Good evening and welcome to the uh special meeting for the Lawrence City Council. Today's day is Monday, June 16, 2025. Pursuant to chapter uh 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. This is a continuation of the Monday, June 16, uh 2025 meeting. Uh and uh as we said, today is June 18, 2025. The
soon link for this meeting was provided for this specific date. uh through the city clerk's office. This meeting is also being conducted um through um or this meeting could be watched through the Lawrence uh Lawrence City Council
Facebook page as well at the Lawrence City Council YouTube page. Madame Clair, roll call, please. Councelor Levy present. Council La Plant present. Councelor
Luzon present. Council del Rosario present. Council Santiago present. Council Marmal present. Council Reyes present. Council vice president Infante present. Council President Rodriguez uh present.
Please join me for a moment of silence. Now join me for the pledge. flag of liberty and justice for all. So counselors, we have public participation and we have a few people
here that I would like to um express public participation. The first person that we have is uh L. Diaz. The uh the rules for public participation is as following. We're going to have two and a half minutes. Parl point of parliamentary query
inquiry. Thank you. Did we adjourn on Tuesday night? We uh if we didn't adjourn, we're treating this like a new meeting even though give me one second. Did one last time? I think we did. What
I have is council delazario making a motion to table and council mamo seconding that motion and that was at 10:52 p.m. I don't have documented a motion to adjurnn after that. All right counselors as a courtesy um to
the two students that we have from the public uh public uh public from the Lawrence public schools if we can suspend the rules to allow them to speak for two and a half minutes in public participation that will be highly appreciated. I need a motion for that. So move second. There's a motion to
allow public participation to the to to the students that are visiting today today. Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any nays? The eyes have it. So the public participation is as following. You're going to have two and
a half minute to speak. At the two minutes mark, you're gonna hear or see or you're gonna you're gonna hear some type of sounds indicating that you still you still have 30 second to to continue speaking. Uh you can refer to the
council as a whole, not to any individual counselors. Uh with that said, um please provide us with your name and address for the record. My name is Lucia 73. Right.
Greetings, honorable members. I'm standing here today as an Avid Lawrence Academy student. I'm here because of my concerns that our school will not be provided school transportation next school year. To provide more context, Aval Lawrence Academy, or ALA for short, is a public high school created to serve
the highest performing students in Lawrence, which has been sharing the Lawrence High School campus for a decade, including LHS buses. Next school year, ALA will now have its own space as the district will be relocating ALA to the old Lawrence High School. However, the district hasn't guaranteed
transportation for the students living in the south. We conduct did a transportation survey with 100 student responses and around which is one onethird of our population. Our survey showed that an overwhelming 46.9% of our students would only attend ALA if
buses were provided. That means that in theory nearly half of our student body is at risk. Furthermore, 40.8% of our students agreed that they felt concerned about not attending ALA next year because of a lack of transportation options. At a recent town hall meeting,
I cannot begin to express the loud gas comments and concerns when parents were informed that South students would have to rely on the public MIA transit to get to school. The first concern was do their children have to go to and ride next to grown adults. Our public
transportation system is not an educational setting. Many of her classmates have experienced unsafe situations with aggressive passengers, uncomfortable situations, and face physical, verbal, and sexual harassment. I beg you all to consider that public transit is not safe for students. No
student should face harassment because of a lack of budgetary management. Furthermore, MIA transit is a risky options for students because of timing. Ma's MIA's earliest route to students starts at 700 a.m. for an 800 a.m.
school day. Well, it sounds like enough time. We're aware that is this uh Lawrence that's on here now. Excuse me. Mute. Excuse me, Mr. John. You're not mute and everybody's hearing what you say. Well, it sounds like enough time. We're aware that public transportation
is plagued with inaccurate time arrivals. Furthermore, we're not accounting for the traffic these MEA buses will face. I urge the city to please consider Lawrence Academy students. For a city that wishes to provide high quality education and come out of state receiverhip, our students
must first be able to get to school in the first place. I sincerely beg the city to provide us with transportation. Thank you. You still have 30 second. Oh, I sincerely beg the city to provide us with the transportation budget that we need. Thank you.
Thank you. The next person that we have um is uh Lee Ramirez. Name for the record, please. Liz Ramirez 202. Good evening. I'm a rising senior in Can you speak?
I want to talk about our issue. I want to talk about our Oh, yeah. You're doing good. You're doing Okay, I am a rising senior in Abbott Lawrence Academy and I want to talk about our issue that is directly affecting myself and my peers which regards transportation. We recently received the
news that we are expected to rely on our public transportation system to get to school. Naturally, many parents were worried and disappointed and for very good reason. Public transportation is dangerous for minors. In Massachusetts itself, reports of harassment have increased by 25% this year, including
incidents of verbal, sexual, and even physical harassment. I've unfortunately been victim of this myself. Just recently, an older man approached me on the bus, hit on me, and tried to get me to go home with him, which situations like this are terrifying and do affect minors. And no child should have to face
that, especially on their way to school. When public trans becomes the only option, it's no longer a personal choice to take the bus, but rather a forced risk. Our students are being put at the risk of having to ride with strangers and older adults, and we've yet to be given a solution to counteract that. No
child should have to feel uncomfortable or in danger when getting to school or having to come back home. And no parent should have to sit and worry about who their child is on the bus with, whether there are adults creeping on them or not, and if they will return home safely. And this is especially concerning considering that Abbott plans to include seventh and eighth graders in
the building. And if there if the public transportation becomes the only solution that we have, we are putting even younger children into possible danger. The issue is even more serious for immigrant families who are already vulnerable. Lawrence is a city that prides itself in immigrants and industry, but in this case, we are not
uplifting our community, but putting them into possible danger. I urge the city to take action, whether it means implementing time- specific policies in order to ensure children's safety when going to school, or better yet, prioritizing our funding and support for our school to have school buses. Thank
you for your time. Thank you. The next person we have is school committee member Jonathan Guzman. The next person we have is a school committee member Jonathan Guzman. Hello. Hello. Yes, you have the floor.
You have two and a half minute to speak. President Rodriguez, if you can hear me. I don't know if you're hearing me. Yes, we can hear you. Yes, you you you you're good to go. Okay, I'm going to go ahead. I don't know if you guys can hear me, but I cannot hear you. But good evening everyone. Jonathan Guzman, Lauren,
school committee. I live in 39 Lind Street. I'm here because I'm deeply concerned about this proposal in the school budget. At a time when federal and state support is uncertain, our city should be stepping up for students, not stepping away. But what better than
present a budget like this that falls short. There are major inconsistency in the transportation cost, but no clear answer why. Meanwhile, Avid Academy is only getting 10,000 from transportation
and that is not acceptable. Principal salaries has been slashed by 645,000. Strong leaders, some with no bad reviews and high performing schools are being let go. Others left yesterday their buildings with no contracts. and our PAR
professionals. The proposed budget lists fewer than 320 PAR positions even though we have 550 currently, most of whom are Lawrence residents, parents, and alumni. Many still haven't received their
assurance letter. Teachers are being let go with no clear explanation. The contract proposal by this administration does not move us forward. It sets us back. Despite all of this, the superintendent's office is getting more funding with little transparency.
Property insurance is up by over half a million. Custodian salaries are jumping to 5 million with no union negotiations. And school level programs are losing critical dollars. Can you expect more from an administration offering only
three 1-hour para parental engagement sessions in a 5-year strategic plan? That is not real input. And despite a ruling from the Secretary of State, DRA's plans are still not being provided to the public. This administration has
received more hostile work environment complaints than ever before. Our community deserves transparency. Our staff deserves respect and our students deserve better. Thank you. You concluding This conclude the public participation.
Thank you counselors for allowing allowing this to happen. All these name going to be submitted for the record. Councilors, can I get a motion to on table item 16425? There's a motion to on table 164. Item 16425 properly second by councelor
Marmo. Um this u no discussion on the t on on the item at this time. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any nays? The eyes have it. Madame clerk, what is the underlying motion? So we clear. At this time, we have a motion to approve the budget that was made by councelor Del
Rosario and seconded by councel Reyes. We have um some proposed amendments to the budget. There's three that are documented and a fourth that was in the process of being discussed at the time we adjourned. Right. First was the amendment to the
mayor's letter, which we did receive the letter with the changes to the vocabulary. You each have it on your table. Um the second was with regard to a um deputy chief in the police department to move the money from personal services to training.
Operation training. Yeah. The second was from fire suppression, $150,000 for the assistant fire chief to move it over to um personal services for firefighters investigators. And then
the third is what you were in the process of discussing was an emergency management personal services director that was 105,000 and the conversation was suggesting to make it a um for purchase services to bring in a consultant. There was no vote taken.
All right. Uh we have the memo that the administration has submit with the changes that u the council have request. Uh the four of them has been uh met as per the paperwork and the than the memo that we have in front of us. Um at this time
I will entertain any other uh questions or any other amendments. Council President. Council President, I recognize this is my amendment. I just wanted this is the amendment on the emergency management. Yeah, we haven't gotten to a
final closure on it. It was re we tabled and recessed. Um, so as I understand it, I was looking to cut off an amendment to cut $105,000, but there we were about to reach an understanding of some sort to move the money or some of the money
anyway to a different part of that budget to allow for a consultant to be purchased to create the plan. Uh, that would then not require us to actually hire a body, but actually have a plan done. And then we'll see where that goes in perhaps in the next fiscal year. So,
um I don't it we can't change and move it. So, my question is it's on this piece of paper. Do we need to do anything or is the administration okay with is this official and the administration's okay if we just I don't even know how we vote on it. I guess I
would withdraw I would withdraw the amendment and would that understand? Yeah. uh withdrawing your amendment is in order and uh that what during the discussion what was requested is that we move the uh the administration
u amend the budget book and they have done it through this memo. Okay. So what is going to be reflected on the budget book is going to be what is on this memo. Am I correct mafo? Okay I frankly to make it a little bit easier I would have cut that but I
understand. So it just for ease of sake, if the money is not spent, it's only going to be for that expense. So hypothetically, if the report costs $30,000, I'm expecting $75,000 to be reverted back to the general fund at the end of the year.
So now uh councelor La plant yes we we the font was moved from that uh from the account 512 5110 to the account 5380. If you want to make a a cut on the
account 5380 it will be an order because the account that now have funds is the account 5380. So if the concern is to have u extra amount of funds
and those funds are going to come from that tax increasement we can just not necessarily have those funds on that account u and and um and and just make the cut. So if you if you want to make a proposal or amendment to the budget under account
5380 that's in order. So I I appreciate that. It sounds like an invitation. So, um I think what I could do here is I want there to be enough and I don't know what the the proper amount is, but I'm pretty confident it's going to be less than 100. It's going to be less than 75.
I think 50 thou maybe I can ask the capo who signs these things on a regular basis on something like this. Would do a $50,000 You have no idea. Is there somebody from planning here that I could just ask a general question through you, Mr. Mr. President? Lean. Yeah. I I just need to figure out what a good number
is. That's my point in regards to to uh it's consultant and consultant report. Um could I ask Mr. McCarthy to come forward? You have the floor. Unfortunately, there's he's got no prep on this. Mr. McCarthy, would you please come forward? Good evening. Good evening. You have the
most institutional memory in this building. Uh at least as a department head or one of the department heads when Miss Vez is here. So it is you do have some competition. Um but but you're saying my sense is I I don't want to underfund a potential consulting
report. So I want to do it's not going to cost $100,000. Give me a can you give me a ballpark so I feel good like you can go a little over. How much would it cost to do a a report a consulting report on a on a emergency management position and and what kind of report? I don't understand the question. Sure. So,
we're going to be dedicating some money to do a study or report with a consultant to look at our current emergency management structure and give us advice on how to improve that, what, you know, how to make sure that that things are met at any kind of emergency.
So, we're looking for a document that when an emergency happens, there is a blueprint of how to respond to those kinds of emergencies, right? And I know this is an unfair question, but if you can give me a range as to something like that would cost, I would
feel comfortable then making it up. Um the uh federal government usually actually provide us grants on that. They um through FEMA um they range in the and they anywhere from$1 to $150,000 to do a study of that type.
Well, that there goes that idea. So, uh, so I'm probably not going to make an amendment. If that's in fact the case, I'm probably not gonna do it either. That's what's being offered. What what an actual what it would cost to do a study for what the the needs of a emergency person would be.
I I could imagine. Yes. 50,000. 50,000. Okay. No, no, no. I'm saying uh for the sake of that uh of timing If if uh let's say perhaps that you have
an a specific amount and that amount that you will decide and and and it's a $10,000 more there is an account from free cash that that can be transferred and in case that report cost more I mean that's something
that can be done okay but propose if you if you are looking to make a cut on there propose an amount and then we can deal with that on that when time comes because I mean we we don't know like how much it's going to cost. Yeah. Uh good evening council president, city
councilors. Uh I want to uh caution the the city council um that the in addition to this is not only preparing a plan. This is not only to we have a series of documents that
have been submitted to the city. I have them in my office uh a lot of reports that would take hours including information that needs to be provided to the extent of it. So yes uh let's say we can have a consultant to
come and give us a plan but that doesn't finish that is does not complete the work. Okay. So so since you have some ideas what's do you think is a safe amount? I think if you cap it uh to $100,000 or
even 95 for now. Yes. All right. So, we would cut $10,000. I think I think at this point we don't have to only look at the figures the number that is that is there. It is with the objective of having a plan and also
a strategy to to implement. You have a plan. We always have plans in the city, but we don't have implementation. Sure. So, what I'm going to do is this. I think that's and and sorry, excuse me. One of the first question we had today with the S&P, correct? Was in regards to
FEMA. Based based on this, Council President, I think that 95 is pretty generous. U I was going to go with 50. I'm going to go with the I'm going to cut this by 30,000. So there's 75,000. Worst case scenario, if they're short some money, there is free cash. 30,000 10,000 is not
a lot. So I'm looking to cut $30,000 from that. So 75,000 and that should be exceededly generous and and I expect there's any extra it can be reverted back to the general fund. That's my that's my No problem. So
I'll u can I hear a second? The motion is cut to cut 30,000. I'm looking to cut 5380 by $30,000. On um Can you can you say the account in your
motion, please? 5380. All right. total. I going to I'm going to explain one more time that you got it. I'm going to second your motion. So,
all right. Uh I going to explain one one last time guys, counselors, we are the the council plan has been proposed a cut. If you vote yes on the cut, you voting to cut the funds that he
was proposed. If you vote no to the cut, that means that you're going to you're going to keep it as is. Are we clear? All right. So, any discussion on the matter?
I hear none. Uh, Madame Clair, please call the role. Motion was not second. Yeah, it wasn't. It was wasn't a second. Somebody no. Oh any second. Second properly second.
Um discussion council president councel Rosari. Thank you to you. So the money is going to be whatever we don't cut is to have a consultant that create a plan. And my question is who's going to execute the plan? Because we have plans everywhere
like when the fire explosion happens we have plans everywhere but we didn't have anybody execute the plan when when the uh tornado the hard wind happened at the south barren we have plans but we didn't have anybody to execute the plan so the question is who going to execute this plan that the consultants are going to
draw for the city um the the the answer will be that uh emergency management personnel for the last decade or and the city of Lawrence, the chief of the firef fire department was the person
in charge of this department. So, it is up it's going to be up to the mayor to decide who is at that point the emergency management coordinator or the management management personnel. Thank you, council president. It's a it's
under the purview of the executive branch. And thank you. That's a mic. It's on. So that's that's what it is. If we have an emergency, the mayor sends the in charge. The motion is to cut $30,000 for account
5380. It's been properly second discussion. Mr. President, uh let me recognize councelor Les first. the person in charge who manage it uh the administration the at this point at this point uh we have there is nobody
nobody in that position as far as we know the since the last time okay let's ask the administration first okay through president the city councelor requested
information. At the moment is still the emergency. Okay. Thank you for clarifying that. All right. Thank you for clarifying that. Would you Mr. President uh because I believe this position be
under uh useman services director is not no it is under this this department it is on department itself the emergency management is own department and counelor we don't have the expertise
in that department okay it's a good idea but it's not I mean it would be nice but they don't have the Sorry, because when we create a new a new position or new department, I think we supposed to put it on the other
department working very well. I love to see how it's functional. Yes. And and you're right. Uh however, an emergency management person needs to go through the proper uh training not only with FEMA but with MIMA. And in that
department, we don't have that expertise. All right. Council uh councelor councel presidente. Thank you. Um through you council president. Just a statement to the administration. Um
whoever whomever if we continue with this with with this area whomever the administration decides to have as the point person for the emergency personnel management. I ask that you guys make that known.
Make make it known across the board, especially to individuals within the mayor's office, that this is the person in charge so that we don't have the same situation that happened in South that everybody wanted to be the big boss. Um, that delayed a lot of the operation. I
recall we were supposed to have uh an emergency meeting with with some of the emergency personnel, department heads, the mayor, uh myself, and that never happened because there was no cohesiveness. There was no there was no organization until the mayor was
actually there. And again, I said it before, I thank the mayor for that, for his leadership during that emergency. Um he he did great. But overall when he wasn't around and this comes also from people within his office um yeah just please make sure that people
know who the mayor selects and this is the person that the mayor and the rest of us will be working with for um emergency situations. Council, council president, I still have a problem with this uh new with this department because the way it
was presented not presented this was never presented to us. We never receive a report of any information regardless the um email that a senior advisor kindly sent uh to us or to me. But I
mean, how can we uh put when we have an emergency in the city, I think it's the fire chief that's supposed to be in charge and the chief of police is my understanding. So this is this
this department with a volunteer staff according to the senior staff is not making any sense to me. now senior advisor. Um I don't know
that doesn't have any structure. Um well that's a couple of things on there. Thank you council president. Yeah there's a couple of things on there. I have take some trainings when it comes to emergency management and there is some cities and towns that have u
emergency management personnel dedicated to that only. But most of the cities and towns in Massachusetts they use the chief of that uh the chief of the firef fire department. There is about I believe over a little over 30 uh cities and towns in Massachusetts that use the
chief of police. uh but most of uh most of the cities and towns use the firefighter chief. I've been in training that I have seen how the department works and the communication skill when it comes to emergencies. Uh and we we're
not even we're not even close to that at all. Not even not even remotely close. Maybe one year uh light year away from there, but I mean we're not even close. That's the reality. Yeah. Council President and I would like to add with
your permission uh an emergency person cannot live far away from the city. You can be an emergency person and let's say you live uh 20 minutes 25 minutes away. Uh depending on the emergency
uh it doesn't work. That's one of the requirements as well with our emergency workers in the city. uh we haven't taken a dedicated time to see if everyone lives within the uh the uh required uh distance from the
city. Um and that's one of one of the requirements as well that when we were searching for a police chief, we wanted to make sure that uh our newly chief was not someone that would live uh far away and when there's an emergency, the person was not made uh was not readily
available. The same applies with an emergency person. You can appoint someone who was or someone could be in charge but not to delegate their responsibility to another person because they're living part. So uh all those are
held into context but primarily that they need to be prepared for for performing their work. Yeah. Thank you. At this time I going to call the questions for the amendment that we proposed. The amendment is to cut $30,000 out of that $15,000 uh on that department. Uh a vote yes
means that you vote that you vote affirmative to the cut. A vote no means that you are in the opposite of cutting any money from that department. Uh Madame Clair, please call the role. Councelor Reyes, no.
Council Marmal, yes. Council Santiago, yes. Council Del Rosario, no. Council Luzon, yes. Council Lant, yes. Council Levy, no. Council vice president, yes.
Council President, yes. What's the count? Six to three. So, all right. Motion carries. Uh, any other amendment to the budget of fiscal year 2020 uh 2026? Council President uh council mammo. Um um I've realized that uh I tend to sit
back just to listen to other counselor's opinions and suggestions um especially when it comes to budget um and due to the fact that I'm a member of the budget and finance committee. So I'm I'm kind of curious to find out where everybody stands as to where adjustments need to
be made. But I've also learned that when I sit back to wait for others to maybe speak up on things that um certain decisions are being made in a way that I don't quite agree with. So with that being said, I've also noticed some sort
of urgency in approving a budget that I don't think um is quite ready to be approved. Despite a lengthy meeting that we had uh the day before yesterday, there was some proposals to cut. yet. Out of those three proposals, two of them are just
being reallocated. So, technically, this is the first cut that I'm actually seeing out of this whole budget. Um, and I don't know if I'm speaking too soon, but again, I feel like I need to take the leadership in kind of speaking up um
in case nobody else decides to do so. Um, we will I want to also preface by saying that the members of the budget and finance committee, please do not forget the amount of time that it took
for us to deal with all these meetings when we got home almost at 1:00 in the morning. all the questions and the discussions and the debates. Every department that we've questioned and for us not to have those discussions and it no cuts whatsoever like let's not
forget about those meetings. Um I want to start off with the mayor's office. So if we have anyone from the mayor's office I am going to propose a cut. U what is your cut? I believe we start in page 28
senior advisor. Thank you for joining us. Um before I I state what I'm going to cut, um I want to highlight by saying there was a statement that you made in our last uh budget meeting and it was um
kind of justifying and validating the reasoning behind some of the the increases of uh many positions. And the comment that you made is that uh often times uh we have employees that go to different districts that have better
pay. And to some extent I do agree with you that that may be the case. However, this building has walls that talk and they talk a lot. And I must say to you that oftent times employees are actually leaving because of the fact that we have
we're putting we're hiring people and putting them in positions of power. Um earning more than what they are having the experience for that position more than they are qualified for that
position. Um, and oftent times we're overlooking employees that have been working here for several years and barely crack $5,000 of an increase in their pay. And um, I'll just give an example in regards to our recreational
department director who's been here for four years and I see zero dollars as an increase. Zero. And I think it's quite disgusting the fact that this individual who works night and day um, and then there's no increase yet. that I see
increases in salary that are super egregious and are well above the 5% of what I would consider normal or more than normal because it's usually 3 three and a half% uh when it comes to salary raises if
we're looking into cola. Um, so with that being said, I feel like starting with the mayor's office, um, you guys are the leadership, um, and and the face of of uh, the city. And therefore, I am going to start off by, uh, making a
motion to cut. Do I have to say the fund number, which is 01, department 002, mayor's office is 0030. under personal services. I am making a motion to cut $100,000. Second. Second.
There is a motion to uh cut $100,000 out of the personal services from the mayor's office properly. Second by councelor Luzon, counselor infante, one of the two. Um
councel um discussion on the matter personel. Sure. I appreciate my colleague for District D and articulating uh what she believes uh we should be doing as a council with
respect in this particular case as the as in the mayor's office. I actually agree with the underlying um basis of that. However, I I would um urge caution that that rather than looking at
individuals, we look at the we look at the position, the job position. Is the job position properly compensated as opposed to this person's been working extra hours, this person's been doing this, this person's been
doing that. Because that's not what we should be looking at. That's we should be looking at what is that person's responsibility and what should they be compensated for doing their job. That's how we should be looking and and addressing it. So that's the small quibble that I that I have with with the
underlying and I guess I would ask my colleague uh h how did you how did we get to $100,000 and and what's the expectation of a cut that you would see in personal services in the mayor's office through you Mr.
President? So, I do I not once mentioned uh like when it came when it came to the mayor's office, I did not mention any specific positions. I did highlight the director of recreation and he's one of many to be honest. Uh, but he's the one
that I highlighted because to me it was the one that stands out the most in terms of I'm not sure if it's a correct statement to say that out of all the directors in this administration, he's the least paid. Don't know, but he's there. He's in that list. Um, and
then what I'm also highlighting is the fact that, and what jumped at me is that there was zero dollars. So it was just something to point out as an example. He's one of many positions to which um I think we're failing to recognize
um versus other positions and again I'm not highing highlighting any specific position per se but there's many positions where I'm just seeing you know what there was no formula. What was the formula that this that the mayor used to decide who gets what raises? I don't see
a a a formula. There was Okay, wait a minute. So, I would like to know what was the formula used uh because it it doesn't make sense. There's people that are getting over $50,000 raises and then there's some people that are getting,
you know, a 3% like I'm looking at the city attorney, the city attorney, um it's a $5,500 raise. That's not even a 5%. So, to me, I don't know what the formula is. I'm confused. Where? Where? Where? So, since I don't see that the
city's using a formula, I'm not using a formula either. I'm just making an educated um decision of cutting $100,000 because, you know, last budget we were very lenient on many positions. We
were very lenient and I think $100,000 is fair. I think correction, Council President, I administration there's a correction that I need to make. All right. We didn't raise any salaries in our in the mayor's office. Yes, that's correct. This year,
so let's No, I want this to be clear for the counselor because she stated an increase there was in personnel and there was no increase in personnel. Yes, you're absolutely right. This year was not an increasement on the mayor's
office. It is important to recognize that since since 2021, the mayor's office position used to make $43,000 and now there is positions that make $100,000.
That's the reality. And and and that could be verified on the book from 2021 2022. That's the that's that's the reality. That was no surprise. Yes. Uh councelor Vice President, one of the two you
council, I I wanted to u echo uh my colleague uh councelor Marmo I and remind the council and council president that we have a motion uh a sec in a second. So we should move to vote regardless of uh the
different opinions that we may have. No, councel I understand but we also need to it's it's a decision within the council. Yeah, I just wanted to say that counselor because if it looks like that uh and I mean she expressed her opinion, her concern and if she want to move that
way, that should be respected. It's just and and that's not going to change unless you want to withdraw the motion. Thank you. Uh we're not withdrawing the motion, but we allowing counselors to express why they believe it should be a cut or not. Okay. Uh any other counselors? Council president. Councelor
President. Thank you. Um, this is because I truly don't don't know the answer to this, but I see that we have our HR director here and I'm curious to know does the city at since we this is an employment an employer, do we have a
process to measure midyear um and endofear um performance for city employees? Uh, no, not currently. So how so how are these raises determined other other than
I mean going through the contracts and everything there is no set and I I know you just said no. So there is no set process in place to report performance evaluations for city employees. Well, first of all, the recommendations come typically, God bless you, typically come
from the uh the department head and that depends on the qualifications, the background, the experience, and obviously the performance that they've had based on um their years of experience within the city. Okay? That is then uh taken to the appointing authority, the mayor, and the mayor makes the ultimate decision whether or
not they will get the raise or not. Okay? But as the HR department, there is nothing on record to show whether or not department heads and this includes because we we have to evaluate two individuals. That's something that's actually in the books. Um okay, to to
work on a performance-based um schedule, let's say, but that is something that is in the works. So there's not it's in the works. There's nothing correct. Correct. I mean All right. Thank you. Okay. Thank you so much. Um councelor Lean,
thank you. So I think a fair question for you to ask the senior advisor. If this motion amendment were to be part of the budget and your office was reduced by $100,000, my colleague who the sponsor of the amendment has not
identified where in personal services she would like to see something cut. So it's going to be up to the mayor's prerogative as to where that cut would go. Do you have any inclination or thoughts out of personal services in that office where $1,000 would be cut.
