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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=80mSdvKIeEY

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Okay. Good evening and welcome to the personnel committee meeting. Today is Monday, June 29th. It is now 6:05 p.m. Voting members present. To my left we

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have councelor Rosalie Gonzalez, council vice president Anna Levy and myself uh councelor Stephanie Infante. 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

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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 may view our meeting via our YouTube, Facebook, or any of our government channel um channels. At this point, can you please

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join me in the pledge >> to the flag of the United States of America and to the rep for it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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Councilors, before we begin, I would like to um pass the floor over to our city clerk, Eileen Bernell, to explain why we are having a personnel meeting today.

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>> Thank you, councelor. Um, thank you, Chairwoman Infante. I, um, am grateful for your indulgence on this meeting. Um, as you know, we work very hard as a city to comply with the law, including the open meeting law. I think this board has an excellent um, reputation. We've

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always complied with that law. Um, as my three and a half years as the clerk, I've never not posted a meeting before. Um, however, [laughter] this meeting was not properly posted. It was posted on the bulletin board. It was posted on the web page, but not in the document center, which is the required location, and not in the agenda center,

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which is the most convenient location. Um, so due to those oversightes, which I sincerely apologize, we need to do a curative meeting to recreate that. So, um, you've already had the discussions. I know councelor Gonzalez, you were not

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here for that. Um, you are here and you, it's a new meeting. You are encouraged to fully participate, ask your questions. However, I do encourage you to read into the record the prior meeting which was the basis for your votes. um as we're being curative, I guess the goal is to stay in line with

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the old meeting as much as possible, but there's nothing requiring you to stay in line with that prior meeting. So, just with that being said, I do um I'm going to stay through your whole meeting if you have any questions or need any assistance with this. Um but you had five items that you did vote on at your last meeting and I would encourage you

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to consider and revote on all five of those items. >> Thank you. And I do want to say um councelor Franklin Miguel has joined us uh this evening. So the first item we have is item

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264-26. Extend temporary appointment of Santiago Matias as director of planning and development for 90 days which is brought to us by Mayor uh Deena and our personal director Carol Garcia.

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I know the um the candidates each candidate was invited again today. Um I was told that some of them may were not able to join. So um I'm assuming Mr. Matias could not join us

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today. Um however during the last meeting uh clerk, am I supposed to read the actual me? >> Oh yeah. Yeah. Thank you. the um the minutes from your prior meeting on document 264-26 which was the

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extension of that temporary appointment. Um senior adviser to the mayor Octavian Spanner at 200 Common Street presented the request on behalf of the mayor seeking this 90-day extension of the temporary appointment um as the acting director of planning and development. Remarks by Mr. Matias of 32 Adam Street

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were also made. Mr. Matias outlined his accomplishments during the first 90 days as the acting director. the department had reorganized and coll collaborated. Um he noted that they focused on unifying staff with the planning and development department. He reported that the division was within the department

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had been reduced and staff were now working collaboratively and there was an increased coordination with inspectional services and other city departments. He also noted public health initiatives such as working closely with the mayor's health task force, organized community initiatives addressing mental health awareness, lung cancer screen and

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education, and youth focused programming. He also talked about rebranding of Lawrence. Mr. Matias emphasized the need to change the outside perception of Lawrence and his key goals included promoting Lawrence's culture, food, and community assets, countering negative stereotypes, and

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attracting more visitors and investment. He had also spoke about a zoning reform initiative. Mr. Matias identified outdated zoning ordinances as a major obstacle to development. He reported the city had relied heavily on various and oh excuse me had relied heavily on

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variances and special permits due to obsolete zoning regulations. He had a task for has been established including the fire department, police department, inspectional services, building department and other municipal stakeholders and their goal is to modernize resoning regulations and

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present a comprehensive ordinance package to the city council after public input and legal review. He also spoke about the relocation of the planning department offices. Mr. Matias announced a plan to relocate the department from 360 Marramac Street to 255 Essex Street.

