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06-05-17 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL Minutes dated June 5, 2017 Meeting was called to order by Council President Cichetti at 7:00pm in the Auditorium of the Roberta G. Doering School, 68 Main Street, Agawam. Item A. Roll Call ROLL CALL – 8 PRESENT, 3 ABSENT Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: Cecilia Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, Council President James Cichetti, Gina Letellier, Council Vice President Joseph Mineo, Donald Rheault, Robert Rossi and Anthony Suffriti. Councilors Bitzas, Johnson and Theroux were absent. With 8 present, there was a quorum. Councilor Johnson arrived a little late during Item I therefore the votes will change at that time to reflect nine councilors present. 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 None. Item D. Minutes 1. Regular Council Meeting – May 15, 2017 Motion to approve was moved by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Voice vote approved. Item E. Declaration from Council President 1. Presentation of Veterans’ Council poster contest winner Tia Nuzzolilli of Feeding Hills.  Item F. Presentation of Petitions, Memorials & Remonstrances 1. TR-2017-24 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Sue Drumm, 14 Edward Street, Agawam, MA to the Agawam Housing Committee to a term expiring May 31, 2020 (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) Motion to approve made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Letellier. The vote was 8 YES, 0 NO, 3 ABSENT (Councilors Bitzas, Johnson and Theroux) approving the item.  2. TR-2017-25 - A Resolution authorizing the appropriation (of $135,762.71 and $33,277.88) to fund deficits in Snow and Ice Overtime and Equipment Rentals Snow Accounts (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) (Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Rheault. As a member of the Finance Committee, Councilor Letellier provided a report stating that a motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council was made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Calabrese. The Auditor and Treasurer/Collector indicated that it was preferable to close the deficit through the utilization of Free Cash now rather than have DOR add the sums to our FY17 recap and charge the deficit to the next Free Cash certification. Vote: 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT The vote was 8 YES, 0 NO, 3 ABSENT (Councilors Bitzas, Johnson and Theroux) approving the item.  3. TR-2017-26 - A Resolution authorizing the application and acceptance of a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Grant (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) (Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Calabrese. As a member of the Finance Committee, Councilor Letellier provided a report stating that a motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council was made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. The item involves a state grant of $1,500. Vote: 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT The vote was 8 YES, 0 NO, 3 ABSENT (Councilors Bitzas, Johnson and Theroux) approving the item.  4. TR-2017-28 - A Resolution authorizing the purchase of certain real estate (Councilor Bitzas) EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion to withdraw made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. The vote was 8 YES, 0 NO, 3 ABSENT (Councilors Bitzas, Johnson and Theroux) withdrawing the item. 5. TR-2017-29 - A Resolution authorizing the purchase of certain real estate (Councilor Bitzas) EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion to withdraw made by Councilor Calabrese and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. The vote was 8 YES, 0 NO, 3 ABSENT (Councilors Bitzas, Johnson and Theroux) withdrawing the item. Item G. Report of Council Committees None. Item H. Elections None. Item I. Public Hearings 1. TR-2017-22 - A Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Program (submitted by Mayor Cohen) – Public Hearing Date set for June 5, 2017 (Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Johnson noted that the committee recommends removing all references to the Walnut Street Streetscape Project on the Capital Improvement Program resolution. Council President Cichetti opened the Public Hearing. Treasurer Laurel Placzek presented the plan and noted that this was only a plan and any items would have to come before the City Council for approval. The schematic designs for the Early Childhood Center were added to the CIP budget. Council President Cichetti asked if anyone else would like to speak in favor of this item, in name only in favor, in opposition and/or opposition name on - he then declared the Public Hearing closed. Motion made and seconded to amend the item to remove all references to the Walnut Street Streetscape Project. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT approving the amendment. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Bitzas and Theroux) approving the item as amended. 2. PH-2017-5 (TR-2017-27) - A Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Operating Budget for the Town of Agawam –Public Hearing Date set for June 19, 2017 (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) Public Hearing set for June 19, 2017 Item J. Old Business 1. TO-2017-21 - Voucher List for WB Mason in the amount of $379.99 (Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Johnson provided the report stating that a Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council was made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. The item involves office supplies for the Council office. Vote: 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Bitzas and Theroux) approving the item. 2. TO-2017-22 - Budgetary Transfer of $1,600.00 from Municipal Golf Fuel & Oil (#65263-52130) to Municipal Golf Overtime (#65261-51030) (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) (Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Letellier and seconded by Councilor Johnson. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Johnson provided the report stating that a Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council was made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Letellier. The item involves a transfer to allow the greens at the course to be cut on weekends which will necessitate the utilization of overtime funds per the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Vote: 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Bitzas and Theroux) approving the item. 3. TO-2017-23 - Order granting or renewing a Junk Dealer’s PERMIT for Block Jewelers, Inc., located at 299 Walnut Street, Agawam, MA. 01001 (Clerk) (Referred to Administrative Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilor Letellier. As Chair of the Administrative Committee, Councilor Cavallo provided his report stating that all looked fine and the committee sent a positive recommendation for approval to the Full Council. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Bitzas and Theroux) approving the item.  4. TO-2017-24 - A budgetary transfer from Other Debt Service #16601-57690 to Debt Principal #16601-57600 for $6,500.00 (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) (Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Johnson. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Johnson provided the report stating that a Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council was made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Calabrese. The Treasurer/Collector explained that the item involves a transfer of $6,500 which was necessitated by a change in the principal and interest schedule on one of the bonds. Vote: 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Bitzas and Theroux) approving the item. 5. TOR-2017-6 - An Ordinance Authorizing Departmental Revolving Funds for FY2018 (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) (1 of 2 Readings) (Referred to Finance and Legislative Committees) Motion to approve moved by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Johnson provided the report for both committees. He stated that the Auditor and Treasurer/Collector indicated that the ordinance was required to comply with the Municipal Modernization Act passed last year by the state legislature. They also indicated that the table of revolving funds attached to the proposed ordinance was not correct and they would supply a correct table prior to the next Council meeting. Councilor Johnson noted that the draft contained several errors such as references to “by-law” and not “ordinance” as required; “Town Accountant” and not “Auditor” as required; and that the ordinance had no reporting requirements. The Finance Committee Motion to amend was made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Letellier to replace references to “by-law” with “ordinance”; amend the title to remove “for FY2018”; change references from “Town Accountant” to “City Auditor”; change reference from “Council Finance Committee” to “City Council”; and to revise the reporting paragraph to include the preparation of quarterly reports, with copies to the Council. The Legislative Committee Motion to amend was made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilor Calabrese to replace references to “by-law” with “ordinance”; amend the title to remove “for FY2018”; change references from “Town Accountant” to “City Auditor”; change reference from “Council Finance Committee” to “City Council”; and to revise the reporting paragraph to include the preparation of quarterly reports, with copies to the Council. The joint committees votes were as follows: Finance Committee -Motion to Amend: Vote 4 YES 0 NO and 1 ABSENT; Legislative Committee - Motion to Amend: Vote 3 YES 0 NO and 2 ABSENT; Finance Committee - Main Motion as Amended: Vote 4 YES 0 NO and 1 ABSENT; Legislative Committee - Main Motion as Amended: Vote 3 YES 0 NO and 2 ABSENT The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Bitzas and Theroux) approving the first reading. Item K. New Business 1. TR-2017-30 - A Resolution to appoint Ron Hamel to the Veterans Council as a lifetime honorary member (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) Next Agenda. 2. TR-2017-31 - A Resolution to appoint Beverly Follis to the Veterans Council as a lifetime honorary member (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) Next Agenda. 3. TR-2017-32 - A Resolution to appoint Christopher Sanchez to the Veterans Council as a lifetime honorary member (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) Next Agenda. 4. TR-2017-33 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Howard Safford, 92 Juniper Ridge Drive, Feeding Hills, MA to the Agawam Liquor License Commission to a term expiring the first Monday in June, 2020 (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) Next Agenda. 5. TO-2017-25 - Order granting or renewing a LICENSE for an Automatic Amusement Device(s) for Six Flags New England located at 1623 Main Street, Agawam, MA. 01001 (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee, Next Agenda. 6. TO-2017-26 - Order granting or renewing a PERMIT for a Weekly Amusement Device(s) for Six Flags New England located at 1623 Main Street, Agawam, MA. 01001 (Clerk) Referred to Administrative Committee, Next Agenda. 7. TO-2017-27 - Budgetary Transfer of $73,000.00 from Reserve Fund (#16605-57300) to Building Maintenance-Building Improvements (#11922-58250) for the purpose of roof replacement at the Agawam Golf Course (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) Referred to Finance Committee; Next Agenda. 8. TR-2017-34 - A Resolution accepting a grant in the amount of $8,000.00 from the Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance to the Town of Agawam (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) Referred to Finance Committee; Next Agenda. 9. TR-2017-35 - A Resolution establishing the Annual National Night Out Gift Account pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44 §53A (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) Referred to Finance Committee; Next Agenda. 10. TR-2017-36 - A Resolution to adopt a Housing Production Plan (Sponsored by Councilors James P. Cichetti and Christopher C. Johnson) – Public Hearing Date set for June 19, 2017 Public Hearing set for June 19, 2017; Next Agenda. 11. TR-2017-37 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the completion of a Recreation Needs Assessment and Master Plan (CPA) ($82,950.00) Referred to Finance Committee; Next Agenda. 12 TR-2017-38 - A Resolution appropriating from the Community Preservation Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community Preservation Funds for the rehabilitation and restoration of the double doors at the Agawam Historical and Fire House Museum (CPA) ($23,000.00) Referred to Finance Committee; Next Agenda. 13. TOR-2017-7 - An Ordinance to Add Section 3-8.7 to the Code of the Town of Agawam entitled Capital Improvement Planning Committee (Sponsored by Councilors Cichetti, Mineo and Suffriti) (Two Readings Required) Referred to Finance and Legislative Committees; Next Agenda. Item L. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council. Councilor Calabrese and the rest of the City Council wished all the soon to be AHS graduates the best of luck. Councilor Letellier thanked the APD and AFD for their help with a recent personal need for their services stating they were fast, prompt and professional. Councilor Suffriti provided insight from the recent Business Modernization Committee meeting where there was a recommendation to send Mr. Peters a letter asking for an update on Games & Lanes. Item M. Adjournment. The Motion to adjourn was moved by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Johnson. Meeting was adjourned at 7:38pm.