Well, you know what? I'm I'm a little conflicted. Okay. And and actually, you voted you voted here to increase the mayor salary. It would be the next mayor starting January. So, if you were so inclined to
reduce the city budget, right, is too expensive. Why did you raise it? No, no, no. Wait, wait a minute. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Give me, give me one minute. Give me, give me one minute. No, no, no. And I won't and I won't allow you to either. Let me finish. Let me let me start with
saying this. The mayor's is the the department the head of the department of the mayor's office. And we are not questioning where he's going to be cutting those $100,000. the mayor have the authority to because
it's a defunding on his uh on his uh budget. He have the authority to manage his budget. But you haven't voted. But that doesn't mean that just because we reducing his budget by $100,000. That that doesn't mean that we cannot do our
job here by putting ordinance in place. The mayor's office or the mayor's salary was set by an ordinance. That doesn't mean that we going to be telling the mayor to an through an ordinance how to manage his budget. He
have the authority to do that and he will find a way how to manage his budget on personal services if this cut goes through. Okay. Can I continue? Sure. Okay. When was the budget raised? The
budget was raised in 2022. 2022 we came out of co if we're talking economy if we talking deficit at that time there was a little bit of deficit we had the co but co didn't go necessarily to salary it went to
programs and services so 2022 this council this body voted for the mayor's budget increase second year 2023 you voted to increase 2024 you voted to increase with not so
much of a substantial increase. 2025 you want to cut and remediate whatever error supposedly you made in previous year. In addition, you increase the mayor's salary within the budget. So
either ways it it is an increase. So now you have employees that are working in in in in the city. What would be the reasoning to to to reduce after four years
at least for for me to go back and talk to the mayor? So, we basically put the horse uh the cart before the horse and now we want to Oh, we made a mistake and go back. No, no, no, no, wait. It was not a mistake. It was a proposal by the mayor and respectfully. Sorry. No, no, no. I need to go back. It was not a
mistake. It was a proposal by the mayor. This book right here, you wanted to put this fall. If any there is any fall, you wanted to put it on the council. But if it wait, if it is any any wins or any benefit up there, you keep on saying the
mayor, the mayor, the mayor, the mayor. It is not that way. And is it's it is very disrespectful to this council that you saying this because it is an arrow. No, it was an arrow because when the mayor have things that he like to light
up, he says the mayor. No, it's not. We we we are a body that approve not approve or reduce the budget. That's our job. It is but it's not it is not an arrow by approving the budget. It dis it
is disrespectful and I didn't uh present it as a form. It's a debate. We No, it's an arrow. You say that it was an arrow with nine city councilors, right? And you haven't made a decision yet. This is a discussion to get clarity. No, we're not looking for
clarity. There is a We're not looking. No, no, no. Advisor is in advisor. We're not looking for clarity. It is a cut that's been proposed, right? We're not looking for clarity. The mayor have the authority to actually find those
clarities within his budget. Council President, I'm trying to figure out just like the questions that the councelor Marmal asked, councelor Leant asked for me to know and councelor Infante. There might be other questions. I don't know. But
it's I'm not standing here as if all everyone until you have a vote is in agreement. I need to also defend the office with all full rights. But you're defending the office by saying that we made an error for three, four years voting on the budget. I didn't say an
error. You voted for it. Oh, you didn't say an arrow. No, I didn't say an error. You are. But you need to look at the video. You voted for it. And you made an arrow. Now you want to you want to fix the arrow. Well, you put the horse Well, you voted for it.
I'll tell you I'll tell you how the the the salaries were brought up to the council. 2021. That was an a supplemental budget that it was brought up to the to the uh to this council before we actually have the
the uh the the fiscal year 2022 budget that it was proposed by the mayor back in 2021. Right? Increasing the increasing the salaries. So that was through the through the proper process and it was approved by the majority not all that doesn't mean that all agree upon things that are
happening. But in the meantime, out of respect to this council and out of respect to the discussion of the fiscal year 2020 2026, there is a cut that has been proposed of $100,000 for the mayor's office. And with that, I going to move this question to the all different counselors if they have any
questions and if they have a question that is related to the administration and then you'll be able to answer it. Right. I never got my question answered, council president. I asked I asked the the senior adviser what impact this would have on his office if he if we reduce it by $100,000. I would ask that
for any budget or anything. And one of the other things I would add I think when I offer an amendment I try to provide some basis and so painfully tonight I try to provide some basis as to the recent cut to 75. I try to find out what is the right place. So I try to
find a basis for a cut and we were able to find that tonight. A reasonable place. I would ask if we're going to be offering amendments that uh we provide a basis. We say, "Well, listen, I think that this item is over spent or too much or whatever the basis is rather than
saying that's a much smarter argument that resonates with me." That's all I'm suggesting. And um so if some if a council offers an amendment that wants my vote, I'm going to be listening forever what is it? What's the impact on the budget? What's the impact on the
department or whatever? And what's the rationale for that? Is it because we had reduced uh budget two or three years ago? What is it that that counselor believes is the reason why we should we should reduce it? Um that makes to me a
stronger argument. So I'm going to ask advisor through you council president. The it's a hypothetical answer that I'm going to give you, right? It's different scenarios for those that that have been in this position and other positions just like any enterprise. Well, first of
all, you need to cut the $100,000. Uh the may the mayor may have to cut his salary as well as other staffs. I mean, hypothetically, the mayor could say, "Listen, I'm going to cut my salary and have uh staff uh remain the same."
Why? Uh because hypothetically people are living and paying their rent based on the salary, their income, the utility bills and so forth, loans that they may have, payments on car that may they may
have within let's say the last two, three years or even four. So they need to make adjustments. Are they prepared to make the adjustments? This happens like anybody. I lost my job. What I'm going to do? That would be the the third one. The third would be he needs to cut
a position. Which position it would cut? That's a scenario. Or the other scenario is that you reduce the salary across the board. Or you could say you'll reduce uh you can take it from other expenses, but
that would not be you know feasible. That's how you you can't do that. You need council approval for that. Council President, that might be part of it. I think Council President, I I appreciate and it would be really good if these conversations took place prior to so we
would have better understandings but of of the issue and where we're going with stuff. But I I think some of those hypothetical that you brought up by by ordinance, we are required to pay the mayor that salary. He gets it. Now whether he returns it back, but that money has to go out the door. My understanding it has to go out the door.
He can do whatever he wants, but we have to we the city have to pay the people and then there are they're non-unles and they people and they have rights as well and to cut their salaries they're at certain job rate etc. I don't know if you can just unilaterally do that. I understand they're at will and I
understand if they're non-union. I get all that, but I don't think we can quickly as a personal director and maybe a capo question, but I don't think you can just say we're going to cut your salary by Exactly. I I don't know. I don't I got questions. Yeah, of course. It's legal questions. I'm giving you
hypothetical answers. And particularly since the city council approved uh and in response to councelor Marmo uh there was a study that was made by the calling center that was approved by you and we have it here. Sorry we have it here. You
have you have any questions on that? Sorry. Do you have any questions on that? I have it here. No, he's just okay. Council, thank you council council. I was about to call you a counselor.
Senior advisor. Senior advisor. Senior adviser. First, I I want to I want to start off my comment by saying uh we we had our neighborhood meeting last week, last Monday, and particularly your salary came up during our budget discussion. Um and I know uh at the time
it didn't make sense to my constituents and I actually advocated for you that night as well. We had the council president there um that evening as well. Um, I thank you for always showing up. Even when we disagree, you're you show face. You represent the mayor's office
with grace. Even when you're upset, I thank you for doing the work. Right now, I'm looking at this budget and and I can see where we can make that cut. I can see exactly where we can make that cut. um we have a position within within the
the um personnel services um that an individual came in January and has not been around and and correct whether I'm I might be wrong by stating this but I recall discussing this during
the budget and finance um hearing and then I realized and after that meeting I started realizing that this particular particular position started showing up to things mid June. So
if if this does pass there there could be cuts. I mean you're you're doing the job of two people. You're the only one showing face for the mayor. If it was up to me, I would take that $100,000 and add that to your salary.
Wow. Yeah. Okay. Good. And that's all I want to say with that. Order, order, order. No comment. The the uh I think there's a misunderstanding as well. Uh all mayors
have a chief of staff position and No, no, no. I we we're not referring to any position. I was talking in general. She's not she's not referring to any position. is speaking in. Okay. All right. Um counselors at this time,
Madame Clerk, please call the role. Can I say an amendment? This is a um can we can I make an amendment? Um do you have you have something something to say on the item to add a amend her motion to add you are proposing a friendly
amendment? A friendly amendment to councelor uh Vivian Marmo. All right. What is the friendly amendment? Uh if can we add a another cut of 45,500 to her 100 $100,000 she requesting for
the total of 145,000 600 increase it to 145. Uh so uh council son would like to increase uh with through a friendly amendment to 145600. Do you accept the friendly amendment?
I want to make sure that uh councelor Lucon realizes that this is under personnel personnel under personnel. Yes, it's on fund uh 01 the department that just on the personnel that total amount was 145,600. Will you accept the
friendly amendment? You can say no. Yes or no? I respectfully decline. Okay. She declined it. Thank you, Council Mar. You have two options. You have the options of having that amendment to the budget individually. Oh, thank you, Council President. Or you can have a
motion that um on top of her motion, which is not We don't want to go that way. Council President, I will make another a motion. Thank you, Council Maro. All right. At this time, if it is not any other questions, I'll call the question. I'll call the question. Madame
Clair, please call the role. Um Council Levy, no. Council La Plant, no. Council Luzon, yes. Council Del Rosario, no. Council Santiago, yes. Council Marl, yes.
Council Selena Reyes, no. Council Vice President, yes. Council President, yes. What's the count? One, two, three, four, five, five, four. So motion fails. Uh, any other motions? Council President Council President,
I would like to uh make a motion to cut um under fund 01 general fund department 0002 mayor um division 0030 mayor's office um particularly under the purchase of services purchase and
services. What is the cut? I'd like to make a motion to cut 30,000 from purchase of services. 20,000 on the purchase and services. It's been properly second by council Lon. Discussion discussion council council mammo under purchases and
services. I remember at the budget and finance committee I had requested for advertising that uh the office provides us with a list of all the vendors of what these advertising
actually goes to and I have yet to receive anything. Um, so if we're going to move forward with this line item, I'm going to ask for a friendly amendment to add on to that cut. So you would like make sure that
I want to make sure they have a response. I to the members of this uh the budget and finance committee, did you guys receive any email or some sort of document listing the vendors of what I had requested? Nope. councelor to you
uh council president. We have that that information available. Uh but I've requested it at the budget and finance committee and I find it super disrespectful when I ask for things and what I've noticed is that I'm super nice to everybody and when I ask for things and I'm super patient. Um it's like I
get looked over. So if that's the case, we're not prepared. Obviously you you guys weren't prepared. You didn't give me the information that I requested. So, I I'm moving forward unless we're planning on tableabling this meeting eventually. No, no, no. We're not doing that. So, then I'm moving forward with
what I want, right? Council, right now we are just entertaining the motion to cut uh $30,000 out of that purchase and services. Council President, Council Vice President, if I may through you to answer my colleague um council Marmal
because due to the discussions we did have um under during the budget and finance hearing for the mayor's office. That's where that 30,000 cut is coming from. I know we can't specifically state where um but it is pertaining to that topic. And I'm looking at FY24 where it
was around 40,000. Um and I am seeing that there is um there is some monies under the purchased other purchased services that if the mayor's office for whatever reason need more funding for that particular situation. I'm sure that
they could use that um the funding that's under that line line item. But that is where my cut is coming from. Yeah. The line item this year has been spent uh 31,243 out of the 22,000. Uh the cut uh for
these uh for this line item is uh for the total amount of 30,000 and the current budget for that that purchase and services is 22,000. So if that cuts goes through, the mayor is still going to have 77 $177,000 to uh
to do uh whatever proposed. Council President, uh, Council, and to to share with my colleagues, um, the ones that I mean, you for something as important as this, every every city council should be watching the budget
hearings, um, meetings, but, um, my only reservation, and I expressed this to you, um, senior adviser, that evening, is that many of our advertisement look like political ads. And I expressed to you that night that
it's not only me that's noticing. I have constituents that bring that up to me as well. Um and I I asked you to bring that message to to the mayor and and the rest of of the team, which I'm sure you you guys have discussed it, but ultimately I'm
still not um 100% comfortable. And if if it was if it wasn't because I've had questions, you know, coming from actual constituents and and my, you know, them noticing, I think maybe something could be resolved. But that's I still have the
same concern and that's where the my my proposal is coming from. Yeah. Councelor through the council president. It it one thing is a perception just like rumors that the uh that song came to my mind. What about these rumors now? Oh, uh the
the unfortunately the I the product um we are going to disagree the product that we have we are satisfied with it. As a matter of fact, the vendor that is working for us, I think recently you took notice that some of his work has
been recognized and um but the uh I think the contract will be terminated next year and we would like to always have different uh companies to have the opportunity to do it. We did uh we did have this conversation. Um
advertisement is expensive. I mean I would like to cut some of the the the newspapers that we have and we advertising but it is unfair to them as well because uh number one uh they are
the ones that people mostly read. uh and um in certain extent they are also our partners when we have uh any information that we would like to share uh articles for the community and all of that plays
a role. So you may look at 70,000 as an expense uh that is high but yes but what about the industry? So please consider uh and I ask you uh to um you know I know that our residents
sometimes they are in they make comments but we have we have to govern by comments versus reality and expenses. It's a different story. another um uh a reality on that is that uh as of u as of
uh April 22 of 2025 out of that account you you have spent $31,000 out of the $22,000 that you have available. That's the fact. So considering um a 30,000 cut seems reasonable considering the expense
that we have year to date so far. Um, and like I mentioned, I mean, this is just a my this is a a generic proposal. We have in this proposed budget under other purchase services, $125,000 that could be used for to to balance
whatever the the difference is for services. Okay. Council President, can I also make a comment to I want to comment on everything. We're looking at the entire advisor. We're looking at it's a whole day of working and I need to be cautious how I I answer certain
questions. So please give me the courtesy the uh the mayor if we have to look at the entire budget like you said the mayor can pull funding from here the different department within his department the mayor doesn't expend any monies
uh in regards to travel uh some of the uh events that he go his contributions that he give and so forth and it's all under his expenses. So he also brings savings, personal savings to
the city. Yeah. Advisor, but that's under the other. But but that's under other charges and expenses. Now we're talking about council president. I still have through you since I still have the floor. I think my point for the for the sake of
the discussion um um senior advisor, I think it's safe to assume just like that same night. We're going to agree to disagree on this. It's up to to the nine city council including myself whether to pass this cut or not. I I you know um my colleague earlier from district F asked
my other colleague like what are the basis for a cut? I'm giving my basis. Um so but I appreciate your response but I think it's safe to say that we're going to agree to disagree. All right. Council Bl. Thank you. So you were thinking exactly what I was thinking. I saw the FY
the expenditure was due April 22nd. Do we have an updated uh number for the total purchase of services through this fiscal year? I might ask the capo to provide that if she has it. Good evening, counselors.
Um if you're looking particularly for the advertising account right now is at $57,000 so far this year. So my my question is if you can just go down to the because it's it's purchase of services. My my colleague is is she
thankfully has targeted what she was looking at but I am interested in the total of purchase of services. How much have we spent for the 5300 line item so far this year and and what date you have it up to?
So the total original budget was $22,000 actual $73,75 available 123,913 as of when? As of right now. As of today. So we have two more weeks. So this but this amendment is for how much?
30,000. 30,000. I you know this is the basis that I'm that I'm looking for. So when we're cutting stuff, I want to hear facts for me. I want to hear facts like this saying how much are we doing and then I want to find a rationale which my colleague has provided and I think that's helpful. Um that is something
that I can support because I heard the numbers and it makes sense to me that we're not spending all that we can't and frankly we probably could do a little bit more but if we want to I would I would support that $30,000 reduction. And if I may add something, um, can you please identify the exactly object code?
That way when we do, uh, make the, uh, amendments, we show correctly because otherwise a general, you mean uh, the like 5380 for other purchase services. So if it's advertising, 534. All right. 5344 on this one. 534.
5344 the 5344. Yep. Council Lamo, where should she get? With all due respect, Council Lantel should be with all due respect.
With all due respect, sometimes I have to contain myself cuz I it baffles me hearing um you you had requested you need a a reasoning, you need some sort of explanation. Um, despite me giving an explanation, I'm pretty sure that it
would have you would have the vote would not have mattered and it wouldn't have changed. Um, in the mayor's office, when we're speaking of salary, it is unheard of for a chief of staff
at a local level to be earning over $145,000. Um, I've I've spoken to state senators and state representatives. that is nowhere near their chief of staff, which does not explain it. We have a D and we're not supposed to talk specifically
about specific positions, but since we have to give some sort of reasoning for why we're coming up with a certain dollar amount, a data entry clerk earning almost 70,000 and then we have some directors that pretty much is in
the same range doesn't make sense. So that is my basis for the 100K. Um there is no reason why and trust me when I tell you when I have made certain decisions to make certain cuts or even at the budget and finance meeting I
don't even know who belongs in in some of these positions cuz this is like a rotating door oftent times we have one person that's in one position and five six seven months later they're in another. I can't keep track. I I don't know who's in what. And I rather not
know. I rather not know who belongs in what position because it's like, oh, then it becomes a conflict of interest because we know them and then we choose not to really speak up because we like them. And I rather not know who they are because when I see something egregious,
I want to be able to question it and have complete neutrality when I am speaking against something. So, sorry that I'm expressing myself this way, but I think sometimes we we're
trying to save face and I think it's a complete farce for us to kind of give an explanation and I know for a fact that regardless of regardless of that fact, it would not have it would not have swayed certain people's decision. Thank you.
Um, at this point, I'll I'll entertain another question. uh when it comes to this specific cut for 30,000 I just can I briefly respond to that back and forth but I I wish we had that information before because that that
would have been very telling to me and and um I am it's unfortunate that my colleague believes that people's minds have already been made up prior to I can't speak for any one of my other colleagues but I come here tonight with an open mind I listen I try to listen to
the facts I try to make determination. I ask the question as to what the basis is. We are not we are we can't go ahead and start talking about positions. There is nothing that says we can't. I as a matter of fact if there is a personnel cut that's what can be made. I like to know what the position is that we think
that's that's that needs to be cut. That's what I want to hear. And there's no prohibition for mentioning that. I will however have more of a concern if we start bringing people's names into it and saying this person deserves this or doesn't deserve that. that shouldn't be what we're doing. But we talked about
the positions. I'm on board. I'm on board. So, uh, it's unfortunate my colleague feels that way and I I don't I I just it's unfortunate because I I don't agree that that's happening. I'm looking to move the question and I will support the amendment to drop it by 30. Council President, uh, administration,
the microphone, it cannot be heard through the the online system. We have the attorney that is indicating that um he's not able to to hear John two weeks.
Are you looking for me? Uh, can you hear us? You cannot hear me. Can we have John coming over to check on him? Can you hear the Can you Can you hear
us? Can you hear us now? Jonathan, can you hear us? Here. All right. Um, no. Okay. Can you hear them? They cannot hear us. I
Jonathan, I just heard you. John, I think I just heard you. Goodness. All right. Are you causing trouble? Okay. I can't wait. Just Just don't forget you want to. I No, I will.
That's perfect. We We're moving on. Uh we're moving on. We have a proposed cut of $30,000 for that u uh section 5344 of the mayor's office. U any other questions at this
time? Madame Cler, please call the role. Council Reyes, we The motion is to cut $30,000 out of their advertising advertising. Yes. No. Yes. No.
Yes. No. No. No. No, counselor. Yes, the vote, please. Yes. Yes or no? Or no. Okay. Is that um uh I guess what what is the vote? Councelor said no. No. Okay. Council
mom. Yes. Council Santiago. Yes. Council Del Rosario. Yes. Council Luzon. Yes. Council LL. Yes. Yes. Yes. Council Levy.
Yes. Council Vice President Infante. Yes. Council President Rodriguez. But yes, motion carries. Uh any other uh proposed any other amendment? Council Lamo. Um
so um given that um given that I am making preconceived notions that based on the previous explanation that I gave I felt that it wasn't going to change anything I I feel
the need to put it to the test. Therefore, I am going to make a motion to cut uh the personnel services in the mayor's office. Just so you could see that I'm nice, I'm going to say 99,000 99,000.
99,000. Um because it was 100 this minus one minus one. Okay. It says 999 thou 999,999. Correct. Second properly second by councelor uh Luzon. Any other
discussion? No, there's something wrong now with the mic. It was working on a a second ago. It's crazy. Thank you. Thank you. So I just so we're clear on the on the basis of this. I think what resonated to me in your last and I just
want to confirm this and it makes some sense to me. the the basis for what you're doing is that there was a chief of staff's position that's been mostly unfilled for a big part of this year and yet that office has seemed to be working well even without that. Is that is that accurate? I don't want to put words in
your mouth but you tell me the reason why. So I'm not looking to cut it there which is why understood and then I didn't really get into the specifics because I thought we weren't allowed to do so in terms of positions because we're not allowed to cut
positions. So, um I I obviously do understand that there's a need uh but based on my research um of other chiefs of staff um at other higher levels of uh um of administrations that I've seen.
When I saw that specific position, I it it did not make sense. So, collectively, I came up with $100,000 for that. I I will clarify I will clarify 110. Uh it is within the mayor's
prerogative to cut an specific position one specific amount of dollars as the uh senior advisor express in the past. It will not be an one specific position as
we might request it. That won't happen. He have the program of right make those cuts accordingly within his budget and office. Correct. So, so it is under
personal services. All right. Can I So, now I just I asked the the question, but now I just I want to explain why I'm going to be voting the way I'm going to be voting, which I kind of led to, which is this. that made sense to me through my co my colleague in district D especially when she was able to pinpoint
with some um accuracy in my opinion that that position was dormant for quite some time yet that office continued to work well. So if that and the council president of course is correct uh in saying that we cannot we can certainly encourage we can certainly promote we
can but we and we can tell all we want but it's the mayor's prerogative as to where he wants to cut which is your point I agree but that's the basis um we were we have seen that office work without one position really being at the forefront and it seemed to have worked
it seemed to worked u I'll let others decide whether it work well did it not work well others can make that decision, but it seemed to work. So, for that reason, because there was a basis on it, I'm going to be supporting this motion because of that motion. Because of that basis. Thank you. Thank you. Uh any other any other counselors at this time?
Madame Clair, please call the role. Council Levy, no. Council Lant, yes. Council Luzison, yes. Council Del Rosario, abstain. Council Santiago, yes. Council Mono,
yes. Council Selenius, no. Council Vice President, yes. Council President, yes. What's the count? 621, sir. Motion carries. All right. Councilors, what's the other amendment of if any?
Council President. Councelor Mamo. I would like to uh discuss on the planning and development page 60. So this is specifically the planning office. Uh the amendment is to cut 5110 personnel
services to $48,000. What's page? Page. Page 60. Page 60. Can you repeat? Uh page 60 fund 01 department 011
planning and development division 0051 planning office. Um do I need to give the origination number? The amount the amount the amount 48,000 48,000 48,000 48,000 personal services
personal services. Any questions? Um, council president council council president I guess for for clarity um previously just a few minutes ago our capital asked for us to include the sub object number on this one is uh 510 5110
51 yeah 5110 it's only one because I mean it's different on the personnel can a quarter on the vacation longevity thank you for the clarification all right 48,000 on the section 5110 10. Any discussions? Counselors, any
questions? 48,000. Councelor Bren, why is this my You don't mind you. Thanks. Very affordable. This is personnel services. This is 51. So, we're looking to cut.
And why why are we cutting? What what exactly about this position are we looking? What's the basis for this cut? So, um do I have the floor? I'm sorry. I have the floor. Okay. So, um counselors, I was I honestly try to
do my best to again look at what is egregious um and certain um changes that stood out to me was the OPD director. There's a 50 $55,400 increase. Um what I try to do with
certain positions that just jumped at me to be very egregious, I would add 5% um as a salary increase and based on that number is what I deducted as to what they were asking for. So um it comes out
to 48,000. So still giving this position a 5% increase. So the challenge I'm facing with this is I believe that this and and person of that department is here but I think I'm going to say something that she's going to agree with. I I believe this is under
contract. I believe there is a contract with the OPD if that's the basis of it and I don't think that we can just gladly I mean we would still have to get paid I think because of the contract they would have to find money I think some if the goal
really is to do that I don't think we're going to get what we want by doing that cut is my is my point I understand give moment council you say that was a contract what did you have that those bases is it I'll ask if through you is do you do you OPD Director, do you have
a a contract with the city? That is correct. I thought so. Um, council blank, do you mind reading the contract position that you approved on the 2024? I council president, why am I reading it? You mean you say that is a contract? I believe there's a is there a contract? The answer is yes. Do you have a
contract? Do you have a contract with you? The personnel director is here standing up. This is usually a good sign. There may be some information coming. Good evening again. It is a contracted position per per ordinance. Uh can do
you mind reading reading this document for me please? Because I mean I can't pass it over the top the top one the contract positions that we approved in 2024. I'm not sure why it's not included in the Collins report, but I can tell you that when we were reviewing the contract, I
did go back into the ordinance to confirm that it was a contracted position. And on there, it's also the position down on the bottom on section B. Section B, are you are you referring to the recommended grade? Yes. The contract
position on top and then section B is also mentioned in the position. Yes. Section B. Yes. This is the non-UN classification plan. Yes. Section B. Go down on positions. Yes. The one before one before the last one. So, I can see where you're referring to, but there's
nothing that I can do about the ordinance where it states that's the ordinance. No, the ordinance that I read from online says that this position is a contracted position. No, but the thing is is that's an ordinance. This is the Collins report. that it become an
ordinance in 2024. Again, I wasn't even here in the city when this actually occurred. But I mean, that's that's the actual ordinance. I I I I I really don't want to go back and forth. The ordinance says that it's a contracted position, but that is the
actual ordinance that we go and buy on every position. President, um, we had the city clerk nodding her head. Can we have the city cler clarify some things as she oversees the ordinance? My understanding of it was a contract position that was in the top section. There was no caps or set on the salary
that they could be contracted to any amount. Then the ordinance might say that the person I I have a contract but my salary falls within the range on the callin center report. The city attorney has a contract but it falls within the range on this callin center report.
So I my understanding is the office of planning and development. I think your point is trying to say the office of planning and development should have a contract but the salary range should fall within the boundaries of the col. Correct. That's why it's a Collins report because what they do was they they do a uh not a nationwide but a
statewide uh review of what other u municipalities are paying comparatively. Yeah. And that's why it says the recommended grade. For example, when I was second assistant city attorney, I was a contractor that in fact had to come in front of you. But it's not up on
top that position nor was the first assistant either. So on that what what the colleges are referring to is the LPD director on section B should be within the range of that specific salary. What is the salary that it says there? The
range here says uh 100,100 um to 145,600. Okay. And the propose that is here and that I guess that that was that was one of the in terms of the cut is to fall into that specific calling report. To my
understanding and and uh the director can answer your question a little bit better. But to my understanding, a portion of the of the amount that she's being paid is being paid out of a grant. And that's because she's also uh performing the duties of um the opioid
crisis position as well. So director, please. Thank you. Um, let me have my my page. Oh, thank you. Ailda Pimento, 360 Marramac Street, OPD director. Um, I also would like to add to that if you look on page
61 and you look at the bottom where it says grant reimbursement, that is the reimbursement that's being reimbursed for the additional work and duties that I am performing that is not included in that Collins report and
that's actually reimbursed fully reimbursed. and counselors. Any other questions in regard to the cost that has been proposed? Uh any questions to that uh to that uh director? All right, I'll call the questions.
Council Mama, um on this ordinance, this contract, does it give any specifics as to what the salary is for this position? I think that yes, it is. And on that uh section B say planning office of the
planning and development director should be earning 100,100 council president give me one minute uh to 145,600 attorney yes but I mean she asked my question I need to respond and then I'll I'll entertain the city attorney. So
that's the salary range. The salary range for that position should be 100,100 to 145,600. Actually, um yes, that's the salary. Yes. Uh the city attorney.
