December 11th, it is uh 2025. It is now 6 uh 6:44 p.m. Voting members present through this virtual meeting is myself, uh the chair of this committee, councelor Stephanie Infante,
um councelor Wendy Luzon, and council president Javanni Rodriguez, uh the vice chair, councelor Marmal could not join us this evening. Pursuant to chapter 20 of the acts of 2022, this meeting of the budget and
finance committee is being conducted via remote participation. A reminder that persons who would like to listen or view this meeting while in progress uh may log into um the Zoom meeting with
the link was provided on on the agenda or may also follow along through our uh YouTube channel. Uh counselors, we have no minutes to approve, so we're going to get right into new business. Uh the first item we
have tonight is item 467-25, transfer in the amount of $124,253 from free cash to uniform replacement. And it was brought to us by uh Fire Chief Delaney.
Um before we give the chief the floor, I do want to make a note counselors that in your documents um the corresponding supporting documents are actually reversed. You will find the I the the
supporting documents for the first business uh new business item act um under the second one actually which is 460 468-25 and the one that pertains to the second new business item is actually was
accidentally put for the within the first um business item. So, just want to make sure that you are aware of that if you did not notice. All right, Chief, you have the floor and please uh for
those that are able, please turn on your your cameras when um discussing with this committee. Thank you. >> Hi, counselors. How's everybody doing? Hope everybody's doing well. Um, yes. So, the first turnout gear, we're
we're expecting 14 new hires this year. In contractual language, everybody's supposed to have 10 um two sets of gear. Um, so what this is going to do is uh 10 sets for existing firefighters.
Part of our gear, our structural firefighting gear, after 10 years, it becomes null and void. Um there's a couple reasons. Um the warranty is one thing and one of the newer things is PAS in our gear and that comes out through
degragation and heat and that's what's actually causing us cancer. So it's really um not only does it wear out the warranty, but it's not good for our firefighters to be wearing old gear. And for contractual language, they're supposed to have two sets. So, this is
uh 10 sets uh for existing firefighters whose gear is over 10 years old, eight second sets for new hires, and 10 sets for upcoming VA vacancies with also some leather boots and stuff like that. We do
have a capital account with an annual budget of 70,000. Um but I believe we for that we have already exhausted that I believe. I'll take any questions. >> Okay. Thank you. Um I actually have a I
see that our C is on. Uh CAF, do you have on the top of your head uh the balance the current balance of our pre free precache? You're muted. Kappo Kappo, you're muted. >> Sorry. Good evening everyone.
>> Um, our free cash was certified at $18,394 361 and we do not have any expense against it yet. >> $18,394. What was the rest? >> 361. >> 361. All right. Thank you.
>> You're welcome. >> That is my only question. Council, do you have any questions for um Chief Delaney? All right, no questions. I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion to send to the full council with favor or recommendation.
>> Motion has been made by councelor Lone, seconded by councelor uh council president Rodriguez. Any additional discussion? Seeing none, u madame clerk, can you please call the role? We can't hear you, Maria.
>> We can't hear you. >> You call the clerk. Call it. Well, >> until we figure that out. All right, I'll call it. Um, council president. >> Yes. >> Council council Luzon. Councelor Luzo.
>> Yes. >> And the chair votes in the affirmative. All right. The next item is item 468-25. Transfer in the amount of $72,818 with 90 from free cash to motor
vehicles. This was also brought to us by fire chief Delaney. Chief, you have the floor. Hi once again everybody. Um yes, this is for a new command vehicle. Um many of our vehicles, actually one of our vehicles just got taken off the road
uh today. Uh our mechanic Garrett does an excellent job keeping up with our apparatus as well as our vehicles. I have a list that I should have sent you. We have many vehicles from 2007, 2011,
2012, 2014. The one we're replacing is a 2018 with about 120,000 miles. What we do is we um they're like three vehicles that are going to be taken off the road just
because they're rotted out. We can't do anything with them anymore. And this the vehicle that is being replaced will like follow down the line. What we did do in in the past year, we took two police vehicles that were going up for auction
that were down the DPW and I had the mechanic go down there and said, uh, hey, there's four police vehicles going to auction. Take a look at them and see if they, uh, they'd be useful to us. He thought two of them were salvageable.
So, we we have been doing that. Um, we took we put like 5,000, you know, 5 $10,000 into these vehicles and we got them back on the road. Um, so I I don't believe we've had a new
vehicle in the last maybe 3 years, but a lot of our vehicles, like I said, we 2007 2011. We also have many members going to the fire academy and part of the contractual language is um we have six members. So
we need two vehicles for them to go back and forth to the academy. If we can't supply that, they have a right for reimbursement of using their own vehicles. Thank you, counselors. Any questions for the chief?
Seeing none, can I get a motion to send this up to the full council as a favorable recommendation? >> So, move by council president, seconded by councelor Luzon. Any further discussion on this?
Seeing none, uh, Maria, are you? No. Okay, I'll call the question. Council President Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Council Luzon, >> yes. >> And the chair votes in the affirmative. Chief, we will see you next Tuesday.
>> Okay. Thank you everybody. >> Thank you so much. >> Have a have a good weekend. Thank you. >> All right. The next item we have is item 469-25, authorization to expend 144,000 um of towards of the asset management
planning grant. Um, oh wait, a grant number 18,979 with 66,000 cash match and 30,000 in kind services
match city staff. And I believe we have our water commissioner with us, Commissioner Hail. Commissioner Hi, good evening counselors. >> Good evening, commissioner. You have the floor.
