--------- [Music] That's okay. >> Good evening and welcome to the budget and finance committee meeting. It is Monday, September 22nd. It is now 6:10 p.m. Voting members present, I have to my
right the vice chair of this committee, councelor Vivian Marmmo, and council president Javanni Rodriguez. 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 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 platforms. At this point, can you join me in a in a moment of silence for um Coach Yansy that passed
away uh over the weekend. And now join me in the pledge. Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Councilors, we have minutes to approve from August 25th, 2025. I will entertain a motion for the minutes. >> Motion to approve the minutes. >> A motion has been made by council marmal, seconded by council president. Discussion on the minutes.
Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> And the eyes have it. >> All right. Councilors, can I have Hang on a second. Can I have a motion to untab item 361-25,
authorization to expend 122,938 with.71 from the Office of Planning and Development Grant grant funds from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for winter protocols and temporary placements of fire victims.
>> Motion to unten. >> Motion has been made, probably seconded. No discussion on table items. All those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it. >> I believe we have our representatives here. There were some questions regarding the homelessness
um factor of it. Can we just go back um just do a quick overview of what this grant is once once again. I don't know. I'm looking at both of you. I'm not sure who's going to come up, but >> Okay. Come come on over. Um just a quick >> I'm here to support her.
>> Okay. Got it. Got it. if we could get your name and title and address for the record. >> Sure. My name is Milro Kong and I am the homelessness initiatives coordinator for the city of Lawrence. And uh you'll needed my What else would
you need from me? >> What is the office address? >> The office address is 360 street, entrance K, unit or suite 270. >> Thank you. So, um Milos, can you just It's been a while. It's been like I
think almost two weeks since we've discussed this. Just give us a quick overview of what the grant is and then we'll go back into the questioning. >> Absolutely. So, the um Department of Public Health uh of the state of Massachusetts have awarded us uh this
funds so that we may be able to shelter homeless individuals during the harsh winter um weather. And this will be in warming centers or it would be in
shelters that already exist that will do overnights for them. They will also provide food, clothing, blankets, personal care products, anything that they will need to keep themselves um warm inside. This also includes a
warming center or warming centers uh so that during the day uh they are able to go and have hot chocolate uh whatever they need um during the day. Uh so this will run through um we hope that by
April we should be able to have all these funds spent down uh with the centers that we will be uh using to help us um with the homeless population.
So I think um we're going to have if just to give you a little bit more. So, we're going to have uh street outreach workers that will engage with the uh individuals and families that are homeless. They will also be assisted um
with ensuring uh that the places that they're in are efficient and also compassionate towards these folks. There's also um a request that was made and has been clear um made clear to us
that uh no matter what the issues if they are active users they should be allowed to come into these warming centers. And it is uh a desire and also part of the plan to
provide triage uh for most of the folks entering the shel the overnight shelters and the warming center. This will be promoting health um making referrals if they need referrals and coordinate any
other services um specifically mental health um with other organizations within the community. So in essence that is what these funds are for. >> Thank you.
>> Absolutely. Um, counselors, any additional questions or comments? Couns Council President, >> uh, thank you for being here. I just want to know a little bit more about you first because the capacity is
different, but I would like to know more about >> Oh, absolutely. So uh my background so I used to work for the city uh 15 years ago and uh this is one of the areas that I worked on out of five others that I
was able to manage during my tenure uh at the city. So I do have uh the qualifications. I have a master's degree in management uh and also have a lot of
certifications. Um I'm going for my second master uh right now. Uh it should be done fairly uh maybe by the end of December. Uh finish a second masters. Uh I I don't know what to tell you.
>> No general like you know because I mean it is important to to understand based on the based on the description the job description that you >> absolutely >> the that you're holding u the job that you're holding have an specific job description that over years have changed
the people that are on that position. So understanding your background will help me more to understand how you potentially manage any type of uh project or any type of funds that get to the city. My my uh original thought when
it comes to that position it was uh mostly to be a micromanagement of resources that we get throughout the homeless community. Not necessarily uh like a case by case situation more like generic. So I wanted to know like I
wanted I'm wondering to know if that's your approach on this position or or in general have more specifics that you might we might not know. >> Sure. Well, this is the situation the um once I left this this position actually was dismantled and it did not exist.
Then it came back and depending on those that held the position they created their own views of the position. Now in 2016, a lot of the work uh the the position was created and uh is also part
of the uh the city charter that is now uh a quote unquote uh permanent position uh within the city. So a lot of the work that I did back then and that was recorded when I was here in uh from 2004
to 2010 um is now the description that you will have for this position. So it's basically coordinating with all of the agencies that provide services to the homeless. It is bringing them together
and making sure that we are not uh duplicating efforts but we are uh thorough in the services that are provided to the homeless individual specifically uh working with agencies that house uh and also agencies that
just do outreach such as the health center, community action council and most of these larger agencies that provide some level of um services or resources to the homeless community. Uh it is for me also to work with the state
um making sure that I am up to date with all the changes that might happen throughout the you know policies uh changes. So and this is the uh so when meeting with the individual uh
organization or actually collectively as well I'm able to share that information so that we could better serve the homeless individual. I also come with a grant writing um skill that I have done and I used uh while I was here in the city back then.
Uh I did most of the grant writing for the supernova which is um a collection of agencies that come together write a proposal for the same purposes as I am doing today. Today we are also um working on getting more funding and I am
actually writing this grant as we speak. um to acquire more funding for individuals that are homeless. Now, these funds are also specific. So, I know um councilor Marmmo had a question regarding um if we could use this funds
for uh fire victims and for and there are some fundings that are earmarked for just services to the homeless regardless if so if we had a fire during the you know winter months that we are holding this grants then we can use it for them
but I cannot use it for example for the folks that recently were in a fire in um L and Oxford Street that that is not going to be possible to do. So most of these funds are restricted uh to and they have a date. So we use it from this
date to that date. So I cannot go backtrack or try to you know filter in other um other groups uh within the grant that was allotted to us otherwise the grant is taken back. No thank you madam chair. Uh the reason that I'm
asking is because uh uh knowing the position what you can do and knowing the type of homeless a lot of people uh might think like homelessness is just the typical uh panhander in the street or perhaps uh those one that are now at
the home at the shelters and stuff like that. There is like five different type of homeless. Even people that are doubled up on an apartment are potentially be uh potentially be homeless >> uh at some point and and the different level of homelessness. >> Correct.
>> That's what make me understand that potentially some type of uh fund some funds that we're not pursuing currently might we might be able to pursue and be able to provide services to them to those and all the programs that we might have uh based on their characteristic of
people that are potentially be homeless. uh we can also adapt those programs to be able to help people that really need it when it comes to rental system or when it comes to potentially uh those that are truly in need. Uh with
this grant specifically, you will find because it's given to us from the state of the department of from the state Massachusetts and also from the health department, uh there's a little bit of um
room so that we could use the term families. Now, the grant, for example, that we're writing right now, it's only for individuals, meaning there's I mean, they could be husband and wife, but not children. So here in the in the winter time um from now until next year if we
find with these fund we find families that are homeless then we are able to help them for the sheltering in at night they could come in sleep in a cot and then come back and go to a warming center. So it's not sort of a a place
that they're going they could stay there for the 30 days that we have the place open. They could stay they could come in for 3 days and go out. So that's there's more flexibility with this one right here than the other ones that we will receive. They're very strict with the language and actually the level of you
know homelessness that they're in. So for for us right now for this for the purposes of this grant we have the wording uh included that we are including individuals and families um mother and child they could go in. Now for other grants, for another grant, we
cannot have children stay in the shelters. >> No, I mean I appreciate that you explain the the grant and that and your uh your expertise about the position as well because it's very important for us
to understand as a as a people that is is a point of contact in the community. uh we we serve out there as as your eyes sometime when it comes to uh homelessness homelessness uh some type of issue related to homeless. So we can
pass that over and understand the how you view the position how the city is going to take that approach >> and potentially how we can help uh those people up there. So, thank you for explaining that >> and um and I want to know like once once
we finish up with the question and I want I have one more question related specifically to the grant. >> Perfect. >> Thank you, Council Marl. >> Um through you, Madam Chair. My line of questioning in the last
meeting was uh because the title of the grant says um or on the memo itself, it says for fire victims. So, if you don't mind repeating yourself again, I'm not sure if you've already answered it through our council president's
question. >> You said you were mentioning how the fire victims from Lowell Street would not fall under this grant. >> That's correct. >> Could you like uh walk me through as to what was what's the criterias of this grant? Um
>> well, just so I could gain an understanding because it says fire victim, so I'm not sure. Um uh so >> when when when we have a fire, let's say in the winter time and you know this happens every winter we have a fire
whether it's a minor fire. So these folks fall under that. Why? Because with these funds we are able to put them in hotels and we don't have the flexibility with other funds. So this will be for hotel stays um in the event of a fire or
a natural disaster. the water breaks out somewhere, we have a flood, too much snow. So, this could happen then as far as um helping the fire victims. But we right now uh in my office, so I have
folks that had a fire in June. I wasn't around, so I can't I don't know what type of how the you know what how it was caused. I don't have any information. However, um if I'm not able to help them with fundings, then I will send them to
the community folks that work with other fundings that could Our whole goal here is to utilize all the resources that we have in the community. The city I and I don't speak for anybody, but I speak
only of the knowledge that I have is a place where we could um provide direction to. So we're a hub and therefore we need to direct them where the fundings are, where the housing are. Uh we've taken a role that is very um
you know honorable in uh putting people into hotels but that within government that's kind of questionable in times of audits that unless we get specific funding or provide it we can't take that out of our general fund. So that's why
some of these grants are great uh to do but our role mainly is to direct traffic like a traffic controller and you know send the people where they need to go and that is part of my role um and that's what I do. So, they come in. I
have had many people come in um in my office since I came in in July and um we've been able to redirect them and have them get the services that they need in a community uh nonprofit organization.
No, I I appreciate the answer and I want to like speak specifically to what this grant is about. Um, so I can have an understanding as to what we're approving because I had a whole set of questions for you under the assumption that uh the
Low Street fire that happened recently >> would fall under in receiving uh or benefiting from this grant. So >> if they continue to be homeless >> for minor fires is what you're saying for minor fire victims. C council Marmo
from reading the the order of um um authorization the way that I'm reading this is this this this grant specifically if it happens during the extreme cold um weather months then
fire victims and correct me if I'm wrong um fire victims could be um privy to to using the city could be privy to using these funds to help the fire victims immediately after that fire has occurred. I'm not seeing anything here
about long-term assistance, but at least what I'm reading here is if something happens during the extreme cold weathers, the these fundings this this fund can be used for immediate action. >> Correct. >> Until the city comes up with something. >> And the other thing you you you should
know if you have not and I have also kept you informed through your emails and sending you the information. We just had a 30-day uh 30 days report after the fire. We raised 55,000. Um most of those people and I, you know, some of them were extremely honest. They says, "I
don't need it. I work." Um so we were able to up some other folks's funds. I'm I'm talking specifically of the August 12 fire. Now, um if they so happen to have another episode of fires, these
funds will be available to them if they need hotels. However, the reason why I'm mentioning this is the law is very clear that if they are now, as of um April of April of 2023, the landlord is responsible to spend
$750. And so, we need to take that first. We can't use this money first. It has to be their money first, then we come in like any other insurance that you get. Um, you know, you first use your primary and then you use your your your secondary
and we will be always the secondary. So, it it gives us more manageable. I mean, we had certain situation during that fire that people were demanding of us and some did get away with it, but nonetheless, we've helped everyone that
needed to be helped. So far um we are sending a survey asking the uh folks that were affected the victims you know you know if we did good job what should have we done better so on. So it's very single five or six questions that we're going
to ask them so that you could also have that information in the event anybody in the community asks you know about how we did as a city uh then you will have those answers as well. We will collect that um as well. So I hope that you have received the information that I have
sent uh to you all so that you have a little you know of all the work that was done. There's a lot of work and most if not all of the agencies within the city work together to get things done and help these victims. Some people are always going to complain and I think you know that that's human nature. There's
always somebody that's going to say that we didn't do enough. Well, we did what we needed to do and I think we did well. That's my own, you know, uh, my own, uh, opinion of the services that we provided to everyone from the from you guys, city
counselors, and connecting other folks to, uh, the community answering with food and clothing and all that other stuff. We did we did a very good job. >> If I may, this will be my last question. >> No problem. >> Um, >> you being in the role that you're in,
what do you say um, we could do better in? What do I say we could do? I think coming here and only having and being away from this environment for so so many years, I really have to get really acquainted with how we run things. Everything right now since I've came uh
since I came to my position, everything has been emergency mode. So therefore, people don't act, you know, to the fullest. They just act to deal with whatever situation comes in. So from day one, um it has been always emergency. The first day we had on the 15th, I came
on the 14th. On the 15th there was a fire. Uh then you continue on having not only issued we have homelessness coming in every day because they think that we could pay their hotels. So every single day there was an emergency. We have young people coming in. So right now I
can't I cannot with all fairness uh to everyone that that works here in the city say um that there should be something done better. I believe that so far we've been able to survive all of the situation that have been you know that have come my way at least and I
have worked with every single department so far and we've we've come we've come to you know to to to do what we've needed to do so so far I think we're okay >> all right I have a question regarding
your earlier statement um pertaining to some grants or some funding not or I should say locations not allowing children to be housed temporarily with their parents. So when the city comes across that situation, what is the protocol that you have? And
I know you said that certain things you you're not you're still getting the hang of, but have you had that situation since you've since you started? >> Uh let me see. Uh I have not as it relates to that but when families are involved in anything
we we we have to get involved the department of children's and service and they will provide some either they will provide either a a shelter that takes them in. They're usually all in Boston and outside this area. So none are in the Marramac Valley but um this is where
um they're usually sent. So there's always an agency that would take care of the families and the reason is that we are truly concentrating on the folks that are on the streets right now. Um and if there is children that come and if there's a fire and there's children, we will always give them um to the
agencies that take care of the families. Absolutely. >> And I see here too the letter from from um the Office of Health and Human Services. It states here that the engagement
contract will be effective through uh June 30th of 2026. You mentioned a date of April. So what happens if say we don't have the emergencies that that we >> So >> if we don't that that would be a miracle. We don't have the emergencies, right? And there's monies left over.
