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.
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 Video Conference
Meeting Date: March 4, 2021
Meeting Time: 7 p.m.
The March 4, 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.
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/2NHH3Fg
For telephone call-in, call:
+253 215-8785 US
+301 715-8592 US
MEETING ID: 968 4335 6208
PARTICIPANT#: #
PASSCODE: 566829
For telephone call-in, call:
+253 215-8785 US
+301 715-8592 US
MEETING ID: 968 4335 6208
PARTICIPANT#: #
PASSCODE: 566829
1.
2.
Public Comment
3.
Roll Call
4.
Public Hearings
A.
Announcement of a public hearing concerning the Northampton Capital Improvement Program for FY2022-FY2026 - Thursday, March 18, 2021
In accordance with Article 7, Section 7-5 of the Charter, the Northampton City Council will hold a public hearing via remote participation on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 7:05 p.m. The City Council will consider the Capital Improvement Program for FY2022-FY2026, and hear all persons who wish to be heard thereon. Instructions for accessing the hearing will be posted on the March 18, 2021 City Council agenda to be posted no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting on the city website at www.northamptonma.gov. The CIP is available for inspection here.
B.
Announcement of a public hearing to consider FY 2022 Water and Sewer Rates
The Northampton City Council will hold a public hearing by remote participation on Thursday, March 18, 2021 @ 7:15 p.m. The City Council will consider the proposed FY2022 water and sewer rates and hear all persons who wish to be heard thereon. Instructions for accessing the hearing may be found on the March 18, 2021 City Council agenda to be posted on the city website, www.northamptonma.gov, no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting.
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.
21.201 A Resolution in Opposition to State Incentives for Biomass Plants - 1st reading
9.
Presentations
10.
Consent Agenda
A.
B.
21.206 Appointment of David Whitehill to the Planning Board - for referral to City Services
Planning Board
David Whitehill (Full Member), 60 Washington Avenue, Northampton
Term: March 2021-June 2022
To fill the term of resigned full member, Alan Verson
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.
21.202 An Order to Authorize Acceptance of Gifts of Labor and Materials for Sidewalk Repair or Replacement - 1st reading
B.
21.203 An Order to Discontinue a Portion of Sherman Avenue - 1st reading
C.
21.204 An Order to Release a Parking Easement on Glendale Road - 1st reading
Process note: Two readings are respectfully requested to allow a closing on the sale of surplus property next week if possible.
13.
Financial Orders (on 2nd reading)
A.
21.194 An Order to Rescind Borrowing Authority - 3 Votes - 2nd reading
History:
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 2/18/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 2/18/2021
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 2/18/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 2/18/2021
B.
21.195 An Order to Appropriate Free Cash for COVID Expenses Potentially Ineligible for CARES Act Reimbursement - 2nd reading
History:
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 2/18/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 2/18/2021
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 2/18/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 2/18/2021
C.
21.196 An Order to Surplus 56 Vernon Street and Lease for Continued Use as Head Start Daycare and Early Education Facility - 2nd reading
History:
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 2/18/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 2/18/2021
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 2/18/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 2/18/2021
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.
A.
21.198 An Ordinance Relative to a Stop Sign on Scanlon Avenue
B.
21.199 An Ordinance Relative to Stop Signs on Cross Street
16.
Ordinances
A.
20.182 An Ordinance Relative to Demolition Review for Historically-Significant Buildings - 1st reading
History:
- Referred to Legislative Matters - 1/7/2021
- Positive recommendation, Legislative Matters - 2/8/2021
- Referred to Legislative Matters - 1/7/2021
- Positive recommendation, Legislative Matters - 2/8/2021
17.
Package of Zoning Amendments to Allow Two-Families by Right in All Residential Zoning Districts - 1st reading
History:
- Referred to Planning Board and Legislative Matters - 12/17/2020
- Joint Public Hearing Held/Public Hearing Closed - 1/14/2021
- Joint Meeting to Deliberate/Make Respective Recommendations - 2/8/2021
- On a split vote of 6:2 (Christa Grenat and Alan Verson opposed, Samuel Taylor absent), the Planning Board voted to recommend nine out of 10 ordinances to move forward to the city council (pulling out 20.169) with no substantive edits - 2/8/2021
- Legislative Matters unanimously (4:0) approved the package of ordinances as amended with a positive recommendation with the exception of 20.169 - 2/8/2021
- Referred to Planning Board and Legislative Matters - 12/17/2020
- Joint Public Hearing Held/Public Hearing Closed - 1/14/2021
- Joint Meeting to Deliberate/Make Respective Recommendations - 2/8/2021
- On a split vote of 6:2 (Christa Grenat and Alan Verson opposed, Samuel Taylor absent), the Planning Board voted to recommend nine out of 10 ordinances to move forward to the city council (pulling out 20.169) with no substantive edits - 2/8/2021
- Legislative Matters unanimously (4:0) approved the package of ordinances as amended with a positive recommendation with the exception of 20.169 - 2/8/2021
A.
20.163 An Ordinance Relative to Two-Family By Right - Amendment to Definitions
B.
20.164 An Ordinance Relative to Two-Family By Right - Amendment to URA Table of Use
C.
20.165 An Ordinance Relative to Two-Family By Right - Amendment to URB-URC Tables of Use
D.
20.166 An Ordinance Relative to Two-Family By Right - Addition of Subsection to Ch. 350-6
E.
20.167 An Ordinance Relative to Two-Family By Right - Addition of WSP District Table of Use
F.
20.168 An Ordinance Relative to Two-Family By Right - Amendment to SR-RR Table of Use
G.
20.169 An Ordinance Relative to Two-Family By Right - Amendment to Projects Requiring Site Plan Approval
Process note: The planning department has made a written request to withdraw this ordinance from the package.
H.
20.170 An Ordinance Relative to Two-Family By Right - Delete Sections 350-10.10 and 350-10.11
I.
20.171 An Ordinance Relative to Two-Family By Right - Amendment to Parking Standards
J.
20.172 An Ordinance Relative to Two-Family By Right - Amendment to SC Table of Use
18.
Information Requests (Charter Provision 2-7) and Committee Study Requests
19.
New Business
20.