I'd like to call the counselors back to their seats, please. Calling counselors back to the seats. Right. Calling the meeting to order. I'll rise for the pledge of >> allegiance. liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you everyone and welcome. Uh Mr. Clerk, could you please call the role of the members? >> Council Taylor >> here. >> Council Cupro >> here. >> Council Jimenez River >> present. >> Council Hines >> here. >> Council Tenary Garcia >> present.
>> Council Tesh >> here. >> Council Kelly Garcia >> present. >> Council Santigette >> present. >> Council De Jesus >> present. Councelor Brown >> here and councelor Robinson >> here. All 11 members present. Mr. President, >> thank you, Mr. Clerk. Uh, councelor Tenary Garcia, uh, we have the floor.
>> Yes. Um, can we make a motion to move out of order public speaking? So, we can continue. >> Under suspension. >> Under suspension. Sorry. >> Seeing no objections. So moved uh to so the motion is to uh move public speaking out of order prior to the uh memorials
and celebratory resolutions so that we can get folks um started to speaking. All right, seeing none. >> Also, I'm sorry I wanted to add if we can please um I know we have a lot of public speakers. Um is it possible to make a motion to reduce speaking to two
minutes per person? I see a motion on the floor for reducing the time to two minutes per person. Are there any objections? Seeing none. Okay. So, we will have two minutes u for public speaking for folks.
Um all right. So, we will now open the public speaking portion of the meeting. Um just a quick couple of rules. Um please share your name and your address. Um also, uh we will have a two-minut uh time limit per speaker. Um also we
encourage folks if you are here to talk about the same topic uh if you could uh you know reduce the number of speakers if you're saying the same stuff uh you are all welcome to come up but if that is something that you are able to do um we encourage that as well uh and then
what am I forgetting um I think that's it uh oh uh counselors cannot respond so you will simply speak and we will not be engaging in in conversation about the topics um that is Please. >> Hi everybody. My name is Katherine
Anderson. I live at 15 Powder House Terrace number three in Somerville. I've been a special education teacher at the Brown Middle School School since 2013 and I've been president of the Chelsea Teachers Union since um October 2021. Um we're just here tonight to speak and just express our gratitude to the city
council and to the city manager for recognizing the crisis that the schools are in. Um, this has been an incredibly difficult budget process and to see the city council and the city manager lighting the way and really showing what it means to step up and to value education in this city is incredible.
Um, I know there was a lot said about economic engines tonight. I think we all know that one of the greatest economic drivers is a well- educated community. And when we invest in our schools, we are investing in our future, not only for every individual student, but for the city as a whole. Um, we were able to
refund 22 and a half jobs with the $20 million that came from the uh from the city council. That means that every single elementary school student in Chelsea will have a librarian back that was on the chopping block. It means that we have um two paras back at our ELC. We
have um interventionists added across the elementary school to help address the rising class sizes for next year. At the middle school level, we were able to add back an MLE. Um, sorry, two MLAs, a content literacy coach, an LC parah, a classroom parah, and an interventionist
position. At the high school, we were able to add back a social worker and a counselor. CVLA was able to add back a parah and half of an MLE teacher. And the COA was able to restore a vacant AP position. Um, >> oh, sorry. This is incredible. And we
have uh thank you notes just to express our gratitude to the manager and the city council. So, thank you so much and have a great night. >> Thank you. Also, I I apologize. I will be cutting in to remind you that you have 30 seconds. Not my intention to stop you
from speaking. So, please go ahead. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, Michael Ellas, um, 33 Fairfax in Somerville. I've been a teacher here in Chelsea for 10 years, and I have spoken to some of you. Um, I really appreciate the both openness to provide funding for
what we need at the moment and the concern for fiscal responsibility. Um, when we try to look forward to what this Chelsea public schools can do going forward, I look backward to the last 10 years and I'm very frustrated by how
we've as a district taken a lot of the money we've received, which was very, very fortunate that we received it. And I think there are many ways where we used it recklessly that I think we have gone for many options where we chose to
outsource something to spend something spend on technology or consultants that didn't build our capacity for these difficult economic times like we're in right now. our ability to build teacher capacity and I would like to hear from
you all in the future or just to encourage you what pressure can be put to make sure that there's transparency and justification for the spending that happens at the school district level so that each dollar is being shown to
benefit students. We know that relationships with teachers and highly skilled teachers who are very very well connected and their collective efficacy is what drives >> 30 seconds. >> Not spending on technology which
actually lowers students test scores even not to mention their social skills and their cognitive abilities. Not bringing in consultants. What can we do to make sure that the school district spends every dollar to prepare students
not to look good? Please let me know um what can be done there to build transparency. I appreciate your time. I think we have more speakers. So, uh, if we could No.
Yeah. Oh. Oh, and sorry, this is not just about the items that were in the previous meeting. This is for the entire So, any topic is open right now. Yeah. Thank you. >> Uh, good evening, city councilors. My name is JB Hunter and I live on five John Street. I prepared for three
minutes, so I apologize if I rush. I would like to speak about the mismanagement of funds from both the school committee and the city council when it comes to our schools. First, I thank you for that $2 million. It has done a lot for these schools. However, you sit on these seats to serve the people of Chelsea, and that is exactly what you were elected to do, and I would like you to remember that. The $2
million you gave to the cities a start, but it is not enough. It is the bare minimum and the political equivalent of you trying to throw the people of Chelsea a bone. You say without new growth, you will not be able to continue this kind of funding, but that shouldn't be true. You should be prioritizing Chelsea schools more, especially since
you don't prioritize them enough. This is not as city councelor Taylor said in the previous subcommittee meeting goodies. This is the minimum and what is needed. The average city in Massachusetts on top of the 100% they give they give an extra 30% to their students and Chelsea only gives about
four and has only given four for the past few years. Now we're only giving an extra six but that is not enough. The local cities around us ever Chelsea River not Chelsea Ever and Revier they give about 15 to 20%. They have money like us. They have students like us, but
we're not giving that much. Sure, Chelsea's underfunded. I'll give you that, but the Chel City of Chelsea puts more money into beautifification every year than students. And if Chelsea is pretty, but the schools are struggling, so what? That shouldn't matter.
And we don't expect above and beyond, but you are telling me Chelsea youth aren't worth an extra maybe 4% that would help further their educations and give maybe about 10%. Um I'm skipping through a bunch of this, but as well um as part of your job, you are also
supposed to be overseeing the school committee, which is failing to mismanage their funds. And you can obviously see this with how they're they have both a director of social work and counseling when in 2020 they only had a director of social work and almost every other city
in the state only has a director of social work because they are the same job. My time up here is running out, but if you find this not important enough to care about, then you are failing at your jobs. Do not forget, you are up for reelection, and the people of Chelsea won't forget. I ask that you please take this into consideration. Thank you for
your time. >> Thank you. Good evening. My name is Litzy Flores. I live on Blumenell Street and I'm here to speak about the recently identified $2 million in the Chelsea public schools budget. I want to acknowledge the effort
the community has the committee has given in listening to our asks and I urge the council to critically think about how the whole budget can best serve students not just academically but in our health. One area that continues to be overlooked is comprehensive sexual
education. In communities like Chelsea, data has shown higher rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections compared to state averages. This evidently shows the gaps in access to accurate reliable education. Right
now, many students are left to learn from unreliable sources leading to misinformation and unsafe outcomes. The school department this year is being funded about $150 million and the additional $2 million. Chelsea has an
opportunity to invest in trained educators, updated curriculum, and resources that empower students to make informed decisions. I urge you to look over this funding to strengthen sexual education in Chelsea public schools. Our
students deser deserve to be informed and prepared. Thank you. Good evening everyone. My name is Anita and I live on Chester Avenue. Recently, I found out that there was an extra $2 million that were added to the school budget. We appreciate the effort to resolve budget matters, but this is
still not enough. But today, I'm here to address the lack of education in Chelsea schools and how I personally think that part of that $2 million should go towards sex education. Many students are not getting the information they need to protect themselves and make safe decisions. Without proper education, it can lead to confusion, misinformation,
and serious health risk. Our youth deserve to feel informed, supportive, and comfortable asking questions without fear or judgment. By improving sex education, we can help create a safer and healthier community for everyone. I ask that you consider adding better and open and more open sex educations in
school so students feel supported and can learn without feeling embarrassed or judged. It's important to break the idea that talking about sexual education is wrong because having these conversations can help protect and support our youth. Thank you for your time. Good evening, uh, council. Uh, my name
is Dimas Venovo Juber. Uh, I'm a resident over at 184 Chester Avenue in Chelsea. Uh, first of all, as an educator, I just want to say, uh, to the council, thank you very, very much for the additional $2,200 $2 million that you've given to the district. Uh, you
know, all those jobs that are saved. It's a very beautiful thing. And I just want to say we're looking forward to continue working with you guys to make sure that we can continue to advocate for what we need. Uh I'm up here less as an educator and more as a resident of Chelsea tonight. Uh primary thing that I would like to talk about is in the subcommittee meeting that we just
witnessed. Uh we heard a lot of talk about growth. Uh as a longterm like lifelong Chelsea resident, growth to me only means one thing and that means gentrification. So, the primary thing that I'm worried about overall is as we continue to grow, as we continue to
advocate for growth, I urge all of you to try and think of different ways to be able to encourage that growth among Chelsea. Of course, Chelsea needs growth. Nobody's denying that at all. But at what cost? Because when you think about it, if you are alienating the original residents of Chelsea, the people that have been here for many,
many years to build another high-rise in the middle of the city, all that's doing is making it so that you are alienating your original population and making it so that more and more people will leave because they cannot match the income rates that are required to live in these buildings. Of course, growth is very
important, but it's also important that as we continue to think about this, we continue of different ways to be able to come up with this. Uh there has to be some other solution than making more highrises in large buildings because we know that in the end of the day we all want Chelsea to grow, but there has to be a different way to do it. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> If maybe we could have like the next one or two folks line up, that might help us make sure that we can get through everybody faster. just in case if anybody wants to line up. Go ahead.
>> Yeah, there you go. >> Um, good evening. My name is Kimberly Huarees and I am here once again following the recent meeting where an additional 2 million in funding magically appeared. However, the community is still thankful for it. But I would like to share my perspective on how a portion of these funds could be
allocated. I believe it is important to invest in sexual education. Since Chelsea continues to experience one of the highest HIV rates and increases access to comprehensive sex education, I respectfully ask that you consider directing some of these funds available
funding towards the sexual education to better support the health and well-being of the community. Thank you. Um, good evening. My name is Jade Escobar. I'm 15 years old and I live in Broadway Chelsea and I go to Exo High School. Many kids my age aren't able to get jobs. My mother struggled by working
seven days a week just to keep a roof on top of our heads. During co the collab helped my family during difficult times with food and other necessities. I applied to the collab because Gladies introduced me to this job. I'm now in the riot cohort which stands for radical ideas of our time. My core is a group that gives you a better understanding of
the law which provides us with guest speakers and time to help our community as much as we can. I'm passionate about going to college and becoming successful. Not just for me, but also to help the people around me. That is what youth jobs are about. Supporting yourself and supporting your community. Finding this job helped me more than I could ever think of. It helped me learn
how to be independent and to learn how to balance obstacles that I will face in the future. Help me open new doors for me and my family. Not only would cuts to youth jobs funding take my future, but also the future of new generations. Losing youth jobs in this time period is a battle due to the situations we're in
right now. It gives youth less opportunities to gain independence and responsibility and save money for the increasing expensive. We want leaders to take action in helping us build a safer and better environment. Youth of the new generation, we want to contribute to our community and make a better place for everyone who lives around us. I'm asking
you to support the use of supplemental funds to these devastating funds. Our future should not be in your hands, but not Our future should be in our hands, but not your pockets. Good afternoon. My name is Urena Padya. I'm here to talk about the $2 million that we got from you guys. I want to
start off by saying thank you. It means a lot. But also, why did it have to take so much convincing? Why did it have to take people going to Chelsea High and balling their eyes out saying why schools mean so much to them for us to get that money? Why couldn't it it come
from your heart to begin with? And like it makes it hard to believe that 2 million is the most we can do when for so long we heard, "Oh, we're doing all we can. We're underfunded and we can't fund more." And then all of the sudden overnight we get an extra 2 million. Like it doesn't really make sense. And 2
million is still not enough to cover what we need for schools. And I just want to know when will we stop sitting around and saying, "Oh, we're underfunded." and actually try to do something about it on a state level and advocate for other communities like ours who are treated unjust in our system.