U council president and counselors, we've fallen into that slippery slope right now. The one thing you are not supposed to be doing is going over each individual job and saying, "I want to cut that person." If you do not like the payroll for the department, You can say,
"I wish to cut the payroll." Council president, can you hear me? Yes, we can hear you clearly. Um, you could say, "I want to cut the the payroll for that department by $100,000." Right now, you are getting into individuals and individual
contracts. That is not the purpose of here tonight. The purpose is budget. If you think the budget is too big, you may cut it. But going personel to personnel is not appropriate at this time. Yeah. Thank you so much Chony for clarifying that because that's exactly what I said
at the beginning and that's exactly why councelor Mamo was saying that she's not supposed to be mentioning positions when she proposed the mayor's office $100,000 cut council president so councelor Stephanie councel thank you um to our
attorney who I think the big not not that I think what what we've been hearing tonight overall by some colleagues would like specific specific explanations of where these cuts are these proposed cuts are coming from. Um
at least a basis um and unfortunately to give an an overall basis those details may be relevant most likely than not are are relevant. Um however we are trying to keep it as generic as possible. So
we're still following the the the rules. I like I I don't know how council president how how else should should we be doing this because we're very confeder you if you if I may you can say I believe that there are certain salaries
that are overpaid in this department. I would like the department to cut those salary. I still have the floor. Council President, attorney Hooton. Um they have a response. But the the council Marmal did state that. She did state that at the beginning. Correct. But now but now
you're going into you're asking about contracts. You're asking about people. The uh this this should have been talked about when you had budgets and people before and saying, "Hey, I don't like this person being paid this way." We also did that. Yeah. We we've been doing
our job, attorney. We trust me. I understand that. But we left almost 1 in the morning every almost every single budget hearing. We did we did our due diligence. I understand. Yeah. That's a question from the attorney. And if the department doesn't speak to you,
correct? That's the intent. I was just going to say if the department doesn't listen to you in them meetings, this is your chance to say you didn't listen to me. You didn't do what I wanted to do. So, I'm going to cut your entire budget by x amount of dollars. Okay. Thank you, Council Lamo.
I just want to make sure that I'm making it super clear. when I had proposed the the budget cut at the mayor's office uh for 90 99,900 um the mayor could still choose to pay
whoever the chief of staff for 145. It it would demonstrate greatly as to where his priorities are. Um but the I city councilors are very well aware that we have no control as to you know cutting
any specific positions. So again with this uh department planning office the proposed cut is for $48,000 if uh if it is the choice uh for our OPD
director to continue to have her salary raised of $55,000. very well done. You know, that is that is their prerogative. Um, but once again, it will demonstrate as to where the department's priorities are when it comes to demonstrating how these funds
are being allocated. Um, so with that being said, any future cuts that we are going to be proposing, we understand that is not for a specific position. Thank you so much, Council Lau. Thank for and I'm going to use a and I appreciate the the city attorney's
comments and I rely on him um strongly for his advice because we pay him. I think he does a very good job. Um I I think I owe the people that I represent the reason for the votes that I take and when I ask a general question like what
why are we looking at this? I think that's a legitimate question to ask and um and then fully understanding that that even though there's a basis for a reduction, the mayor does not need to honor that,
the mayor can go someplace else and find money someplace else. So just because the a member of the of of this body decides that that was a sound reason doesn't mean that the mayor is going to do. You've said that three times, but I think I owe the people in my district
reason for why I do what I do and uh I I don't want it to be misconstrued because if you hear heard from me directly, that's the reason why I'm voting the way I am. Thank you. Thank you. Uh any other questions in regard to this? I would like to add something, council president. Uh uh director Pimementel.
Yes. Thank you so much. Um I would like to add something uh for clarity and facts purposes so far and let's just re that additional amount is coming out of the opioid settlement funds and for the work that
the OPD director has been doing and will be doing for the amount of time specified to do that job. Additional also when the Collins report was done that was not included because
of the time that the settlement amount actually took place. So in that Collins report opioid funds and even that whole job and the responsibilities are not even included. And if you look at the full Collins report not just that page it will explain if the any statistics
are skewed and the reasons why because not everything is accounted for. Also to date we the city of Lawrence has received 1,765,000 $65910 now out of the opioid that's the opioid
settlement funds that we have received from the settlements. Yeah, the settlement. It's important to recognize that the settlement was done during uh during the opioid crisis situation that we went through in the city of Lawrence with hundreds of people died. Correct. Thank you so much, Council President.
Also, I just gave you the exact amount that's actually came into the city of Lawrence for the opioid settlement funds. The OPD director along with her team has leveraged $1.2 2 million which is more than what we
actually even received in opioid settlement funds. That's an additional that we leveraged because of the work the OPD director has done in this time with her team. And we received it from the Department of Justice through a federal grant another grant the
comprehensive opioid stimulant and substance use based program. So that's another funding source that we actually leveraged which is actually even higher than the opioid amount that we got in the first place. Now that's just one piece and I'm not
going to go into all the other grants that we have leveraged and all the other work departments divisions and the complexity nature of context and everything else as I already did in the budget hearings. But I just want to make sure that that's recognized that we actually brought in more funds
than what the settlement gave the city of Lawrence thus far. Okay. Also, if the CAP would like to pull up the newbie contract, which was what the city council approved for the previous person who was in this position was actually about $220,000 that this council body
approved. They went into place. No, we discussed this at the ordinance when we were approving that position and we said that position is not contract. If the administration give it a contract, that's the administration. This council did not approve that specific amount or
the contract. So, am I correct, Mr. Advisor? Affirmative. Affirmative. Thank you. Yes, it's correct. the the funding for the uh consulting service is separate.
When he became a director of proof by this body, I mean confirmed recommended by the mayor confirmed that his body uh his salary was paid through the regular payroll. Thank you. Am I continue? Okay. So, thank you. I just wanted to make
sure that people are aware of the uh grant that we actually brought in for the opioid work. And again, that's an additional duty and responsibilities. um along with the other grants and stuff that we actually do which is actually under contract and grant funded.
No and and we definitely understand the the amount of work that you guys has been done but been doing. We also need to look at the budget as it is and the budget indicates that uh the salary of the OPD director is going to be increased by $55,000
and and that going to that's going to bring a total amount of a potential increasement of over 35% of your current salary. If you look at the real war on the private sector, three three and a
half 4% 5% increasement is what's normal on the market. When you come to the unions, we fight very hard to give two two and one and three three and zero sometime. And then we see in positions that is not
following that same that same line of thought. That's why this council is bringing this up because it is our duties and responsibilities to actually bring it up. It's not that's why it's tough to even talk to the people when we have a specific positions because I know
that the relationship between between the people that is standing there and us is going to be hard eventually because I mean that's difficult to to do that but that's the reality. a 35 or over percent increasement on any salary. Not you, on
any salary. But it's also incorrect to say that's a salary increase because it's not. So do not think of the name of who's right now holding the position. The OPD director, the number that you gave earlier, right? The highest salary
range. What did you 145,600? Okay. Now, that doesn't mean that every OPD director that comes in is going to have a contract to do an additional duty for the opioid because it is only for a certain amount of time. That's where
that amount that the grant reimbursement is. And then what the administration should do, and I won't tell the administration how to do the work, is provide this council with an stipen of a specific amount for extra duties because that's how it should be done through an
stipen, not through the salary. And if if we deal with the stipen and a contract on the tip, it's not a salary increase. No, but I mean we have a salary increase out here. We don't have an stipen. What we have here is that the salary is going to go from 140,000 to
195,000. That's what we have under the personal under the personal services. If it isn't the reimbursement at the bottom, I think that's where the confusion piece is. No, because it's the salary that your salary is the one that is being discussed. Are you discussing your salary? We not we're discussing a
cut that is $48,000, not even your salary. Council President, Council Vice President Fant, thank you. A question just came to mind and I apologize for for not thinking of this during the the budget hearing, but for salary
increases. I mean, and this is we have the grant reimbursement here listed here. Um, is it a possible to instead of getting that reimbursement for those increases to come from that grant or is there specific um, I guess guidelines or
requirements that will will not make that possible? Repeat the question. Is it possible to to take the salary increases from that grant reimbursement instead of receiving it as a reimbursement? I don't know if my my my question makes sense in my head, but I'm
not quite sure if can answer that. what you're saying because Okay. So, so what I'm hearing is the discussion is, you know, there's there's a a salary increase that seems that appears by the numbers very high. I think that's um I'm
hearing that even though there's that increase, we have the grant reimbursement that that money comes back. So, what I'm wondering is can that salary increase be taken from that grant instead of the city receiving it as a reimbursement?
All grants have okay all grants all grant well most of the grants have a administrative uh uh cost that is uh can be utilized for administration whether it's through a stipen and so forth. I think that one
way we can resolve it uh council president um is that uh and I suppose so it could be reflected as when that grant is no longer there that typing is not going to be longer there that's that's what it is so sorry con so
does that so I I think you just answered my question of whether or not we can do this. So, thank you. So, thank you. Just so that we all understand, uh, the way her contract's written, it says 145, which is per the calling center, and then it specifically says $50,000 as a
stipen to manage this project. Once the grant is done, the additional money is gone as well. Oh, where do you have that? I'm sorry. Where do you have that? Where? It's in her contract. But but then and you you know where we coming from, right? No, I understand the
mechanism the way we do the payroll reflects that and we have everything support backing up and supporting. So that's that's how we show it. Maybe the budget it's a little misleading. We try to show everything gross not net and that's something we've been trying to do
just for transparency especially with the uh departments that receive grants. And you will see that in planning, economic development, council on aging. So instead of having the net number of what we're it's actually going to cost for the department, we actually have the
gross by individual and then on the bottom we have grant reimbursement just so that the council sees the actual salary which I believe is something you had asked in the past. So you actually see everyone's salary as is. And then on the bottom we have grant reimbursements and so forth.
Right. I guess that there's another amendment in it's still in personal services. If that's something you guys want to see in a memo, there's really no need. It will be in the same account. It will just be um a it won't make any difference. I understand. Um because
right now you guys are asking for a new position within that department for $124,000 800. So that's that like you know reducing this this personal service by 48,000. Yeah. That means that we that means that we probably reducing the salary of the
person that is not even working for the city. So that position uh director of project management uh it's the position that was changed from grant writer. Yep. I understand. Which position council president you referring the second one right there on
there the director of project management and development. That that's a new position as per the budget. Yeah. which was position was approved by the city council. Yes, exactly. Right. But is the person working in that position? Um
so that position is working under another another u line item or that position is what was working on the grant writer? No, that position the director of project management project management. Project management. Yeah,
that was approved. No, no, no. I'm saying you we have it as a new as a new position here on the budget. It's replacing the writer. It's replacing the ground writer. Yeah. The it was until this budget take place that person is being paid under the grw writing uh
budget. All right. All right. Any other questions? We have a proposed cut of $48,000. Councelor Mamo. So was there any clarity given in terms of the stipen um
situation because if that is the case you know that would make more sense then I'm assuming that the administration have let's say that this cut goes through the administration have different options to propose that uh the later on they can propose that and come
in front of us with a supplemental budget saying that you're proposing an styping for this amount for this person that could be done but in In the meantime, if the if the if the if the cut doesn't go through, state like it is. If it goes through and then the administration have all their features
that they can add and look at it uh and they can definitely do it. So, are you saying contracts that we currently have with our grants? I'm I'm a bit confused because I'm not granting and that's the difference and that what Tim Hilton the attorney was saying that I'm not
referring to any contract because I'm not reach I'm not breaching any contract. I'm talking about 48 contract if we're going to buy no wait that we currently have in place. I'm talking about a cut of $48,000. What you want to put it on is on you is the
administration. I'm doing a personal services $48,000 which I have a total amount of um $786,000 and out of that the council is proposing $48,000. What is that for? It is up to the
administration but we have a budget of $786,000378 and out of that $48,000 has been proposed to be cut. So I'm not talking about contract. I'm not talking about positions because I'm following the recommendation of the city attorney.
Any other questions in regard to this proposal? I hear none clerk please call the role. Council Reyes. Council Mama,
yes. Council Santiago, yes. Council Del Rosario, no. Council Luzon, yes. Council La Plant, no. Council Levy, no. Council Vice President Fonte. No,
no. Council President, vote. Yes. What's the count? Um, four in favor, five against. So, it fails. Motion fails. So, we continue. Any prop is any proposed amendment on the budget? President,
councelor M. Council Luzon. Thank you very much, council. I would like to propose a 01. What page? 60. 60. Okay. Same page
under where under personal services. Okay. On the personal services, 800. Okay. There is a proposed to uh to
for a cut of uh 120 124,800. Any questions to you, Mr. President? Can you repeat the item? It's about the salary and wage. Yeah. Page 60 personal services. Yeah. Same line item. Now different
amount. Yeah. Before it was 48,000. Now it's 124,800. Any questions? Madame Clair, please call the RO. I have a motion. I don't have any second. Oh, okay. Wait a minute. I don't have a second.
Can you hear a second? Second properly second discussion. Council uh councelor La. So, um as I've been asking, my words are what's the basis? Why are we making this? Why is this proposal?
the wise president to any titles any I think that u based on the budget that we have in
front of us is our responsibility to uh it's on she she have the privilege of not having touched the button It's our responsibility as a counselors to make sure that at least the tax payer
uh uh money it's it's is taken in consideration. I think that this position uh this money uh based also that the um the director mentioned that they are receiving funds from other
sources. Perhaps they can use money from other sources and not use it. uh this uh the city budget that they presented she just mentioned that the city received uh what was the amount that 1.2 million
1.2 million maybe they can look into that and find and allocate the money to for for to bring this money back to their budget but I think it's our responsibility to
look uh after the uh tax money and uh cutting this amount of money to this department is not going to do it's not going to do much you um the
why I'm um not in agreement on behalf of the mayor for this cut is because I mean in the form that you're you're putting it grant funding is I believe I'm not mistaken where is a
what is the percentage for administration process five or three for the funding it varies it it varies between three and 5%. for let's say her recommendation uh the
the councelor Luzon's recommendation to take it out of the grant funding let's say we can use it did I understand it correctly yes that's what I said correctly now um if you if you use 5% of of of let's say the
amount of the budget it doesn't represent the the total amount that you pay for let's say 125 to pay it's contingent upon the grant something and depending where the funds are coming from. Yeah, sorry. Um I will depend and tell again. Um and I do have
the list of grants. So it doesn't they don't work that way. Um so each grant has a specific administrative cost. And when we submit for the grant, we actually whoever worked on these grants or who's going to work on the grants and who's going to do the deliverables and
scopes of services, they're placed on there already. So we can't now. So we have a a time like a date a deadline um for example grant grant expiration date September 30th to 2027 we already
submitted for let's say the CO-UP grant who's going to work on that grant the salary the amount and all the details till 2027. Now after that if we want to reapply for another grant or something else and then say oh well we want to add or fund another position but right now
we can't do that. We already submitted, we already went into contract. So when we come in front of budget and finance and we explain the whole grant and everything on there, when you guys approve it for us to expand the funds, that's that's the agreement. That's the contract we have with either that agency
or that grant. We can't now come two years later and say, but we're going to add now like we're going to fund another source. Everything's added when we do the application and then when we're doing the actual work. Cool. Quick clarification on what you just mentioned to councelor Lson's
point. Um so if you have a position that make a specific amount 100,000 and that person is working on that grant and and you have it administration fee of 5% of a grant of 100,000 that's five five
$5,000. Is that person on top of the salary get that $5,000? No. No. No. And and also just to clarify, so when I I'll just use myself for an example. So when we applied for the co-op grant two years ago, so it was placed who's going to
work on the grant, the administration cost, what we're going to do, if we're going to partner as well with community organizations and all the deliverables on there. Now they approved it. They've given us the funds. We came in front of the budget and finance. The budget and finance approves it. We bring it back to
the city council. you guys approve to expend those funds. Now, we can't go back to the grant two years later and say, "Well, we're going to change or we're going to add more people because the the calculation is already done. That's what we did in the first place and when we brought it in front of the
council and when the grant agency approved it. We must follow exactly what's in the language of that contract." Mr. President, if and I'm going to refer to what you mentioned uh earlier about cutting the the motion
made by um my colleague councelor Marmer. If we propose a cut here and we're not allowed to refer to a specific even though I u council the plan asked a question in reference to uh basically
the position and we went back and basically referred to the position but uh you said at the beginning that we are proposing a cut here. It's up to the director to find and to re to find money
f to fund that to find money to fund that uh position. So we are just proposing something and it will be up to her to the director and the administration to find the funds. Is it that that correct council president?
That's that's correct because that is positions that uh perhaps are no longer funded by the city of Lawrence. For years and decades, we had positions that they're no longer funded and and that position that person is let go because of lack of funding. Okay? And once the
administration find the monies, let's say five years later, that person come back if they desire to. And that's why I refer to a grant. May it may not be to the grants that are already written and uh that you already submitted but what I
have in front of me is that in your department um director we're going to see a an increase and we're going to see uh new positions and and meaning that the city is going to be spending more money. What I'm suggest why I'm suggesting that cut
perhaps you in the future as the director and we know how hard you work and how diligent you are you can find funds through a grant in the future to allocate money to you know to replace the cut that we are suggesting tonight.
That's why I'm I'm proposing this cut. I'm not referring to any position in particular. I'm just asking the council uh to consider a motion to cut 124 uh
thousand of 24,000 $800. That's that's what I'm asking. That's out of the that's out of the personal services which is that uh they've been proposed under the mayor's fiscal year 2026 uh an amount of 786,378
and out of that a proposed change or amendment to the budget for 124,800 councel uh to you Mr. President uh I think when we
propose any cup or something like that uh we need to take in mind uh we redo so if not mention but you redo position and I want to give you a comment I want to say thank you for everything you do
because working to apply for grant is not easy it's a lot of job it's a lot of commitment it's a very hard to find how a grant to to put the cuts is involved in any grant we apply. So I want to say
thank you. I'm not supporting this kind of cut because I don't want to support any cut to eliminate any position for our city because we need to promote uh to maintain our worker. At the same
time we need to have a good salary for our for our employee because sometime they moving to another city because they offer more better salary and more better increase. Every person had their own
opinion and I be very respectful for any council who express theirself. So I think I can have the right to express myself and explain what I support and not support. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, counselor. And I also want to add just one last thing. I think
um the office of planning and development is a little bit different to um compared to other departments in the whole city because we you know our department really runs mostly a lot on grants. Um so right now the office of
planning and development has over $65 million just in grants that we need to be working on those grants daily because they do have a deadline. um and we must meet those needs. If not and we got to do all those deliverables and if not that money gets taken away um by the
state or the federal government. So is is a lot of requirements. There's a lot of work to do and um you know just be aware that you know the office of planning and development is currently managing over $65 million in grants right now. No problem. Thank you. Any
other plan? Sorry. Uh yes. Well, I think you're already mentioning whatever that I try to say because right now the budget for this year is 78,000 less than
the last year. So if we are more I don't know how many people they going to be or they want to be eliminated. So last year inclusive we only have we had 11 employees. This year we only had
nine. So practically there are two position eliminated from from the department all of the salary also is going to be maybe eliminate another position or we know how
that do the work. I know I understand because I already know how to get in the track and join all so I don't
know he's already loaded the amount and cutting that amount could literally put all the grant funding that the city of Lawrence is receiving from this office. That would put it at risk, real quick. So, let's make no illusions.
There's a new administration in Washington and we better to think that that that the grants are going to be easy to access is a a fool's errand. And so the reality is why in years past we might have said we've been pretty we could be pretty advantageous in a good spot to
get grants. I'm not putting my I'm not putting my money or my banking my bets on the fact that we're going to be able to get and be as many grants as we did in the past. So uh I just want to throw that out there when we start thinking just just get some more grants. I'm thinking I don't know it's going to be
that easy. That's all I have to say. Thank you. Thank you. Uh madame clerk please call call the role. Here you are. Council um council Levy. No. Council Lant. No. Council Luzon. Yes.
Council Del Rosario. No. Council Santiago. Yes. Council Marl. No. Council Reyes. No. Council Vice President Vonte. No. Council President Rodriguez. How's the comments? just
as a matter as a matter of fact the council president doesn't have the vote doesn't do you want to know I vote yes no no no but I mean I want to know the count as a matter of fact just just for the record it is true the council
president doesn't have to vote that's correct look at it okay thank you thank you very much council u what was the final vote on that council No, no. I I did vote 36 final vote. 36 and now I going to move a little bit different.
There is a couple of departments here that there is a line item on the budget and I would like to move on those two line items on that specific budget which is that uh the Lawrence public schools.
We have a line item for that budget and and we have also that uh the vocational school I want to move on those two if it is any questions so or any amendments to the potential uh or any discussions on
those budgets so we can move it along and then we can continue with the administration uh of that city itself. So let's started with it. Uh Lawrence public school council president. Are there any amendments for us there? Uh let's let's
u let's let's have Why are we talking? Yeah. No amendment on that, but I mean they have they have they have probably things that things that they want to bring up. Okay. things. Um, superintendent, something that was not
finished and clear last time that we're at the budget and finance committee, it was uh information related to the a memorandum of understanding between the city of Lawrence and the school uh the the the Lawrence public schools. Yes. Do
you have any information and clarity on that? So um at the budget at the budget subcommittee there was discussion regarding um that particular document. Correct. Yes. And I do believe that I I don't
remember if members of the subcommittee have a copy of that. Please refresh my memory if you did. If you can just share it with us. And what is the memorandum of understanding that we is in regarding to the city reimbursements?
uh what is the memorandum? Do you mind both of you kind of like you know because it's the city and the schools. So it won't be fair just to have the the schools uh talking on that. So we have the cafo here that also represent the city on that. The the the the cafo uh knows of that document. We've gone over
it with her and what have you and we'll be more than happy to share it with you. But the memorandum of understanding is a agreement with the schools and the city for services rendered to the school by
the city and there's a formula to calculate the reimbursement those services. Okay. Now the memorandum that we have is not a unique document. There are other municipalities I think a dozen of them dozen of them in the state of
Massachusetts. Um these documents were created because of the struggles that municipalities were having with their particular school districts. So this document was prepared when um Robert
Nunees who was the financial overseer for the city came in um under the under the mayorship of uh Mr. Lantigua and under the receiverhip of Mr. Riley. Okay. I'll be more than
happy to we have one copy um in the process that we find but it's pretty much self-explanatory what it lays out. Um it does indicate that we are supposed to um before the turn of
the calendar year um meet to look and document what services have been rendered. I will admit to you that hasn't been done
on both sides. It hasn't been done. So, one of the things that we committed to this year is we will be documenting all services so that when the time comes and we're developing the budget, the
school's um chief financial officer along with the uh controller for the city, they'll meet to discuss those things and to make sure that the formula is being looked at. and they use obviously um our schedule 119 that the city produces to make sure that we can
cover all of the uh the accountability pieces. Why did it become an issue this year? Why did it become an issue this year? Well, um why did it become an issue this year?
because um the amount of dollars that were being charged under the agreement um almost doubled. Obviously, if you know accounting, whenever you have something like that,
if something goes up by 20% or 30%. Okay. But when something of a line item doubles, it it raises a red flag. And I think that we had discussions about that. But I do believe um we came to an
agreement and and it got cleared up and we moved forward. But I'll let you uh council president and members of the council read that in if you have any followup questions. I'll be more than happy to answer me
questioning the school district for services and that ended up being about so the document from the memorandum I think it's around $3,900
around 3,900 it was it was adjusted down by a by a few hundred,000 okay but that's just one aspect of it as a few other things that come up President
responsibilities on that for transportation. What? Thank you, Council President. Um, superintendent. Good evening. Good evening, Superintendent. Um, we heard a public statement earlier
pertaining to to transportation and I I make an ask of you and it's this is something that you inherited as a new superintendent and I I'm fully aware of that and I understand that. Um, and I look forward to continuing to work with you because we did bring this up and I
know that that you've you've been trying to work on this. Um however this issue pertaining to transportation um started between from Lawrence High to South. I brought this up many times to former superintendent Paris to acting
superintendent um Rodriguez and now you are the superintendent. So thank you for your consistency. Thank you. I would like some sort of resolution, especially now with with Abbott um uh being relocated. This isn't
something new to the to our school department. This has been an ongoing question and ongoing issues for families in South Lawrence for quite some time. And I I hope to work this I hope that the school system works with the city to see what what kind of funding or what
can we do about this. Can I just ask a clarifying question and some background? So, you mentioned that you've been working with prior superintendent and this has been an ongoing issue from the south, but Abbott is being moved to the north now. So, I I need to understand
what was the former issue. Yeah. So, at least for my district, um many of the families that came to me uh concerned about transportation were like up higher up in the district E like near the Andover line that's quite far from the
the Lawrence High and in District F. Um so, this was folks up in District E to get transportation to go to the new campus. Right. Right. Okay. Um so, parents had concerns about that being a little far. I do understand uh my conversations with prior
superintendents. I know there's a a mile requirement for transportation 1.5 and I know we're below that. Um that's I I'm aware I'm like I mentioned I've been I've been having these conversations for for quite some time now. But now there there is another bump right in this road
where a a a very an amazing academy within Lawrence High is now being relocated. So, that's still going to be an issue for South Lawrence families. And um I just I think we all heard it very clear. I just asked that we find a
reasonable solution and also talk to the public transportation company about um some of the comments that were made tonight by by the students that were um as my colleague mentioned uh earlier to
me that are alarming. So, let me let me clarify a couple of points for you if you'd like. Thank you. Yes. Um, with the movement of Abbott going to the North Common complex during the school day, many of our students from Abbott
attend classes at Northern Essex. So, that's in walking distance, right? But also, many students attend classes at Marrymont College. We've covered for all of those students. There will be busing for all of those students.
In addition to that after school programming because a lot of AVIC kids also play in extracurricular activities at the main campus. They use the performing arts center. They play football, volleyball, tennis. All of that is also covered.
