Sorry. Good evening and welcome to the personnel committee. Today is Monday, April 13th. It is now 6:22 p.m. Voting members present. To my to my right, we have the vice chair of the committee, Council Vice President Anna Levy. To my
left, we have Councelor Rosalie um Gonzalez. and we will have councelor Miguel joining us in a bit. Pursuant to chapter 20 of the acts of 2022, this meeting of the personnel committee is being conducted
both in person and via remote participation. A reminder that persons who would like to listen or view this meeting while in progress may either attend here in the city council chamber or use any or use our um YouTube channel um for access. At this time, can you
please join me in the pledge? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Councilors, we do not have any minutes to approve uh for this committee. So, we're going to go right into new business. The first item we have is item 137-26, the reappoint of Joseph R. Coderoni to
the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District Commission brought to us by Mayor Deena. Uh, former counselor Codoroni could not be here today. However, he did send me a statement that he would like for me to read um into the record in consideration
that we vote on this matter tonight. So, let me just Dear counselors, I hope all is well. I'm currently a commissioner at the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District. I have served in that position since 20 since
2010. I'm a lifelong resident of the city, former city councelor and council president, and I have served on many city boards over the years. I am currently up for renewal to the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District. I would greatly appreciate your consideration
for reappoint as well as the other members uh myself and as well as the other members of the personnel committee and the full council. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend your meeting. I am currently currently visiting my son in Texas. He recently retired from the
border patrol after 27 27 years of service. Um and I am here in support and celebrating with family. Being a member of a board representing the city is very important to me. Thank you and all the city councils for your consideration of my reappoint. Regards,
Joseph Corderon Corneroni. And he also sent me again a second text um stating that he is he will return April 20th in time for the 20 um the 21st April 21st meeting if we choose to send this up tonight.
Uh we do have members we have our water commissioner that works closely with him and I believe we have board board me commissioners um from the committee as well. Uh if if any of you would like to come to the podium to speak on behalf
and or add to what Mr. Corderoni uh has sent uh you're welcome to do so at this time. >> Good evening. Oh, can you sorry, can you turn that on? >> Thank you. >> Good evening, counselors. Um, so yeah, I just want to say I'm William Hail, water
and sword commissioner for the city of Lawrence. I also serve on the board. Um, Joel Corderoni has been a great board member with me. He's always calling um checking on the city of Lawrence. He's interested in the budget that we have um and always ask great questions and he's
just always um on top of everything in the meetings. So, I would greatly appreciate if you could reappoint him for the um board. >> Thank you. We also have DPW Director Jorge Hyman. Director, is there anything else that you would like to add or are
you are you looking you're good? Okay. All right. Counselors, you did you did have um his resume and his application in your packet for this meeting. Uh so at this time if anyone has any questions or comments either for the director, the
commission or any of the board members um please let me know. >> I would like to make a motion to you March. >> Uh a motion to send it to the full council with favor recommendation. >> Motion has been made by the vice chair,
seconded by councelor Miguel. Any discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. And the eyes have it. All right. The last item we have for new business is item 154-26, appointment of Modeso Mald Maldonado to
the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District Commission, also sponsored by Mayor Deena. We do have former city councelor and former council president as well uh with us today. U Mr. Maldanu, you have the floor if you would like to introduce
yourself. I know we know you, but if you would like to introduce yourself and let us know why you are applying for this. >> Good evening, counselors. It's a pleasure to be here. Uh I have been a resident of Lawrence for more than 50 years. So obviously you know pretty much
my history here in the city. I have served as a counselor for eight years and in many boards. uh I have participated and obviously um uh I'm always concerned
about how the city is moving and um even though I am somewhat retired from politics which is always not possible but uh but I would like to put my little bit of uh
grain sand grain uh in this commission to make it better. So, thank you. >> Thank you, >> council. Do you have any comments or questions for Mr. Maldonado or either for the water commissioner or actually would you guys like to add? Is there
anything you would like to add to the introductory director commissioner? >> No, you guys are good. >> He's just smiling. All right, counselor, is there any questions or comments? >> It's only a little uh council vice president Levy.
>> Thank you. Uh thank you for coming and thank you for getting involved against you know with the city and I know that you want to be out all the politicians teams in here and in sometime I know
that I bother you a lot but it's great it's very great that you decided to get involved and to take care I know that you always take care of the city because uh besides eye of anything
you always been trying to figure it out what is happening how to improve inclusive uh your neighborhood that is one of the area that I can see um how you know is keep it and maintain it. So
I want to thank you for all your service and as you know you were maybe one of the first person that I met in here in the city of Lawrence by the middle of the of the 1980 when I get in here because you like me we are both
architects and that's is one of the first thing that somebody told me that I need to meet you because you are an architect and you are the one that maybe can guide me and thank you for present seems many many year.
>> Thank you. I would like to add um I know once a counselor always a counselor. to councelor Maldonado, yourself and councelor um Corderoni do have in institutional knowledge and given the rapid growth of our city, I know that
having you as coming on as will be a great asset and reappointing him will obviously continue the work and I expect nothing but great things out of this commission and I'm I'm sure you all as a group will continue to support our DPW and our um water department and you're
welcome. All right. Councilors, >> councelor chair through you. I want to make a motion to send it to the full council with favor recommendation. >> Motion has been made by the vice president, seconded by councelor Miguel.
Any further comments or questions? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. And the eyes have it. We will see you next week. >> You're welcome. Have a great >> You are the next meeting. Thank you. Councilors, may I I can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn.
>> Motion has been made by the council VP, seconded by councelor Miguel. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it. Thank you so much. Have a good night. Thank you, >> counselors.
Good evening and welcome to the budget and finance committee meeting. Today is Monday, April 13th. It is now 6:48 p.m. Members present we have to my left the vice chair of the committee, Councelor
Vivian Marmal. To my right, councelor Mark Llant. And we have council president Gavanni Rodriguez with us on Zoom. Pursuant to chapter 20 of the acts of 2022, this meeting of the budget and finance committee is being conducted
both in person and via remoteation. A reminder that that persons who would like to listen or view this meeting while in progress may either attend here in the city council chamber or use um our YouTube channel.
Counselors, can you can you please uh at this time can you please all join me in the pledge? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. All right, council. We have minutes to approve from our March 25th, 2026 meeting. Can I have a motion for that, please? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion has been made by the vice chair,
seconded by councelor the plant. Any discussion on the minutes? Seeing I'm going to give you because I just saw you pull it out. Are you okay? You're good, counselor. All right. All right. Seeing no discussion, all those in Oh, we have to do a roll call. Um
Madame Clerk, can you please call the role? Sure. >> Council of Vice Chair Van Marl. >> Yes. >> Council um Mark Lan. >> Yes. >> Uh councel president um Giovanni Rodriguez.
Council President, you're muted. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Thank you, >> Madam Chair. Uh Stephanie Fonte. >> Yes. >> First item we have is item 128-26.
payment of prior year invoices in the amount of 60,000 with the vendor flock safety brought to us by the director of support services uh Rosa Shepard from the police department. Director, you have the floor. >> Oh, the mic is off. Thank you. It is
good evening, city council. Rosa Shepard, uh director of support services at Lawrence Police Department. I am here tonight to request an approval to pay uh prior year invoices on the fiscal year 2025 and the amount of the whole amount
is $60,000. One invoice is for $42,000 and the other invoice is for $18,000. >> Okay, counselors, any questions for director Shepard? >> Question plant. >> Um I don't need the details. I just Is
this What is this generally related? What's the general This is for the licensed play readers cameras for the city of Lawrence. >> You said the word cameras. >> Yes, but this is for the city cameras. >> Oh, I get it.
>> All right. So, our ordinances, chapter nine, which I don't have in front of me of our ordinances, and this is a good thing, requires that the city council approve all camera placements. It also needs to have more detail about
what it is that's where it's going, what the money is being spent on, etc. I I don't have the uh ordinance handy. Uh
but I am um because of the information that uh that's before me now. I I I cannot and I realize we've already spent the money, right? It's already been spent. >> Yes. >> But it doesn't mean that we can't do
what's right now. And right now is to get the background information on that. So I I think that I will not be supporting that this evening. I will um look to have it tabled here. I will look and um
if you give me a second I can what we could do. Madame chair is if you want to go to a different we can table this now. Give me a moment to find the ordinance and then I can speak to it and we do another matter. I just don't want to time is valuable. While you do that, I do want to give the opportunity to
either council Marmal or Council President Rodriguez to ask any questions or make any comments. >> Yeah, I have a question now. Council President. >> So u can you can you go through uh what you what you the program that you are uh
looking for is this is the camera reader that was that were installed in the in the cars and subsequently on different locations around the city back in 201617 or even before that. No, these cameras according to Munis and my system, they
were uh they were all on the grounds and they were installed back in 2020. That's when they started installing these cameras. >> That was uh during the first time the first period of of set of cameras that we installed in the city of Lars.
>> Yes. LR cameras, license plate readers. I don't know about the the the rest of the cameras. I'm pretty sure that is another project, but the license plate readers was start in 2020. Yeah, I believe that we installed those u with uh the u city council's approvals
including budgets and including the the operational portion of those cameras. >> I heard was that a question or a comment? No, I just want to make sure like if that this is a new set of camera or that was the old set of camera that
we approved back then when we installed when we start when we when we approve the uh the budget related to the cameras and uh and uh and under the the program that was originally approved by the council.
>> No, it's not a new set of cameras. No. >> So it's a it's old. Okay. >> Yes. Correct. So that that was approved by the council. >> Oh, council president. >> Yeah, that's it. I just want to clarify that. >> Okay. Thank you. Council Mar, do you
have any comments? Are you okay? My comments would be directed to my colleague in terms of just um understanding a little bit better if um if there is going to be a motion to table. I want to have an
understanding the reasoning behind the tableing and what specifically is um the the concern um at hand and if there is any adjustments according to the ordinance that was mentioned. >> Sure. Um, I just want to have an understanding regarding that. Um, my
only question then would be directed to Mrs. Shepard is kind of gaining an an understanding as to um the invoice dates. I'm noticing that they're from 2025. Is it normal practice for it to come before the the budget um
committee for for approval now as opposed to kind of fall in line closer to when uh you received the the invoice? No, it it was in 20 2025, but um we have around 35 cameras in the city with we
have way too many contracts, way too many voices. So um our IT director and Carlos Castillo were doing conversation with the vendor and the vendor was kind enough um to consolidate all the invoices and everything under one contract and that way we don't have to
be um signing different contracts throughout the year. But that's why it is it is late is because we were in talking with the with the vendor making sure that we have everything outlined. Instead of having six, seven invoices, two, three contracts throughout the year, we all have one invoice on the one contract.
>> Okay. Are we working towards um the invoices that are coming before us that they're kind of like within the fiscal year as opposed to trying to h uh deal with a backlog of invoices? Is that something that your department is working on?
>> Yes, we are. Once this is paid and we go into the new fiscal year because we requested the funds to pay for the for the next contract. We will be um um we will cut up with everything. >> Okay. >> We should not be having any uh past uh prior years invoices. >> Okay. All set madam chair.
>> Yeah, I'm ready. Thank you. So I appreciate your patience. So Miss Shepard uh you may want to write this down. This is a couple of points in the surveillance 9.25.030. The title is city council approval of mandatory mandatory repeat again I'm
sorry city council approval mandatory for surveillance technology funding acquisition or use letter A. A municipal entity must obtain approval from the city council subsequent to a mandatory properly noticed pertinent public
hearing at which the public is afforded a fair and adequate opportunity to provide testimony prior to engaging in any of the following. Number one, seeking funds for new or existing surveillance technology, including but not limited to budgetary appropriations,
authorizations for borrowing or bonding, applying for a grant, or soliciting or accepting state or federal funds or inind or other donations. Number two, acquiring or borrowing new surveillance technology, whether or or not the acquisition is made through the exchange
of monies or other considerations. um using new or existing surveillance technology for a purpose and or in a manner not previously approved by the city council in accordance with this section including the sharing of surveillance data there from uh and the
last one on this section is soliciting proposals for or entering into agreement with any other persons or entity to acquire share or otherwise use surveillance technology or surveillance data. At least one or two of those is pertinent here. That's number one. And
number two, um second portion is 040. As a part of the process of seeking approval from the city council to fund, acquire or use surveillance technology or to enter into an agreement concerning such funding, acquisition, or use, a municipal entity like the police
department shall submit to the city council and make publicly available a surveillance impact report and surveillance use policy concerning the technology at issue. It goes into more detail. I don't need to read the whole thing. It's there. So,
um, it does talk about a surveillance impact report. I haven't seen a surveillance impact report. I have, um, just so you're familiar, Miss Shepard, I have put on the next city council agenda. It's already there, uh, a new item that deals
with our roles and responsibility as it pertains to it. It's a resolution and it's it goes into a lot more detail as to what how we can cure how we can fix the problems that we're currently facing by not giving the public the information that's required in the ordinance. So,
having said all that, I still I still have a little bit of a concern of going forward and approving. I know the money's already been spent and I know, but it's really hard for me now. I I'm going to need more detail, more information in this particular case for
the surveillance cameras on the license. Correct. >> Um and then um if you look under the definitions again, you don't have it here, so I can I'm I I'm very sympathetic to that. Uh but if you look under surveillance technology,
it defines it. Um and I think you'll see it. Um, it includes specifically license plate readers. Surveillance technology includes but is not limited to letter B automatic license plate readers
and there then it goes through seven or eight other items but it's on that list. So, having said all that, which is news to you now, I'm presuming I don't feel comfortable supporting it this evening. We need to get more information. Um,
uh, so that's my point. We need to more get more information. We need to figure out what the impact is, what has been impactful. You've already been doing this for some time. What is the impact since you've been having it at least for the last year? And we need to go forward with that. The report was due to the council on March 31st. It is every year.
I don't think we received it. That's what my resolution is about. Getting us up to speed. Unfortunately, I did not expect this. Unfortunately, tonight um this is the first one right out of the shoot. So, >> okay, >> there you go. >> Sounds good. Thank you. >> So, I'm looking to t I would look to
table this matter so we can do the proper work that we're required to so that we send something to the full council that comes close to the spirit of what this law entails even if we can't get to it and start right now but we need to get something more
definitive. So, my motion is to table with those instructions to the >> uh before we put I put a motion to table can you repeat the section you were what you were reading. Councelor, hold on. Councelor Leland just withdrew his motion. Uh what what is your question? Councelor Rodriguez, you have the floor.
>> Then before we entertain a motion to withdraw, I just want to make sure like I'm reading what he's read what he was reading. >> Sure. >> What section was that? >> Sure. So I'll say it again. This is for number one is under definitions. So we want to make sure that this is captured.
Definitions is 925 020. That's the definitions. Then it talks about the city council's authority 9.25 030. There are four elements there. Not all of these hit. One or two of them do.
The last point that I brought up this evening was 9 uh 25.040 entitled surveillance impact report and surveillance use policy submission. And again I we could spend all night on
this. There's going to be a special night. I think that we're gonna be working on this. I don't want to do this all night tonight on this. I just But that's essentially council president. That's >> Yeah, but I think that if you bring it up and you want a table, I think it's is fair to go over what you what you are
referring to through you, Madame Cher. I mean, if you're referring to 9.250, 2530 which is city council approval mandatory civilians technology funding acquisition or use and then that's when you have new cameras this is not for existing especially to
pay a bill that is from private year >> I mean I know where you're coming from but I mean that's that doesn't apply necessarily to the previous camera that we approve and funding to maintain those cameras
>> so number the first one Item 925030 specifically states seeking funds for new or existing surveillance technology. This is classified under existing surveillance technology. Um and it deals with budgetary appropriation
authorization. It doesn't deal with I don't think this is bonding. It doesn't deal with soliciting or except this is not is it a grant? It's not a grant. No. >> So this is this would be under budgetary appropriations under that section. Thank you. Any other further discussion
or questions? >> That's it. >> Okay. I'm seeing I'm seeing none. So now I will entertain a motion. >> I make a motion to table. >> There's a motion to table. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Seconded by council Marmal. No discussion on table matters. Madam clerk, can you please call the role?
>> Okay. >> Councelor Mark Laflan. >> Yes. >> Councelor Vice Chair Vivian Marmal. >> Yes. Council of President Giovanni Rodriguez. >> Uh, negative. Okay. No. >> Council of um, Madame Chair Stephanie
Fant. >> Yes. >> Okay. Motion carries. >> Thank you. Item 12 29-26. Authorization to trans authorization transfer of funds in the amount of 175,000 from the police administration line item
to computer software line item within the police budget was brought to us by director Shuffer. Director, you have the floor. Um Rosa Shepard, director of support services at the Lawrence Police Department. Uh the police department is respectfully requesting a transfer from
um the uh personal I mean personal um police admin personal and amount of $175,000 to software in the same amount for $175,000 and this is to pay um the contract for the LPR cameras for the
city of Lawrence as well to use the uh the funds to pay for Lantel which is the company that maintain uh the city cameras. They provide the services to the city cameras. >> All right. So one, if I'm following correctly, one, you're asking you asked
for the approval, but this is something. So this is now to transfer for the same to pay the same company. >> Yes. So I'm asking for a transfer $175,000 to pay Flock. And within those invoices, there's two
that are prior year's invoices. >> Okay. >> And then remaining balance, I'm requesting to pay Lantel uh company, which is the company that maintains and provides services to the city cameras. All right. So, we have a little mixup
here because within our documents, the first item was printed, the doc the supporting documents of the first item was printed twice. So, we do not have the supporting documents for item 129-20. At least I don't. Let me not speak for
everyone. Can you please check your your think Did you email it to us? >> I did send the once I as requested to put an agenda. >> Okay. Well, we weren't CC in it, right? Did you send it directly to >> I sent directly to the city clerk. is in here.
