you send that presentation. I definitely will council. >> Thank you. Yes. >> Any other questions or comments, >> councelor Marma? >> The only comment I have is um director, I'm usually always in favor of whatever
project that the uh the airport is doing, conducting. I'm always supportive of any initiatives that you guys are pushing forward. But um considering that you're mentioning that it seems like the the funding has yet to
be figured out, I'm trying to understand as to um the item that's coming before us. Are you seeking for us to approve it ahead of time and then you're figuring out where the rest of the money is coming from or is it okay to have this
item tabled until that funding situation is is situated? So what I'm asking for you all tonight is to engage with bonding counsel. We can't go and speak to that body without this committee and
full counsel giving us authority to engage. That's how I was told the process is from the uh treasur and echoed by the cafo. Uh again we are not moving forward with this project until we have a guarantee that the that we have a grant from the
state to match our 5% share. Do we have that in writing though? >> We won't have that in writing until we have again and we're not I mean we have the ability to borrow but we're not drawing that money. It's kind of like a line of credit if you will that we
>> would have it once we have the opportunity to move forward. But where we are now in the design, we're currently at a 90% design process where we have documents and we are expecting to have bid documents in the next four
to six weeks. So that's but that could always be shelved if the funding is not there from the state and that is the expectation that we have. >> Okay. >> I don't know it it just gives me the sentiment of like signing a blank check. I'm not sure if I'm seeing this the wrong way.
>> Um I don't know. >> Yeah. And I think blank check is is is I understand your concerns counselor. So the way the state uh handled this project about four years ago they granted the city $7.5 million. that was their kind of number that they drew on
the ground. And the reason they came up with that number is because that's how how much the other buildings had cost in other cities six years ago. And so they didn't shift that because they didn't have ability. And so in through our process of engaging legislators and others to try to close that gap and what
we're looking for from the legislature at this point in time is the $2.5 million which brings us from the 70 to that 95 uh percent. and then we borrow the five uh to make our share and pay that back in uh in the terms of that bond.
>> Okay. If this does uh pass through with a favorable recommendation, could it be done uh contingent upon receiving some sort of communication that you know I'm not sure um Ramon, if you
could help me with this um and based on my colleagues expertise and what I rely on when asking these questions is if we do decide to move this item forward, um are we able to do it contingent upon upon that. We do receive communication
um confirming that this approval is based on them matching the remaining balance that that is owed in order for this project to be completed. >> I will feel comfortable with that counselor. I think that that is the terms of how we're walking through this
path is with an expectation of a 95% share of this project and if we don't have that we're not moving forward. Okay. obviously as an enterprise fund and I can speak from the enterprise we just don't have the ability to borrow any more to pay back any more and it's it's
also unfair to us as a city as an airport that our building costs more percentage-wise than any other community when we have one of the busiest airports uh general aviation in the Commonwealth and so it's not something that we're looking to build for future economic
development is that the economic development is there and the opport opportunities there and we're also uh walking with other partners to bring a restaurant and other uh endeavors to to that not as a future fund us and we will have it. So um I back to your question I
think that that is uh the the very clear understanding and I think will signal to the other counselors of where we're heading to with this. >> Okay, I'm all set with my line of questions. >> Okay, thank you. Um I don't have any further comments or questions. So, at
this point, I will entertain a motion. >> I'll make a motion. I'll try to encompass what my colleague is my colleague from district D is trying to um to include, which is a motion to send this up to the council with a favorable recommendation. Uh and with that recommendation um that um that uh once
uh funding is been received the balance of the funding is received uh by uh the airport uh that the council be notified that that the entire fund has been has been
gathered. That's my motion. If I if I understand what my colleague was trying to trying to do, it was simply notification. Correct. Or do you wanted something more than notification? >> Notification. Communication. Okay. >> Something sure. >> Yeah. >> Something written.
>> Motion from their end. >> Okay. >> So, a written make that a written notification to the city council. >> Thank you. >> Everything's been >> Yes. >> Motion has been made, seconded by the vice chair. Any further discussion? >> I'd like to read the uh read the motion because it
was kind of convoluted. I want to make sure it was captured properly. Madame clerk, can you read back the motion? >> All right. So, um the motion was made for to full council with favorable recommendation upon the funds received. Uh the director needs to communicate to
this committee to make sure that they understand um that they got the fonts. >> Sure. It's the manager, right? Make sure that's the correct title. >> Thank you. Thank you. I wonder if that's everyone's so used to call I think we are the few that actually call you airport meant by your
actual title. >> Right. >> Thank you counselors. >> You're very welcome. We'll see you next week. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next item I'm going to take Oh, we haven't taken a vote. Sorry. It's It's been a long day, guys. It's been a long day. It's one of those days. All those in favor say I. I.
>> Any nays? The eyes have it. >> Thank you. >> The next item. So I'm I'm going to the next one after that um which is item 183-26 transfer in the amount of 1 million7,282
with 28 from retain earnings to to fund the greater Lauren Sanitary District FY2026 assessment and it was brought to us by water and sewer commissioner Um, William Hail, I just
before we before we continue, CAF, where we're trying where the petition is looking to transfer the retained earnings to X account. We just have the numbers. What is this account that we're trying to transfer this to?
>> Intergovernmental. >> It's the the account we use for the assessment for the Greater Lawrence Sanary District. >> Okay. But what is what is the account name? >> Other assessments. >> Other assessments. Okay. >> Thank you. Um commissioner, you have the floor.
>> Hi. Good evening, counselors. Um so yeah, I'm just requesting permission to transfer this million1,7,2828 into the um GLSD fund in our budget. So each year we get our assessment at the beginning of the year. So for this fiscal year, we had a $7.9 million
assessment. Um so we the calculated quarterly payments are um 1,995,768 per quarter. In quarter three we get a community credit based on the previous year of what we actually used. Um and
that's in line with the previous years. Um so we received the credit um about $1.4 million. It's in the invoice section at the last page. Um, so we paid the third quarter payment of $598,922.88.
Um, and because we underfunded this line item by a million dollars um, based on the retained earnings, they don't get approved until September of October in the fall. So, we purposely did this just like we did for the past three years. So, we're just asking to transfer the
remaining balance back into that account and then that way we can make our fourth quarter payment. Thank you, council. Any questions for the commissioner? Other questions? I'm going to give them a minute. I think that might be still looking through
things. >> If we're stalling, I've got just a general question. Thanks. So we have a GLSD board, correct? >> Yep. Correct. >> So do do are they they're familiar with this and they're asking for this and what's their >> No, this is on the city's end. So this
is our assessment that the city pays. So we get assessed to 7.9 million each year. Every community based on the percentages that they pay will get a credit in the third quarter. >> So they overestimate their budget. >> Thank you. This is an continue.
>> Okay. So they overestimate their budget and then whatever the actual numbers come in from the last fiscal year, they apply that credit to our third quarter invoice. >> So we were able to pay a significantly lower amount but 1.4 million less than the the quarterly assessment.
>> Now we have to make the fourth quarter payment. >> So I'm asking to transfer the million dollars because we actually underfunded this budget on purpose >> because were we kind of like snow budget. Are we kind of expecting this? So we we expected this because we were
climbing out of a $4.6 million deficit over the past three years. Yeah. So we've been doing this for three years because just the way when we get our certified retained earnings, we don't get that back until after the fiscal year starts. >> Okay. I I think I get the nutshell what what's accomplished. So you're almost
frontloading the understanding that it's going to have to be in a payment in the success in the succeeding quarter, the fourth quarter. And and there and this is the money that's being rolled in that you got two more than you needed in quarter three to pay for quarter four. Is that roughly what we're talking about
here? >> You can say no. >> So basically what to make we we get the assessment. It's 8 million bucks, right? >> So we are going to get the credit 1.4 million based on the what we've used last year. So they give us the 1.4. They
always apply the credit in the same quarter. It's quarter number three. So, we were able to pay that payment no problem because now the payment's much lower because we get the credit. So, we paid 600,000 roughly. >> Now, we have our fourth quarter payment,
which is the 1.99 million and we were 1 million short in our budget. When we presented the budget to you last fiscal year, we were $1 million under the number. We didn't have that retained earnings certified until October. We got
the certification and now we're just asking to transfer that million into the >> Thank you. >> Megan, any other questions or comments? >> Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion to send a full council with favorable recommendation. >> Second.
>> Motion has made by the vice chair, seconded by the council president. Discussion. Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. And the eyes have it. >> Thank you, Counc. >> Thank you. Next item we have item 18426
authorization to expend $10,933 with 13 cents for the student awareness of fire education program and $4,168 with 38 for the senior safe program. It
was brought to us by the chief. But tonight we have Lieutenant Frius here on behalf of the chief. Lieutenant you have the floor. Good evening, counselors. Thank you. Um, so the fire department was lucky enough to receive this grant. It's a fire safety and education grant.
Uh, there's two parts to it. Uh, the first part is geared towards our school age kids, allowing us to do presentations and education inside of schools, and that goes from uh, prek all the way up to 12th grade that we're going to be able to target.
And the second part of that is uh labeled senior safe and that's meant for our senior citizens in the community where we go out inside their house and give them fire safety as well as fall prevention tips and uh education. So
both groups um real vulnerable population were happy to receive this grant and it's going to allow us to do some pretty good things in the community. I'm open to any questions. I could talk more about it, but Thank you, Lieutenant. Um, councelor Marmal,
>> um, with the seniors, how are you coming into contact with, um, those that you are educating? Are you working with the senior center? Is this through like how are you targeting your audience?
>> We've been in contact with the center. Um, we have their um, calendar. They go out through throughout the community >> and we're going to partner with them and uh visit uh go along with the visits with them. >> Okay. And um do you mind also tapping
into a little bit more details um in regards to uh you said um you're you're going to be working with students as well. Um >> yeah. So >> is there a specific school? Is it citywide? >> It's uh citywide. We're going to try to focus on kindergarten, 3rd, 6th, and
10th grade. Um, we're going to be reaching out to the principles. We have a couple lined up already. Um, but that way and our plan is kind of to hit them at different stages in their educational process. That way we have a little more interaction, a little um better chance
of educating them. And uh, this program has a history of working. uh since its uh inception in 96, the fire deaths in children have been down about 78%. So it's a a good program and a with a
proven track record, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. >> Motion to send to full counsel with favorable recommendation. >> Motion has been made by the vice chair. Is there a second?
Second >> seconded by the council president. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it. See you next week. >> All right. Um, next item is item 185-26.
Transfer in the amount of 100 110,000 from Arper Free cash for the de development of the economic development master plan. And we have I saw him here.
I Yeah, we have our director of business and economic development. Uh but you have the floor. Actually before be before we continue I have a quick question for the cappo capo. Um
on another item we have free cash reserve. We have arper free cash. What's the difference between the these terminologies? >> It's it depends on how people word it. So basically ARPA was funded with um the
money we received from ARP ARPA. >> Yep. >> Was transferred to free cash and then some funds were created within the ARPA. So it's a combination of ARPA free cash. >> That's what we've been calling it. >> But it was transferred as free cash. >> It was originally ARPA, but once it goes
into the free cash is free cash, >> right? But it was assigned specifically to certain projects. So now those projects became the either Thrive and Lawrence or >> now we're sorry to inter now we're referring to the free cash reserve are the ones that are assigned specific projects
>> the projects that were created. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Sorry. >> All right. So we have the director here. >> Sorry. >> It's okay. >> Um had to take an important phone call. I'm Frank Sur, economic development director for SE Lawrence. With me is
Kate King and Ian Burns from the Marramac Valley Panning Commission. Um requesting a transfer for 110,000 from >> this is from ARPA free cash to explain. So this is one of the thriving Lawrence
um contracts that was not fulfilled that was um Federasion. You remember they had the 400,000. We already took some funds to do the AI with the Mar Valley Investment Board. >> The mic, please. >> With the Marmac Valley Investment Board.
Sorry. And um so this is there's still 200,000 in there. We're hoping to use 110,000 of those funds to do this. So this is where that ARPA free cash piece comes from that you were referring to. >> I understand. Okay. This is a initiative that was requested
by council president and council vice chair marmal remind me was over the a year ago two years >> president or council mar you guys remember >> two years ago >> two years ago >> two years ago >> ago >> I'm looking for you to finish that that
council president or myself requested what exactly >> the the development of a economic development master plan >> okay I thought you was going to say we requested >> No no no not the like no other funds. Sorry about that. Listen, I'm a little bit shy of being in front of this podium because of last night I was actually
here when the all the power went down and I didn't want to get blamed for hitting a button and all of a sudden shut down city hall. I'm sorry about that. Um so um as you know the this is essential not only for the development the is a
road map for a city's growth and long-term sustainability. It aligns public and private stakeholders around shared priorities such as business attraction, workforce development, infrastructure investment, and support for small
business by identifying key assets challenges and opportunities. The plan will help guide informed decision making, ensuring efficient use of resources and positions the uh the city to compete for state and federal private
and and private funding. Ultimately, it fosters coordinated inclusive economic growth, strengthening the local economy and improve quality of life for the residents. So this is how we start moving the city in
a more positive light. >> Okay. Um to break so I we heard that and you have another representative with you. Is this how is how is this collaboration? Tell us more a little bit about that.
