CC MTG MINUTES APRIL 21 2015 ' REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Minutes dated April 21, 201 S
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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—9 PRESENT,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)
Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Paul Cavallo, James
Cichetti, Council President Christopher Johnson, Joseph Mineo, Vice President Dennis Perry,
Donald Rheault, Robert Rossi and Anthony Suffriti. Councilors Calabrese and Letellier were
absent. With nine 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 Sneak Time
' Two citizens were signed up to speak. The first was Michele Labonte-Veras who spoke about
Common Core standards and an upcoming informational session on May 18" at 6:30pm at the
Agawam Senior Center. Henry Kozloski also clarified the breakdown of CPA funding for the
athletic facility at the high school.
Item D. Minutes
1. Regular Council Meeting—April 6,2015
' Motion to approve the April 6, 2015 Regular City Council meeting minutes was made by
Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. The minutes were approved by a voice
vote of 8 Yes, 0 No and 2 Absent (Councilors Calabrese and Letellier), 1 Abstention
' (Councilor Rheault)
Item E. Decdamdon from Council President
' None.
Item F. Presentation of Petitions,Memorials& Remonstrances
' 1. TR-2015-16 -A Resolution adopting the latest revision of the Rules and
Regulations of the Agawam City Council(City Council) (Referred to Legislative
' Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Rossi. Councilor
' Cichetti as Chair of the Legislative Committee provided a report sending a positive
recommendation to the Full Council.
' The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier).
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' 2. TR 2015-17 -A Resolution accepting a Grant from the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts Emergency management Agency pursuant to Massachusetts General
Laws Chapter 44,Section 53A to Agawam Emergency Management in the amount
of$12,435.00(Mayor)
' Motion to approve made b Councilor Suffriti and seconded b Councilor Mineo. Council
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President noted that this was an allocation grant that is done on an annual basis.
' The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier).
' 3. TR-2015-18 -A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Lease
Agreement between the Town of Agawam and MC Catering(Mayor)(Referred to
Community Relations Committee)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Rheault. Councilor
Bitzas as Vice-Chair of the Community Relations Committee provided a report stating that this is
' for Borgatti Field concession and all monies are to stay in the Park and Recreation Department
for that field.
' The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier).
4. TR-2015-19 -A Resolution confirming the appointment of Mario Tedeschi, 150
Juniper Ridge Drive,Feeding Hills,MA 01030 to the Agawam Board of Registrars
to a term expiring April 1,2019(Mayor)
Motion to approve made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilors Bitzas and Mineo.
1 The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier).
' Council President Johnson thanked Mr.Tedeschi for his continued service to the town.
Item 7. Renort of Co ned Ciammidees
None.
' Item 8 Elections
1. TE-2015-3 - Election of a member of the Community Preservation Act
Committee to a term expiring April 30,2018
' Council President Johnson noted that these two elections were for the at-large CPA members.
The name of Richard Maggi was placed into nomination by Councilor Mineo and seconded by
Councilor Cavallo. No other name was nominated. Councilor Rheault moved to close
nominations which was seconded by Councilor Rossi.
' The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)for Richard
Maggi.
' Council President Johnson thanked him for his continued service to the town.
2. TE-20154 - Election of a member of the Community Preservation Act
' Committee to a term expiring April 30,2018
The name of Raymond Moreau was placed into nomination by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by
Councilor Mineo. No other name was nominated. Councilor Rheault moved to close
nominations which was seconded by Councilor Rossi.
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The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and LetelUer)for Raymond
Moreau.
' Council President Johnson also thanked him for his continued service to the town.
Item 9. Public Hearings
None.
' Item 10. Odd Business
1. TOR 2015-4 - An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the Town of Agawam by
' adding Chapter 178 Fingerprint-based Criminal Record Background Checks
(Mayor)(2 of 2 readings)(Tabled 4/6/15)(Referred to Legislative Committee)
t Motion to remove the item from the table made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor
Cichetti. Councilor Cichetti provided an updated report from the Legislative Committee stating
the Police Chief Gillis further explained the difference between CORI checks and fingerprint
checks with respect to the National Database. Motion to approve the second and final reading of
this item was made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilors Cichetti and Cavallo.
Discussion began with Councilor Rossi questioning the fee portion of this ordinance believing
$100 is way too high and should be reduced. Vendors need to be re-fingerprinted every year
because prints are not retained if there are no findings. Councilor Rossi made the Motion to
reduce the fee to$75 ($35 for the fingerprint fee and $45 for the General Reserve)and seconded
by Councilor Rheault. The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and
' Letellier)passing the amended(six votes were required). Council President stated that this item
was placed on the Agenda without supporting documentation. It shouldn't be up to the City
Council to have to pull information out of the Administration.