>> So, so I'm seeing >> Okay, I see what what the mixup was. All right, so the title page, I'm sorry, I am wrong. The title page reflects the amount of the first item, but yes, the
documents are here. That's why I was confused. Okay, so we need to make sure that is correct for the full council meeting. Um, counselors, do you have any questions for Director Sheepard? You see where it says it says 60,000 here and
then it says 60,000. So, I was looking for 175. Yeah. Um, any questions for Director Shepard? >> Any questions? >> I don't have I don't have any questions on my >> council plant. >> Um, I'm going to make a motion again. I
think this is connected to the previous one. One is the actual payment, one is the transfers of monies. They're connected in the spirit of what we're trying I think what we're trying to accomplish here is provide some transparency and accountability and not just pick and choose where we're going with. So if we got to something across
the board, any cameras as required by our ordinance, this is a reflection of that. So I when the when the information comes uh to this committee if we do table it um I think that would be helpful in us releasing this once we get all the information so we can at least
make sure the public is aware of what we're trying to accomplish. If there's if there's no other debate on this or anybody wants to come I'll be I will be making a motion to table but I don't want to stop conversation. >> Thank you councilors. Any other comments or questions? Well, I think that
>> council council president Rodriguez >> I think that uh the confusion here because I mean if they looking for council approval for funding and we have the item in front of us to approve the funding and the actual
ordinance I should add on a uh a a public hearing. I don't think we should be tableabling this at this level. I think that we should send it up because there is a public hearing pending if it is as per the ordinance. But I mean we
can check on that while the item is being discussed here. And subsequently if a if if a if a if a public hearing is needed, we can move on. The job that we're supposed to do here at this level is to analyze what is
needed. And in section 2.9 2.2530 2530 there is a there is a a funding mechanism that is need to be approved by the council. This is what we're doing. I mean tableabling at this level is not going to solve the problem of the public
hearing or people's is of people's awareness of uh of the funding approved by the council. >> Thank you council president. Any other comments or questions? I'll make a motion to send it to the
full council uh to a public hearing as advised by the city attorney after review this ordinance. >> There is a motion on the floor to send to the full council. I'm assuming has a committee report subject
to legal advice from the city attorney >> when it comes to the public hearing public >> when it comes to the public pertaining to the public hearing um for the item. Yeah. And it says actually public notice which is basically the the the agenda
public hearing. Oh, it says public hearing as well. Is >> there a second? >> I make a motion to table. >> There's a motion to table. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion has been made by council plant,
seconded by councelor Marmal. Madame Clerk, can you please call the role? >> Councelor Mark Lan. >> Yes. >> Vice Chair Vivian Marmal. >> Yes. >> Council President Giovanni Rodriguez.
>> No. >> Madame Chair Stephanie Fonte. >> Yes. >> Okay. Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next item is item 130-26. payment of prior year invoices in the amount of 3443,194 with 85 cent for transportation vendors
brought to us by the CFO of Lawrence Public Schools, Jason Cabrera. Mr. Cabrera, you have the floor. >> Good evening, Madam Chair, and good evening, uh, counselors. Um I am here today to uh request
uh authorization for payment in the amount of 343,19485. Um these are payments that correspond to invoices from fiscal year 25 and um again we're asking for um uh permission
or or authorization to pay this out of fiscal year um items. >> Counselors, are there are there any questions or comments for Mr. Cabera? Council Marble, >> I'm going to make similar questions um
that I made to Miss Shepard in regards to the date of these um invoices. >> Just give me clarity in terms of uh why these are 2025 invoices and we are requesting now. >> Yes.
>> From the May 31st service and June 30th service. Um combination of things. uh cause you know causes the lag right this is out in district homeless transportation which usually we build it
comes in a little different than some of the other transportation invoices that we have so it's a combination of uh vendor invoicing on our clerks getting on that within the first week of July uh to pay those with the past you know with
the past fiscal year's uh funds >> okay so it's normal protocol to have invoices that are from June and July to be addressed. >> So that's that's what I've been working closely to the manager of transportation who who's actually she's doing great. It's her first year. So we're working
together so that things like this don't you know don't happen. Um and we're also working with the vendor on on putting an an end date of when they can send the invoice. remember schools goes up to this year is going to be June
24th, June 25th. Uh so we're going to be transporting kids all the way to June 25th. So that gives us, you know, a limited amount of time to uh reconcile and get all that in. So my hope is that we have zero going forward. Um and
that's what we're working on. >> Paying these invoices, getting the getting these invoices approved. Would that bring you guys up to date or is there any uh past due invoices that you guys have yet to address? >> It'll bring us up to date for fiscal year 25 out of fiscal year. >> Okay.
>> Yes. Yes. And and if you you know I don't I don't know if you're going to ask me this question, but there's one there's one invoice that that is up to 859,000. We were able to work that down um and pay that down to whatever $86,000 I
believe. 89. Um, yeah, 86,53. We started at 857. So, we've been working on uh closing these invoices that are past due from last fiscal year and um so we can get working on continue working on these years. >> When you say you were able to bring that
down, do you mind diving into that as to what do you mean by that? What does that entail? Walk me through that. So, you know, you have purchase orders that perhaps have uh some funds in it. Um it may be from for other uh type of
transportation, not necessarily homeless transportation. Our homeless transportation bills have increased substantially. So, when we start the year, we don't really know what that population is. Last year was a a high year. So we allocated more money for
certain type of transportation and not as much to the uh homeless transportation. So we just balance out one with the other, right? We take away from money that we didn't use for another type of transportation versus the uh homeless transportation.
>> Okay. >> I'm awesome, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Council, any other council? >> Thank you. So, I appreciate you acknowledging the $857,000 shortage and that your department internally was trying to find monies to
be able to pay that off. But what is shocking to me that's almost a million dollars. How do we not have I mean, I can understand if it's like $22,000 here, >> $6,000 there. Cuz how big is your
budget? How many millions of dollars is your budget? What is it? 200 million. the budget 3005 million this year. Yeah. >> I mean, I can understand losing the the the change in the in the couch of $2,000. I I can kind of get that, right?
>> But a million bucks close to that, that's seems a lot. >> So So please keep in mind, you know, this is not funds that we didn't budget for or we didn't have, right? This is funds of bills that were not paid, right? These are these are bills that
were not paid within the fiscal year because of the time constraints. Um that is the reason why you know we we spend uh uh you know I can I don't think I have the monthly
amounts with me but that is how much money it was between May and June for that type of transportation. $859,000. And I believe you have um there are some details here. I don't know if these are the ones for the 859 or not. Um,
but that is that is the cost of that is the cost of transportation council. >> I and the other thing too this is the end of the fiscal year of this is FY20 >> 25. Yes. >> 25 monies.
>> We are just about to wrap up FY26. Let me count the months. August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April. We're now nine months into the fiscal year, and we're just now getting a hold of
this. I could see I could see a month or two, but something this big, nine months. We're almost we're about to get the budget for FY27. >> Yes. It just seems to me like I understand the transiency both
financially and in the in the services that you're providing. I get that. But it doesn't give me a lot of confidence when we're nine months out and we're now getting around to paying our bills. >> Yeah. So
again, we we I let me let me go down the list. councelor, we um with the contract that the contract that we have with this >> uh vendor with NRT, >> we didn't finalize that contract until after the fiscal year had started. Um
not that I'm making up excuses, but that that may be one factor. and uh just the the effort of bringing down, you know, paying what we can pay and bring to you an amount that is a true amount and and
the amount that is actually owed. Uh it being the lowest that that we can bring uh here. Um that's uh counselor, I'm not making excuses. That is what what was uh handed to me as this is what we still
owe for fiscal year 25. >> I'm going to I'm going to get you off to here in a second, but I have one more challenging observation for you, which is this. >> Now, this is just me going off of memory, which is faulty. I don't recall
voting anytime recently on on not paying prior bills for public school and maybe it's happened, but it's not ringing at least not as substantial as this. It's not ringing a bell with me that that we've gone. I've
not done the research on that. That's just me with an observation. Um I'm not sure if I'm right or if I'm wrong on this, but it just it just smacks I mean, if I'm hopeful I'm wrong. Well, I'm not hopeful I'm wrong. >> I I we never we always want to pay our bills on time, even with the challenges
that you just faced. But I just it just it cons it's I guess I want to have confidence that we're doing what we're supposed to be doing. And I don't recall us ever going back to the police uh the school department and going doing back orders like this. >> Yeah. And and and counselor this is the
first time I'm here in front of you. I I can tell you our biggest >> that explains that. So my memor is not that bad. You've been around for two years now. >> Yes. Okay. >> Yeah. It is my this is my first time in front of you. I can tell you, you know, transportation, you know, that is the beast that that we need to uh to tackle now. And and this
has gone up again substantially. 300, you know, the amount that we're looking at, uh 343,000, it's, you know, on a contract of of 13, you know, 13 million. It's it's a good chunk. Um, now I'm not going to lie, but
again, this is this is what I what I'm you know, this is what I was handed for that contract for fiscal year 25 to come. >> Is the LA aware of this? >> Uh, we don't have an LEA anymore. >> You have I mean what's so whatever the
receiver the receiver >> one we we point we have one receiver. So the the commissioner did dissolve the >> the Yeah. >> Yes. So, where's the re is the receiver aware of this? >> Yes, the receiver is aware of it. I
believe uh Anmarice Tronak was here last time uh last week. >> Yeah. >> On behalf of the state and she's the she's the communicator to the uh >> Understood >> to the uh to the receiver, Miss Woo. >> Who's Dr. Lauren Woo? >> Say it again. Oh,
>> Lauren Woo. >> Lauren Woo. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments for Mr. Cabrera? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. >> I I was muted. Sorry. >> Oh, council president, you have the floor.
>> Yes. I have a I have a quick question for um so just wondering uh these invoices are mainly for from June last year 2025, right? >> Yes.
And uh that was during the time that we were discussing the the current budget 2026 and um right >> yes June yes >> around the same time >> correct >> I remember that during last last year
budget conversation most of the com most of the discussion went around uh this particular uh this particular budget or this particular line item which is the transportation portion of it. Yes. >> But within the transportation portion of it, we were discussing also
something that is very uh unique when it comes to that contract which is the special education of the homeless population um transportation situation. >> Yes. >> Most of the most of this money is for
the >> Yeah. All these bills are for homeless transportation. This is uh ex almost exclusively uh homeless transportation sir. >> So essentially uh as you as we can see
it is a bill that is uh for kids that are outside of they live outside of the city that come over to um be receive an education here at the city of Lawrence. Right. >> Correct. Yes sir. the kid you know the child the student may be anywhere and you know we
transport him into our district. Yes. So a lot of kids are uh son of Dorchester Massro uh Timbar Andover L >> Yes
>> and many other addresses. Well, remember that last year the this line item uh was reduced um by a significant amount of money during the budget season >> for
uh council. Are you talking 26? >> Are you talking about 2026? Yeah, for the current budget, this line item for transportation was uh reduced significantly uh compared to previous years. Correct.
>> Um I don't want to misspe counselor. I don't it was it was not I don't want to say that it was reduced but it was not increased as it was in previous years if that if that makes sense. >> Yeah, that makes sense. All right. No problem. I just want to make sure like
we we we go through those at least through those discussion and those um important part of the conversation. >> Thank you, M. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you, council president. Any further discussion? Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion.
>> I'll make a motion to send it to the for council with a f recommendation. >> Second. >> Motion has been made by the council president, seconded by the vice chair. Motion favorable. Okay, got um you had it. uh discussion council uh council councelor Llair.
>> Yeah, thanks. So, uh we've got the list here and and it's not that I mean I'm I'm appreciative of the list. The list gives me where the student I think is a minor and where they're
going, where they are living now, where the bus is picking them up, and what school they're taking them to. I I don't know how much of this information is public information. Uh where we're putting down people's names
and where they live, whether it's Methuan or Lel or Andover or River going through this list. I I just part of me thinks we should be careful about what we actually put in these documents that are now public documents.
So I I throw that out there. I I believe those are all students names, right, that are in here. >> Correct. >> Yeah. I just I mean, if I was I don't think if I was their parent and I was not living in our city and this
was now a public document that anybody can do a public records request for, now we've got an issue here. >> I do agree with you. Yes. So I just so I I I don't know what I don't know how we fix it. I don't know how to put the toothpaste back in the in the tube. This is already out there. But
I just would be very careful about doing that. And and the last observation that I have on this is when we look at the number of days that somebody is over that's number of days that are out. It's usually about 12. Not all. It seems
like why is 12 a magic number? Not all again, but most of it is 12 days. >> Um, I don't know if you're looking at June. Um, I would I would have to go back and look at how many school days. >> Maybe that's it. Maybe it's this is June. This is
>> how many school days we had in June. I don't I would have to go back and look at the calendar and see. Obviously, you know, the the person that the the child that has three days or two days could be that they just got added to it or they were absent 10 days. I'm I'm not sure >> that now that you've pointed me to the
month now this makes some sense to me. Okay. >> But but I I I do uh agree with you on the on the names and addresses and I'll get with our council and u our counselor and our attorney and and look into that so we provide the right price.
>> Thank you. Council Mara, did you have something else? >> Um council Mar. >> Well, I just wanted to add um considering that uh council did bring up a good point. So, I'm not sure what could we do at this level and at this point to alleviate this issue um you
know before bringing it up to full counsel. Would it make a big difference in having them redact this information um and just leave the like the city or town? Um I think that's important at least knowing the city and town to which
the student uh was being picked up from and you know where the the trans you know the location of the to and from but not the exact address. So would it make I I don't know this I don't know if this is a
>> a question on redacting information or is it already considered public record at this level since it's already been sent to us >> Mr. Cabra? >> No, that that is the question that I want to ask the attorney about. Is it is it >> cuz before we bring it up to full count.
So, I want to make sure that if we could rectify >> I have no problem having transportation redact this and and and black out, you know, the names. Um, I hear what you're saying about where we're at. Like, like you said, putting the tooth toothpaste back in the tube kind of, you know, that's where we that that's a question
that I would have for our attorney on to see how we can rectify that if if we can. >> Okay. >> At all. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um I do would like to see still the city in town. >> Yes. >> Um at least. And Maria, can you make a
note to follow up with a city clerk? Maybe perhaps we can put this document specifically on a hold or no distribution. No. Um until we get some advice from the the schools department's
attorney. Thank you. Any other discussion? Seeing none, Maria, can you please call the role? This is a favorable recommendation to send them. >> Thank you. Here we go. >> Okay. Councelor Mark Lin,
>> just a point of parliamentary. I mean, should we be going back and forth? I'm always being called first. I don't mind being called first, but shouldn't we go to a different >> You're supposed to rotate it around back and forth. So, I'm happy to vote yes on this one. Going forward, if we could just do that, it'd be great.
>> Of course. No problem. >> Vice Chair Vivian Marmmo. >> Yes. >> Okay. Council President, uh, Giovanni Rodriguez. >> M, hold on. >> Yes. >> Councelor Mark Lean.
>> Oh, yes. Again. >> And Council Vice, I mean, Madame Chair Stephanie F. >> Yes. Motion carries. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. We >> Thank you. You have a good friend. >> Thank you, >> counselors. Um, I'm going to take something out of order because the senior adviser does need to leave. Um,
can I have a motion to unte item 63-26, appropriation transfer in the amount of $200,000 from free cash AR ARPA account to Mary Valley Workforce Board for AI workforce training for for Lawrence
residents ages 18 through 25. I have a motion to untot table. >> Motion has been made by the vice chair. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Seconded by councelor the plant. Uh Maria, can you please call the role?
>> Council president Giovanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Vice chair. Madam I mean excuse me vice chair. >> Counselor works too. Yes, councelor. >> Councelor Michael Blanch. >> Yes. >> Okay. And then Madame Chair Stephanie Fun.
>> Yes. Counselors. Last time we had spoken about this item, there were questions pertaining to the funding and and you know where that came about. you did receive uh we all received a a letter from senior advisor um Spanner and I
also resent the letter uh over the weekend in preparation for this meeting. >> Um I would like to read this for the record since the questions were asked publicly. >> That would be great. >> All right. So, this email from um senior
advisor Spanner was sent to the council on March 24th, 2026, and it states the following. Dear Javanni Rodriguez, council president and city councilors, I write to provide a clear and direct explanation regarding the administration's position on the
creating a thriving Lawrence fund and the mayor's request to allocate $200,000 toward the Lawren youth artificial intelligence workforce training program. There and I'm sorry and you guys also have this in your pocket. Okay.
>> There has been some suggestion that the mayor has changed his position. That is not accurate. The administration position has remained consistent from the outset both legally and phys fiscally. During the 2023 budget cycle, the administration proposed
approximately 16 million to support the creating a thriv a thriving Lawrence fund. That program was structured as a reimbursementbased model. Under that structure, participating nonprofit organizations were required to incur eligible expenses first and then submit
supporting documents for reimbursement. That framework was not in in incent. It reflected the city's efforts to ensure fiscal accountability, documentary support, consistent administration, and compliance with
applicable grants and municipal finance controls. Federal guidance applicable to SLFRF funded activity requires recipient recipients to maintain documented internal controls, written procedures
and source documentation sufficient to demonstrate that funds are being used for authorized purposes and the Treasur and the Treasury continues to treat SLF RF, am I saying that correctly? I don't know if there's a Okay. As a compliance sensitive program
>> consistent to that structure, the city's formal request for funding made clear that funds would be issued on a reimbursement basis requiring applicants to font eligible to front eligible cost and later seek reimbur reimbursement
upon proper documentation. This was a core condition of the program, not a flexible guideline. The Feder Hispana de Penos Negosios the the federation of small business of small businesses submitted an application under that
framework. However, the organization was not in a position to front the expenses required by the re reimbursement model. Once that became clear, the administration sought legal guidance as to whether the city could make a spe a special exception to the reimbursement
requirement for a single applicant. The legal and administrative concern was straightforward. If the city were to wave a core condition for one organization after other organizations were expected to comply with the established reimbursement structure, the city would weaken the integrity of
its own controls and and create unnecessary exposure to claims of unequal treatment, inconsistency in the administration and audit risk. Uniform guidance requires recipients to establish and maintain effective internal controls and to monitor
compliance with the terms and conditions governing the use of federal funds. This was not only an internal analysis. Tim Huan attorney Tim Huan provided the same explanation during a prior city council meeting that diverting from this
structure for a single applicant would expose the city to legal and administrative risk. That guidance remains unchanged today. For that reason, the mayor did not quote change his mind unquote on the governing principle. The principle has remained the same. The city should not alter the
rules of reimbursementbased program for one applicant because of political pressure or the or the after the fact advocacy. The administration's position has been that public programs must be administered administered according to their adopted terms and with consistent
treatment across applicants particularly where federal compliance reporting and recordkeeping obligations are impliced. Treasury expressly requires recipients to comply with the final rule, the compliance and reporting
guidance and other applicable regulatory requirements under two CFR part 200. What has changed is the is the practical reality that funds associated with a proposal that cannot be implemented within those requirements remain
unutilized. Leaving those funds idle does not serve the residents of Lawrence. As a result, the administration has proposed a lawful and strategic re reallocation toward a workforce initiative that can be implemented with full accountability
and measurable outcomes. The proposed $200,000 investment in the Lawrence youth artificial intelligence workforce training program is a forwardlooking economic development strategy. As outlined in the report submitted to the
council, the program will provide Lawrence High School Lawrence High School students a f a foundational AI training, exposure to industry tools, workforce readiness preparation, and access to internships and mentorship opportunities. It will be administrated
by the Marramac Valley Workforce Board and will include measurable performance metric metrics and reporting back to the council. This initiative represents a direct investment in the city's workforce, economic competitiveness, and long-term
tax base. It is structured in a way that is compliant, audible, and aligned with employer demand in a rapidly evolving economy. At its core, this is a matter of governance. The question is whether the city will adhere to the requirements
it's formally issued through its own funding process or make ex exceptions that undermine that process. The administration position is that we must uphold consistent standards, protect the city from unnecessary risks, and ensure
that public funds are deployed in a manner that delivers measurable benefit to our residents. For these reasons, the mayor respectfully requests the council support for the proposed AI workforce initiative. This is not a change in
direction, but a continuation of responsible, disciplined governance grounded in the very rules the city itself established. Sincerely, Octavian Spanner, senior adviser to Mayor Brian A. Depa. Advisor Spanner, you have four.