>> And also um director what you just read can you send it to the to the city council so you can have it as a part. Thank you. Good evening, councilors. Ian Burns with the Marramac Valley Planning Commission. Um, just for the record, we're a public agency that supports the 15 cities and towns of the Marramac Valley region. I
oversee the community and economic development department at the Marramac Valley Planning Commission. Um, the city uh engaged us back in the fall of last year of 2025 talking about their interest in developing a local economic development master plan. Um, I believe
they had tried to or were trying to go out to bid for a contract. Um, but as a public agency here in the region, um, they actually don't have to go through the formal RFP process to contract with us because we are the regional planning agency, which is why they talked to us to see if it was a project we could do
for the city. This is a typical project we do in our 15 cities and towns where we support uh, municipal staff with their long-term planning. Um and so we uh engaged the city, drew up a scope of work and and contract for how we could fulfill the economic development master plan and have started to pull together
stakeholders in order to fulfill uh the city's goals and strategies. If you want any details on exactly what the plan would entail and how that effort works, happy to expand. Um but we would be the main partner on the project leading the development of the master plan. I would love for you to so typically we would
need this information um the overview of of why we should approve such amount right so if whatever you can share please share and I'm also you don't have to name all the 15 uh municipalities but I am curious to know at least some of the cities and towns that you have worked with >> certainly so our reg so the state just
as background is broken up into about a dozen regional planning agencies and so we are here in northeast Massachusetts we run from Methuan all the way to the coast in Newbury port about 15 cities and towns uh that border the river. Um so the other gateway cities being Mthuan and Haveril in our region, cities of H
of uh Amesbury and Newbury Port and then all of the towns in between. Um and so we are responsible in my department specifically for creating a regionwide economic development plan. Every 5 years the federal government requires us to create a regionwide master plan for economic development. And because of
that we tend to keep a pretty strong pulse on economic development needs in our cities and towns. And so we are pretty often contracted by our member communities to do an economic development plan or a housing plan or a transportation plan and any of our expert areas of expertise. Um and this
is one of those. Um and so the city asked us if we could go over about a year time span to dive deep into current economic conditions in the city, talk with stakeholders, do an analysis of the strengths and opportunities and weaknesses the city has with economic development. really looking at a time
span of about 10 years for actionable strategies the city could undertake for economic growth over the next decade or so. Um a big piece of this is community engagement and organizational engagement with various stakeholders across the city. So we would be gearing up pretty soon to do some focus group sessions
with some key stakeholders. So, think focus groups of like nonprofits and community development organizations, small business owners, large industry leaders in the community, um, elected and state officials, bringing together folks to hear about what's going well and what can be improved on. Um, so we
take all of that feedback and we're kind of the the organizer and the public consultant, if you will, on that project to take all that feedback, compare it with the data, talk with stakeholders, and see what the best recommendations and tools could be used by the city to implement changes for economic growth
over the next decade or so. Um we do have and happy to send along um I'm not sure if you have it right now but we did send the the city a scope of work with deliverables about six or seven deliverables uh as a part of that um economic development master plan. Happy to send that along in writing as well.
>> That would be great if you could. Um thank you. Thank you for that overview. It sounds like you you know you know this area well and we like to hear that and I'm glad that you're it's been two years. I'm glad to see to see this um
coming coming out now at least starting now. >> Counselors, do we have any questions or comments either for the director for Kate or um the gentleman from the from the commission? >> Commission Council Mar.
>> No, I'm glad you mentioned the scope of work and the first thing I did was I looked to my chair to see like did you get that cuz um I want to make sense. So, first off, the 110 is the whole is the full amount going towards this master plan. Um and that's the reason
why after you mentioning the scope of work, I'm intrigued because I don't see anything attached to um to my binder right now. Usually everything is provided whether it's to the binder or previously via email. Um so that was going to be my line of questioning to
make sense of the 110K and what does it consist of like how how is that money being used? Um, yep. >> Yeah, I will forward that to you. Actually, I'll put it together as well and submit it to the before the full council, but I'll also email it to the committee.
>> All right. Um, I tend to not, you know, I tend to table uh sometimes uh when I don't have because I I feel I don't feel comfortable moving forward uh with partial information. Um so given that
the chair is not here I have the gavl I want to um sure my colleagues have the opportunity to also be part of the discussion if any any questions councelor Rodriguez council president Rodriguez >> yes I have a question through you madame
basher um I want to ask you uh when it comes to that about the development of this uh master plant. Who
is going to be from the uh from the administration? What departments are going to be involved in general uh to be able to develop that the master plan? >> Right now we have um economic development, planning,
community development. Um, we got some people from the mayor's office, but we're also going to need for the focus groups. We are, and this is where I'm struggling how to do this, um, how we bring the council on to help
because try and avoid from any open meeting law violations. So that stuff um I want to ask you get an email from Ian and I want to see if the council could nominate their members for this.
>> Yes. Uh I'm glad that you mentioned that um because an open meeting law uh allows council uh to be part of other meeting other meetings uh and that doesn't necessarily constitute an open meeting law violation
unless that we have more than the amount of counselors uh present on the same meeting deliberating on an item that is on the agenda. Um there is a there is a a a great misconception about the government law
and and sometime you know it's been used on people's advantage just not to include the council uh that's my personal opinion but uh I believe that you know the council should involve uh we actually
just modify our own uh rules when it comes to uh when it comes to the uh the different committees and we have a uh a uh the housing committee that is now the housing and economic development committee. Uh with that said, we have
great interest of uh of getting involved when it comes to the uh the economic development of the city and having a master plan in general will be uh essential to uh foresees what how the city might look like in the future. Um
and and the council is a is a is a great part of of that uh in every aspect. So with that said, uh do you plan on getting that uh some
type of uh community uh meetings and or uh some type of uh uh comm community members committee to advise when it comes to um these developments?
>> Um I want to say I'm correct. We're also going to have one with the state where the local delegation of government is together. So this is where I want to see you and then um council president, madam chair, mad vice chair um
>> council >> committee in general um committee >> which is I want to give it give you the space to say who you want to sit in that one as well as which focus groups and um
we'll talk about what the focus what the focus groups will look like as Well, because Sorry. Um, you are it's a community and you guys know your districts better than anybody else. >> I have. >> So, >> thank you. I I have a question for you,
director, and and I know it's been a while and I've actually going to be transparent dropped the ball on this, but you you have reached out at least to me about meeting. I forget exactly what it was, but does it pertain to this master plan? So one was this master plan
was a housing production plan and also talk about um well what will be also um coming down to the council the um comprehensive master plan for the city. So >> um just in terms of
>> So I'm going to sorry I'm going to I'm going to follow up with you. I know I know you've been waiting on me and I apologize but I I will be following up. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You have to finish the item. Did did you want me to add to the community engagement piece of it? >> You wanted to uh respond to what
councelor Fonte said. >> Oh, the director had asked me to fill in the gaps in the community engagement piece. >> So, I believe yeah, council president had a floor uh previously. So, if there did you want to finish up on any >> I mean they have you guys planning on >> Yes. Yeah. So then they'll there will
also be two um open to the public community engagement sessions like broad um you know downtown and elsewhere in the city. Um and then the focus groups themselves will be with key stakeholder groups like I mentioned about five or six focus groups of those um interest
areas across the city. And then I'll also say that as we do with all of our local plans across our region, we would be coming to the full council with a draft before finalizing that plan so that you can give your feedback. So our plan would be to come to you all in a full council meeting or in a subcommittee meeting wherever it makes sense and you'd prefer it with the draft
before it's finalized so you can give your feedback as a body. >> Okay. Um Madame Vice Chair, >> uh council president, are you are you done? Okay. Um Madame Chair, >> thank you. um through you love that idea and I'm actually going to
take this opportunity to suggest to the council president that when it does come before us I I think that's a great opportunity to view it under the committee of the whole that way we can just have everybody in one space but it's at the discretion of the of the council president um because it might
not be the best avenue we don't know but I'm just putting it out there thank you >> no problem um councelor plant >> thanks So, just a couple of quick points and welcome. Um, point number one regarding the open meeting laws. One of the things, one of the tools that you might
be able to use, uh, is, uh, order up a public meeting and do what you got to do to order a public meeting. Put it in front of the clerk's office and do whatever, but make sure we know about it. Um, I don't suspect that it's going to be a lot of people showing up to a public meeting
like this. And so um you'll get the counselors uh who have interest that that that you are targeting and the public can't show up if they choose to if they're properly notified by law the legal way of doing it. So we've seen many many times when we've offered I mean I remember doing um orientation
meetings for new counselors for example uh I just posted it the public could show up no one showed up so we just had an orientation meeting with new counselors. So you could do the same kind of thing and I think that could work. But look into that. It's a suggestion because you're asking me about that the other day.
>> That's one. So that's one thing. Uh the second thing I'm a little jaded on plans. Let me be very candid and transparent. I'm a little jaded. Uh there's two reasons why I'm jaded. Uh, one is I we're supposed to have in in
our city a plan that deals with housing stock and structures and where things go and and people don't pay attention to that. And there's a plan that says you can build this here and build this there and this that and and I'm a little jaded because I just we have these plans but
no one cares and no one decide they do whatever we feel like doing or the enforcement agency doesn't for whatever the reasons are doesn't have the ability whatever the reasons are. It's it's not being fully gone through. And then what happens is
that you have this plan that cost $100,000 or whatever it is and you have it on the shelf and then it's really up to the administration that shows up that they're going to follow this plan or not follow this plan. And it there's a lot of discretion. It's not a law that we
follow. It's a plan. And a plan's only as good as those people who want to follow a plan. And so I, you know, there was a time as I I'm sorry. I'm gonna make I'll try to cut this. There was a time where you could go ahead and create a plan and
have a lot of public discourse discourse and public information. And that thing was known as a newspaper that usually was front page about what we're doing. And if someone wasn't doing something according to plan, someone would be calling and tasking someone and say they're not doing their job. we don't
have to that extent anymore accountability is the point. So I'm a little jaded. Um I I don't know if it may work for the next three years if you've got a this administration buying into it. I just don't know what happens in year
four potentially. And is this money well spent is the point. It's $100,000. I know there's plenty of other places we could spend $100,000 of seed money on things that may be a little more that could last a little bit longer. So, I don't mean to rain on anybody's parade because a lot of work has been put into
this so far, but I just want to have our eyes open. If we're going to be spending $100,000 in more ARPA monies on something like this, I just I just it has literally a shelf life because you put the plan now it's electronics. There was a time you actually put the plan on
the shelf. Uh last last story, if you will. So, when I was first running for council many, many years ago, one of the questions that was asked me by the editorial board of the local newspaper was, we've got this economic development. Do you think we should have whatever the plan was, do you think we should have another plan? And I'm thinking, well, good government, by
God's sake, yeah, we should have plenty of plans and that will just guide us to the to the north star and doing the right thing. And I so I said something not like that, but I said, yeah, I think I think plans are fantastic. We need to know the direction that we're going in, the arguments that you're making tonight. And they said, 'What about the
plants you've got inside the second second floor of this of this building that have that dust are on it? You're not following those plans. What makes this plan what makes the plan that you want to eat different? So that's where I'm coming from. I'm not going to be here on Tuesday, counselor, so I'm getting it all out now. So um
so um that's my point. Thank you. >> Um I don't know how to answer that. Do you want me to >> How do you want to react? I I'm open to that. >> Do you want me to develop a newspaper? you >> I'm a little bit conf um Anthony but um >> and one of the thing reasons the March
Valley Planning Commission >> is so invested in the city of Lawrence is because in the last four years we're not just making plans and then I'm sit on the shelf we're dusting them off and put them into action. Um case in point if you look around the city right now
and you want to blame for a lot of the construction that's happening is because we got the rail trail up and running in in construction. We have the um Amesberry Street up and running in in construction. Marson Street, Mary Mack and Broadway is not about just
developing a plan just to have it sit there because a plan does not in effect is not a plan. It's just something just to put on the shelf. And that's not something that I'm looking to do. Um,
I'll let Ian, but I will develop a news some kind of news article. >> I if if I may just some thoughts on that, I'll just mention, you know, working for a planning agency as a planner. I totally agree with you on the sentiment of uh making a plan and letting it sit on the shelf. It's the
last thing that I ever want to see. And I've seen that happen in some communities. So, it certainly happens every now and then. What I would say is the approach that we try to take to ensure that doesn't happen is twofold. One is not only engaging the administration but engaging the council
and the community organizations because if you have the feedback and the strategies that are vocalized by the council, the administration and community organizations, you're going to have what I think is enough staying power so that there will be the long
lasting memory and somebody at a nonprofit or on the council is still going to be here in five years and say we did this plan and and can carry that forward even if the administration changes. The second way that we try to make sure those don't just sit on the shelf is actually having actionable
strategies in a one-year, two-year, threeyear um um implementation plan. That's not just a broad goal of um recruit manufacturers, but specifically how do you do that? What grant are you applying for? What workforce program are you starting? Who are you partnering
with? And when do you hold that first meeting? So that it's not just some broad statement that you can decide in five years. Yeah, I guess we kind of did that, but it's actually a path for for success, but um I sympathize for sure as a planner. Thank you.
>> Have one more question. >> Thank you. Um this is for the CAFO couple. How much do we have in free cash currently? >> Okay, so overall I was ARBA free cash um and and the res free cash reserve if there is a difference but I want all
those numbers please. >> Yes, there is a difference. So the regular undesated free cash that we get certified by the state is $14 million as of today before the transfer that is going to be before you tonight. >> Um then the ARPA free cash as as it's
called. Uh there are various projects most of them have been spent. This is one of the only ones that have uh some money left from the uh Thriving Lawrence uh amounts that were provided to different organizations. >> What was the 100,000?