What can those funding be used for? Well, my my um observation with that is that this fundings will be divided into two or three agencies, right? And all of these agencies when you have people work overnight, you have to pay them overtime
as well. So, a lot of that funding is going to go and I'm thinking that if we start as you approve this, this will start immediately. And so from now until April, which is really the cold cold months specifically now we're talking about December, January, February, very
cold. These shelters might be open 30 day 30 days uh each time uh that they open. So therefore, there's a lot of money that's that's going to be, you know, uh used to house these people,
feed these folks, and also pay for the staff that is there. So, I'm thinking that, you know, we might be short um in what we might be giving these folks, the agencies. So, it's not, you know, it's not like we're giving them a lump sum and just do work and not get paid and
not, you know, don't pay your rent, we'll be okay. It's not I mean, this this out of this funding, there's going to be sort of if they have subcontractors that we have nurses that are going to be coming in to do triage, right? Then we have food. were thinking that during those months they could use
aside from what they already use 12,500 divided into two or three agencies. That's not going to be enough for the months that we're going to be using them. And then guest services such as clothing, showers, uh buying personal care products, all of these things that
you you we might need um and other personal supplies. Then we have um program support and this includes uh you know the assistant of getting them IDs. most of the folks uh that are there living in the encampments and everywhere they're living, they're going to need
new IDs, birth certificates. So, this is also paying the support staff that is going to help them. And if they need um and I know some of these agencies do, if they need to pay uh like the $25 or the $50 for their IDs, these agencies pay it for them, but this comes out of this
money as well. So, then we have office supply. we only you know put in there uh a thousand uh 1,024 which anything I mean that money will be consumed fairly fast. Everything is so expensive that for three or four
agencies getting this money it'll be like $300 or $400 each. Um and that's we don't think it's going to be enough. So in accommodations again it's 24,000 and this is only 135 nights any in any hotel. uh we took the highest rate. We
um looked into different hotels and found, you know, that a happy medium was $185 a month. So therefore um if we have people stay there, if we have 10 people stay there uh for just 10 nights, the money is gone. So we have to think of
all these things. It's a lot of strategic planning and you have to be extremely wise how to use these funds. So these funds are not going to just hang around until June. June for us is the month that we have to give a report of everything that has been done, collecting information from everyone.
Um, and actually sending in a final report to the state of what we have done in order for us in the future to be considered for any other money that they have surplus. So, >> thank you. >> Absolutely. >> Any other you guys? You want a question?
Oh, council president. Yeah. >> Um just uh I want to get a couple of things. Uh when it comes to the protocol to call for uh an emergency an emergency shelter, a winter u winter situation
that it's that kind of like you know it's it's it's time for to call for a a sheltering for homeless. How the how you guys decide that? >> I know that is based on weather but I mean there is a lot more than that. Well, they should be prepared. Every
person that has, you know, that has been that will come into a collaboration with the city would have to be ready as from the moment that we get this money. So, getting caught. So, we know that there was an agency that um needed CS and
blankets. So they were uh immediately uh prepared so that if we got cold weather in November, they were able to get the folks in in their facilities with new. >> My question will be more around like as a department, how you guys decide to
call for an emergency uh to open up the warming center? Well, um, right now what has been done in the past is that there is always a coordination. So, we know when the weather, we go by the weather. There's
no way for you to go any other way. If it's the weather is too cold, people are going to be out in the streets, then this is when we start sending out. As far as I'm concerned in the history of uh other warming or shelters, overnight
shelters has been when the weather gets really cold and they start preparing the places for it. >> That's the protocol so far. I cannot tell you what's going to uh what it was years ago because I wasn't here. So I don't have that I don't have that information for
>> I understand. So basically based on weather it's going to be cold center uh to be open and and then you communicate with everybody. So walk me through the communication process. How you guys get Fox to to >> Well, right now we have worked with it
to create a lister for all of the um organizations that are serving homeless individuals. So right now we have a h about 145 uh individuals that are in a group that immediately anything happens or any information that they need to
know goes out to them. This is we're getting ready. Now mind you for uh the one of the things that we're going to be able to implement this year is transportation. So, we're going to work with some of our transportation folks
that they could be picking up these folks and bringing them um to to the shelters. So, that's I don't know if that answered your question. >> Actually, that was my next question. I have writing over here transportation. >> I went ahead of myself, right? I should
have waited. >> I think that you read my cheat sheet. >> No, it takes wisdom. I mean, you can't just expect people to walk over as if we're freezing and the locations. And what we're doing is we're trying to um section off the city. So, we're going to
have a shelter in South Lawrence for those that are in the Denmark uh area, high school, and all of that area. So, we could have a shelter for them to go in. Then, we're going to have another one close to Park Street area. We're going to have one here. The senior
center is going to be also available, the the uh Lazarus House. And also we're going to have in the west street we're going to have the house of mercy. So we're going to try to section off the city and when this transportation is already set for us with this grant it will not be that way because this grant
does not provide us transfer transportation dollars. But I believe that uh with the other funding we could work this we could work this uh that the transportation uh could take place immediately after November 15th. So one more question
madame mad to mad uh madame president madame chair of the committee um one one thing that I would like to know uh is if you guys work just with organization with uh or you also work with
individuals that uh deal with homeless >> you need to clarify your question >> so you I mean do you work is very do you only work with organizations or you guys work also with individuals that are helping out uh homeless uh people one
way or another. >> Okay. So, um I'm not sure of your question because when you say individuals are >> I'll clarify a little more. So you keep on mentioning uh I going to be working with three different organizations or
four so far for so on. My question is around whether or not you guys also going to be working with independ independent people that go up there every day to help our homeless. Well, if you're talking about if you're talking about churches that go out there and service
the homeless without being sort of a nonprofit a homelessness uh serving organization, then yes, absolutely we will work with them. Um I also want to be very careful in what I am agreeing or saying because we have to work with
institutions that are recognized by the state. Yes, they can be volunteers and help. Yes, they can continue to do the work that they're doing as long as they're steering these folks to some resources within the community that these people could get more permanent
help versus just bringing them sandwiches or clothing or you know some um personal care products. Um we we need to be very consistent with uh the help that we provide. I do understand that
you you might think that, you know, Peter or Paul are out out in the community and they're going out there helping the homeless. Well, if they're not recognized as an entity, um then we cannot h we cannot partner with them in the sense that we're going to be giving
them funding unless they come in through an through an agency and work under a 1099 and things like that. So, all that stuff gets tricky with the wording. >> Not even related to funding. I'm more related to uh getting to know specific things that they potentially know that
we might don't know. >> Okay, I understand your question >> because I mean it's everything is around funding but it's not I mean it's more like sometime we have individual people up there that are helping out that have a lot of information that we potentially don't have. I mean I I know somebody
that that person goes and hope and and uh and that person have and I say that person because I don't want to even say she or he uh because potentially you will know what who I'm talking about but that person goes and uh have the 16
different stops to 16 different locations so that potentially when we have that uh the warming center I'm pretty sure nobody's going to that 16 locations to inform the homeless uh this
is open today so you can go ahead and and and be a little warm uh instead of being here uh that is there is because I mean we all think like okay um and that's why I was talking about the communication because sometime we communicate with each other to have
funds but sometime those folks they don't have nothing they don't have that information and sometime it's difficult to even communicate uh at all about things that are happening within the community. >> So, one of my roles is to gather all that information so that yourselves,
city council have the information where all these pockets of homeless uh homeless individuals exist. I had this done. I've done it before. So, I'm not a stranger to do that. I go walk I've been walking uh the the streets with uh some
of the outreach workers. So, we have a lot of pockets. So many people overlook like Denm uh Denrock which is on 114, right? There's an encampment there. So therefore, you know, we know that it exists. So we will send. So this is what
I'm saying. When we're going to section off specifically in January, we will do the point in time count. We go to all of these places and we do work with individuals. Now, now I I understand your question better. these individuals if they have so I work I know a mechanic
here in this that he goes out and he does a lot of this work so this mechanic I take I pick his brain out and I say okay so go with me to the ones that I do not know so if I don't know I need to find that out so this is the work in the ground that is done in order for me to
do a successful sectioning off I must know where all of these places are so we have a place now in Trenton Street there's only one individual but it's an encampment there's only one individual there but he's there. So you look into and the thing is that you have to understand where some of these people
will move during the winter time. They will move to another location where they feel safer and actually they're not going to go through uh you know they're not going to suffer too much of the uh weather conditions. So those are the things that and I think yeah your question is you know am I going to work with people in the community to give me
information? Of course that I will do. That is my role to do that because if we want to reduce the number of homeless individuals in the city, we must work together. This cannot be done by one individual. This cannot be done by one department. We have to all work together. So if you know of an
encampment that you think nobody else knows, then we need to know that information. And this is what I was saying earlier when having the listerve for all of the homeless organization. listen, I want to have a meeting with all of your outreach workers because they go out to places that I might not be able to go out or that I am not aware
of. So, it's working together to bring all of this um all of these resources to folks and also letting us know where the need is for us to go and meet the needs of the people that really need the help.
>> Okay, >> we're good. >> Any other questions or comments? One more council. Um, >> what role does your department have uh with the Lawrence Police Department in terms of your, you know, what your
mission is? um when it comes to not only this grant but how your department operates and does your department collaborate with any other department such as veteran services or I'm pretty sure that there's got to be some sort of
like um like inter I don't want to call it inter agency but interdep department um where you know what you're doing affects other departments and I would like to see if you and other department heads kind of join in when it comes to
um seeing the mission of what you're trying to do. >> Absolutely. We work together in everything. I think the chief is here and he could speak to that. Um also um they have a behavioral health unit that we have worked together with both uh
Lieutenant Fleming and Detective Monte Carlo and they were the first ones that I met when I came to this position. The encampments they worked very well with us. They helped. I mean, I went in to do my due diligence, giving notices out to folks, but they went in and helped.
Department of ISD inspectional services came in to help us and uh you know, even saying that even outside of our we work with the state department, the department of um conservation that's right on Jackson Street, they came out and they cleaned they took six trucks
load of of trash. Um when you talk about working with other department, we worked with the board of health. we work we have to it's not a choice we are a city and all of these resources are within the city and we have to use that so I
cannot work in a silo I have to work with those around me and this will be this will continue to be and it will extend even further than what we are doing today again as I said and I have to repeat this so that you would understand uh where my where all my
energies lie it's all in emergencies so therefore or when the emergencies subside, which I don't see the day that that's going to happen anytime soon, then I could truly start building up. So, we're building while we're putting out fires, you know, we're building and
that's, you know, and that's natural and all this when you didn't have uh someone in this position that would take it to this level plus all the other stuff that needs to be done. There's a lot of reporting that needs to be done. So what time does one have to write and to talk
about what they have done? You know, I believe that our history sometimes tells us that, you know, we we do a lot of criticizing, but we don't realize all the work that takes place for one, like right now, people might be getting sick of me or me sending report and I really
don't mind if they do, but I'm reporting back what I'm doing because if it's, you know, the respect of telling everybody, we're working together and, you know, we had an infestation uh recently in um on Methuan Street, but I didn't feel that that was my job and I truly say that
that was not my job because I am not the board of health. But guess at the end of the day who had to resolve the issue until this morning it was me because we needed to bring everybody together. police department was there. Um, also board of health was there. I, you know,
inspectional service was there. But we all coordinated. We came together and the issue is resolved. And, you know, 3:00 this afternoon, we finally closed, you know, I closed my my um the case that we're all good with this woman that that had the issue. So, this is what I'm
saying. We have to work, counselor. We have to work uh together. There is no way that, you know, we work in silos. That's absolutely not. It's impossible if you really want to get things done. >> Thank you. >> Well, through you, Madam Chair. Um,
>> I would like to put it a motion to send this item to full uh to full counsel with a favorable recommendation. >> I'll second the motion. >> Motion has been made by Council Marvel, seconded by Council President Rodriguez. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I.