>> Yes, I'll be very short. Octavian Savannah advisor to Mayor Deñena the um uh this has been brought up before you before um I don't know if you all you recall because you deal with a lot of matters but I remember uh our city
attorney Tim Hooton coming before you after the mayor has spoken to him and he said clearly to you that he was called before the mat um because he didn't he provided us the the the administration the mayor and team the information but did not provide
the information uh to the city council. So he came before you. There was question that was raised at that time. Uh that was the previous city council but most of you are there and um it's uh as indicated in the letter in conversation with the
mayor he said basically this is a very important program that he wants to sponsor. We had a meeting with um with the executive director of the WHIB uh or workforce board and um trying to see if
Lawrence could be at the forefront uh in the state of Massachusetts with with the AI program. I don't think there's any other city right now that that is uh focusing as much. uh but the demand is high and we don't want our our residents
particularly the youth fall behind uh in this opportunity. >> Thank you Advisor Spanner. Counselors counselors are there any questions or comments for the senior adviser or for we do have the executive director of the
workforce board with us tonight um Frank Bonet um as well. If there are any madam chair I saw councelor Llant first. council the plant >> and then we're going to council marmal. >> So if there was any concern regarding the approach that to me has gone away.
So I I appreciate the letter. I appreciate the fact that this is similar to the previous um vendors if you will who had to put money up and they were reimbured. So all that is good. Um
um that's not a concern. Where where I'm still still a little f fuzzy and foggy is dealing with the program itself. Mr. Bonet, I listened to him when he was here a month or so ago and he went into
a lot of detail and I think I got the I I got understanding but I don't but it seemed very amorphous. It seemed very fuzzy. It didn't seem very concrete. It was very lucid. And so when the chair was reading your letter,
two phrases came to my attention when the letter was read. >> One is measurable outcomes and measurable benefits. >> Yes. >> Uh what are the measurable outcomes and what are the measurable benefits?
>> Um executive director Gon um will answer that. >> So So I came I came prepared I came prepared to answer those very same questions. Let me ask let me let me answer one of the questions you had which was >> an address for the record. >> Frank Monet, executive director of Mass Hire Mayor Mac Valley Workforce Board.
One Union Street is the uh location of the business and I am a district uh okay you're here. You're here on business. We just need that. Thank you. >> Yeah. Uh all the military things that you need on your dog tags, right? Um so
one of the things was uh you know about the reimburseable rate. We we do have a budget that's healthy enough to do the reimburseable. So we are good with that. Um we they talked about the curriculum uh what the curriculum would look like. I sent a communication I think as last week of of of one of our training
providers on the course summaries that they provide but we have more AI trainings. But uh as far as measurable measurable results uh to the council or to the whole entire community and
that that's my question because for >> it was it was it was the it was director Spanner's letter. So I'm not you have to ask him what he was intent intended to write. So I'm just repeating >> for the for the metrics that we we can provide you is the amount of Lawrence residents serve, the job placements in
local uh communities, wage increases and employer participation. So that way you know and the return on investment on the entire city. >> Is that something that you could provide? >> So slow down. So so if if so let me put So here's the context.
City council approves the $200,000 is going to be reimbursed, right? we we go forward with this. What we're gonna what we're going to see now go through the list again of what we're going to see. >> Sure. Uh I can provide the amount of Lawrence youth served. How many go
through the program based on the amount of funding? >> Okay. >> The job placements in Lawrence, the local community job placements, how many of those individuals have been placed at certain points throughout the training, right? Because some will finish before others and they can go to work. are
those people with AI >> AI right it's not an industry it's a it's a skill that complements a career path right and so if we're work if we're working with youth also between the ages 16 to 18 that are just about to graduate in the year or the next year
>> it's even better because what happens is uh 53% in 2025 53% of the students in Lawrence public schools or Lawrence High School did not attend college so we want to track those individuals that don't go to college that have AI skills that go into the workforce. So that way we know
where they went to, what businesses they went to, what industry, what occupation, and their wage for a whole entire year. And we'll report that back to the council. We could also uh report uh the wage increase. So they're currently working at a particular location and
they don't qualify for WEOA funds. And let's say let's say they're working, let's say they work at a fast food restaurant, right? And they're maybe earning. Yeah.$17 $178 an hour and they get the AI and they get another job. We can we can we can tell you how much was the wage increase from the job they had
prior to AI skills to the to the new job placement. >> Before you get going, I just want to go back. You said 16 to 18. What you just me mentioned here in the sheet that you not to quibble too much here is 18 to 25. >> Yes. Yes. But uh in school youth, I'm talking about in school youth u because
they haven't been out they have they're not going into the workforce yet. They haven't graduated yet. But I I was just making a point that 53% of the large public schools don't go to college. So we'd like to also approach those individuals. Youth for us for the workforce and the funding might be different. But for the workforce, youth
is anywhere between 15 to 25. >> So I just I just want to focus on the outcomes outcomes from people who go to this class and what do I what do we expect to see from our money that we're spending >> and then you know we can also uh provide to you uh employer participation. how many employers in the city of Lawrence
and and we'll approach those way before individuals are even in training. So that way we know who we can approach as far as job placement for these individuals once they complete their programs. And then any other metrics that you would like to add? We're we're happy to provide that to you.
>> Well, I'm not in the education business. I'm in I'm the I'm in the government business. >> I mean I mean but but but there's a return on investment for the city. You know what I'm saying? Uh what is the return? We talked about the return of investment last time I was here about and that was a one-year pilot, how much money we would have spent, how much we
would be how much we anticipate businesses to make more, pay more in taxes, uh, and and and the money that is spent in the city from wages at 1.5 point uh, of the dollars. I'm sorry.
>> Right. >> All right. So, I will tell you, Mr. I you're charming. I enjoy seeing you. >> You've got a great family. I like giving awards to your children. That's fantastic. And they're welld deserved and well earned and and you should be very proud. I'm not that's not a BS. That's that's sincere.
>> Um but what what what the challenge I face is trying to find what what you're saying to me when I go and I have to give a bumper sticker answer to someone. You have $200,000 to whip on AI. What's that getting us? And
then I'm going to say to them, well, you have to understand that this is a and then we go into all this stuff. It would be really good to say, you know something, we're going to be able to look at of of getting I'm throwing numbers out here. Here's an idea. 100 students, I don't know, 200 students,
and we expect to see um at least 50% of those students getting a job title where AI is part of their requirements. And we can show that. we can show that that they were in the program and they got a degree or some sort of certification. They put it on their resume and now they
were able to get a job. Now we're talking. Now we're saying, okay, we've spent some money and now it's someone's got a job that they probably wouldn't have had but for the fact that they did. I thought we spoke about uh number of students that could go through
the program based on the funding and and then we were planning to place all of the individuals unless they fail the certification, right? You're not if you don't pass the test, you're not certified just like any other. But I just, you know, top qualifications >> um in the state of Massachusetts, but
we're in Marramac Valley that you need to have so you can well you don't need to have but it's good to have so you can get a better job. The first one is a valid driver's license, right? So, if you tell me, hey, I'm going to give you $100, and we do. We send students to uh driving school here
and we pay for it so that way they can have the license so they can go to work. And you tell me how many how many of those are going to work, you know, after they pass the drive after they take driver license school. I I couldn't tell you unless they passed the actual license, right? So, valance driver's
license, uh, CPR, first aid, and AI are the top four in the Marramac Valley. Not that it's needed. Um, but I think that it'll benefit the students. So, if you want numbers, I'll I'll I'll break it down. I'll break it down to the most finest detail that you want. Uh, I'll go
back to my staff and break it down and give you numbers on return on investment and how many students we anticipate placing in the city of Lawrence. >> So, I I'll what we can't I'm sorry. What we can't do is control how many students will first be placed in the city lovers and then decide later on to seek jobs
elsewhere. That's what we can't control, right? >> I get that. I I'll I'll leave it at that. I I just know that we had people from the department who gave this overview at the end and they had a slideshow that I recall and they were and and they brought each one of the numbers and they showed each one of the
things. I'm just curious as to what kind of slide would we put for $200,000 that's going to say this is what this money has brought toward the city and and I and I don't I mean is this money that is is Mr. Bonet can can your organization self-fund this or do you
need this grant to be able to do this? >> So re I really don't need the money. The city of Lawrence has approached us on this particular endeavor and I'll tell you why and I think I spoke about it last time I was here. Wea funding, federala funding allows for AI training
for individuals who qualify. You have to qualify based on income, whether you're unemployed, whether you're homeless, whether you're veterans. There are some individuals that do not qualify for AI training, based on the requirements of the federal government under the WEOA
laws, the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act. So, that's who we're trying to target here. Other than that, we have we owe fundings for youth, adult, dislocated workers. We have state grants, but they all are they have requirements for certain individuals and if you don't qualify, then you just
don't get the funding. >> I do have one more question. Mr. B, you've been fantastic. Thank you, Mr. Spanner. This cuz he, as you mentioned, they looked for you. You didn't go here. So, they went to you. So, now what is it that I mean, I heard the letter. I I read the letter again. So, I I get that,
but I want to hear in your own words, okay? What are your expectations from this program? >> Well, I simplify it on behalf of the mayor. There's several uh traits that and right now several companies that are number one using AI or experimenting
with AI. Um let's include even uh in the field that that some of you are in and in this case would be marketing advertisement is being used. Uh AI is a is a is a tool that if if you're not familiar with it's going to be you're
going to fall behind. We have Lawrence General Hospital as well as one of them. They have to keep up with the trends. Uh we have logist logistic companies within the city that are going to need it. We have construction company that are
actually using AI. And if let's say a contractor doesn't know how to use or work with AI in the next let's say two years because this is going pretty fast it's going to become very difficult for for um let's say not only the employees
but the employers to be uh competitive in the market. So what we're trying to do and what we have seen is and I saw the tape that you folks discussed um I think is it's uh uh councelor infant
that brought it up that um yeah but there's a free AI. It's not the same as having a training be placed and given the opportunity to experiment with it. What happens? We already have the numbers of undermployed
youth in the city of of of Lawrence and we know the um the cost of living is becoming very difficult. So the more transferable skills that they have or or any new skills that they can develop will help them to generate the necessary
income, create wealth for the community and grow professionally. >> That's the best answer I can give you. councelor C. >> Can I just add to that real quick? It doesn't only benefit the youth, it benefits the businesses in Lawrence,
right? We talked about a barber shop last time I was around here and you said, "How does that help a barber shop?" I got all sorts of of information that can help you. Uh but but let's I want to just talk about let's go with barber shop because it's easy. And I'm not sure how many people are going to go with AI to work with a barber shop, but
but business owner may qualify who's a young person who may have a mobile shop and stuff. So, you know that they could do smarter scheduling with fewer no-shows if they use AI or AI related software. They could do AI booking systems that sends out automatically
reminders to pre and all this you could do as a person. This is going to take you a lot of time away from what you should be doing, which is taking care of your customers. You can do it faster, quicker, more efficient, and probably even better, right? With AI, you could do you can predict busy times and fill
the gaps as long as you have your AI calendar. You suggest optimal appointments, which means that you have more shares, more revenues, right? Uh, it works well in a restaurant because I think we charge a percentage of the bill. All right, you guys have a meal
tax or something like that or a food tax or something. Um, but it analyze peak hours, the most popular services, consumer frequency. So, what they could do is they know when to raise prices slightly, uh, when to offer discounts when they're slow. Uh, so, uh, they
could do automated marketing, uh, social media posts. We do that at Mass Hire. We have one AI system that works for all our social media. So, we just do it at one and then we tell it when we want it to send out and it does it automatically on its own at particular days and
particular time. I don't have to have somebody sit there and do every social media and type up everything. Uh, so I can have them do other more important things. Uh, they can do promotions, text campaigns to bring customers back. Uh, they can do customer preferences such as
uh uh they'll have information in the system about the preferred barber. uh inventory and supply management, right? They can they can have I don't know if you you've noticed I go to a particular top large chain up in Salem, New
Hampshire to do my major shopping for big ticket items and I see this little robot going down the hallway and it's going boop boop boop boop boop boop. So that's a AI robot doing inventory. It sends information to the back to the stock room. And so those individuals,
all they have to do is just restock the shelves. They don't have to literally go out the aisles doing an inventory which saves time, makes it more efficient and it and they have it all stock right when it's needed, not when it's, you know, when they have to order from somewhere else. Um, they can have better, you
know, better client experiences. Uh, they can do more consistent booking, uh, personal earning growth. Uh, they got skill developments showing trending styles all on AI. Uh, recommending new techniques, all on AI. AI will do it for you. Whether video photo or in words, it
does it for you. Uh not only that, but it also uh translate customer requests in any language, right? Uh and and give you better communication through appointment details. >> I I think I get it, Mr. Bon. I think I I think I get it. >> You got it. I mean, I got I h I have How
is it going to help auto repair collisions? Whole day. >> You got it. You got on and on. We've done our studies, you know, but >> we're good. Thank you. Yeah. Now, um, advisor, I have a question for you. Don't shake your head. That's that's what you're here for.
>> Yeah, that's >> um, so obviously this this would be a firstofits-kind program if approved by the council. Um, I'm curious to know if if the may if the administration has had support for seeing a uh, a program like
this start from any of the state delegation. I know there's been some conversations wanting to see something like this in LPS. >> Um so if if there's any information you can give them. >> Yeah, we have uh seen first of all we wanted to partner with the school um
with Lawrence public schools. Um the uh we've seen in other uh cities um Houston I think it was Arizona was one of them as well and where um they were developing the program and how
successful the partnership component was and that's why the mayor um you know we were brainstorming what would be the best approach. Well, our advantage is that we have uh workforce board and mass hire uh and u
we want to also shrink our unemployment rate and this is a great opportunity for us to uh take the lead on this and um and start the the relationship well to to work with with the companies that are
ready to to hire these employees but also with other companies that can prepare themselves and ready in order for them to start using uh AI as as a a tool.