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The reason cited were improved public accessibility, revitalize downtown Lawrence, utilize a city-owned building more efficiently, and reduce operational costs. There was discussion regarding the costsaving/fiber optics and technology costs. Vice Chia

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Ana Levy had asked about the financial implications of leaving the current leased office. Mr. Matias and IT director Carlos Castillo explained that the city lacked fiber optic infrastructure at Marramac Street location and extending the fiber optic service would cost approximately

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$80,000. The department currently relies on temporary wireless point-to-point connection throughout the through the retirement board building. The relocation to a city-owned facility would eliminate the need for these infrastructure expenses. Lease costs. Mr. Matias stated that the current lease

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costs are approximately $10,000 per month. Discussions have begun with the landlords, Mr. Salipuli, regarding termination of those arrangements. Downtown revitalization discussion. Mr. Matia stressed that moving the planning and development downtown would increase

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foot traffic, support Essex Street businesses, and help reverse the migration of offices and services away from downtown. Questions regarding future appointment process. Councelor Miguel asked whether the admin in whether the administration intended to

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permanently fill the director position. Personnel director Carol Garcia confirmed that the administration intended to post the position. Any acting appointment must be reauthorized by the council every 90 days under the city ordinance. Discussion of the mayor's health task force.

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Vice Chair Anale Levy requested additional information about the mayor's health task force and emphasized the importance of producing a measurable outcomes documenting progress and including city council participation in the task force discussions. Mr. Mati has also described efforts to reinvigorate

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the task force, address mental health challenges, expand access to health care services, and increase collaboration among departments. He agreed that city council involvement would be beneficial and committed to improving communication. A motion was

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then made by councelor Miguel to send item 264-26 to the full council as a committee report. That motion was seconded by Vice Chair Anna Levy. The vote was unanimously approved. Do you want me to read through the whole

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minutes or just that one document? >> Um, give me one second. >> Sure. >> So, there there's a mistake with the motion. Councelor Levy, Vice President Levy um made the motion and Franklin Miguel Counced it.

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>> Thank you. We'll correct that. >> Okay. >> Um, so now we are here. I do want to stop here for a second and I know Mr. Martinez is not here right now, but I do want to give the opportunity to my colleague, um, Councelor Gonzalez to see

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if we have any questions or concerns. Um, >> I don't have any questions. I see that all the questions that I might have had were answered. >> Okay. Thank you, counselor. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. Okay. So, counselors, um, it is recommended, and correct me if I'm

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wrong, clerk, uh, to redo the same motion, but we do have the opportunity to change it if >> you absolutely have the opportunity to change it if you choose to. Um, the idea was to be curative and to be consistent, but if you choose not to do that, it's absolutely within your purview.

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>> Okay. Well, if are there any further questions or comments? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. The motion is to send it to the full castle as a committee report. >> Motion has been made by the vice chair,

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seconded by councelor Miguel. Any discussion on the motion or the item? >> Discussion. >> Councelor Gonzalez. >> Um, can I I would like to make another motion.

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>> Oh, motion to vote for this item. tonight >> if possible. >> So, you want to I think what you're trying to say is send it up with a favorable recommendation. >> Well, >> because we can't we can't at the committee level. It has to be at the full council.

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>> Well, you always vote at the full council. So, you send up as a committee report. You send it up as a favorable recommendation. We send it up as a motion to withdraw, but they voted initially to send it up as a committee report >> and you're saying you would rather send it up as a with a favorable recommendation.

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So if someone wants to second that. >> Is there a second on the motion? >> Is there a second on the motion? >> Seeing none, motion fails. So now what? >> Back to the prior motion which was the motion to send it up as a committee report. >> Okay. So now we are back to the original

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um to send up as a committee report. It was properly seconded. Um any further discussion on the matter? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> All any nays. The eyes have it.

