to avoid cold weather. Good evening and welcome to the special meeting of the Lawrence City Council. Today is Monday, July 7th, 2025. Pursuant to chapter 20 of the act of 2022, this meeting will be hybrid
allowing participation both in person in the city council chambers and remotely. The Zoom link for this uh meeting was provided to anybody that requested through that uh through the clerk's office. This meeting is also been transmitted
live uh through the through the Lawrence City Council Facebook page as well as the Lawrence City Council YouTube page. Uh roll call. Madame Clerk, Council Levy, present. Council La Plant
present. Council Luzon present. Council del Rosario present. Council Santiago present. Council ammo present. Council Reyes present. Council vice president um Infante is noted as absent. Council President
Rodriguez present. Uh councelor Infant the council vice president Infante might join us later on during the day during the meeting. Uh I would like to uh call for a moment of silence. uh to honor uh Tony
uh Hajar. He was a school public safety officer for the city of Lawrence and also uh very important he was a volleyball uh coach for the Lawrence public schools. So please join me in a moment of silence.
Now join me for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. and the republic for it stands. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
All right. Uh we have a this is a a special meeting for today but we are trying to entertain few other items that were in front of us. Um today we're going to start with uh public hearings.
Oh. Public hearings item 23325. Madame clerk, please read the notice. Oh, before we continue, uh we haven't get to the public hearing yet. We're going to public participation. And uh we have the first
name that we have is H Mali. Uh please uh name address for the record. The rules for public participation are as follow. Please refer to this council as a whole. As a suggestion, not to any individual counselors. Um, you're going to have two and a half minute to speak. At the two-minute mark,
you're going to hear a beep or an indication that you still have 30 seconds. Uh, you may continue. Bali 53 Chester Street. Good evening, honorable members. We the citizen proud to support Lawrence Police Officers
Union. Lawrence police, this union of pride and and honor with the impeccable leadership by honorable chief Morris Agler doing excellent job to protect our citizen. Lawrence police, one of the best police department in the nation.
Thank you for making Lawrence a safe city. Million thanks to our DPW workers for working so hard to make Lawrence a beautiful city. Lawrence Inspection Department employee, thank you for your
great job. We must hire more inspector. Lawrence public school with the impeccable leadership by honorable superintendent Ralph Guero on the road to become the best public school in the nation. Lawrence teachers, we are proud
of you because of your hard work. Our children have best education. Lawrence always strong. Lawrence always unite. We are proud our veterans. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your bravery. We must hire two vacant
position for our veterans department. We must create the best commission on elder. We the Laurentian pray for the safety of all police officers and the first responder. Police officers. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your
service. Laurentian are proud to to see the new Lawrence police building this majestic architectural innovation to home the best police department in the nation. Lawrence police the shining
supertore in Escoy of Loris. Thank you. All these names are going to be submitted for the records. Uh we proceeding with public hearings. Item 23325, review and approval of the annual application of the to the hub for the
community development block grants CDBGs in the amount of 1,638713 and the home grants uh in the amount of 835,894.17. Madame clerk, please read the notice. Document number 233-25.
Notice is hereby given that the Lawrence City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 7th, 2025 at 7 PM at a public meeting in the Lawrence City Council chambers 200 Common Street Lawrence Mass. Pursuant to chapter 20 of
the acts of 2022, this meeting will be hybrid allowing participation both in person in the city council chambers and remotely via Zoom. To receive access codes for remote participation, contact the city clerk at eileen.brol. bernal@ cityoflawence.com
or 978-620-3232 prior to the meeting. The purpose of the hearing is to gather testimony, information, and public input concerning the proposed annual action plan for fiscal year 2026 for the city of Lawrence, Mass. as follows. The community development block grant CDBG
is in the estimated amount of 1,638,713 and home grant in the estimated amount of $835,894.17. A copy of the proposed FY2026 HUD annual action plan and proposed budget referenced herein may be examined, viewed, and copied at the office of planning and development, 360
Marramac Street, entrance K, unit 270, Lawrence Mass, and at the office of the city clerk, room 107, 200 Common Street, Lawrence Mass. Any business day during normal business hours. Documents are also available at the city's website at www.c cityoflaw.com.
Persons wishing to be heard shall be afforded the opportunity. Uh public hearing is now open. Anybody from the public that wishes to speak? Good evening, councilors. Sue Fink, six Rockwood Lane, also the Office of Planning and Development at the budget
and finance committee. Um council president asked if I could do a brief overview of what CDBG and home are. Um so I'm here to do that. So the community development block grant or CDBG is a federal block grant administered by the US department of
housing and urban development and it provides annual grants to entitlement communities, cities and counties based on a formula to address a wide range of community development needs with the focus on benefiting low to moderate income individuals.
All CDBG activities must meet one of three national objectives. benefiting low and moderate income individuals, preventing or eliminating slums or blight, or addressing urgent needs. A wide range of activities eligible, including housing, infrastructure,
economic development, public services, public facilities, and administration. CDBG requires citizen participation in planning and decision-making processes, ensuring that low and moderate income individuals have a voice in how funds are used. and entitlement communities
develop their own program and funding priorities but must adhere to CDBG regulations and national objectives. The home investment partnership program or home program is a federal block grant administered again by the US department of housing and urban development
designed to create and maintain affordable housing for low and very lowincome families. It provides funding to states and local governments known as participating jurisdictions to support a wide range of affordable housing activities. Home funds can be used for
various activities including new construction, rehabilitation of existing housing, acquisition of housing, tenant based rental assistance, assistance to home buyers and administration. At least 15% of home funds must be
invested in housing owned, developed, or sponsored by CHTO, which are qualified nonprofit organizations. The home program is designed to be flexible, allowing states and local governments to address their specific affordable housing needs and challenges.
Thank you. Uh, anybody from the anybody else from the public that wishes to speak? Public hearing is now closed. Counselors, what's the motion? Motion to approve. Second. There is a motion to approve properly. Second discussion.
Any discussion? Uh Sue. Thank you again for being here. You've been very helpful for providing information to this council. There was an email that was sent. I don't know if you received that the entire council received when it comes to
the hub uh grant. Oh, the uh related to that uh home grant uh from last year. I don't I don't know if you were able to, but there was some information requested by me related to this item in order to m
to keep the u the discussion fluent. Um have you received that email at all? Have you heard about any petition of information related to that? Not that I'm aware of. Okay. You were not CC on the email.
You were not CC on the email. So I I was hoping that you brought that information over since it was requested by me uh one of the council members and it was related to how the the grant is been managed when it comes to different
items. Okay. Um so you have you have you don't have no information whatsoever. Sorry I don't. No, that's fine. Council, any other questions in related to this item? Council President, councelor Council Luzon. Um, thank you council president to you.
Um, director um any uh priority uh is well the question is if the administration has any priority for the funds for the CDBG funds u sometimes they are allocated to uh English as a second language or any
other priority did. So there weren't any specific priorities set for the like those would fall under the public service. It was a general um RFP for public service activities. Okay. So the mayor's office doesn't have any specific priority. Not that we were told. No.
Okay. And through you council president for from uh and I think I asked this questions when we were talking about the arafones. I think um from the agencies
that received money from AR ARPA funds, how many of those agencies are will be able to apply for the CDBG funds like this? The CDBG funds are available to any nonprofit organization whether they received OPA funds or not
or not. Okay. But do you see um knowing that Well, no, you answered my question. Thank you, director. Any other counselors? Councel, was there a CDBG advisory board like
we've had in years past? Yes, I can tell you who was on that. Was there anybody on the council on that advisory board? Um, no. Okay. historically and it has been um the members of the Cabab were Nilsa Carabio, Filbert Ferrer and Franchesca
Elizabeth Nal Council President. Yeah. Wait, wait. Yes. So, so they they acted as advisory board like they have in the past. So they would review all the proposals and then they would go ahead and um provide guidance or re their recommendations to
the mayor directly or through so they would provide their um recommendations to our department and our department presented their recommendations to the mayor. Were there any changes from what this is always a question that we have right which is sometimes we recommendations
get changed. Was there any changes? Um there were some minor changes um moving money. Um one organization was advised recommended for 14,000. The mayor increased it to 15,000. Um
another organization was recommended for 7500. The mayor increased it to 10,000. One organization was recommended for 24 and the mayor reduced it to 20 to 20. Those were the only changes. And just ballpark when when did the when
did the the advisory board meet to review these roughly? I'm not looking for ne specific date. So the applicants did a presentation to the CDB on February 13th and then the CDB met on February 19th to make their recommendations.
You're welcome. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Council President. I was going to take it. No. the senior. Are you sure senior
laugh too much? Uh I have a few questions and I have uh when it when it comes to these funded specifically that uh the home grant funds that we have in the past um
there has been uh programs that has been funded through this grant including the funds related to the first time home buyer. Yes. and also allocating part of that part of that fund but also allocating
part of the uh ARPA fund that we have in the past. Am I correct? So there were no APA funds for for the for the program for down pay. So the uh the program that we currently funded for the first time home buyer is
just uh um home grant funds, right? Correct. Yes. Okay. So essentially I I asked a question related to these funds. I haven't get the answer and uh that was
the my intention was to have more clarity for me to take uh or consider these funds or voting in favor of these funds due to the fact that uh potentially there is an issue uh of
using the funds for things that me personally um I haven't I haven't vote in favor of uh and that comes to the um it happened to be the the advertising of those programs that if I remember correctly
those funds are not exceeding $600,000 uh when it comes to that uh the that specific program. Correct. Correct. I remember back then 2017 2018 that we allocate close to closely to 250,000
every year. Mhm. Uh so it happened to be that this year I don't know the amount we have but I have seen that we promoting those grants like if we have two $3 million because we have big boards um at least four that I
have seen um and essentially what I what I what I my intent of voting for these grants is not necessarily to use it for that type of promotion if we don't have that much money. If I could respond to that. Um, home funds were not used to
pay for those billboards. That is not allowed. That was one of my question. Yes. Uh, and then my following question was uh that I wish that I have that so I can make a proper determination when it comes to voting for these funds. Uh, my
following questions were what was what was the funds? I mean, what fund did the administration use to pay for these billboards promoting this specific uh home grant funds for first- time home buyer?