>> So I guess the long answer to my question is this has been brought up. It's been brought up. Yes, of course. But initially it was with the school >> with with Lawrence public school. But it was uh a pilot project and why would you bring a pilot project in the school if
you have mass hire and a workforce board to introduce it as a pilot program. Then the Lawrence public schools can take the program over. >> Okay. Council, do you have any other uh council council? Oh, I did say um
councelor Marma did say she would go next and then council president, you will go afterwards. >> Um through you, Madam Chair, I I want to preface by saying that I I'm in full support of this initiative. I think this
is exactly the direction that we need to take um when allocating funds. Um it It's in direct line with the the mission and vision that I believe that the the administration initially had um in talks
with supporting the youth and I think that this is um exactly the steps that we need to take. Um but I must say that I am glad to hear uh councelor Lelant bring up the measurables as to what
exactly does it measure and how. And the reason why I say that is because this triggered my memory and shame on me because maybe if we would have asked those questions when we initially
approved for what this initial um the original allocation of these funds I don't think we would be here if that makes any sense. >> Yeah. council remember AI became more popular >> after because
yeah let me speak >> my point is in the letter we're seeing how the city attorney provided an explanation blah blah blah deviating from this structure for a single applicant would expose the city to legal
and administrative risk. Why weren't why wasn't the administration having these discussions to ensure before coming to the city council and propose these uh for us to approve on on the federation you know
that those funds like why those conversations didn't take place then before coming before us asking for approval on those funds that's my point I was like we if if these questions would have been asked as to how is it measurable? So now it's
like we're backtracking like oh we can't measure that or this doesn't make sense or it it puts it puts us at risk of x y and z like that that's what's >> aggravating me because I feel like often times >> it h it's like it's common that certain
things come before us and it sounds like a good idea and you know certain initiatives are are pushed to be approved and come to find out it wasn't that really good to begin with and you Again, it's like shame on me for not
doing my due diligence and also thinking that it was a good idea at the time, you know, anything to support small businesses. That was like my mindset back then. Um, but I didn't ask the the detailed questions as to like, oh, well, how is it measurable? What exactly, you
know, how are these funds going to be allocated? Um, so again, I'm I'm I'm grateful to like have other my colleagues ask certain questions to trigger me to think outside of the box. So, you know, I just wanted to hear from you as to, you know, how could we
mitigate from the min the administration on moving forward, doing their due diligence, talking to the city attorney when it comes to some of these items, and not waiting until after the fact to come to realize that
it it would have put us at risk. >> Council M, thank you for for the question. Um maybe you you won't recall now afterwards you will remember uh Susan Finn and myself my colleague we
came to introduce first of all we were both in charge of the the what we call the ARPA funding but in reality like uh my former colleague Mark Ianello used to say it don't call it ARPA funding it because the funding was already transferred into free cash but we use
that word as a reference um we gave an explanation when staff uh explained that we were basically uh using the same models of CDBG as part of it but to minimize the
risk and misuse of funds. I remember councelor at that time council president Lelant asked how we going to safeguard that these funds are not going to be used because it was a huge amount and this was the first time that we were going to use it. the issue with in this
case with the federos uh the information that they provided when we were looked at some of the the the um the information provided. You have a business small business organiza organization which has 160 members
160 that are active businesses. So if you have an active business and a business cannot provide at least 250 in membership multiply byund by 160 250 that's usually what people charge and
they were not able to produce uh it was zero dollars. We looked at it the mayor at that time in the beginning was in favor but then came the issue that the organization said that they didn't they didn't have money to to front it. But
that brings me to my point that those are these are the things that should have been addressed prior to the item coming before us. >> We did we did but if an organization states that they have funding that is available but do not produce okay they
they could be selected awarded but if they don't produce the information that they are able uh and capable to reimburse then it's going to be an issue. I can you can have any business that comes and says, "Okay, I need $5,000. Where's the money? Where's the
money that you have? What's the matching money?" Depending on in this case, it was reimburse uh on a reimburseable basis and they were not able to produce. They were they the only organization that didn't I think there were a couple of they were the only organization. They
were the only organization that can show evidence of being capable to re reimburse. >> Okay. And this was not personal I think you know and and it's unfair to staff as well if an organization states that they have the money and they are not able to
produce this as well as not giving giving uh us the KPI or at least um you know what were the income uh I mean the outcome of the program remember we came with a screen we came with a presentation of each one of the
organization because they were accountable to the city council as to provide the information. >> Okay, >> council Maros has another question. >> Uh, this question is Amos side. I just wanted to make sure that I got that off
my chest in terms of based on what I saw in the letter. It it just triggered me to uh bring that up. >> Um, Mr. Monet, we talked about how AI has so many pathways and I believe in
the last meeting that we addressed this item at the budget committee. It was due to the fact that a curriculum has yet to be created and that is what brought a lot of the hesitation to just flat out and
it feels like blindly approving. Um so given given the conversation that we're having right now as to like the the pl the how the the pathways so many pathways to AI you know so for example I'm in fraud and we've talked about AI
in terms of how AI could help identify patterns in you know suspicious transactions. Let's just say for example we have AI and marketing. So do you guys have in mind as to kind of
zoning in to a specific industry in the AI? Because again AI could touch on many definitely right we like we said before AI is not a industry it's more like a skill that can complement a career path or or industry or occupation. Um, so I
sent an email uh last week uh a training provider uh that is on the approved listed uh training from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that we we use and when I say we use the client and we always a client choice program. So the client
chooses the program and that's the curriculum that you saw. So, our RFP, we want to do it not identical, but more or less like you said, driven to the industry that Lawrence has. Other cities and towns in the Marramac Valley have
different industries that they're strong as. >> Our our regional blueprint for the whole entire Marramac Valley has the top three industries listed as advanced manufacturing, healthc care, and IT related. I don't think I want to attack the IT because that's one of the
industries that AI is soon going to swallow up and really quickly, right? Code writers, we talked about it and stuff like that. So, we're going to concentrate on advanced manufacturing, healthc care, and the smaller businesses that are in Lawrence. Lawrence has a high retail service industrydriven
economy. I forget the number of businesses in Lawrence, but it's the highest. So we talk about bodegas, places that sell clothes, shoes, and and things like that, account accounting services. Uh, and so we're going to concentrate on those that will provide a
high return on investment for the individual to go into a career path, right? So maybe some finance, accounting, definitely health care, advanced manufacturing, and so forth. Whatever we feel, not whatever, maybe whatever you feel as well. You could al we we we welcome your input on any of
these things. Uh but what we do is we have a list of all the uh businesses in the in the city of Lawrence and we see how many employees they have, how many vacancies they have across and that's how we do most of our, you know, strategic planning. Yeah. >> Okay. Almost. Thank you.
>> Yeah, council president. >> Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh I have a couple of things uh that I need to bring that up and and um and also some clarifications and some questions related to this item. Let me start by
saying that I I like the program. I I I actually would like something like that happening. Uh conceptually I I agree with the program. I would like the city of Lance to adopt a program like this.
uh but uh under this under this uh circumstances I think that the this fund allocations of uh of the source of the funds of this program are not the right one. By all means I will support it if we actually transfer free
cash to this fund to this program tomorrow. No problem whatsoever because I am agreeing of uh the concept of the project. uh by all means it is well defined and well targeted but the
funding portion of it it is absolutely wrong and I going to express my point as of why um the ARPA funds uh $60 million that we we have allocated through different programs uh some of those funding they
were uh they have different requirements they have different requirements and uh in in this program under this program uh the reimbursement requirements was uh adapted into it uh related to the $400,000
uh if I'm not mistaken that were originally allocated for that uh uh for the Latino uh Chamber of Commerce. By saying that I think that originally uh that was one of the most promoted and
and and the most uh well-defined and the the the item that had the most information as to how they were going to give it to uh the small businesses.
uh all of the sudden uh things changed drastically and in the way that it changed I didn't agree as to why it changed. Uh it is important to recognize that
other organizations didn't have the same requirements. Perhaps the $2.5 million that we allocate to to the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority through the same funding our part didn't have their uh reimbursement
reimbursement uh allocation or the reimbursement uh requirements and as well as the first set of group of funding that we approve out of the 4.5 $4.7 million 4.5 $4.7
million that we um allocate on the second round of the ARPA funding. uh these $400,000 were part of it and the discussion were
very significant uh because we have the president of the organization coming in front of us presenting the program with all the details that uh we were looking for and and obviously understanding that
this organization uh is a it's it's a fairly new organization with no fee that they charge for the service that they provide to the clients. And this grants was going to be
how they said a grant by not following the guidance of the administration specifically perhaps doing the the fair then what is supposed to be done. That's why that was the initial issue
that we have in the city with this $400,000. Nevertheless, we approved the city council approved about $500,000 for for other uh fund that were supposedly
be for small businesses that uh they were going to be working on the fac of their businesses and not necessarily uh around the downtown area, but in other areas around Broadway Street. And we have a presentation out of the OPD
director back then. Um, and they explained them that uh how we were going to measure that program and we approved those $500,000. But all of a sudden that that that scope of the work changed completely
and they give out those funds even to uh businesses that didn't have uh an actual uh location. uh completely different than what we approve. After that, this $400,000 allocated to
that uh uh the Latino Chamber of Commerce, they want to do the same program. The administration want to follow the same program and take the organization away from the process that we have approved. And it was all
a a a a plan that I didn't I didn't agree with it. Uh there was a difference of characters, a different of opinion, but at the end of the day, we the council allocate
funding for the small businesses. And now I think it's a it's a great opportunity if we look at this program, take that $400,000 away from the small businesses that we agree upon and we approve the
council approve and we wanted to make sure that uh that uh we give it up and now we have this dilemma. I'm in the agreement of supporting this
this $200,000 tomorrow. I'm in favor of supporting it tomorrow if the source of the funding is not this $400,000 for multiple reasons. But it's unfair to the organization. It's unfair to the
people that were counting on. It is unfair to the scope of the work that we have approved in previous job and previous previous project related to small businesses. It is unfair to even to the council the institution that we
have approved something and all of the sudden there is loopholes around because we don't like a person we don't like somebody that is running it that we're just not going to do it. uh I don't think is I don't think this is this is it is affecting something so
good like this program for AI uh but I don't think that you know we should be doing this when with when with when when it come because we all know we all know especially whatever most of the most of the people that are
in this room as of why this money is not given out to the organization so I don't think I going to for the the the the item to be transferred. Not because I'm not supporting the program. I'm supporting the program 100%.
But uh the source of the funds is not is not the right one. I don't think so. >> Madam chair, can I just say something briefly? >> Uh number one, it's not about an organization and it's not about an
individual. I have not never come before you and spoken or mentioned any person's name. I remember in the beginning 2023 or uh around that time um they the there could have been a conflict of interest
because of a city councelor. I spoken personally with the city councelor not to make a drama because that's how you work between administration uh the and the the legislative body. Um so we have never brought before you any
name or told told you oh because this one individual or that this is taxpayers money and in addition of being taxpayers money uh as I wrote in the letter um we were cautioned by the city attorney on
how to proceed and for us not to follow our city attorney's recommendation would be um would would not be wise. in in conducting um this business. So we um and we have been transparent in the
fact and I can we can attest it because I remember when Susan Frink came before you we explained the entire process and it hasn't been different and this is the only organization that has been mentioned that didn't follow the process
and I think in exception of a couple of uh private companies that also applied and private companies that we thought were nonprofit organization and the uh the office uh of Susan and Kate they uh alerted myself and we brought it to the
attention of the mayor that these organization were not going to qualify because they were private or entities. >> Okay. Uh let me just uh continue saying now that you mentioned u the the situation that happened back then uh
during the process of uh uh of uh of this whole situation um we we the council but there's a couple of things that we need to be aware of. This is a free cash fund in
reference of ARPA. This is not the ARPA fund. uh perform web transfer to be free cash. Therefore, if we have a free cash which is an allocation and is approved by the council and is denied
after the fact due to the fact that a potential conflict of interest or procedure situation or due to the fact that it is not according to the law or whatever reason that fund can go back to
the free cash and can be allocated on a different source. It have been done. It is not it is not the first time. The re one of the reason a couple of companies that were not actually uh they were not actually able this is
not the only one. If I remember correctly, the hospital denied $50,000 because they didn't want it anymore because of the potential government of interest and also that uh the the the greatest lens u the clinic also the
$900,000 because there was a potential conflict of interest. Those funds went back were back to the free cash money and potentially be allocated in the future for any other on any other purpose. this money right here could go back
normally and allocate it to to uh the through an RFP to an organization that potentially going to give out this send amount of money under different circumstances.
This is not this is not something new. This is something that have been done before and many other organization that didn't didn't take the money we have allocated with other conditions at the council. The problem here is that we cannot ignore that it have been a
public pressure throughout the city for the administration to give out these funds and unfortunately due to that I'm not mentioning any names but due to the difference between the administration of the organization and
uh and the difference of the administrations of the current administration here in the city of Lawrence we have not give those monies uh to uh ultimately the the small business that we're going to be aware too. But during the same time, we changed
discover the work of $500,000 that were approved by the council under an specific uh circumstances. And those money were give out to even people or organizations or new
businesses that were not uh they were completely new and didn't even have uh in compliance with the scope of the work that we approve. So again, let me reit I agree with the
project. Uh director Bonet, you have done a great job when it comes to presenting this this this project. I just don't agree with the source of the fund due to the fact that I still
believe that we should maintain what this fund was approved for. If we need to go back and do another RP and open it up for different businesses to apply, by all means, but I think that it is more
than than just procedures. We just the administration don't want to allocate this fund to the to the admin to the current administration of the organization and it is not a secret to anybody that is here as of why. So unfortunately I
won't be able to support the program due to the fact of the source of the funds. If we change the source of the fund today I will in support of it. >> Thank you council president. >> Is there a response to that? Do you guys
any other any other questions or comments? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. >> Al motion to table until we find the proper resource, the proper funding.
>> There is a motion to table. Is there a second? >> Make a motion. >> Motion that we send this up to the full council. with a favorable recommendation. >> Motion has a
>> question the table. >> So there was no second on the table. Now there's a motion. >> No second. >> Um now there's a motion to send with a favorable recommendation to the full council. Is there a second on that? >> Second. >> Second was made by councelor Marmal.
Discussion on the on the motion. >> Just real real I don't want to kill this horse more that's been killed already. Um, >> this is not my strongest motion of the evening. Uh, just letting you know that I just I don't have any problem with the funding portion of it. It's just the
whole issue of AI. It's like a writing open check, but there's so much that I don't know about it, but I'm willing to give a chance. I'm willing to see what we can do. It's worth it. So, thank you. That's all I want to say. >> Council Marl. >> Oh, your mic is off.
I I wanted to add um I validate councelor uh council president's sentiments um regarding this item. Um it's not a secret in terms of uh you know what my my passions uh as counselor
is. Um anything that has to do with revitalizing uh helping small businesses especially downtown. Um, it's something that I have personally discussed with many uh f with counselors along with uh the mayor
himself. Um, but I also don't see myself having the heart to say no to this initiative. And I it's it's pinning me like between a hard a rock and a hard place. Um in terms of you know what counselor Rodriguez is saying is not
inaccurate but this I I don't want to see this initiative not being passed um cuz I do see the value in having this um not only for our city but for our youth. So I just that's that's my my reasoning
behind supporting this item. Thank you. Any other comments? Seeing none, madame clerk, can you please call the role? >> Sure. >> Council vice chair Vivian Marmal.
>> Yes. >> Councelor Mark Lan. >> Yes. >> Councelor President Giovanni Rodriguez. >> No. >> Councelor Madame Chair Stephanie Infante. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. Thank you. Um, please be
present for the full council meeting uh next next week. Next week, next Tuesday. Thank you. Thank you, council. The next item on the agenda is item 131-26, authorization to expend $300,000
in earmark provided by representative/leader Frank Moran for supplemental costs associated with city bridge projects. We do have it was brought to us by our planning director, director McCarthy. Director McCarthy is on Zoom. Uh,
director, you have the floor. >> Uh, good evening uh, uh, chairperson uh, Infante. Uh, can everybody hear me? >> Yes. >> All right. The back in, uh, back in 2025, a supplemental budget was passed
by the, uh, governor um, called the fair share uh, supplemental budget. Um, and this one was geared towards transportation funds. Uh, councelor Frank Moran um, working from comments from both our delegation and from the
city um, worked hard to get $300,000 in an earmark um, to geared towards um, the uh, the restoration and work on some of the city bridges. the uh in your
package you have a copy of the supplemental uh fair share budget uh remarks and you have the page with the Lawrence earmark for $300,000 and it says that no less than $300,000
should be spent to the city of Lawrence for the construction and rehabilitation of the Joseph Casey Bridge, the Mario Lu Casey Memorial Bridge, the Daisy Street Bridge, and the Majowitz bridge. Uh the Machowitz Bridge is what we commonly refer to as the Short Street Bridge.
Right now, both the Short Street Bridge and the Lucesy Bridge, which is the bridge over Union Street, are going through the process of um of right away uh collection and um and doing the um
soft cost estimates. So, those projects can be constructed next year. Um the Daisy Street Bridge needs some uh short-term restoration and I think the uh Casey Bridge um it's clear there's a lot of problems with
that. Uh on the last page you have the uh reimburseable program preliminary estimate form. This estimate form was created um through a a a coordination between the department of public works
and the city uh planning department. Um so those are what we have on there as again to the earmark. The um supplemental funds are to be used on um any of the four bridges mentioned and um I'm uh free to answer any questions you
might have. >> Thank you. Councilors, any questions or comments? Thank you, >> Council Marl. >> Um I I want to give a special thanks to Later Frank Moran and the state delegation. Um for spearheading these
funds. Um this has been uh a project that uh has been a long time coming. Um, I've sent countless emails when I've initiated my role as counselor um to address this specifically the the lower
street bridge is um is at a point where it's actually dangerous. It's not even a public safety issue. It's like it's it's way beyond that at this point. So, I just wanted to make sure that um that publicly I I I thanked uh Moran and
state delea the state delegation and everyone involved in order to make this happen. Um my question is I do see that the bridge is going to close I believe April 24th. Is there um some sort of timeline um
detailed in terms of the scope of the project? How long how long will it entail for how long this uh the bridge will be closed? I'm assuming there's different timestamps for the different locations of these projects. >> Yeah, the actual closure date is April
20th. >> Oh, it's um the day Well, it'll be the April 21st actually because April 20th is Patriots Day. The um work is going to begin. They'll the bridge will be closed off at both ends with jersey barriers.
the city, the the department of uh planning's been meeting with all the businesses for the last several weeks. Uh the mayor's been on the radio talking about as well. The closure is going to be approximately 7 months is what we're expecting. Uh right now, they're in the process this week of removing the
asbestous material from beneath the bridge. And again, it'll be uh a total demolition and a complete replacement of the bridge over the and it's it's going to be going over the rail trail. Um, so it's a bridge that formally went over the old um the old train line that used
to go to Manchester and it goes on L Street. We did have a meeting with all the department uh um heads and with the uh the safety services to go over the um the rerouting. Um so there it will be a period of 7 months more or less uh
that'll be closed. In a construction project of this scope, you can never guarantee anything to a day, but that's that that's what I'm being told by the contractors and they have it fairly well planned out. >> Is this going to be permanently closed
or is it going to be closed during the operations of construction? >> It will be closed. It'll be closed permanently. They're going to demolish it. They're going to take it right off and there'll be nothing there and they're going to build a new bridge. And I believe I heard you say that you've met with department heads. Is the
fire department um included along with law enforcement in order for them to address any potential issues with um you know them having to address uh needs of the city that will directly you know if it will impact
>> um other departments in terms about that. We've um looked at the um the rates of the um the the lights at the intersection of Broadway and L Street primarily. That's probably the the busier intersection that'll be affected
by this. Uh we also had MEA um our our bus transportation. They were part of the meeting as well while well as the state dele the state um department of transportation um working with us. the uh there's going to be signs going to be posted up in the next uh few days.