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>> Okay. So now that has been removed from the from the committee level and now it's being sent out to the full council. I do want to take Miss um Garcia King. Um uh so counselors can I have a motion to unte item 20526 appointment of Carmen

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Garcia King to the Lawrence Municipal Airport Commission? >> So move. >> Motion has been made by the vice uh president, seconded by councelor Miguel. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. The eyes have it. >> Yeah. I just I I know she's she Thank

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you for showing up. She she actually showed up. So, I just want to get her out of here. >> Yeah. No, I should have done that first. >> Smart. [laughter] >> So, um, >> no. Document number 205-26 was the appointment of Carmen Garcia King to Lawrence Municipal Airport. It came up

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with a motion to withdraw. Um, the committee reviewed the legal opinion received on June 1st from city attorney Timothy Hooton stating that Ms. Garcia King was eligible to serve despite being a city employee. No state law or local ordinance prohibited the appointment and the airport

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commission members received no stipen. Following the discussion, Miss Garcia King requested to withdraw her appointment. Motion was made by may hopefully this is correct made by councelor Levy to withdraw. That motion was seconded by councel Miguel and that was a unanimous favorable recommen um

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unimous vote on that motion. But Miss King is here. So >> uh thank you. Um uh oh my goodness, I just [gasps and laughter] let me focus. Uh thank you so much uh councelor president um of the personnel committee as well as vice president and

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counselors uh Miguel and Gonzalez. The one of the reasons why I came by today was because uh aside from showing up, I also wanted to say thank you once again for each and every one of you allowing me to go through a process that I've

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never been through before, but also having the opportunity to do that. There was a lot of unknowns and I truly feel that because of the process, not only did I learn but there are many others that have also learned through this

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process. Uh exactly as the um city clerk mentioned, there is no ordinance uh for an employee to serve on a board or in a commission. So that actually got clarified as well as the uh conflict of interest. Yes. And then of course the

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most important thing which was the stipen. However, even though I took a step ahead even before coming to uh the personnel committee, there is ways of receiving a stipen. But that's a conversation for someone else to go

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through. But I just want to say thank you so much for um for just listening and uh understanding the whole process as well because like I said, I learned a lot. I also want to thank uh the senior adviser Octavian Spanner who also guide

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me and share with me how to withdraw on an application. I can't remember the last time anyone has ever withdrawn an application. So again, that was something new. So there's a lot of newness that not only myself, the council, but I do hope a lot of the residents also understand that this is

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not um a process that's really easy to just follow. there's a lot of innuendos that some of us know and some of us don't know. So, that's really really uh the main reason why I wanted to be here today to have that on record and any

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resident that uh or anyone in particular that listens in or sees this video in the future knows that it was a lengthy process, but hopefully it was worth one. And as far as my decision to withdraw, as I said ear um in the last meeting, uh

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sometimes there are better things that need to be done and that's what I'm doing. So just simply uh changing my course of life and there's nothing else behind that other than just made a decision. All righty. So thank you uh once again for everyone's time.

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>> Thank you, Miss um Garcia King. Any other questions or comments for Miss Garcia King? Seeing none. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um we have a motion. Who made the motion again? It was

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>> um it was made >> councelor Levy made the motion seconded by councelor Miguel. So can I have a motion to withdraw item 205-26? >> So move. >> Motion has been made by the vice president. Is there a second? >> Second.

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>> Seconded by councelor Miguel. Any further comments or question? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it. Thank you. Right. Back to new business. We have item 265-26.

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Appointment of Tani Valencia. The name is is wrong. Um, we have to fix that on for the for the >> It is Tari is her first name. Yeah. On the regular agenda. I've already figured. >> Okay. Okay. So, okay. Valencia to the conservation commission.

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Um it was brought to us by Mayor Deena and a senior adviser Oxavian Spanner. I did forget to mention at the beginning of the meeting that the senior adviser did call me this morning um to inform me that he was unable to to to be here

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tonight, but um didn't expect anything, you know, different to to occur. Um, clerk, now can we go to this part to item to the minutes of item 265-26?

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>> Sure. And I'm not sure if she might be on the um Zoom. I did speak with this applicant earlier today. Yep. >> And she said she would make herself available. >> Um, this was the appointment of Tinaria Valencia to the conservation commission. It was sponsored by Mayor Brian Apin and Octavian Spienna, senior adviser to the

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mayor. Um, it came out of your committee with a favorable recommendation to send up to the full council. And it reads, "Senior adviser to the mayor, Octavian Spanner, 200 Common Street, introduced the appointment of Ms. Valencia and emphasize the importance of engaging young residents in municipal service.