There's buses that will stop at the north common complex. They're on the bus and off to the main campus. Okay. The issue that we have is buses in the morning now going to the north common
complex and if you recall no you won't recall you might have been a little bit too young when there wasn't a main campus I'm going to point to Mr. the plant when there wasn't a main campus. He will recall. Yes. When there was that main
campus, all kids north and south walk to the high school. A point that I hope that the council will recognize is we are not required to provide transportation to high school
students. The reason transportation to high school students came to be is because back in the late 90s when we were discussing the new high school which originally was going to be see that's why I can point to him which was
originally going to be at the library and moving across where the churches were. Right? The community didn't want that. They didn't want the congestion there. So, in order for us to have the main
campus put in the south side, an agreement was made to provide busing for students from the north going to the campus on the south. The busing at that time was to provide
students with public bus um IDs so they can jump on the public bus and go to the campus. Along the way as the city and they
changed the funding formula the city made a commitment to provide busing under the same spirit. Okay. Now, if you look at your prior budgets, and I know that in public participation, somebody
was on Zoom, and he was actually right. Lo and behold, and over the last three years, it's on the record, busing has been cut. Our initial budget, draft budget, when
we were developing the budget included full services for all of our students, but we can't provide full services when we go from 14,000 $14 million to $10 million. So,
something has to give. Okay? However, that doesn't mean I've I have given up. As I mentioned to you already, we've we've solved the issue of the all day bus of kids when they're in class. If they have to take classes at the main campus or they're going to Marramat
College, all of those have been resolved and after school activity. I am trying to work through our contracts that we have for the different grant programs to see if I can put language in there that
would cover transportation but without mentioning transportation it's the service of early college and early college service doesn't happen at the north common or the main campus do
you follow so through you Mr. Council, we are I I I haven't given up on that. But let's also remember that we're also trying to work with our public transportation system, which is
free, which is fully air conditioned. It has heat and it they're much more comfortable than the buses. Now, you know what? We have families because I've asked them or what have you and our
students use the public transportation system and it's monitored by the bus drivers and if there's behavior that shouldn't be happening on the bus they stop the bus and they dismiss who's ever
misbehaving. If it pertains to any of our student on walkietalkie, they call, security from the schools is dispatched to where the bus is and they ask es escort students off the bus. I would assume that the same thing happens if
there's unruly adults on the buses. Okay, that's one option that we're looking at. But we will continue to explore every option. It's school just let out yesterday. actually yesterday, today, and another
um um one of our schools next week. We will continue to be meeting and coming up with some alternatives to see if we can provide um basing there's no there's no final determination yet as of what the issue that was brought up and and
when it comes to transportation, right? I don't know what the issue that was brought up essentially public transportation. Okay. For the awardmies. Yes. So, we are still working trying to see if we can provide that transportation given the fact that our
busing transportation line item was cut all the way down from we took a $4 million hit. Correct. I'm you have the budget in front of you. I now got to go back with our team and come up with um
flexibility solutions that we could use to try to cover still those costs for our students. Knowing that we had our students from Abbott transferring over to the north complex would have meant if we if we kept the same uh level of
services, the mere fact that we now moved them out of that academy and they're on this side of the city would be an increase in in costs. Correct. Instead, we found ourselves with a budget cut in transportation. It is important to recognize also that the city is responsible for the
transportation of the students uh not the public and now the public schools. That's correct. Council. All right. Thank you. Um I understand that the So I understand that the transportation line item was cut by 4 million. Um and I'm
hoping what I'm hearing is that you're going to go back to your to your board and try to figure something out. I do want to make a point that I believe Lawrence public schools start in August, right? Late August. Uh August 20 August. So So basically you have a little over a
month to figure this out for the students that are attending Abbott, which is not a great deal of time considering the complexities of of this situation. Uh secondly, Superintendent, I would appreciate um I brought this up very respectfully. I did not appreciate
the the age comment that you made. At the end of the day, I am a city counselor and I have a whole chamber of directors that also see me as a city counselor and I would appreciate it wasn't regarding age. It was years of experience of dealing with I understand
you took offense so that I but at the end of the day I'm still a city counselor. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. And that is all for me. All right. Now, uh, Council Rosari, through your council, President Superintendent, we understand and I understand the $4
million cuts and I for the four years that I've been here, I had an issue with the transportation department at Blanch School and the services being provided through through the company that we have. I think they have this hostage to be honest. They're the only one to bid
on on your on your transportation. We we talked about that. So they're the only one. So why are we putting out to bid this contract to see if we can fulfill for 10 for $10 million instead of $14 million with the same company?
Also for for four years that I've been here, we've been through so many transportation uh how do you call it? Transportation uh companies. Huh? transportation companies. No transportation companies on your department. What's the name of the department? On your department, the
transportation coordinator, whatever that is, or or manage it and the Parliamentary School, we have been to like five or six of them, which somehow they don't they don't hit or provide the service or connect with the bus company. But the main issue is here that this
this department or or this department of transportation this transportation company has hostage the law schools for years and somehow we overlooked that they they are the only one that bits on it and we don't prepare any other bits
for anything else. We go with them over and over. Now with $4 million cuts we should have go back to the drawing table and say hey we we won't be able to provide this. Let's go out and see if we can get the full transportation for the kids for $10 million. And so now you are looking to try to get some money extra
to pay this company that has this transportation law school transportation hostage for years. I was a driver from them and I knew the formula how how I knew the formula. How do we get the contract, right? And I still have my CDL driver's license which I volunteer once
in a while to drive for free. But $4 million cut drawing table. Let's bet. Let's see if we can get another company that could provide all this and this be free from this company that has our public transportation. Our belongs to
school transportation hostage for I don't know what you guys have done but for years also at the middle when half of the end of school they don't have drivers. kids have been stranded on sport activities, service at the after school or whatever
programs, they don't show up. They tell you they don't have enough drivers, but they're still getting the same contracts for millions and millions of dollars and and it doesn't seem to change. We drove back and we have the same company that is has been failing the contract for years with no repercussion and now
we're looking for more money because we have a cut but they probably owe money to the to to the law schools because they don't they don't comply with the whole contract. I mean I get I get complaints of kids in the winter time that the bus doesn't pass by and when you call them and say well we don't have enough drivers and again those are
issues that nobody's recording violating the contract. Also, why are the only one bidding on this district? The only one. There's no more boss companies in Massachusetts that can bid to your contract and meet up this $10 million and provide full service for our kids. I
remember those times. You mentioned a plan, but I remember those time that I have to walk from the beacons to Lawrence High because I did it and I took the public bus for it. It was a dollar back in those days and 50 cents. But again, $4 million cut and we looking for $4 million to continue to pay this
company that does not comply with a contract and also violate the bidding process. If you guys don't know, me and Rodriguez have the answer how they violate the bidding process. I I missed the last comment. Sir, if you don't know how they violate the bidding process to get your contract, me and
Rodriguez have the answer. So, what you guys want to say? And I I already stated on the public on the finance so we can sit out and tell you how how and and and it's simple. Why are the only company bidding in this district? I think I mentioned that on the bon finance. I mean we we you shouldn't be searching
for four for four extra million dollars. You should be searching for a company that is going to serve you for $10 million and provide you full service for it. And and it's important to clarify on the on the cut that you mentioned. You mentioned that it was a four $4 million hit. But not necessarily only on the
transportation. It was on that uh on the entire school system from the city, right? That's what you're referring to. I mean, I just don't want to make I just don't want to make you don't want to if it is transportation is like okay fine. I just want to make sure like we that
way uh council president $4 million was just transportation. Okay, perfect. No problem. We'll move on. Council Lan. Yeah. So, I just to get clarification on the $4 million cut in my budget book. It shows no change in transportation on
page 103. I just want to get clarification. Uh, we're talking about $4 million cuts. I don't see it on my budget. The budget book that you have is from the city. What? The budget book that you have is from the city. You have a line
item on the on the city's book and the city's budget. But the details of the Lawrence public school is that what council levy have but we are but we are adopting this this not that. Well, that
this this book in include the line item related to that to the uh to the L public school budget. So my question then is if my question then is this budget if it's not accurately reflecting the
transportation cut yet we're voting on this budget with this number which goes to the front page of the appropriation order. That's correct. So that seems like it's imbalance is the point. I just want to have uh while
they're talking I just want to have um go ahead and talk. I just want to be able to have I want to be I just want to be certain that when we pass this budget perhaps tonight that we are passing a balanced budget and not one that's imbalanced. So counselor that the that could you please read off the number
that you have on transportation in that book? In this book, in the budget book for transportation 57752 the FY26 recommendation is 11 million762,755 with the mic on that's on page 762755
on the page number 103. Okay. Yeah. is is like we have one line item for transportation with 11,762. So the clarity around the $4 million console president give me one minute. They're looking for one number there.
Good evening. Just name and address for the record, please. Jason Ber, chief financial officer for Lawrence. Thank you. Yes, sir. Um, the appropriation for last year for transportation
uh to the Lawrence public schools was in the amount of 12,150,632. That was the appropriation in 2025. in uh 2026 the when we came in front we went in front of the Lawrence Alliance for
Education board. We came with to in front of the LA board. We went with what the projection was based on increase in students uh which um the
there's only three other municipalities that are growing that grew more than Lawrence in the last in the last year and taking into consideration the move the move of of certain schools right and and where the kids are going. Uh, and
when we were in front of them, I would have to go back, we were somewhere in the neighborhood of almost $15 million. was 14.7 and change just u when we were in front of the LA board um after
talking to the city the superintendent met with with the uh the company we were able to bring it to talk about uh bringing it down to um the amount that we presented to the LE board which was
the says 10728 uh 749 on my book. The other mill I believe that that is just for the special education um transportation and the other is for the regular education. I know we're
cutting on the on the special education on the regular education and that's all fine. I'm not here to quibble at all with those numbers. My point is that we all have this. At some point, we're
going to be voting on this. This is the appropriation order. And the appropriation order for Lawrence Public Schools is 305,26,144. That's equivalent to the number that's in the mayor's recommendation for FY26.
So, and that and the basis for that is that $11 million for transportation. So, when we're saying that there's a $4 million cut, I'm just not seeing it because the appropriation order, the mayor's budget
that he submitted to us is the same and it doesn't show a $4 million cut. Now, you could argue rightfully so that there is maybe a mistake in this budget that because I have the FY25 budget and that has $12
million400 uh $12,000 and change and in our budget booked that we have in front of us. It actually has less than that. That might be a typographical error. I don't know. Um but regardless of that typo, if there
is a typo, that doesn't change the number on the appropriation order. Correct. And what the appropriation that we have total appropriation for the schools is the number that you just mentioned the 30526. Okay. So I don't see the $4 million cut.
It's not a cut. It's they say that when they went to the LE board they have a projected number of $15 million above. Correct. And now we are approving only 11,700. Okay. So that's not a cut. It's an appropriation. It's a it's it's an estimate amount that it could be
reflected on here's what we have. Go ahead and work with it. Yes. And and and councilman, if I may say, when we go in front of I mean there's a lot of more meetings in front of them than there are here. Um when we first started talking about this with them, we were in the
very early stages of starting to talk to the transportation company. So I know the superintendent and our chief operating officer met with them and worked out something where we can reduce that number and that's the number that we uh to get to this 11 million and
change. Right? But when we went in there based on what the conditions were when we first presented the first budget it was being estimated at $50 million just about. Understand? So, just so I'm clear one more time, 305, 305,26,144
is Lawrence public school budget. That's the number. Yes, that is the number. That's all I need to know. Thank you. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Council Lo, you have a question? Uh, yes. And and thank you for mentioning the Lawrence Alliance for Education. It looks like that we have uh
different uh um numbers for the transportation budget and correct me if I'm wrong but uh from where am I getting 13 millions and then 11.3 millions and then 11.7 millions correct me if I'm
wrong you presented a totally different budget to the alliance and also through you council president it this budget that you present presented to us at the uh budget and finance committee is that
budget was approved by the Lawrence Alliance uh for education. Yes. Okay. That was approved on uh June last Wednesday June 14th I believe. Point of clarification June 14.
Thank you. Uh from my understanding the the budget that we had in front of us was mistakenly um voted by the L uh LE and it wasn't until last week that the the appropriate
budget was voted on. Correct. Okay. The the budget that was voted on by the LA board to begin with was of 307. Thank you. And and some change. So may I through you council president? So essentially, let me just clarify something here to see if I understand
it. The budget that was presented to the city council committee is it was at $2 million less than the budget that they bought originally and then they reduce it to 305. Correct. Correct. They voted on the amendment to the budget based on Yeah. So what we have is the correct
one. So we got the correct amount. They didn't and they reduce it to 305. Okay. So the numbers that I mentioned it has some sense uh the different amounts. It was amended. Yes. Oh, it was amended. Okay. Yes, ma'am. And that was voted on.
And can you explain the justification for that? Why we have different amounts? Like I said, you said that the budget was amended by the uh Lawrence Alliance for Education. Yeah. So, so again when
we go in front of them, we go early in the pro way before we come in front of the city council. So there are different iterations of the budget that are presented. So the first budget or the first proposal uh we gather we had a public hearing. We gather input from the
from the board. We go back to the drawing table. Numbers change. Then we come back and present it. They vote on it. Then um I I I I'm sorry to interrupt you through your council president. I I understand that. What I want to know is
did you found uh a company that offer you a different amount of money? Uh it looks like that uh you only allocated$10,000 uh 10 million 10 million 10 million or 10,000 for the academy. How much money
did you allocate for then? Because the lady that the young lady that I spoke here tonight mentioned that and you mentioned it too and you explained it why this was happening. The uh that they were not being going to be provided transportation because the
superintendent mentioned that he was also meeting with public transportation uh to work something within. So, so the reason why it changed as super like I mentioned earlier the superintendent and our chief operating officer who's in
charge of our transportation contract and uh that's miss Odanis Hernandez um got went to the table back to the table and I believe superintendent Ken I'm not a part of those particular meetings but
whatever increase of 10% versus 2% and then I know superintendent is adamant about uh what councelor de Rosario just talked about uh penalties for not fulfilling the contract. That's something else that was put into the into the language of where we want to
end up with the company and that brought that that cost from whatever it was to the 10 you know the the yeah or within the budget. Thank you for explaining that for future uh re for for the future
and for this body the council the city council uh when you come to a committee to a a finance budget committee you are uh um you're supposed to bring uh the
correct information just to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. uh and it will be uh to to the benefit of this council uh to know that in advance because that I'm getting uh
different amount of uh amount understood. Yes, ma'am. And for the future reference uh also um and I think I'm going to uh echo what uh my colleague uh uh councelor Infanton mentioned uh about the transportation
about the the uh the public participation that the student uh did at the beginning of the meeting. I know that uh and the superintendent want to pass that. Thank you.
I well another night. Thank you, council president. if you can take that in consideration because uh what the two uh young lady uh what they expressed here was very concerning and I know the superintendent is working
closely with the public bus uh company uh to make sure that there's a collaboration but their concern are very it's concerning uh they spoke about
harassment sexual harassment and and not being not feeling comfortable taking the public transportation. I'm just going to put it out there. Uh and I'm going to support the comment of my colleague um councelor Infante. Uh just to uh just to
recognize counselors uh that is that on Zoom. We have school committee member Jonathan Guzman. We have a school committee member uh Jonathan Guzman representing district F. And we also have uh a school committee member
district uh Sandra Edwards. They are online with us during this meeting. Council President, if I may, my my last question uh and knowing that the the the city uh um
doesn't pay for the entire school uh the school department uh budget, transportation. Yeah, I know. So, but I also noticed that the building, the lease of building spaces is under our budget. Um, is the school department
planning to rent another uh location? Because I don't see here um another facility because I don't I don't see anything here that represents that. like I I and I think I have this conversation with you superintendent about moving uh
the uh what's the name of that department that deals directly with the families family resources family resource and you mentioned that due to the certain circumstances that they sound reasonable uh you are planning to
move that department to another location per I don't see it here in the city uh budget correct You're absolutely correct. So, the reason you don't see it there is because we already have that building and currently for the for three
years the Department of Education granted a waiver, okay, to the city of Lawrence to allow for the school department to pay for those rental agreements. However, the city of Lawrence will receive correspondence
by January informing them that that their waiverss for this at by the end of this school year is done. So any property that the that the city schools are renting
turn over to the city to cover the cost of those rental agreements. We currently have three locations, okay, that we're covering. What is on HR Street, the old St. Mary's building,
correct? Everybody knows where we're talking about. One Parker Street, which was which is where our um Lawrence High Academy is. And on the second floor is where the our um family resource center will be. And the third building being
the building where our rise academy is on Broadway across the street from it used to be the old Arlington Mill right across the street from Taco Bea. So the school department is still the only one that the school department is not
responsible to pay lease on is for the adult learning center. But those three other buildings will be turned over to the city that the city will be required in next after this budget the next budget they'll be required by by law to
fulfill those uh um rental agreements. Thank you superintendent. Uh superintending I had question. We're talking about the budget. uh you have a limited budget for transportation but uh I want to to do the question again
because you mentioned uh you increase more services you have more location you have more academy included but at the same time your department eliminate a lot of boo stop around our community
because uh in South Florida you eliminate a lot of stuff because I don't see our youth was waiting for the school buses there for the last 20 year I have one stop in my street for the last three
year nobody pick up the children there our youth and they don't feel comfortable to do in you know we have uh a free buses but they don't feel comfortable to go to general public they want to be in the school bus
because they go to school so when we looking around and our contention code uh you eliminate a lot of point is a lot of tasks through our community it's not only for north you eliminated a couple
for south too uh but you increased some department but you reduce our local stat making easy to our you go to a school can you answer that yes I can bus routes
are developed annually. They're developed annually based on addresses that we provide the bus company. The bus company takes all of the addresses, puts them in the computer, and the computer the computer
generates the bus route and stops. Now, bus stops are not made to be on the front of a student's house. They're made in common areas to make sure that the buses can run the routes
to get to school on time. So the changes that you might be seeing in the bus stops is Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I see a lot of groups they are waiting for the booths and now I cannot see them. So, but normally if
there's a just because you had a bus stop at a certain intersection one year, that doesn't necessarily mean that it'll be there the following year depending on what the address is that we submit to the bus company. Now, also mind you,
kids like to walk several blocks to be where other kids are. in my beautiful they would call me. I'm happy to see it and also when it was raining they go to my bus. He's looking for the bus. So provide it.
Put it back there. What section is that? Huh? What interexual was that? Uh Koolage uh with wut coolage with walnut. Yes. Okay. Yeah. I love to sit back. We got that one there. I want to sit him back. She
want she want boxes. Re you still have the floor. You have any questions? Any other questions? All right, council presidente. Thank you. Would it be possible um with conversations and slash or negotiations with MEA to I guess um
assign certain buses to just be for students during a certain hour like pickup and drop off or does it have to be all public transportation 24 well not 247 but during operating hours? They call they call them revenue hours.
I believe that it's during operating hours, but that doesn't mean that they can't increase bus routes. Now, in my initial conversation with them, they have it down to their bus routes. They leave and they travel and they make it
to each one of their routes every 15 minutes. Okay. But I think that your questions are appropriate and we will continue to explore that to see if that's something that they can do for the city. Okay. Thank you, Superintendent. Um I just wanted to get
back to uh councelor Reyes for a second and councelor del Rosario. You asked very important questions that I want to answer because we had that discussion at the budget and finance committee. Okay. So I haven't forgotten your your question. Um the as I mentioned to you
bus routes and where they stop is determined by when we submit to the bus company NRT all of our addresses for students. So that's probably why you might be seeing some bus stops might
change. Some of them always stay the same because they're in a vicinity where there's always a lot of kids. For example, I would assume in South Lawrence the the the Beacon apartments or the Beacon projects, there will always be a bus stop there because there's always kids that go to the high
school so that the kids can walk to and be there. Okay. Secondly, next year at the be every bus will have a GPS. That GPS travels with the bus and every parent that has children on the bus will
have access to that GPS and they can know exactly what time the bus is coming, follow the route and see where the bus stops because it clocks it of when they drop them off in school. That's one service that we insisted that we we we needed to make sure that we
have that also will allow us to keep counts of students of any buses that only have 15 students on it versus a bus that has 50 students on it. So we can make changes during the school year. So,
we can look at that for a week and we can make that change the following week to be a little bit more efficient and make sure bus routes and buses get to those areas that are needed to be that are needed to be adjusted and made. Yes.
I Yeah, I agree. Yeah, please. Thank you, counselor. We run a total we run a total of 56 buses. 56 buses. Councelor del Rosario. There isn't another bus company that has the
capacity to at this point to run 56 buses. But that being said, one of the strategies that we wanted to implement because NRT does have a monopoly in this entire region. They are the only bus
companies and it's frustrating to me too that I feel hostage and held up by that particular bus company. As a result, their contract was going to be up this year and we wanted to only extend it for
one year so that I can look to reszone the city to be able to provide other smaller bus companies with the opportunities to bid. So, we would break up that proposal. Okay. Our small companies do not have that capacity yet,
but that doesn't mean we're going to give up on them. This next school year, we're going to be providing training on RFPs, meeting with the small bus companies, and let them know what the requirements are for bids. Follow so far. Thank you, Counc.
Hi, good evening. My question that I have is about what is the criteria do you use to increase salary because the last month I think People
from worker from c cafeteria they have several years working in have the same salary at this 15 years 16 year 18 years and another question that I have is what
is the criteria you use to put or implement crossing guard at the school and I would like to erh to hear about I was talking with Odanis about crossing
our apartment school. We supposed to have at least three and we have just one. Okay. So, let me answer the crossing guard question and then I'm going to turn over the cafeteria
um unit to uh to Mr. Cabrera. Crossing guards are to be provided by the city to the police department. That is not a area that the school department does. However, because we
Okay, give me one minute. Little a little bit of u uh information on that. That was done until 2021. And then in 2021 that line item was cut from the budget from the police department and was given back to the
school system. And since 2001 2021 till now that's been done by the school uh department. I would I would thank you for that clarification, council president. I would have I would have to look at that
because I know uh for example um we've had grievances filed by our SRO officers that they've had to serve as crossing guards and they don't have the training for that and they they need to be monitoring the schools. But I will look
into that. But normally I didn't know that in 2021 that happened because I don't I didn't see that in any of our budgets. Normally that was under the police department and they would to provide those crossing guards. I
criticize I criticize that change for that. I criticize that change tremendously because before when we have it at the police department that reflects more of the the old guy, the old woman that actually wanted to do do community service and and and do that
and retire uh people that wanted to proving up those opportunities more like and I'm not criticizing that the fact that you guys are doing it with your on the your own personnel. But I mean that opened up the community sense of u the community
sense of of of helping out the kids when we have it at the police department. Now you guys are um hiring people from the community but not as much as before. So So
yeah, Mr. President and and I I want to look into that also and see where where that falls under net school spending if it is uh an expense. I was under the impression that it was not but uh I'll I'll find I'll find out and I'll get the
Okay. Okay. And u going back to the uh to the salaries, how are salaries determined? Most of our folks are unionized. So we have 13 unions within the Lawrence public schools that we negotiate their contracts and um
they get a salary assessed every you know every three years for the most part is most of the contracts. So whatever the contract says it is 233 333 1111 2 whatever it is um they get that uh that
pay for exempt for the employees that are not in the unions they salaries are based on what the market says that the salary is right so uh for example for the superintendent uh his salary is
based on what the market is based on like cities like Lawrence with the same size, the same budget, etc., etc. And that salary is determined and that's across the board for most of you know assistant superintendent and going down the line to directors, assistant
directors, etc., etc. So, it's based on what the market says that position uh should be getting paid. As far as the the you mentioned the cafeteria workers, we I'm happy to announce that uh we closed that uh that uh negotiation. It
got voted on by the uh LE board and and folks if not tonight. Correct. By the cafeteria, you know, workers and tonight or tomorrow, they they'll be getting their retro pay and they'll be made whole. And I just wanna
I was very uh interested in in the cafeteria workers because when when I first came in the salary that they were making was a salary that is not liveable in any place in Massachusetts in New England, right? Um and when we came to the table, we came in with a
with a and I think some of this got lost in translation. I understand folks um have their needs. When we came to the table, we came to with a a proposal that was not nickel and diamond, if you want to call it that. We came with a proposal
with whole dollars at a time, not 10% or 5% or 3%. We came with whole dollars to the table and folks were uh right now we're starting uh $5 or $5 more than what they were making
when we first got here in the last contract. Right? So they're coming in instead of 1672 someone coming up the street is making $5 more than that coming in. They're the when we look they're get they're one of
the best paid uh cafeteria workers around here anywhere around here. So I just want to put that out there because I I know uh sometimes things get lo get get lost in in translation and u u I just wanted to mention that but that's how salaries are determined.
Um the package for the cafeterias, they've received the highest increases in the history of the city of Lawrence. Their contract is 32.2% of a salary increase that they've received. Okay. They are the highest
paid cafeteria workers in the entire Marramac Valley and we're very proud of that. Now, sometimes you hear through negotiations, it can get heated because there's differences of opinion or whatever have you, but my role is to stay focused on
what the goal is and to make sure that we pay our employees uh competitive wages so that they can make a living. As soon as I came in and I saw that our cafeteria workers were making less than a person starting at McDonald's, I said,
"This can't be like this." Okay. So, we made that commitment from the very beginning that we were going to make sure that we compensated our cafeteria workers so that they can be proud of their hourly wage. Now, all of our
cafeteria workers go anywhere from 19 Yes. to 26 27 an hour. It's 21 to 26. I also want you to to keep in mind our cafeteria workers are
the only full-time cafeteria workers in the entire region. Every other school district cafeteria workers are part-time. Okay. So, does that answer your question? Um, counselor. Yes. And I have another
question about the worker there is the cafeteria worker is about vacation. They don't have received any pay on vacation. They they come over here and said that.
Yes. Well, well. So, so this is where a couple of things get lost. When they first started and they came to our first meeting, they said they want to get paid all through the summer like the teachers. And we said, "Wait a minute. How does that happen?" And we we understood what was
what was their misinterpretation. Cafeteria workers have a contract for 183 days, the same as the teachers. Okay? However, the teachers are salary. They have a set pay. So, we can set
their pay for 44 weeks, which is the school years, the school weeks, or we can set their pay bi-weekly, 52 weeks, that' be 26 pay periods, and we can divide that up. So although it seems that teachers are getting paid through
the summer, they get four additional checks. It's their money. We just been holding it. So we could do that with you units with that have salaried employees. Cafeteria workers, they're hourly
employees. They make different money every two weeks. So we can't set that for them. That's why they didn't understand how the teachers salary uh structure ma was made and why it's being made that way.
The same thing happens with our power professionals. Our power professionals are 183day employees. They don't collect paychecks in the summertime. They go out, they come into the school district and they work summer school after school programming and they get paid their
hourly rate. And if they pay and if they uh work over 40 hours, they get time and a half. Same thing with our cafeteria workers. So they do not get vacation pay. They get paid based on a contract
which is 183 days for uh uh 37 hours a week based on their hourly rate and that for some reason or the other has been difficult for them to understand. counselor. Another question that I have
is they they don't get pay but they can invocation but they can collect they are they are they able to collect u do fill up their unemployment because they they're not they're not
unemployed they're just not working during that time correct that's what they looking for actually but but counselor I want you to know you know we run summer school we have cafeteria workers And we have also uh we feed the community at other sites. Our cafeteria
workers get paid for working in the summertime, but they would prefer to be out and okay, sunny areas and and and receive that pay. So ju just as a last point I want you to know because we were
in negotiations with them for almost the whole year, their uh contract when it was signed Now, their salary, whatever they're supposed to be receiving, was supposed to happen July 1st of last year. So, they re they receive a whole
year of retro pay. So, some of those payouts are 6,000, $7,000, $3,000 next uh this Friday when they get paid. They'll be very happy this Friday. Right. Thank you, Council Rosario. Those question those question that I ask is
because we have it here and I Yes, I know you hear that from Yes. I I want to constituents absolutely I'm happy to answer that to clarify that. Thank you. Council council lo one last comment. One last comment going back to transportation. This district they had
dropped NRT and they are working perfectly fine without the 56 boxes that they only have. those district were able to figure it out with a monopoly and they allow the local drivers to get some three buses, two buses, one bus. So we
need to look into that and and end up this hostage that we have that it's illegal. I want you to know that it's illegal. Monopolies are illegal. You're right. And it's illegal. So all the districts had dropped them out and they are working perfectly fine after they
dropped them. They saving money and they have better services. look into that council. I'm looking for the day when we can drop that particular company. Okay. All right. Thank you. Um any other questions when it comes to the schools? Uh council president, I do um and I
would like to go back to transportation and the money and the amount of money. Um, if I may, can you can you open uh your book page
your the budget that you presented to us that is not included in this one? Can you open page 12? Did I think in the school? Yeah. In the school book. Yeah. Ka is where we find the 11,352
95 the amount remember that I mentioned there's three different amounts and my concern is that this is going to change. Look on page 12. Yeah. No, no, it's not. They they I'm sorry,
Council President. It uh three different amounts presented for transportation. If you look in page 12, they have a different I don't think you have it, counselor. Uh um
can you point that out right here? The city clerk. Yes. It's page 12. I don't have my book here with me. Look for transportation. I have right here. Okay.