It's being paid for out of the APA free cash publicity account. Uh what was the account again? OPA free cash publicity. Public city publicity. Oh. And was the was that uh the do you by by any chance do you know that how much how
much money we have on that account? Off the top of my head I don't. I'm sorry. Can you provide that information tomorrow? Certainly. You see that's that's the thing like you know if you can find it for tomorrow I
mean I have sent that email. um I'll say quite some time ago less than a week uh to be fair and I haven't received that and I and I actually include that specific portion of you know bringing uh
light to the discussion when it comes to this specific funds because I know that we're promoting that specific program uh and I also have I also have seen that we're promoting another through the
billboard. Uh we're promoting another uh lead program that that's about $7 million funds. That's more significant to do any type of promotion like that. But I was wondering like if the governor
of the state of Massachusetts do that same tech the same technique or the same uh policy promoting that, we're going to have billboards all over the place for other programs that they promote. So essentially that's basically what I'm what I'm what I'm skeptical of when it
comes to me voting for this. And I have never voted against this. Uh uh but it's like are we going in the direction of every time we have $400,000 for for for a program to promote it through build
through billboards all over the city? It's like it's like are we using the prop the the proper we using the funds that we have to promote the proper or to promote programs or to actually help out.
It's like that's my doubt when it comes to this situation. So I think the intent of that is to reinvigorate the down payment assistance program. We've had very little interest in the program over the past several years. I think we might have done one or
two down payment assistants consistently over the past two to three years. So, we're looking to sort of, you know, reinvigorate the program, get people to be aware that we do have these funds available for income eligible first-time home buyers and hopefully we have a pot
of money sitting there that's been sort of stagnant and hopefully this would get some interest and get that money moving. So essentially uh on the last one two years we have issu only issued one payment
one or two payments to people less than 50,000 because I hear that you guys increase it to 50,000 this year. Correct. So essentially every time we allocate funds to that account but we're not giving it out for multiple reasons.
It could be any reasons. I think that the price of housing is really what has unfortunately driven the the lack of interest. Prices have gone up dramatically over the past several years and low-income people are having a hard time
becoming eligible to purchase a home because they just don't have enough funds to become eligible for a mortgage. And perhaps by putting a larger down payment down, we're able to to help people. Mr. Lang, I would like to hear from u from the administration.
Mr. Spanner. Yes. I think the council president would like to hear something support. If there's any question, there's two things. I believe during the uh presentation
uh the budget uh presentation um the department director uh did mention uh this program um and I think uh Miss uh Frink eloquently explained the um the
reason why people are not participating but it's also uh part of our when we came before you in concerning the ARPA funding the allocation and the distribution. Um, one of the items that was presented to you was that we wanted
to do as much outreach uh that we can. I mean some people even having the document um they receive at home or they go to uh the office of planning and development is still um not sure of how the program
works and that it's made available. uh through you uh councelor plan I would like to ask the administration um when it comes to these funds the the ARPA funds for publicity that was something that was presented to us just
like that on the ARPA phone allocation or that was something that you guys uh determined to use on that on that way I mean specifically say that it was going to be used for home or CDBG but it was a general Publicity. Publicity.
Sorry. In general publicity. Yes. In general publicity it was. Yes. Do you mind sending us uh that specific uh location because I mean from the top of my head I can't remember. Yes we can. It was submitted to you um uh as part of it because we always go
back uh because it was a policy document that was submitted to you and was requested I mean not through this body but the the previous city council that uh approved it that you wanted it itemized. So Yeah. expensive. No, just just wondering out of that if
that was part of the $60 million ARPA funds or that was part of the $4.7 million ARPA fund for different programs around the community or what section of of that was. No, it was part of the ARPA funds when it was presented to you the $16 million. Yes. But I provided to you.
Yeah. Yeah. Through you councelor plant. Um I would like Are you going to stay here for another item? Oh, cool. Um, I'm going to stay because I have staff here. We have staff here. So, we want to see each one of the items if there's any other questions that eventually I would like to take a point
of personal privilege. Okay. Are there any other doc any councelor Reyes? I want to give you a a comment because I receive a lot of good comment about the promotion. uh because sometime our community uh
mention we now be transparency with the fund we put through uh for home buyers. So I'm so glad to see uh our continuing calling and be ready to buy my home. What is the next stop? So I'm so happy
to see uh this kind of prom promotion to announcement what we have in our community. Thank you for that. And counselor, if I may say, and it's an invitation to all of you, yes, we do have our challenges like any other administration, but some of this information uh and I hope we're
going to talk to the director that it could also be shared with you because basically you represent your constituents as well, which is, you know, it's one Lawrence and um some people are unaware of these programs and do not know how they qualify for for the
program. So, uh, I just send an email, a text to our director to make sure that that that information is also shared with you. Anyone else? Uh, council council man. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, and would you
director Frank, what is the exact amount put aside for the home buyer program? What is the exact amount? So, in the document before you that Yes. $100,000. So it's basically for two families, correct? But we have an existing pot of
funds that is just over $400,000. So, $400,000 at and and thank you uh for um bringing light to all these questions for your response, but
the amount of money or well, not the amount of money because we don't know how much uh how much money the administration spent on the billboards that we see in the city. Do we have that information by any chance uh advisor?
Well, we don't we don't have it with us, but we can request it and share that information with you, but we must have it obviously. Yeah. Okay. So, yes, make it that a formal request. Uh unless you're using the the the the
what's it called? What is it called? The no where they the billboards. the view board unless that is being used for free. No, no, it's not being used for free. Be used for free. No, it I know why am I asking that? It
sometimes uh well, I'm not going to go into that, but my question is the amount of money set aside for the first uh home buyer program, it it looks it it's so little. So we are talking about
maybe how many families in total you say 400,000? 10 families. 10 families? 10 families. Put it in I'm going to put that next to the promotion. That's why we having so many question because it looks like uh
that the promotion is is based on a political advertisement instead of sending. And don't get me wrong, I know you guys I I know your department and I respect your work. You know that uh director think and sometimes what the
administration is doing uh sometimes you as a director or department don't don't have a say but the amount of money uh that we have available it doesn't match this billboard. Uh, and I would like to know how much we
spend, how much the city spend there because it's it's we're talking about a few families. So, we are sending information now. Yes, we are. But the amount of calls that you're going to receive are going to be too many for the amount of money that
you have put aside. And I know you've been doing this all year and I I respect your work because you know that. Uh but I mean still it doesn't make sense for the amount of money that we have available. Yes, we can help a family. So
a little bit more than that, but it looks like that we have a million dollars put aside for all these families that are going to be making calls and and and and I understand your explanation, but I hear differently. I
hear people wanted to buy houses in the city because the rent is too high. It's not affordable. So for some of the families that I represent, the auction is to buy a house because it's going to
cost them less than a mortgage than a a mortgage is going to be less than paying rent. So, just to put it out there and yes, I would like to see how much money the administration spent on that huge billboard that we have in the city.
Thank you. Thank you. If there's no other questions, we we are now approaching one hour. It's 8:00 and it's our first item. I'd like to move the question unless someone hasn't spoken and wishes to speak. Council Del Rosario. Thank you to you, Council Lant. Something that come out to my mind. If the billboard wouldn't have Brian Dea's
picture, would would us read the message? What is what is what is reading the message? Right? I complained when they were searching for the superintendent which they put a billboard all the way up from 495, right? A huge billboard. They spent tons of money. The participation of the
people was less extremely low. Parents didn't know that we were searching for a superintendent because it was placed all the way facing 495. To me was pursuing they didn't want anybody to see it. Right. So if we take mayor Brian opinion
pictures out I think would have a different impact. That's how I feel. Also things that you guys don't know people doesn't want to apply for those funds. You know what it is? Because in the past two years there been a persecution of information and those names comes out and the people try to
tie them up with whoever they have relationship either counelors, mayor's office or whatever and they says look who's getting the money people relating to people. So people are not applying for those. People are not getting those because people don't want to be exposed that they have been in the past two
years. But again, if we're going to do that thing administration, do it. Take the mayor brand out. Put the names on the bottom and take these pictures out because that's what's bringing all this. It's nothing else. I mean, I love the message that we we sending. I I didn't
see Mayor's Pñena's picture to be to be honest. It was it was what you say, Miss Finn, that you try to engage with the people and let the people know that we have those funds because people don't go to the website to get it. People don't go to your office to get it, but when
they see those signs, they read it and and they get the message and and that's that's all I want to say. Thank you. Looking at we're looking to move the question. Council Council Santiago has not spoken. Council Santiago,
my comment is about the information some counselor are requesting about it. Erh how where is the the the the money where come from? Erh
because some program like a small business ground was this was distributed la last few months ago. Me personally, I request
some information about who won a small business got those grant. I didn't receive that. Maybe that's for is is for some for that reason or similar reason they are requesting who is a
they are requesting the information. Thank you. I I don't know why you weren't given that information. Um we can certainly get that to you. Thank you. Seeing that everyone has spoken, I'll call the question of this. Hold up. I'll make a motion to table. There is a motion to table. It's been
properly seconded by councelor Santiago. All in favor say I. I. Oppos? No. Roll call vote. This is on a motion to table. Um, can we discussion? We discuss the table.
Councelor, no. Councelor Marmal, yes. Councelor Santiago, yes. Councelor Del Rosario, no. Councelor Luzon, yes.
Council plant, no. Council Levy, no. Council vice president is noted as absent. I I'm sorry, council. I shouldn't have done it. I'm here. I'm here. Just here. Council, do you are you It's
a motion to table this document. You I I heard the discussion. I was here. Yep. How I don't know if how do you move? Yes. And council president. Uh I did it backwards. You did. I vote yes.