>> Okay. So, this grant is um a second round of this um grant. So, the first round we um go through existing data that we have for our storm water pipes. Um so, we have things like CCTV footage. Um we do a lot of infield
investigations. Um, this grant will allow us to go further in depth into that CCTV. Um, and we can look for defects in the pipes. Um, we conduct risk analysis um through that footage and that develops
into our master plan. Um, it also helps with um flooding areas um things like that just to put it into our financial model for upcoming projects. Um the water and sewer department, we contribute about $30,000 in kind
services. Um and that goes to things like um infield um equipment use. Um you know, we're opening manhole covers, jetting lines. Um we assist the contractors um with the CCTV footage. And then we also do a lot of
administrative um things behind the scenes to get this um these projects going. Um, and then we are going to contribute a cash match of $66,000, which is just part of the grant, um, for a total cost of $240,000.
Um, so I'm just asking for permission to expend, um, the grant funds for this. If you have any questions, >> counselors, do you have any questions for Commissioner Hail? >> I'll make a motion to send the full
council with the federal recommendation. Motion by council president, second in by councelor Luzon discussion. Um quickly, uh commissioner hail, I just want to put like put this buzz in your ear. Um
eventually I would like to see the water department um present an update on um our our flooding situation and and any updates or projected projects that you have in your pipeline because flooding
is um throughout the years have been getting worse throughout this the the city. So I just want to make sure that we stay on top of that and that the council is being updated on um remedies for that. Sure.
>> Thank you. All right. U I'll call the role. You're good. Maria, can you call the role, please? >> Sure. Um Councelor Wendy Lousan, >> yes. >> Council President Joavanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> And Madame Chair Stephanie Infante.
>> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. >> Okay. Commissioner. You're welcome. >> Thank you. Uh, next item we have item four 470-25
program proposal for AI and enabled drone and gunshot detection technology for public safety. And we have uh Director Shepard from the police department here with us tonight. Director and I see we have S sergeant
Dar and also our IT director. But Director Shepard, you have the floor. >> Thank you. Good evening, city council. Thank you for having us tonight. My name is Rosa Shepard, director of support services at the Lawrence Police Department. Um again, we appreciate the opportunity for you uh for you for allow
us to to speak with you uh with city council. Today we are here to introduce two pro uh um two proposed no cost pilot agreement with uh flock safety which will allow the Lawrence police department to test emerging public
safety technologies before making any financial commitment for the for the city of Lawrence. uh with me tonight it will be uh the IT director Carlos Castillo and Sergeant Salmenar who will be more than happy to assist with the pilot and any and are available to
answer any questions in regard the function functionality and any other concerns related related to the implementation or technical review uh if the city council have any questions for us tonight. Awesome. Sorry, switching my laptops here. Um,
Sergeant Dar, you have the floor. >> Good afternoon, counselor. Um, I, uh, would like to say that if you do not have this presentation, uh, we can forward this to you. Please don't mind the, uh, timeline of this
because this was, uh, based on our previous, um, scheduled meeting. Um, we can always send you an updated uh timeline. This is in regards to our drone. Uh, as a first responder
testing pilot, it's through flock safety. This program will allow us to pretty much um allow a drone capability to scenes of an active incident prior to an
officer's even arrival. So this technology is being currently used by multiple agencies and municipalities within the Commonwealth. Uh what we're trying to do is catch up to the times right now. So we do have a
deficiency in personnel and this is one of the offset matters. Um, this here will allow, for example, if we do have a car, uh, let's say crash where it involves multiple vehicles,
the drone will allow to be deployed by the 911 dispatcher that hovers over the screen. It maps out the area and also allows us to dictate how much actual uh, response we do require. It could be
from fire to police and EMS. So, and the lag time, it obviously removes that from the deployment. It also captures that moment in time which also can facilitate the citizens of Lawrence and any other person involved outside the community.
uh this program right now is being uh like I said launched by multiple agencies and we would like to have the opportunity as you can see that it's displayed on screen from the timeline as a test pilot and once we've reached that time to allocate the funds needed if we
choose to uh proceed with that. >> Thank you. Are there any additional comments from the um our IT director on this? >> Uh no, no additional uh comment. Um uh this will be good uh for the police
department, you know, uh to try. Um so the reason why we're presenting this is, you know, uh when the time comes, it's not at the end of the day. We, you know, um, we going to need your support, uh, for funding.
>> Thank you. Uh, counselors, any question? Any questions for the police department? >> Madame Chair, if >> Councelor Luzon, >> so this is a pilot program and there's no money uh, uh, funds involved for now.
Is that what I'm getting or am I >> Yeah. City Council Luzon, what we're trying to do here is we're trying to make sure that the city council is is well aware of of what our goal is and uh we were trying to make it very
transparent to you from the beginning. So, this is at its inception. We are trying to pilot this out. We're trying to make sure that everything is crossed out the way it's supposed to be. uh within the rules and regulations of both
ordinance and law. Once that is obtained, we are looking for your support into presenting this. And uh yes, we are going to be asking for funding if fundings if it meets uh the city's needs. Uh followed by this, it's
a two-tier thing. There is the drone as a first responder and there's also a audio detection portion of this. The audio detection portion of this will be replacing the shot spotter that we currently have in the city. Again, it's not it's in the anticipation if it were
to perform uh at a lower cost. So again, this is what we're looking at. How can we get what we're getting right now substantially less um at a grander scale. It's all piloted. Uh it is not coming at any cost to the city at this
time. Uh the timeline as you can see based on the uh uh what we've uh what I've presented you here is meant for June. Uh uh sorry this is uh set out to February 2nd but we can we can obviously push that out because we're off on the
the timelines. >> Thank you so much for the explanation. Thank you. >> Um council Lon here and correct me if I'm mistaken Sergeant. I see here under flocked safety order form that if we were so as of right now if we approve
this as a pilot program if we were to continue the first year cost is $50,000 is that what you would be requesting from the city council >> that is correct. >> Does that help Council Lone?