>> So this was uh originally 400,000. We used 200,000 for the AI project and this is this will be 110,000. >> So yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> The the only comment I'll make is um I could attest to the fact that the director um has reached out to me um did mention the focus groups including counselors. Um I believe he he has good intentions in wanting for all counselors
to be involved and making sure that um we're not violating quorum and um so I'm I'm wishing the best as to how you go about in invite and you could also invite all counselors and maybe not all
of them will show up but at least the effort is being made the communication is being sent out and those that want to participate I'm pretty sure that you have a good batch of of counselors um that would be an asset to contributing
to to this master plan. Um I'm not sure to what extent uh counselors being part of this focus group. Yeah, as a matter of fact, that is a good question. What extent are you is there is there an expectation
um for us to be involved? Um do you Do you want us to just listen in in these focus groups or are we able to participate and provide feedback? >> So, two pieces to that. One, um there is one like at large steering committee
made up of uh city departments and organizations that are guiding the development of the plan that would be meeting monthly that would we would like one counselor attending that being the representative of the council at this regular steering committee meetings. The second piece are the focus groups. We
would not be looking for counselors to attend every focus group session we have because we'd like the emphasis to be on the folks that are attending. So, for example, if we have small business owners in a focus group, we want to have just one or two of my staff, one or two of the city staff, and a dozen small business owners so they have the floor
to speak their minds and and they control the meeting to give feedback on pointy questions that we have. Um, then we would hopefully have a separate focus group on uh government for government and elected officials. So think state officials from various state agencies and potentially counselors, you know, to
councelor Plant's point, we could just make it an open meeting so the whole council could attend. Um, and that way we could get your feedback as a body. The other option, too, I mean, depending on how this unravels is for us to just come to a subcommittee or a or a full meeting of the council halfway through,
and I mentioned we come at the end, maybe we come halfway through and get feedback. We're happy to approach that however is best, but no commitment from you all to be with us every 3 weeks talking about economic development in the city um as a whole body. >> Um what are your plans to recruit the business owners or do you guys already
have a current list of those participants that have said that they um are want they want to be involved? Um so we do we have been putting a list together and we are also working with the city on the list of small business owners and so we through our department we also run small business um
development programs. So we already get are in touch with a lot of small business owners in the city to begin with. Um so we know several small business owners and we'll be working with the city and that steering committee that I mentioned to make sure it's a comprehensive list and get their feedback on who else should attend. >> Same goes for every focus group where we take a first cut and then send it around
and say who are we missing who else should be there. >> Okay. Um, more council Fante, >> thank you. I have three three things as I'm hearing this that I I want um you folks to keep in mind. One,
I want to remind folks that although we are city councilors, we are also residents of the city of Lawrence. So, just because we have that title doesn't mean that, you know, things like this doesn't affect our daily lives as well. Um secondly, I don't know how the the focus groups
are going to be scheduled, but I recall um this was back when I was a school committee member that I did district tours and I invited the entire city council, but I invited them in groups of three because of the open law meeting and that was actually very successful um
when I did that. Just an idea. And thirdly, talking about the the small business focus groups, um what I would like to see this putting this out there, what I generally see are the same business owners over and over again
participating or being asked. And I, for example, I go to to a hair salon on South Union Street that have been in business for over 30 years. And you know, the business owner says to me, I can't even get a call back. So, I want
to hear I want I want you guys to hear from those small businesses that perhaps aren't always participating, but they're here giving services and paying taxes to our community. I don't want to see the owner of Athika again. I don't want to see a develop the same developer again.
Let's have a more diverse focus group that truly represents the entire city of Lawrence. >> I completely agree. Um, and if you have any businesses that send me to the list, we will add them on. Um, because
this plan is a city plan and and that and for that to be effective, we need to hear from everybody because Tripoli has been here for over 100 years, >> right? >> And I don't remember ever be at the table. So, one thing um I as to add them
to the to the to the focus groups um and it's like you said, you're the eyes and ears of the community, whether you're at large district, they reach out to you before they reach out
to anybody else. And I read every comment that that that they put in your pages and every response. Um, I don't comment, but I read and and make notes. Um, particularly, um, when I was out on
medical and I heard about the thing on L Street, once I came back, I made sure my team was out there several times to make sure they were getting um, feedbacks from people really really affected. So, if I didn't read that, actually, I
believe it was council presidents and council in Fontes who I read that from on on your on your page. >> So, that's something. So, it's very precious to us to me that we are taking that into account because you guys are the city council elected by
by the by the people whether you're district at large, which is why it's important for you to be part of this. to me and to us. >> Thank you. Thank you again for for the efforts and thank you, Madam Mister. >> All right. I agree. I concur.
Counselors, could we bring this item to an end? Any recommendations? Are we done with our line of questioning? >> Yes. So, I'm looking for a recommendation. Motion to >> motion to I make a motion to send this
up to the full council with a favorable recommendation. Motion was properly made. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Um all those in favor say I. I. Any nays? >> No nazs. And the motion carries. Thank
you. >> Thank you. Um before we leave you will um Ian will reach out to the council on the focus groups. Okay >> please. >> Thank you. >> Scope of work >> and the scope of work else. >> Thank you council. Can I have a motion
to table item 187-26 request investigation of unclaimed prop properties entitled city of Lawrence as listed on missingmoney.com. It was sponsored by councelor Franklin McGau and William Collins, but neither of them
are here tonight for this item. >> Motion to table. >> Motion has been made. Is there a second? >> Uh >> second by councelor the plant. All those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it. Thank you. Now we're going back. We're going to the top of the agenda.
>> All right. Going back to the top of the agenda. item 173-26 um 173-26 and it's also it's reauthorization of the Beview um
cemetery revolving revolving fund account expenditure limit of 95,000 brought to us by our CAFO Ramona Sajos Kafo you have the floor >> good evening counselors Ramona Sajayos Kafo We have before you tonight the
reauthorization of all our revolving funds. Um we have the Belleview cemetery the first one then we have council on aging recreation veterans library peg access for the public school the city and then DPW revolving fund. So I will
let um each department head um be available if you have any specific questions. We provided to you the authorization that lists the amass general laws that um provides the information on uh the different
revolving funds and the amount for each fund. Um so if you look at this page, it shows the mass general loss authorizing the revolving fund and it shows the amount of expenditure for the Belleview cemetery. We're asking for um
be e be it reauthorized with the limited uh expenditure of $95,000 and we have provided a summary. We also have detail if you'd like um of the revenues and expenses for each of the funds and what the ending balance is as
of when we provided the report April 30th 2026. Thank you, councelor. Councelor Marmo, then we'll go to council president >> Ko. Um, I don't consider myself to be the best
counselor or to extensively do my homework on a lot of these things. But when it comes to looking at these accounts, the first thing that jumped at me is that I don't see invoices attached. And I'm so I'm used to being
part of other boards and committees um where going over budget I'm able to see that. So is you know I'm here to educate myself as being counselor. I I don't know it all. >> Do you mind educating me?
>> Would it be wrong for me to have the expectation to have these invoices attached to the revolving accounts for every department? We've never really provided invoices counselor for these kinds of revolving funds. I do have a list of the expenses that happened that
made up the total. I can go through the list. For example, we have mainly items to for the in terms right now we're speaking about the Bel cemetery. So we have things that um are used for the operating um
um the operating the cemetery. For example, we have the groundkeeping supplies. We have the boxes that they purchase for the burials. Um we have um some repair for uh damage walls. >> Yeah,
>> I get it. And I don't mean to be a pain. I promise you I'm not potentially being a pain. >> We can provide the details. And the reason why I'm asking is because the first revolving account that I looked at was actually the library and I'm just look going over the the expenditures and
I'm noticing and again I'm not questioning um or trying to doubt any director or supervisor that's tasked with putting this together. I'm not I'm not trying to insinuate anything, but I'm so used to
having these invoices attached because a lot of these revolving accounts, it's very generalized, very I don't want to say vague, but it's generalized. It's like, oh, supplies. Okay, Amazon. And again, I'm using the library for as an example, but um I'm
pretty sure it's going I I looked at other revolving accounts such as the veterans. I'm looking at I'm looking at all uh revolving accounts and none of them have invoices. So, I'm just trying to gauge into, you know, making sure that I understand
if the expectation on my end to have those invoices to justify and make sense as to the numbers that I'm seeing as what is being spent. And, you know, we're going off of right now expended supplies. Again, I'm not doubting that
it's not supplies, but again, I'm so used to being part of other committees where these invoices are attached. And when we're in the budget committee, when we're signing off on other on other expenditures, we see the invoices. We're
able to see, you know, I I don't know. I'm just >> I have no problem. It would just be a daunting task to be honest with you. For example, I have a report here that shows every line item that was spent. I would say about 50 different invoices just for the cemetery alone. >> Okay?
>> Which will will entail a little bit of work, but if you'd like, we can definitely do that. Again, as much detail as you like as we're able to provide. It's just that we've never really provided invoices in the past. I
was just asking, you know, I I open this inquisition to my colleagues if not sure if they feel the same way, >> but um >> Yep. >> I'll give you guys. >> So, I do have a summary of all the expenses that I'll be happy to email to you. I just I have it right here. So,
this lists all the expenses. Basically, it lists the account, the description, when it was posted to the ledger. Um, the check number, the vendor that was used, and the comments that explain what was the expense. So, this is uh more detail than you probably have right now,
but it's a little less than the actual invoice. If that suffices, I I'll be more than happy to send you that. >> I would like to add um Are you all set, Council Mar? I think you might see how the discussion is going. But I would
like to add when we were going over this last year, detail was was um for a lack of a better term was an issue um where the process was delayed because we were missing a spreadsheet like that. Like all of that
should have been included given what we went through last year. Um given that we are going to be asking these questions and um I think the library you provided that and through actually through our questioning last year we were able to determine a um a significant expenditure
through the through the from the library. I forget what it was but it was something like very minute but ended up adding so much and I think you were able to >> the was it copies or or dinner or lunch? So it was something like that. But we were we were a able to see that and then
you know um fix that. Obviously the the formal overall accounting page is is important. That's the that's the formal numbers. That's the formal um format and that is always needed but we're we always ask for a little bit more details. Um and that's I'm going to stop
there and I'm going to go to the council president who I saw that wanted the >> uh thank you madam chair through you. Uh I just want to I just want to you know continue the conversation that we have we started last year. As per law we we
have until we authorize this account to run all the way to June 30. >> Mhm. And this is the limit that we have as a council to authorize the new year uh June 30 uh which allow us to
allow us to uh discuss and uh and evaluate and uh potentially um ask for information regarding to these expenditures. Um last year we we learned a lot uh
out of the information that we request and essentially read and ask questions. So my question to you will be uh do we learn anything from last year when it comes to providing the reports that we are looking for or we going to
continue going with the previous year's report which is basically the one that we have in front of us. Uh do I mean do we need to request other information again or we going to >> can you let me know if this is good
enough? If not then please let me know what else. >> So last year we went over uh many questioning that we did and this is one of them. I just don't have it on top of my head because I thought that we were going to change the process of
submitting. I mean this this this is one I we just need to go back to the questioning that we have last year and be able to provide the sentence the same type of information and that way we we we move on. Last year was every accounts
provide uh mostly everything uh that we request but I feel like this year we went back to 2024. Uh well I mean I think that that will be part of it. I mean I think that we need to go back to the questioning we did
last year. It was it happened between the meeting of June 29 and June 30 and or June 28 I think it was. It was at the very end of those of those u of last year fiscal year and uh we be able to get get gather that information
like as we did last year. I mean uh this is one of them. Uh this is part of it. But I don't believe it's all I just don't remember every questioning that I have from last year and all the documentation we request
and I don't think it's fair for us to request it again if we know that last year we did request more information. But we have good we have a good amount of time. >> This is definitely one of them at least at least we could get started with with this cap. Yeah, we we have a good amount of time before June 30 to approve all
these. >> I have that report for every single >> department. I can forward it to you right now. I have my computer and I know I or I can make copies um for you right now. I have them for all of them. >> Um I can sort it differently however
you'd like. I can sort it by account. I can sort it by vendor. >> However you would prefer. I have it in Excel if that works. >> Go ahead. >> Um I just want to just I mean mean probably we we can look at the minutes of last
year's meetings. I think we have like at least three meetings around this topic. One was around the 20 another one was around the 26 or 27 something like that and then another one was on 30 that we approve it on the very last day. Uh, but I think that providing that information
and improving what we asked from last year, it gonna we're gonna it's it's it's going to ch it's going to um going to allow people to understand how we spending these accounts. This money that we receive on this account that is
not necessarily part of part of the operating budget but it's part of the uh of the of the money that goes through uh different accounts different accounts uh that the different department have and uh through perhaps selling a stuff or
perhaps doing other things uh and getting some extra funding that I believe people deserve to know like how we getting those how much we get we be providing that and then eventually how we expended and details of expenditures. Um I don't know if we asked for receive
last year. I think we did. I don't know. But I think it will it will be essential to look at that generary report based on that. And the good thing about all this discussion we still have time. >> Yes, >> it's not late. >> Um any other comments or questions? Councelor Le.
>> So I think we're talking about process, right? And and I have a question regarding the actual revolving plan. So I'll talk process first. So, as long as I've been on the council, I think it's the council's prerogative to be able to ask as detailed a question as they want to to go as deep into the
subject matter as they want. And so, I please don't take my comments as a trying to say that that's not because there's been plenty of times I have dug way down to the bone to try to find something. I have become a mini expert on something. So, I I I can see why that could be important. But from where I'm
sitting today on this topic, this counselor, I don't need to see all that stuff. I think there needs to be a balance between what you provide, the amount of time and effort because I have to understand as a community, as a city
leader that you also have and all these departments have other responsibilities as well, not only to this council, but to the public and to the administr whoever else, right? And so there's only so much time that I could ask. Um, and so I think that that spreadsheet it and
it seemed like that's lowhanging fruit. I think that should be a part of what we get because when I look at that, I might have a question on that thing. U, I may not have a question on all of them. I may not need to know all them, but that may be that one thing for I I don't have in front of me, but there may be some all of a sudden there's an outlier.
