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CC MTG MINUTES APRIL 18 2017 REGULAR MEETING OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL •r Minutes dated April 18, 2017 Meeting was called to order by Council Vice President Mineo at 7:00pm in the Auditorium of the Roberta G. Doering School,68 Main Street,Agawam. t Item A.Roll Cull ROLL CALL--9 PRESENT,2 ABSENT Roll Call was taken with the following councilors present: George Bitzas, Paul Cavallo, Council President James Cichetti, Christopher Johnson, Council Vice President Joseph Mineo, Donald Rheault, Robert Rossi, Anthony Suffriti and Richard Theroux. Councilors Calabrese and Letellier were absent. With nine present,there was a quorum. Item R. Moment of Silence and the Pledge ofAldegiance. Council President Cichetti asked for a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. Item C. Citizens Speak Time The following spoke regarding TR-2017-17 Walnut Street Ext. Streetscape Project: + Michelle Chase,Town Engineer • Billy Chester �i • David Gardner • Vakny Chonmany + Corinne Wingard + Diane Labbe • Helen Chester • Edward Borgatti • Donald Cook • Doug Reed + Linda Galarneau Item D. Minutes • 1. Regular Council Meeting—April 3,2017 Motion to approve was moved and seconded. Voice vote approved with abstentions of James Cichetti and Donald Rheault noted. Item E. Declaration from Council President None. �� 1 .i Item F. Presentation of Petitions,Memorials&Remonstrances 1. TR 2017-17 -A Resolution to Appropriate and Authorize Borrowing in the Amount of $5,280,000.00 for the Walnut Street Extension Streetscape Improvement Project (Sponsored by Mayor • Cohen (Referred to Finance and Community Relations Committees (Tabled 4/3/1}(R ty }(T 7) Motion to remove the item from the table made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. Voice vote ' approved. Motion to approve made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Johnson. Councilor Bitzas provided his report as Chair of the Community Relations Committee not providing a recommendation after the open meeting with the public. Councilor Johnson provided his report as Chair of the Finance Committee stating no recommendation given and to vote your conscience. Councilor Rossi stated he was not opposed to redeveloping the area and is in favor of revitalization however there have been so many mistakes made down there in the past and thinks we should have an action plan in place prior to doing this and Games & Lanes needs to be fix before doing something like this. He does not believe this project is the answer for that area. Councilor Bitzas noted it was clear no one was in support of the original resolution to borrow $5,280,000.00 and commended Michelle Chase for the fine presentation and all of her hard work. He read into record the Mayor's proposed amendment in order to continue the debate making the motion to amend TR-2017-17 which was seconded by Councilor Theroux. Councilor Rossi didn't see the point of j the amendment but was okay with it for discussion. Why did they not amend this before presenting it to us? He mentioned that the Planner was noticeably absent from most of the presentation but then sends a two page letter of support. Why did the Mayor say it was a top priority and was quoted"If not now, when?" Well Bob said"If not then, why now?" Councilor Theroux felt the amendment was suggested because this would save that intersection when the • DOT is fixing the bridge and without this appropriation, that corner will be left as is. The DOT will not continue up that corridor without us investing some of our own money. Councilor Cavallo said there are other areas in town that ' also require updating not just Walnut Street area. Councilor Bitzas said we listened to all of the people that spoke and the vast majority is against this project. This amendment is not what he was hoping for as a reduced proposal for this project and will vote no on the amendment. Councilor Johnson reiterated what one of the speakers at Citizen's Speak • time said that there is a severe lack of leadership in this town and frankly we do not have proactive leadership —only i reactive making this project ill-conceived from the start. It would have been nice to be in the running for federal and state money. The problem has to do with the abandoned building on one end and the disaster on the other end. Until we have the political courage to change the leadership in this town, we will not move forward. We need true leadership which we do not have in the Mayor's office(Applause). Councilor Rheault noted that we again received a last minute appropriation from upstairs. He believes the Games & Lanes situation needs to be corrected first with no •, disrespect meant for the new owner.This item will never get his support until Games&Lanes is torn down. Councilor Theroux said there was plenty of blame to go around. We