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Tennis Lily of 40 Spruce Street, the chairman of the Lawrence Conservation Commission, spoke in support of the nomination. Highlights included 25 years of service in the commission, importance of recruiting new volunteers, the need to fill vacancies of the five board members, conservation commission's

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responsibilities include wetland protection, natural resource preservation, and environmental permitting review. Mr. Lily noted Lawrence's unique environmental resources due to its location along three rivers. Miss Valencia of five Brookfield Street in Lawrence introduced

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herself and shared her background that she was a resident of Lawrence since age four. She is an art instructor at Movement City, a volunteer with Groundwork Lawrence, a strong interest in environmental stewardship, and a passion for education and community service. She expressed her enthusiasm

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about learning more about environmental issues and contributing to the city. Vice Chair Anna Levy referred to Miss Valencia's application and asked about her experience gardening with her grandfather. Miss Valencia explained that gardening had been a lifelong family activity and environmental

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awareness had been an important influence in her life. Councelor Miguel asked about her volunteer experience at Groundwork Lawrence, which Miss Valencia described as assisting with gardening projects, weeding and maintaining community gardens, learning agricultural techniques such as tomato trristling,

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and supporting staff when needed. A motion was made by council Miguel to send item 26526 to the full council with a favorable recommendation. That motion was seconded by council vice chair on a levy and it passed unanimously. >> Thank you. Um, counselors, we do have

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Miss Valencia on Zoom with us. I do want to give her the opportunity to reintroduce herself. Um, since we do have a member that was not present. Um, I also want um, you know, our colleague to have that opportunity to hear from the from the

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candidate directly as well. U, Miss Valencia. >> Um, hello. >> Hello. >> So, just we can hear you. >> Just um, your name. >> Hello. My name is Dan Valencia. Uh 5 Brookfield Street, Lawrence,

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Massachusetts 01843. Um and did you just want me to like reintroduce myself how I did last time? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Um so I wanted to join the wetland conservation committee because as a

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person who uh grew up in Lawrence, I've always really cared about Lawrence just not just the community but also the environment around me. Um, and I've always tried to be involved in the community and I love to learn as much as I can about the world around me. So,

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being part of this and being able to learn um everything I can about preserving the wetlands around us and preserving any type of like environment and helping to make new things that come in uh safer or better for the environment around us uh would be an

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honor. >> Thank you, Miss Valencia. Counselors, are there any other uh questions or comments from Miss Valencia? >> Seeing you. Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. >> Motion to send item 26526 to full

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council with favor recommendation. >> Second. >> Motion has been made by councelor Miguel, seconded by council vice president Levy. Any discussion on the matter? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it.

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>> Thank you so much, Miss Valencia. >> Thank you, >> counselors. Next, we have item 266-26, appointment of Rolando Dcastro to the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority, brought to us by Mayor Deena and senior advisor Octavian Spanner. Madame Clerk,

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we are ready when you are. There we go. Um, appointment of Ro Rolando Decast Castro to the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority came went up to the full council as a committee report. The LRA member Pedro Tahada of 21 Westchester Drive in Lawrence introduced

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Mr. Dcastro and strongly supported his appointment. Mr. Tahada highlighted Mr. Dcastro's professional credentials as a civil engineer and architect, his extensive experience in site planning, zoning compliance, land surveying, and GIS mapping, and his ability to provide

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technical expertise to the authority. Mr. Dcastro of 85 Jamaica Street stated that he was born in the Dominican Republic. He has more than 25 years of professional experience. He's worked in Lawrence for approximately 12 years and he wants to contribute his expertise to

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city redevelopment efforts. Council Miguel asked how he learned about the opportunity. Mr. Diccastro explained that he an engineering colleague encouraged him to apply approximately two years ago. His professional experience aligns closely with the redevelopment activities. Vice Chia Ana Levy asked about his residency and

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professional background. Mr. Dcastro confirmed that he has 12 years of living in Lawrence and has extensive experience in engineering and architectural design. The chair councelor Infante then asked for clarification regarding the years of the term. Discussion that clarified the appointment would fill the remainder of

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an expiring term. Mr. Tahada, the future reappointment would require city council approval. A motion was made by councel Miguel to send document 266-26 to the full council as a committee report. That motion was seconded by council vice chair on a levy and was

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unanimous. council >> through your manager. Um the same that motion was made by me and second by council me. >> So the same motion to send it to the full council.

