Annual Report of the Holyoke City Council 2012 By City Council President Kevin A.

Jourdain (1) (2) Approved Balance Budget Economic Development & Urban Revitalization Expanded TIF agreements from 5 years up to 20 years Approved the historic Urban Renewal Plan which will revitalize the citys core. This plan lays the ground work for the future and was approved by the state. Approved Bid $255,000 from Primax Properties to locate a new Dollar General at 170 Sargeant St Helped scores of small businesses with permit approvals, parking modifications, grants Approved 7 TIF & Certified Project agreements including the very large US Tsubaki proposal Approved the Center City Vision & HDIP Housing Improvement Plan that establishes significantly more market rate housing in citys core. Approval of conservation restriction relative to HCC access road so project can move forward and be completed. Created the Creative Economy Director to lead the citys efforts full-time to grow this economic opportunity. Requires performance based review of position to determine effective with an automatic sunset clause provision. Also, required position to be a city resident. Veterans Park renovation grants approved Created public auction process for tax delinquent properties Stopped the Paulo Freire Charter School Lease from going to Lynch School which kept the building on track for demolition for economic development space, avoided very poor lease terms for the city, and saved the Holyoke Public Schools about $1.2 million in lost student revenue. Approved dozens of new grants; including the Community Development Block Grant, to supplement the city budget with non-tax revenue. City Council under Councilor Bartleys leadership spearheaded the creation of a first ever Holyoke Day at the Big E. (3) Public Works & Infrastructure Approved $6.9 million for new science wing at Dean Vocational High School (State to reimburse 80%) Expended $30,000 to correct long-term drainage problems and street flooding on Woodland St Expended $500,000 for additional sidewalk improvements Acquired 724-728 Main Street for use by the Holyoke Public Schools Central Supply and for other purposes

Care and custody of City Hall turned over to Mayor from the City Council with the exception of City Council offices and Chambers. Approved $257,000 in building demolition funds for unsafe buildings Over $600,000 in new capital made for new municipal vehicles (4) Government Reform & Efficiency Placed new leadership at Geriatric Authority with appointment of Jim Brunault so majority of board now is addressing systemic problems at facility. Codified by Legal Opinion that land purchase perfected by Geriatric Authority to sell city property was not in conformity with the law because the allowed purchase exceeded ordinance guidelines by appx $205,000. City Council successfully petitioned the State Auditor to audit the books of the Holyoke Geriatric Authority to ensure greater transparency and best practices. Broker of Record Ordinance was passed into law which brings new transparency and accountability to the selection and hiring of the citys health insurance broker and the very large commissions they receive. 5pm Meeting Ordinance was passed which requires board meetings of city boards and commissions to be held at a time when the public can actually attend in order to keep to the spirit of the Open Meeting Law. City Solicitor Required to work full-time and codified in ordinance Investigated Assessors recovered the $8,000 in questionable funds paid for nonmaintained certifications, as well as, sustained the Mayors written warning. Further investigated what transpired related to the Macys over assessment and determined that after the mutually agreed settlement that the city will still receive an additional $89,000 per year more than it had been receiving prior to the assessment increase. Passed a Resolution calling for end of paper towels but use of air dryers in all municipal facilities. Passed an Order calling for the streamlining of mail services among city departments to create one central hub. Passed an Order calling for the Centralization of all personnel records under Personnel Office and for bring additional modernizing of that department. Supported the effort to consolidation of Personnel functions of city to eliminate duplication. Casino issues reviewed to extent needed including getting an accounting of the Mayors trip to Pennsylvania Created a more streamlined tax liening and auction process with the very helpful assistance of the City Treasurer. Passed a Residency Requirement for Personnel Administrator.