You're going to see them with a with the the uh detour route route. The detour route will uh come down L Street, go one block up to Havville Street, and then continue up on Route 110. Um this the uh the unfortunate part our biggest concern
is public safety measures and the fire department's ability to get up into the Tower Hill area from that from the uh station on Lol Street. So that is uh that was of primary appoint importance but we talked about you know what we're going to do with the lighting. Um of
course those are all automatically triggered by the fire department so they get the green light anyway uh when they do go out. But we wanted to do we're going to test after the bridge is closed. We're going to do some testing to see if the uh volume of traffic is affected on Broadway in any manner. If
there's any blockage or any uh bottlenecking, if so, we're going to coordinate the lights uh as necessary to alleviate that. I'm glad you said that because that was going to be my next question in terms of um were there going to be any adjustments to the timing of uh the
lights in order to allow for I guess a more alleviated flow of traffic. >> Yeah, there is. And I we've already talked about that. We we've all and I think the opinion amongst everybody was that there's really no way of telling. The hope is that it will there won't be
a effect, but we won't know that until after the uh bridge is closed. The um the Havil Street passage is is actually a much busier road than Low Street and Essex Street is a much busier road than L Street as well. >> But for the safety, fire safety, that is
their main avenue because of the uh the directness from the station. >> Oh no. Um, I just hope that, you know, when these type of projects take place, considering how extensive it is, that if there are any adjustments that need to
be made, that you guys are taking the the time to make that analysis and adjust, you know. Um, my last question is, have uh have you guys properly notified the surrounding businesses that will be impacted because of this
closure? We did last week. Um on Wednesday morning, the mayor was on the radio. Um on Thursday afternoon, uh six employees from the department of planning went out and canvas at the entire neighborhood. They went to about
65 businesses handing out flyers and uh and they and and taking down information um names, phone numbers, and they're going to be going back out based upon some of the feedback we got. We're going to be going out with a questionnaire like a frequently asked questions with
numbers to call if there's any uh question on that. Um on the other side of the road um on the L Street Winter Street area, the Department of Public Works canvas that neighborhood and going to all the residents who live on L Street all the way up to Oxford Street
and providing them notices, cards, and information about the closures as well. And again, they'll the the way we're going to close the bridge is we're going to make sure that every business is going to have access. Um, there are a couple businesses on L Street. I know um
Polo Central has a factory that's right next to the bridge. We're going to make sure they have complete access for their trucks, for their employees. Uh same thing for Winter Street. Winter Street will be completely open at all times um because we made sure that the uh the the
barriers to protect the bridge are going to go right at the foot of the bridge, not into the intersections. >> Okay. Thank you so much. This was very informative and uh I appreciate the level of uh of work and attention that you guys uh took for um addressing the
the potential needs of those that are going to be affected. Um so, thank you. through you manager >> council president >> now that I that I we talking about that specific bridge uh I have a I have a concern about how how the city have
approached this this this closure >> uh based on uh my experience um working with similar situations the city didn't even call for a public meeting and that's very typical very typical
very typical I'll say sometime even necessary and uh and that's unfortunately that we we are going through a seven-month closure uh on a bridge that is a uh regular
normal uh two uh two sidewalk one on each direction and one lane in each direction over the railroad and not necessarily have a but on the major arteria because low street is a major arteria to the
um and not having proper notice and and deciding to close the bridge that bridge of Low Street all the way to Broadway Street uh from Winter to Broadway Street. That's I don't see that necessary.
As a matter of fact, that will be very inconvenience and very convenience to to whoever is going to be working on that. But to the community is going to be absolutely actually bad because once we close out the the the road
uh around there, people are not going to have access to to to those locations. Business owner going to have access to it. But those business owner, they have no no business if they have no clients. And this is the the thing like if we get
the impression of that uh of that uh of the entire of the entire area being closed and then the alleyways from the area business on the alleyways are not going to be available to get in and get out and and businesses that are very close
by like the the shop that is right there, the multi-ervice that is right there. uh all the boutique and and the cafeteria that is right there, the barber shop that is right right on that location between the bridge and and Broadway street
around that stretch. I can count about uh I would say over 12 businesses that now they not going to have that uh people going to their business because I mean uh they're going to be able to get
in and get out but that uh the fact that they're going to be closed for everybody else. I just want to understand like how people are going to be able to get into those business to pro to produce business. So we I don't think well we were we're very poor on the planning of this
disclosure to be honest with you not even managing to have a public meeting it is bad absolutely bad I have people that have called me that they've received the information from uh from their uh from someone that have no
information not that they have no followup responses to the questions that people have and it was bad it was but I was surprised I We I I still haven't received uh information about that uh the bridge
being going to be closed for 7 months. I received the the the flyer from someone from that that somebody that is going to be affected. Um I probably I have I probably haven't the city haven't probably sent any
particular information. I don't know. I don't I don't think so. Um, but I mean it's very poor the way that this has been managed. Uh, not to the standards to be honest with you and I know the standards very well.
And um, we're going to be we're going to be we're going to be closing that arteria for 7 months and and and those businesses are going to be affected by the end of this this bridge when it's done. the fact that we haven't we haven't do
uh what it takes to be uh to be able to uh manage expectations around the businesses. Uh it it is going to be absolutely bad to the businesses from around there.
Unfortunately, I don't know to be honest with you. I'm very disappointed of of this and the way that the the first of all I believe that you know the bridge should be open partially and do the the construction by stages
um stage one and stage two and be able to have one lane in which one lane in one direction at least uh around the around the project but that that's not the case but it's it it is not it is not I don't
is is is well done to be honest with you. Now that you brought it up, I I don't think it's like very disappointed. >> Thank you, Council President. Any further discussion? Council,
>> I'm little lighter than the earlier conversations. I am thrilled to see that the actual name to the bridges around this application form. Are you kidding me? Joseph W. Casey Bridge,
Mario Lucesy Memorial Bridge, the M the Maditz Bridge, but we're missing one. The Daisy Street Bridge actually has a name. >> I couldn't find it.
>> Who knows it? >> I said I couldn't find it. All you got to do is just go on Google and Google Google Earth and maps and it shows a Theodore bed bridge right there. Be duo. Theodore the dual bridge.
>> Guy died in 19 Guy died in 1936. It was a major flood over there. Got pneumonia. Died and the city council decided to name that bridge after. But listen, but that's the other day would have been just the short street bridge. we would just we would have gone
glossed over it. So any good stuff on there on the bigger issue regarding the the placement of the businesses I I I don't have a dog in that fight. I I don't under I I I I defer to those who live in the area. I defer to those who understand that. But I will tell you this, getting money for infrastructure
is not easy. So we get money to fix bridges because then the bridges aren't fixed. What do we hear? When are they going to fix the bridge? These bridges aren't being fixed. and then we get the money way to fix the bridge and now we're saying well we're not doing it we're not working through it all and
maybe there's a better way and and and maybe and maybe to the council president's point listen he knows far more than I do about the timing and the business implications etc etc but maybe we we ask part of the motion to send this up to the full council and see if
there's a way to minimize the disturbance so not all the bridges are done on the same time so there's no one cutting over and that there's the sequencing that makes some sense. I don't know what the sequencing is, but that's just an option there that those
uh who um Mr. McCarthy, is that something that would be in order? >> Um not. >> Yeah, we we we we do that. The um state has a bridge division which works on these in a um in a process. the um Wall
Street Bridge has been on the construction agenda for 12 years um that I can recall. Um it was we were able to get it expedited and moved up on the CH because uh it was included as part of the rail trail project. Uh the rail
trail project was actually affecting four bridges in the city but three of them are pedestrian bridges and only one of them is a uh arterial bridge. Uh that's a Wall Street bridge, but we are uh simultaneously working on three other bridges.
>> So K through you and I'm about to make a motion here, but I I'd like a little bit of info, Mr. McCarthy. Is there anything in the motion that we could add to that that uh articulates the concern and the sensitivities that the council president has raised with respect to timing and
impacts? >> Yeah, we we did we did discuss having neighborhood meetings, but there's really no generally affected neighborhood there. is mainly a business district. Uh and we felt they're reaching out to us. We also had a discussion about the timing of it. Uh there's there's a theory that you don't
want to you don't want to put out too far in advance. You don't want to tell 6 months in advance that you're closing down the bridge. You want to do it in the weeks before the bridge so it becomes consistent and you make a constant uh a constant um um outreach to that. So we've been doing that for the
past uh 3 weeks. Um and uh again um I I've seen some discussion on social media about people having been advised of this. Again, the bridge isn't closing till next week. There's still going to be some staffing going on. We're working with CLA channel to put up some um major
notifications citywide. We're going to have the electronic um placement um from both the state and the city with the electronic message boards. And we're going to have the route for the detour. um while widely articulated. And again,
I just want to make the comment when we did have a discussion, the original project was looking at closing um the road at Broadway and at Winter Street, and the city said, "No, we don't want that." So, Winter Street is open, and
every business on Winter Street will not be affected by this. Same thing for the uh the two the shops that uh uh Mr. uh that that the president mentioned the um there's a auto repair shop. There's some alleyways and the in in all traffic,
general traffic will be allowed to enter into that area for purposes of business. It's just not going to be a throughway anymore. They can't cross the bridge. >> And how much and Mr. McCarthy, one last question before I make this motion. Uh once this money is authorized to expend, h when will these bridges be complete?
When will the construction begin and end? And you said it already. I'm sorry I missed it. Can you repeat that? >> Wall Street is a a 7-mon construction process period beginning on April 20th. Um we are we have we need money to do a
short fix on Daisy Street Bridge, the um feed of a duel bridge I may say because that has um some critical um critical issues that have been identified by Mass D. Short Street and Lucasy Bridge are
both in very poor condition. They don't their sidewalks have been closed, though they're they're safe for traffic to cross. They're not good for pedestrians. So, those are on our tip project. They'll probably be the construction period will probably be in 2027. Um and
and frankly, we're right now we're gearing towards getting advertising dates for both those bridges to go out to bid in uh the fall. So, they'll go out to bid in the fall. um contractors will be selected and we're hoping the construction will bring begin in the
spring of 2027. Um again we we're trying uh short street bridge or Majawitz bridge as as I call it is the uh is not a very um it's used more for a cut through. We're very concerned about the um Lucesy Bridge because uh Union Street
is a very important uh thoroughare and that will only be closed for short periods completely. Um I'm told maybe may maybe like 5 days at a time while they do major again. This won't be a bridge replacement like Wall Street.
It'll be a a a refabrication of the bridge to make it safer. I can make a motion that we send this up to the full council with a favorable recommendation and also with the caveat that all mitigation of impacts to local businesses and residences are taken into
consideration u as construction commences. That's >> motion has been made by council the plant seconded by council president Rodriguez. Any further discussion on this matter? >> Discussion >> council marmal. Um, so just real quick
because I don't want to um, you know, I want to take in into account the the experience and expertise that uh, councelor Rodriguez has um, in this industry with uh, mass DOT um, which allows him to have um, eyes and a
perspective that for me it would have been an oversight. So if you don't mind reminding me once again um, Mr. McCarthy when councelor Rodriguez s made certain suggestions regarding partially closed
or um if we're going to permanently close it's only during the operations of the construction and then after a certain time period it could um it could be reopened. Is that off the table altogether? and and if the reasoning
behind that it's because of the you know you I want to make sure you guys took that into consideration and there there's a reasoning behind it being permanently closed as opposed to not having it partially opened. >> So I I meet on a weekly basis with the
uh team from Mass DOT and the contractors to go over the construction portion of it. So I will raise this as a question. I just want to remind everybody that the earmark uh the funds for the this earmark that we're voting on tonight are not related to the law street >> related
>> that's 100% funded uh through the rail trail project. So what I will do is I will speak to the um I will speak to my uh construction team on Thursday. I'll ask them if there's a possibility if there is any kind of leeway on that. I can ask them if they'd be anybody be
free to come to the to the city council and and speak on it. >> Yeah. >> Right. All right. >> Thank you. >> Uh you chair. I just want to uh piggy back on what council >> president Marmo says. >> Well, uh yeah, it is it is absolutely true. The airmax have nothing to do with
the with the project that we mentioned, but I piggy back on on what council man mentioned early on when it comes to the bridge of on on lower street and uh and yes, it is true that um
that um um that this money have nothing to do with the with that specifics that that pre that other br that other bridge have been funded through that uh through through that specific project uh which is that uh that u
>> the project that we just mentioned >> the rail trail. Yeah. >> But what is what isn't u what isn't um being taken into consideration is that that's very rare uh the fact that the notification is going out
uh a week prior to the construction or the closure. >> I'll give him that. Uh and that's basically what make me um wonder as of why this is a a district for then or this is this is not mased in general cuz
it's not that doesn't happen in another citizen town other citizen town perhaps they even have um a uh a press release going out uh prior a significant amount of time prior to the closure
and also have a specific speific uh specific, you know, uh notifications to the public, including baseboarders for, you know, even two weeks before the the closure. Uh and you mentioning that
uh on this case, we we just uh doing the notification everything consistent consistently uh for about for about a week. That's that's uh that's something that is knowing the fact that our community is is a is a unique community.
Um I don't think that it will that that's going to help but I mean like I said Malancher I piggy back on what councelor Mama was saying due to the fact that she mentioned it originally and uh and I definitely was looking definitely was looking for the
opportunity to discuss on that and and that was this this is the scenario. >> Thank you. Maria, can you call the role, please? >> Council of President Javanni Rodriguez. >> Now, you're not going to mark anymore. >> She's She's mixing it up. Can you please
We have a We still have like law matters. Let's continue. >> Vice Chair Vivian Marmu. >> Yes. >> Councelor Mark Land. >> Yes. >> Madame Chair Stephanie Fonte. >> Yes. >> Motion cares. >> Council President. >> Oh, >> okay. Thank you everybody.
>> Nope. >> Everybody guess. >> Oh, okay. You got it. Okay. Thank you. The next item is item 132-26. Review and approval of annual application to HUD for community development block grant known to us. We use it as CD. We say
CDBG. Estimated amount of 1,638,713. and the home grant in an estimated amount of $835,84 $894 with 17. And we have our manager of financial and administrative services, Sue Fank. Miss Fank, Mrs. Frank, you
have the floor. >> Good evening, counselors. As you said, Sue Fank, manager of financial administrative services in the office of planning and development at 360 Mary Street. So, when I submitted this item to the agenda, we did not know what our funding allocation was going to be for
FY27, but HUD has announced the um allocation amounts on Friday, April 3rd. So, I do have um actual numbers before you tonight um in your budget packet. So, we will be receiving 1,6,570
in CDBG funds. 1,600 >> 606570 >> 570. Okay. >> This unfortunately is a reduction over the FY26 allocation of $32,143. Um for home we are receiving um $835,894
and oh no I take that back. I'm sorry. $831,8518. That's 83180518. And we're estimating to receive about $20,000 in program income. So this is a decrease of approx of
$4,88.99 over the FY26 allocation. So, we began our um action plan process in November with outreach done via newspaper ads, flyers, radio announcements, emails to the nonprofits, social media posts,
personal contacts with the nonprofits, um the CDBG budget, which you have in front of you um on this paper. >> I'm assuming you got these. We've
delivered them on Friday. You did not get this. >> I apologize for that. >> Um I guess I will bring more copies over tomorrow. Um so the CDBG budget has
$500,000 for um park improvements, $354,256 for infrastructure improvements, $200,000 as a match to our $7 million lead grants.
$10,000 as a match to a grant that receives to house fally homeless individuals from Lawrence. $221,000 in public service projects which was allocated through the RP process and $321,314
for planning and administrative costs. There is a 20% cap on planning and administrative costs. We cannot exceed that. An RFP process was conducted for the public service funding and applications were made available December 4th due on
January 16th. The applicants were required to attend a mandatory application workshop on December 11th. If they did not attend the workshop, we would not accept their application. 45 people attended the workshop and when
applications were received, they were checked against the attendance sheet to make sure that someone from the organization did attend. We um ended up receiving 22 applications. They requested a total of $54,000. And at the time we had estimated we
would have $235,000 available for funding after funding the 10,000 tomas and there is a statutory cap of 15% of the CDBG grant that can be used for public service activities. The community development advisory board
or the CADB is made up of residents selected by the mayor that review the applications and make funding recommendations to the mayor. This year's CADB members are Lynette Perez, Edison Mercedes, State Rep. Bastella Reyes, city councelor Mark
Laant, and city councelor Rosalie Gonzalez. And I want to publicly thank them for their time they dedicated to this process. Applicants did a three-minute presentation to the CDB on February 12th, and the CDub met on February 19th to decide on their recommendations.
Unfortunately, state rep. Um, Reyes and city councelor Rosley Gonzalez were not able to be at this meeting and as I said the allocations were not known at that point. So the CADB based their recommendations on the estimated funding
on March 3rd um acting community development director Shaunet Pascal Kate King Marisol Cologne and I met with Mayor Deer and chief of staff William Castro and presented the CDB recommendations. No decisions were made during that meeting because the mayor wanted time to review the
recommendations. The mayor did make his final funding decisions, which unfortunately I thought you would have had in front of you tonight, but you will receive a sheet like this that has that information on it. There were seven applications that did not receive funding and out of that
seven, two of the organizations were disqualified because they did not provide the required documentation. The home budget um puts $143,853.88 for first-time home buyer down payment assistance.
There is a 15% requirement for community housing development organizations or CHOTOS um of 124,770.78. We have set aside 500,000 for housing development projects and $83,18052
for administrative costs. And the home grant has a statutory cap of 10% for administrative costs. So what I am asking for this evening is for you to approve the budget, authorize the expenditure of these grant funds,
and send this item to the full council in order public hearing to be held on May 5th. and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. >> Councilors, any questions or comments? >> Madam Chair, >> councelor Marma, >> chair,
>> um, not necessarily a question. I'm just, um, it's unfortunate that I don't have all the documents at hand >> and I apologize. I >> thought they came over on Friday. >> It's understandable. It could happen. I at least I could say my experience with you is not a pattern. So, which is why I
have a very um you know, my my my reaction to not being fully prepared to provide uh provide an approval of moving this forward is because of the fact that I don't have those documents. So, I just at least wanted to give you an
explanation as to where I stand. But completely understand that there was some sort of oversight with not um having those documents at hand. I did check my email to see just in case I, you know, it was on me and maybe you did email it, but I I didn't see it in my emails as well. So,
>> no, I had prepared hard copies when I thought they were brought over. I again, I apologize. >> And considering that this is like over a million dollars, I just wanted to make sure that I I understood what I'm approving. >> Of course. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Yes. I just was wondering to see if that
if that email was sent because I was looking at my email and on Zoom. I don't have that information whatsoever. >> Yeah. No, I didn't send it via email. I I printed out hard copies to be brought over. >> Yeah, I mean I think email will be easier because I mean uh
>> you think both >> I will email them to to the counselors tomorrow and I will bring additional hard copies over. >> Thank you. Any other comments? >> I'll make a motion to table. >> Motion to table. Is there a second? >> Second.
>> Properly seconded. No discussion. Uh Maria, can you please call the role? Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, there is a problem. >> Yeah. >> Oh, there is. >> All right. Can you um resend your motion, council president? >> What happened? I couldn't hear.