That's it. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Elenni Mastanza. I am 15 years old. I am a youth work worker at the collaborative where I participate in Riot, learn about our government. Oh, where I participate in Riot cohort, which stands for radical
ideas of our time. In this cohort, we learn about how our government system was developed into what it is today and how decisions are made in the past continue to shape our communities. We also explore different careers and roles in society impact in society, how they
impact our daily lives from local leaders, educators, and other professionals who keep our community running. This has helped me better understand how connected we all are and how important it is to stay informed and involved. Being a youth worker has also shown me how how youth employment
supports families and builds independence. Having a job at such a young age allows for us to contribute financially and help ease some of the pressure at home. It also gives youth world experience that we cannot always learn in classrooms. Through this work, we develop responsibilities, time
management, and communication skills and confidence. Earning our money teaches us independence and prepares us for our future. The collaborative splits us into groups called cohorts so we can learn different things from different people that we put that we put our trust in. Programs like ours also provide a safe
and supportive space where you can grow, build leadership and feel heard. Collaborative strengthens our senses of our sense of belonging and help shape me into a more confident and young motivated leader. I am Hispanic and Asian and strongly identify with my culture which is which is which is
especially important to me because of what is happening right now in the world with ICE and our government. My culture is described as unfaithful, unintelligent, lacking diverse culture and as aliens or undocumented which in many cases is not the case. A lot of
people say that a lot of people say this just because we come from other countries and speak and speak a different language. They often say that we steal their jobs but in reality we that we a general community are hard workers and earned our place in this country that is advertised as a perfect
American dream. >> Sorry, >> it's okay. >> You can finish >> as a perfect American dream. But when we come here we we get mistreated for being different. I feel these issu issues deeply. Hearing harmful narratives can affect me mentally and cause stress and self-doubt to my culture identity at the
time. Sorry, time. Sorry, your time is up and I It's okay. >> Yeah, >> thank you. >> And just to make sure um if I give additional time to one person that I have to for everyone. So, I I do apologize. I am not trying to be mean
about it. So, thank you. Go ahead. >> Good evening. Uh my name is Zachary Ryan. I'm a resident of 21 Gali Road here in Chelsea. Uh, first off, I would say like to say thank you. Uh, and thank you to all of you after Excuse me, I'm out of breath. I just ran across town. Um,
it's important that we say thank you. We heard pretty quickly from you that you heard what the students were saying. I heard on the previous meeting some of you were shocked as I was about what was going on. Um, yes, we need to keep those therapists and those people that are
there to keep our children healthy, but we need to educate them. And I'm here to reiterate what I've heard, you know, half dozen people say here already. We can do better. We can do better than 5.9%. We can do better than, you know, $2
million at the last minute. We knew it was going to be a rough year. We knew it was going to be a rough year for, you know, three years because we knew that the CO was running out. We know that the Esser money is going to start running out. We know that these shortfalls are coming. Do better. As for growth,
there was a a development that wanted to go up in our neighborhood. I was extremely against it because it was all single unit apartments. Get us family housing. Get us multi-, you know, multi-bedroom units, not singlebedroom units. There's a way you
can do this. I heard somebody else say it. Find a way to make it a community. I didn't come here because, you know, I wanted to help gentrify. I came here because it's a great place. >> 30 seconds left. >> 30 seconds. Yeah. Yeah. >> So, thank you for the money. We can do
better. What I was saying at the school site council meeting at the Kelly School. What's next? What's next is we're looking at the same cuts. Everything being equal, you don't get the $2 million next year, all the positions we just got back, they're gone. And they're probably gone anyway because we have shortfalls. So, do
better. Find that money. Use that cash now. It'll turn around, but use it while we have it. Thank you. Right. And seeing no other speakers, going once, going twice. All right. We will
now close the public comment portion of the meeting. And uh councelor Garcia >> um can I make a uh a motion to move order 26R07 out of order on the suspension of there are no objections.
>> Seeing no objections this is the um the resolution in support of youth jobs. Seeing no objections we will move the resolution out of order. Uh Mr. Click >> resolution 26R07 resolution introduced by council tenary Garcia. Whereas youth employment
programs are critical to the well-being, economic stability, and future success of young people and families in Chelsea. And whereas youth jobs help reduce financial hardship, build career pathways, strengthen job readiness skills, and support mental health through mentorship structure and
positive engagement. And whereas investments in youth employment strengthen public safety, civic engagement, and long-term economic mobility, and working-class communities. And whereas proposed reductions in the Massachusetts state budget would cut youth job funding by 40%, reducing
opportunities from 6,000 jobs to 3,400 statewide. And whereas a $10 million fiscal year 26 supplemental budget by May 1st is urgently needed to prevent these cuts for summer of 2026. And whereas an additional $10 million increase in the FY27 state budget is
necessary to prevent similar cuts for summer of 2027. Now therefore be a result that the Chelsea City Council stands in solidarity with Chelsea youth and communities across the Commonwealth in advocating for full funding of youth employment programs and urges the Massachusetts legislature and governor
to pass a $10 million FY26 supplemental budget by May 1st to protect summer 2026 youth jobs and include an additional $10 million increase in the FY27 state budget to prevent further cuts in summer of 2027. Councelor Garcia, >> make a motion for a roll call vote.
There are no objections. >> Seeing no, yeah, we will move to a roll call vote. Is there any speaking on this? Right. Seeing no, Councelor Garcia, you you have the floor. >> I wanted to speak on this. Um, first of all, I want to thank every one of of our
youth and everyone who's here tonight. Um, I want you guys to know that we we are trying our best to prioritize youth and I was sitting right there uh where you guys are and one day I want to see
you guys up here. Um, I do prioritize summer um employment, youth employment programs. It it saved my family uh when I was younger. I I was able to help my mother with bills and I I know how important
youth jobs are. I think we all know and I think that we all all in agreement that um it is very important to finance and and to help with youth programs. So, um I want to thank you guys again for being bold and brave and speaking here
tonight and last week. We hear you. We're here for you and we want the best for our kids. So, thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. I have councelor Hines and councelor Rakupo and then raise your hand if you'd like to go after. I'd like to second my fellow
counselor and I'd like to say that all of your hard work definitely isn't going unnoticed. Um, I also want to say that when it comes to funding youth programs, um, and expanding youth programs and creating more opportunities for youth, we have to be intentional on where it is
and how it is that we allocate funding. Um, I I think programs that exist um within the city, within other within several spaces and fastest within the city, the build the base program that the CPD put on this past um vacation
week and I know they have an all girls version of that um same build the base program coming up this April. um even within our recreations department. Um so being intentional on where it is that we allocate fundings to expand
I'm sorry and and broaden youth opportunities. >> Thank you councelor councelor bro. >> I'd like to thank my fellow counselor too. my children were beneficiaries of work programs when they were young. The city helped them and it's a this city
has never went away from helping the youth of this city. None of the councils that are here or even the previous one before are always with their hands open to help this program to teach the children to be more responsible and become better grown adults and it's a
great thing to do. So me personally, I always want to help the youth increase their capabilities and be better human beings and better persons and learn. So I I I'm in favor of always helping the youth programs and these job
programs. >> Thank you, Councelor Cooper. Anybody else? Uh councelor Robinson, please. uh to the young people. This board has always stood up to support the young people around jobs and education.
One of the things I kept hearing tonight was about the $2 million. It's actually $10 million that this board has put up towards education. Yes, we just did city manager did come up with two million more. So
that that brought our number to 10 million, not two million. So, I want to make that correction for the record. Thank you. >> Thank you, counselor. Seeing no others, we will move on to a roll call vote.
>> Roll call vote requested. He has vote to adopt. Council Taylor. Council Rupo, >> yes. >> Councilor Jimenez, >> yes. >> Councilor Hines, >> yes. >> Council Tenari Garcia, >> yes. >> Council Tesh, >> yes. >> Councilor Kelly Garcia, >> yes. >> Council Santigette,
>> yes. Council De Jesus >> is it absent or present? Uh full disclosure I work for the organization so I don't want to participate in this vote. >> You can recuse. You have you have to step step outside of chambers uh is the correct uh process and you can return
after we are done with the vote. >> Apologies. >> Absent councelor Brown also and councelor Robinson. >> Yes. Eight members in favor zero opposed. Three absent resolution has been adopted. Thank you, Mr. Cler. Councelor, you may return.
>> Um, I'll recognize councelor Robinson. If >> if we can take out of order the um second reading, the appointments um the city manager requested, I ask for a roll call vote on the adoption. If there are no objections, >> right, seeing no objections to the um
out of order, we will take it out of order. Any objections to um taking the vote? Seeing none. Okay. Uh do would you like to speak on it or anything? Okay. No. So the um >> I'll so sorry. Do you need an explanation of what we're doing? >> Yes. No worries. Thank you, councelor.
So councelor Robinson has made a motion to move out of order the uh second reading of the boards and commission's nominations since we have a couple of folks who are being confirmed to make sure that we can get those done early and folks can um go on their merry way.
Um and also could the folks that are being come for sorry once we read the names can we just have the folks stand so that folks can um see who they are. Um so first let's read the order and then we will have folks stand.
Uh let's wait until folks clear out. Thank you everybody for joining us tonight. Item being taken out of order. Communication received from the city manager being read for the second time. Dear councilors, pursuant to section 4-2 of the charter of the city of Chelsea, I
am writing to recommend the following individuals to boards and commissions in the city. For appointment to the planning board, Audrey Jones of Chelsea, reappointment to the Chelsea Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, Mr. Tony Hernandez of Chelsea and reappoint to the Women's Commission, Miss Deborah
Washington of Chelsea. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you for joining us. Um, and we will now move on to a roll call vote on the adoption. >> Roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to approve confirmation. Council Taylor, >> yes. >> Yes. Council Raupro,
>> yes. >> Council Jimenez River, >> yes. >> Council Hines, >> yes. >> Councilar Garcia, >> yes. >> Council, >> yes. Council Kelly Garcia, >> yes. >> Council Santa, >> yes. >> Council De Jesus, >> yes. >> Councelor Brown, still absent. And
councelor Robinson, >> yes. >> With 10 members in favor, zero opposed, one absent. Appointments and reappointments have been confirmed. >> Thank you, Mr. Clerk, and thank you for joining us tonight. Um, yeah, you are officially confirmed. You are welcome to stay for the remainder of the meeting if you'd like, but no pressure. Um, all
right. So now we will return to the regular order of business and go back to memoriams and celebratory resolutions. >> First item under celebratory resolutions order introduced by the council president and all members for autism awareness day and acceptance month. Whereas April 2nd was recognized
internationally by the United Nations as world autism awareness day in 2008 with the entire month of April dedicated autism acceptance month. And whereas the United Nations General Assembly called upon all member states, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to create initiatives to raise public
awareness of autism. And whereas autism is an incurable neurodedevelopmental disorder typically diagnosed during the first three years of life marked by difficulties in social interaction, verbal, and non-verbal communication. And whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health
Statistics report concluded that more than 5.4 4 million adults are autistic and the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder has risen to one in every 44 children in the United States. And whereas autism is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, but is four times more common
among boys than among girls. And whereas autistic individuals face difficulties in their workplace due to a lack of accessibility resources for their needs. And whereas participation in the observance of autism acceptance month helps to promote awareness through education on the needs of the community.
