Announcement of Audio/Video Recording
This meeting is being audio/video recorded.
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS
- President Gina-Louise Sciarra, At-Large
- William H. Dwight, At-Large
- Michael J. Quinlan, Jr., Ward 1
- Karen Foster, Ward 2
- Vice-President James Nash, Ward 3
- John Thorpe, Ward 4
- Alex Jarrett, Ward 5
- Marianne L. LaBarge, Ward 6
- Rachel Maiore, Ward 7
Meeting Agenda
On-line Zoom MeetingMeeting Date: March 19, 2020
Meeting Time: 7 p.m.
Pursuant to Governor Baker's Emergency Order Modifying the State's Open Meeting Law issued March 12, 2020, the March 19, 2020 meeting of the City Council will be held using remote participation.
THE PUBLIC IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY/COMMENTS AS THERE WILL BE NO IN-PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE MARCH 19, 2020 MEETING.
WRITTEN TESTIMONY/COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AT: CITYCOUNCIL@NORTHAMPTONMA.GOV UNTIL 5 P.M. ON THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 TO BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD FOR THAT MEETING.
Public comment will also be available via ZOOM teleconferencing for the City Council meeting on March 19, 2020.
The public comment period begins at 7 p.m. Please follow this link to access the Zoom teleconference: https://zoom.us/j/875180064
1.
2.
Public Comment
3.
Roll Call
4.
Public Hearings
A.
Announcement of Public Hearing to consider FY2021 Water and Sewer Rates
By Order of the City Council, a Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 7:05 p.m. in Council Chambers, 212 Main Street, Northampton, MA. The City Council will consider the proposed FY2021 water and sewer rates and hear all persons who wish to be heard thereon.
5.
Updates from Council President and Committee Chairs
6.
Recognitions and One-Minute Announcements by Councilors
7.
Communications and Proclamations from the Mayor
8.
Resolutions
A.
20.031 A Resolution in Support of the Empower Act - 2nd reading
History:
- Passed 1st reading - 3/5/2020
- Passed 1st reading - 3/5/2020
9.
Presentations
10.
Consent Agenda
A.
11.
Recess for Committee on Finance (See Separate Agenda)
12.
Financial Orders (on 1st reading pending Finance review)
Rule 2.6 requires the Finance Committee to consider certain financial matters.
A.
20.033 An Order for FY2020 Budget Transfers - 1st reading
B.
20.034 An Order to Appropriate Free Cash to Public Safety Wireless Project - 1st reading
Process note: The Mayor's office respectfully requests two readings.
13.
Financial Orders (on 2nd reading)
14.
Orders
15.
Ordinances (Not yet Referred)
Rule 5.2.3 provides that no ordinance shall be voted on by the City Council until it has been considered by the Committee on Legislative Matters.
16.
Ordinances
A.
19.173 An Ordinance to Allow Change from One Conforming Use to Another without a Finding - 1st reading
History:
- Referred to Legislative Matters (LM) and the Planning Board (PB) - 11/21/2019
- Positive recommendation with amendments, PB - 01/09/2020
- Public hearing opened and continued to 3/9/2020, LM - 2/10/2020
- Public hearing closed; positive recommendation with stipulation that OPS provide language for amendment to continue to require Findings for projects that don't otherwise trigger PB review (split vote - 3:1) - 3/9/2020
- Referred to Legislative Matters (LM) and the Planning Board (PB) - 11/21/2019
- Positive recommendation with amendments, PB - 01/09/2020
- Public hearing opened and continued to 3/9/2020, LM - 2/10/2020
- Public hearing closed; positive recommendation with stipulation that OPS provide language for amendment to continue to require Findings for projects that don't otherwise trigger PB review (split vote - 3:1) - 3/9/2020
B.
19.178 Zone Change Petition to Rezone 3 Wright Avenue from URC to GB - 1st reading
History:
- Referred to Planning Board (PB) and Legislative Matters (LM) - 12/5/2019
- Public hearing held, City Council adoption recommended by PB - 2/13/2020
- Public hearing held, positive recommendation, LM - 3/9/2020
- Referred to Planning Board (PB) and Legislative Matters (LM) - 12/5/2019
- Public hearing held, City Council adoption recommended by PB - 2/13/2020
- Public hearing held, positive recommendation, LM - 3/9/2020
C.
20.004 An Ordinance to Rezone Nine Conz Street Parcels from NB to CB - 1st reading
History:
- Referred to Planning Board (PB) and Legislative Matters (LM) - 1/16/2020
- PB public hearing held, City Council adoption not recommended because design guidelines not in place [note: an ordinance has since been brought forward to change CBAC map to include Conz Street parcels rezoned to CB] - 2/13/2020
- Public hearing held; positive recommendation, LM - 3/9/2020
- Referred to Planning Board (PB) and Legislative Matters (LM) - 1/16/2020
- PB public hearing held, City Council adoption not recommended because design guidelines not in place [note: an ordinance has since been brought forward to change CBAC map to include Conz Street parcels rezoned to CB] - 2/13/2020
- Public hearing held; positive recommendation, LM - 3/9/2020
D.
20.005 An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map on Old South Street and Clark Avenue - 1st reading
History:
- Referred to Planning Board and Legislative Matters - 1/16/2020
- PB hearing held, City Council adoption recommended - 2/13/2020
- Public hearing held, positive recommendation, LM - 3/9/2020
- Referred to Planning Board and Legislative Matters - 1/16/2020
- PB hearing held, City Council adoption recommended - 2/13/2020
- Public hearing held, positive recommendation, LM - 3/9/2020
E.
20.006 An Ordinance to Amend Zoning Map to Add New Smart Growth Overlay District at Laurel Street - 1st reading
History:
- Referred to Planning Board (PB) and Legislative Matters (LM) - 1/16/2020
- PB public hearing held, PB recommends City Council adoption - 2/13/2020
- LM hearing held, positive recommendation - 3/9/2020
- Referred to Planning Board (PB) and Legislative Matters (LM) - 1/16/2020
- PB public hearing held, PB recommends City Council adoption - 2/13/2020
- LM hearing held, positive recommendation - 3/9/2020
F.
20.024 An Ordinance to Change CBAC Map to Include Conz Street Lots Rezoned to CB - 1st reading
History:
- Referred to Legislative Matters (LM) by City Council - 2/20/2020
- Positive recommendation, LM, split vote 3:1 with Sciarra opposed - 3/9/2020
- Referred to Legislative Matters (LM) by City Council - 2/20/2020
- Positive recommendation, LM, split vote 3:1 with Sciarra opposed - 3/9/2020
17.
Information Requests (Charter Provision 2-7) and Committee Study Requests
18.
New Business
19.