cityseal

CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS  

 Councilors:  
  • 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 Video Conference
Meeting Date:  September 3, 2020
Meeting Time:  7 p.m.

The September 3, 2020 City Council meeting will be held via remote participation. The public can follow the council's deliberations by watching the meeting live on Comcast channel 15, live-streaming it on youtube or joining the virtual meeting by phone or computer.  For the active youtube link, please see Northampton Open Media's website: http://northamptonopenmedia.org/ 

Live public comment will be available using telephone call-in or video conferencing technology beginning at 7 p.m. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CALLING IN OR JOINING THE MEETING

Join virtual meeting: https://bit.ly/31AdHfZ
For telephone call-in, call:
+253 215-8782 US
+301 715-8592 US
Meeting ID: 918 3766 3086
Participant #: #
Password: 678084


1.

Announcement that Meeting is Being Held Via Remote Participation and Audio/Video Recorded

This meeting is being held via remote participation and audio/video recorded.
2.

Public Comment

3.

Roll Call

4.

Public Hearings

A.

Public Hearing on Package of Three National Grid/Verizon Pole Petitions for King Street, One NG/Verizon Pole Petition for Summer Street and One NG/Verizon Pole Petition for Finn Street

Per M.G.L. Ch. 166, Section 22, a public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2020 @ 7:05 p.m. on the following petitions of National Grid/Verizon New England to erect poles and wires upon, along, under or across one or more public ways:
20.080 National Grid/Verizon Pole Petition for King Street (Petition #24881246-1)
20.081 National Grid/Verizon Pole Petition for King Street (Petition #24881246-2)
20.082 National Grid/Verizon Pole Petition for King Street (Petition #24881246-3)
20.108 National Grid/Verizon Pole Petition for Summer Street (Petition #24881246-4)
20.079 National Grid/Verizon Pole Petition for Finn Street (Petition #24891246-5)



Documents:
  1. 20.079 DPW Recommendation.pdf
  2. 20.079 National Grid-Verizon Pole Petition for Finn Street.pdf
  3. 20.080 National Grid-Verizon Pole Petition for King Street.pdf
  4. 20.081 National Grid-Verizon Pole Petition for King Street.pdf
  5. 20.082 National Grid-Verizon Pole Petition for King Street.pdf
  6. 20.079A DPW Recommendation.pdf
  7. 20.108 National Grid-Verizon Pole Petition for Summer Street - Petition 24881246-4.pdf
5.

Updates from Council President and Committee Chairs

A.

Announcement of Northampton Policing Review Commission (NPRC) Appointments

B.

Appointments to Periodic Review of Ordinances Committee

Section 10-5 of the Code of Ordinances provides for a periodic review of ordinances in each year ending in a 5 or in a zero, beginning in 2015.
6.

Recognitions and One-Minute Announcements by Councilors

7.

Communications and Proclamations from the Mayor

8.

Resolutions

A.

20.107 A Resolution in Support of Actions to Combat the Public Health Crisis of Systemic Racism - 2nd reading

History:
- Passed 1st reading - 8/20/2020
Documents:
  1. 20.107 A Resolution in Support of Actions to Combat the Public Health Crisis of Systemic Racism.pdf
  2. 20.107 AJ Suggested Amendment.pdf
  3. 20.107 MQ Suggested Amendment.pdf
B.

20.112 A Resolution in Support of "An Act Improving Outdoor Lighting and Increasing Dark-Sky Visibility" - 1st reading

Documents:
  1. 20.112 A Resolution in Support of An Act Improving Outdoor Lighting and Increasing Dark-Sky Visibility.pdf
C.

20.113 A Resolution in Support of Plastic Reduction and Sustainability Ordinance - 1st reading

Documents:
  1. 20.113 Resoluton in Suport of Plastic Reduction and Sustainability Ordinance.pdf
D.

20.116 A Resolution Recognizing the Importance of the 2020 Census - 1st reading

Documents:
  1. 20.116 A Resolution Recognizing the Importance of the 2020 Census.pdf
9.

Presentations

10.

Consent Agenda

A.