Now therefore be a result that the members of the Chelsea City Council recognize April 2nd, 2026 as Autism Awareness Day and the month of April as Autism Acceptance Month in the city of Chelsea. Commend the family members of children with autism for their dedication and sacrifice in providing
the support their children need. Urge residents to raise awareness about autism to improve early diagnosis and calls upon all residents to build a more welcoming and inclusive community to support people with autism. >> Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Do I have a motion on the resolution?
Looking for a motion to adopt. >> Motion motion to adopt the resolution under suspension. >> Okay. Seeing no objections. Uh resolution is adopted. >> May I speak, Mr. President? >> Uh yes, you may counsel. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um this is
Thank you for the mo um the motion maker of this resolution is dated again comes up in excuse me comes up in April. April 2nd, I believe, is the day they recognize what we do is actually go out and highlight the importance of
improving the the importance of working with folks that's dealing with autism, the families and stuff to encourage them that they can live a fulfilled life and make sure that we educate people about this disease. Um, as you know, we've had
a um a former colleague that had the son that's been doing very well, a bright star in the community, but again, it takes a lot of work. It takes a lot of attention. And so, they put this day out and I believe it's April 2nd or the
first um day in April that they highlight this so people can go out and promote awareness and also that the effects of the autism have on kids. So, it's great. um um that the folks go out and do it. But a way we can show our support and I
I believe it's the second um April 2nd. Um advocates, they ask that we try to wear like light blue or some kind of shade of blue to let people know that we're aware of the date and also that we're in support of helping those and letting folks know that's dealing with
that with their families that they got love and support and embrace the community together. So, thank the motion maker for this. Thank you. >> Thank you, counselor. Any other speakers? Seeing no other speakers. Thank you. >> Also, counselor Brown, your mic is still
on here. >> Counselor. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Next resolution introduced by Councelor Robinson for Women's History Month. Whereas throughout the history of the United States, whether in the home or the workplace, in schools, courts, or during wartime, women have fought for
themselves, their families, and all people of the United States. And whereas in 1980, President Jimmy Carter recognized the first week of March as Women's History Week, noting that while men and women worked together to build this nation, too often women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went
unnoticed. And whereas Congress formally declared March Women's History Month in 1987 and President Ronald Reagan issued a corresponding presidential proclamation. And whereas women play leading roles in the abolitionist movement, labor movements, the civil rights movement, and countless other
causes to create a more fair and just society. And whereas Representative Janette Rankin of Montana and Senator Haiti Carowway of Arkansas were the first women elected to Congress in the years 1916 and 1932, respectively. And whereas in Massachusetts, Susan
Fitzgerald of Jamaica Plane and Sylvia Donaldson of Brockton were the first women elected to the state house in 1923 and Civil Holmes of Brooklyn was the first woman elected to the state senate in 1937. And whereas despite the advancement women have achieved, much still remains to be done to ensure they
realize their full potential as equal members of society. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Chelsea City Council recognizes March 2026 as Women's History Month in the city of Chelsea, acknowledges the many achievements and contributions of women throughout our nation's history, and urge all residents
to take time to reflect upon the many challenges women continue to face throughout society. >> Thank you, Mr. Cler. Do I have a motion? >> Adopted unanimously under suspension. >> Seeing no objections, uh, Councelor Robinson, would you like to >> I'll be brief. I had a lot of positive
women in my life starting with my mother sitting here with my colleagues. I'd like to recognize them for their work that they do on the city council and also send this to all the women who work uh within the city who are doing a great job on our behalf and carry out all our
endeavors that we task them with every day. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor Councelor De Jesus and then councelor Brown. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. And I'd like to thank the maker of the motion, councelor Robinson. And um I
just I I love to hear the um the the history and the amazing um victories that are stated and you know to to be able to make space for that. Um I I'd like to also share you know the the
local um achievements and um amazing women that we have in our community. Um, I I I think that this is an honor of them. Your your your single mom working m multiple jobs trying to make ends meet and and making sure when she gets home, homework is done and and she can wake up
early to make sure those kids are in in time. Um or or your moms that are dealing with mental health and um you know, substances. many of you were um were here for me when I when I was dealing with um my sister's situation
and she was able to to overcome that and she's so strong for for all that she's been through to stand strong today and so I want to make sure that we acknowledge those also in our very own Chelsea community that um that that make us proud and um yeah this is for them.
>> Council Brown. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Again, I want to thank the maker of the motion. Um, I spoke earlier in the month about this. Um, it's great to recognize the women in our lives and those who fored us to do what we do. Our parents, as counselor
Robinson had said, our mother and our wives and our sisters, but more importantly, the ones that we work with, I I said it earlier throughout the year, dedicate themselves to making our community a better place. Not only our community, our homes, our um
neighborhoods. Um I'm so honored to work with such amazing group of women and in the past and still today that we all come out and try to dedicate ourself um in doing what's right not only for
yourself but to continue to carry the lender of the history of women that's done great work. Um we have a lot of great women in our community. You know, we talk about the work of um Molly with Roka and you know, we talk about um you
know um folks um Glattis Fager in our community who's recognized not only around the state but outside of the state. These amazing women do amazing jobs, but they also have folks that they've mentored. Some of them sit here with us on the city council. It's just
such a great opportunity to just recognize women and all that they do. And even tonight, I was I was waiting on the young men to come to the podium, but the women, they got up there and they were so confident and poised and what
they were talking about and and really, you know, excited about being a voice of change. So, you know, we are doing great things with our neighborhood, but more importantly, um I want to just say to our women here on the council, I appreciate your work, your dedication,
and all that you do. Thank you, M. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor Cabra. >> Um, there ain't much you can say. The greatest thing you can say is without women there wouldn't be any men. The best part of a man is a woman. She makes
him a better person. I know. I have eight daughters. The best thing I ever had was them. Women can do anything. Don't under never underestimate a woman. They're powerful. They're strong. They're intelligent. And they can do anything any man can do. The only thing
they can't do, they're not as strong as men, but otherwise, but they have more brains. So, I appreciate women very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, counselor um councelor Garcia and then councelor Hind.
>> Um what he said. No, I'm kidding. Um I just wanna um echo um counselor recupo what he said. Um, but I also do want to
uh say that a lot of women uh go home and have to cook clean after hours of work and and sometimes don't have the light workload of a man, right? And I I don't think we recognize that
enough. And I feel um I I I'm grateful for the women who raised me. um and all the hard workers that surround me. But um yes, without women, men will not
be here. So again, what he said. Thank you. >> Thank you, counselor. Councelor Hines. >> First, I want to thank the maker of this motion. Um, and I also want to say how I appreciate these resolutions because the historical context that is always given
that provides me a more in-depth knowledge to to even say my appreciation for the women who have been a part of my life for my mother who's been as strong as she has been in raising me and my siblings or my aunts um or you know
distant relatives. I I also want to um make sure that I say that, you know, like women are more than who they are within proximity to men. Um and my mother is more than just my mom. My mom is more than her responsibilities. She
is a person. She's a daughter. She is someone who's walked this earth long before I've got here. And I want to give her the grace and the love for all of her experiences and all women who have walked this earth without being in proximity to others and and taking on
the responsibility of of another life. It's a phenomenal feat and I appreciate you all. >> Thank you, councelor. All right, seeing no other uh councelor Taylor, >> I'll just take this opportunity and you know ditto for what everybody else says. because I don't want to make it longer,
but I do want to take this opportunity to acknowledge my my wife Regina, who I rely on uh for a lot of things. And uh she's a she's a great u inspiration to me. Uh
also my mother and grandmother were very um uh influential in uh in who I am. So all my teachers all you know it just goes on and on and you know it there's too many women in our history to to
start naming but uh you know this is welld deserved and I support it. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right seeing no other speakers we will move on. Uh it's been adopted right? >> Correct. Yeah. Next next item before you is a public hearing on the proposed
fiscal year 2027 through 2031 capital improvement plan. >> Do we need a motion to open it or do I just I just open right. So uh we are opening the public hearing on the capital improvement plan. If anybody would like to speak on the capital improvement plan uh you may go up.
Going once, going twice, sold. Uh we are now closing the public hearing on the capital improvement plan. Uh thank you uh to the city manager and his team um for the work that has gone into that. Um, we are now moving over public speaking. We already had that. Moving on to the approval of the minutes. We have
the minutes of March 9th, 2026 regular meeting. Uh, Councelor Taylor, >> accept and follow the, uh, minutes under suspension if there's no objection. >> Seeing no objection. So moved. Moving on to communications received from the city manager. First communication received. Dear councilors,
I'm writing in response to council orders 2519 and 2609 requesting the city manager apply to use community preservation act funding for a John Rui statue. I'm excited to share that our team has submitted the application to the community preservation committee. Below is the summary submitted. The city
of Chelsea proposes the creation and installation of a life >> accept and file the communication I'd like to speak on on the suspension of the no objection. >> Waving the rest of the reading. >> Wave the rest of the read. >> All right. Seeing no objections, uh, so moved. Go ahead, counselor. >> I'd like to thank the city manager for
finally using a CPA money for a good cause to give a statue to a person that deserves it. For many years, they only had a little cutout. And now Chelsea is going to be when people come, there'll be a tourist attraction to go to this park and see a bronze statue of the man
that came from this city and became the first Hispanic or Latino heavyweight champion of the world. It got his respect. That's what the city needed to do was respect the person that was always proud of this city, not give him a little metal cutout. Thank you, city
manager, and thank you all the people from the CPA for making that possible. Thank you, councelor. Moving on to the next item. >> C can I speak, Mr. President? >> Uh, sure, counselor. Go ahead. >> I just want to echo it. So, um, councelor has been doing a lot of work
on recuper. I want to give him kudos as my fellow council would say for the work that he's done on that. He's been banging that door and ringing that bell on the on on the three count for the last few years. And I want to just thank the city manager for pushing that
through. and we hope the um organization and the CPA will be able to give us some funding to get the type of statue that my fellow council want to see. So, thank you again both of you for the work that you do. >> Thank you, council >> on recognizing Johnny Ruiz,
>> councelor Robinson. >> I want to thank uh council. I know this has been a long battle for him to see this happen. Um actually John was a young man who grew up here who trained running the streets and running
marathons. His stepfather who invested in him used to ride the bike and run all over Chelsea um with him. And the night that John won the heavyweight championship, there was a group of us
had the opportunity, Calvin Brown, myself and about 15 other people from Chelsea. We were at the fight and when John flew back, the chief of police and myself um went to the airport to take him off
the plane and give him a police escort back here to Chelsea. And actually, we try to keep it quiet, but there was about 200 cars that followed the police into Logan Airport and we drove the people in Logan Airport crazy um because
there was nowhere for them to park. And then we actually got back here to Chelsea. It was about 5,000 people waiting to greet John. So it was an exceptional night. It was history making here in the city of Chelsea. >> Thank you councelor. All right. Seeing
no others, we'll move on to the next item. >> Next communication received. Dear councilors, I am writing in response to council order 2623 requesting the city manager work on actions that mitigate littering, loitering, and noise around the Civil War memorial. We know that
there are significant quality of life issues in the area that must be addressed immediately. Starting on Monday, March 23rd, we will commence our weekly walkthroughs throughout the district. We held walkthroughs every week last fall. The walkthroughs were incredibly effective and brought public works, Chelsea police, inspectional
services, and residents together. We saw a noticeable decrease in issues in the district when the walkthroughs were taking place. During our walkthroughs, we will re-evaluate and discuss additional signage that is needed in the area. Also, starting Monday, March 23rd, we will ask the Chelsea Police
Department to increase the level of impact patrol is in the district. Chelsea police presence is crucial in the area. Our chief of police is focused on this area last fall following several incidents, including assigning detectives to address and take down elicit activity. Results of the impact patrol.
