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02-20-18 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL Minutes dated February 20, 2018 Meeting was called to order by Council President Johnson at 7:00pm in 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, Council Vice President Cecilia Calabrese, Paul Cavallo, Council President Christopher Johnson, Robert Magovern, Dino Mercadante, Joseph Mineo, Robert Rossi, Rosemary Sandlin and Anthony Suffriti. Councilor Letellier was absent. With ten present, there was a quorum. Item B. Moment of Silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. Council President Johnson asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. Item C. Citizen’s Speak Time The following citizens spoke: William Clark – spoke about his Free Petition on chickens and also on quick response with Axe House. Made comments about O’Brien’s Corner proposed appropriation Corinne Wingard – spoke about her confirmation of appointment to Housing Committee and appreciated support as Housing is her passion Item D. Minutes 1. Regular Council Meeting – February 5, 2018 Motion to approve made by Councilors Bitzas and Magovern and seconded by Councilors Cavallo and Suffriti. Voice vote approved. Item E. Declaration from Council President None. Item F. Presentation of Petitions and Remonstrances 1. TR-2018-8 - A Resolution accepting a grant in the amount of $70,999.00 from Commonwealth of Massachusetts State 911 Department pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53A for Agawam Police Department (Mayor Sapelli) (Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. As Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Mineo provided a report stating that all was in order and the committee send a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 4 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Councilor Letellier). The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the item. 2. TR-2018-9 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Corinne M. Wingard, 194 Elm Street, Agawam, MA to the Agawam Housing Committee to a term expiring October 1, 2021 (Mayor Sapelli) Motion to approve made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilors Suffriti, Magovern and Rossi. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the appointment. Council President Johnson thanked Corinne for her service and was glad to have her back as she was one of the pioneers of the Housing Committee. 3. TR-2018-10 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Marilyn Curry, 123 Beekman Drive, Agawam, MA to the Historical Commission to a term expiring January 1, 2021 (Mayor Sapelli) Motion to approve made by Councilor Sandlin and seconded by Councilors Magovern and Bitzas. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the appointment. Council President Johnson thanked Marilyn for her continued service. She was unable to attend tonight because she was actually attending a Historical Commission meeting. 4. TR-2018-11 - A Resolution authorizing the dedication of Energy Revenues to the Energy Management Project Stabilization Fund (Mayor Sapelli) (Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. As Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Mineo provided a report stating that all was in order and the committee send a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 4 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Councilor Letellier). The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the item. Item G. Report of Council Committees None. Item H. Elections None. Item I. Public Hearings None. Item J. Old Business 1. TOR-2017-13 - An Ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Agawam Zoning Ordinances to add solar energy systems (Sponsored by Councilors Johnson and Rossi) Refer to Legislative Committee and work with Assessors and Engineering to gather list of potential overlay district areas – no vote taken yet (Tabled 2/5/18) (Referred to Planning Board - PB Public Hearing set for 3/1/18) (City Council Public Hearing set for 3/19/18) Council President Johnson stated that during the recent Legislative Committee meeting, Councilor Bitzas asked what percentage of vote it would take to pass a Special Permit – which Council President Johnson confirmed to be a two-third majority vote. At the request of Councilor Suffriti, the language in the ordinance would reflect an increase in the maximum allowable roof coverage from 80% to 90%. Council President reminded everyone that the Planning Board would be holding its Public Hearing on March 1st and the City Council’s Public Hearing would be on March 19, 2018. By a unanimous voice vote, the item remained on the table. 2. TO-2018-3 - A Budgetary Transfer of 5,800.00 from Fire Department Regular Temporary (#12201-51020) to Fire Contractual Services (#12202-52360) (Mayor Sapelli) (Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Sandlin. As Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Mineo provided a report stating that all was in order and the committee send a positive recommendation to the Full Council by a vote of 4 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Councilor Letellier). Councilor Cavallo praised Chief Sirois’ always thorough and remarkably detailed back up reports. His reports are the best that we receive throughout the year. The vote was 10 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSENT (Councilor Letellier) approving the item. Item K. New Business 1. TR-2018-12 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Mary Jo Safford, MS, APRN-BC, CTH, 92 Juniper Ridge, Feeding Hills, MA to the Board of Health for a term expiring the first Monday in February, 2021 (Mayor Sapelli) Next Agenda. 2. TR-2018-13 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Charlotte M. Fields, 63 Central Street, Agawam, MA to the Historical Commission to a term expiring January 1, 2021 (Mayor Sapelli) Next Agenda. 3. TR-2018-14 - A Resolution appropriating funds ($23,157.00) from the General, Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance (Free Cash) to the Parks and Recreational Vehicle Account (#16204-58500) Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda. 4. TR-2018-15 - A Resolution to appropriate and authorize borrowing in the amount of $1,100,000.00 for the O’Brien’s Corner Complete Streets Improvement Project (Mayor Sapelli) The Mayor has decided to withdraw this item however it will have to be withdrawn on our next Agenda once the item has been moved to Old Business where it can be acted upon. 5. TO-2018-4 - Voucher List of $1,730.03 for Councilors’ reimbursements for MMA Trade Show 2018 Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda. 6. TOR-2018-1 - An Ordinance to amend Section 49-7(C) of the Code of the Town of Agawam – Two Readings Required (Mayor Sapelli) Referred to Finance Committee, next Agenda. Item L. Any other matter that may legally come before the City Council. Councilor Suffriti reminded affected residents of the Feeding Hills septic situation that they have not been forgotten. Councilor Rossi asked Council Administrative Assistant to contact Chris Golba, representatives from Tighe & Bond and the Mayor for availability to have a meeting regarding sewers. Councilor Mercadante thanked Corinne and Marilyn for their service – it is greatly appreciated. Councilor Magovern agreed and sent prayers to all the people in Florida after the tragic shootings. Council President Johnson had several housekeeping items including saving the date of March 26th for Needs Assessment Committee’s 85% plan presentation. He also wanted to appoint those councilors wishing to be on the Energy Commission as well as the Housing Committee. Item M. Adjournment. The Motion to adjourn was moved by Councilor Magovern and seconded by Councilor Mercadante. Meeting was adjourned at 7:20pm.