City Council - Ordinance Committee

City of Chicopee City Council Ordinance Committee Members James Tillotson, Chair Fred Krampits, Vice Chair Frank Laflamme Gary Labrie Jerry Roy APPROVED 8-27-19 MINUTES July 9, 2019 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at 6:30 PM Senior Center, Small Garden Room #14A, 5 W Main Street. Members Present: Tillotson, Krampits, Laflamme, Labrie, Roy Not Present: Also Present: Dan Garvey (Associate City Solicitor), Councilor Zygarowski, Jeff Cady, Councilor Dobosz, Keith Rattell (City Clerk) The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM. In compliance with the open meeting laws the Chairman asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting. Hearing none the meeting continued. ITEM #1 Add Chapter 26-2 CHAPTER 26-2: Election Notification A. Written Notification. The Office of the City Clerk for the City of Chicopee shall mail a written notice to registered voters households no later than twenty (20) days prior to a municipal election. The written notification shall be at minimum of four by six inch index card that includes the date of the upcoming municipal election, the polling location of the household, and the offices that will appear on the ballot. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, written notification as called for herein shall also be provided in the event of a municipal referendum with a brief description of the referendum question. B. Signage. On the day of a municipal election, the Office of the Registrar of Voters shall post signs at the closest intersection to a polling location, as determined by the Office of Registrar of Voters, in and on the public way and on City-owned property informing the public of municipal election day. The signage shall be at minimum 14x18 inches and contain the language “VOTE TODAY”. C. The language and design of all notification methods resulting from this ordinance shall be neutral and non- partisan and shall be subject to the approval of the Office of the Registrar of Voters. No candidates name shall appear as a part of this notification. 1 Councilor Tillotson stated could we save money by putting this in the electric light bill. Jeff Cady stated it would be the printing cost but he would have to check with the company to see if they would be able to stuff that with the bills. He stated it could put us overweight which could cost more. Councilor Labrie stated that it’s the candidate’s job to remind people to go out and vote. He stated if candidate’s can’t get them out to vote he doesn’t see why a card or a sign on an intersection is going to give them that push. Councilor Labrie stated this reads twenty days before election and most candidates send them out five or seven days before the election. Councilor Labrie stated that the Councilor who brought this order forward stated that the Springfield City Council unanimously voted for it and it was not a unanimous vote. The Mayor vetoed it and the Springfield City Council has not overridden it at this time. Jeff Cady stated we mail in cycles so if you want to catch everybody it take at least four or five weeks. Councilor Laflamme stated that doesn’t serve the purpose a week before election. Councilor Krampits suggested putting a little note at the end of the electric bill statement. Attorney Garvey stated there is no need for an ordinance it’s just a request. Councilor Zygarowski asked if it was unethical to use city business to do something political. Attorney Garvey stated that we are not putting a candidate’s name on it we are just asking you to vote. Keith Rattell stated that the Chicopee voter is an informed base and they know when to vote. He doesn’t think it’s going to be affective at all. He stated when you drive up and down the streets of this city during an election you’d have to be blind not to see the signs whether it’s Presidential, State or local elections. He stated you get the robo calls and you get mail from the candidate’s right up till the day of the election. He stated that if you pass a law and something happens like a sign doesn’t go up or there are problems with billing and the statements don’t go out, does that disqualify the election. Keith Rattell stated that if you pass this law he would need to call the Secretary of State. Councilor Laflamme stated that he likes two ideas that won’t cost the taxpayers; putting it on the bills and robo calling. Councilor Tillotson and Keith Rattell both agreed that the robo calls are very irritating. Keith Rattell stated that the Chicopee voter knows when it’s time to vote and they continually get reminded by candidates and I don’t think we need to jump into the mix. Councilor Dobosz stated he is not in favor of this ordinance. Councilor Laflamme asked about signs for direction. Keith Rattell stated that Election Day starts at five A.M. and to start putting up signs we would have to get some extra help. Councilor Krampits suggested that he thinks everyone’s on the same page wanting to have it printed on the end of a bill. Councilor Labrie stated as long as it’s not a law. Jeff Cady will look into it. Councilor Zygarowski stated that the residents know where to vote, it is also in the newspaper. He stated that this is not necessary; we are wasting our time and money. Councilor Tillotson stated that we’ve made some suggestions that Mr. Cady can look into to see if he could put it on the bill without costing any money but, we don’t need this ordinance for that. Councilor Tillotson stated that the unfavorable ordinance report be accepted and the ordinance be defeated. Councilor Roy motion to defeat – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion – motion passed Committee vote 5 – 0 unfavorable ITEM #2 GROUP 1 J Law Dept. a. City Solicitor 45,011.87 2  b. Assistant City Solicitor 45,011.87 c. Chief of Litigation 48,071.25 d. Associate City Solicitor (3) 45,011.87 (each) e. Council - Legal Counsel 45,011.87 GROUP 2 K Office of the City Council a. Administrative Assistant 46,877.04 Grade 6 b. Clerk 31,471.44 Grade 3 L Office of the Mayor a. Chief of Staff 61,769.12 Grade 8 b. Staff Assistant 51,603.52 Grade 5 c. Special Projects Manager 50,345.90 Grade 5 M. Auditing Department a. Senior Accountant 62,759.48 Grade 8 N Office of the Treasurer a. Assistant Treasurer 62,759.48 Grade 8 O Law Department a. Paralegal 57,660.96 Grade 6 40 hrs. P Human Resources a. Generalist 43,408.16 Grade 5 40 hrs. b. Benefits coordinator 44,728.60 Grade 6 40 hrs. c. Senior Generalist 48,417.60 Grade 7 40 hrs. d. Administrative Assistant 26,451.52 Grade 1 40 hrs. Q Office of the City Clerk a. Compliance Officer 21,525.92 Grade 4 R Planning Department a. Development Manager 54,414.78 Grade 8 S Council on Aging a. P.T. Office Receptionist 7,545.60 GROUP 3 Y Council on Aging 3  a. Sub. Transportation Coordinator 4,104.18 Grade 1 Z DPW Administration a. City Safety Program Stipend 10,000.00 AA City Hall Maintenance a. City Messenger Stipend 3,000.00 GROUP 4 QQ Registrars a. Census Takers 16.00 per hour Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #3 ELLERTON STREET - In front of 76 Ellerton Street - PARKING PROHIBITED Councilor Roy motion to approve – Councilor Labrie 2nd the motion – motion passed Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #4 BROADWAY - East side - Entire length between Madison Street and Monroe Street - PARKING PROHIBITED Councilor Zygarowski stated this is a public safety issue. Councilor Roy motion to approve – Councilor Labrie 2nd the motion – motion passed Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #5 926 CHICOPEE STREET – HANDICAP PARKING Councilor Tillotson stated we did get a respond from the Handicap Commissioner and he cannot approve the application as presented. He stated that we would be better putting it on a side street not Chicopee Street with all the traffic and congestion that is there. Councilor Laflamme motion to deny – Councilor Labrie 2nd the motion – motion passed Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #6 Councilor motion to approve the minutes of June 11, 2019 – Councilor 2nd the motion Meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm 4 5