>> President move to wave the rest of the read and accept and file the communications. If there are no objections, >> seeing no objections, so moved. Um, we will move on to the next item. >> Next communication received from the
city manager. Dear council, I'm writing to request an exemption to the conflict of interest law for Richard Rossetti. Mr. Rosetti retired from his role as a Chelsea police officer. He recently begun working as a part-time PEDDM dispatcher for our 911 center. Mr. Mr. Rosetti would also work part-time as a
retiree on police details. Since it is not possible to hold two municipal positions since it is a financial interest, Mr. Rosetti needs an exemption vote by the city council from the statutory conflict of interest law. We will make sure that there is no scheduling overlap between the two positions. I respectfully request the
city council approve this exemption. Mr. Visetti meets all the statutory requirements for the grant of an exemption under Mass General Law Chapter 268A section 20. accept and follow communication on the suspension. There'll be some coming up on the new business.
>> Seeing no objections. So moved. >> Next communication received. Dear councilors, I am writing to request that the city council vote to support the Chelsea Police Department's application for the FY25 Edward Burn Memorial Justice Grant in the amount of $34,13.
The JAG grant is one Chelsea Police Department applies for every year. Grant funds are used to deploy specialized gang, drug, and anti-rime units as assigned to focus on crime reduction initiatives. The efforts supported by this grant are closely aligned with the focus to increase public safety for our
community and its residents. The grant requires the city council vote to support the CPD's application. >> Mr. President, move to wave the rest of the reading and accept and file the communication under suspension. If there's no objections, see no objection. >> Something's coming up under new business.
>> Thank you, councelor. So moved. Next communication received. Dear council, as I'm writing to request a subcommittee meeting to review and discuss the possibility of a new fire station in Chelsea, the city council has been discussing adding a new fire station for many years. We thank the city council for your visionary
leadership. We firmly believe that by working together, we can make the dream of a new fire station a reality for our city. Attached to this letter, you will find a comprehensive report developed by our fire chief outlining his professional assessment of a new station. The city does not currently own any properties that would adequately
house a fire station. The report looks at three possible sites, Everett Avenue, Marginal Street, and Captain's Row. We would be happy to assess any additional sites that might be an option. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to reviewing this report in more detail in an upcoming subcommittee meeting.
>> Accept and file the communication. There's no objection. Like to speak on it. >> Seeing no objections, so moved. Do you have the floor? >> Um Oh, sorry. Uh, so this needs to be referred to uh to a subcommittee. I don't know if you if this would be
referred to public safety or if it want to go to conference. Up to you. >> Yeah, doesn't matter. Put it bring it to public safety or subcommittee. Whoever, you know, it doesn't matter. Whoever wants to speak on talk about it, it's a good thing. We'll talk about it. I got no objection. >> Seeing a motion for public safety. Any objections? Seeing none. Okay.
Councelor, you have the floor. >> Um, I'd like to thank the city manager and all of us for trying to bring a fire station which is desperately needed in this city especially I hate to go back to that but
my district and the districts around me which is five six and seven they there's no fire station in that side and that side is growing fast and there's all apartments moving all especially on Central Avenue and the new one they're going to bring at 170 cottage there's
going to be a lot of and there's no way there's no station there. So, it will be very much appreciated if it will go down that that side because everywhere else in the city does have a fire station and I thank very much for that and maybe
we can talk about it when we go to subcommittee and figure out a a good way where to put it. >> Thank you. >> The input of everybody is important. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor Taylor. So in our subcommittee meeting uh we we
talked about we talked about finances and the economic situation that we have. Uh I welcome this subcommittee. I think this is something that people have been talking about. However, I must say um you know that that is a that is a major
investment. So, and I I I recognize the fact that we've had a lot more fires as well and um you know, with with the density that Chelsea has and the fire hazards um that we continue to do, the only
thing is I want to make sure that in in the subcommittee, you know, we got to make sure to have policies and enforce those policies that we don't have people living in in uh dangerous conditions
that that that create these fires. We want to be conscientious about actually solving that problem without just trying to throw money at it, you know, and so I I welcome the subcommittee. I welcome uh
the uh the thoughts of the fire chief. I have great respect for him and um you know, I look forward to a conversation. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor Rupro, I just like to remind your mic is still on. Thank you. Um, councelor Brown. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Again, uh,
thank the chief for sending us this letter. This is great news. Um, as I stated earlier, anytime we try to get police station, fire station is to improve our quality of life for the safety and the residents of our city and regardless of where it is um, you know,
it's needed um, here in the city of Chelsea. So, um I look forward to the meeting. Um I look I ask that when we do have this meeting scheduled that we actually send a letter to Lundritz Management up in Ammer Hill so they'll
be aware that there is a meeting that's going on. Um the reason why I asked that that be sent is because that's the management group up there to pretty much get the news out to everyone there. So don't want them not to be informed. Thank you.
Thank you, councelor. Seeing no other speakers, we move on to the next item. >> Next communication received. Dear councilors, I'm writing to respectfully request an update of Chelsea's inclusionary zoning policy. While the policy adopted in 2017 successfully advanced affordable housing in our city,
it has become increasingly clear that the current level of restrictions is overly stringent and unintentionally hindering new development. Chelsea's growth has historically been powered by development. The current inclusionary zoning requirements are making it extremely challenging for projects to secure funding. As a result, even
projects that have been permitted are facing delays or unable to move forward due to the prevailing fiscal environment. These constraints are preventing new housing, commercial space, and economic investment that our city relies upon to sustain schools, public safety, and infrastructure. It is
important to recognize the success of the policy to date. Since 2017, Chelsea has achieved the third highest level of affordable housing in the state of Massachusetts. However, the current framework has made it increasingly difficult to incentivize additional development, which is essential for
continued growth and prosperity. We respectfully urge the city council to consider revising the inclusionary zoning language to strike a more balanced approach, one that maintains Chelsea's commitment to affordable housing while creating realistic incentives for developers to invest in new projects. By updating this policy,
we can unlock the growth our city needs, ensure continued funding for essential public service, and foster an environment where Chelsea can thrive for the next decade and beyond. Specifically, the four changes proposed are as follows. Changing the policy to apply to projects with 100 units or
more. The current policy applies to projects of 10 units or more. We have heard from small and local developers that managing inclusionary zoning is administratively difficult. Developers have to run lotteryies, complete income verification processes, and get approvals from the city. This process
often results in units being vacant for a period of time. We believe this change will unlock a tremendous amount of projects, particularly in our downtown area. Change the required number of affordable units to 10%. This ratio is aligned with statewide policies such as MBTA communities, and is more in line
with our neighbors. Change the policy to provide for incomes at 80% AMI or below. current policy. >> Madam Chair, >> move to wave the rest of the reading. I would like to refer to the communications. >> I I I object to the waving of the reading. I I would like at least to go
down all the things so that the public can hear exactly what's proposed before we do it. So if okay if if if the clerk could at least read um the four things that the zoning amendment will do, please. >> Are there any objections to reading just
the four things? No. Okay, let's proceed with the four items. >> Uh, the first two were already read. Third policy, changing to provide for incomes at 80% AMI or below. Current policy requires developers provide units at 30%, 50%, and 80% AMI. The city will
continue to work with affordable housing developers to provide 100% affordable housing. We currently have 270 cottage, 440 Broadway, and 361 Broadway that will bring more than 100 units of affordable housing online. Into the future, we have an active pipeline of 100% affordable
housing projects that will build on and expand our affordable housing units. We know that deep affordability is needed and we will continue to use everything we can to support projects going forward. And the fourth would be changing fees in L to affordable housing units to $100,000. The current policy
allows developers to pay the city $400,000 in place of complying with inclusionary zoning. While the intent of the fee was good, the price was set too high to make an impact. Since the implementation of inclusionary housing in 2017, the city has never received such a payment. The city could use these
payments to fund muchneeded housing needs such as rental assistance for existing residents, first-time home buyer programs, or contributing to 100% affordable housing projects. >> Is there a motion? Madame President, um we're we're back to the same question
about whether or not we want to send this to um the uh um zoning board of appeals or the planning board actually um versus whether or not we would want to talk about this in a subcommittee. Okay. >> Um I'm wondering if I can put a motion that we talk about this today and see if
we want to do a subcommittee first. >> Uh yes. And just to clarify, I'm hearing from the clerk. This is just a communication at the moment. There's nothing on Yes, there's nothing coming up under new business. There is something coming up under new business.
Uh, councelor Taylor. >> Yeah, I I I would I would just say and I know that there's something coming up under new business. I I I honestly believe we ought to have a subcommittee on this before it goes to the the planning board, okay? because I think
that there's, you know, probably some issues that we're going to need to talk about and and and and details that we need to finalize before we we send actually send something to them. So, I think that's the prudent thing to do, the before, not after. Thank you.
