City Council - Rules & Government Relations Committee

CITY OF EASTHAMPTON OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL Easthampton Municipal Building 50 Payson Ave., Ste. 100 Easthampton, Massachusetts 01027-2260 Telephone #: (413) 529-1460 RULES and GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Meeting 1/28/2021 Attendees: R&GR Committee Members: Councilor Thomas Peake, Chair Councilor Peg Conniff, Clerk Councilor Dan Rist Other Attendees: Janna Tetreault - Affordable and Fair Housing Committee Homar Gomez - City Councilor Meeting called to order at 5:00 pm. The meeting was recorded. Minutes from 12/29/2020 approved. 3-0 1. NEW BUSINESS A. Conflict of Interest Janna Tetreault - Community Action - Pioneer Valley - Assistant Director Com- munity Services. Last year when the CPA was approved for rental assistance, Janna knew that her organization would respond to RFP. At that time, she re- cused herself from the conversation. At this point, Community Action has been selected. Janna was involved in the writing of the RFP. As a “special” municipal employee Janna wanted to ensure she filled out the appropriate form. She had heard from State Ethics who provided the form for completion. Councilor Peake asked when the program will begin. Janna responded February 1, 2021. Motion to approve the Waiver: Passed 3-0 (Councilor Peake had technical issues and voted upon his reconnection to the meeting)  B. Amendment to City Council Rule 5C: No discussion 2. CONTINUING BUSINESS A. Anti-Bias Training: Discussion around whether City Council take the city offered Anti-Bias training or City Council can participate in the decisions around updating this training City-wide. Questions around utilizing City provided Anti-Bias train- ing or have City Council establish their own. Councilor Peake discussed the poten- tial of making an Ordinance around Anti Bias training as a requirement. No deci- sions at this time. B. Committee E-mails: After discussion with Mayor, this item will be held until the new IT person for the City is hired. (February/March) C. PILOT Program: Councilor Peake has spoken with Councilor Flood who may be picking this item up. Dan Rist requested Councilor Flood provide a specific date to respond on this item. D. City Charter Article 3-1(c): Councilor Rist would like this item removed without prejudice. Councilor Peake would like to hear from Councilor Kwiecinski. There is no time criticality on this. E. Amendment to City Council Rule 11J: Change “….be reported by the committee at least 90 days following the initial referral” to “ be reported by the committee in no more than 90 days following the initial referral.” Motion to approve this new language: Passed 3-0. 5:50 pm - Motion to adjourn by Councilor Conniff, seconded by Councilor Rist. Next Meeting: February 11, 2021 @ 5:00PM