You’ll need a referral for that. (WMP&I and Google images)

Returning after the somewhat stunning election results, the Springfield City Council waded through a short agenda on November 17. To the extent there were any long colloquies, they were about a cybersecurity contract for the schools, the fate of Focus Springfield and revisions to the city’s food truck regulations.

The Council held off action on all ordinances that were before the body last Monday. Technically, they were all either sent to committee or continued to allow for further review. There was nobody to speak on two bills and councilors seemed set on discussions for the other two. As such, the body opted against any action until they could get more answers about the legislation.

Councilor Zaida Govan was absent. Councilor Timothy Allen signed on virtually toward the end of the meeting. Councilors Malo Brown, Lavar Click-Bruce, Maria Perez and Brian Santaniello participated remotely.

The meeting opened with a Tyler Street land transfer. An abutting landowner is purchasing the property for $734 to make it a side yard. The Council also received the Revenue & Expenditures Report for September. The report’s presentation featured the return of Pat Burns as the city comptroller following a stint with the Water & Sewer Commission.

Both items passed without dissent.

The Council approved small grants—technically additions to existing grants—for the Elder Affairs, Police and Parks, Recreation & Buildings departments.

Councilors also accepted an additional $1.3 million from the Commonwealth for Chapter 90 road funding. Public Works chief Chris Cignoli explained that this was in addition to the regular appropriation the city receives. It will fund projects from this year that the city had not finished before construction season concluded. Work will resume in the spring.

Buono on repeat. (via Springfield City Hall)

Chief Administrative & Financial Officer Cathy Buono appeared at the meeting and asked the Council to vote on a bond for tasers and body cameras. The Council originally approved the bond in February. She indicated a new vote was necessary due an error in how the city had categorized the expenses. The re-vote passed unanimously.

The Council also approved $124,153 for Focus Springfield. The funding comes from Comcast, which must contribute funds for public access. Buono informed the Council that from 2024 to 2025, the amount transferred to Focus Springfield fell $84,000. The decline is largely attributed to cord-cutting, in which viewers cancel cable and rely more on streaming services and other internet-based entertainment.

Councilors approved an increase in charter school reimbursements from the state. They also greenlighted four-year contracts for student and staff laptops and cybersecurity services. Although the School Department operates almost independently of the rest of the city, it still requires Council approval for any contract longer than four years.

Although there was some discussion about the four-year contracts for laptops, there was more debate about the cybersecurity services. The School Department had been the subject of a ransomware attack some time ago. However, the schools’ chief technology officer, Robert St. Lawrence, assured the Council his agency had learned from the incident. (It was able to recover its data without paying the ransom.)

The Council continued the debate on two marijuana related ordinances. It did the same for an ordinance regulating and banning the sale of product containing “Kratom,” an opioid-esque substance.

Cignoli, basically: Keep on truckin’ but with regulations. (still via Focus Springfield)

The Council heard more about the new food truck rules. Cignoli, the city public works director, presented the changes. In short, they would regulate food trucks that park and serve on private property. Those on streets became subject to regulation several years ago. It would affect those that use the city’s designated food truck spots on public property, too. For example, all food trucks would have to close at 11pm.

However, Cignoli explained that the main concern would be those on private property.

“There are no regulations right now with these food trucks,” Cignoli said.

He noted there were complaints about trash and noise from vendors who are not parked on public ways. Among the things the ordinance would do is require a sign off from an owner of a lot—not just a lessee—where a food truck is parked. That would make enforcement of other rules and regulations easier, Cignoli indicated.

While the public works chief said he would prefer a vote on first step, he also indicated that there was little rush. Cignoli told councilors he wanted to have the rules in place before vendors begin seeking permits in late winter.

The Council voted to send the ordinance to committee.

It is not entirely unusual for the first Council meeting after an election to be a bit sleepy. The body often catches up from the summertime lull by then. The November meeting often sits awkwardly between Election Day and Thanksgiving, reducing the incentive to spice things up too much.

(WMP&I)

Rather, it will fall to the December meetings to fully take in the impact of transition.

Voters hardly defenestrated a record number of Council incumbents—ballot wide is a different story—so the changeover is not dramatic. Still, if city pols sense a wind of change blowing at all they are probably fine with a quieter meeting as they prepare to face the municipal future.