Investigated concerns about the handling of casualty insurance contract bids at the Holyoke Water Works and worked with staff there to implement a more transparent and open bidding processes for how insurance contracts are awarded. For the first time in years with assistance of local media, published municipal salaries. Eliminated the Police Controller position in Police Dept budget Eliminated 1 custodial position full-time at City Hall Supported the more efficient re-deployment of custodial services at City Hall and other municipal buildings Adopted Local Unfunded Mandate Study in the spirit of MGL Ch. 29 to review all impacts of unfunded mandates in the city and to receive feedback from city department heads. City Council went on record in favor on the state restoring its share of the Police Quinn Bill incentive which since they dropped it is costing the city greater than $500K per year to subsidize. (6-5-12) City Council continues to study and analyze with other city departments the advantages of pension obligation bonds to improve the funding formula for this large expense. The City Council opposed the implementation of a pay raise for the City Treasurer of $13,000 to take effect in 2012 in place of a $4,000 increase to take effect in 2014. Approved a new ordinance which requires all appointees for city boards to be current on their taxes or for the City Council and public to be notified to the contrary. Re-captured an additional $28,000 from Police Dept repair account to purchase a new police car for Police Dept. Held public hearings to listen to and aid the neighbors who suffered as a result of the Pine Street Fire. Held public hearings to support the neighbors at Lyman Terrace who the Housing Authority sought to displace through their demolition plan. This demolition was later stopped by the Mayor. (5) Public Safety Opposed implementation of needle exchange without local approval of the City Council. Have to date, successfully contested it in Hampden Superior Court. Became an official supporter of the South Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative Report on Homelessness in Holyoke hotels Updated the building code to bring it up to date with best practices, as well as, approved the stretch code. Supported Re-activation of the Canine program in the Holyoke Police Dept with its addition to the Police Budget. Holyoke continues to provide more funding for Police & Fire Services than any community its size (population 35K 45K) in the state; including, $2 million more than Chicopee which has a population of 15,000 more residents than Holyoke.

(6) City Council Institutional Improvements & Reform Reformed the Administrative Assistant to City Council role including making the position one of chief researcher for the City Council. Appointed a new Administrative Assistant All City Council meetings now have minutes being taken and those minutes are being approved by the full membership on regular basis in full compliance with the Open Meeting Law. Expanded the notification law to requiring more boards particularly the license board to report certain additional activities and grants of licenses Saved money and the environment by expanded use of electronic documents for City Council business to avoid excessive use of paper. Commissioners to DPW & Fire Commission will now be required to be confirmed by the City Council Special Act passed on 2/21/12 to add confirmation power to City Council City Council President Term limited to 6 years Special Act adopted fulfilling a promise from the new City Council President. With the leadership of Councilor Vega, the City Council created a new Public Comment Period to City Council Agenda as new Rule. Rules revision cleanup and restructured how late file orders are handled In taking the Needle Exchange case to court: o The City Council obtained landmark rulings on City Council authority to retain its own legal counsel without consent of the City Solicitor, City Council can bring causes of action without consent of the City Solicitor, codified when Mayor could not veto items, and finally confirmed that local approval issues such as needle exchange require a vote of the City Council to be effective in city. Created a long needed order tracking system so public can learn the status of the great volume of work the City Council is performing. (7) Public Services Passed Valor Act to provide $1,000 annual tax break for Holyokes Veterans who wish to give back to the city by working for the city. Approved vast majority 98% + of Mayoral appointees (Mr. Pudelko was delayed by Council and then rescinded by Mayor and now no longer works for the city) Supported Bob Judge to become Personnel Administrator who is bringing added professionalism to the position. Resolved the Part-time pay & benefits issues facing many of the citys part-time workers in a fair and reasonable manner. Updated the membership composition of the citys Parking Advisory Board to reflect new critical players. Updated Travel Policies to make them fairer to various city departments.

Common sense revisions to home repair ordinances to allow citizens to work on their homes on weekends. Gave better organization to Wistariahurst by creating them as their own city department Updated ordinance 90-90 to provide that residents will only be charged sewer for water that they use. Therefore, if a deduct meter is used under Water Works program, no sewer can be charged. Supported creation of retaining experienced high quality legal counsel to handle Comcast contract negotiations Maintained Olde Holyoke Development CDBG funding to continue the residential revitalization of the city with this long-standing successful organization. Approved Mass in Motion Grant as a 5 year initiative to improve health of the citys citizens including hiring of a full-time project coordinator at no cost to city. Named Salinas, Puerto Rico as a Sister City of Holyoke. Transferred the Mountain Road Firing Range to the Conservation Commission. Placed a permanent conservation restriction on the property and stopped the environmental fines that have been being levied against the city for a number of years. City Council supported the citys new initiatives to enhance Early Childhood Literacy Supported an additional $300,000 above net school spending to the School Dept.