(WMassP&I)

The below segment is a preview of key items on the upcoming Springfield City Council agenda.  Full report in “Take My Council, Please” after the meeting.

The March 4, 2013 agenda of the Springfield City Council includes ordinance revisions, Quinn Bill money transfers, and, approval of a collective bargaining agreement.

Last meeting consideration of a financial order transferring funds from a holding account to the Police Department’s Quinn Bill account was delayed.  The Quinn Bill is an educational incentive program for police officers.  While the statutory scheme envisions state funding half of the incentive, that has not happened for several years leaving municipalities to cover the difference.

Springfield Police Patch (via masslive)

Last year’s budget councilors set aside money for the state’s share as a sign of good faith during contract negotiations with police.  The Council was led to believe that a court decision might limit the city’s obligations.  Instead, councilors found out the money was paid before transfer order came before them.  It failed last year on  7-2 vote with four absences.  Nine votes are needed, which, without any absences, the measure probably has.

The Council will also consider second step on an ordinance to place liens on properties subject to building code violation fees.  The Council accepted a state statute enabling the city to enact an ordinance at its last meeting.

The City’s foreclosure ordinance also faces some revisions sponsored by Councilors Allen, Edwards, Fenton and Twiggs. The changes clarify parts of the existing ordinance and add an exemptions section.  The exemptions, too, appear aimed at clarifying the ordinance as a whole.  Banks sued the city to stop the ordinance, but the city prevailed in federal district court.  The case has been appealed to the First Circuit in Boston.

Councilor Concepcion, Chair of Finance (WMassP&I)

A senior discount for the trash fee, also an ordinance, may make an appearance, but action is unlikely.  Finance Committee Chair Clodo Concepcion has scheduled a committee hearing on the measure and other financial issues just before tomorrow’s Council meeting.  Although not on the agenda, Concepcion could pull it during the meeting, but he cannot bring it to a final, third step vote without ten days notice.  The item has attracted some controversy because the discount seniors would receive is seen as unfair to non-senior fee-payers.

William Mahoney, Labor Relations/HR Director (via Still of Public Access City Council meeting recording)

The Council will vote on an order to approve the financial components of a contract between the city and its building inspectors.  The inspectors have already voted to ratify the agreement.  The attached order lists a wage increase for July 2013, but none last year.  Also new inspectors will be subject to the city’s residency ordinance.  Technically, he Council only reviews an employee contract if a financial obligation to the city exists.

As a practical matter, rejection of the financial component would likely sink the contract.  Therefore, while other areas of the contract are not subject to contract approval, councilors who found fault with other areas of the contract could still scuttle it.  The agreement with the building inspectors is one of the first employee contracts the city has inked since most others expired last July.

The Council meeting begins at 7:00 PM at City Hall.