>> That answers my question. Thank you. Um, any other further questions? Being none, I will entertain a motion. >> I'll make a motion to send it to the full council with a favorable recommendation. >> Second.
>> Motion has been made by council president, seconded by councelor Luzon. Madame Clerk, can you please call the role? >> Councelor Wendy Luzon. >> Yes. >> Council President Javanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> And Madame Chair Stephanie Fonte.
>> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. >> All right. We will see you next on Tuesday. Not next Tuesday. On Tuesday. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next item we have item 471-25. authorization to expend $268,180.
And this is for the grant award from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to secure two 2004 204 beds for winter overnight shelter and warming centers. And we have our homelessness uh
coordinator, Magro Gulong, with us. You have the floor. >> Thank you so much. So um we just received this grant. We were awarded this grant from the Commonwealth and this is actually the first time that they have opened this um funding
opportunity for municipalities. They have in the past just given it to um individual nonprofit organization but this year because um they have seen the huge um increase in homelessness in some
of the municipalities in the Commonwealth. They offered it to us. So, um we are requesting um we requested these funds specifically to help a house um and it's a one-time
grant to actually give shelter for individuals when the temperatures go below 10 um degrees Fahrenheit. And this is for anybody within encampments or other unsuitable um locations uh that they are living in.
This will help us. We're looking into having at least at this point two uh shelters, local shelters that we most of us know of them and then opening other sites as they if they are suitable to
have the uh homeless uh individuals go in. So this is uh basically has done it has been done in years prior. So it is just uh this time that we are getting this money directly from the
state uh to aid us in um housing or sheltering providing shelter for the homeless individuals that are not um um housed in any other uh shelter within our city.
Thank you, Milo. Um, councelor, do you have any questions for me? >> Uh, councelor. >> Yes. So, thank you, Madame Chair. So, is the city uh if director is the city
going to be working with um local agencies that are already providing shelter uh to the homeless um like um House of Mercy that one of them House of Mercy are you guys are planning to continue
working with the entities that are doing the job? Um, >> absolutely. Our grant was very specific that we had named those collaborators that will be collaborating with us. So, we have the Lazarus House who has a
longstanding um relations with uh the unshelter and also we're working with Mercy House. We're also using we have included in our grant which is u a warming center. So, it's to keep them
warm and also to find overnight. Now mind you there is a protocol within the city that must be followed for all these shelters. So once those things go through then uh it is approved um by the
the city then we are able to move forward with it. So so far um everything is well the state is very excited that we were able to uh participate in this um grant uh process and uh were able to
award us. So yeah, so obviously yes, we're going to be using those. We we don't have facilities within the city to do this with the exception of the schools, but mind you, the schools are being used. This grant um expiration is April 30th. So therefore, the schools
are also being used. So we cannot use the school. We have to use local nonprofit organizations that do this work already. And my other question is if that includes hotels.
>> Uh no this grant actually if we are all full if the 204 beds are full within the city then there is there is an opportunity but the hotels have to be provided by the organization receiving the money not the city. The city all
they're going to do is distribute the money to not necessarily be involved. and myself, I will be managing and overseeing all of these processes. But, um, it's not like money that the city will have to pay for any hotels for anybody. We already passed, you already
um helped me pass, uh, a DPH grant that does include $24,000 for the wintertime for hotels. >> Well, thank you, director. Thank you, Madam Chair. That answers my >> Thank you.
Is there does the does the grant specify that the city or the organizations that the city awards this grant to must report these expenditures back to the state? >> Yeah, we have a process that it's a reimbursement based grant which means
that the the um organizations have to spend the funds and then we are able they'll send us the invoices and we will pay the money. That's the way. So if they don't use the money, the money doesn't go anywhere because we are only going to get what folks um so whatever
organizations gives us um the invoices, that's what we're going to pay. So all the organizations hoping that we have about three or four um organization whether it be warming center or overnight um they have to send us invoices for what they have expent
already and then it's reimbursement based and I think you you all know what that what that would entail. All right. Thank you. Any further questions? >> Just to uh through you madam chair council president >> just to clarify this grant is only for
the what winter this is going to cover. What is the duration? >> So April 30th you mentioned right? So this this winter. >> Okay. >> All right. Any further questions or comments?
Uh and that >> yes thank you madam chair. One last question that >> will include only uh Lawrence residents is that a fair question to ask
director >> if there if they are if we are picking them up because they have to come. So if we are whether it's the police department, the folks that work in the behavioral health unit and you know picking them up within Lawrence, wherever they are in Lawrence, uh this
is now we're not asking them for addresses or obviously they do have to give information every single center. They must have information. So if you're if you're asking maybe something more specific, you could you could just ask me. But as far as I'm concerned, these
funds are for the unshelter in the city of Lawrence. >> In the city of Lawrence. Yes. >> Correct. >> Yeah. Well, I guess my concern was uh the residents uh you know, but I do
understand uh I I understand it's for anyone that is homeless in the city of Lawrence. >> Within the city of Lawrence. Correct. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I do want to I I just want to put up
there uh uh again and I'm going to mention again I think it's the house of mercy or mercy house. I don't it's one of the one of the names but I mean I know they've been doing the job
uh sometimes it feels like they're doing the job by themselves. uh and I know we have a great relationship as a city uh with Laseros House and other entities uh to please uh
um go the extra mile with that organization because I know I know they care and sometimes it feels that they doing the job by themselves. Um they are the first one to open their doors.