>> Yes. Can you can you take back your motion for a question? >> Uh yeah. I mean, I have no problem with it. But but that is an issue. You said >> Thank you. Yes. >> We have a stat we have to submit this to HUD by May 15th. So I have to have the public hearing and >> and the final approval
>> and the final approval by then >> by May 15, >> right? >> So okay, you see our next meeting will be on the 27th. Send it out to council
on Tuesday the 5th. >> All right. Um, I suggest that we send this as a committee report pending the additional um documentations needed uh for a final vote. >> So, can I have a motion? >> I mean, I have no problem sending it due
to the fact that we have that we have to approve it by May 15. Do we have that information as of uh that we need to approve that by May 15 with you? Uh >> um I can I can send over the regulation
that sets the timeline for submission. >> It has to be submitted 45 days before the start of our fiscal year. >> The question is why why not sending that information? There was an issue with the approval from the mayor or that was what
what happened because usually we get it on time at the committee level. >> So the question Yeah, you had the question. So, yes, there was um somewhat of a a delay in getting the um final budget approved from the mayor. And again, I thought I guess I will have to
bring things over myself in the future. I thought I entrusted it to somebody else to bring it over on Friday. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, there is a motion >> I'm asking for a committee report
pending the two additional um documents. So moved. >> Motion has been made by council of plans. There a second by council marmal. Discussion. >> All right. I'm just I'm going to say one thing and I don't mean to drag this on,
but again um we've been we've been very um hard on not moving things forward if things are uncompleted. I'm voting in favor of this s simply because you you are very good with
providing things ahead of time and ensuring that the council has what they need in order for us to make a decision. So this is my only exception due to that. Um but that doesn't for people watching and and we have some departments ahead here that doesn't mean
this is always going to happen at least from this counselor. >> But uh >> and I appreciate this >> um Yeah. Yeah. So, uh, Maria, can you please call the role? >> Sure. >> Councelor Mark Lan, >> yes.
>> Councelor, Vice Chair, Vivian Marmu, >> yes. >> Council President, Giovanni Rodriguez, >> yes. >> And Madame Chair in Stephanie Fonte. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you, councilors. We have two major items after this that I'm going to I
want to get the the police chief the fire chief and our recycling coordinator out of here. So I'm going to go to item 13526 authorization to expend 28,000 from the mass mass D sustainable materials
recovery program fund grant uh brought to us by recycling coordinator Nel Nelson Silva. Mr. Silva, you have the floor. Madam Chair, I'll be recusing myself for a potential conflict of interest. >> Okay. Make sure um Maria, we have that for the record. Council the plant is
recusing himself for a potential conflict of interest. >> Good evening, >> Mr. Nelson. You have the floor. >> Good evening, counselors. Good evening, Madam Chair. Uh Nelson Silva, recycling coordinator. >> Oh, Mr. Silva. >> Um so, basically, we have this uh grant
that comes up every year for Mass E. Um it is a sustainable materials recovery grant. So basically it's based on points um that we put into the grant. So at the
end of that uh application process whatever you know we come in as what the points are of what the services we provide for our residents and what in our schools um then they award us the
monetary amount and also um so this year we got the the 28,000 an additional um 5,000 for a new paint shed at the DPW yard. Um so basically
um as soon as this money is uh approved, it's already waiting to be spent on um hazardous waste uh at the yard. So that's basically what we use it for every year. If not that, then we use it uh try to
buy more barrels. Um and um basically it's all used for our household hazardous waste events from May to October. So that's the other thing too wanted to let you know. And then you know we'll be um putting it out
there that our household hazardous waste Saturdays will be starting up again now um I believe it's May 9th. May >> 9th. >> Thank you counselors. Are there any questions or comments?
Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. >> Motion to send to full council with a favorable recommendation. Motion has been made by the vice chair. Is there a second? Is there a second? >> Seconded. >> Seconded by council president. Any
discussion? Seeing none, all u Maria, can you please call the role? Council President Gavanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Council Vice Chair Vivian Marmmo. >> Yes. >> And Madame Chair Stephanie Fonte. >> Yes. Motion carries.
>> Thank you, counselors. Um, next item is item 153-26, authorization to expend 35,000 FY26, firefighter safety equipment grants from the executive office of public safety and security, brought to us by the fire
department. We have Chief Delaney. Del Chief, you have the floor. >> Good evening, counselors. Patrick Delaney, fire chief 65 L Street. Um, this is a grant from the Department of Public Safety and Department of Fire Services. It is a firefighter safety
equipment grant which we plan on spending um it on structural firefighting gear >> counselors. Are there any questions or comments for the chief? >> Motion to send it to the full council recommendation. >> Motion has been made by the council
president. Is there a second? >> Second. Seconded by councelor the plan discussion seeing none all those in favor say I. I'm >> madam clerk can you please call the role. >> Council Mike Llan.
>> Yes. >> Council President Giovanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> And Madame Chair Stephanie Fonte. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. If I knew it was going to be this quickly for you, I would have. So you you never know what can happen here.
>> Thank you. We we appreciate it. >> Thank you. All right. Um I see I think there are a few individuals here for the water department. Correct. How many um commissioner, how many individuals you have here? >> Five. >> Five. All right. We're going to take you
next. Um, so it's going to So we have item 134-26, water rate adjustment proposal from our water and sewer commissioner, William Hail. Commissioner, you have the floor.
>> Good evening, councilors. William Hail, water and sewer commissioner for the city of Lawrence. We're just going to do a PowerPoint presentation, so I'm going to just check on that one. Do we have that in our P? Yeah, we do. We do have it in our packets. They also
gave it to us. So, this is just a brief overview. So, we prepared a water and sewer financial model awarded and current dating back to 2013. That's a comprehensive spreadsheet that has all our expenditures and revenues
that come in. Um, in 2015, the US Department of Justice issued a consent order against the city um, primarily for the drainage um, that was going on that we were releasing things into the river um, not doing what we we needed to do. So, we've been working on that ever
since. Um, the council approved the rates um, in November of 22. I November of 2022 I had come before council for a increase. It was over um six month
increments 7% 7% 3% and then 3% and that has the rates that we um are at today. So this is an overview um of our expenses. So in the light green you see the um
2022 rate model. So those were the predicted expenses and then the the dark green is our actual expenses. So we stayed pretty well within the range. It was a little bit over in the actuals in 2024, but we had retained earnings to balance that. Um we were
basically equal in 2025 and we haven't closed out 26 yet. Um but the goal is to be equal. Um and we're we constantly work to make that happen. So um on the revenue side, the model predicted in
light pink where we what we were going to be and then in the dark red is what the actual revenues were. So you could see we were able to significantly increase the revenues. Um and then we also there was a couple reasons why we were able to do that which was um
recovering lost water um from me water meters that were being misread or underread. Um we we increased our fees that were outdated by over 10 years. Um there was just multiple different factors that that took came into play
there. So this was the estimated enterprise fund balance um in the light blue and then the dark blue is the actual. So again you can see that we consistently were able to be above what the model had predicted which is great.
Um, but our expenses continue to rise and those bars will only get lower as we go. So, this is the city's investment since the previous rate adjustments. So, this is just a quick overview of our
water system. So we have the pumping station at the lower left corner, water treatment facility and our raw water pumping station that pumps water up to the reservoir which is above that on the left hand side. Um we also fill the
Tower Hill tank um from a pump at the water treatment plant and then from the low service reservoir it goes to two different pump stations. One on Andover Street and then the other one on Marston Street and those pumpa pump stations
fill the tank in Mount Vernon and also in um Prospect Hill. Um and we're averaging 6.4 4 million gallons per day and I believe 8.5 roughly in the summertime at like peak demand. We have
154 miles of water lines in the city and then 12.1 million gallons of storage. So these are the water main improvements that we've made since 2022. We didn't have a lot of capital projects. This was
mostly um work that we we had done on the side using money that we had. Um so we repiped the Ellis Atinson Street neighborhood. There was concern there. There was very low pressure in the hydrants. So we repiped it. We basically
took advantage of having new mains on Newton Street um and we connected them into South Broadway. So that whole neighborhood's brand new. Um we we did um some work on Blakeland Street during a contract for sewer work where we just upgraded the line because we had to dig
it up anyways. Um and also on Hanland Court. Um Trinity Street was for the new school. So as part of that project, they had taken on that main from Avon down. Um and then upcoming in sewer contract 7, we have to replace Well Street Water
main because it's it's in conflict and it's it's in need of replacement. So, we have our lead service line replacement program. Um, since 2017, we've replaced 126 lead services inhouse
um using our crew. Um, it's a pretty big accomplishment. Most towns contract that out. So, we've been working on that consistently. Um, we're currently have a grant um for 664,000 that has no match. Um, so basically
we're we're just verifying what what the lines are at this point, we're going through all of our tie cards that we have and if the material isn't listed, we need to go to the homes and identify them. Um, we do that by either internally or we just we do um a test
pit in the sidewalk um and get both sides, the city side and the homeowner side. And if it's lead, we'll just immediately go and try to replace it. This is our sanitary sore valuation survey. Each year, um, we invest roughly
$600,000. This is part of the consent order. So, this is part of staying in compliance. Um, so we've so far we've inspected 3,446 manholes out of the 3,520 that we have in the city. Um, and then
also inspected 13 33 miles of pipe out ofund 133 miles out of 139 miles of pipe. Um, and then some of the reasoning behind why we're not getting the the rest of the manholes is just because they're in tough locations to get to.
Um, and we constantly work on that. Um, this is our elicit discharge detection and elimination program. Um, so this is essentially just taking water out of the drainage system that goes to the river. Um, so it's a unique process.
It's very, you know, comprehensive. They start at the outfall, work their way into the city. It's called a catchment area. It's wherever that section of the city drains to. Um and they start, you know, they'll pinpoint, you know, a hit of some uh pharmaceutical or ecoli in a
drain manhole and then they start working their way doing die testing into the homes in that area and then we can if we identify and elicit say if somebody's sore is attached um to the drain then we can just go and eliminate that. Um so in total gallons per day we
have 131,000 gallons of sewage that we've been able to take out of the rivers and that has a the breakdown is the merry mac the shashi and the spot um and then we have some coming in from athan as well.
So this is also part of the program. This is um Lawrence housing. there was um a sump pump in the basement and it was discharging out into the street which was made its way into a catch basin. So we identified that issue um
with our subcontractor. We notified Lawrence Housing and they immediately eliminated that connection and fixed the sewer line. So contract S um seven is underway for soar. So this is um the odor complaint
that we had for years on water street. Um we were able to repipe that intersection from embankment and water and we installed some um it repitches the pipe so it has more flow. Before it was stagnant. Um and we also added in
some check valves in the upper left corner. You can kind of see it in there. It's basically just it'll shut once the flow um is done. um and that prevents the odors from coming up through the catch basins. So, this is an overview of some of the
loans that we've had. Um so, we had contract six construction. As you can see, there's millions of dollars in loans here. So, for the sake of time, it's we were able to get this through council approval, but then we also get the loan forgiveness through
the state. Um, so as you go down the column at the bottom between loan forgiveness and then grant amounts that we've been able to get for the city, it totals close to $5 million that we've been able to save. So it's just it's a major amount of money. Um, some of the
highlights here are the Green Lawrence Blue Mary storm water resiliency master plan. So we're in year two of that and we um we are planning to present that to council sometime after the summer. So, that's very exciting. That was a $1.6
million grant that had a zero match as well. Um, and then we spoke about the 664,000 for the lead service line. And then our storm water asset management grants are smaller, but those help to um put together our GIS and inspect areas that
we need to either find manholes and we can um go through footage that we have from camera work in the past as well. Before I forget the storm water asset management plan,
you have 20,000 in in kind, 30,000 in kind. What do you mean by incind? >> So inind services are services that we provide. >> Okay. Um >> cuz I know inind like for me in kind is is something any kind. >> Yeah, it's any any services like um we have the crew will go out and assist to
open up manholes. um administrative tasks and things like that. If >> we could go back to the slideshow, please >> to our IT in the back, can you please leave the presentation up if we ask
questions during it? Thank you. So these are our future um project investments with your approval of the rate structure that we're um so we have $60 million planned in capital investments. So in the water side of things we have
Tower Hill structural repairs um that we're working on getting some type of a design done. Water treatment plant improvements um that also includes a raw water pump station. We're in dire need of an upgrade for that. So, that
provides water to the entire city and we we need redundancy there. We need brand new pumps and we plan to redo the building uh the whole building that's currently under design. Um was was approved in the prior loan authorization um with this structure. We'll be able to
do the construction portion. Um, we have some water transmission main replacements which are key to the city having water and summertime fires and everything. So, in Tower Hill, we have a 16-in high-pressure main. Um, and
realistically, if that were to fail, there's very limited water coming from the tower. So, we really want to, you know, double that up so we have that that extra backup. Um we have a commercial meter replacement um project that we're looking to do. So
in 2011 we had done a citywide we started with the commercial meters and then we worked our way to residential. Um at this point the commercial meters are very old. Um so we need to just go in there. That's a big source of our
revenue is you know accounting for the water. So to replace these older meters would be huge for us. Um, we're planning to fill the old reservoir, demolish the old water treatment plant. As many of you know, the building is um been vacant for over
20 years. So, it's really time that we move forward and bring that down. I'm in the sewer on on the slide because the slice is stuck on the screen. >> I'm just going over an overview. This is the same slide.
Um so the ongoing sanitary sore evaluation that's part of it. Um that's compliance for the consent order. So we have no choice. The city must be in compliance. Um and then we have our more sore main work. Um and then sore
separation. So we're looking into designing that. We have an opportunity on the Methuan border for the Arlington district. If we can capitalize on that, we could we could potentially separate the Arlington district as one of our first project in the city. >> And commissioner, I think we can there's
since it's an overview, if we if we have specific questions, we can bring it up. >> Okay. Sure. >> But yeah, >> so these are our water demands. >> So, as you can see, we're at 2.4 billion gallons. We've gone spiked up since
2016. It's due to, you know, influx of apartments, businesses, everything. Um, these are the proposed water main locations. Um, there's nothing set in stone right now, but these are just a general overview of fire flow um projects that we need to u move forward
with. Um, these are the repairs of the tower we spoke about. We're currently looking into putting um an accessible hatch on the top um of this tower so we can get in for easier for inspections. We have the overview of that property
where we're going to demolish this building. And then that's just a proposed, you know, vision that in the future we could potentially house the sword division there. Um temporarily it's a cement pad. We you know, we could easily get in the
future if we needed the property for, you know, pump stations or whatever, we could you um keep it. So, this is the reservoir and the condition that it is before we filled it up a little bit. So, some water in there now. Uh but this is
what the what we would look at. Um so, hopefully this will happen this summer. We do have it 3/4 of the way filled up and we're looking at getting some air raators in there now. So the proposed rate adjustments. So this is just the revenue flat lines
without it. We're at 377 for 100 cubic feet, 748 gallons of water and 407 for sewer. our retained earnings will dip down and we will hit a deficit of 71,000 um by
next fiscal year. The good news is though with the proposed rates so we have a tiered structure. So we want to implement this for a few different reasons but the primary reason is the cost associated with high water users.
The more water you use, um, the more money it cost the city. Um, and pumping cost, electricity, wear and tear, maintenance, the size of the water manes. Um, there's a lot of factors. So, in tier one, it would be the same as the
rate is today at $3.77. Um, once you move into tier 2, which would start at 15 billing units, it's 1,500 cubic feet up until 50, you would hit $4.7.
And then from 51 to 100, $4.37. And then at 101 plus, which would be a large commercial user, it would jump up to 509. And then, as you can see in the column for the sewer, it's 407, 440, 472, and 549, respectively.
Um, in fiscal year 28, we have a 2% adjustment. So, you can see like the top line, a tier one would jump from $3.77 to $3.85 and everything would be 2% more. The tiers are 8% each tier.
Um, and then it's important to note that if you use water in one tier and hit the second tier, you only pay the higher rate for the water you used in that second tier or third tier or fourth. You won't pay the higher rate for all the water you use. So essentially, it
becomes like a blended rate. So this is a percentage of customers and the versus the flow. So one to 14 is the 100 cubic feet billing units and that's 16% of the city's flows, 26% of the customers. Um the tier 2 is 22% of the
flows and that is 47% of the customers. So a bulk of the customers are in tier 2. Tier three 9% of flows 20% of customers and tier 4 is 52% of the flow. So half the city's flow is is coming
from 7% of the customers, those the large commercial users. So this is this is encouraging it encourages conservation. Um it reflects the true cost of supplying more water to people. Um and it promotes fairness and
equity and it will support long-term infrastructure investment. Um, with the equity, it's basically a single family home today is paying $3.77 for 100 cubic feet of water, but so is a commercial laundry mat. So, it's not
fair in that sort to speak. So, this this tiered structure will eliminate that inequity. So, this is the revenues what will happen um with this rate adopted. So, will spike up um and we can meet all of
our new additional capital that we proposed as well as our existing debt service. We do hit a little bit in 29, but we'll have plenty of retained earnings to make that work. And then you can see some capital drops off in fiscal year 2030.
Um so the revenue goal is three months reserves which equate to5 to $6 million. Um and that's that's what we have in the model here. So by fiscal year 2030 we're projecting to have $5.7 million in
retained earnings with this proposal. Um, so this is the neighborhood the quarterly bills comparable in surrounding communities. So for water and sewer, the total for a single family home in Lawrence using the 1,700 cubic
feet would be $135.17. And as you can see on the bottom line of the first tier is 190 in Andover, 235 Haveril, 179 in LOL, and 149 141 in Methuan. So even with this increase,
we're still lower than the surrounding communities, which is important. Um, and then it's also for the multifamily and then commercial as well. But commercial as tier 4, you're going to be in the 300 that's in the 300 billing units. That's
a $2,900 bill. It's a large commercial facility. Andover's 4,000. Hil's 4,000. LOL's 3500. And Mthuan is 3,800. So, we're still close to $1,000 less than Methuan, which is right next door.
Um, and then this is how much the bills would go up. If you look from average single family and go straight to the bottom, it was $133.28 for your average single family home. today with the rate increase it's $135.17
and then the three family would be $399 now $423 in the future average commercial $2352 in the future $2985. So as you can see most of the cost gets
shifted to the commercial user and they're using the most water. So, I'll open it up to any questions. >> Thank you. Counselors, do you have any questions or comments pertaining to the presentation
um the commissioner just gave us? >> I have a couple of questions. >> Okay. So my question I I'm I'm curious to know who our large users are. Number one, if there are if they are businesses, I am interested in
in thinking what are the impacts of an additional rate to a large business. Does that make are are we potentially losing businesses by doing that? I don't know if we have an answer for that, but that would be a question
and maybe it's so trivial or minute that it won't make a difference or maybe it is. I'm not sure where that is. >> So, council start with those two and I got one more. >> Sure. So, I would say um no just because of the surrounding communities, our
water is so cheap. So, even with the increase, we're well below surrounding communities. So, I don't see that to be an issue. Uh, and I'm very curious to know what that's was it 77%
of the there's there was a a was a larger propensity of of of a smaller number of of interests that are using a lot of water. I think was 70 >> 52% of the flow is 7% of the customers.
