NORTHAMPTON — The City Council will take a final vote on two wage compliance measures, as well as vote on a resolution condemning the president’s travel ban during its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday.
One of the resolution’s sponsors, City Councilor Gina-Louise Sciarra, said she’s doubtful Donald Trump’s executive order is even legal, let alone decent or humane.
“Trump’s executive order was not only a gross overreach and likely unconstitutional, it was also just plain cruel and its effects are felt everywhere, including Northampton,” she said Wednesday.
Councilors who drafted the measure — Alisa Klein, Bill Dwight, James Nash and Sciarra — wrote that they believe “it is the ethical, moral and social responsibility of every human being to uplift and protect one another,” and they believe “those fleeing violence and persecution must be welcomed and supported in the United States, not targeted by hate.”
Another resolution, passed unanimously during its first reading Jan. 19, affirms the council’s commitment to ensuring businesses follow wage and hour laws. The council will also take a second and final vote on an order that would require some employers to certify their compliance with those laws. The order pertains to businesses under its jurisdiction — storage facilities, fireworks suppliers, secondhand dealers, taxis and bowling and billiards among them.
The Pioneer Valley Workers Center and Mass Jobs With Justice plan to hold a rally on the City Hall steps at 6 p.m., along with Mayor David Narkewicz, to press councilors to pass the resolution and order.
The resolution regarding wage compliance is not legally binding, but it officially requests that the License Commission and the Community Preservation Committee adopt policies similar to the order, which would affect city businesses more broadly.
Mayor David Narkewicz will also make an announcement regarding an executive order that would address wage compliance for employers under his jurisdiction. The order would address businesses from which the city procures goods and services and businesses that receive tax incentives. Additionally, Council Vice President Ryan O’Donnell is proposing an order that would ensure that all city employees, who are exempt from minimum wage law, are paid at least $11 an hour.
The City Council will also hear a summary of a months-long process undertaken by its Committee on Community Resources. Councilors on the committee heard testimony on a number of issues impacting the downtown economy — from panhandling to commuter rail service and vacant storefronts — and will make several recommendations to the mayor regarding those concerns.
Recommendations include the formation of a task force to provide services for city panhandlers, a one-time forum on downtown arts, a public education endeavor regarding the state of the city’s economy and a push for long-awaited commuter rail service.
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.