I. And the eyes have it. Thank you. See you next. You have a good evening. >> You as well. Thanks. Counselors, can I have a motion to untab item 364-25 authorization to expand 1,28,942.73 for the of the 2026 Massachusetts
Municipal Public Safety Staffing Grant brought to us by uh Director Sheepard from the police department. Hi, director. >> Hello. Hi. Good evening, city council. I'm doing well. How about yourself? See, >> I'll be coming more often. You'll be seeing me more often.
>> I'm working a couple of GRs right now. You will be seeing more often. But thank you for having me today. Uh Rosa Shepard, director of support services at Lawrence Police Department, 90 Street. Um and I am here to present the fiscal year 2026 Massachusetts Municipal Public
Safety Staffing Grant. We are grateful and happy that we've been having this grant for the past 12 years. And this year we applied for the amount of 1 million208942.73. And this is to help for the um sending uh the recruits to the academy. um being
able to equip them with the uniform and everything that they need while the academy as well uh paying for them while uh for the salary once they come out of the academy and support some of our overtime as well for the uh sworn officers.
>> So this is okay specifically for to send off recruits to the to the program. What's it the training? >> Yes. >> New recruits. >> New recruits. Okay. How many uh director Shepard, how many new recruits do we have for the
pipeline? >> As of today, we have eight in the lower academy. >> Okay. And I'm assuming the eight will the 1.2 million be used for the whole eight or about I guess the qu my question should be what is the the price
for the individual or what is the cost of for an indivi to send an individual to training? So, right now, this grant is going to start January 2026, but usually it's $3,200 per uh per recruit
>> at themies. Okay. >> And do we usually get this grant? >> For the last 12 years. So, we usually we've been getting this grant for the last two years. Yeah. >> Council, any questions or comments? Council President Council President I should just call the
president >> and it's a grant that we've been we've been dealing with for 12 years now and u at least for the last 10 that I've been here I've been seeing this every year and u that that these these grant have helped tremendously
uh to the city of Lawrence I was looking at that spend the short per something that it is very appreciative of seeing this I seen that the city of Malden Uh the city of Haver right around us is spend $141.33
per capita and uh we the city of Lawrence we spend $16749 per capita. So with a total population of about uh 76,000 uh people obviously uh our population is
a little high but I mean uh it's good to have that statistic is always good. So let me let me ask you how uh councelor the chair of the committee just mentioned uh and ask you uh as of how much you spend per send somebody to the
academy >> right now again it's just that the uh the recruit is $3,200 and the equipment itself with the uniform you looking between $33,000 to $5,000. >> Okay. Do you mind putting together for
next meeting, not today, but do you mind putting together from point A to point B from the beginning of the recruitment when we ask for the list of the civil service uh all the way to u having somebody on the street? How much we the city of Lance uh spent including
salaries and any any other cost per individual >> under the staffing grant? It just is. >> No, no, no. in general >> in general >> and that way we just have that number because what I'm trying to get is essentially that there is >> there it's a a project that I want to
work with somebody I don't know with who but I mean with somebody at the state level uh is that you know the way that Connecticut uh do with municip and the way that Connecticut have Connecticut have a law that allows municipality to actually
backcharge those cost to um other community that potentially get those already uh trained officers that doesn't have doesn't have to go through civil services and and uh and essentially what what happened is that those municipality
that train them they get a specific amount of dollars uh for for anybody that leave the municipality within some amount of years. I I believe it's two years after they get hired originally. So I want to get start getting data as
to how much that cost to the city of Lawrence from point A to point B meaning from the beginning uh when they walking through the door to be on the academy the academy the uniforms and anything else including salaries to the city of L. So we know like when we lose somebody
we will know how much we lose in in terms of funds uh not just in terms of people uh in terms of obviously the the the personnel because I mean I think it is important to start talking about that um and
having that grant out here to discuss specific about the staffing we don't have that many opportunities to discuss this type of this type of things and all another level because when we discussing the budget is kind of like you know so many things at the same time. So um I
just want to know that that specific number I know the recruitment process might take up to six months or maybe more for the academy time and all the stuff and then so I just want to know like in general. >> We'll do. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> Any other questions or comments? >> See none I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion to send a full counsel with a favorable recommendation. Second motion has been made by council Marvel, second by council president. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in
favor say I. I. The eyes have it. >> Councilors, can I have a motion to unte item 365-25. Authorization to pay prior year bills totaling $32,865. Brought to us by Director Shepard from the Lawrence Police Department.
>> Motion to unable. Motion has been made, properly seconded. All those in favor say I. I. And the eyes have it. Director. >> Sure. >> So um this item is to pay prior year invoices um in the amount of 32,865
865.53. Um these were invoices that unfortunately due to unforeseen unexpend uh we were not able to um to pay before the end of the fiscal year.
And as as you can see um the chief and I we've been able we have sat down and be able to revise invoice by invoice and the amount to make sure we do not uh be a repeat offender for next year. Can you We have one, two, three.
We have quite a few invoices for security technician. Um, oh, never mind. I'm sorry. The description is there. You don't have to. Never mind. All right. Counselors, any questions
pertaining to the invoices? Seeing none, I will I'll give you guys a second. Sorry, we were just given this tonight. Um, our secretary is out. >> Take your time. >> So, sorry if we're just going through
this, >> council president. >> Yeah. Um just wondering do you have any other vendor uh when it comes to the be bed hospital or we just work with one >> for the animal control?
>> No, just in general the for the veterinarian hospitals. >> We do have all the vendors. Um Bulgers is the more the more full and more equipped vendor when it comes to to uh um to the to the uh to animals right
now. We have utilized all the vendors just this one is open 247 and it's more reliable than any other beds. >> I know we again we try to utilize all the uh all the vendors as well.
>> I mean that hospitals are expensive. I feel like taking care of an animal is more expensive. So unfortunately with this bender all the other all other vetinarians they don't take emergency uh you cannot just walk in with a with an animal and have them and have take care
of it. This this this one in particular you can just come in and they are able to help you right away. >> Uh is that is those bills as are those bills get passed over the owners when >> Yes, that's something that we've been
definitely been uh uh looking at. Um when >> we're looking at or you passing it over? >> We're passing over. We're passing over. So yeah, be before before any invoices being paid right now, we verify with our animal control as well with the chief of police to make sure that these the owners of the animals get this invoice
because sometimes come to the police department. So it is my job to make sure that I bring it to to their attention for that deliver for the invoice to be delivered to the correct person. >> Yeah, that's why I was wondering to see if there is any other vendors because sometime, you know, we got to think about, you know, they're going to have
to pay these bills. It's not quite cheap. >> Mhm. So let's take it over to whatever if it is not at night. I understand. >> Um also I was wondering um um >> I'm fine.
>> I I have >> went blank. Do we have are you guys considering to have any type of u like a like a general insurance for for animals that we get if the bills for the animal
beds get expensier. So like a general uh insurance liability liability insurance for any type of emergency we have with the animals we get that is such in the market. >> I am not aware but I can I can research
for you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yep. I am not aware of any. Yeah. >> Um director, we have I see the the commercial cleaning bill. It's this is very minute, but because we have
like the reason why I'm asking this, it's it's a minute situation. It's a minute um um amount. However, we are about to open the new police station, which is a much larger building. Do we do you guys have
an estimate how much um the cleaning service is going to increase by with this new building? No, we have not. But under this contract, we are uh well, we're going to start uh doing uh the process of getting a new company in
December. So, the chief and of course uh uh we're going to sit down and start looking once the building opens completely. We're going to go in and make sure and try to see the uh um how much it will cost. But again, we will have to go through an RFP or beat at at that point because definitely we are not
talking about $26,000 a year. It's definitely much much larger. But that yeah, we're going to start the process right around December January uh to see uh for for the new building. >> Thank you. Any other questions, Council President?
>> Just just not just mentioning that and piggybacking on that a lot of people want to be looking up for that contract. Uh we want to have an open process and transparent process because everybody is going to be looking out for that just just to be aware. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> Any other? >> Well, Madame Chair, I recommend um I make a motion to send item 365 to the full council with a favorable recommendation. >> Second that >> motion has been made, seconded by the council president. Any further
discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. and the eyes have it. Thank you. Thank you. >> See you next week. All right. At this point, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Motion has made second. All those in
favor say I. I. >> I. The eyes have it. Personnel. >> Yeah, she personel. Huh? Good evening and welcome to the personnel committee meeting. It is
se September 22nd. It is now 7:10 p.m. Um voting members present. To my left I have councelor Anna Levy and to my right um subbing in for quorum purposes we have the council president Giovani
Rodriguez. Pursuant to chapter 20 of the acts of 2022, this meeting of the personnel committee is being conducted both in person and via remote participation. A reminder that persons who would like to listen or view this meeting while in progress may either attend here in the city council chamber
or use any of our social media platforms. At this point, can you please join me in the pledge? >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under
God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Council, we don't have any minutes to approve. We have one item under new business and it's item 388-25, contract renewal, city clerk, and it was brought to us by the council president,
Javanni Rodriguez. Council President, I will ask you to address this item while sitting here because then I'm going to lose Corm. So, we have our city clerk here. Council President, do you want to tell us a bit
about this item? >> If you go to the podium, you're I'm going to lose court. >> Okay. Council President, you have the floor. >> Yes. >> Well, um the city clerk um is um it's in front of us because she is uh her
contract is is uh is for renewal. uh it's a fino and we as a council um under the city chat um are we are responsible for um a few positions the city clerk is one of them including the city attorney and uh three school committee members
and other position that I cannot just mention it top of my head but um one two of those positions are contracts uh that uh that are uh deal with uh approve and appoint and confirm by the council and
the city clerk is one of them. Uh I believe three years ago, right? >> Three years ago, we um we enter into a contract with the city clerk and um in October uh 10, 2022.
And now for uh this time around we are we need to renew her contract and review uh the terms the duties uh the uh the commitment also salary the KPIs the benefits and so
forth so on uh and that's why we have this document in front of us which is a representation of um the the what's going to happen with u the agreement between the city clerk and the city of Lawrence through this contract. It is a legal bonding contract that is being
reviewed by the council today and we would like to open up an opportunity for the city clerk in case she have anything to add to the discussion. >> City clerk name, title clerk address for the record.
