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:  January 21, 2021
Meeting Time:  7 p.m.

The January 21, 2021 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: http://bit.ly/39GWDb8
For telephone call-in, call:
+253 215-8782 US
+301 715-8592 US
MEETING ID: 996 9498 6566
PARTICIPANT #: #
PASSCODE: 784358



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.

Announcement of Public Hearing on Package of National Grid/Verizon Pole Petitions for jointly-owned poles (2) and National Grid Pole Petitions for single-owned poles (2) on Damon Road and Bridge Road

Per M.G.L. Ch. 166, Section 22, a public hearing will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2021 @ 7:05 p.m. on the following petitions of National Grid and Verizon New England, jointly, and of National Grid, severally, to erect poles and wires upon, along, under or across one or more public ways:
20.174 National Grid Pole Petition for Bridge Road (Petition #23303524)
20.175 National Grid Pole Petition for Damon Road (Petition #23303524)
20.176 National Grid/Verizon Pole Petition for Damon Road (Petition #23303524)
20.177 National Grid/Verizon Pole Petition for Bridge Road (Petition #23303524)
Documents:
  1. 20.174 DPW Recommendation for Poles on Bridge Road.pdf
  2. 20.174 National Grid Pole Petition for Bridge Road.pdf
  3. 20.177 National Grid-Verizon Pole Petition for Bridge Road.pdf
  4. 20.175 DPW Recommendation for Poles on Damon Road.pdf
  5. 20.175 National Grid Pole Petition for Damon Road.pdf
  6. 20.176 National Grid-Verizon Pole Petition for Damon Road.pdf
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.

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

Process note: The sponsors request that this be taken up after the second reading of 20.114 Plastic Reduction and Sustainability Ordinance if it successfully passes.
Documents:
  1. 20.113 Resoluton in Suport of Plastic Reduction and Sustainability Ordinance.pdf
9.

Presentations

10.

Consent Agenda

A.

Minutes of December 17, 2020

Documents:
  1. 12-17-2020_City Council Minutes.pdf
B.

20.162 Appointments to Various Committees, all positive recommendations, City Services Committee - 1/14/2021

Arts Council

Jesse Hassinger, 184 Main Street, Apt. 4, Northampton

Term:  January 2021-June 2024

To fill a vacancy

Housing Partnership

Sara Howard, 8 High Street, Florence

Term: January 2021- June 2024

To fill a vacancy

Human Rights Commission

Kathy Wicks, 102 Black Birch Trail, Florence

Term:  January 2021-June 2024

To fill a vacancy

Northampton Housing Authority- Board of Commissioners

Jo Ella Tarbutton, 81 Conz Street, Apt. 626, Northampton

Term:  January 2021-June 2022

To fill a newly-created position on the NHA Board of Commissioners through the Special Act


Documents:
  1. 20.162 Appointments to Various Committees.pdf
C.

21.187 Appointments to Various Committees - for referral to City Services Committee

Arts Council

Dana Osterling, 58 Paradise Road, Apt. 1, Northampton

Term:  February 2021-June 2024

To fill a vacancy

Thulani Davis, 112 Franklin Street, Northampton

Term:  February 2021-June 2024

To fill a vacancy

Historical Commission

Dr. Jonathan Daube, 15 Carolyn Street, Florence

Term: February 2021- June 2024

To fill a vacancy

Rev. Harvey Hill, 19 Ward Avenue, Northampton

Term: February 2021-June 2024

To fill a vacancy


Documents:
  1. 21.187 Appointments to Various Committees.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.
13.

Financial Orders (on 2nd reading)

A.

20.178 An Order to Increase Personal Property Tax Exemption Threshold to $2,500 - 2nd reading

History:
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 1/7/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 1/7/2021
Documents:
  1. 20.178 An Order to Increase Personal Property Tax Exemption Threshold to 2,500.pdf
B.

20.179 An Order to Authorize Borrowing $1.5 Million for Paving Projects - 2nd reading

History:
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 1/7/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 1/7/2021
Documents:
  1. 20.179 An Order to Authorize Borrowing 1.5 Million for Paving Projects.pdf
C.

20.180 An Order to Appropriate Free Cash $1.5 Million to Stabilization, Capital Stabilization and Fiscal Stability Stabilization Funds - 2nd reading

History:
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 1/7/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 1/7/2021
Documents:
  1. 20.180 An Order to Appropriate Free Cash 1.5 Million to Stabilization, Capital Stabilization and Fiscal Stability Stabilization Funds.pdf
14.

Orders

A.

20.183 An Order Amending the Charter to Mail Ballots for Municipal Elections to All Registered Voters - 2nd reading

History:
- Passed 1st reading - 1/7/2021
Documents:
  1. 20.183 An Order Amending the Charter to Mail Ballots for Municipal Elections to All Registered Voters.pdf
B.

20.184 An Order Amending the Charter to Allow Resident Non-Citizens to Vote in Municipal Elections - 2nd reading

Process note: Revised language submitted by Attorney Seewald for consideration on second reading.

History:
- Passed 1st reading
Documents:
  1. 20.184 An Order Amending the Charter to Allow Resident Non-Citizens to Vote in Municipal Elections FINAL Redlined.pdf
  2. 20.184 An Order Amending the Charter to Allow Resident Non-Citizens to Vote in Municipal Elections FINAL.pdf
C.

20.185 An Order Amending the Charter to Make Clarifications and Correct Deficiencies in the Prior Language - 2nd reading

Process note: Revised language submitted by Attorney Seewald to address request by City Clerk to remove reference to City Clerk from Section 8-2(a). 

History:
- Passed 1st reading - 1/7/2021
Documents:
  1. 20.185 An Order Amending the Charter to Make Clarifications and Correct Deficiencies in the Prior Language Rev AS Redline.pdf
D.

20.186 An Order Amending the Charter to Allow Residents 16 Years of Age or Older to Vote in Municipal Elections - 2nd reading

Process note: Revised language submitted by Attorney Seewald.

History:
- Passed 1st reading - 1/7/2021
Documents:
  1. 20.186 An Order Amending the Charter to Allow Residents 16 Years or Age or Older to Vote in Municipal Elections FINAL.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.
16.

Ordinances

A.

20.114 Plastic Reduction & Sustainability Ordinance - 2nd reading

History:
- Referred to Community Resources Committee (CRC) and Legislative Matters (LM) - 9/3/2020
- Public forum held. Positive recommendation with request for consideration of possible amendments related to enforcement/implementation date and disability accommodations - 11/16/2020
- Referred to Disability Commission - 11/5/2020
- Two exemptions recommended, Disability Commission - 11/10/2020
- Multiple amendments approved, LM - 12/14/2020
- Positive recommendation as amended, LM - 12/14/2020
- Two amendments approved to 1) require food establishments to provide accessories such as utensils only upon request and to add definitions of Disposable Food Service Ware Accessory and Online Food Ordering Platform, and 2) require retailers > 5,000 s.f. to charge .10 per checkout bag - 1/7/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 1/7/2021
Documents:
  1. 20.114 Plastic Reducton and Sustainability Ordinance - POST 1st reading.pdf
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