need to figure out what to do with this area and that this all came about because of the upcoming bridge project. Sadly we will miss the opportunity to do something without approving this. The Town Engineer did so much work however there needs to be more of a buy in from the businesses down there. He believes that area can be cleaned up in the future and do something in bits and pieces to make it better. We need a committee to get more people involved. This particular item is too much of a commitment. Councilor Rossi took issue with some of the things Councilor Theroux stated --there are and have been several councilors that have been very proactive but it falls on deaf ears and believe we got into deeper trouble when we changed that area to mixed use. So Councilor Bitzas made the Motion to Amend which was seconded by Councilor Theroux. The vote was 0 YES,9 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)defeating the amendment. ' The vote on the main motion was 0 YES,9 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)defeating the item. 2. TR-2017-18 - A Resolution accepting a grant in the amount of $6,460.00 from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53A to the Town of Agawam(Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) (Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Johnson provided his report stating that this was an allocation grant to emergency management. �� 2 Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Council made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Mineo. Motion passed by a 3 yes 0 no and 3 absent vote. The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)approving the item. 3. TR-2017-19 - A Resolution accepting a grant($12,018.30) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State 911 Department pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53A for the Agawam Police Department(Sponsored by Mayor Cohen)(Referred to Finance Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. As Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor 3ohnson provided his report stating that this was an allocation grant to police department. Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Council made by Councilor Mineo and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. Motion passed by a 3 yes 0 no and 3 absent vote. I The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)approving the item. • 4. TR-2017-20 -A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Henry A. Kozloski, 102 Meadow Street, Agawam, MA to the Community Preservation Act Committee to a term expiring April 30, 2020 (Council) Motion to approve made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Johnson. • The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)confirming the reappointment. Council President Cichetti thanked Mr.Kozloski for his service. 5. TR 2017-21 - A Resolution confirming the reappointment of Violet Baldwin, 1245 Main Street, Agawam, MA to the Community Preservation Act Committee to a term expiring April 30, 2020 (Council) Motion to approve made b Councilor Rheault and seconded b Councilor Cavallo. pP Y Y The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO,2 ABSENT (Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)confirming the reappointment. Council President Cichetti thanked Ms.Baldwin for her service. Item G. Renort of Council Committees ' None. Item H. Elections 1. TE-2017-5 -Election of an at-large member of the CPA Committee to a term expiring April 30, � P g on P 2020 ' The name of Louis Russo was placed into nomination and seconded although second are not necessary. Nominations were closed. The vote was 9 for LOUIS RUSSO, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Calabrese and Letellier) for Mr. Russo. Council President Cichetti congratulated Mr. Russo. �� 3 Item L Public Hearings 1. PH-2017-2(TOR-2017-3) - An Ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Agawam Zoning ' ordinances Regarding Commercial Ground Mounted Photovoltaic Installations (Planning Board) (Two Readings Required)—Public Hearing Set for May 1,2017(Tabled 4/3/17) (Re-referred to the Planning Board and Legislative Committee) tItem remained on the table although Councilor Cavallo asked when we would receive the report from Bacon & Wilson and Councilor Theroux asked to send a reminder to the Law Department. 2. PH-2017-3(ZC-2017-1) - Petition for Zone Change by Owner Volodymyr Boyko for property located at 30 Royal Lane from Agricultural to Residential B — Public Hearing Set for May 1, 2017 (Referred to Legislative Committee) Item remained on the table. Item J. Old Business 1. TOR-2017-5 - An Ordinance establish a revolving fund pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws ' Chapter 44 Section 53E1/2 for Overflow Trash Bags (Sponsored by Mayor Cohen) (Second and Final Reading as amended) (Referred to Legislative Committee) Motion to approve the second and final reading as amended made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Theroux. The vote was 9 YES, 0 NO, 2 ABSENT (Councilors Calabrese and Letellier) approving the second and final reading •i as amended. 