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[clears throat] >> So wait before any motions, do we have any questions or comments regarding this appointment? And I know they're not here, but um if there are any additional questions or comments, we do have the opportunity to

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send it and they usually respond back um before the meeting. So that's why I'm also asking >> including Yes. >> The other thing is yeah, if if you had a specific question and they're not here to answer it, even if they can't get us an answer before the candidate, we could let them know the question or if there's

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a question about the position, we could let that know. We'd have it for you for the final meeting no matter what even we didn't have in between. So yeah, that would be great. >> Any other questions or comments? >> Seeing none, I will entertain a motion.

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>> Motion to send it to the full council asset committee report. >> Second. >> Motion has been made by the vice president, seconded by councelor Miguel. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I.

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>> Any nays? The eyes have it. All right. Council's last item. Can I have a motion to unte item 231-26, appointment of Robert J. Blackwell to the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority um

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that was brought to us by uh the senior advisor on behalf of Mayor Deina. >> So move. >> Motion has been made by >> Vice President Levy, seconded by councelor Miguel. No discussion on table matters. All those in favor say I.

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>> I. >> The eyes have it. Madame clerk. >> Um, regard to document 231-26, the appointment of Robert J. Blackwell to the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority. Um, the chairwoman in Fonte for the record read the city attorney's legal opinion was received on June 1 and

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affirming Mr. Blackwell's eligibility for appointment. Mr. Robert Blackwell of 9ine Cresshshire Drive in Lawrence provided an overview of his experience. stated he was in real estate development background since he graduated college in 1984. He has built residential homes,

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renovated numerous properties, managed fire damage rehabilitation projects, and participated in commercial redevelopment projects. Notable projects include a renovation of 272 Broadway, the establishment of the Punto phenile nightclub and the redevelopment of the Hiburnian building into the Galaxia

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nightclub. Council Miguel asked how he became interested in this appointment. Mr. Blackwell stated he had been approached by the senior senior advisor Spanner and after discussing the opportunity with colleagues he decided to participate. Vice Chia Ana Levy asked whether this would be his first board

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appointment. Mr. Blackfelt Mr. Blackwell confirmed that it would. Senior advisor Spienna noted that the administration is seeking greater diversity and broader representation on municipal boards. Mr. Blackwell's real estate experience would be an added would add valuable

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perspective to redevelopment discussions. A motion was then made by councelor Miguel uh to send the item to the full council as a committee report. That motion was seconded by the vice chair Anna Levy and it was passed unanimously. >> Councelor Levy, >> did you make the motion? [laughter]

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>> Yes, I did make a motion to send it to the pool council as a committee report. >> Okay. So before we um before I entertain a motion, are there any further questions or comments regarding item 231-26?

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>> Seeing none, I will now entertain a motion. >> Motion to send it to the full C as a committee report. >> Second. >> Motion has been made by the vice president, seconded by councelor Miguel. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I.

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>> I. Any nays? The eyes have it. All right, counselors. Now I will entertain a motion. Do we need to go review the motion the the motion to adjurnn as well? >> You need to make a motion to >> No, no, I know. But do we need to Sorry.

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>> Okay. Um uh madame clerk, >> councils, as there was no further business before the committee, a motion was made by the councelor Lovely and um seconded by council Miguel and unanimously passed for adjournment at

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7:28 p.m. >> Thank you. Now there's no further business. I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Motion has been made by the vice president, seconded by councelor Miguel. All those in favor say I. >> I. The eyes have it. Thank you so much,

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counselors. >> Thank you. As the president, can you hear us? >> Yes, I can. >> Okay, let's start this meeting. >> Ready? >> I can't wait to see you start the show. You're going to be reading all these things back to us.

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Sorry my nightmare. >> Okay. Good evening, counselors. What's today? Welcome to the budget and finance committee. Today is Monday, June 29th. It is now 6:40 p.m.