Everything is $2,000 or $500 or something, but there's one for 25,000. Well, now I want to know what the $25,000. Can you tell me what that is? I want to drill a little bit. That deserve bit of an explanation, but I don't need to see that necessarily. That's where we have this kind of conversation where I could look at it and go, you know,
something that what what's what's about that? So, that's where I'm coming from. So, I'm not looking for all the invoices. I'm not looking for all that. I'm looking for something that's a nice happy medium that allows me to dig in if I need to or if I want to. So, there's that. It's one council's opinion. Second
thing on this Belleview one. So, um, so it's a little confusing to me quite frankly. So, I'm looking at how much money that we're authorizing, it's $95,000, but yet when I look at the sheet afterwards, we we're expending there's an end balance of 319,000. So, remind me again how we get to no further
expenditure of 95, but yet we're at 319. How do we get there? So basically each revolving fund has a a cap or a limit as to what they spend but they can spend in this particular case for the cemetery it's $95,000. If you look at the summary
um it shows that they started with a $31,000 the beginning of the year. Then their revenues for the container sales were 66,333 and their expenses or encumbered funds is 48,54949
which is an excess of revenues versus expenses of 17,000. So their ending balance is about $319,233 >> and comma so that they can spend out of the $3195,000
of that. That's the limit of the 319 that they can spend. And our vote here tonight, just so I'm clear, is to allow them to go ahead and spend the 95. Now, if I had that spreadsheet in front of me, I don't know what's the what's the balance on that thing? Should be 48. >> Is that what it should be? >> The spreadsheet. What's the balance on
there? Is it 48? >> 48. >> Yeah. So, it's 48. So, that's that makes sense, right? >> So, the 48 is on there and it says we're the 48. >> So, they're within the limits that was set up by council last year. >> Uh, it didn't go past the 95. That's correct. 38. It could have you could have spent another 37. How do I math?
47. >> Yep. >> Am I close? All right. Thank you. Take off my shoes for the math. So, um, so that's where I stand on. So, thank you. I'm set. I don't have any more questions. Thank you. Um any other questions or
comments? Seeing none, I would like to We do have um Director Lopez here with us tonight. I don't know. Not sure if the director has anything to add, but you do have the opportunity. Good evening. >> No, I don't. >> Okay. Thank you, director.
>> Thank you. >> Um All right. So, >> I said good evening and I said thank you. Uh, councilors, since there are no other other form other questions or comments, um,
>> I'd like to make a motion that we send this up to the full council with a favorable recommendation. >> Motion has been made to send up with a favor recommendation. Is there a second? >> Like to make a motion that we send it up without a recommendation. >> I'm sorry. I'll take my second motion
back. There was the delay. >> Okay. Second motion. >> Okay. >> Okay. Motion has been made to send as a favor recommendation. Properly seconded. Any further discussion on this item. I have one one one
last comment on this. And it helps that we I know that I think she's the caff sending the um the other spreadsheets. It helps that we have this physically now, but I I'm going to be honest. I don't know how I feel about the others because now I feel like I'm rushing
through um reviewing this. So, um that's my last comment on that. But any other comments? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. Any nay? The eyes have it. Thank you.
The next item we have is item 174-26 reauthorization of council on agent revolving fund account expenditure limit of 150,000 and I see we have director VZ here. Director you have the floor.
>> Hello Martha Vez 150 uh 155 Havville Street director of health and human services. So the revolving account at the council on aging um is there to help offset the things that we don't get and the operating supplies of like coffee
cups, stirers, everything that's really to run the center. Um I do want to say in defense of the CAFO um today we got an email uh stating that you know our staff needs to do better in the uh description so that we exactly know. Um,
I've been here 37 years and it there is I mean she's making changes so that we can see more transparency, clarity. Um, before we used to be able to say office supplies and it was office supplies cuz everybody thought, okay, paper clips, paper, you know, pens and stuff like that. So, she's actually doing a better
job. We've also all been working on um really like Amazon, you know, for Amazon from the revolving from the revolving account in the recreation department. Sometimes we buy stuff for the Fourth of July, for the summer program, for the kids to have blowups or anything that has to do with fun balls, all that stuff
that we have to buy. That's we're we're getting better at descriptions instead of like operating or and when we buy stuff now at the center, we'll put coffee cups, coffee, you know, what we actually are buying. So, um I just, you
know, in all fairness, you know, I would not be able to survive if I didn't have the revolving account. um you know from the general budget as far as what is called operating like you know repair and maintenance. I mean I get $1,000 for repair and maintenance that goes in two visits like if one of my refrigerator
goes right so I have the revolving account to do that. Um when we throw dinner parties for the elders we're we're charging you know $5 for a plate of food and everything else the decorations and everything that goes along because they can't afford $10 or $12. And we all know, I think we're all
shopping, we all know what cost of food is now. So all of that offsets my revolving account helps us. So for instance, if I take everything that I get, I get $34,500. I run a building that's 25 square 25,000
square feet. Um, you know, we get $38,000 for utilities, which, you know, we stay within that limit sometime. And I don't know about this year because truthfully, the prices have gone up. everything has happened. But um this is what saves us. This is how we continue
to run what we do at the center. Whether it's trips, whether it's entertainers, whether it's professional fees for someone coming in to educate, um our teachers, our exercise teachers, our citizenship classes, our English classes, the supplies that we buy for all of that, anything that we do is
comes out of that. Now, do we get revenues? Yes. Like again, we used to be able to collect more revenues. I try to do as you see my you know my account is it was 118 it's 103,000 because we're really not trying to charge seniors for
a lot of things right now it's a tough time you know and we see a lot of needs so whatever we do we try to do it at a low cost or no cost to seniors counselors any questions for director or any additional questions for the capital
council the get that spreadsheet for that one that cappo. >> Yes. >> I think it's important that we get it for all of them. >> You know, my colleagues sometimes behave. >> No, they're great. No, they're great.
They're great. Okay. I'm not saying it >> pages because the ink >> that's two pages, right? >> Yeah. >> That's expenditures 35,000. >> Also, do you have um Car do you have the rest with you? >> Yes. >> Can you give it some or do you want to
go whoever? Yeah. Thank you. >> And another thing if we we have to follow procurement like we follow procurement. So, like if we spend more than $1,000, we have to get a PO. If we do anything that's more than $10,000, we have to get a contract. So, it's not
like I I think that one time we did do like bought chairs for the center and that's why it kind of went up to $150,000 because we were buying supplies or refrigerators or things like that and it was higher. >> Can I actually ask for a motion for a threem minute recess just to give
>> Sure. >> Um, we we want to see the numbers. We want to see the description. Absolutely. Motion have been made. Um motion has been made by the council president and seconded by the vice chair. Um no discussion. All those in favor say
I. I. And the eyes have it. Thank you. Thank you. Motion to come out on recent was made by council of plans. Is there a second? Seconded by the vice chair. All those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it. Okay. Director, we have your numbers now.
>> Okay. So, it's two pages. I'm going to let the counselors review this for a second. Are the donations in here as well? >> Those are the expenses. >> Just expenses and donations.
Well, going on that while um the councils look through this, what are typical donations that the center receives? >> Uh we don't get a lot of donations, but we have gotten donations where somebody might bring a check for $100 or something like that. I mean, most of our um miscellaneous revenue is from like
hosting events or like doing a special bingo or like going on a trip and you know, we might like if the trip is $28, we'll charge 29 just to get an extra dollar and put it in there. Um, so there's those are the ways most of our money comes through within the center
and that's why you saw usually I'm pretty even with expenditures or have more income than expenditures but like I said there is a need out there and when my staff comes to me I'm like nah let's just do it for minimal cost um because of that.
Thank you. >> Council, any questions or comments? Council Lat. >> Thanks. So, I just want to make a comment. Two things. I want to make a comment on your approach. I think I I think that I
really wish that more organizations slash city departments realize that what we're offering actually is is not free. It has a cost associated with it. And and it's especially true for the little league groups in the in the youth sports
where sometimes when I hear and I'm not hearing it from you when I hear that some people do it for free because people can't expend don't have the money I always reminded that is that if you give something for free then the value of that is zero to that
person. Mhm. >> And often times when you're dealing with youth, you're dealing with the opposite part of the spectrum with the folks who are older. But with the youth especially, if little Johnny doesn't want to go play whatever, then mom does no skin off mom's nose because she didn't spend any money on going and
okay. But if she puts some skin in that game, you got to bet Johnny's going to go to play bad baseball practice that day because there's skin in that game. So there's an investment. It may be minimal, but there's something. So, I'm glad to hear that in your world, you said most of the time. I wish it was all the time, but in your world, most of the
time, you're doing that. And I would encourage you for a nominal fee >> to do that. Now, when you do the nominal fee, where does that go? >> It all goes into the revolving account. >> So, so >> any money that's collected at the center, >> that's fascinating, >> goes into the revolving account.
>> So, there are no revenues that you raise that if I look in the city budget right now, that goes into the city. Well, >> general fund >> not until the general fund. No, until the revolving account. >> Can I hear that from the cappo? I >> because it's a bigger question. >> So, when departments, let me rephrase
it. When the departments charge for something and there's revenues associated with it and I see things inside the budget for revenues and I haven't checked on the recreation or the that senior center stuff, but does that stuff go into the >> So, revolving funds are treated
differently. So the the purpose of the revolving fund is they receive revenues and the revenues they receive they are able to spend as long as the revolving fund has been created and authorized by the council.
So in this case, Council on Aging received $20,000 $856 and that's a combination of donations and also she charges a nominal fee for different field trips and different activities she does at the center. Okay.
>> So that's the revenue and that revenue is mainly for her revolving fund for the council on aging. It doesn't go to the general fund. >> It's specifically dedicated for the expenses for the center. And how do we differentiate in your world cappo where
things go into the general fund and things that go that are revenue that the revenue books here I'm open it up but there's a whole revenue side I see that >> these revenues are not in the general >> how do you distinguish that how do you >> we create special accounts we create special we have a structure in our
accounts for example we have fund 24 which is specifically for revolving funds general fund is fun and when we run reports it differentiates the report based on the fund, the org, the object, the project. These all have projects.
General fund accounts do not have projects. So, we do have a structure, >> okay, >> to help us identify the accounts. >> If we do any more of our budget things like the the chair has been doing, I'm not sure if we are or not, but if we do that, that's going to that's going to be coming up and and if or if we do the
budget, I'll be asking questions about that. Just be prepared for it. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> If I may. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, please. >> Yeah. If I may also, um, the monies that we raise by law, we have to spend it back to the seniors and like it could be seniors and families, but it has to go back to programming. There's no staff
paid from a revolving account. None. Um, the other thing that I wanted to mention is that I learned the hard way about free stuff. So, in our agency, um, there is free stuff, but there is not free stuff, right? because I make you leave a
deposit to attend something or because I got I got a lesson. I was taking people to a field trip. We said it was free. 125 people signed up. We got three buses. I only had 30 people show up. So, I had to pay for the other buses. I
said, "I'll never do that again." So, everybody has to be a put a deposit and if it's free and you come, you get your deposit back. If you don't, you don't get your deposit back. it goes into the activities account to pay for the cost and that's the same thing with dinner
parties like you know um same thing everybody okay it's free like no so everybody has to put a $5 deposit for a dinner party if you don't show up I paid I paid for food for 125 people and now you didn't show up well that money belongs to the activities account so
that's how it's done um again and we follow all the protocol that you know the CAFO and for many years we've been doing it. Um, as a matter of fact, like I think twice I've been audited and they see the system that we have in place and they were okay with it. So, um, that's
how I run. You know, I like I say all the time, I'm a little entrepreneur trying to make sure, um, I've had extra money this, you know, this year. And I always think of this as my rainy fund because when the city starts to cut, you
know, um I have to see how where I can I don't want to get rid of staff that takes care of people. So, how do I offset the cost? And the one thing that we are doing is that we're still not charging for coffee at this center. And there is many centers that charge for a
cup of coffee. >> My last my last point on because you said this, I I just think it's important. I just became aware of this within the last 10 days. There is a ballot question in this year's ballot to reduce the state income tax from 5% to
4%. And with that would be a reduction in the state budget of about 5.5 billion. >> When you have a cut that significant, it's going to affect our city >> local aid.
>> And so what you what you said, you tuck money away. continue the tucking because um this people vote in favor of budget cuts. It's I mean not budget uh tax cuts. It happens all the time. It's it's I would anyway just be prepared that
that is something that's on the horizon. It could happen. It's very real. >> I run the center. My mother taught me that means don't open your window and throw money out the window. Hold it. Um so that's important for me and I totally agree with you. It also will affect our
formula grant, right? Because right now, our formula grant gives us $16 per elder for the whole year to service them. We know it cost a lot more than $16 per year for one elder. So, but that's what they give us. If that goes down, I'm
sure it's going to affect, you know, executive office of elder affairs, which then has to trinkle down to all of us. So, all that I take into effect. questions. >> So while so then while we wait for the council for your comment, I do have a
question for you and you might have already explained this last year but I I don't remember. >> Yeah. >> Um we have professional fees for LCA. What does LCOA stand for? >> Lawrence Council on Aging. >> You see it's been a long day guys. Been
a long day. >> Right. >> Go ahead. Go ahead. >> Go ahead. >> Um just trying to make sense of the the expenses. Do you mind um educating me?
Cuz um it's not many where I'll see like a negative. So I'm assuming that's money coming in >> because this is technically expenses. So I'm seeing like a negative 17 from Deulas. Sure.