I don't have my book with me. Right here. Yeah. Okay. Good. Thank you, councelor. The three different amounts are you talking about from from year to year or from No, look on your on your on
your Yeah, look on page 12. It says Yes. 12,000. In page 11, it has the same amount for transportation. And in page, no, it has different here and uh you say transportation, public transportation on page 11.
Page 11. 12. Page 12. Yeah. the amount or 11,352 I don't see page 12 so so council president my concern is that they presented three different amounts
and I know they they made an amendment my concern is that when the city has to uh uh contribute to the uh school budget if that is going to change because it keeps it keeps changing
because he mentioned that they amend the when they first came to our committee meeting they had an amount they went back to the Lawrence. So in general my concern is that is that amount is going to change.
So counselor if I may say yes the amount of 11 million762 62,755 that is the appropriation for transportation for the schools that the
city in their minimum spending minimum requirement are is going to provide the 11 million 362 that's what was that's what the appropriation what the LA board uh voted on that is what the that number doesn't change. I'm we're expecting that
from the city. Yeah. Uh for transportation. Yes, ma'am. That is not going to change. Correct. Okay. That's what I want to say. Yes. That would Yes. Because what we have in Okay. So this is because it goes back to my cons counselor my colleague counselor Le Pan
question because it it goes back to what we have in front of us which is 11 million I'm looking for the 11 million counselor I'm sorry I cannot well let's forget about that look look on the our
budget it says 11 million 762 762 yes 755 yes ma'am that is 11 million you have 11 million in this Yes, the appropriate. But when I asked you at the beginning, you said that you presented there was three different amounts that
was presented. I mean a different amount that was presented to the um uh to the board. Yes. Uh and that you made an amendment on the 11 in the 11 million 762755 has to be the number that I that I put
that I have because that's what we're getting from the city. Yes, ma'am. I cannot I cannot say that it's going to be more because I'm not going to get more and I cannot say less because this city to met school spending the city has to spend a certain amount of money and that is how we get to that to that
number. And the superintendent mentioned the waiver for the new building that uh is that it doesn't show here in the budget the amount because of the waiver of the D E C D E S E DC Yes. Yes
ma'am. Will that change when we'll get I mean what will be for the city? What will be do are we expecting any change? So, so the city is allocating $350,000
towards the leases. Okay. The the rest of the rest of the money because there's going to be some more money that that has to be put in is coming from our facilities uh budget. So we have a a leases uh line item in within transport within I'm
transportation within facilities that deals with the leases and that's what we're going to use to cover whatever deficiency we have on leases but that is accounted for the city is providing 350 350,000
and facility the rest of the leases uh the three locations the rest of the leases is coming out of our uh facilities budget. Yes, ma'am. And and and just for the record, and I know that the superintendent is has his reason for
uh moving that department that uh the department to the new location. Uh but some of my constituents are uh disappointed uh because now we get to walk to Exit
Street some of them during summer. uh and maybe some of them will take the public transportation. Now it going to the south is an inconvenience for some of them. I understand that for the
constituents my Mr. consular la and consanted uh sir it will be more convenient but for the record I'm receiving uh calls in regards to that just to put it out there I'm not expecting any answer I know the
superintendent has uh good reasons for making the uh move I know that that the elevator doesn't work uh only half of the time Yes. So, I
just I want to uh put it for the record because I know that the superintendent is doing what he think is the best uh and also thinking about the residents and and of the I'm to counselor. I don't want to speak for the superintendent, but I know the location that we're talking about in South Lawrence is to
your point right over the bridge. It has free parking, which which is uh I had to take it. Um and our population is is growing. We we get we have the family resource center in the fourth floor and sometimes you have to wait in the ele
for the elevator for six minutes because you got you know people going up and down up and down up and down because all families come into our building. So we're trying to make it so that they're more comfortable um and just managing the growth of of our population and the needs uh of those people. Bo taken and
pointing I made my point. Thank you so much for your explanation. Thank you council president. Any other questions for then councelor Santiago? Oh, hold on one second. Any other council that speak? Councelor L. Another brief question or brief point to
the superintendent. We're going through another house. We're going through a housing growth and a population inside the city and with that puts tremendous stress and pressures and added responsibilities to our school system. I just want to make sure that as
we as a city are are encouraging and producing and allowing for more growth in the city that our schools are able to u adequately address those needs. And I realize that's a big picture question and we're dealing with this budget, but
I I don't know who to say this to. I think we talked about this through you, council president, that it's important that somebody from the school department have a seat at the table when questions are being are being asked regarding what kind of growth we should be having because that growth impacts the product
that you are in charge of. If you want to comment on it, fine. But I just think it's important every chance I have to make sure that that I just keep drilling that point home because it's so critical. Thank you, councelor. And I think we've had a discussion about this
before. First point, if ever you have subcommittees or however that that structure is for those discussions and if you want someone from the school department there, we'll be more than happy to sit there to provide information regarding um growth patterns
within the school or amount of students within the zones. Okay, that's number one. Number two, um we're in the process to of putting out a bid to uh receive a software product that's going to be able to give us projections that we will be
looking at. And the way that software uh program works is it takes into consideration all your populations, where they're situated, and what have you, and lets us know projections. in when you put the zones in because we look at the school district within four
zones of which one is heavily populated, which one we have to pay attention to and where do we pay need to make potentially look for growth. Obviously, how we would use that software program would depend on where the city is moving
toward uh building um uh new apartment complexes. Okay. So the other thing that we are discussing preliminarily is for example with community works and I meet with uh the executive director Miss
Andor is as they're building these huge 100 unit or or restoring them buildings that they have we have been looking at the research of providing early childhood centers in their complexes and
the reason they are doing that is because it creates stability. and longevity for folks that are living in there. So, we are studying all of those options. But you're absolutely right and you know that I have preached about that. Anytime we have an increase,
if we're going to increase 500 units of housing, we got to consider police, fire, TPW, and the last thing we definitely got to consider kids because just this year alone, we close out the school year. We didn't account for an
additional 657 students that came to our district after the beginning of the school and that's folks moving into the community. I that that is an alarming amount. I suspected about 400 but we ended up with 657
students additional to our district. Thank you, Superintendent. And I just hope that we all heard those numbers and that's not an anomaly. I'm just I'm going to predict that's probably a trend that we underestimate and it always exceeds our estimates every year that we might guesstimate on on that. So we're
not it's it's hard for us. We have a lot to discuss tonight. I just want to make that point. Thank you. I appreciate Thank you, sir. Council President, anything else for me or I just have one. Um, in our last meeting
we went over uh employees that no longer work for LPS and in that discussion I believe you mentioned that the reasoning was either performance or lack of lensure.
Um, do you mind reminding me when I had asked are uh the employees that were let go due to failure of not having a license were they notified? Yes. Okay. And the reason why I'm ask and I wanted to make sure that that was your answer
because I believe that that you know that that was the case. Um as a result of that meeting I had a few employees that reached out to me uh to which they are negating that that is a fact. Um I'm sorry that they're negating that that's
a fact. Um I have employees that reached out to me saying um they have no bad performance reviews. One in particular um is currently um in the process of getting a license and never was notified
that there was either a deadline or any type of notification that as a result of not having said license that they were going to be let go on such and such date. So, I just would like to have some sort of clarification uh as to like why
is it that I I'm I'm being notified that some of these folks that were let go were not aware that they had a a certain uh time frame to to obtain this license. A lot of employees are are allowed to um
issue those non-renewals by the end of the school year. I believe I believe that the last notifications went out last Friday. Okay. However, within the teaching ranks because of their contracts, there's a there's a deadline
for that that has to happen before the end of the school year. Um but all employees uh whether be whether they're they were let go or being retained because those are those that are being retained we have to send letters to them also letting them know that they're
being retained and because of that letter they can't go and collect unemployment. Okay. However, every employee has been contacted regarding um their status. Now if there is an employee that feels that they were not
treated fairly or what have you through their evaluation process they have grievance pro procedures that they can go to. They can appeal that and request a hearing. I've sat down in hearings um last week for an entire morning for about 15 hearings and I was able to
resolve some of those things. Now, the other thing is that employees that might have been let go because they didn't have certification are allowed to and they're they're informed that if they're able to get their certification through the month of July and we still
haven't had school and they were an employee in good standing performance-wise and if they apply they'd be taken back. question. Um, and this is for me to ga gauge into how you guys operate. When
you hire someone uh that doesn't have a license, are they notified um during the onset of whenever you're establishing a contract with set employee? Are they notified on the onset
as to when that deadline is or is there anywhere um anywhere throughout the year that they are given said notice that such and such time has passed therefore you know the school year ends in July you have three months four months left
to provide said certification as proof if an employee is hired and they're an exempt employee that um their position doesn't require certification, they just receive a contract straight out um with conditions,
benefits, and all of that. If uh an employees is hired and there's a uh certification required, it's in writing letting them know that they have a year from date of hire to get that certification.
Now, mind you, the reason why it looks a little bit um sloppy, I'm going to use the word because we have employees everywhere, is because of the emergency licenses that
were allowed to be issued from the Department of Education through the COVID years. And if you recall and if you might have listened to the news, they talk about emergency licenses. The Department of Education extended
emergency licenses after they issued them for I think two consecutive years. This year alone, the Department of Education issued a ruling that they will no longer accept emergency licenses as a waiver to be in the school district
because we're now way beyond COVID. So that's where some of those things might feel that some folks might have been confused because some of the criteria, for example, if there was a staff member that was hired under the e under the
emergency statute, in order for them to stay employed the following year, even though they don't have a license, but as an emergency, they had to demonstrate that they were making um headway or advances is toward
certification. So it begs the question, what does that mean? They were making a to so they were taking a class, they've tried to take the MTEL and that pass. Those are those are two elements. So they needed to demonstrate and submit to the Department of Education through the licensing um office that they were
making progress there. Some employees didn't do that and they kept riding the wave of waiver and the waivers we no longer can issue them. No school district can issue any waiverss because the department shut them down. So those are like four or five variables that I
just gave you. But definitely we inform all employees at the end of the year and all employees get evaluated. But there's also a a grievance procedure if they felt that their evaluation wasn't fair to them. Okay.
Um do you know uh what was the number uh of how many employees that were let go due to lack of licenses? So there are different units in different units in the teaching ranks. I
think there were about 50 or 60 uh in the teaching ranks. In the power professionals there might have been about 40. Now remember in the teaching ranks we have 1400 teachers. In the power professional ranks we have anywhere between four and 500 employees.
So it might seem that 400 it's a lot but percentage wise is small. Okay. And the exempt employees is if we were making changes in the delivery of services for students or that position was no longer
needed or they were evaluated out and that happens at the principal level. One last thing. Um um and this is again going off of information that I'm being provided. Um could you give us clarity in terms of we
were informed. I'm not sure if this is bad information that PAR professionals and principles have not received their assurance letters or contracts and also veteran PAR professionals some with over 20 years of experience um are being
asked to resubmit their credentials. Power professionals that have not submitted their credentials need to submit their credentials because we have to justify those for the department of education. Okay. However, we do track down and we have appro approximately
9 to 12 employees that in the par professional ranks that have been with us since the 80s. I estimate that they're probably closer to retirement. So, I would I would seek through the Department of Education a waiver to lead
them there because they've been with us for 25 almost 30 years. Okay. But based on federal law and state law and title one because we're a full title one school district every par profofessional
every teacher has to be certified and these are things that we have convers sometimes they're difficult conversations but and and and and they're uncomfortable but that doesn't mean that we give up on them we try to help them as I said we are recommending
some of them that had good performances but this is their first year and they couldn't get their um certification as a power professional, they still can do so through the month of July. And we're and we're and we're shooting them over to Northern Essics that provides the power
pro test and their results come immediately on that day. They can take those results, come back to the district, they're ready to go. Okay. Well, the good thing is that they can keep taking the test, but unfortunately it cost them money
each time they take the test. Thank you. He answered my question that I have. It's about counselors. Any other questions for the department for the school of the department of education? I mean for the Lawrence public schools. Uh there is there was a data at the
budget and finance committee. There was some questions around that uh the clarification on the budget on that uh on the funding for the $7 million. There was some emails back and forth. So I would like to extend an opportunity to
the CAFO and the school department to explain that portion there because it was a back and forth email there. Okay. Thank you. And I believe that um the the school system also have some notifications on that too.
Both going to have an opportunity. Yes. So was it 7 million something? This is the uh Yes. So this is a letter and and I'll submit it as I don't know if I should say submit it as evidence, but I'll submit it to the council for the record. Um, just for the record, we
don't we don't use evidence for the record. Um, June 10th, 2025, it's a letter uh by Mr. J. Sullivan, who's the assistant commissioner uh for financial uh for school finance for the state. Uh it's a letter to superintendent
uh in which myself, the mayor, um Miss Savalos, um the school committee chair, a number of other people were copied on it where it talks about the revised net school spending. Um
You're saving money. I thought that was that was, by the way, I think that was sent to everybody. Yeah, we just he just submitted it for the record. Oh, for the record. Say for the record. I'm going to see it for the record. Go ahead. Yeah. So, so that is uh if you
see the the the deficiency there, the negative 7 million, I believe that's the number that that that you're talking about. Um, oh yeah, the I think the question was asked about, if I remember correctly,
uh, Mr. President uh the question was asked about how we got there and we we're talking about uh purchase orders and purchase orders being closed etc etc. What the process? It was something related to that uh to that um
incumbent of funds. Correct. Encumber then not encumbered. So I'm talking from the top of my head. Yes. Yes. That that's that's where where we were at. So, and I was trying to explain explain the process, right? When
I go back and I look at and the caf and can jump when I look at my June my July 1st total appropriation, this is what I'm counting carry forward, right? So, whatever money is encumbered, which I report as an expense in my end of year
report, um I carry that forward. If you look at the number on July 1st and look at the n the number at the same fiscal year on June 30th, the appropriation is different. So for example this year the number was
301 on July 1st it was 301 and some change today it's 299 right so there is 1 point or so million dollars that change in the appropriation the appropriation didn't change for this year it changed on stuff
that was carried forward and then the encumber funds uh whatever purchase order was closed the money circles back to the general fund and it doesn't come back to the city. Right. So that's the difference between the appropriation
that I have on July 1st and the appropriation that I have on June 30th. And I I believe that's where where we were. Um yeah the the the question was around that whether or not those incumbrs funds go back to the school system and if the school system was able
to use those funds and also uh whether or not those funds can the city can if this the city's been using it or the intent was to use it or if it if something related to that uh around that. Correct. Uh for something else that is not school spending. Correct.
And the fun the funds go back to the general fund. the funds do not come back to the school uh do not get reappropriated to the school. The money that carries forward at the end of the year is the money that is never encumbered, right? The money that is never touched. But if something
gets closed, if I have a purchase order that gets closed in the same year, the money goes back to that account, right? The city, it goes back and it falls in that account. If not, it goes into the if it's another fiscal year like we have
been that number increase. So I just we just want to make sure like that that whole situation thinking about that it was a potential fund that was supposed to come to the school for the foration and uh and it's not I mean at the end of
the day we have an amount of 1 something million moving forward and essentially that's that need to be tracked somehow. So, um, like I mentioned in the meeting that you're referring to, um, I believe it was addressed that peri's website, it
looked like the se the school had a shortfall of $7 million. And as I explained that day, it had to do with reporting issues that needed to be corrected. So, I'm happy to report that Desi along with the collaboration with the school department and myself were
able to uh, correct that. There is no shortfall of $7 million and the weight states on the letter that's actually an overage of a million1 1,159,361. On another note, um anything that the
school does not spend is given back to them and we've been doing that since co when it was the first year that they did not spend their full uh appropriation. So the history is the first year probably $8 million. The second year 12
million, the third year seven four four last year was four million. Every year, the following year that money is appropriated back to the school department. Um so because we meet net school spending, we do not take the money back because if we did, we
wouldn't be meeting net school spending. And the letter that you have shows that we we have been meeting net school spending. Essentially the did the city use those funds uh to meet the the the requirement for the net school uh the
net school spending? Yes, absolutely. I mean the funds that were not in they were not spent. Yes. Do we use that to be able to reserve that meet our requirement amount of dollars? Right. So let's say the first year they didn't
spend $8 million during CO. So we reserve that money under a line item specifically for education. Come July 1st, we send it back to the school department and that you guys send that back as part of the requirement amount of dollars that the city is supposed to
put in, right? Because if we did, we would have a shortfall. No, no, no. I'm saying but I mean what I'm hearing I'm probably not understanding correctly but it's like if the money come from the school you get to the general funds and then we have a responsibility that we
need to make the school spending and then that money that came from the school you putting that back into the school as part of our responsibilities to meet the school spending. Yes. or as part of that fund that was supposed to
be sent out to the school separate from the responsibility we have as a city for the no that is part of the prior year net net school spending that is the unspent amount so come July 1st whatever money was put in a reserve for education
we appropriated back to the school department okay but just to get clarity Is that whatever um was reserved when you're putting it towards the next fiscal year? Is that an
is the reserved in addition to your the city's minimum requirement for the following year? Yes. So it's an addition to correct. Okay. Um is there a reason why um there is any
reserved monies? Um and the reason why I asked that is because the city's just providing the minimum requirement, right, for what's considered adequate. Why isn't the city or I won't say the
city, why isn't the school department using all those funds when we clearly could use that money towards something? So, is it that is it time management? Um, is it that we don't know what to use the
funds for? Because there's plenty of options. Yeah, it's a combination of things, right? understanding that superintendent arrived here 10 months ago with a with a budget that was already planned for for school year. Um, we're working with what we have, right?
You can see in in the letter that that that y'all should have in school spending. For years, we were reporting when I say we, I'm talking about the Lawrence public schools was reporting a number completely wrong for year after year after year after year after year.
Right? that those are some of the things that we found when we got here. Um just when even when it comes just to accountability, right? It's there was no no tracking, right? So the number gets reported wrong and it is what it is, right? Even though we get an audit every
year, um you know, they the number keeps getting reported wrong. Um for us when coming in the well one of the the one of the main points as far as finances uh goes is was aligning our money with our
objectives right I think they may have been um the objectives of the past may have not been clearly identified I think that that is and I'm I'm not saying that because he's here but I think that we have a uh a better understanding of
where our dollars need to go. Things like early childhood, for example, which the superintendent is investing heavily on. Um English language learners, which we're where that budget for that department. Motion to pass 11. Motion to pass 11. Properly second discussion.
There's none. All those in favor, please say I. I. Have it. You may continue. Um early early childhood English language learners, which we're heavily underfunded. um our facilities, we we're going to do what we can to keep them uh in the best shape for our children. Uh a
number of things, right? So, we have priorities that we've identified and we are committing money to those priorities and we're going to track money starting July 1. Um not an afterthought uh in April or May. Um you know, like we have
in the past and and honestly, I think that's what has happened in the past. folks just they went through the motions, bills got paid, but there was no plan of purposeful purposeful spending. It was just spending because every year, you know, I get a level funded and I get this money and I spend
it. Um, so I think that's different. So it's not that there is not things to spend money on. I just don't think that the purpose to spend the money was there. Is the purpose there now? Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Yeah. I mean, if you if you ask
me, I I I think we can put another another three million in early childhood for the city. Uh I think we can put more money towards uh Superintendent talk about certification uh for our ELLL teachers. Uh paying for them to go to go get their licenses, you know, teachers
to get their licenses and be certified for our English language learners. Uh you can spend another three million on that. You can spend on on a number of things. So, um I think that that is clear now going forward on on July 1st
and uh you know my goal is to with this budget coming up uh by the end of the year that we've spent every single penny that needs to go to our kids on our kids. Uh just to end uh my statement is given
the the commitment that you just stated, I I hope to see that every dollar is spent. um you've clearly stated a a lot of amazing opportunities so I don't see why there should be any dollars um in our reserved. Thank you. Um, councelor Santiago, any
other counselors before I go? Councelor Santiago, can you use those money and for transportation our school? It would not count towards our net school spending. Transportation is not a net school spending
the chapter seven. No, good point. Any other counselors? Right. Uh, any other questions for the school department? All right. Now, we're going to go with that uh with the vocation school. Any questions for the vocation school? We
have the superintendent here u online that he was he's joining us. Uh any questions for the vocational school? Evening everybody? Hi. How you doing? Good. Yourself? I'm doing good. Uh
counselors any question for the vocational school? if it's not and then we are moving along to the regular uh budget. Um superintendent, thank you for being there. Um as we discussed in an email, this is part of that uh the requirement
to get your budget approved and um and thank you for being uh participating with us on different uh budget budget meeting. Thank you. No problem. Councilors, we moving along with the
regular uh with the regular budget. Any amendment uh to the budget? We have an underlying motion. Council President, uh Council President Fante. Thank you. I would like to
propose a cut. Um what page? Page 76. 76. Page 76. Fund 01 general fund department 002 fire department division 0060 fire administration or organization fire
suppression administration under the subobjective 55110 5110 which is the sales permanence right yep all right what is the proposed cut 150 $150,000 it's a proposed cut for
$150,000 uh properly second by councelor Santiago. What is the item? Uh the item is page 76 under the fire administration and that uh and under the division 060
and that subobjective is the 5110 which is the sales and wages permanent the fire department. Correct. And by the way, that was that was give me a moment. If he's
around he he left he left. The chief have left. What do you think? All right. I don't think so. By the way, uh councelor counselor, I'm aware. Did you Did you
Oh, is this a nine item though? It's 51. I'm aware 5110. I will. It's the send. I just want to make sure that the subject is is the the one that you're referring to. Yep. So, it's 5110, which is the scent then. 5110. Yep. Yep. There a sec. There was a second by
council. Discussion and it was discussion. Council vice president Fant. Thank you, Council President. Um I'm aware. Yeah, we're just going to open up for discussion and then uh it's going to be up to the council to hold up on that.
I'm aware of I mean we we we've heard the the debate the other night. I'm aware of the recommended changes made and approved by our the mayor. Um,
and it I am a huge supporter of our fire department. Um, and I know the challenges that that they're facing. However, when I'm told that our acting chief is saying comments like whatever the administration wants, the
city council doesn't know what what what we even do. Um that that's that's very unsettling to me. It's also very unsettling that we had both uh the senior adviser and the fire chief before us the other night
really pushing on um leaving the slot the opportunity open for a particular um position I've given um and again I apologize to the senior adviser because everything is is on him
because he's the one on always here with us but at least myself I've I've given many benefit of the doubt um to this administration and then we seem to be throwing curve balls. I am not 100% confident that the $150,000
will be used to recruit more fighter fighters. I think down the line a a curveball will be thrown at us and I wish I was able to fully trust it but at the moment I don't. Any other questions in regard to this
cut? Uh for the line item we have we have um a total amount of 1,62976 and there's a proposed cut of 150,000 counselors. Any other question?
Uh any other questions counselor? Let's allow them. Councelor Le, so this is another extra 50,000 we discussed 15,000 last night and we move 150,000 from one to another
is it it's on the same line item it's that you wanted to move it now complete and let me let me go back onto the motion that was made and then withdraw uh by council plan at that point uh the agreement uh with the council with the
with the council council plan for him to withdraw his motion was that um the intent was to use those 150,000 for to hire more firefighters. Um but it's it's within the same line
item 5110. Uh the council is entire it is an order to propose a cut for 150,000. It will be up to the council to approve it and not approve it. Yeah. Council president, if I may. Sure. the um
we just had an emergency. Yes. Our firefight chief is not here. I know you make your decisions. If there was an assistant, they would have been here. Okay, that's just an example. The
chief is going to come. Uh I would uh ask the council to table this matter. He's on his way because I think it should be here to to also defend on behalf of the fire department this item. Uh he has the level of expertise in his
field. Um I don't know if I mean that he may or may not convince you differently but at least we can give him the chance to come before you before you make a vote if you don't mind. Thank you council president. Council president. Thank you. Uh, with all due respects,
uh, senior adviser, you just proved my point right now. You just mentioned if we had an assistant chief, the assistant chief would be here. So, that goes back to my point. I don't trust the 150,000 is going to be used, actually used for additional firefighters. Um, I feel like
this position continuously is pushed on the city, on us, and I wish I I really do wish I could think otherwise. and I you know and I want to apologize to you for being in front of us and having to take this for my lack
of trust but unfortunately that's where I am at at the moment. Do you um do you believe that we should have an assistant chief? Well, definitely it's presented before you and it's not it's it's not uh we have had this discussion before when
we looked at had an overview and a comprehensive evaluation of how the functioning of each one of the departments. Yeah. You understand that uh do you understand that uh you need
we we need compromises on the budget definitely to be able to pass it? Definitely because even though cuts might not go through, you also need six vote to pass the budget. Correct. So compromises are essential and finding common ground to
be able to pass this budget will be necessary. Right. And and so even though cuts are not going through, eventually you will need a vote. I didn't disagree uh council president, but uh the reason why I mentioned that because that's what the administration wishes were. You
proposed during the the the the budget budget session that you would use this uh the funding for uh to hire additional uh um firefighters. uh tonight that we're almost closing
this um then it there's a proposal that to change it right to cut the budget uh based on um on I haven't heard that based on hearsay because the administration has not been
informative about this. It didn't come from the chief. Uh and second of all um the level of distrust expressed by by councelor Infante which I can respect uh you know what she's saying but I'm in
disagreement that's that is not how we came to the conclusion to for the position and what our firefighter has expressed I mean our acting fire chief has expressed during the budget hearing and that is a little unfair that he's
not here at the we we're talking we having a conversation about the situation. He's coming. Oh, no. No. That he's coming that I would like you before you take a vote. No, no. We're not taking a vote. But what this what the council is coming from is the sense situation. There is there is a there is
a lack of trust uh when it comes to situations especially when it comes to uh when it comes to positions. We just have a conversation. Uh we just having a vote on an ordinance
uh related to a position I believe two month two and a half month ago. Everybody knew the name and the name went through and everybody's saying no it was not and it went through and the position has been now on this budget increase also.
We all know we part of the city as well. Council president if I may. Councelor Councel. Oh, and then for No, no, don't do that. No, it's 11:00.
Okay. No, we we're definitely looking into that as well. Council president is trying to kill some time, but but I think I think to my colleague, the vice president and council district. So, I
heard the comments regarding the lack of trust. Let's not forget we do have one card in our pocket. Let's say the worst case scenario, the administration renegs. They made a commitment through this sheet and we heard it that they were
going to not fill the system fire commissioner's position and they were going to fund two inspectors to deal with the mandate, right? What happens if worst case scenario they say you know something got the budget through now we're going to do whatever we want right
well they're going to have to come before us again or the assistant commissioner fire commissioner we will have that opportunity I if they do that I'm voting against the fire chief's assistant fire chief that they come for either the reauthorization or
for the for the ordinance creation I'll be voting against that and they're going to need five votes and so we do have a card to play to make sure that there is no renegade. So I I I feel comfortable um with with what we were what we agreed
upon two days ago and that's the direction we're going in. They come here in a public setting. We had a debate. It would look really really really bad for the administration to change their topic especially when we have that extra card in our pocket. So, I respect and I
understand, but I I I don't and I'm the guy that made the first cut. I was there, but then we figured out a way to take that cut and turn it into a positive in a place that we really need it. Thank you, Council President. Council L.