>> Thank you, councelor. Uh, councelor Brown. >> Thank you. Um, I agree. Um I was going to state that I think we should have this um hearing subcommittee with the planning board have them come in give us their thoughts and we can ask questions
and then we can make some finetuning of the language and make sure that it works for for everyone. Um, there's a lot of information and a lot of numbers that will be dwindling from our first
proposal to what the new ones would be. I'd like to see how we reach those numbers and why I understand by hearing some of it that, you know, we haven't had anyone bite because the dollars were too high. But again, we need to do um
have some kind of survey what what other communities are doing before we just go in and throw our numbers out to make it more attractive to develops than just really what the best bite is for the city itself. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor Himenez. >> Yeah, I just want to also agree with
councelor Taylor that I think we we should definitely have a conversation about what we want to move forward. I think that there are there are reasons good reasons for us to be having this conversation, right? But of course, as with almost all policy, right, the devil's in the detail and we need to figure out, you know, why these specific
recommendations, right? What what will work for Chelsea, right? As we had the conversation earlier today um about our schools and how we're going to be able to sustain the funding that we're giving to our schools, it's going to require making sure that we are growing as a city. Um it was also brought up that, you know, growing can happen in
different ways, right? and we need to make sure that um we are setting up setting our community up to grow in the way that is going to be most helpful to us in a number of different ways. Um so I think uh I I want to make sure that we have this conversation but I also don't
want to uh have this conversation you know in a month in a month and a half. I I want us to move forward with this conversation quickly so that we can actually hold a good conversation. And I also just want to um highlight for everybody uh watching this meeting um this is this is an important question as
we think about the future of our city. So whether it's our subcommittee, whether it gets sent to planning and zoning, those parts of the state of the process, please engage, please reach out um to myself, to the other counselors to make sure this is this is a big change
in how we've been doing things. And it's an important change and we need to figure out, you know, how we are going to move forward. But I think it's a it's a much needed conversation, especially, you know, looking at point 4. We've never received the money that we said, you know, could be generated by this. So I think that warrants a look uh to
figure out how we are how we have a policy that is going to be actually helpful to us in achieving the goals that we want to achieve. Uh thank you. >> Thank you councelor councelor Hines. >> I just want to say I'm the newest member to the council. Um and looking at these
um proposed zoning changes I I feel like I can identify guard rails when I see them. Um, and this looks like an awful amount of uh changes or adjustments to guardrails. I understand that the the city has a responsibility to remain
fiscally responsible about how it is that we generate income. And I and I want people to be mindful that a lot of these different changes will directly impact the people that are already here who already can't afford to be here. Um,
I know it was mentioned in um public speaking earlier something about gentrification about how when a city continues to develop and I want to be clear that I don't believe that I'm against I don't believe that I'm anti-development but I'm like anti like
bad faith development. Um, and this puts a lot of faith in developers to build units that will be affordable for who? Right. So we we changed the inclusionary
zoning. We dropped the inclusionary zoning percentage down from 15 to 10 and pushed the policy to apply to those 100 more units. Yes, it allows the city to to expand West Chelsea and for those or for those big developments to take
place, but every unit is not going to be 100 plus units. So what happens there when there's 50 units here, 20 units there, and there's no need to meet inclusionary zoning requirements,
what do we do then? We then come back and have this conversation again. And I also understand that yes, the city has to do more in being mindful how it is that we generate revenue so that we can allocate more funding to the schools and keep those programs that we want. And I
want to urge us to be very creative on how it is that we do that rather than making these really big changes. So yes, a conversation is warranted and I want to urge the community to be aware and to keep an eye on this thing as these
changes come up. >> Thank you, councelor Councelor Rupo. >> Um Dan much I'm going to tell you about this. As far as affordable housing, they always had affordable housing, but who can actually live in it? That's what I
say all the time. So affordable housing is to me a gaff. What what do I mean by that? It's like people come, developers come, they build 300 units, 400 units, whatever units they want to build and say we're going to make it affordable, but only a small
percentage of that is affordable. But they forget to tell you the biggest thing about affordable housing. when they come for affordable housing, they do not pay the same tax as everybody else. Remember that. That is the issue that nobody tells you. They don't want to tell you that because they don't want
to tell you because, oh, everybody wants affordable housing. There's nothing wrong with affordable housing. It's a great thing. But remember, when you build so much affordable housing, what that does is it takes revenue away from you. You don't have to take my word for it. go downstairs and ask the uh the
assessors. Tell them, ask them, "Do affordable housing units pay the same tax as people that don't pay?" But that's that's another issue. The next thing is this thing here. In some ways, it needs to be talked about. It it's correct. But in some ways, it also helps
smaller people, little guys. They don't have the $400,000 to put it down. Even though we never got it, but even it's there. So if they require it, they would have to pay it. So what this does, it eliminates that on a little guy that wants to build a three family unit, a
four family unit, a 10 family unit instead of a 100 family unit. So in some ways it's good for that, but it still needs to be talked a lot. And as far as affordable housing goes, we need to have a bigger conversation on what affordable housing actually is. Like my fellow
counselor says, who's that affordable for? That is the issue. What is the benefits of having more affordable housing against not having it? If it's affordable housing for the average individual, I'm for it. If it's not for the average individual, if it benefits
developers, what is the point of having affordable housing? There is no point. Because remember, I'm telling you again, and you can don't have to quote me. Go ask the downstairs the assessors. When you build affordable housing, you do not pay the same tax as a person that has a
three family home. Your taxes are based on affordability. So you'll pay less. So remember, the more affordable housing you build, the more people come in, the more things you have to put schools and everything that gets a strain. But they, the big developers don't get to pay the
same tax. But then there's another catch to it. If big developers don't come in and build these units, a city doesn't grow. So, we're caught in the middle. What are you going to choose? That's the thing for all of us to choose. Not just
me, all of us. What are we going to do? What do we want? Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Any other comments? Councelor uh Garcian and councelor Robins. I was just wondering if we could move forward given that we
will be talking about this in a subcommittee. Uh we have about two pages left for the agenda. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor Robinson. >> Yes, I'm actually I was the original maker of the inclusionary resoning and the reason
being is that when developers came here, they wanted to build less than 10 units. So there was no real benefit to the city. So anything over 10 would kick in inclusionary zoning where they would
have to provide units at 30% 50% and 80%. Some of these changes uh and around the affordability like the 400,000 figure that's what it would have cost at that time to replace a unit and that's how we
arrived at the 400,000. the this brings us in line with the governor's request on the MBTA communities >> which affects us which is market basket going all the way over to um
Mark White's properties on Herd Street. So, it's a wide, you know, variety and I think that some of these changes are going to be very beneficial and I and I understand my colleagues, he's absolutely right talking about the affordables,
what they actually pay compared to if we had a $20 million commercial building, we would receive 500,000 in taxes. If we had a straight housing development, we would receive 250,000. But if we have an affordable
unit building, we're only recouping 115,000. So we need to be smart in how we move forward in attacking this inclusionary zoning piece to make sure that we're going to provide for the people who live
here and actually get those units. I think that as my colleague Rupo would say, you know, with the lottery and everything, a lot of Chelsea people doesn't seem to be picked in the lottery and we're getting a lot of outside
people and we're not really taking care of the people who live here. So, we need to figure that out when we start talking about the inclusionary zoning stuff. >> All right, seeing no other comments, we're going to move right along. >> Next communication received. Dear
councilors, the city of Chelsea has been working for many years together with the city of Ever on the island and river flood barrier. A critical infrastructure project designed to protect thousands of residents and key facilities from severe coastal flooding. Although the recent loss of a $50 million brick grant has
delayed the construction timeline, the project remains a top priority. We are continuing to advance it using secured state funding for design, engineering, and land acquisition. It is essential we utilize these state funds now. Delaying their use could jeopardize our eligibility and result in the forfeite
of significant grand dollars. Moving forward at this stage ensures we maintain momentum and keep the project on track for eventual construction. With that in mind, I am writing today to provide an update on the city's negotiations with Mnt Bank located at 357 Bechum Street to purchase their
property in fee. This purchase is necessary for the construction and maintenance of the eventual flood barrier as it will host a large structure that will prevent water from flowing back up through a drainage pipe under the flood barrier to flood the low-lying market street area during a storm. Construction and maintenance of
the structure will be extremely impactful to the bank and its current location. And after years of discussion, we have agreed it would be best for the city to purchase the property. This purchase will be financed with state grant funding from the municipal vulnerability preparedness program and by city matching funds already
appropriated in the CIP. No new funds will be necessary to complete this transaction. The purchase price is the assessed value of the property per an independent appraiser in February of 2025 at $1.65 million. The state grant funds are only available into
>> councelor. I accept and file and wave the rest of the reading if there's no objections. Seeing none. Thank you. Uh, councelor Taylor. >> Sorry. I I would just ask that the terms of the uh the terms of the uh thing would be read. It's it's pretty short.
>> Terms negotiated are as follows. Purchase price is $1.65 million. Mnt Bank would agree to continue to pay the annual real estate tax obligations as the value of the lease and will continue to be responsible for maintaining the property. The city would be required to
give Mnt Bank 18 months of notice of the termination of the lease to provide them time to secure a new location. We would not give that notice until we had all necessary funding to proceed with work on the property. And we would not give that notice before July 1st, 2027, and Mnt Bank would have the right to
terminate the lease on a 30-day notice. >> Thank you, counselor. >> Thank you. >> Moving on. >> Next communication received. Dear councilors, I'm writing to provide an update on free cash. As we head into the end of the fiscal year and we ramp up our budget process, we thought it was
critical to share this update. As a reminder, we started fiscal year 22 with 14.9 million in free cash. We started fiscal year 23 with 17.1 million, fiscal year 24 with 20.2 million, and fiscal year 25 with 33.8 million. Finally, we
started fiscal year 26. >> Mr. Cler, I just like to note for folks that this is the same information that was shared in the previous uh meeting. In case anybody would like to make a motion to dispense, please continue. >> We started fiscal year 26 with 32.4 million in free cash. You can see the
free cash. >> President move to council. Thank you. >> Move to wave the rest of the reading. If there are no objections, >> seeing none, uh thank you. >> Next communication received. Dear counselors, I'm writing to share that we
have signed a contract with a firm to launch our business attraction marketing campaign. The work will include market research and strategic planning to position Chelsea as an attractive place for companies to invest. We will create various videos highlighting our available property and create virtual tours, interactive property showcases.
We will also highlight successful businesses already in Chelsea. We will ask them to share their story and share what makes Chelsea so attractive. We will run ads and target trade media outreach focusing on high growth industries that will bring development and jobs to Chelsea. Finally, we will create a database to capture interested
parties focusing on analytics and performance measurement. We are clear that this campaign will lead to more new growth for Chelsea. We will make sure that the city council's voices are centered in this marketing campaign. We need the city council to stand with us and claim that Chelsea is open for business. Economic development is a team
sport. >> Councelor Tes. >> Mr. Mr. President, move to accept the communications. If there are no objections, um I would like to ask the city manager, make sure you invite the city councilors of their respective districts whenever you go and visit places. Maybe some of them want to join you. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor Brown.
>> Um Mr. President, if it's okay, I ask if we can wave the re um wave um the moment and have the city managers give us an overview of it. It's very important. We can find out um you know, how long this campaign is going to go on. Is it a
certain area so we'll know prior to getting a notice? >> I believe councelor is presenting a motion to suspend the rules to ask the city manager a question. Is are there any objections? >> Okay. Seeing no objections, go ahead. >> Thank you. So the the um the start of of
of of the campaign is going to be um to really hone in on on what is the what is the target audience, right? Uh um we um we want to focus on on the big win as
we said earlier, right? We are not focused on on housing development that is going to build 20 units, right? Right. I mean, this campaign is going to be to to really focus on on on attracting companies to come to Chelsea. So, so it's industrial and commercial uh
uh focus. Uh it is also a a a focus on on on on ideally industry that brings jobs right uh into Chelsea. Uh um as as the council has already seen, we we have started this on our own in the last uh
uh few months. particularly visiting the the the the companies that are in Chelsea and are very successful. We uh uh I I did a tour of Eastern Minerals and did a big uh a big campaign on it. Uh uh Chelsea is
very lucky that Eastern Minerals is here in Chelsea and the state is very lucky that that Easter Minerals is uh is here in in in Chelsea and feeding the greater Boston area. Um, I also visited the the the New England Produce Center. Uh, I'll
let the cat out of the bag. Uh, uh, I am visiting Cinco de Mayo Tortillas uh, on Crescent Avenue. I I am busy visiting Muffin Town on Crescent Avenue. Uh, and I'm I'm doing a tour a tour of CM of CM
Foods, right? Uh, uh, these companies all combined uh, um, uh, have about 2,000 jobs in Chelsea, right? and are really fueling our our our tax base. So, so these are the kind of companies that we are are are trying to attract. Uh a
and we needed to be a a very targeted campaign uh uh focus on on on on industry journals, on trade journals, uh on on um uh on getting the right contacts, right? A and we are hoping
that that it does uh uh lead to that big win that we talked about earlier. >> Thank you, Mr. Manager. All right. Say uh Council Robinson, go ahead. I think this is a a a good start, but I
would like to see us hire somebody who's going to go out and actually sell the city to these other outside companies that we might be able to draw into the city of Chelsea and provide jobs and opportunities for the people of Chelsea.
