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 18, 2021
Meeting Time: 7 p.m.
The March 18, 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/3tioKWr
For telephone call-in, call:
+253 215-8785 US
+301 715-8592 US
MEETING ID: 938 7017 0947
PARTICIPANT#: #
PASSCODE: 988341
For telephone call-in, call:
+253 215-8785 US
+301 715-8592 US
MEETING ID: 938 7017 0947
PARTICIPANT#: #
PASSCODE: 988341
1.
2.
Public Comment
3.
Roll Call
4.
Public Hearings
A.
7:05pm
Public Hearing Concerning the Northampton Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY2022-FY2026
In accordance with The Charter of Northampton, Massachusetts, Article 7 Finance and Fiscal Procedures, Section 7-5: Capital Improvement Program, 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. The CIP is available for inspection on the city website here.
B.
7:15pm
Public Hearing to consider FY2022 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.
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 - 2nd reading
History:
- Amended to add Springfield City Council to list of recipients - 3/4/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 3/4/2021
- Amended to add Springfield City Council to list of recipients - 3/4/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 3/4/2021
B.
21.207 A Resolution Decriminalizing Controlled Substance Possession as well as Cultivation and Distribution of Psychedelic Plants - 1st reading
C.
21.208 A Resolution to Adopt the Capital Improvement Program for FY2022-FY2026 Submitted to City Council on February 24, 2021 - 1st reading
D.
21.209 A Resolution Expressing Gratitude to Northampton Health Department, First Responders, Ancillary Staff and Volunteers for Efforts to Vaccinate Our Community - 1st reading
9.
Presentations
A.
FY2020 Independent Audit
Presentation by Scanlon & Associates, LLC (Thomas J. Scanlon, CPA)
10.
Consent Agenda
A.
B.
21.210 Appointment to Planning Board - for referral to City Services Committee
Planning Board
Samuel Taylor (Full Member), 245 North Street, Northampton
Term: July 2020-June 2023
Reappointment
Documents:
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.
21.205 An Order to Establish Water and Sewer Rates for FY2022 - 1st reading
13.
Financial Orders (on 2nd reading)
A.
21.202 An Order to Authorize Acceptance of Gifts of Labor and Materials for Sidewalk Repair or Replacement - 2nd reading
History:
- Amended in Finance Committee to establish cap by adding "valued up to $10,000" after "labor and materials" in final paragraph - 3/4/2021
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 3/4/2021
- Passed 1st reading as amended - 3/4/2021
- Amended in Finance Committee to establish cap by adding "valued up to $10,000" after "labor and materials" in final paragraph - 3/4/2021
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 3/4/2021
- Passed 1st reading as amended - 3/4/2021
B.
21.203 An Order to Discontinue a Portion of Sherman Avenue - 2nd reading
History:
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 3/4/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 3/4/2021
- Positive recommendation, Finance Committee - 3/4/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 3/4/2021
14.
Orders
A.
21.211 An Order Further Extending 20.062, Temporary Suspension of Certain Ordinances to Reopen Restaurants - 1st reading
Process note: Two readings are respectfully requested.
Documents:
B.
21.212 An Order to Set Preliminary Municipal Election Date - 1st reading
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.
20.181 An Ordinance Relative to Affordable Housing (350-6-12) - 1st reading
History:
- Referred to Community Resources, Legislative Matters and the Planning Board - 1/7/2021
- Positive recommendation, Community Resources - 2/23/2021
- Joint Planning Board/Legislative Matters Committee public hearing held - 3/8/2021
- Planning Board unanimously recommends adoption (David Whitehill absent) - 3/8/2021
- Positive recommendation, Legislative Matters - 3/8/2021
- Referred to Community Resources, Legislative Matters and the Planning Board - 1/7/2021
- Positive recommendation, Community Resources - 2/23/2021
- Joint Planning Board/Legislative Matters Committee public hearing held - 3/8/2021
- Planning Board unanimously recommends adoption (David Whitehill absent) - 3/8/2021
- Positive recommendation, Legislative Matters - 3/8/2021
B.
20.182 An Ordinance Relative to Demolition Review for Historically-Significant Buildings - 2nd reading
History:
- Referred to Legislative Matters - 1/7/2021
- Positive recommendation, Legislative Matters - 2/8/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 3/4/2021
- Referred to Legislative Matters - 1/7/2021
- Positive recommendation, Legislative Matters - 2/8/2021
- Passed 1st reading - 3/4/2021
C.
21.189 An Ordinance to Create an Incentive for Smaller Houses by Allowing Two Half-Scale Units to Count as a Single-Family for Density Purposes - 1st reading
History:
- Referred to Community Resources, Legislative Matters and the Planning Board - 2/4/2021
- Positive recommendation, Community Resources - 2/23/2021
- Joint Planning Board/Legislative Matters Committee public hearing held - 3/8/2021
- Planning Board unanimously recommends adoption (David Whitehill absent) - 3/8/2021
- Positive recommendation, Legislative Matters - 3/8/2021
- Referred to Community Resources, Legislative Matters and the Planning Board - 2/4/2021
- Positive recommendation, Community Resources - 2/23/2021
- Joint Planning Board/Legislative Matters Committee public hearing held - 3/8/2021
- Planning Board unanimously recommends adoption (David Whitehill absent) - 3/8/2021
- Positive recommendation, Legislative Matters - 3/8/2021
17.
Package of Zoning Amendments to Allow Two-Families by Right in All Residential Zoning Districts - 2nd 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
- Passed 1st reading - 3/4/2021
- 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
- Passed 1st reading - 3/4/2021
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
Process note: Amended language to address tree issues has been proposed by the Planning Department.
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.
20.170 An Ordinance Relative to Two-Family By Right - Delete Sections 350-10.10 and 350-10.11
H.
20.171 An Ordinance Relative to Two-Family By Right - Amendment to Parking Standards
I.
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
A.
Appointment of committee to review and recommend changes to council rules.
19.
New Business
20.