I don't know if they are um if they are they have all the regulations that the shelter needs to have. I'm not aware, but I do know that when the weather um is not friendly, they are the ones to
open their doors first. So, and I know that director Bjon knows the community and she is u well known um when it comes to collaboration.
Uh I just hope that this organization is it's take in is taken into cons consideration because they're doing the job. >> Thank you madam chair. >> Thank you. for you, Madam Chair. >> Councelor Le,
>> I mean, council president Rodriguez, sorry, I was speaking the council earlier about ordinance. >> I just wanted to to agree with what councelor uh Lon just
mentioned about the house of mercy. uh they they have they provide uh a lot of a lot of resource and help and food and and just a shelter during the day for people that are in need. Uh
because we sometime we just focus on the when the temperature dropped at night. Uh but I mean the house of mercy they there they've been there and and they now it's the first time around that I'm I'm I'm seeing uh their name coming
coming up uh as frequent frequent as as they as we want because they truly provide a good service to the people in need or the unhouse population. So I just want to add um that this is a
list we have 11 collaborators within people that will come to partner along with us in this grant. So that leverages a lot. So we're getting more in services from other agencies than um the state is actually giving us which is very lucrative to them. So we have a list of
Lazarus house, house of mercy. Uh the chaplain will provide some level of security. Amid which will uh we will probably look for other larger churches that are able to house these people. The Mary McVal transit, the board of health, police department, the senior center,
veterans services, and the Lawrence public schools. All of these are collaborator on this grant, meaning that they will provide some level of services while we're doing this. So we are going to use those people that are doing the work. I mean it is only the right to do
so. Um and they have been on and also the other thing that I'd like to rem remind you that there is an RFP process that everybody has to uh submit. It's you know we can't just unless in the future we um we'll see how we do it that
they go alongside with us and apply together with us not just ourselves. But um this actually satisfies a lot of the requirements from the state. Um so I'm with all the help that we have gotten
and all the things that were delineated in the grant. I mean we're far ahead than any other community with um everything that um has been uh provided for us on this grant, meaning resources. Um, so yes, we're definitely going to
take them into consideration. Council Lon and uh, President Giovanni, we are going to be definitely taking them into consideration as well. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, before I call for a
motion, I just want to say to our um, homelessness coordinator, congratulations on obtaining a grant that we are getting for the first time. That's really exciting. And um I'm sure we'll we'll be seeing more.
>> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> If there are no further questions or comments, I will entertain a motion. >> Motion to send to the full council with favor recommendation. >> Second. >> Has been made by council zone, seconded
by council uh president Rodriguez. No further discussion on the matter. Uh, Madame Clerk, can you please call the role? >> Sure. Con Council President Javanni Rodriguez. >> Council President Javanni Rodriguez. >> Yes.
>> Thank you. Um, Councelor Wendy Luzon. >> Yes. >> And Madame Chair Stephanie Infante. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. >> See you. >> Thank you very much. >> Welcome. Have a good night. >> You too. Bye. Bye. Hi. Uh, the next item
we have is item 4 472-25. SEIU Local 8.88 Carpenters and Trades Union Collective Bargaining Agreement Transfer in the amount of $19,000 from the general fund to DPW building
facilities/maintenance salary and wages. And we have our cap here to give us more information on that. >> Good evening everyone. Um this is the first round of approved um ratified union contracts. I'm I'm happy to
present. The first one is the uh the SEIU Local 888 Carpenters and Trades Union. In your package, you have a um a few things. You
have a brief synopsis of the changes uh for the contract. Um, I want to uh note that this contract is for the term July 1st, 2025
to June 30th, 2028. All of our union contracts expired uh last June, June 30th, 2020 uh 5 and we um are in the process of negotiating with all the unions. So this is the
first uh union um before you and um like I said the packet um includes a brief synopsis outlining the highlights of the agreement. Also it includes the u the CAFO certification which pursuant to uh
chapter 58 of the acts of 2010 um the CAFO needs to certify that the contract is affordable. Also you have in front of you with the packet the document that the membership of the union have voted. So the way the
process works is um once the uh the union representative with the attorneys and a representation from the city um they bring that to the all the members. This particular union has active nine
members in our FY26 budget. We have 13 members. Uh we have four vacant positions and the total would be uh $19,000 and I would uh if I may ask for the 30
days to be waved so that we can prepare the retro for this union um for our next pay cycle in December. >> Thank you. Can you repeat how many positions in total again? for the budget we have 13 positions
>> but there are only nine members at the moment just to just to clarify through chair >> council president >> uh so the the increase that the the members of the SEIU local aid are going to be receiving for the next three years
is 2.5 2.5 and 2.5%. >> Yes, that is correct. >> Okay. $19,000 to get them up to date on that uh >> for the FY25 portion. >> FY25. >> I'll make a motion to send it to the full cast of our recommendation.
>> Motion has been made. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Probably second. Any further discussions or questions? >> Uh another question quick. No, not a question or a comment. Well, I'm glad that we we received the signed contracts
uh that uh that you guys uh present. So, because it's it's a tradition that we always keep on asking for the signed contract and then we need to affirm with the union to see if that was the the negotiation. But based on the contract we received today, everything have signed. So, I'm happy.
>> Yes. >> The president. Um any further questions or comments? >> No. None. Madame clerk, can you please call the role? >> Sure. Um, councelor Wendy Luzon.