>> I could not agree with you more, counselor. Until then, it's going to be me and you. >> Thank you, Mr. Manager. Thank you, counselor. All right, seeing no others. Uh, moving on to the next item. >> Next communication received. Dear councilors, I am pleased to provide you with an update on the city of Chelsea's
ongoing comprehensive planning process for Chelsea Palante onward following the fifth steering committee meeting held on March 3rd and the second successful Chelsea Palante Fest on March 14th. >> Accept and file the communication wave director of reading. If there no objection on the suspension,
>> seeing no objections to the waving of the reading, the reading is waved. Uh, thank you, councelor. Moving on to the next item. >> Final communication received from the city manager. Dear council, as I'm writing to give an update on our contribution to Chelsea public, move to
wave the rest of the reading. This is again uh repeated information we've already gone over today. >> Thank you, councelor. Seeing no objections. This was the topic of the previous meeting. Thank you. >> Moving on to communications and petitions. So, communication received
comes from Chelsea school committee member Katherryn Cabraw requesting the city increase its contribution to the Chelsea public schools budget. >> Wave the rest of the reading if there's no objection. >> Seeing no objections, uh, reading is waved. >> Moving on to committee reports. First
committee report received from council de Jesus from the meeting of the subcommittee on ways and means held March 10th, 2026. >> Councelor Deus. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um I'd like to accept and file and if there's a moment please um there are no objections if I could have a few moments.
>> Seeing no objections you have the floor. >> Thank you. So this was a meeting that we had y'all already know my schedule Tuesdays our ways and means meetings. Uh first item was regarding um a donation of $10,000 to the Chelsea Fire
Department for their uh drone equipment. Um which was actually um very helpful in recent fires. Um so shout out to our our fire department. Um and uh the next item is on the collective bargaining
agreement negotiated with SEIU covering our Chelsea clerical inspectors, maintenance and custodian uh employees. Following item discussed was the um 1,250,000 appropriation under the fiscal year 2024
capital improvement plan and um uh in particular for the city hall attic expansion project. um following the appropriation of $854,000 of free cash to the CIP FY25. That's for
the school building renovation project, the Chelsea Opportunity Academy, uh to be exact. Um, and last but not least, the appropriation of 745,000 uh from free cash to the marginal street capital fund to lease the um uh for the
related to the lease of our enterprise renter car uh located at 324 Marginal Street. Um more details can be found in our notes. Everything is posted online. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Moving on to the next item. Next, next
committee report received comes from the council president for the meeting of the subcommittee on conference held March 10th, 2026. >> Is there a motion? >> I move to um accept the committee report and I'd like to just quickly speak on
it. >> Seeing no objections, you have the floor, council. >> So um we held a meeting to discuss the petition that had been submitted to us by uh Lucay Chelsea. Um, I just want to thank everybody who who attended um from Lucay, from uh the police department,
from the council. Um, and I just wanted to flag for everybody that they have sent the follow-up communication uh to the council. Um, that we can I just want to flag for everybody to make sure that that folks saw it and um we can discuss that at a later time given that it is not on the agenda. Uh, thank you.
>> Thank you, counselor. Next item. Next item on the agenda, committee report pro received from the council president for the meeting of subcommittee on conference held March 17th. >> Um I'd like to uh just want to make sure uh Mr. Clerk, uh is the motion to adopt
the um recommendation of the report? >> Correct. >> Okay. So I'd like to move to adopt the recommendation of the committee on rules uh report. Uh the report itself um outlines what the recommendations on the rule changes are.
>> Thank you councelor. Um councelor Taylor >> point of clarification. Um this this does not include the final disposition of the zoom issue. Okay. So so there is there is actually more to be decided on that.
>> We will be spending a lot more time together. Council, >> pardon me. >> We will be spending a lot more time together. I'm sure we will. >> Councelor Sanate. >> Okay. Councelor Himenez. >> Yeah. I just like to just kind of highlight a couple of things. Um so
we're looking to update the set of rules which had not been fully looked at in many years. Looking to codify some of the processes that have been traditions and developing processes that really are meant to streamline our meetings and how quickly we can turn around our scheduling. So this is really I I want to make sure that we're we're doing what we can to get through our meetings and
get through our work. So I just want to thank everybody for all the work that was put in. We spent 4 hours in the next door conference room and that is it's important work. So I just want to say uh a huge thank you to everybody who participated um during this process both in the committee stage and then in the
committee on conference. Um this is not easy and I think we we have come together to a pretty good document. So thank you. >> Thank you councelor counselor Taylor. I would just like to correct my fellow counselors that these rules were actually overhauled a few years ago by
Demali Veto and myself. So these >> and myself counselor, >> pardon me. >> I was part of that trio >> and >> thank you >> and councelor De Jesus. >> Couple years couple years is two plus. >> Yeah. Yeah. So many years. I'm I'm not
sure if that's the right uh but anyway um I I I agree. I mean, this was a this is a compromise. There's a lot of fighting about it about whatever. It's it's, you know, I would like all these subcommittees to be on um uh
Chelsea TV or or or or streamed online so that the public can actually see how the sausage is made and who's who's for what and who's against what and why. So I I I I am for full transparency on this
entire process and the and the general public would be well served if they tuned in and uh could see the arguments being made. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Councelor Brown.
>> Thank you, Madam Vice President. Um just want to say it's great being at the meeting, listened to a lot of the recommendations. um going back and forth. There was some great ideas. It's still some work that needs to be done. We talked about um
obviously the live live screening of both the council meeting and the subcommittees, but we also talked that we wanted to figure out how it can teach us to show us how it can work better for everything. So, um I'm looking forward
to more um conversation. It's in the right direction. I want to thank the president for taking the lead on it, for just saying, "Hey, it's time to just, you know, continue to look back at the um old stuff and see what we can make new and see what works and what doesn't work." Uh, it's not to accuse anyone of
anything. It's only to make our meetings and our perception more smoother and clearer. So, thank you, Mr. President. >> Thank you, counselor. Moving on to the next item. Never mind. Moving on to a roll call vote.
Motion before you is to approve the recommendations as presented by the committee report. Yes. Vote to confirm recommendations. >> Council Taylor, >> yes. >> Council recuper, >> yes. >> Council Jimenez Rivera, >> yes. >> Councelor Hines, >> yes. >> Council Tenary Garcia, >> yes. >> Council Tesh,
>> yes. >> Councilor Kelly Garcia, >> yes. >> Council Sandic, >> yes. >> Council De Jesus, >> yes. >> Council Brown, >> yes. >> And council Robinson, it's >> absent. >> 10 members in favor, zero opposed, one absent. Committee report recommendations approved. Moving on to second readings. First item
was taken out of order. Moving on to 26F-08. Order introduced by council de Jesus is being read for the second time. Order that pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 44 section 53A1-2 and section 3-5 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Chelsea, the
Chelsea City Council hereby accepts the donation of $10,000 to the Chelsea Fire Department from the Rotary Club of Chelsea for the purpose of purchasing and licensing an additional drone for fire department use. >> Councelor Deus, Mr. Mr. Chair, >> sorry, councelor. So, so um I am a
member of the member and past president of the Chelsea Rotary Club. Um and we were very proud uh to do this, but I'm going to recuse myself on this vote. Thank you. >> Thank you, counselor. Believe we have
to. Yeah. Yeah. Um sorry, Councelor Robinson, was that >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, yeah. Uh, councelor Deesus, go ahead. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to, um, adopt under sub suspension and
>> uh, we need a roll call vote. >> Um, if there are no objections, >> obain none, go ahead. Uh, Mr. Clerk, >> roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to adopt. Council Taylor, absent, and recused. Councelor Rupo, >> yes. >> Council Herman Rivera,
>> yes. Councelor Hines, >> yes. >> Councilor Tara Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilor Tesh, >> yes. >> Councelor Kelly Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilor Santic, >> yes. >> Councelor De Jesus, >> yes. >> Council Brown, >> yes. >> And councelor Robinson, >> yes. >> 10 in favor, zero opposed, one absent.
Order is adopted. >> Thank you, Mr. Clark. Moving on. >> Next item. Under second readings, you have an order introduced by council de Jesus being read for the second time regarding the fiscal year 2027 capital improvement program loan order. Order
that various capital projects and equipment >> wave the rest of the reading and ask for a roll call vote. >> I have a motion. This is for the capital improvement plan uh uh list of items and I have a motion to wave the rest of the reading. Uh are there any objections?
Seeing no objections to that um motion is for roll call vote. Councelor. >> Yes. >> So moved. Um we will move to a roll call vote. >> No speaking. Okay. There we go. >> No speaking.
>> Roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to adopt. Council Taylor. >> Yes. >> Councelor Cupro. >> Yes. >> Councelor Jimenez Rivera. >> Yes. >> Councelor Hines. >> Yes. >> Councilor Tener Garcia. >> Yes. >> Council Tesh. >> Yes. >> Councilor Kelly Garcia.
>> Yes. Council Santigette, >> yes. >> Council De Jesus, >> yes. >> Councelor Brown, >> yes. >> And councelor Robinson, >> yes. >> All members in favor, zero opposed, capital improvement program loan order approved. >> Next item under second readings, order
introduced by council de Jesus, order that pursuant to section 4-3 L of the Chelsea City Charter, the Chelsea City Council hereby approves the cost item set forth in the collective bargaining agreement negotiated with >> Mr. President, >> I'd like to wave the rest of the reading and accept um
uh request a roll call vote. If there are no objections, >> seeing no objections, we will move on to a roll call vote on the adoption. >> Thank you. >> You guys vote to adopt. Councelor Taylor, >> yes. >> Council Cooper, >> yes. >> Councelor Jimenez River, >> yes.
>> Councelor Hines, >> yes. >> Council Tennar Garcia, >> yes. >> Council Tesh, >> yes. >> Councelor Kelly Garcia, >> yes. >> Council Santig, >> yes. Council De Jesus, >> yes. >> Council Brown, >> yes. >> And councelor Robinson, >> yes. >> All 11 in favor and zero opposed. Order
approved. >> Next item under second readings, order introduced by council de Jesu is being read for the second time. Order that in accordance with chapter 44 section 20 of Mass General Law, the sum of $1,250,000 appropriated under fiscal year 24
capital improvement plan for city hall addict expansion project which has not been undertaken is hereby deferred and funds transferred in the amount of $1,250,000 to fiscal year 26 capital improvement plan for public building renovations. Council
>> Mr. President, I'd like to um adopt under a roll call vote if there are no objections. >> Moving to a roll call vote. >> Yes. Vote to adopt. Council Taylor, >> yes. >> Councelor Coopro, >> yes. >> Council Jimenez River, >> yes. >> Councelor Hines, >> yes.
>> Council Tener Garcia, >> yes. >> Council Tesh, >> yes. >> Councelor Kelly Garcia, >> yes. >> Councelor Santig, >> yes. >> Council De Jesus, >> yes. >> Councelor Brown, >> yes. >> And council Robinson, >> yes. >> All 11 in favor and zero opposed. Order adopted.
Next item under second readings. Order introduced by council de Jesus. Read for the second time. Order that the Chelsea city council hereby approves the appropriation of $854,000 from free cash to FY25 CIP school building. >> U Mr. President ask to wave the rest of
the read and move to a roll call vote on the adoption. >> Seeing no objections. So moved. >> Roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to adopt. Council Taylor. >> Yes. >> Council Rupo. >> Yes. Councelor Jimenez Rivera. >> Yes. >> Councilor Hines, >> yes. >> Councelor Tenari Garcia,
>> yes. >> Council Tesh, >> yes. >> Councelor Kelly Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilor Santi, >> yes. >> Council De Jesus, >> yes. >> Council Brown, >> yes. >> And councelor Robinson, >> yes. >> All 11 in favor and zero opposed. Order adopted.
Next, under second readings, order introduced by councelor De Jesus, read for the second time. Order that the Chelsea City Council hereby approves the appropriation of $745,000. >> Mr. President asked to wave the rest of the reading u and uh move to adoption
under roll call vote. >> We move to a roll call vote. Seeing no objections. >> Yes. Vote to adopt. Council Taylor. >> Yes. >> Council Cooper. >> Yes. >> Councilor Jimenez Rivera. >> Yes. >> Councelor Hines. >> Yes. >> Councilor Tenary Garcia. >> Yes. >> Councilor Tesh.