>> Good evening councils. Thank you for your time. Um Eileen Okconor Bernell. I am the city clerk. I am a Lawrence resident. and I reside at 257 Mount Vernon Street right here in the city. Um the package in front of you has two documents in it. One is my current three-year contract which is about to expire and then also a proposed new
contract. The terms are identical to the old contract. The only changes are the dates which are highlighted in yellow for you and then the salary. Um we have been doing the 3% increase annually and that is all that that new number is is the same 3% increase um annually. I
would love to talk to you a little bit about my office and the stuff that we do in there if that's time permits. Um I do think my team and I work really hard and I um I have been very fortunate to have some wonderful staff. My two assistant clerks in particular are both
excellent and I know any clerk will be lucky to have both of them. Um there's three basically a three-pronged spear in my office. The first is the vital records. when you think of marriages, deaths, births, also things like dog licenses, business certificates, and we
also maintain records for the zoning, board of appeals, and the planning board. Um the second is the part that I do with you folks, which is the city council, um the meetings, um the stuff here helping you with your ordinances and things like that. And then the final piece obviously is the basement. It's the elections, which we're in the middle
of one right now. And um you can see the role that my office has played in that both on election day as well as the preparation for it which is substantial. There's a significant amount of preparation that goes into an election. And um then the postc closing we actually um had till 5:00 tonight for
anyone to ask for a recount, things like that. So the staff stays, you know, the building closes at 4:30. We're here till 5:00 waiting to make sure no one comes in to ask for a recount. Um no one did. Just sorry you heard it heard it here first. Um, but basically we do all kinds of stuff and one two things that have
happened recently with my office that I am really proud of and I want to make sure you guys are aware of is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts they manage the vital records for the all the cities and towns and um at the end of 2024 they changed the marriage license process. um they changed the format of
the document and the contents of that document and my staff stepped up and really did an excellent job changing those marriage licenses, making sure that our applications were done well. And it was a very straightforward process though and it was learnable. They gave us a really nice guide to follow and I felt the staff did a great
job with that. Then no sooner does that end than they said we're going to do death certificates next and then birth certificates after that. The death certificates were really difficult. um we had to do a totally new system of just logging in was different. Um but
then with the death certificates, we work with ISD because they give out the burial permits and we work with the undertakers. Um and the Commonwealth had sent out emails talking about trainings that they were encouraging us to do, encouraging us to do. There's a June 1st deadline. It's
going to hit. Kudos to my staff and to myself. We took the online trainings and we were totally ready. And I honestly felt like no one else did. Um to the point that both ISD um Pat Ruiz and his staff and the local funeral homes were calling us. How do we do this? What do
we do? And we walked so many people through it. The Methuan called us. Haveril called us. We were a resource for other communities. So for me, you know, being here about two and a half years, I know that first year I was calling Ian Duan and Mthuan. I was calling Caitlyn Wright and Hil a lot. I
need help. Please, what do you do? How does this work? and they were awesome resources for our office and they have been. We work very well with the local communities. But I have to say it felt really nice for other cities and towns to call us and say, "What do you do with these death certificates?" And to be able to be the one to give the answers
to say, "We actually created our own little checklist. You want me to send you a copy?" They're like, "Yeah, please. Thank you." Um, so I want to say like that's not something that you would see. Um, but it is something that we felt really proud of and it was a big learning curve for the whole state to the point that they actually pushed back
the deadline from the Commonwealth um because cities and towns were struggling with it and I give my staff and myself credit um for being on top of that and really having it be ready and I I think we did a great job with it. So there's just things that you don't see behind the scenes that I do feel like we're doing really well. Um, and I I
>> I'm sorry to interrupt you and I want to add pertaining to this. >> Perhaps >> there could be someone watching online or you know saying to themselves, why is this so significant? It's just birth certificates or death certificates. But
if you consider the amounts of individuals and the amount of records that we have, yeah, >> that's a lot to get through. >> Yeah. Can I just give you one example today? today. So, September 20, whatever it is, 2nd, one of the town clerks from
Western Mass, now granted, small town, Western Mass, sent out an email today. I have a question about the maiden name on the new form for the marriage license. This is my first marriage license of the year. And I'm thinking the amount of marriages like the amount of marriages that we do, the amount of deaths that we
see, we have a hospital and you know, so that means the amount of deaths and births that we see as far exceeds what a lot of other um communities see because we are a hospital. So not only if you live in Lawrence and pass away, but if you live in another community and pass away at our hospital, we get those death
certificates, too. So we do have a very high volume compared to other communities and we manage it really well. Thank you, >> councilors. Any questions or comments, >> council president? >> Uh,
madame clerk, thank you. Thank you very much for everything you do with the council. Um, me and um I can witness the the amount of work you do when it comes to stuff. Yeah, >> we do a lot of things uh that is not
necessarily uh just the agenda. It's a lot more when it comes to procedures and process that uh have to be on there and um and and over you know in the last two years we have worked together to make sure that
we deliver a good products when it comes to city council stuff. Um and I also when it comes to your office, I mean it's something that we have um we have seen um many different changes and we going
to keep on seeing more changes because it's been uh we've been proposing new things. Uh now we have uh all of the meetings. Uh that's one of the thing that it might not look important but we have all of the meetings in one page that we don't have to look for it uh on
different um different scenarios, different agendas and so far so one and that's something that you keep on doing every week to update us uh so we can be up to date with the different meetings around the city and and I appreciate
that and also we we we we've been working together to having agenda management ment system that uh we're going to be um launching soon. Um and that's something that it is going to be very helpful for that uh for the agenda system that we have because people might
think it's an agenda but yes it's a lot of documents that we need to be managed and it's a lot of information that need to be put in place and um the system that we have which is a paper track system basically right now is is is very
challenging for the department. So that's something that we're going to keep on working just like the minutes we've been catching up with the minutes that we have from previous uh previous years and stuff like that and and I think that we're finally going to get to a point that we can say yes we good but
also the system that we're trying to implement that will be helpful uh for the when it comes to the minutes and that's something that people don't see but I mean it happening at your department so many things stop moving so
many moving parts. Just just thinking about the elections is is something that especially every year we have election every year. Uh municipal wise is the more the one that people talk the most. But there is election uh elections at
the state level, election at the federal level, election at the local level and the three different governments. you guys be able to manage those at the election division which is under your responsibilities and with the help of that uh assistant city clerk that you
have in place that that uh that you guys are providing a great service to the city of LS. So thank you. >> Thank you um council president. Thank you. And I was forgetting we are actually working the council president had given me kind of an initiative or a goal to reach and I've been working towards it um to have an electronic
agenda system um that's software driven that will connect every document to the agenda which will make it a lot easier for counselors that want to look backwards to say whatever you'll be able to click on the document on the agenda and it'll take you right to all the documents. Um we should be rolling that out in the month of October. So it might
not be that first meeting but by the second meeting in October we should be rolling that out. So that's coming up and that. So thank you um for reminding me. But also um it's good when your boss gives you a challenge. You know what I mean? Like and it was a big challenge. When he first said it, I was like that. Um but it actually I think it's going to
make both of our lives a lot better and all of your lives a lot better. Um it was it's a lot of work getting it off the ground, but once it's off the ground it will be a really great resource for everybody. Thank you for my >> Yeah, that was good. >> I think um
it is I served on the board of trustees for Fitchburg State as a student rep. However, I Fitbrook State is unique because the student rep does have voting powers. Oh, >> nice. >> And we had the system electronically where exactly what you the council
president and yourself just described is what we used and it was amazing. like I just needed my little iPad for everything and everything was there. U so I'm I'm happy to hear that we're we're going to be transitioning to that. And also I want to thank the council president for bringing up the minutes
because that was going to be one of my questions tonight. As you know, Madame Clerk, I I've one of my consistent questions is regarding minutes and bringing our bringing us up to speed on that and ensuring that we're that we're putting them out. Um, so I'm glad that
something's being worked out between the council president and and yourself. I also want to I want to thank your office for being proactive. We had a meeting last week about elections and the state coming in and everything and etc. But
before any action was taken by any other individual, your office did was before us in March stating that you were preparing to meet with the state to have them come here to Lawrence for specifically for this election. So you
guys have been proactive. You have been thrown a lot of stones. Um, and and I and as council leadership, we have those conversations and I appreciate you keeping us informed on what's going on and and you still do your job and you
treat everyone fairly and equally and that's really important considering I mean yeah there's leadership but at the end of the day there's nine bosses that you have >> and that's a lot to manage and that's a lot to deal with. So I appreciate that. And another thing that the people don't
know, unless you're a counselor, is you help with other things. Like I I don't know the amount of times I have reached out to you because I'm either stuck at work late or I'm in a meeting but I need a citation language or I forgot to
message uh DPW, can you follow up for me, you know, for this? I'm stuck at work or or whatever it might be. I just send you a quick message when I need that little extra support. So, I appreciate um taking on that additional task, minor task that doesn't really
fall under you and and you make sure to keep myself and our and our secretary and whomever is involved up to date when you are asked uh for that support. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you, >> Councelor Levy. >> Thank you.
>> What? Oh, yes. That's is something that I've been looking to be changed that we don't have to push >> that we don't have to >> and that was the way before that we don't have to push it and keep it on but this is something that we need to work
but no I want to thank you for everything that you do it for us and I'm so glad that my fellow counelor already approach the theme for the mics it's one of the thing that a lot of people keep calling and asking for for the Minipal also for the different committee that's
they don't see I don't know how behind we are on some of the minutes for for the committee but I'm glad that we um are working right now and being try to to get you know updated all of this
because uh it is hard sometime that they looking or they can couldn't find something they immediately start calling us as a city council and that's I think so that this is one of the um very important uh in this uh and also another
thing that I would like to see is a little bit more thin posting on the wet whatever that we have um uh so many other you know like it's uh well the agenda I don't know see we can
post it in in the web or in our page the city page >> can I may I just on that one thing we have have an amazing feature on our city council and on the city's website. If you scroll down, if you on the main homepage and you scroll down, maybe I
should do a PSA just on this. There is a calendar on the main web page of the city and my staff and I, we connect every agenda in the whole city to that calendar every day. So, if you send me a calendar for the disability commission, it goes on there. If you send me a an
agenda for the planning board, it goes on there. And I don't think people realize it's there, but if you just scroll down. Are you looking at it now? Maybe. >> Um, yes. I So, I just pulled up our our >> city.com. So, just scroll down to on the main page and you will get to a calendar. It's
under like there's usually two or three big >> Okay. things. And if you click on the dates, it literally brings you to the event. It will give you the times. It gives you the location and then there's actually a little feature. This is like download agenda. You click on the agenda, it will bring you right to the agenda for every single meeting. And I don't think people know it's there and I
don't know how to make them aware of it, but we also have the agenda center and other places you can look for stuff, but that calendar literally we connect every single agenda. Um they're all there. >> So this is something that we we can see it right now. Yeah, this is something
that maybe we can start telling people, you know, they should look on the calendars that is on the bottom of the >> quick little um videos on um Facebook or something like that. Yeah, I know exactly what mean. But it it is and we
have been doing it. Actually, council president is the person that told me, "Make sure you're putting these things on this calendar. Make sure you're attaching the agendas." And so, we've been doing that. Um, but I don't think because one time Rich Russell, who I love, we all love council Russell. He made a comment about something and I was like, "Council, there's actually a
calendar on the main homepage if you scroll." And he's like, "Oh." So I and he's pretty in tune with stuff like he loves to go look at all those things. So >> yeah, know he's the one one of the the people, you know, the more >> likely to complain about, oh, they don't have the agenda, they don't have the
V-X, they don't have a this or this. So when I showed it to him, he actually was surprised to see it, too. So I just think that tools and that tool's been there for at least a year now. >> Oh, I see the download. Okay. Yeah. I was sorry to inter I was just about to say I don't see agendas here, but if you on the right,
>> it's it's on the right and and >> maybe we can black that people can notice it that >> it's in great font. So it's very you can't you can miss it, but it's there. >> But the it does have every meeting and every agenda is posted to every meeting. So it is um they're there. I just but I
hear what you're saying too like like let's get it done. Let's let make sure people know too. That's the other thing. >> Yeah, absolutely. But I I did want to mention that because I it's a lot of work to upload all those and I don't know if people ever realize that they're even there.
>> All right. Thank you. I learned something new tonight. >> There you go. Um any other questions or comments? Council, >> I'll make a motion to send it to the full council uh with a favor recommendation.
>> Thank you. >> Motion has been made. Is there a second? >> Second by councelor Levy. Discussion. I'm going to Maria. I'm going to add this um anticipated executive session because there's going to be eight of us. So, you never know
what can be asked or brought up just in case. So, we can have we could be prepared for anything. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. I do have a one more question on here. >> So practically this contra only will change on the percent that has to be the
increase. So there is something that we are thinking to add or to take him out from the contract that it's going to be similar. The contract that I put in front of you is with the yellow highlights on it. So there's two there. is my old contract is the first four
pages and then the next four pages is a proposed new contract um which is identical in terms changes are the dates are for now for October of 2025 which is when your vote would be and um
I've added in you've been doing the 3% so I added in the 3% so that it's there um and then there'll be 3% future years so those are the only two changes to that contract >> that is going to that is going to be on the contract those changes.
>> Yeah. So the pages um so there should be two documents in front of you. One is like one pages one two three and four are the old contract. Pages you know whatever that's five six seven and eight are the new contract and they're highlighted in bright yellow and that's that would be the contract that's going before the full council.
>> So what we agree >> yeah because one I'm sorry. >> Okay. So one thing is like I was looking for because I don't have nothing on hand when I came in here and I say I came I sometime I keep it in my house some of the contract for some the employee but I
was looking it looks like I just leave it in here and I didn't have anything on hand before I was coming I said well I hope that I'm going to have it you know during the during the meeting because I I remember a couple of things but I couldn't remember everything that that
happened But thank you so much for voting both. They're both there. The old one and the new one. >> I had to separate it so >> it might be more easy less. Yeah, >> whatever works. >> All right. Any other questions or comments?
Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. And the eyes have it. >> Thank you, council. >> Thank you. Um, madame clerk, there there may be not may obviously there are going to be additional questions. Is there still time if the council decides to add or
whatever to your contract that will be the time to do it um an additional time? The time to do it is now. But if there's anything additionally as you know we will handle it at the full council. >> Full council. Fantastic. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you councel. >> So we're going to have anticipated
just in case. >> All right. Motion to adjourn by council president. Second by councelor Levy. All those in favor say I. I and the eyes have it. Thank you so much, counselors. Okay, good evening everyone. This is um Councelor Marmal, the chair of the
housing committee. Uh we had uh a scheduled subcommittee meeting today for Monday, September 22nd at 7 p.m. However, due to lack of quorum, this meeting has been cancelled. >> Right. That's all we have to say.
