main Street, Agawam. Item A. Roll Call ROLL CALL – 11 PRESENT, 0 ABSENT Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Cecilia Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, James Cichetti, Council President Christopher Johnson, Gina Letellier, Joseph Mineo, Vice President Dennis Perry, Donald Rheault, Robert Rossi and Anthony Suffriti. With eleven councilors present, there was a quorum. Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. President Johnson asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. Item C. Citizen’s Speak Time There were no citizens signed up for Citizen’s Speak Time. Item D. Minutes Motion to approve the October 20, 2014 Regular City Council meeting minutes was made by Councilors Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Mineo. The minutes were approved by a vote of: 11 Yes, 0 No. Item E. Declaration from Council President None. Item F. Presentation of Petitions, Memorials & Remonstrances 1. TR-2014-30 - Resolution to establish an Ad Hoc Sub-Committee of the Agawam City Council to initiate an investigation of the Agawam Municipal Golf Course pursuant to Section 2-11 of the Agawam Home Rule Charter (Councilors Letellier, Johnson and Perry) Motion made to take the item off the item on the table made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Perry. Council President Johnson explained the he emailed and placed a printed version of an amended TR-2014-30. This amended version is a middle ground where everyone can move forward and address the City Council’s concerns without the stigma of an “investigation”. It creates an Ad Hoc Committee made up of three City Councilors, a member of the Golf Commission and the Golf Course Manager, all of whom would review the operations and prepare an improvement plan for the course. If the Mayor chooses not to join in this spirit of compromise then we should just vote on our original resolution. Councilor Letellier commented on the Mayor’s response in suggesting that she be on the Golf Commission on which she has no interest to be. Her interest lies in the fiscal responsibility of the golf course and on that note Councilor Letellier also noted she would never vote for $91,000+ to be appropriated from Free Cash for the Golf Course. Councilor Rossi agreed and suggested we vote on the amendment to the Resolution and then table it to wait for the Mayor’s response. Councilor Perry agreed with both and supports the amended version. The Golf Course had a good year due in part to the action of the City Council by appropriating funds for the golf carts which put the course in a much better position to have a good season. We now need to work with them on a plan for when there is a down season. Councilor Cavallo liked the toned down version of “investigation” to “review” and Councilor Bitzas agreed that it sounded better. He and Councilor Letellier thought maybe the Auditor should be part of the Ad Hoc Committee as well. Councilor Bitzas also mentioned a citizen or independent person would be a good idea but he disagreed on voting on the amendment right now. Council President Johnson stated that since the Auditor supports the Council that while she should definitely attend the meetings; she shouldn’t be a voting member. Councilor Cichetti thanked the Council for trying to compromise on this issue. It is a great step in the right direction. He hates to see negativity and the main issue is the entire Council wants the Golf Course to succeed. Council President wanted to take a straw vote on the amendment however Councilor Letellier didn’t think a straw vote is allowed under Roberts’ Rules of Order. Councilors Calabrese and Mineo also agreed with the amended version hoping to make improvements at the course. Councilor Rheault reminded the Council of all the taxpayers’ money that could be going to the Golf Course as there is a great deal of landscaping equipment with costs up to $300,000 that will need replacing at some point in the near future. Councilors Bitzas and Cavallo stated that it is in the town’s best interest to compromise and meet with the Mayor on this. Council President Johnson stated he is always willing to meet with the Mayor and agreed that this compromise is a positive step. Motion made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Letellier to place this item back on the table. The item is back on the table. Item 7. Report of Council Committees None. Item 8. Elections None. Item 9. Public Hearings None. Item 10. Old Business 1. TOR-2014-5 - An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the Town of Agawam to add Section 49-9 entitled Use of Municipal Vehicles (Councilors Donald Rheault and Robert Rossi) (Two Readings Required) Motion to keep the item on the table made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. The item was re-referred to the Legislative Committee for a recommendation. 2. TOR-2014-9 - An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the Town of Agawam to Add Section 180-95A to assist the Council in Zone Change Requests involving the Wireless Telecommunications Overlay District (Councilor Johnson) (2 of 2 Readings) Motion made by Councilor Perry and seconded by Councilor Cichetti to move this second and final reading. The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the second and final reading. 3. TO-2014-27 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Bear Auto Sales, 517 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA. (Clerk) Motion made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Rheault. Councilor Rossi as Chair of Administrative Committee gave a report sending a positive recommendation for TO-2014-27 through and including TO-2014-30. Motion made to consolidate these items. The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the license. 4. TO-2014-28 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Chris Auto South, Inc., 207 Main Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk) See item #3 The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the license. 