>> Yes. >> Council president Javanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> And madam chair Stephanie Fante. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. >> Thank you. Okay. Our last new business item is item not our last business but
new business is item 473-25 SEIU local 888 parking attendance union collective bargaining agreement and this is a transfer of 16,000 from return um retained earnings to salary and wages
capital you have before >> thank you so this uh uh union SEIU local aa parking attendance is for our enterprise fund, the parking fund. And um just the same as we did with the uh
previous union that we discussed, this union is also getting a 2.5% increase for 20 FY25, 2.5 for FI26 and 2.5 for FI28. And again, um, we've in, uh, included in
your packet the cappa certification as well as the, uh, contract synopsis that shows the changes from the previous contract and also uh, the signed uh, MOA for both uh, signed by the union members
and also by the city. Um, we would like to also process this retro in our next pay in December. So we would um ask the council to consider please waving the 30 days as well. >> Thank you. Councilors, do you have any
questions or comments? >> I have a question. Council President >> through you madam chair just uh on the contract section to section 2F uh it says that you can you can uh uh this is a new section for parking attendance to be uh to be eligible for
uh to get paid as a utility parking attendance. Can you elaborate a little more on that? >> Absolutely. So, uh, basically the park the utility parking um position is a position that um goes through the
different parking lots and garages and it's mainly for um cleanup of the different locations and also for attendance backup. This position does have a um an additional um
uh percentage increase in their salary. So when the position is vacant because the pos the person that currently has the position it's out on vacation uh the way it reads is for more than two uh for two consecutive weeks or more then another person uh can be assigned uh
that additional salary. >> Okay, no problem. Thank you. >> Then if I might have missed this but if you already said this, can you repeat uh how many parking attendants we have? Uh how many positions total and how many?
>> Yep. So we have 11 parking attendants. We have a senior parking attendant and a utility parking attendance. So it's a total of 13 parking attendants which agrees with what we have in the budget. >> Okay. So total active of >> 13
>> 13 that's the total amount and we're fully covered on that. Okay. >> Yes, that is correct. Um, counselors, any further questions or comments? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. >> I'll make a motion to send it to the
full council with a f recommendation. >> Motion has been made. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Probably seconded by councelorone. Any further discussion? >> Seeing none, u madame clerk, can you please call the role?
>> Sure. U councelor Wy Lzone. Councelor Wendy Luzon. >> Yes. >> Council President Javanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> And Madame Chair Stephanie Fante. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. >> Carries. Kappa. We will see you on
Tuesday. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you very much. Have a good evening. >> You as well. >> Okay. Councilors, can I have a motion to untable item 456-25, approval of tax increment exemption
agreement between 216 Canal Street LLC and the city of Lawrence? >> So move. >> Motion has been made by council president Rodriguez. There is second. >> Second. >> Seconded by councelor Luzon. Um, no discussion. Madame clerk, can you please
call the role? >> Sure. Um, councelor Wanda Luzon. Yes. >> Council President Javanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> And Madame Chair Stephanie Infante. >> Yes. Motion carried. So now we are on this item. Thank you again, gentlemen,
for um having a round two discussion with us. I also want to thank you for providing the additional information that the committee requested last time. So from director McCarthy, we requested an overview of the TAI and TIFFs uh
program that the city council has approved um in previous years. And from you, Mr. Tjo, we um we requested your your rent role and an overall compare um budget comparison as to
>> um current market rates and and all that good stuff. Um, counselors, let me start off with Director McCarthy. Do you have any questions pertaining the spreadsheet that director McCarthy sent to us?
>> No, clarify something that you mentioned very quick. Do you mind check >> council president? >> Yes. that uh the on the spreadsheet it was uh some um some of those programs were
approved by the council and some of those programs were approved only by the administration. So there is a distinction between the two. So I just want to make sure like we we bring this up to the it's part of the transparency.
Can you further elaborate because I I'm under the impression that all tip and tie programs must >> Oh, no. No. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> No, some of them that are not approved by the council. >> Yep. Yep. Yep. I I just remembered now.
Um >> Well, I mean, McCarthy can elaborate a little more. >> No, I I mean, yes, please go ahead for for the public, but I I remembered this discussion from last um last Sunday. Yeah, if you please. Um,
as you look at the spreadsheet, you can see that these, uh, there's many years of, uh, TIFF agreements. Uh, there's a large variety of, uh, percentages and numbers because all tiff agreements have been negotiated in the past. That's the
way they're handled. We've only done five tie agreements. I provide you three copies of the most recent ones. And the um and they've all been allowed within the last 8 years. And uh it's a standard program. The percentages are the same,
the agreements are the same, the tax increment is identical in each in each case. Uh it's a five-year tax increment and it's uh begins at 50% and goes to 40 30 20. If you look at the tiff the the tiff agreements, you'll see some of
those are 100% and larger and they go for up to 20 years. So they are um it is a different um program. It's done by a different um department from the state. Um one is to create jobs and one is to
create housing. So uh the city's has a for the for the tie agreement which is why we're here for tonight. It's a standard program. So that's why in the past they haven't always come before you because once you approve the entire
package and the program, we accepted onto that. Um I believe on the last it was requested that we begin coming back before you to have these reviewed and that's why we're here tonight to have this one reviewed. Uh but like I said,
it's a standard um type of um tax increment. In this case, it's necessary because um Mr. Tjo and his and his brother and his company have an opportunity to get um state tax
credits and they do need a signed agreement and an approval by the city council. >> Thank you. Any further questions for director McCarthy, >> Madame Chair, >> council.