I'm just trying to does that that meant was that like money returned to the account? Is that a reversal? >> No, that was um when we did um the mayor called me and when we gave the um gift cards for market basket, it was taken
from this account and then replenished. >> Say that. >> So, can we can we have that answer again at the podium? So, >> the snap. Yeah, the snap >> the the the 17 because I the question that I had asked was this is supposed to be expenses, but out of all the line
items, there's only one where it says negative 17. So, I'm just trying to see >> that's when SNAP the gift cards were given for food because SNAP was cut. That's where it came from. >> Okay. And that was because we have an account
with Market Basket as a vendor and we already had things in place like POS and stuff. >> Okay. Um CAFO, I just want to make sure that I'm highlighting this. This is a tremendous improvement um adding this to
like um to the revolving accounts. However, like if this is like a foreshadowing of what we're expecting for budget, we know how strenuous it is. Um I think it's also imperative to also add the the
revenues portion. Um because again, I feel like it differs from department uh yeah from department to department. Um so some departments they'll receive donations, others don't. Uh but seeing like miscellaneous revenue, it it's nice
to make sense as to what does that mean? Um cuz looking at 20K right now, it's like okay, like I I don't know how to make sense of that versus in the expenditures at least we're able to make sense of that >> in the description. Yeah. >> Yeah. Um so that's is that's just
something I wanted to add. Um, and again, I'm not trying to intentionally make your lives harder, but this is the budget committee and we're going, you know, in the near future, within the next month, budget season, and this is
where we're going to get into the nitty-gritty of these things. So, you know, at first I kind of was like watering myself down, kind of like hesitating if I'm being complicated by asking for these things, and now that I think of it, it's like I don't think I am. You know, I think that this is
valid. You know, I'm asking for some valid documentation for me to justify and make sense what we're approving. Um, and yeah, >> agreed with you. You got to do what's right for you and you have to you you got to take the vote. So, I agree with
you 100%. >> So, that we can do that. >> So, we could we could have we could have that for the for the full council meeting. I'm assuming >> it's going to be sent up. So, >> sure. We can do that. >> Any other >> further comments or seeing none, I will
entertain a motion. >> Motion to send to full council with a favorable recommendation. >> Second. >> Motion has been made by the vice chair, second by councelor the plant. Any further discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. The eyes have it. All right. Next one
is item 17526, reauthorization of recreation and park self-supporting service revolving fund account. And we have our director of recreation with us today. Director Gonzalez, you have the
floor. >> Good evening, council. Good evening, madam chair. Adly Gonzalez, 481 South Broadway Street. And just like director Vlex explain about what we do with our accounts and everything. What? South Broadway Street. >> Yeah. >> Where the heck is South Broadway Street?
>> Oh, you have to sing South Broadway. >> South I'm new to the area counselor. I'm sorry. >> Welcome to District E. >> All right. >> Welcome to District D. But don't but don't contact me for it cuz you're you're a department head. Don't Don't I'm just kidding.
>> I'm going to bring my problems to councelor LL. It sounds good. No, but like director Alex is playing, um you guys have all the information in your fingertips of everything that we do at the recreation department in our account. Uh clearly
ours is a little bit different and special than some other departments where we only have a limit of 10,000. And I think it's something that we're going to look into this year and work on changing that. I know there was an amendment on the general laws in 2016 where we can actually as a city change
that and pick our own limit. So that's something that we're going to, you know, work on in the next year before we see you guys again next year. And I'm open for questions if you guys have any. So give us an example of you know we have in your
expense sheet a generic like office supplies and you have operating supplies we've spoken about this before I know what this means but just for the public tell us in for the rec department the difference between office supply and oper
operational supplies. So, a typical operating supplies for us, for example, you guys seen all the events that we provide to the kids at the park. So, operating supplies for us is if we have to get a bouncy house, if we have to have a DJ to be part of our event, if we have uh Fourth of July is a big one. You
guys seen what we do. We all those things that we bring to the event are operating supplies that come out of our budget and, you know, the c the HHS department as a whole. So, that's all the things that we do. for operating supplies. Then for office supplies,
anything that we need, you know, uh copy paper for the printer, if we need anything for the department regarding the summer program, when it comes to the summer program, we use a lot of supplies when it comes to the flyers. We need um yeah, >> I think that's good. I just wanted to
keep counselors, any questions for the recck department? I >> have a council. >> Sure. Thanks. Uh there there was a time uh I thought there was a time where we actually would charge folks for using our fields and
our our recreation facilities. Are we still doing that? >> We are not. >> We're not charging. So if anybody wants to use the common or or recreation facility, they can use it free of charge. >> Correct. To an extent. So, if it's a
let's say a baseball field, if it's a soccer field, if it's a league, we do take a deposit in case there's damage or any disruption with your permit. For example, the past four, five years that I've been here, we have taken away deposits from leagues
that have done, you know, damage to the fields. They haven't been following the rules. We've given them warnings so that we do take in a deposit. they have a $550 deposit they have to leave with us before they can start practicing or playing on our fields. When it comes to
the common, um, you guys take care of that. We help them with the application, you come to the council, you give them a favor recommendation for us to let them use the common. We haven't set up any fees or that because that's really we
give permits for fields >> and leagues, but it's up to you guys as a whole to decide if you want to do something like that. >> So, and and you know that's it's we're not going to entertain that tonight. I I would encourage my colleagues to start
thinking about charging for the use of our common. Uh I I don't we we don't do it something nominal. There doesn't be a lot, but there's people who put a lot of work to make sure that the common's ready to go. and and um again it's it's
an asset and and if if it's not charged then it's not people consider it worthless. they could do whatever they want, but if there's if there's some skin in the game, if there's a little bit of money in the game, people's dynamics change, I'm gonna keep this, you know, it's worth something. It's not
whatever. So, I would, this is not a tonight conversation necessarily because it's a bigger question, but I would encourage us to consider something like that. So, anyway, um it just So, did we has that changed at all? Did we were we charging was recreation charging at one point for use of the
fields? So before I came into the department and before this administration, yes they were. >> And what was the what was the cost then? >> So it depended on the months and how many hours per week you were doing for I'll use an example. There was one league when I came in uh before the new
administration that we were charging them $780 for the whole season. >> Give me a range. Give me like a a a day or two something went into like a season a range of of of of cost fee range. Do
you have that ballpark? >> No pun intended. >> It it's hard. >> Yeah. No, I mean I think that >> I'm trying to get a handle as to what >> the permits were given before when I took over um and it was not during um
Mayor Deis administration. there was like a $350 to $750 um say permit $350 to $750. >> So there were people that got a permit for $350 and then there was people that
got another permit for $750. Um when I saw 350 I tried to make it um be 750 for a whole. So we they start in April, May, like beginning of May, end of April and they go all the way till
September, October. So, um, yeah, they there is no permit for the baseball fields. Now, if they're having a tournament, they do they have to pay for tournaments by hour. There's a $25 charge per hour to use the park to do a
tournament because they're all like, you know, for trophies and stuff like that and people are coming from everywhere. Um, that's one. Um, the other thing is we just started implementing um permits because it is a lot. It's time consuming to put it into the schedule making sure
giving people the right. So if people are preaching in the corners because we were having a lot of problems with like churches coming to us and saying you know I'm going to be in this corner and then they didn't like it and they would move somewhere else and we didn't know where they were in the city and people were calling and complaining. So now we
charge $25 for a permit for the one-day permit on the sidewalk, not in the parks but on the sidewalk. the people that preach with the um and we tell them they can't start before 12 o'clock noon because everybody was complaining about that and we give them a twohour
>> two hour >> twohour permit so then um you know we've had to stay on top of that to make sure because when we first started I was like uh no they can't be on the street >> what's and and and there's gonna be a reason for why I'm asking this what is the impact of of going from the model of
paying between 350 to 750 depending on the purpose to nothing. What's been the impact? >> Before you answer that, Sure. I'm sorry. I do have a point of clarification on this subject matter. >> Um, I recall my first term as a city
counselor. Um, the mayor invited me to join him. Um, and I forget who else, but we were invited to to join him to meet with with some of the baseball leagues. And one of the major complaints that these players were giving him was the
fees. And at that point, that was when the I would say the campaign to either take away or reduce park fees um started. And now we're at a point where it's thought the fees are no longer uh
main um thing. But >> I hope that's helpful. >> Thank you. So, so what's the impact? >> So that money used to go into the revolving account for the recreation department. So we were able to provide programs, more things for families.
>> So more trips because didn't you go for CDBG funds this year? >> We did. >> Did you get the money at the end? >> We we told Yes, but we don't know how much. >> Okay. And that's is that going to the revolt. Where's that going? >> That that gets a separate account. Let's not confuse it. All right.
>> So we we spend the money and then um the CAPO and her staff take care of transferring it from CDBG to us. So are so if I'm so I'm hearing the argument I'm hearing the argument. Is there anything to add to the mayor's if you can articulate the mayor's position as
to why is there did the council chair pretty much articulate is there >> I I totally understand. I think the mayor wanted to activate parks more. I think there was um ARPA money. He did he did give us ARPA money to run programs and do more things with um the city. So
we were able to have $400,000 to do that. So that offset it. Again, I totally agree with you. I don't know that we can hold this line for like the next three years or like if we're going to not hold it. And that's conversation that I have with the mayor on a regular basis. And I I'm and the Catho and I
have had those conversations. And um I think there is serious conversation about okay, how do we start this over again? um because as we all get cut or you know electricity goes up and all this other stuff that happens we need to make sure that there's some so we are
having I am having conversation with the mayor and I think he's in agreeance um he hasn't but you know if you're going to use the ballpark at night you should play for the lights >> and that's not happening so your your light budget we're not here yet but the light budgets we'll talk about that when the budget comes but I'm expecting that to go through the roof or it's been in
the roof all right >> so I council uh what I'm considering right now, and I don't think it would be an order, frankly, to do this tonight, but I I really think that there should be a sense from this body of whoever it is that's interested in doing it, to
have a resolution by this body, whoever wants to sign it can sign it. Just saying that we need to revisit our fee structures with regards to parks. And the reason is because we need to be able to fund other programs which is where
this money is not going to salaries which I said all that goes right back into the programs. The very children that we want to help and support and we fight so hard for and others and families who want to use the parks. Um we need to we need to do that. So is I don't think it's in order tonight. Just
kind of throw that on there because no one has a chance to deal with it. I haven't written it up. But that's something >> I was going to say if if you want to take the lead. I think you might have two counselors to co-sponsor with you. >> So, so that's something that I think that's worthy of a discussion, I think, and and whatever committee. So, >> thank you.
>> That's it for me. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any other further comments or questions? Seeing none, I will now entertain a motion. >> Motion to send to full counsel with favorable recommendation. >> Second. >> Motion has been made. Probably seconded.
Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it. >> So, next item is item 176-26, reauthorization of Veterans Memorial Stadium Stadium revolving fund account
expenditure limit of $100,000. Kathle, I'm seeing here we do not have that. >> There hasn't been any expenditures there. Um the only thing that comes out of there um and I want to be total transparent um I have been working on
creating a system. We met with DPW. Um we had a POW meeting. Um we do rent the the recreation department is responsible for rental of the stadium and we put people into contracts. we charge for that and there's a fee that's
charged aside for um overtime what I've wanted to put in place and we're starting to put in place is when do we rent right and how much money we get and then the school department
uses it and what comes out of this re this stadium is just overtime. So, I personally wanted to make sure that what we do that we rent and we cover the cost of the overtime for the uh DPW worker.
Um, we can't have Lawrence High School being in our stadium without covering that cost of the DPW worker or Central Catholic or anybody else that's using it. So, um, we I like had conversation and I think we're in a good place where
we're going to be invoicing the school department for the time that they use the stadium to cover the contract of the DPW worker and then also having that conversation with Central Catholic. So, if you use our stadium, we don't have a problem with not charging for the usage
of it, but you have to pay for the um contract. >> Thank you. Any questions or comments? I'm sorry. Yeah. I'm sorry. This is more for the cappo, but you stick around. He might be of interest to you. >> Sure. >> U cappo.
>> So, one of the um minorly frustrating, not tremendously frustrally frustrating things for me is stadiums in my district. It's right across the street essentially from where I live. And I just don't the use of the stadium to
me it it doesn't come before the council. There's no stadium commission. It's a public land property. It's sometimes there are non-sporting events that are utilized there and it's not coming before the council. And then I don't think I'm not even sure if anybody's paying or what they're paying.
And um I guess we have a revolving fund um and raised no money this past year. I'm sorry. I we let me ask that again. It's my it's my English.
You want me to answer? >> So, so the use of the the use of the stadium was used last year and and no money was brought in for the city for the use of the stadium. Is that true or or it has how much money has been brought in? Maybe that's a better question.
>> Okay. So, in transparency as I have a new clerk in the recreation department and she's learning and the monies were put in different places. We fixed it last week. you guys got the I can't old right like 10 say it just got updated.
Um but right now there's I want to say about $19,000 in there. Now we've put a stop to overtime just being taken out and kind of verified, right? Because we want to make sure that if you're taking overtime, we're if we're renting, we want to make sure that that all
balances, right? Checks and balances. But again, I have I think that in all fairness, it's not just about overtime. It's the fact that, you know, there's entities using it and not covering the cost of the contract. So, we're bringing in money, but we're not we're not
covering for other events to be held. So, if Lawrence High has a football game, right, they don't pay for the janitor for the DPW to be there. So it comes out of the money that we maybe
rented to him to use the soccer field. That's how it was. It's not like that anymore. I have fixed it. >> So I'm still a little confused. So I thought it was a simple question. >> Yeah. >> So in the last year, let me ask you let me ask you a very pointed question. It
either has a number or it doesn't have a number. Okay. In the last year, how much money did the stadium bring in for revenues? >> Okay. So, I would say about 35 $36,000. >> So, we brought in 35.
>> Are you saying like last year from July to now >> or >> you're really I mean you're you're >> whole year. I just want to make sure that we're on the same page. >> Well, we we work on fiscal years here. So I'm I'm working on a fiscal year. >> So the calendar year. >> So I would say about 23
>> because it's you know we don't rent the stadium during the winter. So now is when we start to make the money for like the following like >> but you what you're anticipating you're anticipating but >> I think we could do 35 35. Yeah. >> So that's a standard amount 30 to 35. But that's woefully inadequate. Is that
what I'm understanding? To pay for whatever needs to be paid for for user fees at the at the stadium. Is that inadequate or is that enough? Is that is that cutting? Is that fine? Is that fair? >> If everybody pays for the usage of the stadium, yes, it's enough.
>> Well, I mean, what what do you mean if >> Are you saying people aren't paying? >> The schools. >> Oh, the schools. >> That's not anybody else. Everybody else gets contracts. They have to have liability insurance. Everything gets done. The schools are not. They weren't paying. >> When you're saying schools, are you talking private and public schools? >> Lawrence High and Central Catholic.
>> No pay. >> Don't weren't paying. um and community day charter school who use it. So there is where we are, right? So now we're having conversation on the fact that it's the cities and this is a city school, but you got to >> you got to cover the cost of it just
like when we go to the school, right? If we use their space, we have to cover the janitor and the security guide, >> right? Is that so is that getting traction or or is that >> It is getting traction. >> All right. >> There's no going back. >> Okay. So next year at this time, we're not going to have this conversation.