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Voting members, president is myself, um councelor Stephanie Fonte. To my right, councelor Mark Lan, and we have council president 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

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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 of our social media or government channel um access points. At this point, can you join me in the

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pledge? 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. >> Counselors, um,

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madame clerk, I I guess just the intro again as to why this this meeting was rescheduled again. Good evening, councilors, and thank you. Um, your meeting on Monday, June 22nd was not properly posted, and I do apologize. Um, it was posted, but just

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not the document center is the one that counts as far as the Secretary of State's office is concerned. Um, and it was that was not there at all. Um, so in that regard, we are doing what I would consider a curative um meeting, which is basically to avoid an open meeting law

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violation. We have not been we've not been cited or received any kind of open meeting law violation notice but um preemptively to avoid that we're going to re redo the meeting of um June 22nd today which is June 29th. So there was two items that you voted on at that

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meeting. I would encourage you to stay with those same two items. You technically well the agenda is posted with only those two items on it. Um but what we did at the ordinance committee level if people want to do the same thing is we had the same councils make the same motion. I don't know if council mar

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>> no so so this is where now for the budget and finance committee gets tricky. Um council marmal is away so I have council president and council the plant present tonight. >> Yeah. >> However um this is a mass dot item. Both of them are mass DOT items. So there is

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a a um um what's it called? A >> a conflict of interest and I will lose quorum. >> Okay. >> So we cannot discuss these two items tonight at this time. >> So I guess my suggestion is do we want to put them on the full council as old business?

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>> I would I would like to make that request. Um I know at the end of the day is it's the discretion of the of the president to include it in the agenda or not but >> um council LLA >> I think it should be put on the agenda.

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I don't it's not even a question. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Um I do think the point of having things on old business or releasing them from the committee the concern is always that there was not a proper discussion. There was a proper discussion. it was public and it's still available on

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YouTube for the public which you'll be rehabing that same conversation at the full council level because it come up as if that meeting on the 22nd never happened. So um in that sense um I think putting on new agenda as old business is probably the best solution at this point where you're going to lose quorum. I

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would also add, if you don't mind, I would also add that any counselor who wishes to put something on as old business should have that right to put it on as old business for if there is something on there that they want to discharge for whatever purpose.

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>> Oh, no. Yeah. No, I to clarify, nothing was said against it. I'm just re I'm just reiterating. There's a but there's an important there's an important principle there that I that that I wanted just to make that any counselor if there is something already in the

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committee wishes to discharge it the counselor has the right to put it on whether the full council wishes to take it up or not is up to the full council but it's a full council's vote that does it that's where the power lies for the entire council not in one individual

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>> thank you council plat chair >> council president press uh uh uh when uh I don't want to keep on I we're not going to reiterate and I'm not going to get into the discussion of what is being uh discussed

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here but uh when council la was the president for three years that was not the case so I'm not just going to keep on going on this direction just just allow the process to continue and then we can we can move forward with these two items

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uh and at the end of the day There is something that it's done now that is wrong but before it was right and that's not right. So I probably don't explaining myself well but I mean I understand what I'm talking about. So

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let's move with let's let's let's keep the discussion open. If you have to go to the full council I'm not saying no and and and let me tell you something. Uh consistency a key to be successful. I going to leave it up to that point. Thank you, council president. Okay, so

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item 267-26 is in item 268-26 will be discussed um at the full council level. So at this time um madame clerk, can you can we just get a a legal opinion included in this as well just in

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case >> from the city attorney? Yes, >> absolutely. Council councel, no problem. I will talk to him make sure that um I think the reposting of the meeting whether you discuss the items or not because that often happens we'll post a meeting we'll call it to order um for

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different reason we don't have forum and so we can't talk about a specific item um and so we put on the thing but yeah I absolutely will review this with the city attorney no problem >> thank you all right counselors can I have a motion to adjurnn so >> move second

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>> motion has obeyed by the council president seconded by council the plan. All those in favor say Oh, roll call. Roll call. Madam >> roll call. Um, >> thank you. >> Councelor Mark Le, >> councelor President Javanni Rodriguez,

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>> yes. >> Councelor Vivia Marl is absent and madame chair Stephanie Infante. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Eyes have it. Thank you so much, counselor. See you next meeting. Thank you.