Yes. So, um I got one, two, three, four, five. Five yeses. The motion to table uh passes. The motion is now tabled. Thank you. on that has to be voted on for July 30th. I
So I need to get this document submitted to HUD no later than August 15th, otherwise we lose the money. Y when is the next meeting? My intention was to submit it at the end of July. But yeah, uh just send us the legal notice
as to when you're supposed to uh send it up together with the information that we all request and we can uh definitely put that up for the for the record. Thank you. Um we counselors I going to let you decide as of how we move forward today because everybody on this agenda is here
including the chief of police including the members of the uh Lawrence housing authority and including u the mayor's office that have an item. So at this point counelors I'm going to leave it up to you to move any of the items as you wish. We need to
counselors. I would just I would just recommend you just because everybody's here just go in order. That's what I would recommend. We'll go in order. Uh we have a motion um item for public hearing. We have item 24525 which is to adopt
uh new farms uh flow plans map uh flow plan maps for the city of for the city of Lance and approve the amendment of the city flow plan management ordinance chapter uh 15.32 with the latest regulations from the
national flop insurance program. This item was put together by Dan McCarthy. Uh, Madame Clair, please read the notice. Document 245-25. Notice is hereby given that the Lawrence City Council will hold a public hearing
on Tuesday, July 7th, 2025 at 7 p.m. at a special meeting of the city council in the council chambers 200 Common Street Lawrence Mass. Pursuant to chapter two of the acts of 2023 and in accordance with the recently revised city council rule two, this meeting will be hybrid, allowing public participation both in
person and remotely to accommodate participants with health considerations that prevent them from participating in person. Receive access codes for remote participation. Please contact the city clerk at 978-620-3230 or eene. City of.com
or view the meeting on Facebook and YouTube. Um counselors public hearing is now open. Anybody from the public that wishes to speak public hearing is now closed. Counselors, what's the motion? Motion to approve. There's a motion to approve properly.
Second by councelor Reyes. Let's allow the administration to explain a little bit a little bit more as of why we're doing this. Oh, you public hearing. We're just going to uh allow you to speak on the during the discussion since public hearing was
closed. put we we will allow you since we know that you've been u u you have a little bit of challenge when it comes to mobility issues. Yes, it's a good word. Thank you councilors, Mr. President, members of the council. Um first of all,
I don't even have an agenda, but this has to do with the flood insurance plan. Correct. And they used an acronym, an abbreviation, FIRM. Any of you know what that means? Enlight. apparently uh that's why they use acronyms like that
so the public doesn't know. They keep the public like mushrooms in the dark and don't give them any light. So F means uh flood insurance rate map. Mhm. So, what we're going to have here tonight, and apparently, I hate to seem
like I'm picking on Director Makati, but once again, apparently he doesn't have a PowerPoint presentation with this very important piece of legislation you people will be working on. This uh plan will affect the property values in the city of Lawrence. This plan will affect
the insurance rates in the city of Lawrence. This plan may cause insurers to drop property owners in the city of Lawrence. The citizens of Lawrence, especially property owners, deserve the dignity and
respect that any other town or city would get by having a proper PowerPoint presentation so they know what's going on before they get the insurance notice that they've been cancelled. This is the place to do it right now. This is the
public hearing and we're going to get something written on scrap paper instead of a proper well-informed PowerPoint. You talked about transparency earlier, councelor. Where's the transparency in this document where people at home have
no idea what's coming and it will affect certainly thousands of Laurentians these rates and they could lose once again their uh property insurance. Thank you. We We have to stop this lack of transparency when we're talking about
major issues like this or when we have issues that came up previously dealing with millions of dollars. People at home have no idea what is going on here. Thank you. Thank you. Um, we are going to allow the
administration uh through Dem McCarthy uh to explain to us Mhm. uh any type of difference between the u uh previous flop plans um the flop zones u
so I want to just make a a statement first that the the um statements that were just made by Mr. columns are completely inaccurate. That this document has nothing to do with the insurance rates paid by the city of Lawrence. It has nothing to do with the
the uh insurance program as far as it applies to individual households. This is a adoption of the flood plane maps that exist in the city and a an adoption of our flood plane ordinance which is a
building code requirement that ensures that every house and every construction project that's built within the flood plane gets a proper review by the city departments. That's what this is about. Um the the the flood plane map is
created by the Army Corps of Engineers and the federal government. The city has been working um on this for several years and participating in these meetings. The flood plane map for the city of Lawrence has not changed one iota from the flood plane map that was
uh entered into in 2012. Actually, in 2012, our flood plane map was amended um to take some portions of the city out of the Shasheen River flood plane, but this is an exact same flood plane map that's been in that's been in effect for the
city of Lawrence since 2012. So, there's no change on the on on the map or any houses that are in the jurisdiction of the of this flood plane. Again, the same thing is the state the federal government has asked that we review our ordinance section um
1532 section 1532 of the city's municipal ordinance which is in effect and they asked us to amend that ordinance to upgrade it on certain provisions enforcing the building commissioner who our flood plane manager to make sure
that the the inspections that are done in the enforcement level that is performed when new houses are built within a flood plane or additions or any other kind of construction is done within the flood plane is reviewed properly by the city. So that's what the
ordinance is for. It is not does not have effect the rates of the flood insurance. Uh again, um the construction of new properties and new homes within the flood plane is obviously a very dangerous um um endeavor. We're dealing
with this um with the tragedies of in Texas right now and you can see what flood and the city itself has dealt with floodplane tragedies in the past caused a lot of economic damage and and these are the protections building code protections uh for the city and for the
residents for some reason uh Mr. McCarthy at some point we somebody brought that up that insurance uh might go up if we don't approve it by July 8th. So I don't know I the the flood insurance is done by by
the insurance companies. It's done has nothing to do with the this ordinance. The only impact that would could come from this our failure to adopt a flood plane map or or to or an ordinance is that the city could be no longer
eligible to get flood insurance. That's one of the reasons why we're having a special meeting tonight because of that. Um the eligibility requirements for the city to participate in this program are one that we adopt the map that's given to us by the federal government and two
that we have an enforcable program to make sure our building inspectors are reviewing new projects being built within the flood plane. Thank you for clarifying that. Uh councilors, any questions?
Uh yes, council president councel before we continue uh there is an amendment on the I would like to amend the motion will be motion to approve and wave the 30 days. Motion to approve and wave the 30 days. It's been properly second by councelor Rees previously. That was a friendly amendment by himself. Uh councel
u thank you. Uh I I do have a question on on if if a a property is in a uh flow zone and if we approve this uh tonight it the
insurance is going to increase. No no the in insurance rates will not be affected by your vote. No, your vote will ensure that they'll be able to participate in the flood program. So,
let me let me clarify one thing. So according to what you just said, if we don't if we're not participating on the program that is from the federal government, this plans that are provided to us uh from the federal government, we the people that are within that area will
lose the insurance. They could lose their insurance. They could lose the insurance because we're not participating on the flow zone. That's correct. Program from the federal government. That is correct. So okay. So, it's not like if we approve these plants, uh, rates are going to go up,
right? Because we're not approving any plans. This has nothing nothing to do with the rates of insurance that the homeowners pay. This is only a baseline to participate in the program. We adopting those plans, those plans that are in front of us that was
provided by the federal government. Right. Council president, I do I still have a floor? Sure. So, let's say if councelor Luzon, but I mean I guess that the city attorney also have some clearance. Yeah. So maybe he um let me ask a question that way he doesn't need to come back. What will happen if if Yes.
for the people that are watching and for our own information. What will happen if we don't if we vote against this ordinance? What will the city lose? The city will no longer be participating in the program. Okay. If you don't participate in the program, the people
cannot get flood insurance. Okay. Through this through the through the it's called the um firm. It's it's a it's an agency plan. If I may, maybe I can explain please.
I'm going to put it in in simpler terms just so you understand. If you have a house on the ocean, you have you get flood insurance. If you you can't get it through your mortgage anymore because it's too expensive. So the federal government provides flood insurance. So
you can get flood insurance, but by the same token, if you have a house on the ocean and it gets demolished, they're not going to ensure you again unless you change your building code, for instance, to as with the ocean to put stilts under your house to make it up higher so that
the next time it won't be washed out. So that's the purpose of the changing of the the building code is that anybody that's going to build in there, they're going to make sure that if the creek rises, the river rises, that these houses will survive. That way, if they know that you're building to this code,
the government will pay will offer this insurance to these people. That's all this is. This is just a building code to ensure that everybody that's going to build in the flood zone is going to build appropriately and they will then offer insurance to the city. Without this, you have to go to your private
insurer. And I I would just tell you, having someone with a a place down the beach, um the insurance went from $1,000 to $15,000 in one one one year. Without the government program, it's completely unaffordable. So the people that you're
worried about will not be able to afford flood insurance. So So thank you, Council President. So basically we as a city we have to stay uh and the council the ideal is for the council to approve this ordinance
because it's is the city needs to stay under that protection. That's correct. That's what I'm understanding. We have to prove to the federal government that we're doing our share to protect the homes and that will it so that would allows us to apply for any
FEMA funds in case something happened in the floor. Correct. Correct. That's correct. That's Yes, that's correct. Or that's different. Nope. That is correct. to apply for any fed FEMA gr grant funds, emergency
funds, any programs for fixing your house, any anything that programs that open, we have to participate in this program. Okay. Um, thank you for the clarification. Thank you, Council President. No problem. Any questions? Councelor Marmo. Uh, so just for a point of
clarification, this has no bearing on the property values as well. This will not imp impact people's property values at all. No. But it it is a it is timesensitive. Um, one of the requests I'm going to make in tonight's vote is that we do wave the
30-day uh notice requirement um veto. So that would be one part of my vote is ask the 30-day waiver. Yeah. But just to clarify from the what council Marmo just said, if you buying a house that that is within the flow zone area, that might affect your your the
property value, but it's because it's is within that area, not because it actually have to do with the plants that we adopting. It's because it's on the flow zone. It's like if you're buying a house on the beach, I mean, you take the risk of the ocean coming in. But what about the adjacent properties
to it? So there's a 100year and a 500year flood pickup. And anybody who's within a 100redyear flood flood zone is required to have the insurance as part of their mortgage requirements. And adjacent properties outside of that are not
required to get it, but they can pay for it voluntarily at a discounted rate. It's the houses within the 100redyear flood area which are the most prone to flooding that are are affected by this the most. But as climate change occurs
more and more, I think houses that are outside of it have become more affected. Um those are the one denominated as as a ae. Yeah. Through you council president. Um I'm looking over the map. Do you mind for
the record stating where this uh zone is located? I'm noticing Riverside Drive. So, if you could It's all over the city. It's all over the city. Okay. Could he state for the record? Cuz the viewers, if there is anyone viewing this meeting or could look back at this
meeting, they're able to have specifics as to what we're adopting. Yeah. Yeah. The the flood plane, the the city of Lawrence has three rivers which are all affected by flooding. So they all have areas within the Shasheen, the spot and the Marrammac River that are
affected by flooding and there's zones as as as council president mentioned zone AE which is the major area along that is the most affected area. Um the people who are in that would know that because they do pay the the insurance. As was pointed out, these insurance
rates are not cheap, but they are made more affordable because they are based on the value for the worked out over the entire nation paying into this fund. Um it's required if you don't if you don't have a mortgage, you don't have to get the flood insurance, but if you have a
mortgage, you're required by law to have flood insurance. And uh those plans are also available through the uh through the federal government uh website related to flow. Yes, these are the maps that I submitted to you is there's there's eight maps that constitute the city of Lawrence's
map. It used to be four maps when they were in large paper versions. Now everything's done electronically. It's called a ferment and there's a website. Um all that information was made available in public uh notices that were left in the city clerk's part department and the office of plan development and
anybody in the city can contact my office and I can provide you the the area to um to access this information on the uh federal government website have a question. Um with that said I'll call the
questions. All those in favor please say I. Yes. Hi. Okay. Uh, any no is councelor Fonte with us? We need roll. Um, yeah. Roll call, please. Council Levy, yes. Council La Plant, yes.