>> We're not going to have this conversation. >> Okay. So my last my so my other point is is who gets the permission to do it? And that's more of a city I I happen to think it's a city council issue and we not and we're not doing I haven't voted on anything in the stadium in years.
>> Okay. >> I I don't think that's right. I think our ordinances say that we we used to have a stadium commission, but that's not that's the >> So I totally believe you. I know that when it was given well that's basically who
we really rent it to >> bands we have the >> that's a school >> the schools >> is that a school >> no they bugle course they have their competitions >> so the ban they have a contract with the school where they're able to stay and
sleep there and then >> so but 90% of all our rentals or maybe even 95% of all our rentals is sports And yeah, if you can't pay, you can't use it. >> Okay, we even had the Portuguese group. No offense. We had the Portuguese group.
There he is. Was Portuguese, right? That came in had the problems. It was it Brazilians. Sorry. Brazilian. >> Brazilians. Sorry. The Brazilian folks. You guys get a bad rap. I always get Portuguese bad rap. The Brazilians came in. Was it like during the river administration? We had that travesty,
right? >> Yeah. >> Um we haven't had anything like that, right? No. There been no other cultural thing? >> No. >> Okay. All right. So, you're telling me everything that's in the stadium right now is all sports related >> or not sports related, it's somehow fun. >> Yeah. Okay. I'm done. >> We don't really let it be used for
anything else and unless like we use it sometimes like last year we had the summer program like field day out there where we had the kids running around. >> I remember when Lawrence Catholic Academy had an anniversary of some sort and they were BS because I said they had to come before the council and I'm like, "No, you had to come before the council.
Why? No one else does." and I they had to come before the council uh to get permission to use. >> So, I would entertain that you and I and sit down and just show us where we are. I have I had spoken to the mayor. We're working on looking at the ordinance and
how we can change it so that it fits what we're doing with parks and everything else. Um and I I look forward to working with you because I think it would be good to do it. >> Awesome. >> Thank you. All right. At this point, I will
entertain a motion. >> Motion to send to full counsel with favorable recommendation. >> Motion has been made by the vice chair. Is there a second? Seconded by councelor the plant. Any further discussion? >> Seeing none. All those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it.
>> Thank you. I appreciate everyone. >> Thank you. >> Next item we have is item 177-26. reauthorization of library programs revolving fund account expenditure limit of 50,000 and we have director Abru here
with us director you have the floor >> hello thank you so much councelor Janella 51 Lawrence tree Lawrence Massachusetts 01840-1 I come before you today as a Lawrence public library representative respectfully submitting a packet before
you in support of our request for city council to approve the reauthorization of the library evolving account for fiscal year 2027. Thank you counselors. You did receive we received both an electronic and physical
copy of their expenditures. Uh we also received supporting document number two which was which is I had three supporting documents enclosed. It should be in a packet. The
the official fee schedules that they provide and have people sign and also the last supporting document is the revolving fund for your financial forecast.
Do you have any questions on the documents that were provided to this committee? >> Councelor Levol >> 50,000 just saw it. >> 50,000. Yep.
Any other comments or questions? >> Where do the uh where do the uh overdue >> book? >> Thank you. >> So you get every money from overdue books at all? You do? >> We do. So as of at this moment um during um 2022 the previous administration we
actually by um support of the MBLC had waved our fees for any overdue fees during the pandemic to increase our attendance. Uh that is going away. Uh so therefore in front of you in the packet there was a library official fee schedule. Um that fee schedule has not
been it has been brought upon the board but it's not been fully approved by the board of trustees. Uh and that does include uh not only a change in fee schedule. I know uh councelor Marmal last year you were very adamant about the no free in fee increases increases
during the printing color and and black and white and I said that I will do my best to honor that. Unfortunately due to the climate and the economic development that is happening right now in this economy, we have to do our due diligence with guidance of the ALA and the MBLC and follow suit with that. um what we
have provided and I apologize to the directors in advance. I think that u my team we have been fully transparent in alignment with our five-year strategic plan to provide to you forecasted information on what the library plans to do the official fee schedule. We will be
presenting in front of our board of trustees with a with with their vote and approval. Um and then in addition to that, our four-year financial forecast. What do I mean by that? it means is if currently our revenue account is up 250,000 max currently we hold in that
account our ending funding balance of $4,7302 um I want the public to know and our constituents to know that we can only obtain no more than $50,000 in that account whether it's fees revenues
grants funding donations I think there's a misconception and perhaps me as a constituent before. I think that I'm hearing 50,000 and I think that the library has 50,000. We do not. Our hopes is to one day garnish that and mostly through donations and funding because we
hope to align our values and to have investors that invest in the city of Lawrence and their economic development also invest in their constituents through their library. Um but at this moment we currently only hold $4,730 and and zero and two cents in that. Um,
we did include our expenditures again very vague but more transparent than we have in previous years. Um, again I will say and I want to say that in full transparency and alongside with our director of senior and counsel
uh we see vague items like office and supplies. We do have other entities we respond to. For example, at the library we have to have a thorough report to the state. the MBLC and how we're expending our state aid in addition to funding in
contribution to anything that's library oriented and that's with our error reporting and our financial report due every year. We also are activating and have activated and we also encourage at this moment anybody who's looking to support the library, we have the friends
of the library. It's a 5013C. It's a nonprofit. They're currently registered as as a 990N. What is a 990N? It means we could only raise up to $50,000. We are looking to in the next five years in our strategic plan to be a 990EZ
where we will be able to garnish within 200,000 up to 500,000 in assets and in funding as well. Um again, those are only goals based on the focus groups of our constituents. I don't want to engage too much in conversation and leave the
opportunity for any questions involved. But I have provided statistics that will help you understand why incentivizing our community like food, like um um products, like having off office supplies, like having decoration does
incentivize our community. And our community in full transparency needs the incentivizing. We live in a time that we need to get out of our houses and we need to see the product and the work of our labor and the library I will be honest is one of those first places to
do so. So through you counselor um um Vice President Fonte please through you if you have any questions or concern I'll be happy to answer them as at this moment. >> Thank you. Um counselors any questions or comments for the director?
Council Marble, >> my only comment is that is to show appreciation for providing um at least this detailed e expense report um which is to me it's like going above and beyond um from other
departments and again it is not to take away from what other departments are doing. I must say that um I am realizing that um this is like my second term third year as counselor and I'm aware that sometimes you know given the previous council body
and previous administration sometimes city employees are probably accustomed to what seems to be a pattern and what's the norm but then um you know some new counselor like me comes in and I'm requesting something completely
different that has never been requested before. Um, not that that makes it a bad thing, but um, you know, sometimes I've I've what I'm learning is I know it it's a hard pill to swallow when um, some folks are used to doing things for many years, not being requested certain
documents. Um, so, you know, sometimes when there's a new sheriff in town, there's there's going to be a shift and that's not bad as well is what I'm trying to say. But, um, super appreciative of this. Once again, just a reminder to the CFO, I am looking uh and
this is for all departments is uh the revenues uh that is on >> Marl and and may I you just share this sentiment because you brought me back to my high school years and and a sentiment to my professor um Mr. Clayman. He always said if you fail to plan, you
plan to fail. Um, and that's something I stick with me and I'm more than open and and my office and my doors are open for any and all directors or even the administration team to find out about the tools my team uses as administration to help guide this. It's not alone. We
are in a world of technology. We are in a world of AI. We are in a world of mentorship. We have to be able to be open to it in order to be able to excel and we're only excelling for our city. So, thank you so much for that. >> Thank you. Do you have any curious um so
you and I through you if you're willing will have a side conversation regarding this approach that you have that says you need to incentivize via food. Trust me I love the idea of eating free food. Um that's fantastic but I I'm eager to uh to to talk with
you not tonight on this uh but later just let's bookmark that as a conversation in the future because I'm I'm I'm curious as to how that plays out. So >> absolutely. Thank you councelor the plan. I will say that we are in our strategic plan um trying to increase literacy rates. Um as we know that it's
very obvious in our census report that they're a little bit lower than we would anticipate for them to be. I'm very I'm very very very honest and I'm I guess a true believance of our students and I think they need the challenge. So maybe we can explore that and hopefully combine a book with the food as well.
>> I love that idea. So but speaking of books, I just have one question. I I just I think it's fascinating. have never seen Brandeise University in any of our any of our u vendor names. Why? What happened? $110 for a lost
book. What What happened? >> No, one book. >> I mean, listen, we're going to talk about a success stories, but this is clearly not a success story, a lost book. I I will say and I think perhaps an example be a little bit with more refrain of using places and names um in
solidarity with librarianship, right? Um when we're getting out of the pandemic, we are having libraries institute procedures and policies that were already in place prior to the pandemic a little bit more rapid than urban cities. What happens when that when our constituents are able to borrow due to
consortium or due to other partnerships? If there's a damage or anything else done to the book or the material that they collected to what happens is it falls on the constituents. If the constituents is not responsible for it and they are a resident of Lawrence, it falls within our purview. What happens?
Either the constituent shows up to pay those fees, which most of the time they're not able to. It sits with us. Uh we currently have an example at at um Georgetown Library. Um, I do my best to advocate for the constituents. We do our
best. We even have the friends of the library that sometimes steps in and actually pays for the fee. Um, what we want to do is we want our constituents to understand what the responsibility entails when you request a material part of a consortium or part of a partnership
including historical material, archival material or any library, a library of things, whatever it comes from. We want to show and we don't want the I guess the conversation to be that a city like ours irresponsible. It's not we we are
not that those people and we will no longer be those people. So what I'm telling you is this as a library we want the full conversation with you to support you on this. If you owe a book, if you damage a book or anything that belongs to another library, we will work
with you because the reality of it is we belong in those places as much as they belong in ours. Is that reverse at all? Do we we have books and they come back and we don't get them back? >> Correct. It does. And does that mean that we're more considerate of their fees? Perhaps. Again, we're evaluating
policies of procedure faster. >> Okay. Thank you, Council Mar. I have a followup um on what the counselor just mentioned. Um, do you keep track of uh what repeat offenders? Like someone that
is known for not returning a book or damaging books, then they're asking there's another request to, you know, borrow a book. What's the protocol? I want to say this the most um
respectful way for our community without discouraging people from borrowing from the library. Uh but perhaps this will be a good example. Uh we purchased uh I believe 20 hotspots. Um last fiscal year
we had returned a total of uh nine hotspots. We had no dis no deposit required at the time. Uh what we ended up seeing was that the offender wasn't coming back with the hotspot. We have access to disconnected. So it's no
longer a servable unit, right? But it deteriorated them from their relationship with the library because we call it pilfering. Right? In their moment now they feel like they stole it as a possession. I'm telling you today, bring it back and we'll activate your card again. We understand it. It's a
lack of understanding of what we can do for you and what you can do for us. What does that mean for us as an institution? We have to examine our policies. We can no longer go without giving a deposit. We can no longer wave fees. Perhaps a little bit of deposit or a little bit of
um investment on your end makes you more reliable and understanding of what is expected of you. The idea is that these these items are meant to be shared. It's not meant to be kept. And as we pivot to a more of a library of things,
technology, hotspots, as you guys are aware, more uh laptops, computers, um uh desktops, Chromebooks, we want our community to know is that if you have an item at the at your home that should be returnable, please bring it back. We'll
do our best to work with you. We are at a place we we understand there's a lack of knowledge and if there's not a knowledge, we will put policies in place so you understand it. Our ideas is that we are going to share this amongst each other today for you, tomorrow for me. >> So the answer is yes.
>> Yes, ma'am. >> Yes. >> Thank you. All right. Any other >> Well, we're working on it. My community is working on it. I promise you. >> Any Are you all set? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Any other questions or comments?
Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion to send to full counsel with favorable recommendation. Motion has been made, seconded by councelor Leant. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it.
>> Thank you so much. I appreciate your evening. >> Next we have is item 178-26, reauthorization of the PEG access and cable related funds revolving account available. This one is available to Lawrence public schools for the
appropriation in the amount of $350,000. We have our capital and we also have representatives here from Lawrence Public Schools. Yes. With us tonight. >> Good evening. Suzanne Carrie Fernandez. Um, senior manager for LPS Media, 165
Crawford Street, Lawrence. Chris Markens, director of communications, Lawrence public schools, 237 Essex Street. >> Welcome. You guys have the floor. >> Sure. We are a cable grant funded uh educational station. We support the
entire Lawrence public schools district, all of the 32 schools, the administration, every uh event that we can possibly cover. We're a staff of four, including myself. Uh we support the website. We support the cable channels obviously that is uh we have the cable from Comcast channel 6 Verizon
41. Uh and then our department also supports uh all of the social media, the YouTube, the videos, the photography uh student uh interns as well. Uh so we have uh some funds we come that come from Verizon and then there was a
separate uh grant from Comcast. Uh I'm not sure if the CAFO wanted to discuss those details. So basically I I have a report also that I have forwarded to you guys. Um basically the expenses in in the school
side is mainly staff salaries and uh student stipens that they provide for students to help in the operations my understanding. Um so so far year to date they have spent um
$86,993 and um I have the detail as well that I will provide to the council and the income it comes from the uh cable companies. >> Okay, any questions or comments? There's
a fee within the cable uh bill that is um specified on each um bill that goes for the public um educational and broadcasting and government section. >> Right. I I do want to say at least for
the educational component of of this, you do an impeccable job with covering our student activities and I I watch it. I also view it online. And I want to say thank you. You were also there today
when we had the the junior fire fire um academy uh graduation. And I don't know how you guys do it. There's so this LPS has so many activities going on but somehow you you make it possible as much as you can and I appreciate it
because I do see the work. So thank you for that. >> On behalf of my team I appreciate that. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Any questions or comments? >> I just have a general question regarding and this I have less I got no problems with what's going on of the with this part of the PEG the E and the G part of
the E and PEG. Um I have more of a question on the city side, but it's more of a question for the capo. It's a bigger question on on on the monies that are coming in. I don't want to lead you to the answer, but can you give me the trend line as to the Comcast and Verizon monies? Have
they been trending up, down, or steady? >> Definitely. Down. That's what I was thinking. >> We get the Comcast, we receive the Comcast through to the city to the school and it's it drops a couple thousand dollars every quarter >> and and the same I would imagine the
same thing's holding true this the the the ratio for Verizon. >> We don't get that check directly. So that would that goes straight to the city. >> So there's >> that's interesting. >> This happened to be an an issue with the
Verizon side of things. Uh we both were getting it at one point. For some reason, the school's not getting it anymore. The city still continues to get our our portion, but it's not like it's doubled. It's not like we're getting the school side. Um we're getting about
$30,000 every quarter from each Comcast and Verizon. For some reason, I'm not sure what happened to the school side, but they have they did not they're not getting the Verizon side anymore. >> Why is it that the city's not getting the money and it's going directly to the schools? I mean, I get it. money's going to the schools, but
>> so the this the school's not getting the Verizon portion, >> right? >> They only get Comcast. The city is >> Why is Comcast going directly to the schools and not to the city? >> I I know. I mean, >> the city does get Comcast as well. So, we each get Comcast. >> No, I get that. I'm sorry. the
educational Comcast part of the pie >> is it going directly from Comcast, right, to to whatever the school headquarters is, right? >> Yes. >> Unlike Verizon, which is going from Verizon to city hall to you, right? My
question, >> we're not we're not getting the school side. We're only getting the city the city's portion. >> You're not getting the school either Comcast or Verizon? >> No. >> So, both of those are going right to the schools. >> They're not getting Verizon. Verizon stopped about a year or so ago. >> They stopped.