>> Okay. I don't know. Part: 2
[Music] That's okay. >> Good evening and welcome to the budget and finance committee meeting. It is Monday, September 22nd. It is now 6:10 p.m. Voting members present, I have to my
right the vice chair of this committee, councelor Vivian Marmmo, and council president Javanni Rodriguez. 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 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 platforms. At this point, can you join me in a in a moment of silence for um Coach Yansy that passed
away uh over the weekend. And now join me in the pledge. Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Councilors, we have minutes to approve from August 25th, 2025. I will entertain a motion for the minutes. >> Motion to approve the minutes. >> A motion has been made by council marmal, seconded by council president. Discussion on the minutes.
Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> And the eyes have it. >> All right. Councilors, can I have Hang on a second. Can I have a motion to untab item 361-25,
authorization to expend 122,938 with.71 from the Office of Planning and Development Grant grant funds from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for winter protocols and temporary placements of fire victims.
>> Motion to unten. >> Motion has been made, probably seconded. No discussion on table items. All those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it. >> I believe we have our representatives here. There were some questions regarding the homelessness
um factor of it. Can we just go back um just do a quick overview of what this grant is once once again. I don't know. I'm looking at both of you. I'm not sure who's going to come up, but >> Okay. Come come on over. Um just a quick >> I'm here to support her.
>> Okay. Got it. Got it. if we could get your name and title and address for the record. >> Sure. My name is Milro Kong and I am the homelessness initiatives coordinator for the city of Lawrence. And uh you'll needed my What else would
you need from me? >> What is the office address? >> The office address is 360 street, entrance K, unit or suite 270. >> Thank you. So, um Milos, can you just It's been a while. It's been like I
think almost two weeks since we've discussed this. Just give us a quick overview of what the grant is and then we'll go back into the questioning. >> Absolutely. So, the um Department of Public Health uh of the state of Massachusetts have awarded us uh this
funds so that we may be able to shelter homeless individuals during the harsh winter um weather. And this will be in warming centers or it would be in
shelters that already exist that will do overnights for them. They will also provide food, clothing, blankets, personal care products, anything that they will need to keep themselves um warm inside. This also includes a
warming center or warming centers uh so that during the day uh they are able to go and have hot chocolate uh whatever they need um during the day. Uh so this will run through um we hope that by
April we should be able to have all these funds spent down uh with the centers that we will be uh using to help us um with the homeless population.
So I think um we're going to have if just to give you a little bit more. So, we're going to have uh street outreach workers that will engage with the uh individuals and families that are homeless. They will also be assisted um
with ensuring uh that the places that they're in are efficient and also compassionate towards these folks. There's also um a request that was made and has been clear um made clear to us
that uh no matter what the issues if they are active users they should be allowed to come into these warming centers. And it is uh a desire and also part of the plan to
provide triage uh for most of the folks entering the shel the overnight shelters and the warming center. This will be promoting health um making referrals if they need referrals and coordinate any
other services um specifically mental health um with other organizations within the community. So in essence that is what these funds are for. >> Thank you.
>> Absolutely. Um, counselors, any additional questions or comments? Couns Council President, >> uh, thank you for being here. I just want to know a little bit more about you first because the capacity is
different, but I would like to know more about >> Oh, absolutely. So uh my background so I used to work for the city uh 15 years ago and uh this is one of the areas that I worked on out of five others that I
was able to manage during my tenure uh at the city. So I do have uh the qualifications. I have a master's degree in management uh and also have a lot of
certifications. Um I'm going for my second master uh right now. Uh it should be done fairly uh maybe by the end of December. Uh finish a second masters. Uh I I don't know what to tell you.
>> No general like you know because I mean it is important to to understand based on the based on the description the job description that you >> absolutely >> the that you're holding u the job that you're holding have an specific job description that over years have changed
the people that are on that position. So understanding your background will help me more to understand how you potentially manage any type of uh project or any type of funds that get to the city. My my uh original thought when
it comes to that position it was uh mostly to be a micromanagement of resources that we get throughout the homeless community. Not necessarily uh like a case by case situation more like generic. So I wanted to know like I
wanted I'm wondering to know if that's your approach on this position or or in general have more specifics that you might we might not know. >> Sure. Well, this is the situation the um once I left this this position actually was dismantled and it did not exist.
Then it came back and depending on those that held the position they created their own views of the position. Now in 2016, a lot of the work uh the the position was created and uh is also part
of the uh the city charter that is now uh a quote unquote uh permanent position uh within the city. So a lot of the work that I did back then and that was recorded when I was here in uh from 2004
to 2010 um is now the description that you will have for this position. So it's basically coordinating with all of the agencies that provide services to the homeless. It is bringing them together
and making sure that we are not uh duplicating efforts but we are uh thorough in the services that are provided to the homeless individual specifically uh working with agencies that house uh and also agencies that
just do outreach such as the health center, community action council and most of these larger agencies that provide some level of um services or resources to the homeless community. Uh it is for me also to work with the state
um making sure that I am up to date with all the changes that might happen throughout the you know policies uh changes. So and this is the uh so when meeting with the individual uh
organization or actually collectively as well I'm able to share that information so that we could better serve the homeless individual. I also come with a grant writing um skill that I have done and I used uh while I was here in the city back then.
Uh I did most of the grant writing for the supernova which is um a collection of agencies that come together write a proposal for the same purposes as I am doing today. Today we are also um working on getting more funding and I am
actually writing this grant as we speak. um to acquire more funding for individuals that are homeless. Now, these funds are also specific. So, I know um councilor Marmmo had a question regarding um if we could use this funds
for uh fire victims and for and there are some fundings that are earmarked for just services to the homeless regardless if so if we had a fire during the you know winter months that we are holding this grants then we can use it for them
but I cannot use it for example for the folks that recently were in a fire in um L and Oxford Street that that is not going to be possible to do. So most of these funds are restricted uh to and they have a date. So we use it from this
date to that date. So I cannot go backtrack or try to you know filter in other um other groups uh within the grant that was allotted to us otherwise the grant is taken back. No thank you madam chair. Uh the reason that I'm
asking is because uh uh knowing the position what you can do and knowing the type of homeless a lot of people uh might think like homelessness is just the typical uh panhander in the street or perhaps uh those one that are now at
the home at the shelters and stuff like that. There is like five different type of homeless. Even people that are doubled up on an apartment are potentially be uh potentially be homeless >> uh at some point and and the different level of homelessness. >> Correct.
>> That's what make me understand that potentially some type of uh fund some funds that we're not pursuing currently might we might be able to pursue and be able to provide services to them to those and all the programs that we might have uh based on their characteristic of
people that are potentially be homeless. uh we can also adapt those programs to be able to help people that really need it when it comes to rental system or when it comes to potentially uh those that are truly in need. Uh with
this grant specifically, you will find because it's given to us from the state of the department of from the state Massachusetts and also from the health department, uh there's a little bit of um
room so that we could use the term families. Now, the grant, for example, that we're writing right now, it's only for individuals, meaning there's I mean, they could be husband and wife, but not children. So here in the in the winter time um from now until next year if we
find with these fund we find families that are homeless then we are able to help them for the sheltering in at night they could come in sleep in a cot and then come back and go to a warming center. So it's not sort of a a place
that they're going they could stay there for the 30 days that we have the place open. They could stay they could come in for 3 days and go out. So that's there's more flexibility with this one right here than the other ones that we will receive. They're very strict with the language and actually the level of you
know homelessness that they're in. So for for us right now for this for the purposes of this grant we have the wording uh included that we are including individuals and families um mother and child they could go in. Now for other grants, for another grant, we
cannot have children stay in the shelters. >> No, I mean I appreciate that you explain the the grant and that and your uh your expertise about the position as well because it's very important for us
to understand as a as a people that is is a point of contact in the community. uh we we serve out there as as your eyes sometime when it comes to uh homelessness homelessness uh some type of issue related to homeless. So we can
pass that over and understand the how you view the position how the city is going to take that approach >> and potentially how we can help uh those people up there. So, thank you for explaining that >> and um and I want to know like once once
we finish up with the question and I want I have one more question related specifically to the grant. >> Perfect. >> Thank you, Council Marl. >> Um through you, Madam Chair. My line of questioning in the last
meeting was uh because the title of the grant says um or on the memo itself, it says for fire victims. So, if you don't mind repeating yourself again, I'm not sure if you've already answered it through our council president's
question. >> You said you were mentioning how the fire victims from Lowell Street would not fall under this grant. >> That's correct. >> Could you like uh walk me through as to what was what's the criterias of this grant? Um
>> well, just so I could gain an understanding because it says fire victim, so I'm not sure. Um uh so >> when when when we have a fire, let's say in the winter time and you know this happens every winter we have a fire
whether it's a minor fire. So these folks fall under that. Why? Because with these funds we are able to put them in hotels and we don't have the flexibility with other funds. So this will be for hotel stays um in the event of a fire or
a natural disaster. the water breaks out somewhere, we have a flood, too much snow. So, this could happen then as far as um helping the fire victims. But we right now uh in my office, so I have
folks that had a fire in June. I wasn't around, so I can't I don't know what type of how the you know what how it was caused. I don't have any information. However, um if I'm not able to help them with fundings, then I will send them to
the community folks that work with other fundings that could Our whole goal here is to utilize all the resources that we have in the community. The city I and I don't speak for anybody, but I speak
only of the knowledge that I have is a place where we could um provide direction to. So we're a hub and therefore we need to direct them where the fundings are, where the housing are. Uh we've taken a role that is very um
you know honorable in uh putting people into hotels but that within government that's kind of questionable in times of audits that unless we get specific funding or provide it we can't take that out of our general fund. So that's why
some of these grants are great uh to do but our role mainly is to direct traffic like a traffic controller and you know send the people where they need to go and that is part of my role um and that's what I do. So, they come in. I
have had many people come in um in my office since I came in in July and um we've been able to redirect them and have them get the services that they need in a community uh nonprofit organization.
No, I I appreciate the answer and I want to like speak specifically to what this grant is about. Um, so I can have an understanding as to what we're approving because I had a whole set of questions for you under the assumption that uh the
Low Street fire that happened recently >> would fall under in receiving uh or benefiting from this grant. So >> if they continue to be homeless >> for minor fires is what you're saying for minor fire victims. C council Marmo
from reading the the order of um um authorization the way that I'm reading this is this this this grant specifically if it happens during the extreme cold um weather months then
fire victims and correct me if I'm wrong um fire victims could be um privy to to using the city could be privy to using these funds to help the fire victims immediately after that fire has occurred. I'm not seeing anything here
about long-term assistance, but at least what I'm reading here is if something happens during the extreme cold weathers, the these fundings this this fund can be used for immediate action. >> Correct. >> Until the city comes up with something. >> And the other thing you you you should
know if you have not and I have also kept you informed through your emails and sending you the information. We just had a 30-day uh 30 days report after the fire. We raised 55,000. Um most of those people and I, you know, some of them were extremely honest. They says, "I
don't need it. I work." Um so we were able to up some other folks's funds. I'm I'm talking specifically of the August 12 fire. Now, um if they so happen to have another episode of fires, these
funds will be available to them if they need hotels. However, the reason why I'm mentioning this is the law is very clear that if they are now, as of um April of April of 2023, the landlord is responsible to spend
$750. And so, we need to take that first. We can't use this money first. It has to be their money first, then we come in like any other insurance that you get. Um, you know, you first use your primary and then you use your your your secondary
and we will be always the secondary. So, it it gives us more manageable. I mean, we had certain situation during that fire that people were demanding of us and some did get away with it, but nonetheless, we've helped everyone that
needed to be helped. So far um we are sending a survey asking the uh folks that were affected the victims you know you know if we did good job what should have we done better so on. So it's very single five or six questions that we're going
to ask them so that you could also have that information in the event anybody in the community asks you know about how we did as a city uh then you will have those answers as well. We will collect that um as well. So I hope that you have received the information that I have
sent uh to you all so that you have a little you know of all the work that was done. There's a lot of work and most if not all of the agencies within the city work together to get things done and help these victims. Some people are always going to complain and I think you know that that's human nature. There's
always somebody that's going to say that we didn't do enough. Well, we did what we needed to do and I think we did well. That's my own, you know, uh, my own, uh, opinion of the services that we provided to everyone from the from you guys, city
counselors, and connecting other folks to, uh, the community answering with food and clothing and all that other stuff. We did we did a very good job. >> If I may, this will be my last question. >> No problem. >> Um, >> you being in the role that you're in,
what do you say um, we could do better in? What do I say we could do? I think coming here and only having and being away from this environment for so so many years, I really have to get really acquainted with how we run things. Everything right now since I've came uh
since I came to my position, everything has been emergency mode. So therefore, people don't act, you know, to the fullest. They just act to deal with whatever situation comes in. So from day one, um it has been always emergency. The first day we had on the 15th, I came
on the 14th. On the 15th there was a fire. Uh then you continue on having not only issued we have homelessness coming in every day because they think that we could pay their hotels. So every single day there was an emergency. We have young people coming in. So right now I
can't I cannot with all fairness uh to everyone that that works here in the city say um that there should be something done better. I believe that so far we've been able to survive all of the situation that have been you know that have come my way at least and I
have worked with every single department so far and we've we've come we've come to you know to to to do what we've needed to do so so far I think we're okay >> all right I have a question regarding
your earlier statement um pertaining to some grants or some funding not or I should say locations not allowing children to be housed temporarily with their parents. So when the city comes across that situation, what is the protocol that you have? And
I know you said that certain things you you're not you're still getting the hang of, but have you had that situation since you've since you started? >> Uh let me see. Uh I have not as it relates to that but when families are involved in anything
we we we have to get involved the department of children's and service and they will provide some either they will provide either a a shelter that takes them in. They're usually all in Boston and outside this area. So none are in the Marramac Valley but um this is where
um they're usually sent. So there's always an agency that would take care of the families and the reason is that we are truly concentrating on the folks that are on the streets right now. Um and if there is children that come and if there's a fire and there's children, we will always give them um to the
agencies that take care of the families. Absolutely. >> And I see here too the letter from from um the Office of Health and Human Services. It states here that the engagement
contract will be effective through uh June 30th of 2026. You mentioned a date of April. So what happens if say we don't have the emergencies that that we >> So >> if we don't that that would be a miracle. We don't have the emergencies, right? And there's monies left over.