2. TO-2017-14 -An Order granting or renewing a Junk Dealer's PERMIT for T's Art Studio,38 Rising Street,Feeding Hills,Ma.(Clerk) (Referred to Administrative Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Suffriti and seconded by Councilor Cavallo. As Chair of the Administrative Committee Councilor Cavallo provided his report stating that after a brief discussion and noting that the conditions previously set last year were still in full force and effect, a Motion to send a positive recommendation to the Full Council was made by Councilor Johnson and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. The vote was 5 YES, 0 NO in favor of sending a positive recommendation for passage. i The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT (Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)approving the item. 3. TO-2017-15 - Budgetary transfer of$12,227.06 from Capital Improvement Holdover #16619-58500 to Fire Department Protective and Safety Equipment #12203-52410 (Mayor) (Referred to Finance ' Committee) Motion to approve made by Councilor Rheault and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. As Chair of the Finance ' Committee,Councilor Johnson provided his report and stated that the funds are being taken from carryover of previous capital improvement line item funding to be used to augment departmental protective and safety equipment. Auditor indicated transfer was permitted. Motion to send positive recommendation to Council made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Mineo. Motion passed by a 3 yes 0 no and 3 absent vote. The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)approving the transfer. �� 4 I� 4. TO-2017-16 -Budgetary transfer of$5,010.10 from Irrigation#65269-58431 to Municipal Golf Water Purchase#65262-56670(Mayor)(Referred to Finance and Ad Hoc Golf Committees) Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Johnson. Representing the Finance and the Ad Hoc Golf Committees, Councilor Johnson provided the report stating that funds are coming from balance left in capital appropriation for irrigation system improvements. Auditor indicated that transfer is permitted. ' Finance Committee: A motion to make a positive recommendation to the Council on this item was made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Mineo. The motion was passed by a 3 yes 0 no and 3 absent vote. Ad Hoc Golf Committee: A motion to make a positive recommendation to the Council on this item was made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Suffriti. The motion was approved by a 3 yes 0 no vote. 1 The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)approving the transfer. + 5. TO-2017-17 - Budgetary transfer of $168.74 from Municipal Golf Fuel & Oil #65263-52130 to ' Municipal Golf Water Purchase #65262-56670(Mayor) (Referred to Finance and Ad Hoc Golf Committees) Motion to approve made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Johnson. Representing the Finance and the Ad Hoc Golf Committees, Councilor Johnson provided the report stating that funds are coming from anticipated • positive balance in fuel account. Finance Committee: A motion to make a positive recommendation to the Council on this item was made by Councilor Cavallo and seconded by Councilor Mineo. The motion was passed by a 3 yes 0 no and 3 absent vote. Ad Hoc Golf Committee: A motion to make a positive recommendation to the Council on this item was made by Councilor Rossi and seconded by Councilor Suffhti. The motion was approved by a 3 yes 0 no vote. ' The vote was 9 YES,0 NO,2 ABSENT(Councilors Calabrese and Letellier)approving the transfer. Item X New Business 1. TO-2017-18 - Budgetary Transfer of$25,000.00 from Fire Department Regular Permanent Salary #12201-51010 to Fire Grounds and Building Maintenance#12202-52020(submitted by Mayor Cohen) Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda. 2. TO-2017-19 - Budgetary Transfer of$15,000.00 from Fire Regular Permanent Salary #12201-51010 to Fire Protective and Safety Equipment#12202-51410 (as submitted by Mayor Cohen) Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda. ' 3. TR 2017 22 - A Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Program (submitted by Mayor Cohen)—Set Public Hearing Date-Suggest June 5,2017 ' Referred to Finance Committee,next Agenda and the public hearing will be set for June 5,2017. ' Item L. Any other matter that gM legatly come before the Ci Council ` Councilors were asked if they had anything to add to the meeting. tItem M. Adjournment. The Motion to adjourn was moved by Councilor Bitzas and seconded all around. Meeting was adjourned. �' 5