>> So for the people that are watching and I have a constituent constituent send me a question in regards to this. Um what um what amount of money
will um so what let me refrain refrain my question what will be the saving for the tos uh what amount of money will they uh >> saving for them
>> in terms of the tax break. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. In terms of the tax and and >> what is the city getting from that? I mean, is the city getting any money back? That's I think that's question
>> before we actually before we we get into specific. Council Luzon, I to read um the email that Jesus Tjo sent to the committee, but I know you should have it in your packets. I did request
>> I know I want you I want you to read it to >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm I'm going I am going to read it uh publicly. >> Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Give me one second. We'll get into specifics and um Jesus and ask answer
those questions. All right. Um Jesus Trejo sent the committee an email on December 4th, 2025th and it reads as following. Stephanie, I appreciate you taking the time to hear me out on this. We are in need of a tie agreement at 216
Canal Street, Lawrence, Mass. in order to apply for grant money for the HD DIP program. The HD program required a minimum of 80% market rate union um units. In reviewing the SMARTH growth overlay
requirements, we respectfully request the council to consider that our units are currently priced well below an 80% AMI, which that is the average medium income um thresholds without any regulatory
mandate. Based on the most recent state AMI figures for Lawrence, our our existing rents are 400 to 600 per month under the allowable 80% AMI limits across all unit
types. Because our project is already delivering rents below affordability standards, formally opting into the smart growth overlay produces no additional affordability benefits for residents. Instead, it triggers
significant ongoing administrative costs and they are the overlay requires 20% of units to be affordable. In our case, 20 20 in our in our case 20 affordable units at 80% AMI. These units must be
subject to third-party oversight, audits, income verification, lotteryies, compliance monitoring. Um, and lastly, the prevailing cost for this oversight averages $22,500
per you per unit per year, resulting in an additional $50,000 annual expense for our project. This means we would be financially penalized for providing rents that are already lower than what the overlay defines as affordable.
In effect, the overlay transforms a project that is naturally affordable into one that is bure bureaucratively expensive without reducing rents or increasing access for residents. From a policy standpoint, this create a count
this creates a counterproductive outcome uh which includes no reduction in rents, no increase in affordability and uh mandatory reoccurring costs that undermines the financial viability of
the project. For these reasons, we believe requiring smart growth overlay compliance in this case imposes of financial hardship while delivering no measurable public benefit that is already being achieved by our current
pricing structure. We are not asking to avoid affordability. We are demonstrating that affordability already exists. The overlay would only introduce administrative costs, not affordability. Attached is my documentation. Thank you
for your time. And within that documentation we have um in the first page there is a rent comparison table that um compares unit
type the current um the Told Brothers current average rent and then the 80% MAI limit um at the at the market rate. So, for an example, a one-bedroom apartment
currently rents um between $1,730 to $1,742 where the market rate currently is about an average of $2,121. So that is a difference between $379
to $371 um a twobedroom apartment and they're currently renting at uh between one uh $1,959 to $284 where the market rate is an average of
$2,544. and that's currently between a $460 to $585 um um difference. A threebedroom unit is currently rented at 2,429.
The market rate average is about 2,940 which is about 511 $511 below. And lastly, a fourbedroom unit is
currently being rented out at $2,733, whereas the average market rate is about $3,280 and that's about a $547 um difference. So that I mean there's a lot more information uh within this document that
was provided to this um committee and I hope everyone took the time to review it. I I know I did. Um but at this point um I'm going to pass it on to Jesus. Um
if if you need the counselor to um ask her questions again, we can do that. um if you if you already have an answer for her um you can just uh take the floor. >> Perfect. Thank you. Thank you very much.
Um to answer to answer um Councelor Lone's uh question, currently the the way the building's structured right now, it's paying taxes as a commercial building, basically a warehouse. Um, it's paying about $45,000 a year of
taxes today is what it pays. Uh, we did do an estimate with the uh with the city assessor to see what that building upon completion would be assessed at. And the property taxes upon completion,
the it's going to be about $190,000 a year of property taxes. What the tie agreement is going to do like like uh Mr. McCarthy was saying is the first year it's going to decrease our property
taxes about 50%. So even with that 50% decrease by having this tie agreement in place, it's still going to be bringing in about 97,000 95 97,000 or so versus the 45,000 that it's bringing in today as a commercial
warehouse space. And then the following year it's going to be 40% which at that estimate that we had it's going to bring about 112,000 and and it's just going to kind of keep scaling. And then after year five is just going to be whatever
the assessed is at that residential tax rate at at that time. >> Council Luzon. >> Yes. Thank you so much for the answer. Um, thank you. I don't have no more questions for now, Madam Chair.
>> Thank you. Um, Council Rodriguez, Council President Rodriguez, >> you have any further questions on this item or comments? >> Oh, no. I want a few other questions of the full council. >> Okay. Um, I don't have as as you guys as
the counselors and the public just heard me. um stay in the email that I just read. I've had conversations with Mr. Tjo about this as the committee chair and um
basically what is presented to the committee in this document is what we went over. So, I'm I'm happy to see that what the conversations we had offline is exactly what I'm seeing in this document that we're not being um I guess the word
is is um um I guess lied for a lot a lack of a better term. So, I appreciate that and I appreciate the the the details in this. Um, I do see that there's another
individual here. Um, is does he have anything additional to add on or are you guys all set? Mr. Tjo, >> I'm all set. >> Okay. All right.
