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06-06-2016 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL Minutes dated June 6, 2016 Meeting was called to order by Council President Cichetti at 7:00pm at the Auditorium at the Roberta G. Doering School, 68 Main Street, Agawam. Item A. Roll Call ROLL CALL – 10 PRESENT, 1 ABSENT Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Cecilia Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, Council President James Cichetti, Christopher Johnson, Gina Letellier, Council Vice President Joseph Mineo, Donald Rheault, Robert Rossi and Anthony Suffriti. Councilor Theroux were absent. With ten present, there was a quorum. Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. Council President Cichetti asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. Item C. Citizen’s Speak Time Corinne Wingard spoke against the appointment of Chris Quatrone to the Housing Committee and supplied the State Auditor’s report for the record. Item D. Minutes 1. Regular Council Meeting – May 16, 2016 Motion to approve made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Voice vote approved with Councilor Rheault abstaining and Councilor Theroux absent. Item E. Declaration from Council President None. Item F. Presentation of Petitions, Memorials & Remonstrances 1. TR-2016-26 - A Resolution requesting the Agawam City Council Petition for the Enactment of Special Municipal Legislation changing the process to fill a vacancy on the School Committee (Mayor Cohen with Councilors George Bitzas, James Cichetti and Richard Theroux) (Referred to Legislative Committee) (Tabled 5/2/16) Council President left the item on the table as Chair of the Legislative Committee has scheduled a meeting on June 20th to review this item. 2. TR-2016-27 - A Resolution declaring approximately 2,634 square feet of are of property located at Murphy’s Pub at the Southwest Corner of Mill and Suffield Street available for disposition and sale to Murphy’s Pub (Mayor) (Referred to Community Relations Committee) (Tabled 5/2/16) Motion to remove from the table made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. The item was removed from the table by a voice vote. Motion to approve made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Mineo. Councilor Johnson moved to adopt the amended version and asked makers of the Motion to approve to defer to the amended version. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSTENTION (Councilor Rossi), 1 ABSENT (Councilor Theroux) approving the item as amended. 3. TR-2016-34 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation funds for the preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of historic resources, the School Street Barn (CPA) Motion to approve made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Calabrese. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Johnson provided a report on all three items referred to his committee. The Planner informed them that the original funding bid came back much higher and that’s why they are coming back to the Council however the new bid narrows the scope of the project. Councilor Johnson and his committee noted the Council’s frustration at being kept in the dark for all this time however the committee sent a positive recommendation to the Full Council with a 4-0 vote. Councilor Rossi asked if the funding was coming from the historical part of CPA (affirmative). Councilor Bitzas stated he already voted against this and will not vote to spend any more money on this and wants it left as a barn. Councilor Calabrese said normally she would be more tight-fisted but since the original funds were appropriated under the previous planner, she believed it should all be re-worked and re-phased with any leftover funds returning to the CPA. Councilor Letellier said the resolution clearly stated that these funds were for the stabilization and restoration only. Elevators etc were no longer included in the plan. Councilor Johnson reiterated that the scope is getting smaller with less being done to the barn with this resolution. Councilor Bitzas is afraid that this will escalate into something more as some people want. Councilor Cavallo is in favor of using the CPA for this project. The vote was 9 YES, 1 NO (Councilor Bitzas), 1 ABSENT (Councilor Theroux) approving the item. 4. TR-2016-35 - A Resolution to authorize the use of voting machines pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 54 § 34 (Mayor and Councilor Theroux) Previously, Councilor Johnson provided the Finance Report stating that the Clerk said the current voting machines are 12-15 years old. We need to update the machines and need them for the upcoming election. By the next City Council meeting, the Clerk expects to have the specifics of the voting machines. The Committee suggested tabling the item until the June 20th meeting until the make and model of the machines is provided. The committee gave a positive recommendation for passage. Motion to table made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Rheault. Voice vote approved tabling the item until June 20, 2016. Item G. Report of Council Committees None. Item H. Elections None. Item I. Public Hearings 1. (PH-2016-3) TR-2016-25 - A Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2017- 2021Capital Improvement Program (Mayor) (Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to remove the item off the table made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Johnson. The item was removed from the table. Motion to approve made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Johnson. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Johnson provided the report emphasizing that this is basically a wish list but wanted it known that the committee does not support many of the items on that list specifically the Early Childhood Center. The town cannot afford to do that project without state assistance and noted that the scope of the project needed to be reevaluated. The committee sent a positive recommendation for approval as a plan but not approval of the projects within the CIP. Council President Cichetti declared the Public Hearing open. No one spoke in favor of or in favor of name only. William Clark spoke against the Capital Improvement Plan and specified issues concerning road and sidewalk paving. No one spoke against in name only. Council President Cichetti declared the Public Hearing closed. Council discussion began with Councilor Johnson stating he would vote yes on the plan but noted it was wishful thinking to think the town would be building a new ECC. Councilor Letellier also will vote yes on the plan but not all of its contents and noted that those items would have to come before the City Council for approval. She also would like to see more money on streets. Councilor Calabrese agreed with Councilor Letellier. Councilor Mineo also agreed. Councilor Bitzas agreed but supported the ECC. Councilor Rossi stated he would be voting no on the CIP and that it needed to be reworked. Councilor Rheault would also vote for the plan but not its contents. The vote was 9 YES, 1 NO (Councilor Rossi), 1 ABSENT (Councilor Theroux) approving the item. 2. (PH-2016-4) TR-2016-33 - A Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Operating Budget for the Town of Agawam –Public Hearing Date set for June 20, 2016) (Mayor) This item is tabled until our June 20th meeting where the Public Hearing will take place. Item J. Old Business 1. TO-2016-17 - Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for Chez Josef, 176 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam, MA (Clerk) Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Rheault. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Cavallo provided the report stating his committee sends a positive recommendation for approval to the Full Council. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Letellier who stepped out and Councilor Theroux) approving the item. 2. TO-2016-18 - Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for Weekly Amusement for K&P Welker, LLC d/b/a Club One, 60 North Westfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA. (Clerk) Motion to approve made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilor Rheault. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Cavallo provided the report stating his committee sends a positive recommendation for approval to the Full Council. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Letellier who stepped out and Councilor Theroux) approving the item. 3. TO-2016-19 - Budgetary Transfer of $50,000.00 from Police Permanent Salary (#12101- 51010) to Police Overtime Salary (#12101-51030) (Mayor) Motion to approve made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilor Bitzas. Councilor Johnson previously provided the Finance Report stating that the Police Chief’s memo noted that positions were not filled until March and there was more OT. He also noted that he had a surplus in this salary account and might ask to use this to purchase new cars. The Finance Committee sent a positive recommendation for approval to the Full Council. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Theroux) approving the transfer. Item K. New Business 1. TR-2016-36 - A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a lease agreement between the Town of Agawam and Tanto Mane d/b/a Moolicious Farm (Mayor) Next Agenda, referred to the Finance Committee. 2. TR-2016-37 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of James Crosby, 9F Castle Hills, Agawam, MA to the Agawam Municipal Golf Commission for a term expiring on December 31, 2019 (Mayor) Next Agenda. 3. TR-2016-38 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Chris Quatrone, 12 Haskell Street, Agawam, MA to the Agawam Housing Committee to a term expiring May 31, 2018 (Mayor) Next Agenda. 4. TR-2016-39 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Sue Drumm, 14 Edward Street, to the Agawam Housing Committee to a term expiring May 31, 2017 (Mayor) Next Agenda. 5. TR-2016-40 - A Resolution accepting a grant in the amount of $36,682.99 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security State 911 Department to the City of Agawam Police Department for FY2016 State 911 Department Training Grant and EMD/Regulatory Compliance Grant Program (Mayor) Next Agenda, referred to the Finance Committee. 6. TR-2016-41 - A Resolution adopting the City of Agawam Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Update 2016 (Mayor) Next Agenda. 7. TR-2016-42 - A Resolution to amend TR-2016-13 and TR-2016-14 to appropriate additional funds from the Community Preservation Fund to meet the unforeseen shortfall of $35,386.00 to complete the Wade and Borgatti Park Projects (CPA) Next Agenda, referred to the Finance Committee. 8. TR-2016-43 - A Resolution to appropriate $43,151.10 from the Agawam Golf Course’s Retained Earnings Account to fund repairs to obsolete irrigation system at the Agawam Golf Course (Mayor)\ Next Agenda, referred to the Finance Committee. 9. TO-2016-20 - Budgetary Transfer of $50,000.00 from DPW Equipment Rental (#14202- 52071) to DPW Street/Infrastructure Improvement Program (#16610-52460) (Mayor) Next Agenda, referred to the Finance Committee. 10. TO-2016-21 - Order granting or renewing a Junk Dealer’s PERMIT for T’s Jewelers, 559 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA (Clerk) Next Agenda, referred to the Administrative Committee. Item L. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council. All of the councilors congratulated the AHS Class of 2016 graduates and their families. Councilor Rossi inquired about the procedure of confirming mayoral appointments and asked if they should be referred to a sub-committee. Councilor Cavallo stated that the graduation ceremony was wonderful and had great speeches. Councilor Suffriti also thanked everyone for having eight enlisted active military high school graduates and also welcomed Holyoke City Council member. Item M. Adjournment. The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded. The time of adjournment was 7:51pm.