What can those funding be used for? Well, my my um observation with that is that this fundings will be divided into two or three agencies, right? And all of these agencies when you have people work overnight, you have to pay them overtime
as well. So, a lot of that funding is going to go and I'm thinking that if we start as you approve this, this will start immediately. And so from now until April, which is really the cold cold months specifically now we're talking about December, January, February, very
cold. These shelters might be open 30 day 30 days uh each time uh that they open. So therefore, there's a lot of money that's that's going to be, you know, uh used to house these people,
feed these folks, and also pay for the staff that is there. So, I'm thinking that, you know, we might be short um in what we might be giving these folks, the agencies. So, it's not, you know, it's not like we're giving them a lump sum and just do work and not get paid and
not, you know, don't pay your rent, we'll be okay. It's not I mean, this this out of this funding, there's going to be sort of if they have subcontractors that we have nurses that are going to be coming in to do triage, right? Then we have food. were thinking that during those months they could use
aside from what they already use 12,500 divided into two or three agencies. That's not going to be enough for the months that we're going to be using them. And then guest services such as clothing, showers, uh buying personal care products, all of these things that
you you we might need um and other personal supplies. Then we have um program support and this includes uh you know the assistant of getting them IDs. most of the folks uh that are there living in the encampments and everywhere they're living, they're going to need
new IDs, birth certificates. So, this is also paying the support staff that is going to help them. And if they need um and I know some of these agencies do, if they need to pay uh like the $25 or the $50 for their IDs, these agencies pay it for them, but this comes out of this
money as well. So, then we have office supply. we only you know put in there uh a thousand uh 1,024 which anything I mean that money will be consumed fairly fast. Everything is so expensive that for three or four
agencies getting this money it'll be like $300 or $400 each. Um and that's we don't think it's going to be enough. So in accommodations again it's 24,000 and this is only 135 nights any in any hotel. uh we took the highest rate. We
um looked into different hotels and found, you know, that a happy medium was $185 a month. So therefore um if we have people stay there, if we have 10 people stay there uh for just 10 nights, the money is gone. So we have to think of
all these things. It's a lot of strategic planning and you have to be extremely wise how to use these funds. So these funds are not going to just hang around until June. June for us is the month that we have to give a report of everything that has been done, collecting information from everyone.
Um, and actually sending in a final report to the state of what we have done in order for us in the future to be considered for any other money that they have surplus. So, >> thank you. >> Absolutely. >> Any other you guys? You want a question?
Oh, council president. Yeah. >> Um just uh I want to get a couple of things. Uh when it comes to the protocol to call for uh an emergency an emergency shelter, a winter u winter situation
that it's that kind of like you know it's it's it's time for to call for a a sheltering for homeless. How the how you guys decide that? >> I know that is based on weather but I mean there is a lot more than that. Well, they should be prepared. Every
person that has, you know, that has been that will come into a collaboration with the city would have to be ready as from the moment that we get this money. So, getting caught. So, we know that there was an agency that um needed CS and
blankets. So they were uh immediately uh prepared so that if we got cold weather in November, they were able to get the folks in in their facilities with new. >> My question will be more around like as a department, how you guys decide to
call for an emergency uh to open up the warming center? Well, um, right now what has been done in the past is that there is always a coordination. So, we know when the weather, we go by the weather. There's
no way for you to go any other way. If it's the weather is too cold, people are going to be out in the streets, then this is when we start sending out. As far as I'm concerned in the history of uh other warming or shelters, overnight
shelters has been when the weather gets really cold and they start preparing the places for it. >> That's the protocol so far. I cannot tell you what's going to uh what it was years ago because I wasn't here. So I don't have that I don't have that information for
>> I understand. So basically based on weather it's going to be cold center uh to be open and and then you communicate with everybody. So walk me through the communication process. How you guys get Fox to to >> Well, right now we have worked with it
to create a lister for all of the um organizations that are serving homeless individuals. So right now we have a h about 145 uh individuals that are in a group that immediately anything happens or any information that they need to
know goes out to them. This is we're getting ready. Now mind you for uh the one of the things that we're going to be able to implement this year is transportation. So, we're going to work with some of our transportation folks
that they could be picking up these folks and bringing them um to to the shelters. So, that's I don't know if that answered your question. >> Actually, that was my next question. I have writing over here transportation. >> I went ahead of myself, right? I should
have waited. >> I think that you read my cheat sheet. >> No, it takes wisdom. I mean, you can't just expect people to walk over as if we're freezing and the locations. And what we're doing is we're trying to um section off the city. So, we're going to
have a shelter in South Lawrence for those that are in the Denmark uh area, high school, and all of that area. So, we could have a shelter for them to go in. Then, we're going to have another one close to Park Street area. We're going to have one here. The senior
center is going to be also available, the the uh Lazarus House. And also we're going to have in the west street we're going to have the house of mercy. So we're going to try to section off the city and when this transportation is already set for us with this grant it will not be that way because this grant
does not provide us transfer transportation dollars. But I believe that uh with the other funding we could work this we could work this uh that the transportation uh could take place immediately after November 15th. So one more question
madame mad to mad uh madame president madame chair of the committee um one one thing that I would like to know uh is if you guys work just with organization with uh or you also work with
individuals that uh deal with homeless >> you need to clarify your question >> so you I mean do you work is very do you only work with organizations or you guys work also with individuals that are helping out uh homeless uh people one
way or another. >> Okay. So, um I'm not sure of your question because when you say individuals are >> I'll clarify a little more. So you keep on mentioning uh I going to be working with three different organizations or
four so far for so on. My question is around whether or not you guys also going to be working with independ independent people that go up there every day to help our homeless. Well, if you're talking about if you're talking about churches that go out there and service
the homeless without being sort of a nonprofit a homelessness uh serving organization, then yes, absolutely we will work with them. Um I also want to be very careful in what I am agreeing or saying because we have to work with
institutions that are recognized by the state. Yes, they can be volunteers and help. Yes, they can continue to do the work that they're doing as long as they're steering these folks to some resources within the community that these people could get more permanent
help versus just bringing them sandwiches or clothing or you know some um personal care products. Um we we need to be very consistent with uh the help that we provide. I do understand that
you you might think that, you know, Peter or Paul are out out in the community and they're going out there helping the homeless. Well, if they're not recognized as an entity, um then we cannot h we cannot partner with them in the sense that we're going to be giving
them funding unless they come in through an through an agency and work under a 1099 and things like that. So, all that stuff gets tricky with the wording. >> Not even related to funding. I'm more related to uh getting to know specific things that they potentially know that
we might don't know. >> Okay, I understand your question >> because I mean it's everything is around funding but it's not I mean it's more like sometime we have individual people up there that are helping out that have a lot of information that we potentially don't have. I mean I I know somebody
that that person goes and hope and and uh and that person have and I say that person because I don't want to even say she or he uh because potentially you will know what who I'm talking about but that person goes and uh have the 16
different stops to 16 different locations so that potentially when we have that uh the warming center I'm pretty sure nobody's going to that 16 locations to inform the homeless uh this
is open today so you can go ahead and and and be a little warm uh instead of being here uh that is there is because I mean we all think like okay um and that's why I was talking about the communication because sometime we communicate with each other to have
funds but sometime those folks they don't have nothing they don't have that information and sometime it's difficult to even communicate uh at all about things that are happening within the community. >> So, one of my roles is to gather all that information so that yourselves,
city council have the information where all these pockets of homeless uh homeless individuals exist. I had this done. I've done it before. So, I'm not a stranger to do that. I go walk I've been walking uh the the streets with uh some
of the outreach workers. So, we have a lot of pockets. So many people overlook like Denm uh Denrock which is on 114, right? There's an encampment there. So therefore, you know, we know that it exists. So we will send. So this is what
I'm saying. When we're going to section off specifically in January, we will do the point in time count. We go to all of these places and we do work with individuals. Now, now I I understand your question better. these individuals if they have so I work I know a mechanic
here in this that he goes out and he does a lot of this work so this mechanic I take I pick his brain out and I say okay so go with me to the ones that I do not know so if I don't know I need to find that out so this is the work in the ground that is done in order for me to
do a successful sectioning off I must know where all of these places are so we have a place now in Trenton Street there's only one individual but it's an encampment there's only one individual there but he's there. So you look into and the thing is that you have to understand where some of these people
will move during the winter time. They will move to another location where they feel safer and actually they're not going to go through uh you know they're not going to suffer too much of the uh weather conditions. So those are the things that and I think yeah your question is you know am I going to work with people in the community to give me
information? Of course that I will do. That is my role to do that because if we want to reduce the number of homeless individuals in the city, we must work together. This cannot be done by one individual. This cannot be done by one department. We have to all work together. So if you know of an
encampment that you think nobody else knows, then we need to know that information. And this is what I was saying earlier when having the listerve for all of the homeless organization. listen, I want to have a meeting with all of your outreach workers because they go out to places that I might not be able to go out or that I am not aware
of. So, it's working together to bring all of this um all of these resources to folks and also letting us know where the need is for us to go and meet the needs of the people that really need the help.
>> Okay, >> we're good. >> Any other questions or comments? One more council. Um, >> what role does your department have uh with the Lawrence Police Department in terms of your, you know, what your
mission is? um when it comes to not only this grant but how your department operates and does your department collaborate with any other department such as veteran services or I'm pretty sure that there's got to be some sort of
like um like inter I don't want to call it inter agency but interdep department um where you know what you're doing affects other departments and I would like to see if you and other department heads kind of join in when it comes to
um seeing the mission of what you're trying to do. >> Absolutely. We work together in everything. I think the chief is here and he could speak to that. Um also um they have a behavioral health unit that we have worked together with both uh
Lieutenant Fleming and Detective Monte Carlo and they were the first ones that I met when I came to this position. The encampments they worked very well with us. They helped. I mean, I went in to do my due diligence, giving notices out to folks, but they went in and helped.
Department of ISD inspectional services came in to help us and uh you know, even saying that even outside of our we work with the state department, the department of um conservation that's right on Jackson Street, they came out and they cleaned they took six trucks
load of of trash. Um when you talk about working with other department, we worked with the board of health. we work we have to it's not a choice we are a city and all of these resources are within the city and we have to use that so I
cannot work in a silo I have to work with those around me and this will be this will continue to be and it will extend even further than what we are doing today again as I said and I have to repeat this so that you would understand uh where my where all my
energies lie it's all in emergencies so therefore or when the emergencies subside, which I don't see the day that that's going to happen anytime soon, then I could truly start building up. So, we're building while we're putting out fires, you know, we're building and
that's, you know, and that's natural and all this when you didn't have uh someone in this position that would take it to this level plus all the other stuff that needs to be done. There's a lot of reporting that needs to be done. So what time does one have to write and to talk
about what they have done? You know, I believe that our history sometimes tells us that, you know, we we do a lot of criticizing, but we don't realize all the work that takes place for one, like right now, people might be getting sick of me or me sending report and I really
don't mind if they do, but I'm reporting back what I'm doing because if it's, you know, the respect of telling everybody, we're working together and, you know, we had an infestation uh recently in um on Methuan Street, but I didn't feel that that was my job and I truly say that
that was not my job because I am not the board of health. But guess at the end of the day who had to resolve the issue until this morning it was me because we needed to bring everybody together. police department was there. Um, also board of health was there. I, you know,
inspectional service was there. But we all coordinated. We came together and the issue is resolved. And, you know, 3:00 this afternoon, we finally closed, you know, I closed my my um the case that we're all good with this woman that that had the issue. So, this is what I'm
saying. We have to work, counselor. We have to work uh together. There is no way that, you know, we work in silos. That's absolutely not. It's impossible if you really want to get things done. >> Thank you. >> Well, through you, Madam Chair. Um,
>> I would like to put it a motion to send this item to full uh to full counsel with a favorable recommendation. >> I'll second the motion. >> Motion has been made by Council Marvel, seconded by Council President Rodriguez. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I.