>> I think I'm all set. Unless there's any other question, I'd be more than happy to answer any other questions or concerns or anything like that. Council is any further? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion for this meeting. >> A motion to send it to the full council
with a federal recommendation. >> There is a motion to send as a favor recommendation. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Seconded by councelor Luzon. Any further discussion? Seeing none, madame clerk, can you please call the role? Sure. Um,
councelor Wendy Luzon. >> Yes. >> Council President Javani Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Madame Chair Stephanie Fante. >> Yes. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Tjo. Do uh Director McCarthy, we
will see you at the next full council meeting on Tuesday night. >> Thank you guys for your time. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Um, okay. Next we have I think who is Sarah still here? Yes, we have Sarah
Perez. Um, can I have a I'm trying to find it here on the um, sorry. Can I have a motion to unte it 568-24 transfer in the amount of $400,000 from
the ARPA/Free cash previously allocated to Hispanic um federacio to small business through the prospering alarm grant >> motion to table has been made by councelor Luzon. Is there a second?
>> Second by council Rodriguez. Um madam clerk, can you please call the role? >> Sure. Council president Javanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Councelor Wendy Luzon. >> Yes. >> And madam chair Stephanie Fante. >> Yes.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hello Miss Perez. How are you? >> Good. How are you? >> Good. I know. Um, I'm going to be honest with you. I'm not 100% prepared. Um, I
know there was a a question to the city attorney that we had and I completely forgot about it and so I saw you log in as we were waiting. So, I ap I apologize on my end for forgetting about that part. However, there is another part
that I know the committee was interested in speaking to you about and it's it's the the story behind the 400. I know we spoke about it a bit before, but it seems like there's still some discrepancies with what has occurred um
and I guess what we have publicly um uh conversed in in the past. So, um I'm actually I'm going to ask my committee members, does that sum am I accurately summing up what the committee is looking
um to receive from this counselors? Uh yes. Uh and also Malancher if I may through you. Mhm. >> Uh so uh we need to hear from Sara about
what was the um issue that well that what happened when she started talking to uh director Pime because I know they had conversations
uh about the funds um for federantes and what happened during that conversation. We want to hear from her as well.
>> Okay. So as you know um the funds the original plan was to get the money reimbursed and because the federation didn't have those the funds to do that and the idea that we were going to come in to help us to give out the money like to give out grants. So it didn't make
any sense that we'll we'll have to give out grants in order to receive the reimbursement from the city. And in November, December um of 2023, that was the idea of the of the mayor that we can request uh the city council to kind of
wave that requirement of being a reimbursement. And if the city council agreed to that, um we can we can get the money, do the work, and then bring the receipt back for reimbursement. That's what um that to reme prove that
we use the money for the things that we say we were going to use and not reimbursement because we were going to get the money at the beginning. Um that was brought in front of the council. Uh but with that request there was another part of the request or part or part B of
the request that included uh a grant for two other organizations. um the there was some kind of um some problem or issues with the relationships. So the the the council decided to separate those other
organizations from federation and um try again um try to get this um to pass and we can never for I would say for like two months that we didn't get um quum at the at the meeting at the
budget and finance committee meeting and then we have to reschedule and reschedu um at the same time I was getting um pressure by um by the mayor stating that I need to ask um
our Wendy Lo when she was our executive director that she needed to resign in order for us to see the money that um she was putting that pressure and he was putting the pressure on me that I need to make her do that or I need to kind of do something and I and that was a
pressure that was on me from from um a year before when we start talking about this money. The operation was on me that um the money was not going to come unless she was not part of the other side of the politics. So everything
turned into politics. Um but finally we were able to get into the full council and he passed. Um when he passed then he veto it. We came back to the city council and you guys kind of reverse the veto the veto and then what happened
after that is just been um of roadblocks that the federation cannot get the money. There was a point that I visited the devel street and I went and talked to uh Susan F and I asked her um why is it why the
federation is not getting that money? We already um uh taking out applications. We already talking about people. We're making plans why we not getting the money. And she told me that she received an order from Carlos Moss and France Ruyo not to give us the money. That's
what she told us. So, uh, from that moment, um, I decided to step back and, um, I'm not I'm not going to push. I decided not to push anymore. I've been asking. I'm I'm I'm really appreciative that it's still on the table or we still
dealing with this. um is something different. It's not it's nothing to do with politicians or politics. It's just helping people like we done previously without getting any money um up front because we don't we we
haven't been doing much of that and this situation had turned into a lot of stress for um the federation um um and like I said it turned into a political battle and mean being part of
um other organization like uh the law development authority being a roadblock there for uh the administration. Um I believe that's the reason why and a couple other reasons will be that I
refuse to have a meeting with the um with the mayor um and having this big checks and the people carrying the checks and people been recorded and people been writing doing videos uh to let it later be used
for marketing. I was I totally refuse to have the people go through that and that's another problem. So it's different issues that I know that why the federation haven't got the money and I really appreciate that you guys give me the opportunity to come and tell
people what's been happening all alone and um the only this we just need a check uh is already been approved and reapproved at the city council. Um I did spoke to at one point um this year I did
talk to a will payment and we we started putting a grant together and putting everything together to be able to work this way. The federation were not going to get a check. The money were not going to come to the federation. We were going to help choose the winners and because
we were going to help choose the winner and the city was going to pay for it. That's the only that's the way we were going to do it. we were willing to not to don't give us any money just let us help people and people that really deserve this money and they really deserve the help that's what we asked
for and in a meeting at the in front of the city council um the word was um I got a phone call before we went to front of the city council saying that the money was frozen that there was no there was a phrase in the money and we couldn't get it and and that became to
be a not true um after we asked the cul So, and now this is where we at now. We are there's no money for the federation. Uh the money's been trying the the administration is trying to bring this money to other organizations or bring it
to other um for for something else. And I believe uh that this $400,000 have to go to the people that really need it and not just friends and and family and relatives. and that's all that we've
been asking for for the last 30 years. >> Thank you, Miss Perez. Um, counselors, do you have any additional questions or comments um after hearing uh Mr. Miss Perez's um updates? >> Is it chair still in the meeting? No,
I should have asked her to stay. But in the last time we asked her about the money, the money, it's it's there. The money is there
and I think this is an opportunity to do the right thing for the members of uh the federationes. What we see in here is a um is unfair.