Council Luzon, yes. Council Del Rosario, yes. Council Santiago, yes. Council Mamo, yes. Council Reyes, yes. Council Vice President Infante, yes. Council President Rodriguez,
I vote yes. Motion carries. Thank you very much. Thank you. Uh all right, we're going to committee reports. Uh budget and finance committee. Uh we have item 26525 year end transfer between departments
account for the amount of 258,000 $86 to environmental environmental project uh from the cemetery as as well of the apar u um Mr. chair from the bay and finance
committee for today. Can you present this item as a committee report? Second, what was the item number again? Item 26525. Okay. Um, thank you, Council President. So, item 26525, year end between department accounts. Is
that it? Yeah. Uh, it was sent to full council with favor of recommendation. No, with as a committee report. With as a committee report. Thank you. You would like to make that as a form of a motion? Uh yes to present it as a committee report. There is a motion uh to present it as a
committee report. Can hear a second properly second. Discussion on the committee report. I hear none. All those in favor please say I. ML please call the role. Council Reyes. Yes. Council Mamo.
Yes. Council Santiago. Yes. Council Del Rosario. Yes. Council Luzon. Yes. Council plant. Yes. Council Levy. Yes. Council Vice President Fonte. Yes. Council President Rodriguez.
I vote yes. Um now councilors, what's the motion? Motion to approve. There is a motion to approve. Properly second by councelor. Motion to approve by councelor Levik. Properly second by councelor Reyes. Uh discussion. We have
the administration here. Uh Mr. responding. Yes, we are in item 26525. This is the year and transfer between departments for the total amount of 258,800
86 environmental projects from the Okay, good. Yes, the um Yeah, thanks. the the request for this item is because the um our intent is to clean the like
we did last year the uh spigot river. Um unfortunately with the cost the high cost of uh hauling the mattresses and also debris that is within the water
including some of the threes uh the expenses have gone high. We have allocated um if I'm not mistaken like 300 to $400,000 for the amount 450 something. Yeah. That we had since uh we presented
the ARPA funding to you. So right now there's 390,500 allocated for this. Right. And so our request is to have funds being transferred from the cemetery to um to the to pay for this
the expenses cleaning u the spot river. It would be the entire spot river cemetery uh from the cemetery and the funds were coming from the cemetery and the airport. My apologies. All right. Uh the the $390,000
you guys went through the bid process. Get a get put an RFP. Yes. And then you get a you get some you get an organization that bid on it and the amount was not enough. Yes, we did communicate with the IG's office because in the beginning we
wanted to find out if we could have worked in partnership. Uh the response at that time was that we uh we need we needed to go through an RFP because of the hauling component because last year when when clean river project was the
organization correct they worked with some of the nonprofit organiza uh I mean the private companies that volunteered in cleaning uh a portion of the spot river. This time around the hauling component brought it uh to a higher rate
and also prevailing wage wages that applies. Can you go back to that point specifically? Which one? the hauling and and prevailing wage. Uh because it's um now you know we're using public funds to clean the the
river. And so even though you partner with someone, but there are certain requirements uh for the city to to pay uh prevailing wages or whoever is awarded the contract needs to be paid
prevailing wages. So the contract was it was not sufficient uh funds on the beating uh for the to to fulfill the fulfilled correct correct because it now
became a major a major uh cleanup because we have more illegal dumping that's happening on the river. Uh I mean I think it's uh district A B I think E and D is affected and uh obviously we
need to maintain within the the regulations of how the cleanup is is is going to happen because it has to do with conservation but we need to remove the mattresses and and other debris and encampment that surround the the river banks. Did the scope of the work change
or the stool for the for the river uh for that uh for one of the river cleanup? No, it's the spet river. The spa river only the spet river. But I mean uh the south exactly it's like that's why
so the speaker river is on the north but you're saying that district and F it's affected starts on at district B right and then that's it okay sorry all right so that's why I'm asking if
the scope of the work have changed my mistake my apologies but I thought would ran through the the other. Yeah, the other Yeah, just on the south council. So, I like the idea of the cleanup. Who who isn't in favor of a cleanup, right?
We want our We want our water bodies to be clean. We don't like the unsightliness, the smell, and the vision, all that stuff. We want we want it to be clean. Uh but it reminds me the very same thing about illegal dumping on the land. So, um, what we need to do, and I think we've done it to a lesser
degree, but we have done some stuff on the land about the cameras, for example, the illegal dumping law that was passed back in 2016, and we have been hopefully ramping that up and getting more and more people aware of the illegal dumping. Uh, so that's happening there. I'm drawing a correlary between the land
and the water because I think it's it's one thing just to clean up. It's a very short-term response because as soon as you get that out, more stuff's going to go back in. So, so we need, in my opinion, we need a two-step process. The cleanup is clearly important. But then
what is the next step? How do we reduce the amount of trash and other things going in there? Are we using a camera program? Are we educating folks? What are we doing with respect to that side? Because what I don't want to see happen, we could be spending this amount of money annually, maybe not to this extent
because people are going to continue to dump until we change behaviors. So what are we doing about changing behaviors? And is there is there a component of this money that's going to address that? Yes. Uh well, not through these funds, but you came before you. We're requesting funding through different
departments, especially law enforcement, inspectional services, uh and also portion that would be DPW. I think you all during the the bud the budget uh sessions have uh raised concern that you wanted more inspection and more
collaboration which this administration uh is doing as well. Uh we're going to have a meeting pretty soon between law enforcement department uh and ISD how see how they can work. We also as part of the negotiations with bargaining with
the with the union uh we we're going to see if we can have cooperation through personnel department and the department of finance to see if there's more flexibility because it doesn't make any sense for you to have only rely on law enforcement to surveil the city
responding to emergency calls while you could have uh also uh ISD and DPW collaborate in the evenings. Um the there's also uh another component is that whenever there's illegal dumping
and we realize that it it hasn't been done and uh you know we have a new director he's still he's still new uh I'm saying that he has managed before but one of the uh approaches is to go through the the debris uh and to find
out if there's an address or is there any any sort of indication where these um the illegal dumpling is is happening where that trash is coming from. Uh but we know that it's happening constantly. Um cameras is also going to
be informed in in the in the surveillance. Uh but we are going to enforce um you know have more surveillance and cooperation between departments. And my last question council president and a suggestion earlier this evening I
was listening to a lot of my colleagues talking about uh depending on what side you're on, but the effectiveness of billboards, right? Everybody's saying that billboards are working. They they work. Um, this is a very benign place that I think we if
there are billboards near the Spit River to remind folks about what it means to do the dumping, the illegal aspect of it, and then couple that with the what you just mentioned with ISD and DPW and the enforcement stuff. if we can dedicate some of these monies and put it aside for that purpose because I really
really believe that education and getting down on the enforcement side is critical and if we have some money here the whole idea is to keep our the spot river clean in this particular case let's let's do something regarding that other aspect which right now I heard you
talk about it you've heard what the council said but I'm not really getting a sense of there where the teeth is on that so and that's my recommendation that we and thank you uh councelor but do be reminded that we have gone through I mean you you were made aware now we have
for I mean for a long time we didn't have a municipal hearing officer because you can have fines you can't have there's no way to enforce necessarily we have an uh an enforce enforcement prosecutor
and we also have a mun system that that can work the question is I mean what we didn't have before we have now to enforce the city. Just a point of information. Just just a point of information what you just said there. The position that
we approve that uh the that position is not to it is not that position then the position that we approve for what you just mentioned is not necessarily to be the enforce the enforcement of those tickets. Uh the the prosecutor the
prosecutor position. Well, you have it is it is it is the person that is going to uh facilitate those sticker to go to court so people can have a hearing is the hearing officer that goes through it is a process that you need to go what is it called 40U a process where you
have the code enforcement or the inspectional service issues a fine let's say we find a perpetuated that is dumping the individual could be arrested or receive a fine that goes through a hearing but you need an enforcement officer to prepare all the
documentations and work together with the inspectors to receive to basically prosecute the case. Then it goes before the hearing officer. If the individual or let's say the perpetrator or the suspect of being perpetu uh the perpetrator
uh does have the the the other option of going to court or vice versa. The city can also request uh if if the uh the violator is against paying the fine or correcting
uh because these fines are high. We're not talking about $1,000. It may be more even up to 10,000 because it's can contain contamination. Do we have a hearing officer in the city of Lawrence? Yes, we do. Recently hired. Yes. Uh but it's not the position that we
approved. That's another end. Totally different. Yeah, totally different, right? Can you send us that information, please? Yeah, sure. I think the attorney can can send that information to you. Yeah, councelor Dari, thank you to you. Going back to councelor LL in my
district has been a couple of perpetrators cut, but we don't expose them. We don't expose them. So, people don't know that we get that those peoples are getting cut. So what we need to do I I saw a web page in Salem, New Hampshire.