>> Okay. Seven. So I'm I'm just curious is to do do you break it down like that? It's not a critical thing, but I'm just curious as to who are major, what businesses, who's using all the water in our city. I'm just curious to know who that is. >> Bakeries, um, large commercial, um,
condominiums or apartments as you would call them, those are some of our largest users. And obviously, uh, commercial laundry mats. So if you live in a mill unit, you would probably see your water go up
more than someone who's in a single family home. So if you had a 100 units in the building, um you know, based on those numbers that you saw in the on the what we had the 300 billing units, it went from 2,300. So it'll be larger than
that. The bills are higher, but it's um it's spread out over 100 units. So it they that's part of um when you're in a such a large building like that that cost the city money. So that's costing the department money. Um so you know
that's that's just the cost of doing business with you know in that scale. So the the amount of water they use is significantly way more than a single family home and that's how we measure it. >> Thank you. Last question. I think
we have a lot of units in the city. I've been striking this drum for some time regarding unlawful units and the number of uh unpermitted units around and I'm just wondering do those
do the places where you're supposed to have two families but yet there's four or five families and they're in attics and they're in basement and they're and things are subdivided. Is that doing anything with respect to the water like usage? I would think it would be but I
tell me what the impact is. >> Yeah. I mean so if the more people that be in the building the more usage you have which are going to hit the tiers you know we but we go by the census data >> which shows you know average single family. That's how we do our rates. Um
so I would say that the bill for more people in the building is going to be higher that but like again it's the cost of us providing water. So the more water they're using, the tanks are draining faster, which is more electricity wear and tear and um maintenance that we need
to do in the city. >> One of the and so I get the revenue side, one of the biggest portions of concern is fire and the and making sure that we have adequate water at our fire hydrants.
We go ahead with this kind of increase. What impact do you see with getting increased flow and making more of our hydrants more usable, more effective, efficient?
>> Yeah. So, basically one of the things that we are focusing on in this round of funding in the future when we come before you would be fire protection. We've been heavily doing sewer with some water work in the past 3 and 1/2 years. But I will say prior to that for at
least 10 to 15 years in that range we invested heavily in the water system. So right now we've done most of the main drags and then in this uh streets you know with the larger mains and then with this proposal we will come into the inner city neighborhoods tie from one
large main to the other large main with all new hydrants. Um we will it's not going to be citywide but like Tower Hill you know is a big problem. We have there's there's areas in each um district in the city that we're going to
identify with the fire chief. Um I think he's been he we've met about it. Um he's brought up um areas of his concern. So we're going to put together that package and then we will present that with specific streets of what we're going to have a lot of.
>> Thank you, Commissioner. >> You're welcome. >> Council President. >> Yes. I have a few questions. uh through you madam chair couple of things that I would like to u go back I I didn't have the opportunity to talk to you in details u u
uh commissioner about the b rate but I mean something that I have noticed is that you know we we only have one option so I would like this committee and the city council to evaluate uh even though we're recommending an
option of tiers we want to know like what is how the other how the other model look like because I mean uh it might look good but ultimately we need to think uh you you're thinking
about you know as a commissioner you're thinking about more of a you know the wellbeing of the department and making sure that all the projects get done and within the period of time that you're looking for as a target we
potentially look at that way but also with all the little things involved that we need to also respondse to and uh having only one one one model in front of us. It is not is not
giving us the full spectrum of what how things might look like. uh we we talk about another model I'm not seeing it here want to see that include uh into the discussion and
and when we also what I to see more is a conversion of what the meaning of HCF means and what's that represent when it come when it comes to percentage of actual single family that we have in the city of Lawrence
Um so a like perhaps tier one represent about 26% of the community that we are going to fill in into that into that um tier tier one about 26% of
the people or of the community or the household or the customers household perhaps uh are going to are going to stay on that tier. But we want to know like if the model
represent more of that uh more of the actual number or the actual community. And what I mean by that is what is the percentage of uh single family that we have within our household in Lawrence.
uh is it at 26% is it at 12% is a 30% of single family home or 35% of single family home. So and based on that we can have a model that is more representative to the community and uh and and and
perhaps uh going into the model like on tier one it is going from u water usage of between one and 14 What might be the difference if we if we increase it to perhaps one to 20?
>> So the difference would be >> we want to know the funding portion of it like eventually. So we want to play with the numbers a little bit because I mean we're just giving up one motor. >> You know what I mean? >> Sure. So like in Methuan for instance their tiers are 10.
>> So their their tiers are one to 10. We've actually put our tiers higher so you don't hit the second tier. Um, you know, that's that's a pretty big difference going from 1 to 10 versus, you know, 1 to 14. Um, and we go by the
census data. So that's that's what we have to use. We um, >> well, me and perhaps I I have I'm actually see it in front of my computer right now. Meduan have a fiscal year 2025 rate, the water residential rate. That's what I have in front of me. I
actually like the Madun one because it talk to you about gallon of water. You know what I mean? On ours is like the conversion is not quite there. I I figured it out. Uh one HCF is about 778
>> 748 gallons. >> 750 gallons of water. So what's that's one uh HCF. So, but on the residential area, I guess that they have a commercial rate and residential rate. Am I doing
>> Yeah, we're we're proposing a single um >> we're proposing a single rate. Yeah. But they also have within the residential rate. That's what I'm seeing in front of me. from from one to uh from one to a,000 cf or from one gallon to 7,50
from 7 750 750 gallons to all the way to 7,000 uh50 7,500 gallons, you're going to pay a rate of $262. That's what I'm seeing on the screen here.
Um so it's kind of like you know um I don't know I want to know like I want to see another model in front of us based on tiers and based on uh the unique rate that you have we have talked about
slightly uh if people paid off like the basic rate everybody like how that look like uh and that way we can analyze potentially you know how that might affect everybody
or how the benefit benefit some. So trust me, we're not spending five years doing this this rate review like we did last year last time, but at least we need to figure it out, you know, all the
motors uh to present it to the council at least. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. So the other rate structure is a single >> be able to make a decision. So the other rate model is just a single um rate which we have now which I'm recommending against and that would be a 16% increase
across the board. So right now you have families the average family um single family bill was going to go up roughly 1% and roughly 6% for a three family. Um without this proposed structure then you're looking at a 16% rate increase
across the board. No, no, no. That's not that's not what I'm talking about essentially. >> So, what I'm talking about mostly is like the one they mentioned, they have one specific amount of dollars across the board and then
figuring out that the the rates by tiers, which is >> Yeah. So, this is basically the fairest method like the way the tiers are structured because we've no no matter what you do. So, if we say, "All right, we're going to increase the tier in tier one." Basically, other people are going
to have to pay more. So, we still need to capture the same amount of revenue. So, you can shift it around any different way, but at the end of the day, it's just going to be shifted to a different tier um and more different people would pay. So, we've structured it whereas the less
water you use um ultimately the less you pay. The more you use, the more you pay. So that's it's the fairest way. I'm we I'm happy to go over it in more detail. Um but we've spent a lot of time with this model and this is this is this is
100% um perfect. Like this if we start switching the tiers, it just creates more issues. Like I said, our tiers are have more leeway than other communities. Um so you won't hit the tiers as fast. Also, uh I I I like the fact that, you
know, uh I like the fact that when we have a single rate, a three month bill on your background system uh will make sense, but due to the fact that we have tiers.
Uh now we're proposing a tier uh system. I think that uh the current rate per tier should be calculated monthly even though the people might receive the bill every 3 months due to the fact that
potentially you might not hit the tier one within uh quarter during the first during the first month of the month. But essentially potentially if you if you hit it on February and then the entire 3
months are going to be de tier one or two. You know what I mean? So it's like >> can we do that? >> So I uh yeah absolutely but just so just for reference on my water bill. So I have four
just had a baby. So four right. So I'm thinking now my bill you know it's the same pretty much every quarter. So even though it's a tiered structure, it's not like it's going to fluctuate. People use relatively the same amount of water in a regular household, you know, give or take. So it's not like going to be like
a huge fluctuation every quarter. Um so just keep that in mind that yeah, it's a tiered structure, but once you get your first bill, if you're consistently using water and you're not, you know, doing irrigation in the summertime, um or doing large loads of laundry or
something, then it's going to be within the same range. Well, no. I disagree with you on that one because kids they they you do more laundry during the summer and uh and you
also use more water outside during the summer and and and not necessarily every every month of the summer you're going to do that. >> Yeah. So the way it is now >> essentially that's what I'm saying in the background there need to be some work out something work that we need to work it out in the back >> in the background
>> on the system that we actually built people. >> Okay. >> So essentially what I'm saying is I don't want to make you feel like you guys are not doing a great job. you guys are doing a great job uh by presenting
this on time uh before we we hold up the city hold up and for 10 years before they did a a rate increasement and then they hold up another three years before they actually put it in place and I'm not I'm not I'm not saying this is the
case but I'm saying if we changing the system completely from uh from a single rate which you you you're against it I believe that it's not the best the best way either But we at least we need to present those and then we can justify to the people of
why we did not we we didn't approve that and also the tier one two and three and four system which is more fair according to your statement but also what you have uh we have discussed in another discussion which is basically one
specific rate across the board uh for everybody uh or one specific fee across the board for everybody. And then after that uh after that amount uh presenting the tier se the tier uh meta. So essentially we want I want to
see more than just this uh methodology that we have in front of us. >> Okay. Thank you. I think you you know you have that slightly >> sure >> many times. Okay. Thank you councilors. Any other questions or comments?
I see none. I will entertain a motion. motion to set. >> I'm willing to make a motion. Uh, do we have any specific timing? >> Council Marl was in the middle of saying a motion. >> Council, I'm sorry, I didn't know if my mic was on. Um, I was going to put in a
motion to send this to the full council with a favorable recommendation. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion was made, properly seconded. Now, we're going to go to council president that may have some amendments to the motion. Uh, council. Council president. I mean I mean uh if
you guys are not willing to even take a look at the other model I mean it's up to the council but I mean I think this is not fair for us to uh just entertain one one motor and then eventually have to have that that that
discussion with the people because this going to be all on the council. It's not the administration is not even taking part of this. >> So through you madam chair. So I can agree that we can make a slide that can show you what it would you know a brief overview of of another version but just for your information.
>> Okay. So council Marmo can you would you accept a friendly amendment motion favor recommendation pending the slide presentation that the commissioner would will present to us at the full council? >> Sure. Or would it be would
it matter if it's a committee report? If we're pending if our decision is going to change pending this documentation, then it's technically not a favorable recommendation. >> You take back your motion and then I >> So I'm going to take back my motion.
Um then the motion that I am submitting now is um submitting this item as a committee report pending the documentation um in the form of a slide you said or presentation >> from your department showing
>> the comparisons of of the models. >> Um that is my motion. >> Okay. Is there a second? um second discussion if that information is going to intake something that I had discussed or that information is going to be just one slide or the different moral analysis because what I'm looking for is
the different moral analysis so we can take a look at those as well. >> So can you just connect with the commissioner offline to to figure out what what exactly you're looking for so that he could prepare um for Tuesday's meeting because we have the last item and it's another big one. So,
>> can you please connect with the council president to ensure that whatever it is that he's looking for in the committee, the models is reflected for next week? >> Sure. >> Thank you. Maria, can you please call the role? >> Sure. Um, just uh to make sure who made the the motion.
>> Councelor Marl and Council President seconded. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um, council vice chair Vivian Marmmo. >> Yes. Council President Joavanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Councelor Mark Leland. >> Yes.
>> And councelor Madame Chan. >> Yes. Thank you. >> We will see you. Make sure to connect with council president. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. The last item we have is item 133-26 year-to-day budget review inspectional services department. And we have our caffel and director of
ISD here with us. Kathle you have the floor. Now imagine if we would have started at 7 or a little after 7 the time. Good evening counselors from Mona Sevajos budget and finance 200 Common
Street. Today we continue our series of presentations with the various departments to review the year-to- date actual. We have um heard from the police department, from the fire department and today we are uh hearing from the
inspectional service department. We have two reports that I submitted to uh the committee. The first one is the revenues received year to date and the second one is the expenses year to date. We have our ISD director with us and
someone from his staff to answer any questions you may have. Thank you. We're going to get right into it. Um, are there any questions for the ISD department pertaining to their budget? I just had
my questions. I just had my pages. Um, do you want to just do an introduction while we look for our Just >> Pat Ruiz. I'm director of instructional services and uh I'm here with my uh financial officer Carmen Zerilla.
>> Hello. All right. Um any questions? I can get right into it. I have my questions. All right. So, first question off the bat and I apologize. Um, a lot
of I'm going to be looking at my laptop as I have the Excel sheet here. Um, so I apologize that I'm not looking at you directly, >> but off the bat, I'm seeing the overall budget's already there's a se it's
already been used 71%. And my question to that is, are we expecting um are we are are we on track for that July or June 30th end date or are you guys
anticipating any year end transfers to to I guess keep the yeartoate budget going until the year expires? >> Yes. >> Yes. So, um I think we're on track. Um, the only item that might be over would be the overtime for building inspectors
when they're on call or if they get called in for any emergencies or fires or anything like that. >> Yeah, actually just and that's a perfect segue into one of my other questions. Overtime um compared to the salaries as you see it's
it's it's very high. >> So you're saying that building inspectors are are on call. Besides them being on call, do we have a shortage of inspectors within the department? >> Uh, yes we do. We have currently we have one certified building inspector. We
have one more that's um on their way to getting um the certification >> and we're short we're short two building inspectors. >> Okay. Has this issue been addressed for the current planning for FY 26? >> Uh yes, we did. We uh we put in we we we
we've put in a few times uh to uh hire a building inspector, but it's uh difficult um because we're not getting the right candidates. Um they're not certified. Most of them they don't have the they don't have the minimum qualifications required by the BBRS. So
we're having a hard time filling that that position. >> Okay. How many ofties do we have? >> Uh right now we have two, I believe. Right. >> Two capful. >> I think we have two, right? >> No, one one >> one. >> Okay, we have two.
>> So, one vacancy. >> Yeah. >> All right. Um, >> one. >> All right. So, another thing that I I noted, um, overall department budget spending is high,
revenue, not so much. Um I want to know more about permit in inspection revenues. Are we tracking that with expectations with forecasts? Um if not, why why are
the efforts not matching the revenue that we should be seeing? >> So usually um the building permits are the one that brings in most of the revenue. >> Okay. Um so we're not we don't have uh major uh construction projects. >> Most most of those permits have been paid.
>> Um but um uh let me see. So so calendar you know calendar year uh 2024 um that didn't come in until like I think it was May. um the the budget I
mean the revenue that we collected I think it was 1.5 in 25 it went up to uh 1.8 8 million. Um that was a calendar year though. I'm going by calendar year. Uh this year um in um in the four months, well since
January, I'm just going for January to this month, we uh collected about uh 870,000 in fees. >> Um the other thing is that right now I spoke with Ramona. um all the fees from inspectional services. Um we're looking
to come in front of the city council. We want to we want to uh raise all those fees to bring in bring in revenue. They haven't been raised in I think I'd say I know 10 to 15 years. Those fees have have been raised. So I'm looking to raise all the fees in the instructional services department.
>> Okay. Uh my next question is regarding the contractual service. Um I'm seeing that is also increasing. Tell us more a little bit about that. Is it are we I mean I know there's a shortage you just explained that there
is a staff shortage but to be using contractors outside consultants etc. >> Um is that aside from the shortage um why are we relying so much on contracted services instead of the staff
that we do have? And I know there's a >> well comment could explain that but we we're not using any consultants. >> Okay. >> It might be it might be other stuff that >> so am I perhaps am I reading that line inaccurately? >> Well so we usually was you mean like other purchase?
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. So we have um a prosecutor. >> What was the name for that person? Um so cuz we get t we give tickets like um and we need um um a hearing officer. So we
use that money for that also. We using that money um like um there's a lot of project with the uh health department. >> Okay. >> Um supporting the community for outreach event and we're using that money for
that too. So it's not only consulting, we also use that money for um a plumbing inspector uh temporary when uh the inspector is out just to help um outside for the inspection when there are emergency inspection
like no heat and things like that. Okay. Um just within I guess within line items in general, have we been um transferring
>> funds? No. Okay. >> All right. Um I think that is it for now for me. Uh counselors, are there any other questions pertaining the budget? Um, councelor Le,
>> thanks. Can you can you describe more about the court fines that in the revenue report? How are those generated? How are those generated? >> Yeah. So, um, the the talk about the ticket fines, right? >> Well, it says other court fines, uh,
4771. What is that? What's that money coming from? >> Uh, what is that? On yours. I know. >> It's under the >> It's under the >> revenue. >> Revenue section. >> Under the revenue section. >> Yeah, I know. >> Here.
>> I have it. If you want to take this. >> I don't think they have any. >> This I I have it. It's in the box there. >> So, the revenue section. >> Yeah, we don't have that. We only have So, what are you talking about?
Tobacco fines. >> Oh, the that that's uh the violation. Yeah. For the uh when they sell to minor. >> Okay. That's those are tobacco fines. >> Those in uh >> tobacco enforcement. >> The court fines or tobacco enforcement. >> We have two. We have we have the
we have the 40 new um ticket fines and we also have a tobacco enforcement um person that works for low and Lawrence and they they do enforcement in Lawrence and Low >> Hold on. Um director give us one second. There is a
>> I'm only doing this because it is an important question. We got to figure this out now pertaining to ISD but sorry about that. Yeah. So, I don't know. Did she send us the the revenue? >> I only saw that.
>> But that's >> Yeah. Okay, this will take two seconds. Um, apologies for the >> for um just stay stay put. Just give me one second. Can I have a motion to table
item 133-26, year today budget review. >> So moved. >> Motion has been made um by councelor the plant, seconded by second councelor Marmal. No discussion. Maria, can you call the role? >> You mind if I call you?
>> What's before table? Is that what we're doing? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Councelor Mark Llan. >> Yes. >> Okay. Councelor Vivian Marmal. >> Yes. >> Council President Gavanni Rodriguez. >> Yes.
>> And then councelor um Madame Chair Stephanie F. >> Yes. So we're going we're going to go back to the water rate adjustment item. Um item 13426, Council Marl. Um I'd >> like to make a motion to reconsider my vote. >> A motion to reconsider vote by council
the plan. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Um sec. Uh probably seconded. Discussion. Seeing none, um Maria, can you please call the the the role? Okay. All right. Councel Vivian Marl.