5. TO-2014-29 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Langonet, Inc., 61 Ramah Circle South, Agawam, MA (Clerk) See item #3 The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the license. 6. TO-2014-30 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Malkoon Motors, Inc., 1309 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA. (Clerk) See item #3 The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the license. 7. TO-2014-31 - An Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic Amusement Device and Weekly Amusement Permit for Ferrentino’s Pizzeria & Pub, 1676 Main Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk) Motion made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Rossi. Councilor Rossi as Chair of the Administrative Committee gave a report sending a positive recommendation to the Full Council. The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the permit. 8. TO-2014-32 - An Order Granting or Renewing a Junk Dealer’s PERMIT for Agawam Coin and Gold, 270 Main Street (Flea Market), Agawam, MA (Clerk) Motion to table made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. The voice vote was unanimous. 9. TO-2014-33 - An Order Granting or Renewing a Junk Dealer’s PERMIT for Block Jewelers, Inc., 299 Walnut Street, Agawam, MA (Clerk) Motion made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Perry. Councilor Rossi as Chair of the Administrative Committee gave a report sending a positive recommendation to the Full Council. The vote was 11 YES, 0 NO approving the permit. Item 11. New Business 1. TR-2014-37 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the rehabilitation of the Athletic Facility located at the Agawam High School (CPA) Referred to Finance Committee and Community Relations Committee, next Agenda. 2. TR-2014-38 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of the historic School Street Barn (CPA) Referred to Finance Committee and Community Relations Committee, next Agenda. 3. TO-2014-34 - An Order Granting a Class 1 Dealer’s LICENSE to Beaver Camper Service, 721 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA. (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda. 4. TO-2014-35 - An Order Granting a Class 1 Dealer’s LICENSE to Sarat Ford Sales, Inc., 221 Springfield Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda. 5. TO-2014-36 - An Order Granting a Class 1 Dealer’s LICENSE to Sarat Ford Sales, Inc., 243-249 Springfield Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda. 6. TO-2014-37 - An Order Granting a Class 1 Dealer’s LICENSE to Sarat Ford Sales, Inc., 250 Springfield Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda. 7. TO-2014-38 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Elias Auto, 1123 Suffield Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda. 8. TO-2014-39 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Garden Auto Sales, 204 Garden Street, Feeding Hills, MA. (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda. 9. TO-2014-40 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Joseph J. Polys d/b/a Joe’s Truck Repair, 97 Ramah Circle South, Agawam, MA. (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda. 10. TO-2014 -41 - An Order Granting a Class 2 Dealer’s LICENSE to Luigi’s Auto Sales, Inc., 371 South Westfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA. (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda. 11. TO-20 14-42 - An Order Granting or Renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic Amusement Device and Weekly Amusement Permit for DKJ Corp. d/b/a Headquarters, 485B Springfield Street, Agawam, MA. (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee, next Agenda. 12. TR-2014-43 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the Roof Replacement of the Shea Field Storage/Bathroom Building (CPA) Referred to Finance Committee and Community Relations Committee, next Agenda. 13 TR-2014-44 - A Resolution adopting a Residential Factor of .823463 pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 56 (Mayor) Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda. 14. TR-2014-45 - A Resolution to appropriate an amount $22,245.20 from Free Cash to the Agawam Golf Course (Mayor) Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda. 15. TR-2014-46 - A Resolution to appropriate an amount not to exceed $91,000.00 from Free Cash to the Agawam Golf Course (Mayor) Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda. 16. TO-2014-43 - Budgetary Transfer of $13,000.00 from Capital Improvement Station 2, Electrical Upgrades (#16619-58701) to Fire Department Grounds and Building Maintenance (#12202-52020) (Mayor) Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda. Item 12. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council. Councilor Bitzas asked Council President to re-refer TOR-2014-5 to the Legislative Committee because they never made a recommendation. Councilor Letellier asked for a hard copy of the Tax Factor back up information as it was difficult to see on the iPad. She also mentioned, as a new junior Rosie Robotics mom, that there is the annual Rosie Robotics Ziti dinner on Friday night at the Agawam Congregational Church. Councilor Cavallo mentioned that the Facility Needs Committee met on the Early Childhood Center and the meeting minutes were in the recent Administrative report. The committee is pursuing this and there will be more to report in weeks to come. Councilor Rossi asked Barbara to schedule an Administrative Committee meeting and invite the applicant for Agawam Coin and Gold. Council President mentioned that we will be having a workshop in November. Adjournment. The Motion to adjourn was moved by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Perry with all in favor of adjourning. Time of adjournment 7:41pm.