People stolen things and every it could be the littlest things that you stole in Salem, New Hampshire, and they put you on the website. This person stole a pencil and and when you go to the store, if you're going to steal something, you're going to think about it, say they're going to put me all over the place. So people are know that we
working, but people don't know because we don't expose those people. The last conversation that I have with the director of ISD and also officer Roberto is why are those people not out there? Why are we not showing those videos or those pictures that we cut that truck
dumping that on on that place and and they not being exposed. So we need to let the people know that we are doing that work and and that put those pictures on the billboard like like council LLA said, you know, we cut Yeah. Many people, right? If we're gonna
make a billboard on it, you know, the day of the river, put those pictures of that guy with a truck. I mean, and he's fine. $10,000. But we need to expose those people. I mean, we we we not letting people know that they people getting caught on illegal dumping. I mean, in my district has been happening, and I'm happy about it, but those
people's not being exposed. So, the message is not getting out there. And they getting cut and you get one today, but that person hasn't be exposed. Then the next day you get another one in the same spot doing illegal dumping because they not they don't know we watching them. So we need
to do some type of thing when it comes to the education to letting them know that they've been caught. So expose them. Yep. Thank you. Councelor Santiago. Good evening. I have a I have a meeting a few few months ago with you and DPW
director about this area and I made a suggestion for the director Jorge Hime to put in more illumination you say about camera but
the conversation was few months ago and we don't have any kind illumination there how we can do the video or camera over there or photo and another things
he proposed to put a solar panel light and we are still waiting for that. Yes. And and and I may say on behalf of uh director uh Jorgeime it it's a little challenging because we have to work also
with the utility company. Um we have several um uh utility poles that uh now is part of our responsibility but there are certain um what would you say the
uh bureaucracy as well that we need to go through that it doesn't happen overnight. We had couple of complaints but uh I know that he's working diligently. We have met with uh National Grids um uh representative for our area
and there's many other uh sit I mean uh items that we need to address with them including law enforcement but we're working on it through you council president. Sure. you say about national agree that's fine we can wait but at least solar panel light
I think those can do the job between we wait and easier that's my suggestion I'll inform I have a meeting tomorrow with DB DPW director and I'll I'll we appreciate it yes and give you the information
thank you any other counselors so no question uh so if we approve this item Today, uh the city will be allocating an an extra amount of 258,86 um uh dollars to the uh environmental
project for a total amount of 648,000 about um it is it is also important to recognize that in collaboration with the council, the administration will be able to have this amount of money to do any
cleanup uh related to that specific project. Correct. Correct. Thank you. Counselors, any other questions? I'll call the questions that um all those in favor, please say I. I. Uh the eyes have it. Councelor councelor Vice President Infant is no longer with
us. So the roll call is not needed. Uh motion carries. All right. Um item 28025 is the authorization to spend uh the amount of 768,000
2026 safe and successful youth initiative uh grant uh from the executive office of the public safety and security uh the police department. Rosa Sharper again thank you so much for the wait and thank you for being here again with us. Good evening city councils and thank you
for having me. Uh my name is Rosa Shepard, director of support services at the Lawrence Police Department. And the reason why we are here is to um inform you that. So before we continue, we need we need a motion. And thank you. Thank you.
Yeah, we need to uh present this as a committee report. Yes. Thank you, Council President. Item 280-25 uh was presented as a committee report, and I made that anorable motion. There's a motion to accept this item as a
committee report properly second by councelor Santiago. You made the motion council Santiago and then councelor Levy also seconded. That's fine. U all those in favor please say I. I have it. Now we need a motion to approve or a motion. Motion to approve.
There's a motion to approve by councelor Levy properly second by councelor Marmo. Uh for that item that we just discussed Mr. Chap. Sure. Thank you. So I am pleased to inform you. And by the way uh before we continue, councelor del Rosario recus himself to a
potential conflict of interest. I am pleased to inform you that the Lawrence Police Department in partnership with CISU. We reapply for the SSY grant which is under the executive office of health and human services. We originally applied for the
amount of $700,000 and we were fortunately um be awarded for $767,000. Uh we've been having this grant since 2015 and um with uh with CISU and this grant is mainly to help the youth from
14 to 24 years in reducing gang uh gang involvement in youth violence as well. This funding will help CESU to provide outreach, intervention, and a wide range of educational and technical training opportunities for the young people of you young people here in Lawrence. And
with me tonight, I have Dan Helen. Just in case you have any questions about the programs, which I'm pretty sure we do have a few new um programs. President. Yeah. Before we do that, we would like to recognize the councelor uh now
partner with the city uh through this project. Thank you. Uh Dan Helerin from Cuba, 24 Thomas Road in Lawrence. Um I actually last year you asked for some data so I just brought a one-page data to just
see the good work that we are doing and we're well over I would say the state average of the the other cities Holy Oak um Muan Fall River Boston. Uh so my staff and I wish I could take a lot of
credit for but my staff is doing a great job with outreach. Um they're getting the young adults in. I think uh a few of you went to our graduation a few weeks ago and um that was just probably half of the folks
who will be finishing within the next six months. So you know when we we're dealing the police and the gang unit has been unbelievable to us. Um bringing in folks and we're going to start opening up gyms a little later like we did years
ago. Uh but the program works and um you know we going to continue our relationship with the police department. Sure. Through you to the the absolute best district def counselor the city has ever had. That's yes. He keeps reminding me of that. That's why I had to say that.
I keep reminding you of that. Uh do you have the data? Um do you do you have the data? We we can look at the successes and I sent it to you. Yeah. I see a hard copy. That would be great if we if if there's extras there. You're also I think
I think that's happened. I'm I'm getting older and these are Okay. Um, I Man, I didn't bring my glasses today. Yeah, we It's too late. Wow. Please. I'm going to have trouble reading this myself without
Yeah. Just I don't want to extend this beyond I just I just just give me a flavor. Give me Give me one snippet that you think it's important. So when I go back to our district and I say, you know, CESU is doing some great things. Here's an example. Boom. Just give me
one tidbit. I would say the the outreach over 1,400 uh contacts with with uh I would call them the courthouse, the police department. Like I said, the relationship with the gang unit has been
increasing. Uh just getting the names, but I would I would go into the contact successful. I mean, uh, we've had such great luck getting contacts. And for the few years before this, we had trouble finding folks because we've had more
addresses at Wendy's and McDonald's. Uh, when we're chasing, that's what they give to the courts. And this gang unit knows where everybody is. So, it's it's been an unbelievable kind of uptick in uh young adults that we're bringing. But
um we've got some better relationships now even with the district attorney's office um dis um but I would think even the behavioral health part of this grant funds a mental health counselor and um
the need and I think we're double the state average on folks looking for mental health uh just counseling and group work that we do and there's a lot of group work being done in the But this is specific to that 16 to 24 year old kid who might be in and out of
the court system. Um, and then the job readiness that goes with this program, too. And I I asked for the success and I to be fair, what is the biggest challenge? What's the hurdle, the next hurdle you're looking to overcome that you think you're not quite there yet out of all the stuff you've been working on? I I would think it's still contact and
bringing the kids in and keeping them there. Uh, we'll lose kids for two or three months at a time. Um, a lot of kids go missing and we end up finding them up in Maine or we find them at other places out of state. Um, it's just
weird because and the police can probably talk to this uh more than I can, but you know the g the older gang ones I think the age is is shrinking down. I think when this grant started and they were going with u you know the
stats from years ago the gangs were 18 to 24 now they're down to 14 15 16 and we're seeing a lot more of those kids but we've you know besides this grant we've got other grant opportunities and and we've been chasing a lot of
younger kids too. So, u part of the after four program that you've, uh, the city's helped fund too is we're starting to reach out to the schools of those kids right at the edge of getting thrown out of Lawrence High School or even at one of the alternative schools and we're bringing them our hours have went from 9
to 5 to 12 to 8:00 p.m. So, we're trying to get them in more and then we're going to start open the gyms till 10 11:00 at night just to keep kids busy. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, councelor. Um, oh, thank you for the data because
that's what was going to be one of my question. Thank you for doing that. Next time, please. We'll get it a little bigger next time, but we trying to fit in every read it with my glasses on it. But I understand. So, my next question is um
what amount of of money is used for salary? it if it's used for salary out of this grant. It is uh we we fund two outreach workers u that I'm going to give you rough numbers. I don't have the the exact numbers but two outreach workers
probably funds 50% of their salaries because we do have other grants we work with. Okay. Uh case managers, a mental health counselor. Um I would say about 50% of it goes to to um staffing
and uh do we serve to you council president and I don't know did you mention another city when you were well the these when when we did this and you were looking for data we compared it to the rest of the other the other grant uh
participants of fall river l Boston. So, what we did was take the statewide average. Okay. And what we're doing for as far as Lawrence. Okay. So, this money I'm sorry, this money is only used for Lawrence.
Yes. Yes. But there's there's 11 other towns uh and cities that get this grant money from the state. So, we're just a piece of the the whole state grant that comes to the police department. Okay. Bob, thank you. Thank you, Council
President. Council, any other questions? Um, since there is none, I'll call the questions. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any nay? Yeah. Have it. Thank you. Thank you. Um, item um item 281-25.