>> Yes. >> Councilor Kelly Garcia. >> Yes. >> Councilor Santigette. >> Yes. >> Councelor De Jesus. >> Yes. >> Councelor Brown. >> Yes. >> And councelor Robinson. Yes. >> 11 in favor, zero opposed. Order is adopted. That concludes second readings. >> Moving on to new business.
>> First item was taken out of order. Next item under new business. Order introduced by council Taylor. Order that a meeting of the subcommittee on public safety be held with the city manager and police chief to discuss the city's response to littering, loitering, excessive noise, and other quality of life issues.
>> Mr. President, I'd ask to um uh adopt under suspension. And if there's no objections, I'd like to speak on it. >> Seeing no objections, you have the floor. So, uh, this this order is to actually call a public safety, uh, meeting so
that the city council, uh, can actually have a voice in in, uh, uh, what the city does in regards, uh, to public safety, uh, DPW, uh, and and, uh, the various departments
in dealing with these issues. Um, I felt that the the order last week just around the monument um was not enough and that we actually need to speak about these things um citywide that the city council is actually the
policymaking body of the city of Chelsea and we convey that to the city manager who uh actually uh carries it out and enforces
So, I felt it was important that the the city council through its subcommittee process um not just relinquish uh its authority uh to uh to the city manager, but uh would like a voice in what the
policy is going to be going forward. So, um I look forward to this subcommittee. Thank you. >> Right. Seeing no other speakers, so moved. Moving on. >> Next order under new business. An order introduced by councelor Rupo. Order that
the city council president initiate a process for the city council to find an attorney to be consulted in the event the city council desires a second legal opinion. >> Councelor >> adopt on the suspension. No objection like you speak on it. >> You have before. >> Uh thank you. Um we already agree that
the city council needs a lawyer. We went through that already. So now the process is that we we should get a lawyer because sometimes the city council needs a second opinion because when you really think about it, the city solicitor works for the city. So us as counselors
sometimes need information and uh what are we going to ask? So we all decided that it was time for us to get an attorney and the only reason we're going to ask is it's going to be a collective body all of us. We're not going to ask all kinds of question to this attorney.
is just when it's a by all of us. When all of us decide that this is what we're going to do, we're going to do it. So, thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Moving on. >> Next item under new business, order introduced by council Robinson. Order
that the city manager provide to the city council an update on the status of the Forbes property. >> Council Robinson >> adopted unanimously under suspension. I'll be brief. I thought um a while back that the city should have went after this property
so that we would have been able to put together an RFP and decide what we wanted to see take place at Forbes. But we missed that opportunity. Now we have to work with the people who possibly might raise enough money to buy the
property. And if not, we should be in position to jump on that property if they can't raise the money. Councelor Himenez. >> Yeah, I' I'd like to just second um Councelor Robinson's interest and making sure that we're staying on top of that.
I just I I also want to be uh just thank the city manager for keeping the council up to date. I uh on kind of the going ons of the legal process. I know there has been a lot of a lot of kind of legal hoops and I just want to say thank you for, you know, making sure that at each stage of the process um the council has been informed. I definitely agree with
Council Robinson and making sure that, you know, we got something public so that the folks can can also see it. Um, and I know that there are kind of um, you know, kind of privileged information parts to this. So, making sure that um, we share what we can share, but I just wanted to to thank uh, the city manager. Thank you,
>> Councelor Taylor. >> Yeah, I I I I agree with my fellow counselors on this. Um, and I think this actually dovetales into the larger conversation tonight about uh making
sure that we have enough uh economic fuel to make the uh Chelsea engine actually go. So regardless regardless of who ends up with that property, we need to make sure uh through our city process
that that property is actually developed in a way that is going to be beneficial to the city. Thank you. >> If I may ask my colleagues to allow me to speak from the chair seeing as it's my district before we move on real briefly.
>> I object. I believe our rules allow from the president to select a third counselor if the vice president would like to speak on an item. Is that a correct interpretation of the rules? >> Clerk,
>> that would be a literal interpretation of the rule. Correct. >> Okay. So, I councelor Robinson, would you like to take the chair? So >> Oh, okay. Um, councelor Brown, you can take the chair. >> Thank you, counselor. Thank you, counselor. So, before my
brief comments, thank you to those colleagues who uh value um the importance of a counselor being able to directly um speak to their constituents with such a big project. My very brief remarks that I wanted to share is that I
echo the words of my colleagues. I think that it's important that we see the uh development side and that we see the um revenue, but also um as my fellow counselor Brown has stated with our experience, we need to make sure the
abutters, right, the neighbors more than anything in this process, we will not be neglecting any of the neighborhood families that have been living near this deteriorating property for so many years. And that includes our uh
low-income public housing residents that live right behind it. It includes all of our families down Crescent. It includes all of our Hooper Lewis. I want to make sure that this process is inclusive. I think it would have been a lot more inclusive if we had, as our, as my colleague mentioned, our local
nonprofits in the city be the ones leading it. But if it's a developer, we need to make sure that we are strong um in the in the decision-making process and that our families are leading the way. Thank you. the counselors. >> Thank you, Council Brown. Um,
>> next item under new business, order introduced by Council Robinson. Order that the city manager provide to the city council an update on the soldiers home development with an emphasis on the following. Number of subsidies to cover veterans, number of meals provided, planned transportation coverage, and
expected time frame for the park to be completed and returned for neighborhood use. >> Council Robinson, >> uh, adopted unanimously on the suspension. I want to thank the city manager for getting back to me in regards to the park as my neighbors keep
asking when is it going to happen? Um this the um Quigley building is going to be coming down soon hopefully. And actually my concern more is with the veterans. And I know when John Tenantiago was there, him and I were
back and forth in regards to making sure that we were going to be able to get enough subsidies to make sure that the veterans who presently live at the soldiers home are going to be the ones to have access to those units. As you
know, they have a slick word of saying veterans preference. That does not guarantee that a veteran could actually end up in the units. So, we need to be a we need
to be aware of that. We need to be caution of that because if the veteran doesn't have enough income to qualify for the building, we need to be figuring out what's going to happen to them, where they're going to go after
they put their line, their life on the line for us and representing us and the previous wars ahead of us. So, I just want this body to be aware of that. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor Coopra. >> Um, I would like to suspend the rules
and ask the city manager what if there's anything the city can do to assure >> Hang on, counselor. First, your motion. Uh, is there an objection to suspending the rules and asking the city manager a question? I can I anybody can I'm just I I see
I seeing no objections. Councelor Cooper, you have the floor. Um, like my fellow counselor said, is there anything the city can do to ensure the veterans will go in that in these buildings to protect them?
>> Um, I met with a developer recently uh and actually uh uh councelor Hines was uh was there. Um they assured us at the time that the facing of the project was going to be so that everyone that is
there now will be guaranteed a place it and essentially what I'm trying to say is is that the vacant buildings are going to be taken down and and new units are going going to be built in the in the buildings that are vacant in order to move the residents that are in the
occupied buildings into those new buildings. Uh um I I reached out to to both parties about this when I saw the the the agenda. I I reached out to um to the state who who who is who is tearing
down the Quickley Park uh and and uh sorry the Quickly building and and rebuilding uh Malone Park. I also reached out to the developer. the developer uh uh is going to be developing a a and submitting to the
council a very detailed uh response that answers the questions of the city councelor. >> Thank you, city manager. >> Councelor Hines, >> uh I'd like to start by thanking the city manager for being so accommodating with that meeting that we had with the developers for this project. This
project was one that was underway. Soldiers Home is in District 2 and this project was underway prior to me being in the seat and one of my biggest questions and concerns was about the displacement of the veterans that live up there currently. Um, and they assured us that there wouldn't be any
displacements. It would be more so as like a two moves maximum where they would move out of any building that is going to be redeveloped. Um and then their next move will be into the finalized project or the finalized home and they'll be getting the upgrades that
they deserve. Um I also want to add that it was discussed in that meeting that although this development cannot be exclusively for veterans, veterans will have priority on this development. Um so I I look forward to to receiving more
information on the phasing of this plan. I know there's plans for this uh development to break ground. um this summer and some of the the winter storms have probably pushed some projects pushed some things back. Um but uh again, thank you again um city manager
for being so accommodating on this project. >> Thank you, councelor. Moving on to the next item. Next item under new business, you have an order introduced by the council president order that pursuant to Mass General Law chapter 268A section 20B.
The Chelsea City Council hereby approves a conflict of interest exemption to allow Mr. Richard Rosetti as a retiree to work on police details for the Chelsea Police Department effective immediately. >> Is there a motion on the item? >> Unanimously under suspension if there are no objections.
>> I believe we need a roll call vote. >> I'll ask for a roll call vote on the adoption. Thank you, councelor. Moving on to a roll call vote on the adoption. Uh, councelor Taylor, did you or you're just waiting for the Yeah, no worries. >> Yes. Vote to approve. Council Taylor, >> yes. >> Council Cupo,
>> yes. >> Councilor Jimenez Rivera, >> yes. >> Councelor Hines, >> yes. >> Council Tenari Garcia, >> yes. >> Council Tesh, >> yes. >> Council Kelly Garcia, councelor Santigette, >> yes. >> Council Jesus, >> yes. >> Council Brown, >> yes. >> And council Robinson, >> yes. >> 10 in favor, zero opposed, one absent.
Compact of interest exemption approved. Next item under new business, you have an order introduced by council president. Whereas the city seeks to advance economic development opportunities in Chelsea. And whereas the city seeks to increase housing and unlock new growth in Chelsea. And
whereas the Chelsea City Council finds that a proposed amendment to chapter 34156 of the zoning ordinance of the city of Chelsea advances an amendment that is a legitimate aspect of public interest, promotes economic development and housing production to support the growing needs of the city's budget and
encourages the most appropriate use of land throughout the city of Chelsea. Now therefore, be it ordained that the following petition for the adoption of a >> councelor Hines, did you did you want to >> I'd like to wave the rest of the reading. and ask permission to speak.
>> Uh yes. >> And and I just like to remind folks this is the same item that we discussed earlier as wanting to move to a subcommittee rather than to planning. So >> fully I'm fully aware >> councelor Hines. Thank you. I'm just just you're reminding everybody and this is not for you. Go ahead. >> I just want to say that there was a lot
of things discussed on this. Um similarly an earlier item was mentioned in regarding a purchase of a property in a fellow counselor's district. Um, again, this is one of those things where I want to urge the community to be mindful of. It was mentioned about the payment in Lou never being paid the
400,000 and how that being an astronomical feat. And again, as a reminder, I think that's what guardrails are supposed to do to to prevent people from paying to like to pass go and not do the thing that we're asking them to
do. Um, I also want to say that if you're develop I'm not a property developer, but if you're developing 10 plus properties, I wouldn't consider that a small time development plan, you know. So, just just being mindful
that in including 15% of a couple of units is one to two units of affordable homes. I know that the city has a responsibility on how it is that we generate income. I just urge us to be
creative and be mindful about how it is that we do it. >> Thank you, councelor. Also, the clerk has reminded me that um no motion was actually made. So, uh would you like to make a motion on where to send it to? >> I'd like to motion to move this I'd like to make a motion to move this to a
subcommittee on conference. >> All right. Um, any objections to that motion? >> Um, I would object and have it go to planning, development, and transportation. >> Um, where we're both on.