There's people out there in need of this funds. Uh or in small business in the city of Lawrence. $2,000 can go a long way. The federation serves the most
vulnerable uh business owners, the barber shops, the beauty salons owner, and if we can release the phones, we're going to be helping the community.
uh especially now with the financial crisis that we are facing. I think we need to put politics aside. I'm not a president. I'm no longer the president of the Federas Espana. I
resigned and just for the record, I was the president before running for office because I believe in that organization. I resigned to avoid any conflict of interest when I became a counselor
and I think uh now is an opportunity for this council for this committee to do the right thing. Uh the money was approved and it needs to get to where it's supposed to go to the hands of the
business owners without any political attachment. Uh, we need to do the right thing as a a committee and as a Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Um,
Council Rodriguez, do you have anything or are you all set? >> I'm good. Sarah, I'm going to ask you for two things because like I mentioned, there is I I have I have legal questions that I um
I forgot we were we were talk we were going to talk about this tonight and the city attorney should have been here for this for these questions and I don't want to ask I want to ask these publicly, you know, uh but in the meantime, can you please provide us with
your update in writing and also can you provide provide us a list of businesses that are under the federasio. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And you want me to write a a statement of what I said is what you said. >> Yeah. Just Yeah. Just and yeah, give us
the the the update um that you just provided with uh for us in writing so that we can include it as a supporting document. >> Okay. And then I did ask um when we first
untdled this item, it's like two, three meetings ago, I did ask the CAF um to ask the uh the business development team for a copy of of the the list of the
businesses. I wanted to see if any, and this is before hearing this update, if any of the businesses were able to get a grant or funding um on their own uh to compare, but they obviously they came back and said, "We don't have a copy of
of the businesses under the federal." So, I still want to see >> you know what when we help a lot of business to fill out that application. We help a lot of business to fill out that application for the city. I was like, you know what? doesn't have to be us. We just we just need to help.
>> And um there was a few members I saw the list and and there was a few members um included part of the board. There was two other board members that received the money. Um and I laugh because we like if the money would have come to the federation, they would not be able to
get it because they were board members. But because the money was coming directly from the city, they were able to to get the money. Yeah. I saw I saw like four four or five people u including them that they were part of the federal. >> Okay, perfect. If if you can provide us
uh like I mentioned the list and just make a note or highlight on on the document the ones that received funding then I'll double check that and I promise you next time I will be better prepared uh to get this discussion
moving. But this is a start and and it was good to hear um the update from from your perspective and what occurred um when you tried to to move forward with this. So thank you. I know I appreciate it as chair and I know the the committee does as well.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Um good night counselors. Last last um >> um excuse me madam your table in this matter. >> I'm sorry. Yes. And I have a motion to
ret item 568-24. >> Second. >> So move. >> Motion has obeyed by council president and seconded by councelor Luzon. Um madame clerk, please call the role. >> Sure. Councelor Wuzzone.
>> Yes. Council president Javanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. And >> Madame Chair Stephanie Fante. Yes. Thank you. Motion carries. >> All right. And then last item, counselors, can I have a a motion to
unte item 2022-25? Authorization. Do I have to actually I'm going blank here. Yeah, let me on table. um authorized authorization to expend 250,000
um for the waste reduction project for a permanent household ha hazardous waste waste facility. >> I'm not on table in there. >> There's there's there's a reason. It's going to be quick. >> Send the reasons and then we analyze it.
>> I can't I can't say the reasons because it matters. send it through email because we request bunch of information and nothing have come. >> We have an update which is what I'm trying to get at. So, can I please have a motion to untone? Can you make a motion to unt
I my mic was uh mute. Motion to unt. I'm going to second the motion. Uh, madame clerk, can you please call the role? >> Sure. Um, Madame Chair Stephanie Fonte. >> Yes. >> Councelor Wendy Luzon.
>> Yes. >> And council president Javanni Rodriguez. >> No. >> So motion still carries. >> All right. Councilors. Um, I I think we all this the city council as a whole actually. Um, I have to double check
that, but we did receive an email from the city clerk on um, Tuesday, December 9th, stating that the grant manager and recycling coordinator
are requesting that we withdraw this item because they will not be moving forward with this project. Um, so now can I have a motion to withdraw item 202-25? >> Motion to withdraw. >> Motion has been made. I'm going to
second the motion. Um, discussion on the withdrawal. >> Second the motion. >> What was that? >> Uh, seconded by I mean I I already seconded. Uh, council president, but thank you.
Um, all right. No discussion. Uh, madame clerk, can you please call the role to withdraw? >> Council president Javanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Councelor Wendy Luzon. >> Yes.
>> And Madame Chair Stefan Infante. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. >> Thank you. And now, can I have a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Motion has been made. Properly seconded.
Um, madame clerk, please call the role. >> Council president Javanni Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Councelor Wendy Luzon. >> Yes. >> And Madame Chair Stephanie Fonte. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion.
>> Thank you. Good night, counselors. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good night. Bye, Maria.