>> Yes. Council President Giovanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Council Mark Llan. >> Yes. >> And council Madame Chair Stephanie Fonte. >> Yes. >> Motion car. Go >> ahead. Um >> council. So I just wanted to make an
amendment to the motion um on top of so adding to so everything stays the same in regards to the motion that was uh originally presented. Um which just to restate what it is was um let me see
what was the item number >> committee report >> 134 committee committee report pending >> so item 13426 um is being sent to the full council as a committee report uh pending documentation um and I'm also requesting to order a
public hearing on this matter >> motion has been made by the vice chair seconded by council the That discussion see none. Um, madame clerk, can you please call the role? >> Council president Giovanni Rodriguez.
>> Yes. >> Council uh vice chair um Vivian Marl. >> Yes. >> Council Mark Llant. >> Yes. >> And council Madame Chair Stephanie Fonte. >> Yes. Thank you. Now, can I have a motion to unte item 13326? So move.
>> Motion has been made by the vice chair. Is there a second? >> Second. Seconded by councelor the plant. No discussion. Madame clerk, can you please call the role? >> Okay. Councelor Vivian Marmmo. >> Yes. >> Councelor President Giovanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> And councelor um Michael Bland.
>> Yes. >> And councelor vice I'm sorry Stephanie Fe. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Motion cares. I apologize. >> Thanks. Okay. My apologies, director. Um can you just rephrase your question please? >> Sure. So right back. So, we were talking
about core fines and then you was explaining to me that there's tobacco and then 40U. So, >> yeah. So, the 40U Yeah. So, the 40U tickets um 20 2024. So, I'm going to go back three years. So, 2024 um the total amount that was given that
year was 39 39,000. We collected 12,620. uh 2025. Last year, uh we issued 63,550 worth of tickets. >> We we collected uh 27,000. >> Motion has been made to pass 10. Is there a second?
>> Oh, okay. >> Like a second. >> Sorry. >> We don't have to do this. >> I'm not sure. I don't There's a probably second. Um can you please call the role, Maria? >> Council Vice Chair Vivian Maru. >> Yes. Councelor Michael Plan.
>> Yeah. >> Council President Giovanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> And then Council Madame Chair Stephanie Fonte. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. So going back uh so in 2024 we didn't have a hearings officer. So that's why we only collected 12,000. Uh
we in 2025 we did get an enforcement prosecutor and a hearings officer. So uh we issued uh 63,500. We collected 27,000. Well, can you say I think it's 63,000 site is here
>> 63,000 um uh uh dollars worth. Uh so uh a total of uh the total uh fee amount was 63,000. >> Okay. And what's the second number? The 27 number. >> 27 is the amount that we paid >> amount that >> I mean I mean I mean that that we collected we collected those fees. We
charged 63,500 and we got paid from the 63 $27,000 and the first one was $39,000 >> and we got 12,600 >> and then we received 12,000 but at that time we didn't have a prosecutor and we didn't have a hearings officer for the 40U. >> All right.
>> And then this year um from January to now we issued $68,000 worth of tickets and we've collected 21,600 so far in four months. 21,000 in four months. 21,000 and change.
>> Yeah. So, the the thing is with with the tickets, the the the monetary tickets. So, you have to go through the process. So, if they pay they have 21 days to pay the ticket. Um if they pay the ticket, that's great. Um if they don't pay within 21 days, now they get a 30-day
notice uh from the prosecutor. Once they get 30-day notice, um you know, we wait to see if they pay. If they don't pay um then we bring them and bring them in front of we we'll cite them to come in front of the the hearings officer and
then um if they don't then we lean we lean the property. So, where's the 21 Where is the $27,000 in the fees section? >> That That's fees collected already. Uh, collected
by the reference numbers. >> Yeah. Because um >> I'm doing calendar year. That's why >> Yeah. So, so you don't you don't have >> So, in citizen serve, we keep track of all tickets. So, when I ran calendar year from January to now, >> I was asking this year pass. So you you so you just pay
>> well well this year we collected 21,600 this year. >> It doesn't show over here. That's what you see. >> It probably um >> in the units >> but when they come in and pay and through citizen serve from from January to this month that's that's the checks
that we received and we turned we turned over. But shouldn't, maybe this is a question for the CAPO, but shouldn't shouldn't there be somewhere around here where it's showing the money that we're receiving from the 40US? >> Shouldn't it be on this revenue report
somewhere? We are bringing money in. >> Are we waving fees? >> Huh? >> Are we waving fees? >> So, the only one that can wave a fee is the hearings officer. Mhm. And you could do you could do a you could do what they call it a desk um a
desk um survey I forget what it is. If it's a wrong address or if they cleaned it up then you know we have the right to >> understood. Thank you for that. >> Yeah. Mhm. Dust review. That's what they call it a dust review. >> So I'm still waiting to to know where I
can find the money the numbers that you're giving me in our budget. Well, >> so this is year to date. Um, >> yeah. So, I'm So that's probably um from what is that from from from
>> this is July 1st through uh when I ran the report6. >> Okay. All right. >> Yes. So, whatever country see we process and it's posted in the system. So, it's going to show there. So, >> but when you know when people come in and pay by check that's recorded on
citizen serve, that's what I have. It's 27. So, I don't know why the numbers are different. So, >> well, the Well, I I I'm not sure we're going to fix it tonight, but there needs to be when when we are asked when we when when the what's your name? When when the when
the chair >> Thank you. when the chair puts this together and and and and we're reviewing the budget and we're viewing this year's current budget >> the it's hard if you're if if you're working calendar and the rest of us are working in fiscal year
>> how am I supposed to make sense of and make those numbers make sense to me and I can't >> so I think we would need to work in a system all of us have to agree >> if we're working fiscal year we need to work fiscal year So, you're giving me
numbers. I'm surprised by those numbers, quite frankly, >> but they're not matching our budget, >> and so right now I'm in a very difficult position because >> I just don't understand. >> And those are big numbers and they
should be >> at some point somewhere in this revenue sheet, it should be reflected somewhere. >> Um, yeah, I don't know. I'm not sure. No, he's talking about this. >> No, it's just No, that's just, you know,
that's this is a calendar year. So, I mean, >> so you have to go. >> Yeah, I know. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I knew that. So, that's why that was my mistake. >> That's okay. Um, >> that was mistake. I was going calendar year. >> Um, >> but even though >> I think uh some of the
permit types you have here >> might be combined in units, so your numbers might be >> a little different than what we have. It all depends on where these different permit types are deposited. >> Okay.
>> So maybe Karma has a better idea of where for example um >> yeah like building all the stuff that they do in building is just going to go in one account and plumbing too. But when they apply they apply to different stuff. They apply to um the certificate
of inspection. They apply to um um commercial use 110. So they're all different. So, but we put it in one um um item on the um or or an audit and it's go just to one account. >> So, it doesn't split like like the way you have it. So, that's what it is.
>> Yeah. All right. >> So, I guess um >> yeah, I didn't have that report so I couldn't go by that. So, >> well, yeah, she says we we have it on a different tab. >> Okay. Okay. All right. The reason why these numbers are important is
>> again you will allow me to beat the horse that's already dead that needs to be hit again >> which is this. I mean we you when I say you I mean your department >> Yes. >> is an absolutely critical department. >> Mhm.
>> And I'm going to tell you what I told the mayor the other day. >> And this is not a personal thing. This is an institutional thing. Your department has failed the city when it comes to when it comes to when
it comes to unlawful apartments and doing what we need to do to make sure that the structures are safe for the people who live here. We are failing and I'm not seeing anything. And the one place where there are several places to look. One of
the places to look is through the 40U and making sure that these if if we're catching folks are doing something wrong that they're administratively being brought in and ticketed and doing something. >> And I'm seeing a bunch of numbers >> that I'm really surprised to see.
Although I'm not seeing it in the format that I expect to see it in, which is fiscal year. I would love to see the breakdown of how many how many 40US we have prosecuted, how many violations
have there been and what does that mean for dollars and cents? I would love to see those numbers. >> I could I could run the report, you know, fiscal year. I could run the report that way >> and do it that way and give you the numbers. >> That's and that's it's important and and especially important now as we start
building more. We are in the middle right now of the ADUs >> and and I'm I'm we you and I talked a little bit beforehand. I I need to see those numbers. We all need to see those numbers. The the chair and I put on the as a resolution before the ordinance committee that I won't be here. Is it
tomorrow night ordinance meeting? >> I think I think we should table that and >> we should table it. But we but the reality is we need to see those numbers and it's not anyway. So go ahead. >> Yeah. So 2025 uh we permitted 48 ADUs. >> In 2025 calendar year
>> that's calendar year. Yeah. >> How many So how many ADUs >> we peritted? We permitted 48 >> 48. >> Um this year we peritted uh uh 16
this year. >> Okay. >> That doesn't finish. So since >> No, they were permitted. Yeah, >> pardon. >> They were permitted. Some of them might be completed, some of them might not be, >> but Okay. So anyway, but that's a different number. That's good. No. 64 since this law became, >> excuse me, into existence.
>> We have 64 >> uh additions through ADU and and and we have applications outstanding still. We haven't processed. We can go into more detail on the ordinance committee, but it's just good to know. Anyway, the long and the short of is this is that I we the numbers are critical
>> because >> when I meet with the mayor >> Mhm. >> and I asked the mayor how many unlawful units we have and I didn't think he had a number >> and I know I've talked to you about it and I wasn't getting a number. He gave
me a number. I'm going to tell you what that number is because I'm going to be using it a lot now. Mhm. >> Mayor tells me we have 9,000 unlawful units in this city. That's a staggering number.
We have 9,000. If your boss is telling me, >> I don't mean to be offensive about this. The boss is saying you got 9,000 unlawful units. My question to you is, what are we doing about it? One of the places that I'm looking is the enforcement coordinator and seeing what they're doing, but I'm also seeing what
else are we doing? Are we permitting? I mean, what are we doing? unlawful. >> So that number um is a number that's, you know, pretty high. I mean, how how do we know for real how many, you know, we don't know.
It could be it could be more than that. It could be less. I don't know because we don't track it. We don't track illegal illegal apartments. Um like I said, we only have one building inspector. We have another one that's in training. Um and we're short in building inspectors. They're the only ones that could do that. um they they're busy, you
know, doing inspections and reinspections and cement inspections and, you know, insulation inspections. So, we only have two people. So, you know, I can't have them going out there, you know, knocking door to door and looking for illegal apartments. You know, we find them when there's a fire.
We find them when there's code violations. Um what I did what I did do this this spring is I divided the map into eight se eight eight sectors and and I assigned uh uh all health code inspectors and building specs to different sectors of the city you know
um South Lawrence Arlington district stuff like that and they're in charge to to roam that area during the day you know in between their inspections they go to go out up and down the streets and look for any violations any illegal um uh illegal construction construction and
stuff like that. Um, you know, we can't go into every single household and knock on the door and say, you know, we're checking to see um if there's illegal apartments because if they told us to get lost, then we got we have to leave, you know, we can't go in unless we get a warrant, you know. So, um, so, you know,
we could try that, but we just don't have the manpower to do that, right? >> And so, anyway, go ahead. >> I'm going to suggest something council. >> Yeah, go right ahead, please. >> I would like to table this and have you guys come back. Mhm. >> Um not for the next meeting cuz the next meeting is going to be um DPW, but I
believe after that we're done with the major departments. Am I correct, Kafle? So after that, we'll bring you back. >> Um I would like for you to generate a report with these questions. Um I I personally want to see the fees whether
whatever fees the department has as a whole aside from violations all and any and all fees how many have we issued how many were excused because I also understand you know aside from >> from
uh requirements >> yes >> we do have instances where you can and and I'm going to put it out there where a counselor calls or the mayor calls and says, "Oh, that's so and so." >> Can we not, you know, can we work with them? >> I want to know I want to know those
numbers too and potential loss revenue. I also want to know when we do collect >> these funds, are they going directly into ISD or are some also going somewhere else like the general fund for example? >> All as far as I know full report.
>> As far as I know, all fees that collected by going to the general fund. >> Perfect. So a full report to cover everything. >> Um I think that would give >> everyone a better understanding and I do echo councelor Lel plant. It is this is
one of the it and ISD one of the most important. >> Mhm. >> And I in in our in our um community. Uh, but before I table this, I asked to table this, I do want to give the opportunity to either council president
or councelor Marmal to chime in or would they'd like to um uh wait, I I do see council president. Yeah. >> Um you madame chair just wondering um I know that we back then in 200
18 19 or something like that we put in place uh the not the enforcement agent but I'm not the the prosecutor but the enforcement agent is uh and we just approved the
prosecutor position last here. So, are those been done uh within the department or how that look like? Can you explain that to me? >> Well, the the prosecutor um is in charge
of all 40 ticketing. That's that's that's that's her that's uh her job. >> Yeah. That's the to prosecute to go to uh housing court or to do it in house and then do the the the
>> so the the the prosec so so 40U the the the reason why we do 40u is so we don't have to go to court cuz when we go to court >> um it's like double double the the time to do it and usually the judge just waves all the tickets so we we we lose money that way and we waste time with
the inspectors going to court that's why we went to the 40U because the 40U we could do it in half the once it's done correctly. So, you know, they have the 21 days um they have the 30 days and then if they don't pay, we still have recourse because it goes on the on a lean on the property. So,
eventually we might get we might not get it right away, but you know, we we you know, we'll get it eventually or if they come in for a permit, >> if they come in for a permit, then you know, we won't issue a permit because they have to pay that fee. And when they when they get a a ticket automatically
an alert goes to uh in citizen serve and when when that happens they can't even they can't even sign into the system um to get a permit and then they have to come see us or call us and then that's when we tell them you owe you you owe money and if you don't pay the ticket or
whatever um then you know you're not going to get a permit or a license. Essentially, we have the the prosecutor also doing the the the also hearing of the tickets.
>> Second, >> second. >> So, the prosecutor is also doing the hearings for the >> No, no, no. A hearings officer. We have a hearings officer. The prosecutor is basically like the Kirk magistrate. gets everything together, preps
everything. Make sure that you know the timelines are right, the 21 days, the 30 days, and and then the next the next the next um that they if they appeal the ticket, they have 45 days um to to um
she they have 45 days. Once they appeal the ticket, the prosecutor has 45 days to schedule a hearing with with with the person that that appealed the ticket. So there there's a whole there's a whole structure that I can send everybody that explains it in detail. I have it.
>> No, I mean I I I'm um that's what we approved back then and and long time ago. But I mean I was wondering to see if it is if we already have somebody in place to do the hearing of the ticket or
uh it's the same person as the prosecutor that is doing the >> No. No. So the prosecutor the you know accord according to according to the the the way it was written 40U the master general law 40U um a hearings officer needs to be in place. So the hearings
officer um um resigned about a couple of months ago and um I just got word from the city attorney today that they hired a new a new hearings officer. >> So it's an outsider that come to the city. >> It's an outsider. It has to be uh somebody from the outside. It can't be anybody that works for the city. Okay.
The hearings officer. >> No, because I mean the reason >> two different two different things, you know. >> Yeah, of course that I know. Uh but the reason that I'm asking is because uh the madame chair says, "Are we reducing the ticket?" Uh and then there's waving.
Yeah. >> Well, there's some incidents where where I understand you want to work with the people. >> In some in some instances when there's a dust review, um you know, we we have the option to uh wave the ticket, >> right? And again, I I understand there are circumstances where,
>> you know, if if it's a minor violation that could be fixed, I understand that and I understand, you know, the opportunity. >> Sometimes they get a I'm sorry. Sometimes they get a ticket for having, you know, a chair in front of the thing >> for 100 bucks. They, you know, they they they they send a picture or they come in and say, "Look, I took a picture. It's
not there no more." Right. >> So, you know, so we wave it. But there's also the other side of it um council president that I mentioned was >> there is some I mean >> there there are instances where you may get a call and that's also a loss of revenue. So that's why regardless of the
of the situation it actually it doesn't even matter the situation regardless at the end of the day it's a potential loss of revenue and I think those numbers for us to know are also important. Mhm. >> Mhm. So essentially what I want I wanted to know is like whether or not there is
a reduction of the tickets and how that look like if it is. >> So the hearings officer has the right to reduce the ticket or or wave the ticket totally. >> Mhm. >> The the hearing officer. >> The hearings officer. Yes. >> Okay. All right. I just want to know.
>> All right. So >> thank you. >> Um >> also include that through you mad chair. Also include that on the report if it's possible. Yeah. >> Say again. >> Okay. If you could if you could also uh include that on the report. >> Yeah. Um yeah, we we could run everything's on everything's on the
report. What you know if it was dismissed or what you know it was waved or whatever. >> No, it's saying the structure of that uh of the system. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. Yeah, I can do that. >> Okay. Okay. So, what I'm seeing here is um the potential meeting week that
I anticipate having you guys come back would be the week of May 11th. >> So, that way gives >> everyone plenty of time um to prepare. And also, I I do understand director
that um you guys had a different financial sheet than us. So now we can all be on the same page. You know the questions that we're asking. We know what we're looking for. >> And um that's going to be a lot of help. >> And again, I didn't say this earlier, but um I think the cap might have
mentioned it mentioned it. This isn't an effort to reduce year-to-ate questioning during the budget hearing for the next fiscal year so we can focus on the future and not take up so much time with these, you know, details or factors.
>> I understand. So nothing against the department. I know I've been getting calls by department heads. Why are we going in? >> Well, no. Sometimes people make, you know, make make comments that we, you know, that we don't do our job that we know, we're not doing it right. And that that that's wrong. All all my inspectors work hard. They do what they do what
they got to do. Uh I'm on top of them. I make sure they do their job. So comments like that, uh, you know, I don't appreciate. >> Thank you. And I I understand. Um so I'm going to ask again just an o over overview of the numbers. Um we don't need to get
into the details but just the bigger picture items bigger picture um financials and hopefully that would be the ending of of the yeartoate review for you guys. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you so much. >> Okay.
>> Um all right counselors that was it at this point. Can I have a motion to adjurnn? Motion to adjurnn. >> Motion has been made by councelor Marmo. Is there a second? Seconded by councelor the plant. No discussion. Madame clerk,
can you please call the role? >> All right. Um, council president Giovanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Vice Chair Vivian Marmal. >> Yes. >> Councelor Mark Lan. >> Yes. >> And uh Madame Chair Stephanie San. >> Yes.
>> All right. >> Thank you so much counselors. Have a great night.