I just wanted to say, Council President, that we have a motion and that we have to honor that and take a vote. Right. Councel or Vice President. Thank you. My last comment on this and I hear my colleagues uh points and which are very
valid points. Um however, we have seen moments where either the administration or department heads come before the council. They stand right here. They say something. They lie to us publicly and go do something the
opposite. So we we've witnessed it. We have witnessed that. And That's that's where I stand with that. Council President, I I don't disagree with I I just I I have to call the question when we use the word lie.
That's a very strong term coming from this membership. Um I I don't think that we should be saying words like that like illegal, which he didn't say, or lies. Uh that's very you know we can call it to question um their approach for sure
but to go out there and say that some may rephrase that if I may rephrase that no and I understand uh but I won't I won't limit uh the counselor to say what they feel because it's not
it's not something that uh it is is not a course is it's how you feel And I understand that she could rephrase it. She will actually that's I stand by my statement
coming from this one counselor to to the other counselor's point not the body but this one counselor. All right. Um any other questions in in regard to this? It's not it's not a question. The only thing that's sometime is give me a
little I don't know but a little every Yeah. Every department in here have practically an assistant. We have an assistant for the CLA. We have an assistant for the counselor. We are an assistant on DPW. We assistant on
everywhere. So I don't know and I don't see why the fire department or the police department cannot have an assistant and like right now an emergency he have to leave and like he said you know uh somebody should
be in here maybe representing him on that position. Uh I'll hold on I'll tell you as of why what what I have answered. I'm not saying that, you know, right now we made me a commitment with
the $150,000. So I don't saying that that money can be using for an assistant. Maybe they can get a gring, it can get an assistant, whatever. And the money right now I'm feel okay like as my colleague said, you
know, uh we are okay in the way that this money is going to be used. Yeah. But I don't see any problem for having an assistant in any department right now. Counselors, it is important. I just want to say one thing and I and uh Miss Gaffo, correct me if I'm wrong. Every
time that we adding a pay a dollar to this budget, we need to find a way to fund it. So what is the main source of funds to balance this budget? Mel, do you mind coming over to the mic and and state
how we going to be funding or how we going to balance this budget based on what? I want and I I I know how but I want to make sure that the cop is saying what is the rest of the fund that we don't have that we need to look for and how we going to get it. So basically um
there are three major types of revenues. So we have the state revenue which mainly is used for the school uh state aid. We also have the local receipts and our biggest u source of revenue is the
tax levy which is based on the tax that the uh constituents have to pay. Okay. And this year can you can you just explain a little more what is that? Yes. This year we're going two and a half% which is the max allow by law plus the
new growth of $1.2 million and that's an average of what? at 3.58 3.58%. So that money any amount of money that we allocate on positions on anything
taxpayers will pay for that to balance the budget. So just just to be transparent and clear. Any other questions counselors? Let's allow the chief right. Good
evening. I apologize. I had to step out for a moment. Chief, the question is um that we the council is looking to cut 150,000 out of your budget and uh and I and I guess that you
receive a phone call to come back and to explain to us again as of why not. Yes. So, as the other night, we we agreed to um reallocate that money for two firefighters that could be put into fire
prevention roles for inspection duties around those around those the same lines. Um how many how much money you have uh currently on this budget to hire new new firefighters other than this
150,000? Right now we're we're trying to get a hold. We have plans for hiring 12 right now. How many have in the academy? We have zero in the academy. So do you expecting to have those 12 on the
academy this year? Well, right now they have um conditional letters of employment. they are passing their their physicals and then once they all pass those they have to go to their physical abilities exam and then once they get
that you can't get a spot in the academy until you have a physical name. So you used to be years ago you could say give us six spots or five spots now you physically need a name to go with that spot. So so essentially what are you
expecting? How many do you expect in this year? They should be by the end of the month. Right now, they're all still going to their their regular physicals and then we have to schedule a physical abilities preview. They have to go see it once. That's their, you know, that
they do an actual physical test where they're doing stairs, they're doing like a dummy drag, a hose drag. So, they have to do a preview and then they have to do the actual test. Right now, out of the 12, we have three that are firefighter
one and two certified already. So, one of my some of my my thought process was to maybe bring them in first, and then we could probably get them acclimated to our department, maybe two weeks, show them how we do things, and then we could
put them we could put them right to work. And then so essentially three this year. You're expecting to hire, pardon me, you're expecting to hire three this year. We're we're expecting to do the end of the year to do 12. We're going to start with six and then six more. We
have some people that have to retire. They haven't retired yet, but there's a couple gentlemen on once you get 65 in the fire service, you have to go. That's so we have a couple gentlemen his birthday's coming up and we have some other people that are were injured in
the line of duty. They just have they're done but their paperwork with they're not physically off the books. So we're going to start with six and my thought process was get three of those people that are already through the academy. they already have
their firefighter one and two and then um start them and then we could start plugging some holes in and you know that's that's like as I explained before that's one of the only really ways to take down the overtime is is hire more
right now we just we have a lot of open spots we have our minimum critical staffing level is 24 so once we fall below that 24 members we have to hire. So on an average
throughout the year we we starting at like 22 a shift. So before ours and in the line of duty which we have like six or seven people out right now that number just keeps dropping and dropping
and then people get you know their aotted vacation time, personal days. So, we we really need some more members to fill those spots. Like right now in fire prevention, as much as the inspections are needed,
we have one open spot. And I'd like to put a member in that spot. But historically, when when a member's out from fire prevention, we don't backfill. So, I I can't even really make that division whole right now because we need
we need that a member on the trucks to stop overtime. If I take a member and I put them into fire prevention, which we don't backfill, we'll just be spending more overtime on the trucks. Angel, any questions? All right, ML, let's go to questions.
This is to reduce the budget by the 150 on the line on the sub objective 5110. Yeah. For fire. Um, council Reyes. No. Council Mama,
no. Council Santiago, yes. Council Del Rosario, no. Council Luzon, yes. Council Lant. No. Council Levy. No. Council Vice President Infonte. Yes.
Council President Rodriguez. I vote yes. What's the count? The count is four to five. Four to five. Motion fails. All right. Any other uh amendment to the budget? It failed. It failed. Motion fails. All right. Any other amendment to
the budget? Any other amendment to the budget? Uh yes, council president. Um phone 01 department 0024 page page
uh oh my god 90 page 90. Should I go to the other one? I can't I can do services uh code uh code services. Yeah, but
let's go to page 89. So I can do it 89. Yeah. So I can do it to the the Soviet object services code enforcement. Could I drop for a moment? Sure. I know that through you the fire chief was here. He he came from another thing. If if no one else
has any other fire thing, we should let him go back to what he was doing. Um, I don't have either amendments. You're good. All right. Stay for the night then. All right. Thank you. All right. Uh, page 89.
Um, page 89, uh, inspection services code enforcement. Okay. So division 046 uh or is 012 420
y and um did I missing something? Objective objective is 511 z. Okay. Salaries and wages permanent. Yeah. So, I'm I'm suggest I'm going to make a motion to cut uh
119,000 uh and 56 cents. 119,000 and 50. Yeah. 11919,56. Those dollars or cents? Dollars.
Dollars. 56. 56. 1919 19,56 dollars. Yeah. Dollars. 1999,56 56. All right. There is a motion to cut 199156 out of that uh inspection service department.
Any questions on that? Is there a second? Um, council president, I'll ask the question. What's the Yeah, you know where I'm going. Yeah. Why you have to ask the question? I think that No, no,
thank you, councelor Laan. It's It's late. It is late, but I'll spend as much time as we do. So uh this department has been doing the job with uh six people
uh in six positions that we should not refer to six position. I think they can continue to do so with six uh that will um um avoid a change in this proposed budget.
And I think if they are doing a good job with sixy bring in two more. I also have conversation a conversation with the director and it looks like they can continue doing the job with six uh
inspectors uh in that particular position. Thank you. Uh and I Yes, I'm done. Let's
thank you uh through you. For the past months, I've been affected by illegal dumpings more than anything in in in my district. And in the past three weeks or so, I've been getting emails and feedbacks of the
job that they are doing. according to the director is because they they have people now to do what they weren't doing back in those days when I was filling them with emails and nothing was done. Um, a couple of people got caught by the work
by the illegal dumping by by the futaria which is a normal illegal dumping. I just got an email at this morning of another person that it was caught. Um, and I believe that having this, I don't know who who they are, having extra
people, the special service to me in my district is being more effective now than what they used to be. So because the service that I'm receiving in my district and and my constituents and also the business that we've been serving in that area, I believe that
that I I will support this cut because the services getting now to my district where where we have a lot of illegal and I a lot a lot of illegal dumping and I never seen it before the way they're working now. Now, I don't know if it because I have extra people, but in the past few months, I I've been seeing the
difference and in that work being done in my district that is very very um affected by the illegal dumping. Any other counselors? I'd like to hear from the administration administration on what the impacts would be on Yeah. through you, council
president. Uh first of all, I'm surprised to hear uh the uh the councelor um L to say that if I'm correct that you said you spoken with the director and that the director said that he I may I uh respond I said it
looks like they can do the job with the current amount of people that they have that the director told you that no no don't put words in my mouth I I it's my opinion that it looks like based on the conversation that I have and based of
what I see in the department that the job can be done with the current amount of uh inspectors that they have and perhaps perhaps I mean overtime can be taken in in consideration. I'm not saying that to stop doing the great job
that this department is doing especially in district uh C. I'm saying that if the if the department can continue to do the job with the amount of people that they have based on
the deficits that we have in the proposed budget um through you council president first of all we don't have a deficit yes we do well we agreed to disagree we don't have a deficit we do not have a deficit we do
we um we as was stated and the mayor in the mayor's statement uh budget statement one of the cuts that the first cuts that we experienced was the one with the co funding through the department of health
uh and those funds were going to cover six right the same six positions five five positions uh in the discussion with the department and also uh with staff we saw that that if we are losing the grant
We are losing five. Our request was uh the department's request was to keep two positions. uh in our conversation again today we have spoken uh during our meeting with SNP we made uh one of the
recommendations that not recommended suggestions in terms of how the city can start collecting uh some of the uh penalty fees because every time we send an inspector out there whether they're one two sometimes
it's fire department together with inspectional services Um we have challenges to to um to recover these penalty fees violations that happened like what was mentioned by
uh in the case of uh situ the case of um illegal dumping that councelor Dorsio mentioned um by eliminating extra two positions then it's going to be a chaos How is it
that we're going to with the amount we've doing a great job at least from the administration in doing our inspections? However, by losing this amount uh I mean two additional um employees, it's going to be more challenging for the department and we
will go back to where the city was and the how the city is uh including with additional um violations, illegal dumping, uh health inspection. uh we are not going to be able to
properly uh uh address compliance within the city. I would like the assistant director to specifically say why those two positions are important. Can you speak to that? Good evening everyone. As the advisor mentioned, um we're going to lose five
position to the grant because federal federal funding has been cut for the contact traces grant agents. they have been helping us uh doing the inspection uh to health codes and complaints of illegal dumping and all that. So, we're
just requesting to have two inspectors to keep two positions to in order to maintain the the clarity and the ability that we have right now. Oh, good. No, I think council has
Yes. Yes. I I know that we're going to face changes. Uh I know that we are not certain about money that we are getting from uh the federal government. I know that. But I
also know that in times in difficult times like we are facing right now, we have to be creative. We also know that this administration tends to uh raise salaries and create positions that we don't need. We know that
uh we are comp are aware of that al and also to create uh s positions that are not sustainable. They're not going to be sustainable maybe in a year or in two years. Sometimes we only put the energy on what we have in front of us. And
right now we have in front of us this proposed budget by uh Mayor De Pena. But is this sustainable? That is the question that we should be uh asking. Are those salaries
sustainable? And I understand uh your position senior advisor and I also understand Mrs. Gonell uh point of view. Uh but I do know that there's other ways to be created and to um for
the department to continue to do what they doing now. There's other people there that maybe are uh uh trained in that area that maybe they can uh work overtime. But right now we need to uh
pay attention to what we have in front of us and think and ask ourself are those position sustainables. Are those salaries sustainable? And I don't think some of the salaries that this administration tend to give are not
sustainable and and and also the way they like to create positions uh sometimes to pay political favors. Thank you, council president. Thank there's a total disconnect in the
information or whether we like for instance I think the city clerk is here uh as well as as the inspectional department businesses are growing in the city I mean this is not like when we first
took office in 2021 businesses closed during COVID we have a recovery and we have a huge amount of businesses that not not only uh that established but also the department is required to inspect.
I mean, if you're cutting down the the the staff, which we lost the uh we lost our funding and in which the state uh also uh uh has uh submitted a lawsuit uh how is
it that we going to work if we are a growing community? And you just heard it with uh even with the Department of Education. So, we're going to have more businesses. We're going to lack inspection and we're going to have more violations
and in terms of your comment with political favors. Uh that's my opinion, senior adviser. Yeah, that's your opinion, but I need to answer on behalf of the administration. I didn't ask a question. I made a comment. Oh, okay. But any Yeah, to you,
Mr. President. I I have still have the floor a factor. We still have the floor. So, I urge uh my uh colleagues Oh, I don't have the floor. Yes. Oh, no. I was going to ask. Um Okay.
Thank you. Council President, you may respond to me. Senior advis we're not going to go back and forth, counselor, but to uh to at least label the administration as if we one way or the other because that's part of corruption and we're not corrupt. I'm not going to
be part of a corruption. No, I you mentioned that to you senior president funds to political council. You have the floor. Council president if I may. I didn't use that
term. I mean it's that is your opinion. So don't put words in my That's why I don't like to go into opinion interpretation. Thank you. Yeah. But that is your interpretation. I didn't say that. Yeah. We are uh debating $119,000 and I think thank you council president
and I think that uh if the uh department can continue doing the great job that they're doing for now with six and maybe later on maybe later on and um later on in the year uh we can talk about adding
uh two more uh uh I mean adding more to the department. So I'm asking that the my council colleagues uh to consider cutting uh this amount of funds uh from this department. Thank you co president.
Thank you to you Mr. President. Um so we are asking for a position right now two new ones. The total opposition is going to be eight. Eight. Yes. Yeah. So I just want
sorry to interrupt but let me finish first on the A position. So we have five that is going to be eliminated because the money or the grant is not be longer part of the money that you got it. Yes.
Right now we have so those five are part of these eight. No. No. So okay living those eights are the permanent position that the city fund every year. Okay. those six and then now they adding two permanent position because this is
under the permanent salaries. So so they adding two more to the six that they previously have plus to the per and the eight then there are five that is going to be gone. No then grant funding positions are going to be gone five of them. Correct? Yes. And then they adding
two to the permanence that are going to be funded not through a grant through the tax fund dollar to the tax dollar. Yes. Thank you. No problem. Uh, councelor Rees. Oh, councel Rees and then no
has his hands raised. No, but she told me. All right. So, I just want to make sure I'm clear on the numbers. And that was exactly where I was going to go with my first point, which is the number really should be this year. Uh, 11. I mean, if we're being honest, pardon me. 13. The number should be 13 because I
got eight permanent positions, five with the grand members. That's the how you are working right now. This is not Yeah, this budget says the level right now is six. That's my my budget book says. Yeah, the permanent pos the permanent is six. So, we adding two more positions.
That's going to be eight. But but okay, I I I get that. I want right now we have city operating money individuals that being funed from the city and we have people that have been paid from a grant. Yes. Put those two together. How many
inspectors are there? So 11. 11. 11. Yes. So what we're doing here is that we have 11. It's a simple math question. We have 11. Now if we pass this budget, we're going to have we're going to have
eight. So honestly, we're cutting essentially not we're cutting we're losing three three already now. So that that's already factored in and for the arguments that some of my colleagues have made I I concur.
Um I I think my editorial comment inspectional services is a critical department in this city. It's often overlooked. It's overlooked by some of the other bigger departments, some of which have spoken this evening or DPW, fire and police are like the big three,
right? And ISD is critical and we often overlook them. Revolving doors, revolving doors, revolving doors at the whether it's senior management level or other inspectors, it seems like things are and there seems to be no continuity. And the concern that I have is that we
need continuity. We need highly um qualified and seasoned professionals to do this work and we need to take this work seriously. We need to change behaviors in this city. Again, change behaviors in the city whether it's through education or penalties. It doesn't make a difference. We got to
change behaviors because the biggest thing, my pet peeve, here we go. Unlawful illegal housing in the city, basement, attics. Um we we people go before the zoning board, they get variances. No one checks. It's rare that
someone checks. I would I looked at the numbers and the revenues of how much money we were getting from from fees a lot. It's ridiculous how low those numbers are. It tells me that we're either not getting the money we should be getting or we're not doing the inspections or we're not doing the
enforcement. Something's missing. So the challenge I am giving to ISD is get I want to say get your act together but we need to be better stewards in
that department more effective. I think there's plenty of room for improvement a lot of room for improvement on there and I don't think cutting more is going to be the the solution. better work from our current inspectors is going to get the the product up. That's what I'm
looking for. And I can't overemphasize my hands speaking up. I can't oversize that enough how important that is. Um especially when I can't get numbers on unlawful apartments. We've had it. Thankfully, we've had good conversations. We try on the ordinance committee. We tried to bring this topic
up. I don't it's hard to get solid numbers. We both agree on that. And when we talk about that's why I was in favor of the fire department because you need boots on the ground. and they're going to help provide that a little bit. If we get the fire department and ISD together, now we can start talking about
lawful growth in the city. The kind of growth that people like Mr. Spanner is looking at, but right now we're not ready for that because we don't have the backside done in our parking what resident parking stickers all over the place. We don't have it. I'm going stop right there, but you get the point. I'm
not going to support this amendment, but I am challenging the department to do a better job. Thank you. uh my colleagues cover part of my question because I want to explain or express my uh we increase the staff we
lose a staff from the impressional services so but my colleague cover thank you so much I'm here to help you have to vote no thank you thank you and and just to pig it back right. We're not we're not adding two jobs. We saving
two people not to lose a job out of the five they are leaving. Thank you. Right. Any other questions about it? Uh the proposed cut of 119,56. Right. There is none. Mank. Councelor Levy.
Nope. Councelor Lelant. No. Councelor Luzon. Yes. Council del Rosario. No. Council Santiago. Yes. Council Marmmo. Yes. Council Reyes. No. Council Vice
President Infonte. Yes. Council President. I vote yes. What's the count? 54. Motion fails. U. All right. Any other amendment to the budget? All right. Uh um I've got amendments, but I don't want to
council last one. Sorry. So, uh these last three are deal with the city council. Um I'm hoping to get a second and then I can explain. Uh the first one is um what page I'm going to tell you.
It is on page 28. Page 28. I'm sorry. Wrong wrong book. 25 the mayor's page 26 26. Yeah, I know. Personal services.
I'm ideally looking at I'm ideally uh page 26. I'm looking at 5120 temporary temporary workers. I'm looking to make and I'll explain after I get a second. I'm looking to cut um that by personal
services by $32,000. I second that discussion. Can't second. Why not? I can $32,000. I second. Council president. No, no, no. I can second. I second it for the record. Yeah. Okay. Second. You I I can second
it. 30. Lack of discussion. Yes, I can do it. You have plenty of people. Whatever. I don't think I don't think you can make a motion or I don't think you can second it. I can second it. I'm sorry. Temporary. That's the idea. So,
do I have the floor? Council president. Hey, Mr. Spanner. Mr. Spanner, where are you going? City. Yeah, but you you sent this down. So, if anybody I'm going to go I'm going to ask you the questions because you you're the one that provided this to us,
right? And then you refer it to me. Yeah. So, I I'm gonna and I I know this is difficult and challenging because it's our budget. So, what's the what's the cut proposed cut? $32,000. Why $32,000? Why what's the basis for that?
It's on one more time. It's on page 26. Personal services. It's temporary salaries and wages. So, um, listen, I'm going to repeat this like I did two days ago. We are taxing up to the levy. We are taxing 2 and a half% in addition
to the new growth, right? We're taxing up to the levy. And with that, I think we need to be sending a signal. We sent a signal earlier this evening in the mayor's budget where we cut from the personnel services $100,000. Right? We sent a signal that we need to have some
accountability in that office. In our office, we also need to be accountability. We need to show the folks if we're going to be raising taxes that we're going to be doing this year, we need to show some fiscal responsibility and prudence. So the reason why I'm doing this is because
when I was watching and I watched most I should be happy about this. I watched most of the meetings of the budget committee. Um notice and and I and I watched this one because it was of great interest and um when when when asked why are we doing
this the the answer was it wavered it wavered between well we can really use a part-time employee or you know I'm thinking about maybe doing some internships and I haven't really figured out how we're going to do that. We'll we'll work on that. We'll we'll figure that out but I really want to get that
that program. We need we need more help in the city council office. So in a time where we're actually looking to cut employees elsewhere, we just went through all these motions to try to reduce here. Here we actually are going to increase.
We're going to add and it all fail because we cut the mayor's office by $100,000, but that counts. So, um I just I just think that our money can be better spent. And how we we have never
done this as a city council. We've been a city council since 1986. And since 1986, we have never reconciled our city ordinances. What does that mean? We have been adding city ordinances from 86 2025. What's the math on that? 25 plus
14. That's 29 years, right? Nope. 39 years. 39 years. Thank you. 39 years, right? And we've yet to do a reconcile. What's happened over 39 years is that you will see inconsistencies in our city or you'll see times when there are conflicts, whether it's on carnival
rides, whether there's on um uh other things as well. But you will you will notice that the the the legal team will look at it and say, "Well, we have competing divisions and now I'm not really sure, you know, it it's it's unclear." And so the money that we could
be spending that would really help us out could be spent there. So my recommendation is let's we don't need to have another part-time worker. We don't need to have even interns because if we
do have interns who's watching the interns that is who's going to and they're going to have access to our office and do whatever. I just think I just think that in this this sends the wrong signal is my point while we're looking at this. So I'm looking for a reduction to 32. We're
still going to be able to do our jobs. We're going to do our jobs well. I'm have every confidence that we will. So I don't think it's necessary. So that's my motion and thank you to whoever. Thank you council president for second it. You're probably voting against it which is kind of rare but thank you. No I second that because I can just
show my second but I won't do that. I actually give you I will give you an answer. Well, we had a second to stick. No, no, no. But if I will draw my second, it will die. But I won't do that. I will give you an answer. You see how things work. I learned a lot from you. But I mean, I'm going to respond to
the councelor District F. Mark Llan when it comes to the uh city council budget. Very conservative. You are very conservative with the city council budget. I wish that you are the same way with
every vote that you took today. because unfortunately $32,000 is the proposed cut of the 40,000 that is been proposed. Uh unfortunately
what we seen here is that uh is that uh the city council for a good amount of years uh including times that uh you were the president uh have not pass over that institutional
knowledge to the community. And when it comes to the city council, most of the people, especially kids, uh they're not necessarily known what the city council does. If we're looking for interns, perhaps I gave you a
straight answer when I was in this on that uh on that ordinary finance committee. I actually stand up at that podium instead of staying here. like many of in the past president have done. Uh I I took responsibility and standing
there and I said without wiggling like you said that uh we don't know yet. No, I was very clear when I said we either going to do one of two things. Not wiggling and and not giving us
straight answer. One of the things means that we might have a part-timer to deal with night people and we might have an interns that institutional knowledge throughout the years that we have.
Um myself been here for 10 years about 12 two years on the uh the school committee and when I leave this council if we don't have somebody that to pass on that experience
uh as an intern we probably uh going to lose that experience if you decide not to do that because when I stand there I said it's going to be up to the council to have an intern under their responsib ability. That's totally up to you if you don't
want to pass your knowledge to someone else. But me personally, I would love to have interns. And you might say, "Yes, why not free?" Yes, I understand. Because there is interns that are free. But guess what?
and the way that we've been uh that we've been uh actually hiring our kids uh and our and our students from different uh educational institutions.
We need to learn how to uh actually provide to them as well. If we provide them a uh a internship that is a paid internship, it will be a good thing for our community. is not always free is not
always to the best. And we are talking about this specific part of the line item budget is $40,000. We're not talking about 120,000, 100,000, 150,000, 175,000, or perhaps uh
30,000 or any other cuts that have been proposed today. But it's going to be totally up to the council to make those cuts because that's the system that we have that if we have an amendment s counselor can support it and therefore
approve or not approve. Thank you. I thank you to you council president. Um there was somebody I was in the office today. There was a there was a lady in her office who said what see in the see in the budget
and they stated that we don't give as a city councelor we we've been recognizing the kids and it's great that we've been doing it for the past few years. It's been consistent. but that she would love to see
those $40,000 converted into five scholarships for those kids that we actually recognize with height honors and all that stuff. there's not an award coming out from us to give those kids and they put in a sample and and and and I think and that was me answer that would be a conflict
of interest but they put in a sample as as as Teresa's son Theresa's son right he was even uh he was supposed to go to Bley and and and he did not go but then I said that's a conflict of interest and then she stated that you brought us so
many kids that they missing $5,000 to actually complete and they filing financial So just keep under consideration that I'm in agreement with those $40,000, but we also could do so much with those
$40,000. So families and kids uh coming out of us al together that will also send a message and and and pass the knowledge will be great. Bring the men and also give it to them instead of spending on us will be will be great. Second
motion to pass 12. Uh, but I mean, they were talking about those $40,000 converted into some type of a scholarship for the kids that we actually recognized here. And I think that was that was a great idea. It didn't pass my mind. I wasn't here to make that opinion or she probably make
that opinion after you presented it to us. Oh, after you presented the budget and finance, but it's all it's also something to keep in mind. Thank you. Thank you. Um, coun council president um I hear the what I want to say I first I
want to I want to thank my colleague councelor de Rosario for sharing that. I think that's amazing feedback. It's something I I I haven't thought of either. So that's that's a great idea. Um I spend I I come into the our office oftent times as well and I have
conversations with our confidential secretary. I I pop into the um the city clerk's office and I see the movements and and I hear some of their concerns. They need the help whether the intern is 100% in the city council office with our
confidential secretary. Many times she has expressed to me it is very difficult dealing with nine bosses who are very different plus everything else that I need to do. So, I hear that and I also have heard,
you know, the the cry for help within the city clerk's office, even though we do have one intern there. And sometimes she comes over here and helps out, but even with that, I I hear the cries for help. The difference between the city council and the rest of the departments is that
we're not dealing with the $ 1 point something million dollar budget. We're one of the lowest paid departments as well. I mean, I've I've had conversations with constituents that believe we make six figures, and I'm like, "No, no, no. City councilors only make $25,000,
excluding the council president." Um, 27, just 27, which is not that. But anyway, so so we're we're not in this, you know, to make a a monetary career out of this, right? or we're in it because we we care about our community and we want to make positive
changes. Whether we agree or or disagree on how we make those changes, we still have a bigger picture for our community that we would like to contribute. That being said, being the legislative body, I believe we do need the help. Um there's a lot being taught in our
schools with technology that including myself, even though I am the youngest city council counselor, I haven't I haven't been back to school in a bit. um or I'm learning new trends. There's trends out there that that our youth are learning every day that can also contribute to our education as city
counselors in our offices to better um uh serve our communities. So, I am I I I think we're in the on the right track and I'm I'm I'm not going to support this cut. Uh thank you. Council President, I'm
just I I'm going to agree with what councelor Infanted mentioned and also uh Council President Rodriguez. I think that uh uh there's a lot of traffic in
this office. Uh I get e text calls from Teres from our uh confidential secretary all the time. uh she has to attend nine different uh
nine different counselors um and with that meaning the constituents that we serve. I I think that having a interns and giving uh an a student a high school student an opportunity to learn about the local
government it's important and and I think I will be supporting this uh I'm going to vote against you councelor Leland no offense yeah to one yes but I mean with that comparing it's not fair
to compare a city council office with an office that has over a million dollar budget is not fair at all. I just wanted to make that for the and just for the record uh this department, city council department
have 10 people with 342,300 uh dollars. That's that's the salary of 10 people. So that's the reality. So, so with that money 342,000 that's we
paid 10 people councel or Marmmo to a certain extent I agree that um if we look at the budget that there are certain cuts that need to be made. So I was almost had there and I would have agreed like
sure if we were to make cuts across the board. Let's make uh cuts across the board for every department. And I would agree to having our department cut as well if we're really taking into consideration that we care so much about
the increase of uh the tax that is going to be unfortunately that our our taxpayers are going to have to to pay. But considering that we've made several attempts to make certain cuts here and there where we deemed for it to be fit,
for the most part, I've only seen two cuts out of two budget meetings. And yet, out of all the departments to focus on, we're going to make an attempt to cut on something that's not even going to be feeding our pockets. It's going to
go to to the youth. Um, and to me that's just it's like disappointing because if you really care about making an effort uh and making a difference knowing that we ha like this is not attacking
nobody's position. I I I hate being in a position where unfortunately we have to make certain cuts and it's not to take away from anyone's ability to to do uh their position. Some of these folks are wellqualified, but unfortunately we're
in a position where we have to make cuts. And at the end of the day, some people are not going to be happy, and we're just trying to do our job. Uh, so unfortunately, I'm not going to be supporting uh this cut as well. The administration administration, we're
we're not growing thick for that. Ah, the uh what we do need Yes. Um I what you I will uh I I would agree that this position and sorry uh councelor plan
this position is very necessary uh if we if let's say this administration or any future administration need to work I'll give you a good example many um ordinances that needs to be worked. I would not say that this
position would be for a high school. I would leave that to civic organizations that can they they have funding to do that. But you do do need uh probably someone who is a uh a college uh uh
graduate or someone who has a little bit knowledge on on research to research certain certain items that both the executive as well as the legislative branch can work and that could could channel. That would be a good thing.