>> So, that is an objection to the motion. So, just walk me through I'm not entirely sure what we're voting on if we're going to vote on it. >> Uh, the motion is on councelor Tesha's request to refer to his committee. Are there any objections to that motion?
>> Councelor Taylor. So, I'm I'm wondering that this is both about housing and about zoning. So, I look I I I think that this is an important enough topic to where we we should be able to do a subcommittee on
conference and have everybody show up. So, so I I I I would respectfully ask that this be a subcommittee on conference so everybody is is is actually involved and um you know I think everybody needs to take responsibility for making it to the meeting. Thank you.
>> Um so objection has been made to the second motion. So now we revert back to this. So we are still >> if if councelor Tesh does not withdraw his motion or his amendment and confer to conference, he can ask for a roll call vote on his motion if he choose.
>> Okay. So councelor Tesh, you have the motion. Um it cannot be adopted under suspension. So um the question is whether you withdraw the motion or whether you will move to a vote. >> I I I would keep the motion. I don't want to go back and forth. Um we have set up subcommittees for a reason. We
have a subcommittee on planning um development and transportation which includes zoning. This is an issue about zoning. Even though it includes housing, it's a zoning issue. So, you know, if if uh you know, we're going to go ahead and do that, then again, get rid of all the subcommittees and just do everything on
conference. Everybody's invite invited to to the subcommittees regardless of whether or not they're public safety, transportation, or any of the others. So, um I don't see why you would think that you're not invited to the subcommittee in planning, development, and transportation just because, you
know, it deals with a a a zoning issue. >> Okay. Um, you have not spoken on this. Um, no, councelor did not did not withdraw the motion. Um, councelor Taylor
and then I believe councelor Hines can't speak again because it is councelor Tesa's motion that we're speaking on. >> So, of course, we know that we're invited to the subcommittee. That's that's not the issue. uh at a subcommittee. Um it you know the people that are actually a part of the
committee actually get to speak and you know it's a courtesy of fellow counselors. I just feel like I just feel like this is something that's important enough where everybody has the right to come participate and be heard officially and that and that you know we want
everybody's participation when there's only a subcommittee. Oh, I'm not on that committee. We don't we only need two for a quorum, you know. Not everybody. It gives somebody an easy out. I want everybody involved on this on this issue. That's why I'm gonna vote no on
on this motion and I urge my colleagues to uh vote no and send it to subcommittee on conference. Thank you, >> Councelor Hines. And then councelor Ro. I would like to agree with councelor Taylor acknowledging that I am on the subcommittee for planning but to the
quorum issue um or to the quorum requirement for there to be at least a majority to be present and where this is like a citywide issue um and developments are happening left and right um I I I think it makes sense for
this to be um in the subcommittee >> council okra >> I agree >> you just turned your mic enough. >> I agree with my fellow council. Subcommittee and conference was set up so all of us participate, not just the
little bunch because when all of us is set up on a subcommittee on conference, everybody has a voice. The other way you do have a voice, but you it's more of the committee that's there on a subcommittee on conference. All of us have a voice and all of us can speak.
Thank you. >> Thank you, counselor. Seeing no other speakers, uh we will move on to vote on councelor Tesha's amendment to submit to the planning committee. And after we have done with that, if the motion
fails, we will go back to councelor Hines original motion to submit to the subcommittee on conference. >> Ask the clerk to clarify the vote, please. >> A yes vote would refer the order to the subcommittee on planning. A no vote would be to reject the motion and return to the original which would be to
conference. >> Clarification. Yep. >> Um, sorry. Did you have a >> Everybody good? >> On clarification? >> No, I think we're all set. >> Council Taylor, >> no. >> No. Council recuper. >> No. >> No. Councelor Jimenez Rivera. >> No.
>> No. Councelor Hines. >> No. >> Councilor Tenary Garcia. >> No. >> No. Councilor Tesh. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Councilor Kelly Garcia is absent. Councelor Sandigette, >> no. >> Council De Jesus, >> no. >> Councelor Brown, >> no.
>> No. And councelor Robinson, >> no. >> One member in favor, nine opposed, one absent. Motion rejected. >> So, we are now back to councelor Hines, her original motion. I believe councelor Hines, you spoke on that when you were when you were initially speaking that it
was the first. >> Yeah. Yeah. He he was the first person to speak. He started and then it was >> yeah he he spoke and then afterwards made the motion um which counts as his speaking time. So the motion before us is to refer this zoning amendment text
to the subcommittee on conference. Any additional speaking on that and I would just like to remind folks that we will have a whole subcommittee to discuss the the the the substance of it. So um any comments on where to send it? You have
already spoken counselor. I apologize. Um, sorry. >> Is it do you have a question? >> Is it a question on the orders >> like like on on procedural question? >> Uh, no. It's a commentary in regards to
where it is that we send things a >> so that is yeah probably out of order for right now. Um, so councelor Santigate I believe you would like Oh, sorry. Your mic was on. All right. So, seeing no other speakers, we will now vote on sending this item to conference. Um, there is no need to vote unless
there is an objection. So, we will move on with sending this to conference. Thank you all. I will work with the city manager to schedule that as soon as we can. >> Next item under new business, you have an order introduced by the council president. Whereas the Chelsea City
Council has continually expressed a desire to increase Chelsea Police Department's use of special initiatives focused on anti-gang, anti-drug, and anti-rime activity. And whereas the United States Department of Justice Justice Assistance Grant Program, if approved, will help fund some of the
special initiatives that the city administration and police department wish to undertake. Now therefore be a result that the Chelsea City Council hereby expresses its strong support for and wholeheartedly endorses the city of Chelsea's application to the United States Department of Justice for the Justice Assistance Grants Program local
solicitation in the amount of $34,13. >> Mr. President, move to a roll call vote. There are no objections. >> Seeing no objections, moving to a roll call vote. >> Roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to adopt. Council Taylor, >> yes. Council Rupo,
>> yes. >> Council Hermenz Rivera, >> yes. >> Councilor Hines, >> yes. >> Council Tennar Garcia, >> yes. >> Council, >> yes. >> Councilor Kelly Garcia is absent. Councilor Santigette, >> yes. >> Council De Jesus, >> yes. >> Council Brown, >> yes. >> And councelor Robinson, >> yes. >> With 10 members in favor, zero opposed
and one absent. Resolution approved. Final item before you. Order introduced by the council president. Whereas by section 14 of chapter 40 of general laws as amended, it is provided that the city council may purchase in fee in the name of the city for any municipal purpose
land within the limits of the city not already appropriated for public use. And whereas the city administration has identified and recommended counc um motion to wave the rest of the reading if there are no objections. >> And I believe we are looking for do we
need to send this to um means? >> No. Sorry, say that again. >> Okay, so uh we can move to a roll call vote on the adoption if if we >> move to a roll call vote. There are no objections. Thank you. >> Seeing no objections. Uh moving to a roll call vote.
>> Roll call vote requested. Yes. Vote to approve. >> Council Taylor, >> yes. >> Council Cupro, >> yes. >> Councelor Jimenez River, >> yes. >> Councelor Hines, >> yes. >> Council Tenary Garcia, >> yes. Council attaches. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Yes. Council Kelly Garcia absent. Councelor Sandig. >> Yes. >> Council De Jesus. >> Yes. >> Council Brown. >> Yes. >> And councelor Robinson. >> Yes. >> 10 members in favor, zero opposed, one absent. Order is adopted. That concludes
new business. Mr. President. >> Thank you, Mr. Cler. Are there any public announcements? >> Actually, I got >> Councelor Brown. too. Um earlier tonight I spoke actually on what was it? Um the awareness um let me get my piece here
ahead. Autism awareness day and I used the word um disease and it's not a disease. It's a neurological development disorder. So I didn't want to offend anyone. I apologize. I just came out. It um wasn't thinking about um trying to
get my thoughts together, but I realized it. My colleague also um tapped me. It's not a disease. It's um you know, a disorder. So, I don't want to offend anyone and want folks to know that we support all the um impact and the great
work that's being done to provide understanding about that. Also want to just um shout out to Chelsea Wreckit um Chelsea resident Roberto Nes. He's a product of the Tribe B program here in Chelsea to help young kids. He won his
boxing golden um boxing um who was it St. Patty's Day Championship. I'm sorry. Base Basement Tribe. >> Basement Tribe. They told me it was Tribe Beach or Basement Tribe. But um my
friend William who works with the youth here is very active in guiding young men and he's a product here and he won his um championship. So I'm proud of him and um the work that William is doing also with the young kids. Thank you.
>> Any other announcements? >> Just a really quick one. Uh this is our last meeting prior to Easter. So, I just want to wish everybody a happy Easter. Um, who was celebrating um >> quick announcement? >> Uh, quick announcement, counselor. >> Yeah, this Saturday is the police and
fire basketball game. >> It was sold out last year. So, >> if you haven't got a ticket, get it. >> Get your tickets before they go. >> Oh, okay. Any other um announcements before we move on to moments of silence? >> All right. Seeing none, moments of
silence. Councelor De Jesus. So, I just wanted to hold space for uh Nevelin Cruz. She was one of our residents over at 260 Clark. Um, many of you might remember her. She was very active for many, many years um working alongside
also Mildred uh Valentine back in the day. And um we lost her. We lost her recently. And I just want to hold her family in prayer and and her significant other Ephraim who are um going through a tough time with this loss.
>> Thank you, counselor. Councelor Tesh, >> I would just like to acknowledge the uh recent loss of life that we had in the city of Chelsea. Um his name um his name was 25year-old Eduardo Alfredo Rosales.
Um, just goes to show again, right, the decisions that we make here at the council have an impact in the safety of our community and we want to make sure that we always do our best and that every time we make a decision we make um, we do that by having all those names in mind. Thank you.
>> Thank you, councelor. Seeing no others. Oh, councelor Brown, please. >> Thank you. Um, just want to read this here. She passed away um, at the age of 93. She passed away March Um, some of you probably heard about her, Maria
Figureroa. She was like a pillow in our community. Um, um, passionately known as grandma because she helped so many so many um, folks. I'm getting already teared up on it. She was um, very very
nice, humble woman, proud mother. Um, you know, she has two children that's still I believe one's in um, Everett and maybe River now at this time. But Maria was committed to um committed to our community. She was evidence in working with everything that we did that was
positive here. Um in the late 70s she was a founding member to got the Puerto Rican festival started. So for you like to go out and do your salsa dancing, she was involved in that. She also was involved in helping um Latin American
culture association here in Chelsea. Um she received a lot of awards. she'd won by our governor, former governor Dukakus, on her unwaving support of Latinos and working with communities. But she was here in Chelsea for 62
years. Um, she lived right there on Chestnut Street. Many of you probably seen her on Chestnut and just walk and she always walks. She always had her colors on. Very, very, very nice lady. We went to see her um a week a um two
weeks ago and she was peacefully laying in the casket and she looked just like herself. So my thoughts and prayers are with her family and not only that we were talking about you know historic beautiful women and the month the month of March she was 100% one of those
women. So she did a lot of great stuff here and you might have also known that she worked at Tito's Bakery for a while too. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Oh, councelor Robinson. >> Yeah, Maria actually um she gave a lot of kids in this community a head start.
She worked at the uh Care About Now daycare that later became uh Capix's daycare. Uh Maria was a great friend to me and my wife Linda and actually was she was in my wedding 40 years ago. >> God bless her. Wow.
>> Wow. >> She was just she was just an outstanding person. Please rise for a moment of silence. >> Oh, sorry. Apologies, Councelor Garcia. >> So, sorry. Um for um Rosita Candelario
Toledo. Um she is the mother of our um wonderful um police officer Sammy Moika. So, moment of silence for their family. Meeting a journ.