I. And the eyes have it. Thank you. See you next. You have a good evening. >> You as well. Thanks. Counselors, can I have a motion to untab item 364-25 authorization to expand 1,28,942.73 for the of the 2026 Massachusetts
Municipal Public Safety Staffing Grant brought to us by uh Director Sheepard from the police department. Hi, director. >> Hello. Hi. Good evening, city council. I'm doing well. How about yourself? See, >> I'll be coming more often. You'll be seeing me more often.
>> I'm working a couple of GRs right now. You will be seeing more often. But thank you for having me today. Uh Rosa Shepard, director of support services at Lawrence Police Department, 90 Street. Um and I am here to present the fiscal year 2026 Massachusetts Municipal Public
Safety Staffing Grant. We are grateful and happy that we've been having this grant for the past 12 years. And this year we applied for the amount of 1 million208942.73. And this is to help for the um sending uh the recruits to the academy. um being
able to equip them with the uniform and everything that they need while the academy as well uh paying for them while uh for the salary once they come out of the academy and support some of our overtime as well for the uh sworn officers.
>> So this is okay specifically for to send off recruits to the to the program. What's it the training? >> Yes. >> New recruits. >> New recruits. Okay. How many uh director Shepard, how many new recruits do we have for the
pipeline? >> As of today, we have eight in the lower academy. >> Okay. And I'm assuming the eight will the 1.2 million be used for the whole eight or about I guess the qu my question should be what is the the price
for the individual or what is the cost of for an indivi to send an individual to training? So, right now, this grant is going to start January 2026, but usually it's $3,200 per uh per recruit
>> at themies. Okay. >> And do we usually get this grant? >> For the last 12 years. So, we usually we've been getting this grant for the last two years. Yeah. >> Council, any questions or comments? Council President Council President I should just call the
president >> and it's a grant that we've been we've been dealing with for 12 years now and u at least for the last 10 that I've been here I've been seeing this every year and u that that these these grant have helped tremendously
uh to the city of Lawrence I was looking at that spend the short per something that it is very appreciative of seeing this I seen that the city of Malden Uh the city of Haver right around us is spend $141.33
per capita and uh we the city of Lawrence we spend $16749 per capita. So with a total population of about uh 76,000 uh people obviously uh our population is
a little high but I mean uh it's good to have that statistic is always good. So let me let me ask you how uh councelor the chair of the committee just mentioned uh and ask you uh as of how much you spend per send somebody to the
academy >> right now again it's just that the uh the recruit is $3,200 and the equipment itself with the uniform you looking between $33,000 to $5,000. >> Okay. Do you mind putting together for
next meeting, not today, but do you mind putting together from point A to point B from the beginning of the recruitment when we ask for the list of the civil service uh all the way to u having somebody on the street? How much we the city of Lance uh spent including
salaries and any any other cost per individual >> under the staffing grant? It just is. >> No, no, no. in general >> in general >> and that way we just have that number because what I'm trying to get is essentially that there is >> there it's a a project that I want to
work with somebody I don't know with who but I mean with somebody at the state level uh is that you know the way that Connecticut uh do with municip and the way that Connecticut have Connecticut have a law that allows municipality to actually
backcharge those cost to um other community that potentially get those already uh trained officers that doesn't have doesn't have to go through civil services and and uh and essentially what what happened is that those municipality
that train them they get a specific amount of dollars uh for for anybody that leave the municipality within some amount of years. I I believe it's two years after they get hired originally. So I want to get start getting data as
to how much that cost to the city of Lawrence from point A to point B meaning from the beginning uh when they walking through the door to be on the academy the academy the uniforms and anything else including salaries to the city of L. So we know like when we lose somebody
we will know how much we lose in in terms of funds uh not just in terms of people uh in terms of obviously the the the personnel because I mean I think it is important to start talking about that um and
having that grant out here to discuss specific about the staffing we don't have that many opportunities to discuss this type of this type of things and all another level because when we discussing the budget is kind of like you know so many things at the same time. So um I
just want to know that that specific number I know the recruitment process might take up to six months or maybe more for the academy time and all the stuff and then so I just want to know like in general. >> We'll do. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> Any other questions or comments? >> See none I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion to send a full counsel with a favorable recommendation. Second motion has been made by council Marvel, second by council president. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in
favor say I. I. The eyes have it. >> Councilors, can I have a motion to unte item 365-25. Authorization to pay prior year bills totaling $32,865. Brought to us by Director Shepard from the Lawrence Police Department.
>> Motion to unable. Motion has been made, properly seconded. All those in favor say I. I. And the eyes have it. Director. >> Sure. >> So um this item is to pay prior year invoices um in the amount of 32,865
865.53. Um these were invoices that unfortunately due to unforeseen unexpend uh we were not able to um to pay before the end of the fiscal year.
And as as you can see um the chief and I we've been able we have sat down and be able to revise invoice by invoice and the amount to make sure we do not uh be a repeat offender for next year. Can you We have one, two, three.
We have quite a few invoices for security technician. Um, oh, never mind. I'm sorry. The description is there. You don't have to. Never mind. All right. Counselors, any questions
pertaining to the invoices? Seeing none, I will I'll give you guys a second. Sorry, we were just given this tonight. Um, our secretary is out. >> Take your time. >> So, sorry if we're just going through
this, >> council president. >> Yeah. Um just wondering do you have any other vendor uh when it comes to the be bed hospital or we just work with one >> for the animal control?
>> No, just in general the for the veterinarian hospitals. >> We do have all the vendors. Um Bulgers is the more the more full and more equipped vendor when it comes to to uh um to the to the uh to animals right
now. We have utilized all the vendors just this one is open 247 and it's more reliable than any other beds. >> I know we again we try to utilize all the uh all the vendors as well.
>> I mean that hospitals are expensive. I feel like taking care of an animal is more expensive. So unfortunately with this bender all the other all other vetinarians they don't take emergency uh you cannot just walk in with a with an animal and have them and have take care
of it. This this this one in particular you can just come in and they are able to help you right away. >> Uh is that is those bills as are those bills get passed over the owners when >> Yes, that's something that we've been
definitely been uh uh looking at. Um when >> we're looking at or you passing it over? >> We're passing over. We're passing over. So yeah, be before before any invoices being paid right now, we verify with our animal control as well with the chief of police to make sure that these the owners of the animals get this invoice
because sometimes come to the police department. So it is my job to make sure that I bring it to to their attention for that deliver for the invoice to be delivered to the correct person. >> Yeah, that's why I was wondering to see if there is any other vendors because sometime, you know, we got to think about, you know, they're going to have
to pay these bills. It's not quite cheap. >> Mhm. So let's take it over to whatever if it is not at night. I understand. >> Um also I was wondering um um >> I'm fine.
>> I I have >> went blank. Do we have are you guys considering to have any type of u like a like a general insurance for for animals that we get if the bills for the animal
beds get expensier. So like a general uh insurance liability liability insurance for any type of emergency we have with the animals we get that is such in the market. >> I am not aware but I can I can research
for you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yep. I am not aware of any. Yeah. >> Um director, we have I see the the commercial cleaning bill. It's this is very minute, but because we have
like the reason why I'm asking this, it's it's a minute situation. It's a minute um um amount. However, we are about to open the new police station, which is a much larger building. Do we do you guys have
an estimate how much um the cleaning service is going to increase by with this new building? No, we have not. But under this contract, we are uh well, we're going to start uh doing uh the process of getting a new company in
December. So, the chief and of course uh uh we're going to sit down and start looking once the building opens completely. We're going to go in and make sure and try to see the uh um how much it will cost. But again, we will have to go through an RFP or beat at at that point because definitely we are not
talking about $26,000 a year. It's definitely much much larger. But that yeah, we're going to start the process right around December January uh to see uh for for the new building. >> Thank you. Any other questions, Council President?
>> Just just not just mentioning that and piggybacking on that a lot of people want to be looking up for that contract. Uh we want to have an open process and transparent process because everybody is going to be looking out for that just just to be aware. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> Any other? >> Well, Madame Chair, I recommend um I make a motion to send item 365 to the full council with a favorable recommendation. >> Second that >> motion has been made, seconded by the council president. Any further
discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. and the eyes have it. Thank you. Thank you. >> See you next week. All right. At this point, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Motion has made second. All those in
favor say I. I. >> I. The eyes have it. Personnel. >> Yeah, she personel. Huh? Good evening and welcome to the personnel committee meeting. It is
se September 22nd. It is now 7:10 p.m. Um voting members present. To my left I have councelor Anna Levy and to my right um subbing in for quorum purposes we have the council president Giovani
Rodriguez. Pursuant to chapter 20 of the acts of 2022, this meeting of the personnel committee is being conducted both in person and via remote participation. A reminder that persons who would like to listen or view this meeting while in progress may either attend here in the city council chamber
or use any of our social media platforms. At this point, can you please join me in the pledge? >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under
God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Council, we don't have any minutes to approve. We have one item under new business and it's item 388-25, contract renewal, city clerk, and it was brought to us by the council president,
Javanni Rodriguez. Council President, I will ask you to address this item while sitting here because then I'm going to lose Corm. So, we have our city clerk here. Council President, do you want to tell us a bit
about this item? >> If you go to the podium, you're I'm going to lose court. >> Okay. Council President, you have the floor. >> Yes. >> Well, um the city clerk um is um it's in front of us because she is uh her
contract is is uh is for renewal. uh it's a fino and we as a council um under the city chat um are we are responsible for um a few positions the city clerk is one of them including the city attorney and uh three school committee members
and other position that I cannot just mention it top of my head but um one two of those positions are contracts uh that uh that are uh deal with uh approve and appoint and confirm by the council and
the city clerk is one of them. Uh I believe three years ago, right? >> Three years ago, we um we enter into a contract with the city clerk and um in October uh 10, 2022.
And now for uh this time around we are we need to renew her contract and review uh the terms the duties uh the uh the commitment also salary the KPIs the benefits and so
forth so on uh and that's why we have this document in front of us which is a representation of um the the what's going to happen with u the agreement between the city clerk and the city of Lawrence through this contract. It is a legal bonding contract that is being
reviewed by the council today and we would like to open up an opportunity for the city clerk in case she have anything to add to the discussion. >> City clerk name, title clerk address for the record.
