City Council - Rules & Government Relations Committee

Minutes City Councilor Rules & Government Relations Committee 2/28/2024 Attendees: R&GR Committee members: Councilor JP Kwiecinski, chair Councilor Homar Gomez Councilor Jason “J.T.” Tirrell Other Attendees: Councilor Koni Denham City Clerk – Barbara Labombard Councilor Tom Peake Meeting called to order at 6:30pm 1. Approval of minutes – none 2. Mayor’s communication – none 3. Public speak – Four members of the public stepped up to speak in support of a cease fire resolution for Israeli war that is currently going on. 4. New business: Request Special Act to implement multi-winner ranked choice voting Councilor Peake made a statement in support of ranked choice voting, as well as, gave a history of it in Easthampton. The advantages and disadvantages of such an act were debated among the councilors. The fact that people as a whole need to be better educated on the topic of ranked choice voting seemed necessary. Barbara Labombard, city clerk, spoke of her opposition to the topic. More information from the city lawyers was requested concerning specific wording before anything could be presented. Motion to adjourn made by councilor Tirrell and seconded by councilor Kwiecinski, motion passes 3-0