' Motion to approve the second and final reading as amended was approved with a vote of 9 YES,
0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)(eight votes were required)
' 2. TOR-2015-5 -An Ordinance creating the position of Chief Procurement Officer
as required by Massachusetts General Law (Councilors Cichetti, Suffriti, Mineo,
' Bitzas and Cavallo)(1 of 2 Readings)(Referred to Legislative Committee)
Motion to approve was made by Councilor Bitzas and seconded by Councilor Cichetti. Councilor
Cichetti as Chair provided a Legislative Committee report stating that his committee would like
' to see this position do both the town and school side of the procurement and he personally placed
this on the Agenda because he was trying to work with the Administration to do what's best for
the town. The Legislative Committee gave no recommendation on the item. Discussion started
with Councilor Rossi stating the draft was weak and extremely vague and hoped for more details
on the guidelines to follow. He was not opposed per se to this position but the administration
must get their ducks in a row first. Councilor Bitzas and Councilor Rheault said they'd like to see
' the Mayor put it in the budget instead. Councilor Cichetti stated he was just trying to move
things forward. He read the following letter into record:
' The Legislative Committee,after much discussion concerning this position and as suggested by Councilor
Robert Rossi and other councilors,have determined that the item should be funded in the fiscal 2015-
2016 budget by the Mayor. The Council should consider this submission during budget deliberations.
' While the Council cannot create a position via the budget the council can provide funding. This funding
would allow the Mayor to designate an employee to perform the functions of a Procurement Officer and
provide for the necessary funds to conduct negotiations with the appropriate bargaining unit for the
additional responsibilities the individual would perform. Therefore,as the Chair of the Committee I
' desire to remove TOR-2015-5.from the agenda and would like to see the Mayor include funding in the
proposed FY 16 budget.
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Motion to remove the item from the Agenda was made by Councilor Cichetti. He then withdrew
his motion so other councilors could speak. Councilor Rossi stated he has no problem with them
creating this position. Councilor Mineo, as a sponsor, thought it was a good idea and most cities
' and towns have a procurement officer. Councilor Cavallo said it was unfortunate that this
discussion has gone on far too long and just put it in the budget. Council President Johnson
stepped from the Chair to say he thought it was a waste of time. If the Mayor wanted it, it should
' go to the unions, set a salary and then come to the Council with a proposal. CPO only deals with
contracts$25,000 and up and there aren't many to his knowledge. If there isn't a CPO in town,it
is because the Mayor has not designated one. When Chris was mayor, he designated himself so
the town was in compliance. If they want this position, then the Mayor should get the
information and make his case. Councilor Rheault asked why would we go forward with this.
The Department Heads are paid very well and should be doing this themselves. If the Mayor
wants this then he should have sponsored it himself. He feels it's a big waste of money and is
' building a bureaucracy. Councilor Bitzas thanked Councilor Cichetti for doing all of the work on
this item. He would second his Motion to withdraw and also mentioned that there is probably a
lot of money in the town that was lost because we do not have this position.
tMotion to withdraw the item made by Councilor Cichetti and seconded by Councilor Bitzas. The
vote was 6 YES (Councilors Bitzas, Cavallo, Cichetti, Mineo, Perry and Suffriti), 3 NO
' (Councilors Johnson, Rheault and Rossi) and 2 ABSENT (Councilors Calabrese and
Letellier). The item was withdrawn.
Item]]. New Business
1. TO-2015-16 - Budgetary Transfer from Building Maintenance Regular
Permanent(#11921-51010)of$10,000.00 to BuildingMaintenance
Overtime(#11921-51030) for additional funds to cover unanticipated shortage due to
two unfilled positions.(Mayor)
' Next Agenda;referred to Finance Committee.
2. TO-2015-17 - An Order granting or renewing an Automatic Amusement
' PERMIT for Six Flags New England, 1623 Main Street,Agawam,MA. (Clerk)
Next Agenda;referred to Administrative Committee.
3. TO-2015-18 - Budgetary Transfer of$30,000.00 from Police Regular Permanent
Account(#12101-51010)to Police Overtime Account(#1210151030)(Mayor)
' Next Agenda;referred to Finance Committee.
4. TO-2015-19 -Budgetary Transfer of$30,000.00 from Police Court Time Account
' (#1210151080)to Police Overtime Account(#12101-51030)(Mayor)
Next Agenda; referred to Finance Committee.
' 5. TR-2015-20 - A Resolution confirming the appointment of Timothy McGrew,99
Red Fox Drive, Feeding Hills, MA 01030 to the Agawam Board of Registrars to a
' term expiring April 1,2019(Mayor)
Next Agenda.
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6. TR-2015-21 -A Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2016-2020Capital
Improvement Program. Set Public Hearing Date— suggest June 1,2015(Mayor)
' Next Agenda;referred to Finance Committee.
7. TR-2015-22 -A Resolution requesting the Agawam City Council petition for
the enactment of Special Municipal Legislation concerning the retirement of Special
' Police Officers in the Town of Agawam (Mayor)
Next Agenda;referred to Legislative Committee.
' 8. TR-2015-23 -A Resolution revising appropriation requirement from the
Community Preservation Fund and authorizing the expenditure of Community
' Preservation Funds for the creation of a dog park as a recreational use at Shea
Field(CPA)
' Next Agenda;referred to Community Relations Committee.
Item 12. Any other matter that may legaU come before the City Council.
Councilor Cavallo complained that he feels there's a problem with scheduling sub-committee
meetings and that all four sub-committee should have regularly scheduled monthly meetings and
also wanted to know the budget review dates. Councilor Mineo said regarding any of the referred
' items to his committee,please remember to send any questions or comments to him or to Barbara
BEFORE his sub-committee meeting so we don't wait until the night the Council votes on
something and table the item. Councilor Rossi said he had a lot of questions immediately come
' to mind regarding New Business item TR 2015-22 and that there was no backup with it and the
Chief should be invited to the sub-committee meeting.
' Adiournment.
The Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded with all in favor of adjourning. The time of
' adjournment was 7:46pm.
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