Minutes of June 10, 2020 and June 23, 2020 Special Meetings

Documents:
  1. 06-23-2020_City Council Minutes.pdf
  2. 06-10-2020_City Council Minutes.pdf
B.

Approve 20.079, 20.082 and 20.108 National Grid/Verizon Pole Petitions for King Street, Summer Street and Finn Street (Petition #'s 24881246-3, 24881246-4 and 24891246-5)

National Grid must obtain an "Excavation/Trench Permit" issued by the City of Northampton prior to construction.

There are no conflicts with public utilities at the proposed locations for #1, #2, #26, #39 and #40.

 See documents under public hearing above.
C.

Approve 20.080 and 20.081 National Grid/Verizon New England Pole Petitions for King Street with conditions recommended by the DPW (Petition #'s 24881246-1 and 24881246-2)

The DPW has recommended the following conditions for Pole #25 as shown on plan attached to Petition #24881246-1 and Pole #31 as shown on plan attached to Petition #24881246-2 due to potential conflicts with the sewer and a water service, respectively:
- Caution should be exercised while excavating at these locations. The hole for the new pole location shall be inspected by the DPW prior to actual pole installation. 24-hour notice to the DPW is required by calling (413) 587-1570.
- If the sewer and/or water service is disturbed, it must be repaired/relocated by the Contractor at the direction of the City Engineer. 

National Grid must obtain an "Excavation/Trench Permit" issued by the City of Northampton prior to construction.

There are no conflicts with public utilities at the proposed locations for #21, #28, #28-50 and #33.

 See documents under public hearing above.
D.

20.117 Appointment to the Arts Council - for referral to City Services Committee

Arts Council

Michael Abbatiello, 161 Main St., Leeds, MA

Term:  September 2020-June 2023

To fill a vacancy


Documents:
  1. 20.117 Michael Abbatiello Application.pdf
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.

20.111 An Order to Accept Land and Surplus it for Affordable Housing at Laurel Street and Burts Pit Road - 1st reading

Process note: The legislation cited in the order is on the Governor's desk waiting for his signature. Once signed, the sponsor will want a minor amendment to provide the final citation (H 4123 will become Chapter ___ of the Acts of 2020)..
Documents:
  1. 20.111 An Order to Accept Land and Surplus it for Affordable Housing at Laurel Street and Burts Pit Road.pdf
13.

Financial Orders (on 2nd reading)

A.

20.103 An Order to Award Contract for FY2021-FY2023 Audit to Scanlon and Associates - 2nd reading

History:
- Amended in Finance Committee to make a three-year contract - 8/20/2020
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 8/20/2020
- Passed 1st reading as amended in Finance - 8/20/2020
Documents:
  1. 20.103 An Order To Award Contract for FY2021 Audit to Scanlon and Associates.pdf
14.

Orders

A.

20.110 Order to Waive the City's Right of First Refusal under MGL 61 for Land on Turkey Hill Road - 1st reading

Documents:
  1. 20.110 An Order to Waive the Citys Right of First Refusal under MGL 61 for Land on Turkey Hill Road.pdf
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.
A.

20.015 An Ordinance Relative to Metered Parking on Pleasant Street

History:
- At the request of the DPW, the city council referred the ordinance back to the Transportation & Parking Commission (TPC) - 2/6/2020
Documents:
  1. 20.015 Pleasant Street Parking Diagram.pdf
  2. 20.015 An Ordinance Relative to Metered Parking on Pleasant Street.pdf
B.

20.114 Plastic Reduction & Sustainability Ordinance

Documents:
  1. 20.114 Plastic Reducton and Sustainability Ordinance.pdf
C.

20.115 An Ordinance Relative to Parking on Middle Street

Documents:
  1. 20.115 Middle Street Parking Diagram.pdf
  2. 20.115 An Ordinance Relative to Parking on Middle Street.pdf
16.

Ordinances

17.

Information Requests (Charter Provision 2-7) and Committee Study Requests

18.

New Business

19.

Adjourn

Contact:  G-L Sciarra, Council President
glsciarra@northamptonma.gov 
(413) 570-3133