Yes. Authorization to spend 56 143 with 60 cent from the FY 26 state traffic safety information system improvement grant from the executive office of public safety safety and
security. Um it's 44,914 with 53 cents uh grant uh with a match of 11,22863 uh dollars 63 cents. Uh and I made that in form of a motion. Council President,
that's to uh uh accept the committee report. Yeah, for as a committee report. And I made that in form of a motion. Thank you. There is a motion to accept the committee report properly. Second by councelor de Rosario. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any name? The eyes have it. Uh, all
entertain a motion. Motion to approve. There's a motion to approve by councelor Levy, properly second by councelor Reyes. Um, discussion. Just explain a little more. The the Lawrence police was invited to
reapply for this grant. We eventually applied for this grant last year, FY25, and we received $342,000 3423 $33 with uh with 44 cents. With this grant, we were able to install 33
GTC laptops. Um uh Dar is the IT project manager for this grant. Uh we under this grant we are applying for $56,43 and it is to fully is to complete last year's project which right now we asking
to we're going to installing five more uh GTA laptops on the cruiser to fully equip the department. All right. Are any questions? I hear none. All those in favor please say I. I. Any naysay? Guys have it. Item 28225
council Luzan. Um, thank you, council president. Um, is the authorization to spend uh 64,926 with 56 cents FY26 municipal road safety
uh grant from the National Highways and Traffic Safety Administration. Um, it was sent to the full council as a committee report and I made that informable motion. There's a motion to accept that as a committee report properly second by council laes discussion. I hear none. All those in
favor please say I. Any nays? The eyes have it. Uh I entertain a motion. Motion to approve. There is a motion to approve by councelor Levby. Second by councelor Reyes. Uh discussion. Miss Chapper. The Lawrence Police Department was
invited to apply for the municipal road safety grant. This the grant that they uh put out there every year. Um we applied in the amount of 64,926 for 46 cents and it is from the uh EOPS uh department u eops u from the m
commonwealth Massachusetts executive office of public and safety security. This grant is to aim to enhance the municipal road safety program by providing essential funding for traffic enforcement overtime and necessary equipment which we have been fortunate
to receive this grant since 20120. Um the main goal for this grant is to uh be able to do the programs for the driving, biking or walking. Uh with this funding, we plan to target traffic safety
enforcement. Uh focuses on critical issues such as speeding, impaired driving, and pedestrian safety. authorization to spend $40,000 to the SFY25
Edward Burn Memorial Justice Assistant. This grant is from the executive office of public safety and security. Um, it was sent to the full con council as a committee report. I made that in form of a motion. Second
on the table properly. Second by councelor Santiago. Discussion I hear none. All those in favor please say I. I. I. The eyes have it. Any motions? Motion to approve. There's a motion to approve by councelor Levby. Seconded by councelor Santiago. Discussion.
Uh discussion. Councelor Lan. Thanks. So out of all of these uh this is the one that caught my attention only because of the the the national political tenor uh regarding um sanctuary cities uh trust act cities and
department of justice providing grants to various municipalities and states. Um and I'm just wondering if if we're if you can kind of give us any inclination or do you have any insight? I mean obviously we got it this year. That's
fantastic. Um, going forward, have you gotten any other kinds of intel or information on or received any kind of notices from our federal partners saying that this might be in jeopardy? So, Miss Shepard, can you before you get to that question, just explain a little
more about the grant and that way we can respond right after. Oh, sure. So, you have that information then someone else can jump in. No, not a problem. The L We were invited to apply for this grant. The um the full amount for the grant is for $40,000. We
are trying to obtain two fingerprint machines because the one that we have currently are outdated and is no longer support the software. Uh and in order to be able to have the new software, we unfortunately knew we need a new two
fingerprints machine. This grant um allow us to purchase equipment just for the law enforcement, which is for the police department. Each equipment is going to cost around $21,000 and that's the the uh for what we apply for this grant.
So any any answer to the question that councelor Lelang has? What was the question again? Sure. So the question is is that reading the newspapers understanding or watching and following what's happening nationally especially with the department of
justice um and the fact that there's threats with respect to providing any kinds of assistance to either states or municipalities that are regarded as sanctuary or trust act cities of which we are one of those trust act. So, I'm wondering if we have we heard anything
any rumblings, anything that would um that could concern us that we got it this year, that's good. But in in going forward, have we received any memos or anything like that that uh that might threaten this particular program and this particular grant going forward?
None. Okay. Thank you. To the point. Um any questions? And just to add to the grant, we uh they hold a conference call on this grant and
before we apply for it, we did ask the state if we were able to apply for this uh for if we were if we were able to apply to use the funds to uh to purchase the two fingerprint machines and they say yes. They did uh they did not have any discussions or any uh any uh butts about the um no not be able to purchase
a fingerprint machine under the grant so far. Yes. going to have that information anyway once we uh any other questions I hear none all those in f please say I any nays have it uh housing committee
there is no report thank you so much ordinance committee there is no report personal committees we going straight to item 26225 which is the reappointment of that u sora heronimo tenant representative to
the lens housing authority. Thank you, council president. U item 262. Yeah. Item 262
25. Yes. Item 2625. It was sent to full council with favor of recommendation and I made that in form of a motion. There's a motion on the table to approve uh the reappoint of uh Sora Heronimo has
been properly seconded by councelor Levy. Any question to Mr. Councel Rosari? Thank you to you Mr. Want to say thank you. Want to say thank you. Our community is a special community and that neighborhood where you I don't know if
you still live there. It's it's it's it's I'm assuming that people go to you all the time because you're part of the board and being there for over 20 years is amazing and trying to be there five more years is more amazing. So thank you for your service provide to our people
throughout the housing authority. Thank you. My pleasure. Counelors any questions? Well, the housing authority is an authority that deal with the other housings and Lawrence related a good amount of housing and Lawrence and we have a
board. That board actually represent the community uh to actually make sure that the organization is doing well uh when it comes to every aspect of the law u and any aspect of the tenants perhaps
any particular issues. So uh this is an a special board. It's an authority different than a regular board. Uh and uh it is important that we actually have that opportunity with that uh with
that uh board members because this is the opportunity to ask questions when it comes to the housing authority. So uh Miss Sora Heronimo, she's been there for quite some time now. uh and she's been serving the community
at that level for a long period of time. So, thank you for serving the community and continue serving. I have a question. That's great. I I just thought of this and I wasn't planning on asking any questions, but I'm just curious uh from your perspective for the Lawrence
Housing Authority, uh just like I asked the other individual, what's what do you think is the the the best success? But I'm interested as well as what's the the thing that you need to start focusing more attention on. You want to call it a weakness or a challenge. You can choose whatever word you want, but what do you
think is we need to what does the housing authority need to work on to improve um it's it's um management of our housing? I think that's a question of the director. Well, she's well she's the board member. She she's the board member. She actually gives direction to the executive
director. She's the boss of the director. So, um I'd be curious to know for her perspective on that. Well, we working together to help the community and whoever have
any problem or any concern we more than welcome to help. And one of the answer your question is I don't know if you going around to the beacons and you see
all the hard work they do is not only in the beacon everywhere but I have to talk in the area that I live and one of the one of the reason that I want that I'm in the board is because I like to help
my I don't know if that answer your question. Not really. So, let me ask. So, thank you for that. That's good to know. But the question really is from your perspective because you've been on this board now for 20 years. Is that Did I read that correct? 20 years. 20 years. So, right. So, you've seen a
lot coming and going. You're experienced. And so, from your perspective, it's really valuable because you've been around for a while. So I guess every organization's every organization needs things to work on to improve. There's weaknesses, right? And if we're being candid, what's
the one thing in the next how long is your term? Four years, two years in the next five years that you want to see accomplished that may be something that hasn't happened yet. Can can you I'm curious to get your perspective because it's not often we have a chance for an LHA member to come here and ask these kinds of questions. So, do you have a do
you have a perspective or an answer on something that you want to see worked on in the next five years during this next term? I no is for the candidate. For the candidate the candidate she she votes on you.
What is it that you want to see changes? No, not any changes because uh I'm very satisfied where what what we doing now and I don't think is nothing have to be changing because everything we do we very
everything we do we transparent so I don't think we need to change nothing so keeping keep doing the good job and and provide the person the answer and the help they need. council. Uh I I got my answer. Thank you.
Thank you, councelor Reyes. Thank you. Follow the question to my colleagues. We want to see uh what change you have in mind to bring to to this role. Were you thinking about what can do
better for the big? I can do this and that. I can presenting to the boss what the boss think. what propose you want to bring for the next five year? When I say uh we don't have to do any changes because we always do changes.
We're working to improve everything. Like I said, um they've been working and remodeling. They've been working um to to do better service to the tenants and that's what uh we always do.
Yeah. We ask him because sometime we go there and do knocking and talking with our constituent and they say oh I want to see more flower I want to see more this more d and something like that there you can see all the changes and
all the improve we we have nice flowers all the time we have something to be better something it doesn't matter we can do a a perfect job or something like that but uh when I do my job. I think I
do the most I can, but I thinking by myself I can do something better every day. But it's hope to to to see everything is running well. So what we're going to tell you what my wife would like to see and as a message
to bring because otherwise I get in trouble. flowers at the uh at Exa Street on those big uh flower beds or not beds, the circles that you have. have those.
She would like to see flowers on those because that's that's a beautiful tin, but it's empty. Even it doesn't have enough enough material, dirts on it, like loom and seed and or not seed, but I mean mo loom and flowers and stuff
like that. So that's what my wife would like to see. Council president. No, before before I go this side, I still have questions on that side. Council Lamu uh through you, council president. Um I do want to commend you for the amount of years of service
um which is not easy uh to do. However, I I have to be honest with you. Uh I'm not sure if it's because of either a language barrier that you didn't quite understand the question and uh give an answer to it. Uh, but I'm a little
disappointed with the answer because I feel that there's always room for improvement despite the the progress and the the work ethic that you guys have. Um, so in in my district, which is D,
um, Essex Towers specifically, no, they not they're not they don't they're not just is not part of them. It's not Lawren it's not a housing authority. No, they're not part of it. Okay. It's more like that uh Marmac courts and the Mar Courts the Beacons. Yeah. Well, regardless, I stand by what I'm about to
say. There's always room for improvement. There is always uh something to work on. So, just to hear a simple question and and the answer that you provided was that there that within the next 5 years you did not see that
there isn't any changes to be made or that you find everything to be perfectly fine. I I don't know that just it makes me feel as if what what do you potentially could bring to this position um or contribute and be an asset? Um cuz
I again, you know, I I'm super appreciative that um you're doing the hard work that a lot of people do not sign up for. Um it is a thankless job. Um and I don't want my comments to uh deter you or discourage you at all. Uh
but just hopefully um look into um just tap into uh expanding and thinking outside of the box and and being able to see how is it that we could improve on things cuz trust me there there definitely is plenty of things to work
on in the city despite the the the progress that we have made and I do not want to take that away from from the Lawrence Housing Authority. council. Thank you, council president. And so, uh,
in the personal committee, the director, uh, Ron, Rondon, Rolon, Rolon explain, uh, uh, the changes that they doing, they constantly doing in in different um, buildings. So,
but I get to call uh and speak with the director and and also I get to speak with um the tenants and when I call the director I always get a positive respond
and and an honest respond. Sometimes we see things that they not able to change that they don't have their phones but at least I get a call back. Okay. So, we have an issue with lights in one of the
housings. So, the director um has been talking to me about the process. Unfortunately, some of the process are very slow. Unfortunately, uh but at least I get an answer and I'm
speaking on behalf of my constituents. Now we're dealing with a section that needs lights. Not because of the housing authorities not able to change the lights because every time they change the lights somebody else uh people that
don't live around there they go and destroy what they do. So it's a constant uh working relationship. Um, and for um, Sida and the job that she's been doing
for this amount of time, the only thing that I can say is thank you for your service because if I get I'm I get a lot of complaints. Uh, well, not complaints, things that the tenants want to see uh, change and but I know that on the other
hand, there's a process and a system that has to be in place and it takes time. But I'm assuming the amount of calls that you get because I I know that you care about your community and I and you want to see uh always better things
for the community. So I the only thing that I have to say to you is thank you for doing that. I don't know where you find the time to listen to so and responds to so many calls. Uh and I commend you for that. Uh there's I know
we have things that has to be changed in the housing. There's a lot of challenges but at least at least we have a director that is always willing uh to at least answer the call and to respond honestly.