>> What happened? >> The way the way the Comcast grant was written, it was written so that the check for the schools would go to the schools. The Verizon check the Verizon contract was renewed uh in the last round and it excluded the specificity of giving this the money that goes to the
schools to the schools. Uh we have not received Verizon funds from the school department to the school department since a year ago December. Um, so I'm sorry. Are we supposed to be getting money? When I say we, I'm I realize there's three components of we. We um
either the public, the education, or the government. Is anybody getting money from Verizon? >> The the city is getting our portion. >> So government is getting it. The G is getting it. >> Yes. >> I we've tried we're reaching out to our
city attorney for guidance on as to what's going on. We've I think we've contacted the school has contacted Verizon a few times with no luck. Is that >> I think I think just to be clear, right, it does get confusing, right? Because you've got the educational component for uh you know the schools and then you've
got the government component. I believe as Suzanne said the way the grants were written uh they describe differently how the money would actually be passed to the recipients. So in the case of Comcast it goes directly to the district. In the case of Verizon, the educational money passes through the city and we've just been working through
the city to complete that process of moving that grant money which I believe is still coming in to your point at a lower level. It is coming in I believe it's just right now sitting with the city and we're figuring out the process of moving it through. I think is what's going on. >> Can you confirm that cappo? Are we get or you may say we don't know. >> I think that's where the confusion lays
because we're not getting any more than what we were getting before. It's about $30,000 a quarter. >> Okay. Um, so it used to be 30 for the school around 30 for the city, but now it seems like we're only getting the 30 for the city. Not sure where the school
site is and and I think that's >> 30 for the for the E. 30 for the E for in when I say E mean education. 30 for the E >> for the schools. >> Mhm. >> And then the G was getting 30 as well >> around 30 >> and that spread that with the P.
>> I hate to use these because it gets confusing. the government, the public, the P, and the G. They split the 30. >> Uh, it was only two. So, I'm not I'm not aware of a third. So, it was this the school and the city. We each got a
quarterly payment from both Comcast and Verizon. >> Right. >> The school for some reason stopped getting the Verizon portion. >> All right. So, my question is going to I'm going to save this line of questioning for the for the for the next part. So, are you getting all you're supposed to be getting or not? You're
not. You're missing Verizon portion. Yes. >> And you're gonna figure that out. Is that invol at all involved in this? And or it doesn't make a difference. How much is there a cap as to how much money? 350. Is this one of those capping? >> It looks like their expenses are a lot lower because they can only spend based on what the income they receive and
because they're not receiving the Verizon portion, their income is um pretty much half. >> This providing any hardship to the schools what the arrangement is right now. >> It is. >> Pardon me. >> Can you talk in the mic? So, is saying yes and the other is saying we're
working with it. >> We do the best that we can with the money that we have, but it has prevented me from upgrading any equipment. We have cameras that we use on a daily basis um with students, with adult staff, with other schools, and it it gets things are
getting worn out. Um I had a wish list um and I'm not sure what the status is going to be to um to make sure that we have everything that we need. >> Okay. All right. Well, I I think at this point that's out of our hands. Um, that seems like a legal question and it it sounds as though you're working with the
cappo and the attorney to try to rectify and cure the deficiency. So, I don't know what I mean. So, I mean, the vote before me tonight is to send this up to the full council with favorable recommendation to allow you to spend up to $350, $350,000. I believe that's what the vote is. And that's not going to be
a problem, but you got to figure out a way to get the extra 30 or whatever that you're missing. So, I'm done with >> So, are you making that as a formal? >> Yeah, I'll make that motion. has been made to set up as a favorable recommendation. Is there a second? Seconded by council marmal. Further discussion. Any further discussion?
No further. All right. All those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next we have the >> the E, no, the G. >> The G. The G of the PEG. reauthorization of a
PEG access and cable related funds revolving fund accounts available to the city of Lawrence with the appropriation amount being $100,000. We have our CAFEL and our IT director here. Well, obviously I keep saying we have obviously we have our CAFE we have
our IT director here um with our CAFEL. So we received quarterly uh payments from both Verizon and Comcast and the total received for uh fiscal 2026 uh from
hold on. Can't see it. Okay. Um, the total received from from Comcast is 94,290 and from Verizon it's 122,4. So total received year to date it's $216,394
and no expenses have been reported in this account. >> Who is it? Who's the chair? Vice chair. >> Okay. >> If you'll give it to me, I'll take it. Right. >> Thanks. All right. Is that is that for the whole year? Is that is that a
quarter? the two two >> that's for the whole fiscal 26 >> all of the FY26 okay >> that seems less than it was I think we've established the money's going down >> it's it's about a little less than last year but it's about the same >> all right so but this is a this is a
this is I think the most controversial issue of the entire night in my opinion this this right here because it's money that's going in for the two things public access television which I have no idea what's going on
with that anymore. And then the government portion which I think is going on as as is. I don't think there's a problem there. I don't know if the equipment has been upgraded. I don't know where the money. So we've got all this money. It's in a dedicated account.
We can't buy library books with this money. We can't buy it's got to be only for communic for cable related activities whether it's equipment or funding of shows or something like that I'm guessing and if I'm hearing you
correctly we have brought in $216,000 and we still have a balance of 216. Can someone tell me what's going on with the that the other group that was getting some of the money? What is going on? I'm sure they want a piece of this pie. Do
we know what's happening? You know, I'm talking about the other the LCAT group. Do they're not Are they looking for this money? Are they totally off? I can you help me understand who's in charge of the of the of the of the of the P. I know the G's kind of taking care of
itself. >> Good evening. Uh Carlos, IT director for the city of Lawrence, 51 Lawrence Street. >> Yeah. Um it's it's a very complicated matter. Uh as you know that the the the PNG um the city just uh get those funds
now since the city took over the uh public channel and the the the administration still hasn't u uh done anything um with it right with the
matter. And uh so I met with the mayor a couple of days ago uh to kind of bring this up uh when the careful reached out and said well we need to go and you know represent this account. Uh I did talk to the mayor and say hey we need to find a
place to build the public access cuz right now we haven't done anything. So, I did talk to the library director to see if she has a spot that maybe we can use and open it for the public cuz we got this money sitting there and we can
only use it either to buy equipment, hired someone to run the channel and also the cameras that were purchased and the equipment that was purchased for the uh uh G right uh it was used out of the
account as Um so we just there is no activity or uh uh on the public side uh cuz now we don't have anyone that's running the channel. We still don't have a home for
it. Uh so >> I have so many questions like what happened to the LCAT stuff? is technically not. It's it's I I if I understand it correctly, that's money that was spent through public monies.
So, it was funneled through the city for that nonprofit. So, that that that equipment is not for private purposes. That's for the public good because of the rateayers essentially paid for. So, I don't know what's going on with the building. I don't know what's going on with all their equipment. I don't know if that's old, new, we need to have it.
That's like one series of questions. And then the next question and I'll be quiet in a second. The next question is what are we doing in the future? Where are we going with this? What plan do we have? What is the what is either what is the administration looking to do? So the administration does have the intention
of getting this up and running. I it's been long overdue. Um, and that's one of the reason why I kind of met with the uh library director and say, "Hey, you know, if you have a spot, we we we because the mayor said go talk to her
and uh to see once if we get a spot, then we can start, you know, drafting some um uh some documentation to hire someone to run the channel, buy equipment." Um, as far of the LCAT,
right, that equipment, all I all I have heard was that they sold the building. Uh, LCAT, they sold the building on Assex Street. The equipment I >> I don't know what they did with it. I I
know that's, you know, a nonprofit. We don't control them. Um, then that that's all I know to be honest with you. But the city does not have any insight of up to what they have done
with those equipment. >> Let me I'm this you you happen to be standing at the microphone and this is not directed at you. This is directed essentially at the executive branch. It's a a broad net
of which you're a part of. >> This is ugly. I mean this is what I mean by ugly is that we have assets have been brought in for particular purpose actions were taking to get rid of a
particular organization that happened I guess successfully because they're no longer I I I don't see them very much every now and then I do but now we have this money that we're and that is not being used for the for the benefit of
the rateayers I have cable I pay my cable bill. Part of the part of the communications act that was passed in 1996, I believe, said that this money was supposed to be for the for the purposes of the rateayer
so they can benefit from programming and education. And it had the three things. They wanted to make sure that the public could do things and be to learn and whatever whatever they wanted to show, cultural stuff, whatever. The E for education. We do
that pretty well. I think that's the good news. And the G, we're okay. I mean, we're televising. Tonight's probably not the best night, but I mean, we we're tele, you know, we get stuff out. We get the product out, but that first section,
if I had to give it a grade, I mean, what would you give it for a grade? >> The public. I mean, we we have we have 216 and we spend nothing. I mean, what do you think? If I had to give it a grade, I mean, I think you know what my grade would be. >> It wouldn't be an A. It wouldn't be a C. It's not average. It's not below
average. It's a They would not go to the next grade. It'd be a flunk. Be an F. >> I I I >> on this totally understand >> on this. >> I totally understand. And and and as I said it u when I met with the mayor, he still has the intent in intention to uh
finding a home. And I'm I'm hoping I'm in good faith. I'm hoping that we will do something this year. Uh, oh, I'm I'm like I'm saying it's faith, you know. Um, so I I guess if we all work together
as a team, we can make this happen, you know. >> I I I don't Well, I I can't speak for anybody else but myself. I am willing to work with the mayor on getting something up and out. That's I'm not the problem here. I would like to think that I would support something that was brought to me
that would that would advance and and do something. So this is there's no there's no op there's no wall here. I'm open arms ready to work ready to see something come out. So I I I but we need I don't have no pun intended the bandwidth to go ahead and work on
something like this. So I really do need we need if I can be so bold we need to see something. Thank you. >> Understood. >> Council Marvin. >> You have the I gave you the gobble. to step up.
>> Councelor Vad, Madam Chair, you have the floor. >> Thank you. Um, I just I I had to step out um and I couldn't list. Can someone just summarize key points of the discussion? One or two just one or two important things that I should know that I missed. I apologize.
>> Comcast is bringing money in. U apparently everything's going great with education. Don't worry about that. Um, >> the government, we're bringing the money in. There's a slight steady decline in amount of money coming in. Verizon is a bit of an issue of where the money should be going and um right now we've
got money that we've gotten from both Verizon and Comcast that's been unspent for this year to the tune of $216,000 unspent. >> Okay. Thank you. Um if I may, Madame Vice Chair. All right. So, so what would
be and if I I apologize if this was already asked, but what would the $100,000 be used for if this was approved? >> Uh right now, uh I know you guys need some more equipment. Uh if you guys uh
need something, we can also tap in uh from that account to buy uh whatever equipment you guys need. >> Great. But now you're just putting it on the council to try to get this passed. >> Well, that money is also for the
council. It's not It's PNG. >> No, I No, I >> So, it's not just, you know, the the the but in in honest term, if if we get a home for the uh public channel um as I I know you were gone and as I stated, I talked to the library director and see
if he has a room that we can turn it into a community room. Uh do do a studio. we will use that money to uh fund for that um that room just to make it into a studio. >> Here's my hesitation with that though.
Um and and I'm hearing what you're saying and I understand that this body also makes the the makes part of this. But the exact words, almost the exact words
that you're saying tonight, we heard it last year and there's been zero progress. Now, it's not and I know it's not your fault, but now it's like how many chances are we going to give to the administration now and in the future if nothing gets done after this
administration to get something done. Um, so that's where I'm at. I was hoping to have more information or or better news, but we're still a year and a half later. We're still in the same situation, it sounds like. >> Can you give us one one last chance?
>> I I like the advocacy. That's good. That's good. >> I mean, just give us one more chance and if you guys don't see any movement, you know, hey, you know, understood whatever decisions you guys will make.