Let's say One of uh the things that we're missing at least in my position as policy and external affairs would have been someone that can go around and say hey what is uh councelor Anna Levy's uh priorities in terms of legislation
and um that is very much needed um and in in all objectivity I believe and I have to agree uh with the city council um those that are in favor that this would be this this a
very needed position. Thank you. All right. Uh counselors is not by the way you're not getting an intern so easily if they're going to do the job for that amount either. Yes. Counselor, please call the question.
Um councelor Reyes. Council Marl, no. Council Santiago, no. Council del Rosario, abstain. Council, council Luzan, no.
Council Lant, yes. Council Levy, no. Council Vice President Fonte, no. Council President, I vote no. What's the count? Uh, one in favor and eight opposed. Wow. Motion fails. I've got two more amendments. The next one, Council President. Yeah. Yeah. I'm sorry. It's
is 17 171. It's still filled. Yep. The next one, Council President, is a document under the city council 00129. This is under purchase of services. Yep.
Um motion is for a reduction of uh $28,000 from that amount. All right. There is a motion to reduce $28,000 out of the purchase and services. Uh councilors, any uh can I hear a second from the from
the city council page 29? Sorry, page not page 29. Page 9 is the mayor. Page 26. And could you please repeat the line item? So this is purchase of services. Yep. which is it's the it's
the um Thank you. 538 page 26. Yep. Um can I hear a second? Second. Thank you. Properly second discussion. Discussion. And I realize that you're doing me a courtesy and I
appreciate that. Um no, seriously, I mean that's the way it's supposed to work and I would do the same for anybody else if they had something. So, um, that's why I had a second with the previous one. Let's not even go into it.
Uh, this one right here is an amazing amount of of additional monies. Um, there's been no track record of of us spending this kind of money in the past. Um you know when I was again watching um
the discussion about this I actually wrote this down. One of the one of our colleagues asked why are we going up with this with parts and services and the answer was to provide the quality of service we intend to. And then someone said well and the
other thing is well we need to have that in there so we can move money around if we need something for stamps or postage or purchase of services. And so I just thought to myself when I was watching that, if another department came before us and had that same answer, we're just going to move it around. Not
really sure. We're just going to move it around to where we need to go. We would say to them, that's not good enough. You better tell us exactly how you're spending that money and because we're just not that's that's unacceptable. But when we did it here,
there there didn't seem to be um a real I didn't get the sense that we really knew exactly where that money is going. So perhaps tonight we would have a better handle on it. Uh I did look back to find out what we were spending money on this year on it. So maybe
that's how we're going to go in the future. So I'll hold that back for now. But I guess council president, you're going to be discussing this. So So what exactly why are we having an extra $28,000 especially in light of the fact again that we're raising taxes and not
really sure about what we're spending. Yeah, for me to answer that that question, you also need to look at that section 5300 on the section 53000. You see that is a negative $15,000. Uh that $15,000 is the increment that
you see on section 5380. Uh the reason why we move uh from professional service to other purchases and services is because yes we are going to be able to provide the professional services under the same line item. We're going to be able to
hire professionals uh under that specific section 5380 as well as we have done it on the 5300. With that said, we definitely going to hire uh more
or different type of services that we have done in the past. The city of Lawrence, the city council and the city uh leadership have changed and priorities uh from the city from the city uh from the leadership of that uh city council have also changed but
technologies have also changed. It's not doubt about that. Now we are going to be providing different type of services and when it comes to when it when it when I mean services now we are going going to be providing you know videos that are
going to be translated we are going to keep on providing uh services uh perhaps uh the same type of uh the same type of u translation services that we've started but we're going to add more to those translation
services. Perhaps we're going to go uh more into technology to be able to provide uh those videos that are going to be able to transmit the message that you, me, and the council have brought to this uh through this council.
And with that said, we also have other type of uh services that we're going to be hiring professionals to explain to us, not just leave it up to us, to explain to us and given us professional opinions about different topics. There
is a specific issues that we we haven't have that professional expertise because we always depend on the administration and sometime we don't have that. We don't have that professional like this on this department. This department is the lowest on budget
the most one of the department that is request requested the most because we need to we need to take boat on things that sometime we don't control of sometime we need to provide both uh or
vote on things that we don't have that professional expertise any other department within the city of lens have that professional services and other other purchases and services that they have those professionals coming in but that this department we do not
and unfortunately whether whether we don't whe whether some counselors don't like that or other people might don't like that this is the way that we should be operating. If it is a professional a professional opinion that we need we can
go up there and get that professional opinion that haven't happened in the past that haven't happened in the past and unfortunately to the council that have that that haven't happened in the past why maybe maybe there is other
presidents in the past that don't consider that as an important we do because I personally believe that having an professional expertise on our side that can provide us professional opinions, we're going to be more more educated. But sometime education is bad
and I going to leave it up to that council council. I think one Thank you. Coun counselors both counselors. Um, I guess one example that I can I can put out there as a potential
use of other purchase services when this full council had a debate on and I apologize I'm bringing this up, but the situation for example with city properties and there was a vote taken of
potentially um having legal services or not. The question that night I recall was well where where is this h how are we going to pay for this because using a city our city attorney would have been a conflict
of interest etc. So, we've had moments where where this type of to the council president's point where this type of questions or or need of some type of service um or potential need I should say of services has come
up. Um but then I'm I don't know I'm conflicted but I I just wanted to put that out there. No, and and through your point, I mean, there is there is a lot of professional services that we have right now. If we look to the back of the
of these of these chambers, we have people working for the for the city council and those people get paid. Those line items since we cut the professional service by 15,000 and transfer over to the uh purchase and services is to keep
on providing those services that are going to be now not necessarily going to be on the professional services. is they going to be on the purchase of services because it's the same 15,000 that we transfer from one side to another side. It's like it's not like we coming up with uh a significant amount of dollars
on top of what we already have in the past. President, um I actually just thought of a better example and a and actually a more important example for for this body for uh translation services. As of right now, we have it budgeted just for full council meetings.
However, majority of our discussions, majority of our questioning happens at the subcommittee levels. What I would love to see in the future is having those translation services for every single subcommittee meeting so that the the community can understand what's
going on. Um, and I hope if if this stays here, I I hope that's a priority. I think let's scratch the other example but I think this is a very important example and that's something that could be used to better our jobs as as you
stated during the budget hearing. No and and and by all means essentially that's why we're looking into different type of technology that can uh minimize cost when it comes to the translation services because essentially we would like to see those translation services to go into the subcommittee levels. uh
essentially we we currently we don't have it and if we think about it right now our uh budget for translation for translation services went up a lot more significant because we we don't have we I was just talking that with somebody today about the same situation how we
can reduce those cost we are looking for that but we're also looking for technology as to how we can potentially uh reduce those cost eventually any Councelor Mamo, I just wanted to add um I'm not sure if for
those that watch the the budget and finance meetings like I came across how it bec it was a pattern with uh other departments and we're talking about large sums of money that are being transferred from professional services for example and being placed into other
purchasing services. So once again, you know, I would be in favor of like if we're making cuts that we're looking into, you know, that we're being fair and we're looking into every other department and asking why, you know, why they're they're doing these type of moves. But from uh from based on the
meetings, it was advised that there is some sort of flexibility when it comes to this line item or this account. And and I want to add that yes, we definitely looking into also uh do the
reconciliation of our ordinance and and and money that we actually have on the budget. We are going to be looking into that. Any other counselors before I go back to that uh council council? So one of the
things we expect from other departments that we expect them to come dollar amounts and to be able to provide a basis for I don't quibble with the vision that you have makes a lot of sense to me. What I don't see what we require from anybody
else is well how much is that going to cost? What exactly are you doing? We're talking the explanation that we got for this and the other one. It's like this broad we're going to be bringing in these kind of technology. How much does that technology cost? Because we have to we have to drill and figure out an
estimate for these things. That's how we make a budget. Did you did you ask any other department that can I can I finish? So, so when we so when we put this together that's that's how we get to this budget.
We think that okay translation services it went up. It was $900 whatever session but now it's 1100. When we have the 20 two city council meetings a month that's times 12 that's that's 24 per year. do
the math. So you say okay the translation service we need to have this amount of money. So someone says to how much money do you need? You say this we're talking about the technology. So what are you talking about? What technology you talking about and what is the cost for that? All that all I'm suggesting to you is that is that what
we do whether we ask the question or there's an expectation that we can justify these things. That's one. Number two our city council budget is by percentage the third highest increase in the entire city. not by dollars but by percentage increase. Number one was the
library. We didn't talk about that but it made perfect sense as to why their monies went up so much. Number two was OPD and number three was a city council budget. Our city council budget went up by 5.5%. And so when I looked at this big budget in particular, I looked at the places
where there were significant increases by percentages. This was number three. So I totally get the fact that why are we looking at this so measly, right? But the reality is is that we are we look at ourselves and what we're doing here as leaders. We need to look at ourselves
and we need to figure out let's show let's set the tone. Let's show the rest of the city how we can be accountable and conservative and still do a good job and still do a good job. So that's that is the issue. The third thing and final thing on this one is
we were again not very precise um yet in what it would cost to really make these numbers come alive. I did look at this year's numbers under this particular subobject 5,300. I will tell you that if we continue the trend, we didn't do
anything unlawful, but I do have questions regarding how we spent money this year and we're going to continue that trend into next year which we won't talk about apparently. I would have some I would have some concerns. Um, we've purchased I think after yesterday's
meeting or today's over $1,000 worth of food. We have purchased over $1,500 worth of clothing. We have spent $500 to the to the um the the Hibernians to buy a table uh to go to their event. I don't know if we spend money if Yeah, we did.
$600. We did or somebody else paid for it. $600. We paid for that. So my question if we're going to go down this road I I don't know if we're planning again I don't know what we're planning on here but if we're planning on doing that again the question is especially on that one what happens if there's another group that wants to do something we going to say no to another group we just
pick those two groups and do it there's a lot of other cultural groups that do events and have dinners and such are we going to be now providing tickets for those events it just puts us down I know the intent and it's a good intent we want to support folks I get that it's a
good thing but the problem is that if we go down this road, how do we say no? Who do we decide to say yes to and no to? So, I'm just concerned that if we continue this trend into next year, I just don't again, how do we rationalize going up with taxes and a budget that's
gone up by 5.5%. That's the concern. I'm trying to be fiscally proven. Thank you. I just want to say that just for the record when you mentioned 5.5% increasement on this budget. This total amount this budget uh is is uh last year
was 476,721 and it went up by $26,000. That's 5.5%. And those those are questions are great. You you brought those great questions. I just want to make sure like you bring those questions up to every city uh to
every uh budget perhaps. Uh did you actually bring that those questions to the mayor's office? The mayor's office had very similar budget. Excuse me. I haven't I haven't finished. I haven't finished. I'm responding. I'm I'm responding because the mayor have a a
good similar budget than us when it comes to perhaps uh going to different events. We go to two different events uh that we pay for and you have reject those tickets. We you know you are an
outlier. We understand you're an outlier. We you're an outlier outlier. Uh we understand you didn't take those ticket because you want to save uh the tax dollars money. Yes, we spent about uh uh $1,200 on two events that we
participate. I don't feel ashamed for that at all because at the end of the day, let me tell you something. It's two events that we participate and we brought the ticket for. And as a council president, I I I'm I'm responsible for that because I was
the one proposing that. And if we have food on time, you never eat because you want to save dollar tax dollars money. That's you're trying to be consistent. Yes. But I'm trying for you to be consistent with
other budget on the book and but I understand you. I understand how you want to make me feel as a president like I'm doing the such a wrong job and you also give me a great lesson a great teaching lesson a couple of second ago
when you told me how to manage the city council budget. But I understand point well taken. Uh, I'm not asking you uh for a response. Nope. We we proceed. We'll proceed for you because I asked I did talk to the mayor's office about
this. I did talk to the mayor's office regarding the budget and I said to the mayor's office, you know, regarding the tables and all that stuff and and you already Mr. Spanner already said it this evening. I think it bears repeating. Is this is the mayor's office paying for any of these cultural events out of the
city out of the mayor's office budget? There's some contributions that have been made uh through the city. Uh but you mean what do you mean in terms of does he buy tickets for No, he it comes out of his his own personal the the the
the mayor paid for his ticket but the mayor's office just spend money on different events. No, the events that there have been expended were part of the creative uh I mean
the thriving arts uh funding that was given to all the organizations that have simana uh the Italian festival and some of the others but not not not uh a table or
anything that was was asked through us no fundraising no problem counselors any other questions council mama So again, um I heard that the top two highest percentage of was office of
planning and development and library. Yet not one cut was made by any of the counselors or as of as of yet. So far it's only been in the mayor's office. So again, if this is the top two, why I'm just curious as to why a cut has yet
to be made or even a discussion surrounding that. We're trying to be consistent here. So no councelor any other questions council plan council mammo have the floor if you want to speak you got to speak through the you got no no no but
do you do you want the floor sure my colleague answer the good question when it comes to the library we did not spend the money that we spent on that we would lose accreditation if we cut money out of that budget we would jeopardize the accreditation of the
library I did not want to put that Regarding OPD, there was already there was already there was a contractual obligation which we discussed early this evening because I looked into it. I talked to Octavian Spanner and to the mayor's office and to the capo regarding this and I understood that the offices
regarding the grants that were coming in. So having had a chance to meet with them prior to the prior to the city council budget meetings, I had a chance to ask the questions not necessarily have to bring it here because I was able to have a conversation with them and get the answers that I needed. brings us to
this point. So, um I I appreciate the fact your points are well taken, but to me, this is symbolic. We're not going to save much money for the taxpayers on this, but to me, it's a symbol. It's a symbol of leadership in the city. It's a symbol that we're looking at ourselves and we're going to find ways to be
effective city councilors by being and being fiscally prudent. I've been I've been here long enough to know what it takes to be a successful counselor. There's many ways to do it. Frankly, there's not just one path. There's many path but I can tell you that we don't need certain things. We don't need to pay for certain things to be successful.
The council president I think is on the right target when he wants to bring technology into the scenario. I think there's a place for that. My quibble is find out how much it costs. Just don't throw money at that and say I'm going to figure that out later. Find out what it costs and then say I'm putting $25,000
because we need new laptops. We need screens. We need something because that's going to make us work with our constituents and do our job easier. If it's about doing our job better, I'm all in. But just to say we're just kind of do figure it out on the fly. That's
something that doesn't that's not what I'm looking for in a city council for me. Thank you, Council President. Any other questions? Madame Clair, please call the council levy. This is a cut of $28,000 from your
budget for the um line 5380. Council Lantel Luzon. No. Council Del Rosario. No. Councelor, you faked me out there. I thought you were going to say something different. No. Council, thank you.
Council Mama, no. Council Reyes. No. Council vice president. No. Council president one to eight this time. Really? One to eight. Any other? Yeah, I've got I got I was going to predict that. I'm going to
predict the same result on this one, but I think it's important that we have this vote. This one is far less. This is under uh this is under other charge charges and expenses on the city council. Page 26, same page. And this is a smaller amount.
I I know I know people think this is funny. Can you give me the number again? Was this objective? Pardon me. The objective. Um, this is for uh dues and memberships. Okay. Essentially, we're it's $10,000 is the whole thing. I You can juggle the money
around, I guess. Um, I just Can you give me the object code? I apologize. Object code. It's a usually 5253. 57 5730. Thank you. So it's for $4,000. I'm just looking for if it gets seconded.
I'm just looking for an explanation. Second. It's a motion on the table. Probably second discussion discussion. So I just want to know what dues and memberships we're paying for. Um I know that I think
we're involved with the N association. Are we all part of that? Are we all a membership? Are we paying for that out of our pocket? No, the the mayor and the mayor's paying for that. So this year we
we we paid Gotcha. Thank you. So this year we paid 550 bucks. I don't know what we paid for for dues and members. I think it's good for us to know what dues and membership are paying for. Can you enlighten us on what we're paying for and what we expect to pay for in the next year? Different counselors have different uh entities that they might
become become might become part of it. Uh one of the ones that I have that I'm part of it and I believe that I submit this year watch for the NA first time I've been part of the organization for 10 years and this is the first time that
I actually submit there is other councilors that have also submit for that the intent is to have the city council involved not to be on a bubble that many so I just saw again through this year.
I don't know what those for. Are those all Are these all for this year? Is stuff about 700. That's where that was I believe that's what it is. I mean, there is some some of them that are
potentially others, but I'm looking forward perhaps counselors to join the national league of cities. Uh there is another member another membership that they can be part of. There is another another organizations that uh potentially the
city council might be might be able to join and there is some local other locals organization that bas on their careers they can ask the city council uh to join those membership. Why not? And and I'll get back to that in a second. The out of state travel we went
to DC. That makes sense to me. I 5,000 I you know I don't know how much this year $5,000 actually we didn't spend anything oh as of mean that we haven't we haven't spent a
lot more than that because we just went to DC so 5,000 so I I don't know I don't know let's end this our intended but the first is good to know what we're looking to spend the
money. So, if you do the National League of Cities, you should say to us, you know, we're looking at the National League of Cities. It's going to be $100 per counselor, whoever wants to do it, it's going to be sorry $900, if it's going to be whatever the other group is. So, we have some sort of estimate. Again, I realize this
is small potatoes and I'm going to stop the app here in about three seconds, but this is an important symbolism and showing that we're leading by example. Thank you. Any other questions? Councelor um Reyes, this is to $4,000 from line
5730, which is your dues and memberships. Council President, I'm going to withdraw that just for the concept. I mean, why not? Um because you you you justified it somewhat and I don't want to beat the dead horse beyond that. I think the $5,000 is not enough frankly for the
air. I'm well aware of the of the democratic principles here. So teaching lessons I need to give you. Now listen, you don't need counselors. The motion has been withdrawn. It's 12:38 at this point. U
any other amendment to the to the budget? Uh, councelor Mama 128. Page 128. proposing a cut of $25,000. This is for fund 01, department 0049,
division 0079. And this would go under line item salary and wages 5110. It's a proposed cut of 25. You mentioned $25,000 on the division
5110. And this is for the cemetery. And that's for the cemetery. It's been properly second discussion. And it's going to be the same answer 5%. It's what I uh trying to be fair. uh
looking at all the positions where it was well above the 5%. Um and trying to find trying to be fair and trying to find what departments that we could actually make some uh some cuts
that um it wouldn't cause a detriment um but it would be effective for the overall cuts that uh would take place. for this budget. Any other questions? Any other counselors?
I'd like to know what the impact would be on a cut like this. That's it for the salary permanent. Is there anybody here in the administration that can say what impact that would be? How much? 25,000.
Good morning. The director of the cemetery. Yeah. So, councel plan have question. Repeat. There's a motion. There is an I probably second. I think there's a motion to cut the cemetery personal services by $25,000.
What's the impact on the department of $25,000? I think she's Are you tired? I'm just tired. The cemetery As you may understand this entity of its own, it produces what
is asking the city to give it. And the position of anyone that works at the cemetery is actually not even reflected in what they get paid. So there is the impact is that
it should have been realized what um you're looking for in a director and I understand you want to make a budget cut but if you have all directors making a certain income you cannot just
identify one director you want to come when that one that one director gets their um increase after four years. Can you can you repeat that to the mic? I wasn't able to after four years the
director gets their increase then you decide well you know we have to make budget cuts. So then you identify the director you want to cut. I wasn't able to understand a little more clear like what do you mean?
Because the the the cut is directly to the uh salary to the salary. Yes. And that salary affects me sir directly that that and then that's me directly. So I'm answering for myself. And you say the four four years. Yeah. I've been in
the position four years. Council president. Council president. Oh without increase. I wasn't able to hear that last part. Okay. Council president. Okay. Cold on one second. Council me. So while something quick all the directors there are increases but I didn't get
just for the sake of you didn't have a problem this year you do for the sake of of minimizing comments or unnecessary comments because I know the senior advisor is just trying to do his job but
um if the administration has input on this particular budget can we have at least the chief of staff come before just to avoid any mis you know mis if that's okay with the administration
appearance of thank you what was the question you had question I I was just trying to protect no no no I was just trying to you know so the question is how does uh I mean the original question
the other line question was related to how that how this cut will be affected affecting the department. It will be affecting it and it will you mentioned that it will be affecting it would not if you look at the budget for the Belleview Cemetery it's a very level
funded budget. It's a very concise budget and the cemetery is a business. what your what it what the the city offers. It gives it 400 500 let's say it's giving it 550,000
last year. Well, it's probably receiving that same amount in return. We give you 60% back business. So, my salary, you might be giving me, you think you're giving me a $25,000
increase, but you're going to get it back, not only in revenue, but you get it in service and quality and input from me because I deserve that. And um if you look all across the board
and consistency since that was your your language tonight, consistency then you have to look at all the pay for the directors and then you look at my pay and then you say okay then that's
why she should not get that increase. But you cannot just decide, oh, we're going to make a cut and then just cut one director who's not even where the other directors are. Council President, um I'm not sure if you've seen this budget, but every director um not every
director has gotten an increase and um the directors have not gotten an increase. Not every director from every department. They didn't get the um the increase like just to correct you from before. That's cuz they're taking into consideration union directors don't get
increased. Taking into consideration that taking into consideration that you haven't received a raise, I am willing to accept a friendly amendment if one is given. However, um still calculating uh a 5% increase for those four years,
it would amount to $16,000. So I I still stand by the fact that there should be a cut considering that we have to figure out how to balance this budget.
Uh council u taking into consideration what you just said uh you proposing $25,000 cut and you mentioned that based on the a quick math will be 16,000 increasements. There's a difference of
uh $13,000 then. No. Cor. Correct. So you if you're looking if you're looking to how about you can produce a an an an amendment to your own motion to just present that as a 13,000.
Okay. If you want to no council council mama, you still have the floor. You're good. All right. Councelor Luzion. Yes, they were the one actually that for a few sorry my board of director were the ones
that um recommended recommended and they have written not only this year but um based on my um performance just I did speak to the HR director previously. I do get an evaluation every year from
my board of director and based on that evaluation for the years that I have been there, they have been writing to the mayor and um recommending my increase. So if I was to get a 5% increase like um councelor Marmo
suggested for the four years, it would have I would have been at the level that the mayor finally was able to give me this time. And I'm going to ask again the same question. So this can hear you
clearly. So the last time that that your department that uh the this the cemetery director got a raise uh was four years ago. Is that accurate? Four years ago. Right. When I first came on board um
they put it to where it's supposed to be according to the Collins Center recommendation. So there really wasn't an increase in me. That's when they qualified the position which originally the person that was prior to me was 85. But when they did the evaluation and I
came on board, they adjusted it to what it was supposed to be 95. But that wasn't directly my race. That was that where it's supposed to have been after they gave me the position because I came in as professional. as a
result of that uh college. But that wasn't right. That wasn't my raise. That was so since I've been there, I didn't have a raise. Originally, the position is like it was like 60,000. It was 85 for the person prior to it. it went up to 85,000 through and then when they
adjusted put it at 95 and then but uh also I want to uh mention that and I understand we are trying to cut here and there and with any block uh but
just for my colleagues keep in mind that we have officers making uh and I'm going to refer to uh this uh specific We have uh officers making
more than $100,000 in some department. So this this this discrepancy in salaries this administration tend to do that. If you check like inspe inspection
services, you can find a you can find a salary someone making more money than the a director. You can find that. So I don't know how they do it, but it's it's I don't think
it's supposed to be that way. Um, and then you go to community development on planning and what's the name of that department? Planning OPD. Thank you. Council the plan. You find officers making over
$100,000. So I think administration is not is not paying attention to the way the salaries uh to this to the way they raise salaries. In this case we find a
director uh in this budget we find a director making less than an officer from OPD or community development or financial officer. I think that's the title that
we uh look uh into in the in the budget and finance meeting. Um and I do know that uh the cemetery is a place that a department that is always
busy uh giving the last goodbye to our residents. So and the amount of work that they do it's It's a lot. So, I just want you my to to my colleagues to take that in consideration. I do understand that we
need to make cuts. Unfortunately, where we're not we haven't been able to do so, but in this particular case, we have a director that's making now $95,000. If you compare that to an officer to a
financial officer and OPD or community development that is unacceptable. Thank you. Council president any other council less to do in charge.