Sometimes the answer is no. Sometime the answer from them is no. We cannot do that right now, but at least we get that um and respond. And if it's possible, if this council wants to hear from the director because he mentioned the things
that they're doing in the five years that we have a u that they have in front of us. Yes. If if if you would like to do that. If not, uh, I just commend you for doing this and just keep doing the good work
that you've been doing. Thank you. Thank you, counselors. Any other questions? At this time, I call the questions. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any nays? Guys have it. Thank you so much. Thank you for serving. Uh, now we going to item 26325, which is
the reappoint of Ugo Cortez to the Lawrence Housing Authority. It was sent out to the council by Brian Edipñena and also in in correlation with Ephraim Rolon, the director of the Lawrence Housing Authority. Thank you, council president.
No, we got we need to receive it as a committee. Yes. Uh thank you, council president. This item was sent to with a favorable committee report to the favor recommendation or comm favor recommendation. I'm sorry. I'm reading I'm reading from this note. uh favorable
recommendation and I make that informable motion. Second. There is a motion to the to u to reappoint uh Ugo Cortez properly second by councelor uh Levy. Any questions? Council person
councelor Rosali. Thank you to you. Sent them to you Mr. Cortez. And and one thing that some of us need to understand is you guys don't need to be in those boards and you decided you want to serve. I have no you Mr. Cortez with properties and and and the knowledge that you have when it
comes to properties. You don't need to sit down in there for five years and serve just because and you decide to sit down there and serve the city and for that also I would like to to thank you and and and and welcome you back to the board. Thank you. I saw it as a way for me to
contribute in some way to the city. So that's uh that's one small tiny way for me to make small changes here. Prime. Sure. So same question. Were you
listening to the previous U nominee which is so so your answer to you've been there for five years not 20 years five years but I'm sure you want to accomplish some stuff. So what is it you want to accomplish in the next five? Okay. So, as far as the um things that
have been accomplished in the last couple of years, in my view, the biggest thing is that Lawrence Housing Authority is listed as a high high rate. It has a high rating as far as all the
inspections with uh HUD and DHC. So basically uh they come in on a yearly basis and they do all the inspections of all the buildings etc. and basically we always come up with high ratings. High ratings
basically means that we're in the top echelon 90 plus rating from the same thing with our budgets. Um as far so that's my view. Another thing that I really like about what we do is that we have I don't remember the exact
dates but I mean the the uh director to retire we have a very fast turnaround when a unit goes empty. Um if you read information on other uh housing authorities the turnaround is
very slow in certain areas. I mean, I'm not going to name any names or anything like that, but basically once uh any unit comes out this empty, everything goes to work because there's such a high need for this thing. So, the fastest
that we get it out there is is the best. I have a quick question to for the director. So, to enga to to enrich the conversation. Director, I have a quick question for you to enrich the conversation. uh just give us the data
when it comes to amount of units uh that you guys manage and also that uh the waiting the waiting list uh in total that you have in the city of Lawrence and that way we can responsible for 1520 nobody's hearing
you need to speak on that thank you for turning down the AC um we're we're responsible for 1522 units in the city of Lawrence 600 of those are elderly, disabled. Um,
we have around 65 employees, give or take. We have a $35 million budget. Um, what we do is maintain properties that were built, some of them over 80 years ago. Um, so we we have to make uh
lemonade out of the lemons that we get. Um, in this environment of uncertainty, not quite getting to your answer, we've lost some funding. Uh, we are moving things around to make this work.
Um, we think we do a pretty good job. Our audits, whether they're financial or from the state, based on inspections and the work that we do, make us a high performing agency, which allows us to have 100% of our dollars being refunded
again. as we continue to grow in terms of projections in our 5 10 year 15 year process. Um we're looking at options of redeveloping some of our properties that are are over 80 years old. The some
conversations are very at the very early stages. Um most of them get it's a complicated process because you need to involve private sector developers and looking at our options.
So, whatever we can afford to make this uh units that are 80 years old better than what they're at. Thank you. I'm not sure if that answers your question, but if you have any other ones that I can try. Thank you. No, I appreciate the the data uh that we have the amount of units what
is the the scope of the work that you guys do so we can actually have a better idea for that uh candidates uh as of what is it that you guys do and what is it that they part of the board. So thank you so much director councelor Lebron.
So I really want to hear not from the director I can call you anytime and get these answers. I rarely have a chance to talk to the people who are your boss on the board. They're the ones technically driving policy. You're executing their direction. That's the executive director's position as I understand it.
So, I really want to hear what their vision is because and I know you're all working together. I can see there's a very close working relationship and they clearly trust you u to provide them guidance because you're the subject matter expert. I understand that. But they still have an opportunity to provide some direction. So, back to Mr.
Cortez. So, I just want to hear from you in the next five years what you want to what you want to see happen. what is it that you want to drill on? So, so basically for for the next five years, um I think uh the director alone touched upon is that I really want to
look at how we could uh redevelop some of those really old housing stock that we have. And the other part of my end is basically it's look at ways on how we can maintain
doing what we're doing efficiently. taking into consideration the cuts that are gonna happen with all possibly this climate as far as section 8 and there might be other things coming up in years
down the road. So, um I think that working on efficiencies and um for lack of a better term, crossing our tees and dugging our eyes is going to be very important because um there are going to be cuts happening and um
the the board and the commissioner are doing everything they can to get prepped for that. and really uh maintaining an ear to what's happening in Washington. So that's that's what I think that's
what what we need to focus on in my view being more efficient and trying to maintain that level that we have so far with what can potentially happen and it's happening specifically right now is
section 8 I believe and then the other part is basically working with improving the really old housing stock. Those are my two big things. That's that's that's the kind of answer I'm looking for. I'm not debating whether or not that's the right or
wrong, but that's the kind of answer that I'm looking for and I thank you for offering that. Thank you, Council President. Thank you. Um any other questions for the candidate? Um all I will call the questions. All those in favor, please say I. Any have it. Thank you for serving.
Thank you. Thank you. All right. Now we going to public safety. There is no commit. No commit. No public safety committee economic development there is no report. Uh committee of the whole uh there is no report. All business we have uh item 24120 uh 24125
uh which is the authorization of the pec assess cable renewal funds revolving uh funds accounts for the amount of $450,000. The mayor have be this item and we also have received information uh before the meeting star that they are
received in their vote. Uh I would like to expand the opportunity so we can say it on public as of uh uh the mayor have done that administration. Yeah. So so we have we have an email that we have
received. Uh do you mind just uh staying what's on the email when it comes to these items? See if I can get it on my through you, Mr. Chair, Mr. President. So why we here first and then what happened after? Sorry.
So I say why we here first and then what happened after? Yes, we're here um based on the um the the mayor's request to resend two items. So, first veto it and then resend it, sir.
First veto it. You want me to read the email? Yeah. Okay. But I mean, no, but I mean what we're here for, first the mayor have vetoed these items that we have take a determination and then the mayor have received the veto uh from happening.
Yes, I I have the the two items that the mayor uh vetoed, if that's the the question that you're asking, is item 241-25, which pertains to the authorization of
PEG access and cable related funds. And the second item is item 243B/25 which involves the the the transfer of 637,126 from free cash to various various designated accounts.
I'll read into the uh I read the email now. Um the mayor is for is formally requesting the recession of item 242 24125 which pertains to the authorization of
PEG access and cable related funds. This action involves an appropriation of $450,000 for the revolving loan fund account aimed at supporting initiatives related to public education and government cable
access. Additionally, the mayor seeks to resend item 243b/25, which involves the substantial transfer of 6,137,26 from free cash 01-3590
to various designated accounts, ensuring the efficiency, the efficient allocation of resources across multiple budgetary needs. Uh all right. Uh at this point, counselors, uh there is no action to be
taken as per uh what I understand. Correct. Madame clerk, that is correct. It was a veto that you could have either overridden or not tonight. But since the veto has been rescended, there's no action needs to be taken. We have all the proper records indicating that. Yeah, we just had asked to have it
please documented in writing, which the administration did provide and uh and the administration have um stated here. Correct. Uh no vote that is request that is required. Yes sir. All right. So one of the bid was item
248 B25 which is was for the amount of for the amount of 2 million 2,600. Yes. 483.
243B. 243b was the um transfer from free cash to various accounts. You had voted as a body to transfer 2,737,126 and that was to cover the snow and ice and one other item
they have. I'm sorry. For snow and ice, you had voted to allocate 1,665,848 and the stability reserve fund for fiscal stability was $1,71,278. Those were the two items that were part of the B that was approved.
