City Council

Minutes from the Special City Council Meeting on Monday March 10, 2025, at 6:00 pm in the City Hall Auditorium are as follows: •< Laflamme, Frank N., President At-Large Councilor Present Roy, Gerard (Jerry) A. At-Large Councilor Presentl_i / / Y COUt-irti Wagner, Timothy Joseph At-Large Councilor Present v,a "1/fiF t-.fa Zoo •• r Zygarowski, Robert J, At-Large Councilor Present Arriaga, Abigail Ward 1 Councilor Present Brooks, Shane D. Ward 2 Councilor Present via Zoom Goff, Susan M. Ward 3 Councilor Present Balakier, George A. Ward 4 Councilor Present Krampits, Fred T. Ward 5 Councilor Present Shumsky, Samuel Robert Ward 6 Councilor Present Courchesne, William C. Ward 7 Councilor Present Labrie, Gary R. Ward 8 Councilor Present Pniak-Costello, Mary Elizabeth Ward 9 Councilor Present President Laflamme called the meeting to order. Clerk Rattell read the purpose of the meeting, Public Input, Derek Dobosz, 70 Post Road, HR Director, is not able to fix a sinking ship. Senior counsel at Buckley Gelinas and Richardson did an HR Report. Stated department is seriously dysfunctional, neither the chief or deputy chief is capable of saving this sinking ship. Why is this person being promoted? Highly recommend the Council look at this person. Paul tried to push to modernize, the last HR director was let go in October. Insurance payments were made, how much was paid? Is the insurance fixed? Sue Nimchick, 362 James Street, each time I come I try to consume 3 minutes. No one can complete a thought in 3 minutes, Every tfme I come there is something new to talk about. Haven't seen Derek in a long time. Always hope whatever you have seen or heard you speak up. Golf course was two million in debt, have courage and grace. Done a lot of volunteer work, see abuse must say something. No regrets. Last Zoning Committee all of the facts were not known !Jr were skewed. --Motion made by Councilor Labrie to close public input. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Mayor Vieau stated the Baskin Property is MO-1. Lee Pouliot stated the process for advancing the property started in 2019. Long process for developers to line up funding. Apartment complex will be the first part. Very advanced stages of closing with the state. Many steps and assurances along the way. City will accept the easements back. Sewer and drainage temporary easement will be moved to the eastern boundary. Councilor Labrie stated Special Permit renewed, still have sports complex and restaurant. Councilor Balakier asked is there a timeline? Lee stated we hope to start in the spring. Looking at 18-20 month construction schedule. On MO-2, the ordinance change was just heard. Excited to work together. Grown astronomically in the past  couple of years. Fireworks, Spooktacular, Tree Lighting, all the flag raisings. Many successful events. In the existing budget, had to rewrite the budget to make equal. No intention to add new people. On M0-3, Cabotville security. Privately owned property, special permit request. Closer to a new owner but running out of money for security. Current owner has chosen not to pay. Will lien for the entire amount owed to the city. Frank Boron stated by MGL and State Building Code has to be 24/7 security or has to be boarded up. Still have the obligation to board and keep an eye on it. Bids have been done, building will be checked daily for about an hour. $25 per day, hope it moves quicker and gets off our plates. Councilor Shumsky stated appreciate the effort. Did research on mill fires, there were two in Springfield. Displaced almost half the city. Great effort. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated should be commended for the amount of security. Will be a tremendous tax relief. Money, taxpayers and security since 2022. Is there any mechanism to lien? Mayor stated the owner was court ordered to pay. Did pay for a year. Many meetings with Building and Fire, been through housing court. Privately owned but we are ordered by law to protect. Goal was to have a buyer. Hired a design engineer firm. Substantial step, board the first floor. Lien will be attached. Councilor Wagner stated on the special permit application, what firm? The firm is VHB. Councilor Roy stated did we get a price on the 1st floor, answer yes, $95,000 keep it close. Security will be prorated if we sell? Frank Boron stated need a week to close the contract. Councilor Roy asked what happens with the plywood? Mayor stated no intention of selling the plywood back to anyone. Majority will be residential units, camera system, security with motion sensors. Would keep first floor boarded during construction. Councilor Arriaga stated we should have boarded this up a long time ago. Can appreciate finally boarding it up. Councilor Balakier stated how long would the boarding up period take? Frank answered two weeks, time is of the essence. Councilor Shumsky stated camera system, is it possible to put security cameras on the property? Would have to discuss with the Mayor. Security company does thorough checks. Get it boarded and sold. Councilor Zygarowski asked will Police and Fire be involved in security? Frank Boron answered they are both very busy. Mayor stated the goal is to use existing Police and Fire, especially the C-3 unit. Downtime opportunities to drive the perimeter, one step closer. Highly motivated to close. Ordered by law to maintain. Major asset. Councilor Zygarowski asked how much taxes do you think this will bring? Councilor Goff stated the Mayor has come before us to ask for money thought this was already boarded up. Mayor stated wasn't boarded yet. Will have the first floor boarded. Councilor Goff asked has the previous owner paid taxes on the property? Mayor stated unsure. There are $78,000 in fines so far. Councilor Goff asked will we lien all that money? Mayor stated we will lien all back money for security. Councilor Laflamme