Thank you. So what is this has less to do specifically about the cemetery although it's tied in I just listen to my colleagues discussing the executive director's positions it is
wild in our budget how the the range is. I mean, you you've you you're either getting paid 80,000 or you're getting paid 125,000 ballpark. I looked at ISD, I looked at Belleview,
HHS, library, veterans, and recreation. just very quickly while you were talking and there seems you know I know there's a discrepancy if you're going to be the police department chief and you're dealing with uh whatever the millions of dollars budget that you're
facing and the number of employees and it's 247 that's one thing right and that's a different animal than another division where it's probably a smaller number and um the equally well they're important they're all important But the
the point here is that it it's a it's a wide discrepancy and and and what we see happen is and by the way this happens this has happened when I was first on the council in 1998 and it's happening in 2025. employees say, "I'm doing all this work and the person over there is doing less
work than me and is getting paid 10 time, you know, $20,000 more and why am I not getting paid that?" And and it happens every year all the time. And it kills morale because there's this indighting among city employees
regarding whose worth is what and who's pulling their weight and who's not and who's the favorite and who's not the favorite, who's got whatever. So, it's it's constant and I I don't know how we fix that except that the only thing I could ask the administration to do is is
to look at these. Um, factor in the the factor in the the amount of time an individual has been working there, factor in if they're doing performance reviews, factor that in. If you haven't you if performance reviews haven't been done, which I found out during the
police chief search, please do it. It is important because it provides justification for potential salaries. And by frank and frankly, if you have an underperforming employee, write that employee up because every time you go through and you just say, "I'm just going to ignore it." Well, that person
continues to rise through the ranks and starts getting all the benefits of it and that person's underperforming. Give the kudos to those who deserve it. And if those people are not measuring up as they should or required, those need to be noted because we we don't we're all public servants and we're all
supposed to be doing things for the public. So, back to this, I don't have an answer. I've got a question and a request. Can we get to a point where we can look at the various departments, I've seen a couple of them, I don't want to pull them out, that have been working here for over five or six
years and are at an incredibly low salary. Incredibly low salary. and as a as a department head and I've seen some folks who are relatively new and doing pretty well and I so I can see where there's conflict and division. Um it's
up to the administration to really take the bull by the horns and you've got to work with your personnel director. You have to work with the personnel director. You've got to bring the personnel director in because that's your neutral party. she he or she's
supposed to be a buffer and work strictly within the confines of the law and provide you the in the city attorney's office um the the pathway to do things honestly and fairly across the board. It sounds like I'm lecturing. I don't mean to, but I I'm frustrated when
I see this because my colleague makes a good point. All of a sudden, we're we're raising somebody's salary 25,000. Well, why didn't we do it incrementally? So, we don't have this discussion right now. Why didn't we? I don't have an answer. I don't know why. But now we're in this tough spot. And the argument makes make
sense. If you got a 3% raise every year, maybe you're up to where this is, something like that, right? But why aren't we doing that for the other directors who are stagnant for the last four years that haven't seen a pay increase? And why aren't they getting the same kind and they're doing a good
job. Why aren't they getting the same accommodation as what we're looking at here? I don't have an answer. I'm asking the administration to do a little bit more and be more fair. Thank you, Chief of Staff. Good morning, William Castri, chief of staff. Uh, in
regards to your comment, uh, council, uh, we are working together with the personal director, Caro Garcia. We are addressing those issues in regards to evaluation, employment, uh, tactics to,
uh, discipline, give them races where appropriate, and we are addressing those items. All right. But we need to we need to see we need to see that into action. So So good that you're looking at it. We've
had four years of this now. Um this this mayor has been in office for four years. Whether you like him or hate him, regardless of that, that opportunity has been there to correct this mis unbalance. And it hasn't happened yet. I'm hopeful that it happens soon because
It tears the city apart a little bit when we see the kind of conflict. Thank you. No, I appreciate we appreciate the comment. The administration is definitely has been working very hard as noted. Uh we came with a calling center. We address a lot of those issues uh
coming in. But as you know uh when we came when the mayor's office came into uh action, there were a lot of discrepancies in the mayor's office. I mean, I can give you back the first day we came into office. There was not even a pencil in the
mayor's office. The mayor actually had to take money out of his pocket to go buy a pen that we can write on. That's how that's how bad it was. So, we are making improve. I think we have made tremendous improvement at the mayor's
office regardless. Yeah. Thank you. Uh uh something else that that we need to take into consideration is that sometime those increasements um that we have on on people
actually instead of doing good things to the entire whole and the entire umbrella of the city you do bad things because there is many employees that keep on saying why am I not getting anything and this person that just started is getting
uh this amount of percentage when it comes to increasement on the salary. Doing a doing some type of a system that is based on percentage that that will reflect the reality of working for an
institution or an organization or perhaps uh a an in public entity. You don't see that anywhere like you're getting Motion to pass one. A motion to pass one. You don't see if it's properly second. All those in favor, please say I. I. The
eyes have it. So you don't see that on the U on the private sector like perhaps having someone uh just getting a percentage of getting a an a specific amount. Usually what you see in the private sector is like when you earn,
you know, less than some amount of dollars and then they give you a dollar raise or an a specific amount of dollars raised or perhaps they give you a percentage. That's the most common thing, not an an an amount just to get
you to to what the calling center is called for. And that brings morale down to a lot of other employees that are not getting anything and and then essentially that get reflected uh into the services that we providing
to this to the people because that quality of service is no longer there. U just to address your comment uh council president we have been trying u from the beginning from day one from day one we've been
working with three HR directors and increases has been done by the calling center a calling center that was that came in place before we even came into office and we had to do the directors first and then we did no actually the
calling center was and then chief chief chief The calling center was approved under this administration. Yeah, but it was applied to before. It was it was done before, but it was approved by the city council under this administration. I think that's what they said. And as
you know, as a city council as working with the personal having experience with the HR department as an HR degree that I have, you first have to tackle the director which has no union. Then you have to work with the unions which is much difficult to work with the
with the union to increase those salaries. So we have vice president. Thank you. Uh just for clarification because I I'm I'm brought up a concern earlier about the the
perform performance evaluations and everything. director. You mentioned that your your board of directors pro um evaluated you and was that submitted to to HR? No. Um the Bel.
Okay. Okay. So either way, there's something they do. Okay. So either but there's something on record that is recorded in the yearly minutes of that meeting. My evaluation
I'm not personal. Thank you. I'm I'm I'm glad there's some I'm glad they they do that because I wish we had this for the rest of the city. So I that's how it's done. That's Yeah. Okay. Thank you. And then based on that that's where I've gotten the
recommendation every year, but um this is the first time that Thank you. I do recommend just in case I I know the the board of directors is your hiring authority and and etc. But to at least
have a copy of in our HR department for purpose of Okay. All right. If they Oh, okay. They do. Okay. All right. Thank you. Uh um just to take into consideration the
the four years of uh no salary raise. I'm willing to do uh an amendment to my original motion, which is just to cut 13,000 from this uh from this department. All right. Out of that uh $25,000 proposed now is it's going to be
$13,000 uh proposed cut. Can I get a just to double check? Can I get a second? I mean, just in case. Yeah, just for the amendment. I mean, I don't think I need to council
second. just in case. I don't think I need it, but I mean, all right. The discussion is around the $13,000 got out of the 29,000. Uh, any other questions? Councelor, council president. Council Luzon, I I do
understand council mar position. I know it's it's it's difficult. So, we're looking to cut uh in this budget and we haven't done a lot unfortunately but I think uh once again
we have to take in consideration that in this case this uh position hasn't get a raise for the last four years and if we compare
a this salary to other salary is this salary is in disadvantage this position is in disadvantage compared to others. I'm going to repeat myself once again. If you take a close look of other
departments, you will find officers, financial officers making more money than uh that salary that we have in front of us. I think we should uh take in consideration that the uh board
um uh what's the name of the board? Believe has suggested and recommended a raise to this position. I think we should honor that. Uh
unfortunately uh we're looking to cut but I think this is the wrong place to cut. Unfortunately. Thank you, council president. Thank you to you, council president. And also we need to consider it or take keep
in mind that the cemetery is an enterprise. The cemetery makes their own money. So every money they basically they they make money uh as an enterprise. So that's that's that's also should be taken into consideration. No no they make but they're not the only
account. Am I right? And the water department. So the water department water department, too. Sorry. I thought they make the money, but I mean I probably use the word
enterprise, but they make money. President of President I I want to say thank you Miss Lopez to do the the job you doing. H we really can see the different with the this cemetery four years ago and now
and I second the motion because I have to open the floor for my college or for the item but and I agree that's not the right place to the the budget
we are trying to to court many from many other department or many other uh uh erh erh many other people we try to to save
money I think there are many employee has advantage or they don't I don't know how they
do the what criteria criteria they use to increase the salary but I was checking many the others department and they don't have your salary. I think it's agreed to not cut it through you, Mr. President.
If I may, I want to just um dispose though. It's been a long day and morning, but I um the cemetery is grateful. The cemetery is 115 acres of developed land. Um we will be expanding
the undeveloped. As you know, the city is growing. The cemetery does not only belong to the city of Florence. part of it is in the thin as well. But um half of um most of our residents I now have
80,000 residents that I do deal with. Those are the people I work with. While you have I don't know how many constituents each of you work with, but I work with 80,000 of them. And trust me, that's a lot. So I am and I
understand each of your work as well, but that's what I deal with and that's I respond to and I have to answer to. So yes, I have to close that seven. You have to open it. You better be in big tough shape because yeah, I'll be getting those phone calls just like you
do. So yes, my work I do I do I don't deserve 125. I know my worth and I know what I I know what I do. It's not about the money, but what's fair is fair. If we're going to cut, we're going to make
cuts. Let's make it across the board. Let's make this equitable. Well, let's make it equitable. But you cannot just go on the department and ask the smallest budget and say I'm going to cut 13,000 because that's unacceptable.
Uh yeah, Miss uh director, I mean it is on our job to actually approve the budget, reduce it or deny it. So we can we cannot just say it is not acceptable. No, no, no. But I understand it is our
we we it is our job to do to do so. Say like we understand your point though. Thank you councelor. Before we go to you councel just just council president once again let me just go to councelor just you know you have something to say. No I want to pass to my colleague Mr. Lan
because my idea was this. Thank you. Thank you. So, my idea is this. What what makes sense to me is I'm trying to split the baby a little bit. I I hear all the arguments. I'm just wondering if there's any way possible that we can make this a two-step process. So, um this year we
increase your salary by 12 or 13,000 16,000 on this proposal. I'm I'm trying to get to a certain place. The goal here is to get to to 20 I think $25,000. We like to get it done like starting
this year. I understand that. But if there was an understanding, I'm not sure how we could use how we can codify this. But there was understanding we do a two-step process where we we say you you done a very good job. We're going to increase your salary there. Another good performance review after this year.
We're going to get you to that 25. That way it provides um it it and that gives the administration a chance to also look at the other the directors and other departments. So when we come next year and to have this you will then be with good performance
review be able to get that up to the 25 that you want for this year and then we look at the other ones. So there's fairness and equity as best that we can in a very imperfect system. Just an idea and I'm waiting for the capital to shoot it down. Perfect. You should have done that 23 and 24. Well, if if it was given
to us, I don't want to argue with this, but did we have that in 23 and 24? I'm not sure we did. Um, just to echo what our city attorney, Miss Guff, just to echo what our city attorney said. He's the expert in the matter. We
are not here to specifically cut a specific position. No, we're not. Okay. We're not proposing Yeah. Right. So, yeah, exactly. We are not proposing as an a specific salary to con point that
it is it is a a a line item under the specific budget 5110. That's that's the line item. Thank you. Uh councelor Mamo I mean sorry let let's go to councelor Rees. You have a friendly amendment.
Councelor Rees, I want to do a friendly amendment to maintain the budget as it is. Second. It is a f is a is hold on one second. A friendly amendment is a friendly amendment. Give me one second. Friendly
amendment. Do you accept the friendly amendment, council? It's not been accepted. The only way that you can do it is propose uh to maintain the budget as is. I don't know if we can do that. I never seen that.
But if we if the motion if the motion get denied, you have a motion on the floor. It's a motion on the floor. Then would if you want to vote yes or no, just vote no against the exact Yeah. Said no. Okay. Right. But to get your
You withdraw her motion technically. Yeah. Just vote no if that's what you want. Yeah. She was friendly though. to vote. Yeah. Yeah, that's fine. Response. Council president. All right. Let's uh let's call the question. Madame Clair, please call the role. Council
Levy. Council Levy. No. No. Council plant. This is to cut $13,000. $13,000. No. Council Luzon. No. Council Del
Rosario. No. Council Santiago. No. Council Mama. Yes. Councel Reyes. No. Councelor and Council Vice President Fonte. No. Council President Rodriguez. Yes. Okay. What's the count? 227. Motion
fails. Motion fails. Uh councilors, any other amendment onto the budget? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Any other amendment counselors? At this time, if it is not other amendment, I'll call the questions. Uh we have a couple of vote that we need to take for us to
take. Uh yeah, we're going to review. I got my little paper here. So I I'll tell you what I have just make sure I'm not missing anything. Um so right now we have um the motion need to actually be reconsidered because I mean we have a
motion that is abroad with the entire budget and we cannot do that. We have to do the entire motion but one department. Am I right? Yeah. Make two votes.
I mean, yeah. You're going to abstain on one. I mean, yeah. Okay. Everything but your department, right? So, can I just review what Sure. We have. Okay. So, um $30,000 reduction on the mayor's office
advertising account 010210 5344. Yeah. $30,000 from emergency management. 012410 5380
and 99,000 from the mayor's office. 99,999. Oh, okay. It was $1 less than 100. Oh, okay. I thought it was 1,000. Okay. No. Um, so was the dollar less? Okay. Um, and those are the only ones I have.
Those three are the one that went through. We have a total of 1599.99. Uh yeah, we got almost 160. All right. Uh the motions are the motion need to be recon. Who was the one put on the
motion? Yeah. So I don't think I don't think you're going to be able to. No, he can make this. This actually is perfect. Like if you make this motion makes a motion to approve the FY26 budget with a 159.99 introductions as further amended by the
617 memo from the C acting capital excluding the administration and finance budget. That will be the motion. All right. There is a motion to read as follow uh by councelor de Rosario. What's the motion?
The motion councelor Rosario. Motion done. Motion to approve the FY2026 proposal budget with 159,000 999
in reduction amend as feather amend by D 0617 2025 memo from the acting cath excluding the administration and finance budget.
That is the motion and the second was by initially it was councel Reyes. Councelor Reyes you want to second it again. Do you mind second the motion? Second the motion again. Yeah it's been second by councelor Reyes. Uh we have discussed the amendment. There is no
more amendment at this time. I'll call the role. Madame cl I'm confused. Okay. All right. Uh okay. Oxy. So essentially that there is every
everything with the with the cuts that was proposed almost $160,000 uh the entire fiscal fiscal year budget except that uh the finance uh except yeah administration finance and
administration budget uh due to a potential conflict of interest uh that's why it is it is been done separate. So, uh everything but that department with the cuts that was proposed. That's
the motion. And and council president and and council Rosario will leave. Yes. Eventually when it comes to the next vote which is the finance the finance budget, the administration on finance budget he will step out. So it so that
will be the last. So you Let me explain it to myself. So we dividing the the budget. So this is almost the complete budget that we almost bought that a specific department without that. So if we vote uh let's say that if we
vote yes, we're going to be approving the proposed budget. That's correct. Okay. If we don't Okay, I get it. So voting yes on this coming vote will be approving the entire budget but the uh the administrator on finance
office there's a motion on the floor there's a motion yeah so essentially that that's that's what we have voting yes to the vote voting yes to the motion means that you are approving
the fiscal year budget 2026 accepting the administrator and planning uh administrator and finance budget. Voting no to the motion means that uh uh you are and uh you are denying the
budget. Okay. increase the taxes the 3.56 the budget is the budget include that a 3.58% increasement already can you repeat the amount is a 3.58%
38% tax increase tax increase which is the 2.5 the the 2.5% plus the new growth so voting yes you're approving the budget. Voting no, you deny the budget.
Council president. Yes. Council Le we have to have an override. Let's let's have the couple uh explain. new growth. So what is the increment? 58. No, but I mean that's what we're
increasing. Councelor. Yes. But it's not Miss Gaffo. Right. So for Massachusetts law, a municipality is allowed to increase two and a half% of prior year levy, which is what we're doing. We're also allowed to increase new growth
which is 1 million and 200,000. So the sum of the two is what's uh amounting to the 3.58%. This is approximately 3.19 million. Please could you explain what is new growth?
Yes. So new growth could be a combination of things. It could be uh exempt properties that are being added to the tax role. It could be additions uh new permits that uh residents are issuing. So all that gets analyzed and
then gets added to uh new growth. This is new estimate of new growth. Once we get the the final new growth based on what the assessor's office get from the evaluation or the the assessments, then we actually increase it or decrease it.
Last year our estimated new growth for 2025 was 900,000 but we actually million4. Yeah. So this is an estimate. It could be higher depending on what we get for additions per so miss.
Uh she's asking uh who pays the new growth? Who pays the new growth? added to the tax roll. Everybody, right? Everybody. Everybody. Of course, it's based on, you know, the
valuation of your property and there's a lot of different things that go into effect. Yeah. Um, so based on the evaluation of your property, you also pay the new growth. That's right. Levy. Yes. Thank you, Council President. Final question. Last year or this year
when before the le We have super95,000,000. We increase the idea that we increase and we have $95,000 that we can use this year to reduce some of the
um not sure what that is. 95,000 95,000 95,000. So 95,000 is like well it's not too much but you are supposed to be I don't remember that. I'm not sure what that is. I guess I need a little more
information. You're not referring to 50,000 or 950 the X is live capacity. I think it's a new growth from last year which was like the 950,000. So last year's new growth was 900,000.
the uh last year's estimate for no growth was 900,000 but the actual was a million4. Yeah. So I'm not really sure where the 95,000 came from. Probably Charlie probably Charlie probably you're confused Santiago
and you was talking about last year. Can you tell us how much the taxes increased last year? Um I 4.5 I have my Yes. So
I want to say for the last few years uh we have not taxed to the full capacity. No no no the question is how much we tax last year. That's that's it. Okay. Um last year we did do the two and a half plus new growth. And how much that add?
Yeah. How much was that? Add with the one the 1.4 million. So that was 3 uh four. You sure? Yes. So new growth I mean the taxes was
2.4 million and then 1.420. Well, with the new growth at actual. Yeah. So when we do the tax recap, we adjust the new growth. So we added to it. So even though we had 900,000 to begin with, we do use the actual numbers
to actually calculate the actual taxes. So right now everybody's getting preliminary taxes for the third quarter. But when we do the tax recap and it's approved by the state in November, that's the statistics or the numbers that we use for the actual taxes that how much that was about
um percentage million8 percentage wise um it was around the same 3 point something. All right, let's get the actual later on and send it to us. Yep. So it's about three something.
Okay. Council president Luzan. Um and um can you u give us the balance for the free cash and um are we taking money from the free cash to balance the budget? No. No.
So what we are I'm asking the capo please. Thank you. So, what we're doing is um we have set money aside for the additional debt for the new two for the two new schools and the police station. We did not um get an
override or a debt exclusion to build these projects. So, what we decided to do was take the money from the ARPA funds that we've had and we are allocating some money to pay for that additional debt service. So, we are
using per the um uh appropriation order $5 million from debt service to pay for the additional debt service. Not necessarily balance the budget, but to pay for the additional debt service related to those three projects. And how much do we have in the free cash now?
How much million? So, free cash was certified at $15 million. There has been some items that have come before council, one of them being the the uh fire department, 792,000 for overtime. And we do have some items before you um
that have not yet uh been finalized. But right now, uh if that passes, u year-end transfers and some of the transfers originally was $15 million and it's going to end up being about $7.5 million. My last question console
president uh in last year may I sure last year how much uh we had what was the balance on the free cash I have a lot of papers to go through. Okay, so last year's free cash originally was um certified at 43
million and as you know two years in a row we were blessed fortunate to have additional money fall into a free cash related to ARPA. Correct. Yeah. So at the end of that year um we did have a lot of transfers
to stabilization funds to build up our reserves and 15 million of that uh was transferred to debt service for uh the purpose I explained earlier. Um we also had uh 7 million for the civilization reserve for undesated funds which is a a
rainy fund um reserve. This this uh fund is kind of like free cash because designated. It's not designated for a specific purpose. Um, but it's not restricted as free cash is in terms of the timing. Our free cash doesn't get
certified probably until October. So, if there's anything that we needed between the beginning of the fiscal year until October, we cannot use free cash until it's certified by the state. Thank you, thank you, thank you for All right, we're moving on on the on the on the
questions. We have a motion that it was presented u to approve the fiscal uh fiscal fiscal year 2026 budget with the session of 159,999 uh in reduction or amendments as a
further amend by the uh by that 617 2025 memo from the acting cafo including the administr excluding the administration and finance budget with that second answer. If it is not other questions, I I'll call the question. Madame Clair,
please call the role. Council Reyes, yes. Council Mamo, no. Council Santiago, no. Council Deario, yes. Council Luzon, no. Council La
Plant, yes. Council Levy, yes. Council Vice President, no. Council President, I vote no. What's the count? Um, I got one, two, three, four yeses. Motion fails. Yeah.
Uh, let's go with the other uh three. Well, with the other three motions, uh, the three motions will be a motion to approve the parking garage enterprise
uh, funds. Do you mean let's get I wait on that. Okay, I'll wait on that. Uh the motion is to uh motion to approve the parking garage enterprise fund. Uh councelor can I get a motion on that? So moved before the for the amount of 1,12 500.
So moved. Motion to approve properly second discussion. Voting yes on this motion means that you're going to approve the parking garage enterprise fund for the amount of 1,12500. Um discussion council plan. So we just
voted against the biggest portion of the budget. Are we taking three votes or two? Four. We taking four votes. The enterprise account. Three three independent votes. Enterprise accounts and then what's after that one? What's the third vote? Three enterprise account. Three enterprise accounts in
the main budget and then another one which is for the finance uh administrative finance. So if we vote for everything else, let's say we run the table. We still have an unbalanced budget. Correct. We don't have a budget. Partial budget, but not a full budget. Yeah, the enterprise are independent.
So, we can take a vote on that. I just um at some point we're going to obviously need we're going to need to a we stopping the government from working on July 1st because that's what happens. Um and I don't know what the plan is uh
for those who decided to vote no. So, I don't I don't know there, but I guess you're going to explain that to us when we get Yeah. uh or the administration can present another budget before then uh before June 30.
Uh yes and if uh if if the administration find common ground that that come that is in order if they present another budget we have done that in the past. How how how does that happen? How do we find common ground counselor? That's out of order if we
have another another motion. We have a motion for the enterprise account and then we can have a motion and discuss that. Um a motion to u there is a motion to approve that uh enterprise uh fund for the amount of 1,12500
properly second discussion on this motion. At this time I hear no motion. Madame clum I hear no discussion. Madame cl please call the role. Council levy. This is for the enterprise for parking. Yep.
Council plant. Yes. Council Luzon. Yes. Council Del Rosario. Yes. Council Santiago. Yes. Council Mama. No. Council Reyes. Yes. Council Vice President Fonte. Yes. Council President. I vote. Yes. U. Motion carries. I need a
motion to approve uh the April Enterprise uh fund for the amount of 783,000. Can I get a motion for that? So moved. There's a motion on the table properly. Second discussion on the enterprise related to the April. I hear no. Madame Clair, please call the role.
Council Reyes, yes. Council Mama, no. Council Santiago, no. Council Del Rosario, yes. Council Luzon, yes. Council Plant, yes. Council Levy,
yes. Council Vice President, yes. Council President, I vote yes. Motion carries. I'm looking for a motion to approve the water and sewer enterprise funds for the amount of 21,778. So move. There's a motion on the table properly second. Discussion on the
enterprise for that uh water arms work. I hear none. Uh Madame Clair, please call the role. Council Levy, yes. Council plant, yes. Council Luzon, yes. Council Delazario, yes. Council Santiago, no. Council ammo.
No. Council vice pre um council Reyes. Yes. Council vice president. Yes. Council president vote. Yes. Motion carries. How's the com? 72. 72. 72. Okay. All right. At this time, uh we
don't have any other item to discuss. Um I will No, that one will be together with the with the other one which is the main one. We don't have to do we don't have to do it now. We don't have to do that now. Well, once we have the the main budget
and then we do the two boats if we have to. Can I can I ask my I got two questions. Sure. So, um here's the easy one. Uh we didn't have a meeting obviously yesterday. Are we going to schedule that meeting sometime? When are we having that meeting? Uh there is an an special
meeting um already scheduled for Monday. uh on that meeting I um the the the agenda is including the is including the all the committee reports. Um if that goes through and then um the
only thing we're going to have new is new new business and uh and then we can go from there. If we need to make another meeting to make up that meeting from yesterday we def well two days ago and then we can definitely uh move on on that as well. So that's the easy one. So
Monday is where we're going to have yesterday's meeting is going to take place on Monday without the only the only the uh the committee reports and the new business get referred to get referred right new business to get referred the committee potentially that could be but I don't I don't think we
have enough time to actually re revisit the agenda since tomorrow is today is a holiday. Well, uh, what we could do is this. Um, in anticipation of of that, for example, I we could
we on Monday morning, for example, ordinance. Did you get backed up an ordinance? This is kind of crazy. No, but I mean, I have all the other committee reports from that meeting. I understand, but I'm talking about the new stuff that's coming in. We're backed up. And so if we do if we if the clerk, which we can't do now because it's
Thursday morning at this point on on Monday morning when she comes back to the office because it doesn't if she even comes on Friday, it doesn't count because it's a it's a holiday or something, right? No, Friday is not a holiday. Friday is a normal but they they taking it off. So my question is this, can we when's the earliest, for
example, we can do an ordinance committee meeting with the understanding that you're going to refer things to that committee? Is it Tuesday? Is it Wednesday? If we posted a meeting on Friday, Friday would count. It's not a holiday and it's
not a weekend. Um, wait, wait, wait. We're going to get to that point later. So, if you posted a meeting like Friday morning, you you have to has to stay posted for 48 hours. So, Friday counts and Monday counts. And
using that math, you could have a meeting as early as Tuesday at 9:00 am if we posted it Friday at 9:00 am or you could post it Tuesday night. So if the council president decides to actually put things he anticipates, of course, he actually has to do it at a meeting to actually make it count, but he can
anticipation for ordinance. We could do it on Tuesday or Wednesday. Yeah, we could do it on Tuesday night. Our normal Tuesday night, but I don't have an agenda of what you like posted. That's a question. But we have the the
previous one on the new business. We have that posted. So that's on an agenda. I should right. So I just need to be referred to a committee and then I can refer it without being in a meeting. I can refer Monday. Yeah, I can refer to a committee. All right. So that that's number one. Doesn't have to be in
public. Okay. So I like to do it on Tuesday. Yeah, we can do that. Yeah. That's one. Two. That has to get posted tomorrow. Okay. Well, maybe otherwise Wednesday. Today, today's a holiday.
It's June 19th right now. So, you really would either be doing it one like what time does budget meet. So, could you do six? So, could you do could do six? It' be fast, but we could do it a lot of it done. If we have the discharge, we could
we do six. Yes. On Tuesday. One, two. We got Yes. As fast as we can. as much as we can. Okay, that's my first question, council president. Second question, now that we've taken this, we didn't pass a budget tonight. So, do not pass budget.
So, now the question is um if we don't do anything, there's no checks. There's no government starting July 1st. So, what are we doing? Well, um on the special meeting on Monday, the administration can propose a new budget. We denied this budget or this
budget get denied as I as far as I remember back then in 2018 uh you actually proposed a new budget with a Dallas C. Remember that vote? But my question wait but but you got better memory than I do
apparently. But but here's the question. I mean does the mayor understand what the council's looking for? Is there been a discussion? Does he do they even know? I mean, how does he know what the what they're going to submit to be through your con? I think I think
that but it's not it's not going order because we don't have an item, but I will definitely understand what uh that you need to say something and and yeah, I mean there's no clarity. I mean, we went through the budget sessions. We ran through uh each one of the cuts that you
wanted to recommend as a body and you voted on. So we need direction in what? All right, no problem. We'll have a conversation this time. We cannot we cannot have conversations in public if we don't have a motion and uh this motion fails. So
everything we say right now is out of order. So but we'll definitely have a conversation but not in this public setting because I mean it's not we we cannot discuss this at this point. Uh we're going to have a meeting on the uh Monday Monday at 7 p.m. And there is no
need for a motion to adjourn because we're going to we're going to continue. Motion to re to recess. Motion to recess. Second. There is a motion to recess properly second. Discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say I. I have it. Oh my god. I'm not
going to