So there is no vote to no vote required to be able to um continue with these items. That that that is correct. All right. Um all right. Um any any questions counselor? I would like to take a point of personal
privilege on this specific item and uh it's a that is on relation to a uh social media post that was uh related to this council and uh it was it uh the post was related to five little
bandits uh by you the advisor and I won't criticize um any any rights that you have within the first amendment of this of this this country. But I would like to read for the record that uh as per the definition
of bandits that means that uh a robber or outlaw belonging to a gang and a on a typically operating as an isolate or lawless area. So by you saying bandits to the council,
you are saying that not only Lawrence have no law whatsoever, it's a lawless area. Uh that the work that you guys are doing as an enforcement uh portion of the government is not is
not is not there because we live in a lot less area. and um and also referring to this council as a five lead little bandits um not to any individual counselors
assuming that just going based on your in your post and by all means I'm not saying you shouldn't be saying that but uh as a as the president of the council uh I think that calling the council a a
five leader bandits that means that we are uh calling us uh thief and and I don't know if your intention was that but that's the definition of that uh of that of what that means
for that that's why I I'm taking a point of personal privilege to defend uh the council as a council president and also bringing that definition
to the public so they know what is it what is the definition by the uh by uh the dictionary online as the meaning of bandits uh I feel offended by that by all means
I feel uh distracted mentally by reading that definition and I also feel uh very very disappointed
because if if if if people if we start calling people thief um and robbers as per the definition of that specific uh words
it is extremely disappointed that we get into that point but by all means we are in America and is that is within your first uh constitutional first amendment constitutional right to express whatever
you feel and whatever you like about the council but as a point of personal privilege I'm not telling you not to I'm telling you that me personally as a council president feel very offended by it and by all means you can continue
doing that anytime you want and and um and I understand but I don't share your understanding about the council. So with that said I finish with my point of personal
privilege uh as I feel offended by this situation. Uh thank you uh council president. Uh I thank you for expressing your views. That's our constitutional right and you're absolutely right. We're living in
a democracy and freedom of speech. Uh I think however that you didn't understand the and you have to look at the history of what the five bandits mean. And I think once you read it, I can share
information to you to enlighten you. Uh I I can uh I can understand probably uh some people not not understanding the point of the five five uh bandits but it's a history behind it. Uh but that's
my right that is my right counselor. Uh we've stood here uh as well as staff until 2 o'clock in the morning. Unfortunately like everybody makes mistakes. We had our directors that came
before you explaining their budgets. Uh we also were not very happy particularly the respect during the three and a half years that we had for this council. Uh I was disappointed personally since
you referred this to me personally. I'm not representing the the administration right now, but we took time and we expected that during the B budget, the entire budget process that the question that you were asked uh at some point you
voted on several items and at the end it became uh confusing to the point that we we missed the deadline. Um, and that's it. Councelor, council president.
Right. Um, with that said, there was a u an old business in front of us. As per the city clerk, there is no vote uh requires uh for this specific item 24125 and
24325. Um the mayor have received uh his veto on this specific item. One of the items it is important to recognize that we voted in favor of um the funds to be
transferred for the stabilization funds that if we if the mayor continue with the bele the specific quantity that was brought up to the council as of $50 being increased to
the homeowners that was going going to take effect. So I'm glad that the mayor have received the veto and um and and this council have done what the council think is right within the democracy.
So at this point there is no other objection unless that we have yeah we have we haven't we have a communication yes yeah on this item all business we have any anything we don't have anything else now we going on top of the agenda which
is the communication from the mayor city officials and city attorney um item 29525 notice of open meeting law violation complaint received on June 2920 25. Um
on documents 129 uh 1952 on June 29, the city uh the city received an open meeting law complained uh that five counselors issue a press release together. Uh we believe that the public uh that the public nature of the press
release will satisfy any public disclosure requirement out of an and of an abandons of the caution. We are dueing any open meeting law violation that the creation of this press release
might have caused. At the advice of the council of the uh city of Cheney, we are going uh to read the press release uh info to the record. Claire, do you mind reading the press release? Um
press release that reads for for immediate release and it has the Lawrence city councilors vote voice concerns over proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and tax implications. Reads Lawrence Mass June 27th, 2025. Five members of the Lawrence City Council today issued a statement
expressing significant concerns regarding Mayor Brian Depia's proposed fiscal year 2026 operational budget, specifically highlighting discrepancies between the administration's characterization of a moderate tax increase in the actual projected impact on taxpayers. Contrary to the mayor's
memo, the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget is projected to increase taxes to the maximum levy capacity permissible bylaw under Proposition 2 and a half combined with an estimated 1.2 million in new growth. The combined is anticipated to result in an estimated 3.58% direct tax increase for Lawrence
residents through the mayor's fiscal year 2026 budget. The council asserts, sorry, I didn't wear my glasses. The council asserts that this figure significantly exceeds what can be considered a moderate increase representing a
substantial rise compared to previous fiscal years. A portion of these increased tax revenues is earmarked for salary adjustments for select number of employees which council has deemed unjustifiable at this time. The council's also raised concerns about the mayor's administration's
reliance on revolving accounts to distract from the city's fiscal standing while acknowledging the importance of revolving accounts as an integral part of government operations. The council was emphasized that these accounts are distinct from the city's operating budget. Revolving accounts permit certain departments to expend revenues
generated in prior years to ensure transparency, fiscal responsibility, and uphold their commitment to the citizens of Lawrence. The five councils have requested additional comprehensive information on the revenue resources and expenditure plans for these revolving accounts. This information is crucial to
alleviate any uncertainties regarding their usage. Revolving accounts in question includes but are not limited to those associated with the Veterans Memorial Stadium, PEG access and cable related funds encompassing three city- owned TV channels, Elder Services, Recreation, the library, DPW recycling,
and the Belleview Cemetery. The council awaits this detailed information from Mayor Deo's administration to make informed decisions on these budgetary items regarding the city's agenda. Item 243-255 a proposed transfer of 66,137,126
from free cash to various accounts. The councils while recognizing the approaching June 30th fiscal year and deadline voted to table this item as well with revolving account items. This decision was made in the interest of transparency allowing for adequate time
to review the details which include components related to the stabilization fund account. The councilors noted that while the administration and some city councilors have issued statements acknowledging potential tax increases, they failed to explicitly state that the actual 3.58% increase which exceeds the
maximum allowed by law. Councilors further clarify that this tax increase is not potential but a reality is coming directly from the mayor's fiscal FY fiscal year 2026 budget. The councils who are issued the statement criticizing the failed the councils who issued a statement
criticizing failed to mention their support of the may FY2026 operational budget and the failure to support proposed cuts to the budget. The five councils remain committed to fiscal prudence and transparency working diligently to ensure responsibility
for the city of Lawrence. Statements from city council members. quote, "The mayor has failed to protect the base the best interest of our residents by raising taxes in two of his four years in office with a 4% increase in 2025 in
FY2025 and another 3.58% in FY2026. The majority of these tax increases are being used to cover salary increases, not to improve services for people. I hope these tax hikes do not lead to rent increases for Lawrence residents who need stability the most." City Council
President Givvanni Rodriguez at large. quote, "The administration just last night sent an email directing department heads to provide information we have been asking for for several weeks. It is equally regrettable that some councils have chosen to misinform the public while asserting that five councils voted
down programs when in fact no such vote has happened. We simply requested further clarity and information to make an informed decision. Also, the administration's decision to issue a public statement on behalf of four councils is particularly concerning. City Council Vice President Stephanie
Infonte, District E. Quote, I vote for transparency and accountability. My responsibility as a city council is to ensure District A families know how every dollar is spent. Trust comes from clarity, not personal attacks. Council Fidilina Santiago, District A.
Quote, I did not vote on summer programs. I voted I did I didn't vote no on summer programs. I voted no on rushing to approve millions without transparency. The people of Lawrence deserve to know exactly how their money is being spent. Accountability isn't personal. It's our job. Council Wendy
Luzison, District B. and quote, "My vote reflects the commitment to responsible spending, transparency, and protecting taxpayers from avoidable financial strain despite the pressure to approve blindly on the budget and transfer of funds that are unjust and unclear. It
would be a gross negligence on my part not to ask questions and to vilify and be vilified due to these selecting outrage from opposing councilors and administration using fear-mongering tactics to turn the community against the very people protecting them. City
Council Vivian Marmal, District D. Thank you very much, councilors. Just so we can understand the back feeling of this, the complaint stated that the five getting together was a violation of open meeting law. In no way are we admitting that's a violation of the open meeting law, but by placing this in an open
meeting that obviously the statements were not in an open meeting. The statements are now in an open public meeting, any possible problem has been corrected. So, uh, I appreciate the council doing this, but that will allow me to answer the complaint and this matter will be done with finally.
So, do we need a vote? No, you've just stated there's there's no vote. You just voted to uh I will respond. That's what the only vote I was going to ask. Did you need a vote authorizing you to respond or do you just respond? Is that you? I just respond as the city c as the as
not as the city council as the uh city attorney for the council. All right. No problem. So, Right, we're moving on to the top of the agenda. There is anything missing? Thank you very much. Thank you so much. We're going to We have business.
We have new business. We have new business uh which is item uh 29625 handicap parking uh 6 Berkeley Street. Uh that's going to the ordinance committee. Item 29725 handicap parking on 38 Street. That's going to the
ordinance committee. Item 29825 in install at J pole uh and and midspan pole uh P77450 at Merno Street and Crosswood Circle. That's going to the ordinance committee. Item 29925
install at uh one J Paul and one midspan Paul uh P70 at 77 7 P74650 on Mer Street and Neo Jam Street that's going to the ordinance committee uh
committee um any subcommittee meetings? Yes. So tomorrow night council president we still have a scheduled ordinance committee. These items were not posted or not. So, we will be taking these matters up tomorrow. That'll probably take place in a couple of weeks. Yeah. All right. Uh do any other uh
housing tomorrow? Housing is awesome. Housing tomorrow 6. All right. Housing tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. which we already have a schedule those two meetings. Uh and but uh ordinance is at 7 tomorrow, right? Any other meetings? If there is
any other meetings, please communicate with that uh with the secret uh with that secretary for the city council to schedule those properly. Um I'll enter in a motion to join. Motion to your second. This a motion by councelor Levy, second
by council mano. All those in favor, please say I. Any nays? Guys have it. Yes.