asked are you giving the contractor a deadline? Frank Boron answered yes, two weeks. Councilor Laflamme stated river side is very dark, hard to put cameras. The city has spent enough money on this building. On M0-4 someone spoke negatively against Karla. Had an interview panel. Narrowed down to five candidates. Unanimous decision felt Karla is the right candidate for the job. Morale is very high. They are doing the work every single aspect of what's happening in the Human Resources department. She has an incredible background, knows a lot about civil service. Waiting on assessment. Trying  to hire a Human Resources assistant, looking at platforms. Heading in the right direction. Extra benefits coordinator. Karla has been with the city for roughly three years. Have been here through two directors. Lack of knowledge in HR. Shows true colors lack of leadership. Tried collaborating. Karla Bourassa stated cheerleader for the staff. Leaders reach out to me, trying to help modernize departments. Help with job description, try to help move in the right direction. Be mindful of the taxpayers. Strongly encouraged by co-workers to apply for the position. Received phone calls of support. MO-1 Be it Ordered in accordance with the City Charter and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40 §§ 3, 14, and lS, that the city be authorized to convey certain real estate obtained through tax title and know as Lot 1, Main Street, retaining for itself certain easement rights through a three-phase disposition, the first phase reflected by the draft deed attached. --Motion made by Councilor Pniak-Costello to receive and pass. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated order is well written, well explained. Time to move forward. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. MO-2 A proposed Ordinance adding to Chapter 7: To Be Operative February 18, 2025. Office of the Mayor (Group 2) a. Special Projects Manager $52,450.56 (Grade 5) b. Community & Constituent Liaison $52,450.56 (Grade 5) --Motion made by Councilor Wagner for a 2nd and final reading, enrolled and ordained. Councilor Krampits read the favorable report. Motion passed through all stages by a unanimous roll call vote. MO-3 Mayor's appropriation of One hundred twenty five thousand and 00/100 dollars ($125,000.00) to the following named account: Building Special Account for Emergency/Demolition - Emergency Security from available funds in the Undesignated Fund Balance "Free Cash" account. --Motion made by Councilor Labrie to receive and pass. Councilor Labrie stated the Building Commissioner gave a synopsis. To prevent vandalism will have watch once a day. Little more palatable. Hope to get the money back. Motion passed through all stages by a roll call vote of 12 yes, 1 no. Councilor Wagner voting no. MO-4 To the City Council: You are hereby notified I have this day appointed, Karla Bourassa, 79 Clover Road, Ludlow, Massachusetts as Chief Human Resources Officer to serve in such office for the term expiring June 30 th, 2028. To which appointment I ask the confirmation of your honorable council. *New-Appointment  --Motion made by Councilor Kram pits to receive and refer to the Human Resources Committee. --Motion made by Councilor Courchesne to receive and refer to the Human Resources Committee and Executive Session Council. Councilor Krampits stated being promoted, still go before committee for a public hearing. Councilor Courchesne stated convene executive session meeting before being heard in Human Resources. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated on the ball, making sure when we vote on any issue make informed decisions. Councilor Wagner stated pattern in Chicopee, little stuck like to keep doing things the same way. Does not always work out. Can't help but notice how much things stay the same. More of the same does not work out. Councilor Labrie stated if it does go to HR can only have 5 members. Councilor Krampits stated need to be two things that need to happen. Mayor stated made sure the appointment people are going to work with the Human Resources director on a daily basis. Opinions matter. Take it very seriously. Live in the present, look forward to the future. As the assistant she wasn't in charge. Morale is better than it's been in a long time. Core department, job related will go to CHRO. Expert in civil service, take very seriously. Committed to three years. Councilor Pniak- Costello stated am aware Mr. Pise reported there was an investigative report. Where do we go from here 7 When can I talk and when can we go into executive session? Don't want to violate the rules or open meeting law. Counselor Riley stated will probably be sent to the Human Resources Committee executive session has to be given notice. Councilor Pniak-Costello stated just want to do the right thing, would like to have a talk. Councilor Courchesne asked can you confirm or dispel the report was accurate? Mayor stated not comfortable talking about Human Resources matter. Councilor Wagner stated as a legal question is this person allowed to act as the HR director without our approval? Councilor Zygarowski asked did you say you had the information? Councilor Pniak-Costello stated no, was told there was a report. Judge Mary Lou Roux, public brought something out. Don't know what the angle is. Discuss before we make a final decision. Hired by the city with taxpayers money. Want to make an informed decision. Have a discussion. Department has been in question. Important discussion. Councilor Laflamme stated did the panel of people/team see the report or the findings. Mayor stated not given to the team. Motion to refer passed by a roll call vote of 12 yes, 1 no. Councilor Brooks voting no. Adjournment:--Motion made by Councilor Balakier to adjourn at 7:51. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. ATTEST: Keith W. Rattell, City Clerk