>> Good evening councils. Thank you for your time. Um Eileen Okconor Bernell. I am the city clerk. I am a Lawrence resident. and I reside at 257 Mount Vernon Street right here in the city. Um the package in front of you has two documents in it. One is my current three-year contract which is about to expire and then also a proposed new
contract. The terms are identical to the old contract. The only changes are the dates which are highlighted in yellow for you and then the salary. Um we have been doing the 3% increase annually and that is all that that new number is is the same 3% increase um annually. I
would love to talk to you a little bit about my office and the stuff that we do in there if that's time permits. Um I do think my team and I work really hard and I um I have been very fortunate to have some wonderful staff. My two assistant clerks in particular are both
excellent and I know any clerk will be lucky to have both of them. Um there's three basically a three-pronged spear in my office. The first is the vital records. when you think of marriages, deaths, births, also things like dog licenses, business certificates, and we
also maintain records for the zoning, board of appeals, and the planning board. Um the second is the part that I do with you folks, which is the city council, um the meetings, um the stuff here helping you with your ordinances and things like that. And then the final piece obviously is the basement. It's the elections, which we're in the middle
of one right now. And um you can see the role that my office has played in that both on election day as well as the preparation for it which is substantial. There's a significant amount of preparation that goes into an election. And um then the postc closing we actually um had till 5:00 tonight for
anyone to ask for a recount, things like that. So the staff stays, you know, the building closes at 4:30. We're here till 5:00 waiting to make sure no one comes in to ask for a recount. Um no one did. Just sorry you heard it heard it here first. Um, but basically we do all kinds of stuff and one two things that have
happened recently with my office that I am really proud of and I want to make sure you guys are aware of is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts they manage the vital records for the all the cities and towns and um at the end of 2024 they changed the marriage license process. um they changed the format of
the document and the contents of that document and my staff stepped up and really did an excellent job changing those marriage licenses, making sure that our applications were done well. And it was a very straightforward process though and it was learnable. They gave us a really nice guide to follow and I felt the staff did a great
job with that. Then no sooner does that end than they said we're going to do death certificates next and then birth certificates after that. The death certificates were really difficult. um we had to do a totally new system of just logging in was different. Um but
then with the death certificates, we work with ISD because they give out the burial permits and we work with the undertakers. Um and the Commonwealth had sent out emails talking about trainings that they were encouraging us to do, encouraging us to do. There's a June 1st deadline. It's
going to hit. Kudos to my staff and to myself. We took the online trainings and we were totally ready. And I honestly felt like no one else did. Um to the point that both ISD um Pat Ruiz and his staff and the local funeral homes were calling us. How do we do this? What do
we do? And we walked so many people through it. The Methuan called us. Haveril called us. We were a resource for other communities. So for me, you know, being here about two and a half years, I know that first year I was calling Ian Duan and Mthuan. I was calling Caitlyn Wright and Hil a lot. I
need help. Please, what do you do? How does this work? and they were awesome resources for our office and they have been. We work very well with the local communities. But I have to say it felt really nice for other cities and towns to call us and say, "What do you do with these death certificates?" And to be able to be the one to give the answers
to say, "We actually created our own little checklist. You want me to send you a copy?" They're like, "Yeah, please. Thank you." Um, so I want to say like that's not something that you would see. Um, but it is something that we felt really proud of and it was a big learning curve for the whole state to the point that they actually pushed back
the deadline from the Commonwealth um because cities and towns were struggling with it and I give my staff and myself credit um for being on top of that and really having it be ready and I I think we did a great job with it. So there's just things that you don't see behind the scenes that I do feel like we're doing really well. Um, and I I
>> I'm sorry to interrupt you and I want to add pertaining to this. >> Perhaps >> there could be someone watching online or you know saying to themselves, why is this so significant? It's just birth certificates or death certificates. But
if you consider the amounts of individuals and the amount of records that we have, yeah, >> that's a lot to get through. >> Yeah. Can I just give you one example today? today. So, September 20, whatever it is, 2nd, one of the town clerks from
Western Mass, now granted, small town, Western Mass, sent out an email today. I have a question about the maiden name on the new form for the marriage license. This is my first marriage license of the year. And I'm thinking the amount of marriages like the amount of marriages that we do, the amount of deaths that we
see, we have a hospital and you know, so that means the amount of deaths and births that we see as far exceeds what a lot of other um communities see because we are a hospital. So not only if you live in Lawrence and pass away, but if you live in another community and pass away at our hospital, we get those death
certificates, too. So we do have a very high volume compared to other communities and we manage it really well. Thank you, >> councilors. Any questions or comments, >> council president? >> Uh,
madame clerk, thank you. Thank you very much for everything you do with the council. Um, me and um I can witness the the amount of work you do when it comes to stuff. Yeah, >> we do a lot of things uh that is not
necessarily uh just the agenda. It's a lot more when it comes to procedures and process that uh have to be on there and um and and over you know in the last two years we have worked together to make sure that
we deliver a good products when it comes to city council stuff. Um and I also when it comes to your office, I mean it's something that we have um we have seen um many different changes and we going
to keep on seeing more changes because it's been uh we've been proposing new things. Uh now we have uh all of the meetings. Uh that's one of the thing that it might not look important but we have all of the meetings in one page that we don't have to look for it uh on
different um different scenarios, different agendas and so far so one and that's something that you keep on doing every week to update us uh so we can be up to date with the different meetings around the city and and I appreciate
that and also we we we we've been working together to having agenda management ment system that uh we're going to be um launching soon. Um and that's something that it is going to be very helpful for that uh for the agenda system that we have because people might
think it's an agenda but yes it's a lot of documents that we need to be managed and it's a lot of information that need to be put in place and um the system that we have which is a paper track system basically right now is is is very
challenging for the department. So that's something that we're going to keep on working just like the minutes we've been catching up with the minutes that we have from previous uh previous years and stuff like that and and I think that we're finally going to get to a point that we can say yes we good but
also the system that we're trying to implement that will be helpful uh for the when it comes to the minutes and that's something that people don't see but I mean it happening at your department so many things stop moving so
many moving parts. Just just thinking about the elections is is something that especially every year we have election every year. Uh municipal wise is the more the one that people talk the most. But there is election uh elections at
the state level, election at the federal level, election at the local level and the three different governments. you guys be able to manage those at the election division which is under your responsibilities and with the help of that uh assistant city clerk that you
have in place that that uh that you guys are providing a great service to the city of LS. So thank you. >> Thank you um council president. Thank you. And I was forgetting we are actually working the council president had given me kind of an initiative or a goal to reach and I've been working towards it um to have an electronic
agenda system um that's software driven that will connect every document to the agenda which will make it a lot easier for counselors that want to look backwards to say whatever you'll be able to click on the document on the agenda and it'll take you right to all the documents. Um we should be rolling that out in the month of October. So it might
not be that first meeting but by the second meeting in October we should be rolling that out. So that's coming up and that. So thank you um for reminding me. But also um it's good when your boss gives you a challenge. You know what I mean? Like and it was a big challenge. When he first said it, I was like that. Um but it actually I think it's going to
make both of our lives a lot better and all of your lives a lot better. Um it was it's a lot of work getting it off the ground, but once it's off the ground it will be a really great resource for everybody. Thank you for my >> Yeah, that was good. >> I think um
it is I served on the board of trustees for Fitchburg State as a student rep. However, I Fitbrook State is unique because the student rep does have voting powers. Oh, >> nice. >> And we had the system electronically where exactly what you the council
president and yourself just described is what we used and it was amazing. like I just needed my little iPad for everything and everything was there. U so I'm I'm happy to hear that we're we're going to be transitioning to that. And also I want to thank the council president for bringing up the minutes
because that was going to be one of my questions tonight. As you know, Madame Clerk, I I've one of my consistent questions is regarding minutes and bringing our bringing us up to speed on that and ensuring that we're that we're putting them out. Um, so I'm glad that
something's being worked out between the council president and and yourself. I also want to I want to thank your office for being proactive. We had a meeting last week about elections and the state coming in and everything and etc. But
before any action was taken by any other individual, your office did was before us in March stating that you were preparing to meet with the state to have them come here to Lawrence for specifically for this election. So you
guys have been proactive. You have been thrown a lot of stones. Um, and and I and as council leadership, we have those conversations and I appreciate you keeping us informed on what's going on and and you still do your job and you
treat everyone fairly and equally and that's really important considering I mean yeah there's leadership but at the end of the day there's nine bosses that you have >> and that's a lot to manage and that's a lot to deal with. So I appreciate that. And another thing that the people don't
know, unless you're a counselor, is you help with other things. Like I I don't know the amount of times I have reached out to you because I'm either stuck at work late or I'm in a meeting but I need a citation language or I forgot to
message uh DPW, can you follow up for me, you know, for this? I'm stuck at work or or whatever it might be. I just send you a quick message when I need that little extra support. So, I appreciate um taking on that additional task, minor task that doesn't really
fall under you and and you make sure to keep myself and our and our secretary and whomever is involved up to date when you are asked uh for that support. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you, >> Councelor Levy. >> Thank you.
>> What? Oh, yes. That's is something that I've been looking to be changed that we don't have to push >> that we don't have to >> and that was the way before that we don't have to push it and keep it on but this is something that we need to work
but no I want to thank you for everything that you do it for us and I'm so glad that my fellow counelor already approach the theme for the mics it's one of the thing that a lot of people keep calling and asking for for the Minipal also for the different committee that's
they don't see I don't know how behind we are on some of the minutes for for the committee but I'm glad that we um are working right now and being try to to get you know updated all of this
because uh it is hard sometime that they looking or they can couldn't find something they immediately start calling us as a city council and that's I think so that this is one of the um very important uh in this uh and also another
thing that I would like to see is a little bit more thin posting on the wet whatever that we have um uh so many other you know like it's uh well the agenda I don't know see we can
post it in in the web or in our page the city page >> can I may I just on that one thing we have have an amazing feature on our city council and on the city's website. If you scroll down, if you on the main homepage and you scroll down, maybe I
should do a PSA just on this. There is a calendar on the main web page of the city and my staff and I, we connect every agenda in the whole city to that calendar every day. So, if you send me a calendar for the disability commission, it goes on there. If you send me a an
agenda for the planning board, it goes on there. And I don't think people realize it's there, but if you just scroll down. Are you looking at it now? Maybe. >> Um, yes. I So, I just pulled up our our >> city.com. So, just scroll down to on the main page and you will get to a calendar. It's
under like there's usually two or three big >> Okay. things. And if you click on the dates, it literally brings you to the event. It will give you the times. It gives you the location and then there's actually a little feature. This is like download agenda. You click on the agenda, it will bring you right to the agenda for every single meeting. And I don't think people know it's there and I
don't know how to make them aware of it, but we also have the agenda center and other places you can look for stuff, but that calendar literally we connect every single agenda. Um they're all there. >> So this is something that we we can see it right now. Yeah, this is something
that maybe we can start telling people, you know, they should look on the calendars that is on the bottom of the >> quick little um videos on um Facebook or something like that. Yeah, I know exactly what mean. But it it is and we
have been doing it. Actually, council president is the person that told me, "Make sure you're putting these things on this calendar. Make sure you're attaching the agendas." And so, we've been doing that. Um, but I don't think because one time Rich Russell, who I love, we all love council Russell. He made a comment about something and I was like, "Council, there's actually a
calendar on the main homepage if you scroll." And he's like, "Oh." So I and he's pretty in tune with stuff like he loves to go look at all those things. So >> yeah, know he's the one one of the the people, you know, the more >> likely to complain about, oh, they don't have the agenda, they don't have the
V-X, they don't have a this or this. So when I showed it to him, he actually was surprised to see it, too. So I just think that tools and that tool's been there for at least a year now. >> Oh, I see the download. Okay. Yeah. I was sorry to inter I was just about to say I don't see agendas here, but if you on the right,
>> it's it's on the right and and >> maybe we can black that people can notice it that >> it's in great font. So it's very you can't you can miss it, but it's there. >> But the it does have every meeting and every agenda is posted to every meeting. So it is um they're there. I just but I
hear what you're saying too like like let's get it done. Let's let make sure people know too. That's the other thing. >> Yeah, absolutely. But I I did want to mention that because I it's a lot of work to upload all those and I don't know if people ever realize that they're even there.
>> All right. Thank you. I learned something new tonight. >> There you go. Um any other questions or comments? Council, >> I'll make a motion to send it to the full council uh with a favor recommendation.
>> Thank you. >> Motion has been made. Is there a second? >> Second by councelor Levy. Discussion. I'm going to Maria. I'm going to add this um anticipated executive session because there's going to be eight of us. So, you never know
what can be asked or brought up just in case. So, we can have we could be prepared for anything. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. I do have a one more question on here. >> So practically this contra only will change on the percent that has to be the
increase. So there is something that we are thinking to add or to take him out from the contract that it's going to be similar. The contract that I put in front of you is with the yellow highlights on it. So there's two there. is my old contract is the first four
pages and then the next four pages is a proposed new contract um which is identical in terms changes are the dates are for now for October of 2025 which is when your vote would be and um
I've added in you've been doing the 3% so I added in the 3% so that it's there um and then there'll be 3% future years so those are the only two changes to that contract >> that is going to that is going to be on the contract those changes.
>> Yeah. So the pages um so there should be two documents in front of you. One is like one pages one two three and four are the old contract. Pages you know whatever that's five six seven and eight are the new contract and they're highlighted in bright yellow and that's that would be the contract that's going before the full council.
>> So what we agree >> yeah because one I'm sorry. >> Okay. So one thing is like I was looking for because I don't have nothing on hand when I came in here and I say I came I sometime I keep it in my house some of the contract for some the employee but I
was looking it looks like I just leave it in here and I didn't have anything on hand before I was coming I said well I hope that I'm going to have it you know during the during the meeting because I I remember a couple of things but I couldn't remember everything that that
happened But thank you so much for voting both. They're both there. The old one and the new one. >> I had to separate it so >> it might be more easy less. Yeah, >> whatever works. >> All right. Any other questions or comments?
Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. And the eyes have it. >> Thank you, council. >> Thank you. Um, madame clerk, there there may be not may obviously there are going to be additional questions. Is there still time if the council decides to add or
whatever to your contract that will be the time to do it um an additional time? The time to do it is now. But if there's anything additionally as you know we will handle it at the full council. >> Full council. Fantastic. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you councel. >> So we're going to have anticipated
just in case. >> All right. Motion to adjourn by council president. Second by councelor Levy. All those in favor say I. I and the eyes have it. Thank you so much, counselors. Okay, good evening everyone. This is um Councelor Marmal, the chair of the
housing committee. Uh we had uh a scheduled subcommittee meeting today for Monday, September 22nd at 7 p.m. However, due to lack of quorum, this meeting has been cancelled. >> Right. That's all we have to say.
>> Okay. I don't know.