>> I'm not making any promises right now, but I'll consider it until it's time to vote. Thank you, >> Council President. >> Uh through you, Madame Basher. Uh uh at least with this account
uh we authorize the accounts. Obviously there is uh we authorize this account to be for the fund to be spent on uh the two channels that are responsible for uh for the
either the community or the government channel. Uh and and the good thing about it is that at least uh last year they told us that they were going to spend the money on uh on the channels. There was no uh
no movement around the community portion of the channel because the government is is part of it is city council. We transmit every every week. Uh but the good thing
about it is that the money was not spent on something else which is which is good. Uh and and then once we decide to do or the city have decide to move on the direction that they desire the money is not being spent on something else
that is not related to either one of those two channels. Uh which is which is a good thing. At least we not uh the money is not gone. Uh and at some point we need to if at some point we need to authorize the
funds. Uh and now that's what they asking. Uh we know for sure like in the last year uh they keep the awards their awards uh when it comes to spending and if if it's no spending and then there's no
movement movement of the funds which is uh which is good. Uh I'm I'm in support of uh allowing the the the team that is behind these two
channels to uh uh to proceed with the plan that they have due to the fact that we did that last year. they they were not able to do it but the fund was not moved to something else which gave me the confidence that uh uh for the future
they're going to be doing the right thing. So that uh that's a good thing about it about you know not at least not spending it on something else that is not to either one of those channels.
I mean and in all good you guys want transparency in this account I'll give you transparency you know um and we have good intention and just uh doing what's the right thing. >> Yeah. >> Thank you.
>> Any further discussions? Seeing none. Um I'm looking for a motion on this item. >> I'll make a motion to send to the full to the full council with a favor recommendation. >> Motion has been made. Can I get a second? Motion fails. Is there another motion
that anyone wants to propose? >> I'm going to make a motion that we send this up and I'll explain why. Send this up as a um as a committee report because and I'll and I'll explain why. I don't
if if something's getting an F for a grade, it's hard for me to say, "Yeah, we're gonna I think this is a great idea." It there needs to be some sort of signal saying this is different. This is not quite the same as the other six that we've just approved for whatever we did tonight. This is different. And I think
this council needs to mention that why it wasn't supported as as a favorable recommendation. Ultimately, we're allowing people to spend money that hasn't been spent and we have no idea what the plans are being spent. So, I I me withdraw my I was about to make a
motion. I got a question for the cappo if we if you don't mind. >> Cappo. So, I think we went through this little thing last year. What happens if we don't pass the something that that authorizes it within?
>> So come July 1st, yeah, if this fund is not reauthorized, we can't spend any money on it, >> which you haven't been anyway. >> So So >> but if if the plan does work for this year, >> sure. >> Um they'll have to come back to council to get it reauthorized.
>> So but that's but that's but that's the safety net. >> Is it not the safety net? I mean, what happens to that money right now? The money can't be spent. There's It can't be spent >> right >> after July >> after June 31st. >> They could spend it now, but it has to be on something. But it has to be
something that >> meets the criteria of the Telecommunications Act in the law. If they decide to spend on something else that's >> so we have not spent any money on on this you cannot approve that >> four years >> and you got by law you cannot approve any expenditure if it's for anything
outside of what's there for the >> and we haven't and we won't >> right so you're the safety net as far as signing on stuff >> right so yes >> um >> so >> yeah I'm thinking yeah
>> so going forward Yeah. Right. >> Sure. >> I'm going to look this at opportunity. So, uh I know I asked for one more one more chance. >> Sure. >> Uh thinking about a time frame, what progress you want to see?
>> That's a good question. >> Right. What progress? Right. Let's I'm going to look this as an opportunity, right? It's >> You're a smart man. >> What do we need or what do I need to do? Right. or what you guys want to see in order for you guys to say, "Okay,
Carlos, we're going to allow this to move forward." >> So, I can speak for myself and myself alone that everybody may have a different opinion. So what I would like to see happen is I I need to see some sort of progress and the progress begins with I I just talked about a plan earlier tonight how whatever we need to
get a plan on this that says for this upcoming year >> there were going to be metrics we are going to I don't even know what's it it is we're going to have the you're going to be in charge of I don't even know where it's going but whatever it is a plan that says this is how it's going to
go by this amount of time and then we are going to either purchase the and then then you're going to fill it We're going to get equipment. We're going to hire. We're going to whatever it is. But have a plan so that when I see that there's $276,000
this year, now you're going to add more money next year. This thing is going to be close to half a million dollar by the end of next year. That's a lot of green, right? It's a lot of cash. So, I'm expecting some good stuff when you've got half a million dollars worth of
stuff. So, I'm I'm curious to see where that goes. I would look if I'm you, I would look at other successful organizations. What are how are they doing it? What are they doing? And what makes those groups successful, the other community successful? And I would mirror
or at least make that the skeleton of what my proposal is. That's what I would do, right? So, um, that's what I would be looking for where I am. And then if I see something like that, now I feel a little more confident. Okay. >> You got a plan. You got a plan. >> Motion to pass.
>> Yeah. Sure. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. And the seven. >> That's that's my answer. I hope that's helpful to you as far as >> note it. >> And I but I but that doesn't solve the problem for tonight which is how are we going to get this through by sending the
signal. And what I just heard from the cappo is that even if we don't approve this tonight and even if we don't approve it this fiscal year, the money remains untouched. And then we could always have the ability, I think, to reauthorize to do something
July 17th, August the 3, some other time, right? >> But what that says to the administration is we're not sending a blank check. >> And I trust the CAFO, so I'm not sure she would sign off anything that was unlawful. But this is a big issue, and we need and the council president needs
to be at the table trying to figure out what we're doing here on behalf of the council >> and and representing our interests. Yeah. >> Vice chair, >> are you all set? Council >> Yeah. >> Uh council president, >> uh it is important to make a distin
distinction um that um there is two channels and one of them is not functioning. The other two are. So we just have one that is cool that is doing great things. We have the
government channel that is together all mixed together with this this funding that uh that if if that uh government channel that we didn't use any funds so far uh needs some type of equipment we
need to have that ability to spend. I believe that the vote that we took last year was not 100% was not fully uh it because we were going to u the intent was to use some type of funding when we did the when we would uh when we
were doing the renovation of the chambers. We were able to do everything without that account. But that doesn't mean that we're not going to um keep on improving what now what what the true meaning of the of the chamber is which
is the channel. uh that was not enough time during that time. But yes, the intent is to improve that and and the intent is to reach out uh a lot more people and use the
equipment we need to be able to reach uh a great amount of people especially youth uh through the channel the government channels and to make them motivated uh when it comes to public uh public government and and we going to be
able to And the intent is to actually allow part of this fund to be spent on the government channel as well just like we did with the school. That is a portion of it uh to be spent on the government channel. The administration
uh have a plan when it comes to the community channel. But let's make that distinction. It is not the government. The government is already functioning and we can definitely improve it uh with the school. We made that distinction. It's completely separate.
Uh LCAT used to be completely separate before. Uh and now the government channel which is the channel 22 and some some uh and some some cable um is also uh part of this package. So
we need to make that distinction. If we're going to uh keep the fund in an account, let's let's keep the fund that is supposed to be for the community channel until they have a plan. But the government channels have to be available
so we can improve what we're doing here. We can improve how we can reach to more people through the government portion of the three channels because community, education and government, three different channels, one set of funds. So we need to make a distinction on those three.
>> Uh and these funds we have the two channels left which is the government and the and the community and uh the whole discussion has been around the community channel but we also have the government which is
>> May I just say some last words? I I know there's might be some concerns in terms of funds or what you can spend it on. There is very strict rules in terms of making expenditure against that
account and and believe me this is something that we are not going to use it for something that does not belong to that particular uh uh
section. So if it's for public, hiring people, buying cameras, uh anything for console, you know, we can't use it for, you know, something else. Just just want to close with that. >> Um madame vice chair, um madam chair, you have the floor.
>> Thank you. So I appreciate the the explanation from the council president. So we have two different channels. >> Three >> three different channels. Um where why don't we have an item for the
P of PEG which is the public slash community um access >> if I'm not mistaken when >> when the funds are distributed it's just between the education and the P and the G are together so we don't have Just the
P versus the G. >> They're combined in the and the checks. >> Understood. Also, so if I was understanding the council president correctly, the channel for government is
functioning. So, if I was if I was to say to I don't know to my mom, I need you to log in next Tuesday to turn on the TV and let me know if the city council meeting is being aired.
>> Not well or right now or right now are we well we had a little h techn technologically hiccup so I don't know. So that is functioning. >> Yes. >> Okay. Yes. Now, for you, council president, since you're here, I want to know, so if we've been having the the
channel um active, why is the channel not included in the um um the the statement that we that we say before meetings regarding access?
>> That's a >> because that's the um through your madame. >> Well, hold on. Hold on. Madam chair still has the floor. >> But I mean she has more question. >> No, it was a No, it's a question to him. And and this I mean this started even before the pursuance to chapter 20 at
the end we say that they can follow our meetings but we only mentioned Facebook and YouTube. So why isn't the channel included? >> Um usually the the ch the the extra that's what I can understand based on my 11 years here >> because it's always been since co it's
been like it's been like that. Uh but um the typical traditional way to watch these meetings is through the uh through the cables >> and then having extras of YouTube and Facebook that's why we announce it.
>> Understood. >> But I mean traditionally for years that's how people watch it. >> But I think um >> we can definitely >> we're sharing we're sharing the floor now if that's okay vice chair. Um I I think now especially because there is that confusion between what is the
government channel. >> Hold on guys. >> No and also >> what is the government channel and what and what is the the the community um aspect of it. I think it would be nice to add you can also see a view on
channel whatever moving forward if that's if that's >> just an FYI even though we have >> um even though we have the PNG you guys have your own channel >> Mhm. >> So it's it's not together >> but it should be listed on
>> it'll be great to add it here. >> Yeah, we we'll add it. And we need to mention that uh that outlets like perhaps Comcast and and uh is one channel and Verizon is another channel. >> Okay. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> So counselors, any additional questions,
discussions, concerns, >> can the horse a little more? It's not quite dead. Um >> Oh, wow. Okay. Counselor, >> the council president makes a good point. So, um there there's there's I believe there's a differentiation. There's a
differentiation between all three. And I and I believe I don't have a law here in front of me. It's strictly from memory. Faulty perhaps faulty that the law states that there are the three pockets that the money needs to and I do believe that it's equal across
each the E and the G. um what I don't want to see happen and and the and the council president makes a very good point which is we shouldn't j if if the government portion is working well and it seems to be working it's well there's
a few hiccups fine we should continue to allow us to be able to do it but I think with that comes a responsibility as well I would like I would not write give anybody a blank check tonight or any other night on something I would ask the council president how much money would
be required that we would need to put aside and for and for what purposes for this upcoming year and then I would make a motion saying whatever that number is we should say we're going to authorize for the government portion of it whatever that
number is and I would you know I'm not looking for an itemized thing but I'm looking for a very strong ballpark number um that could reflect whatever the usage is that you think this council and our government would benefit from.
So that's how I would approach this. three. Uh I believe that to make the distinctions from the council from the from the council uh uh policy or perspective as of what should be used on
what I should I think that we should split it into one third as u as it sure and that way we know that one third is going to be for the community one third is going to be for education and then the other one third is going to be for
that uh for the government or that portion will be half and half. >> Um, >> so just for your for your benefit, this year we did split it. So we're we already voted on the school. They're getting everything that they received.
Right now what's in front of you is the city's portion. >> So half and half. >> So right now if you want to do half and half. >> Yeah, we think that we should do half and half. >> So the the total received was 240 216,000. So if you want to do half, you can do 10
and >> eight. >> Eight. >> Yeah, I think that that's fair. >> And can we I'm sorry. >> Council President, you still have the floor. Are you done? >> If he's given me the floor. >> You have the floor. You're Are you >> just respond to the question? >> Oh, okay.
>> So in light of that, could we can we can we craft this in such a way because I really do think it's it's it's three different portions. So, I really think that we need to have the in this case the G and say $108,000 for the G and then
then the E. Nope. The P is going to we'll need to reauthorize that LA next year once we find out what the plan is. >> Okay. >> I mean, does that work? I mean, is that >> that works? >> Okay. There you go, council president. >> Okay. So, councilors, if we're all set with um the discussion portion of this
item, uh I'm I'm I'm willing to listen to and accept a motion. >> Council of the plant. >> I'll make a motion that we send up to the full council with a favorable recommendation a a a limit of 108,000 $18,000
to fund the government portion of the cable access. >> Second. Okay. Motion has been made properly second. All those in favor? Oh, wait. discussion. No discuss. Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. The eyes have it. >> Um, so
question uh being that we are funding for the portion of G. There's no need to table the the >> G >> the other is that >> the P. We don't.
>> No. So there's no need to table that or no. I think they just need to come >> when that money gets exhausted on the G and they're going to look back and say, "Where's the P money?" They're going to have to reauthorize it. >> Okay. >> All right. Then
>> all right. Thank you. Now we are >> Thank you. We will see you next week. Now we are at uh um item 180-26 of the reauthorization of DPW recycling revolving fund account with the
expenditure limit of $300,000. So, we do have our recycling coordinator with us here today, Mr. Silver. You have the floor. >> Good evening. Good night, counselors. Uh Nelson Silva, recycling coordinator, 200
Common Street. Um so, we are uh asking that the council uh approve this. Um we uh were here last year for um an increase to uh 150,000. Uh now we are at
um we're looking for an increase for 300,000 um due to we have been um selling an increase of our trash barrels. um all of
our sales at the counter upstairs in DPW. Um for you know trash barrels, uh mattresses, um the trash bags also um
and have increased in sales. Um, so I mean we've distributed we've sold I would say we've
ordered over um three six about 850 trash barrels um probably about 600 in this past uh fiscal year so far and prior to that um it was about 250
um Our expenses are a lot of it is with uh complete recycling. Um that's for the hazardous waste and all that other stuff. Um I don't know if you see here,
but we've spent about $64,000 so far in uh disposable hazardous waste. Uh and it just keeps going up. And that's uh you know I would say a lot of that hazardous waste is coming from illegal dumping
across the city. Uh and you know from what you know our program from May to October uh but a a ton of that is is from illegal uh dumping that has to come
out of our budget um unfortunately. So so far that's that's it. Um, I think that we're at about a little bit over 200,000 right now uh in the account. Um
maybe mistaken on that but council um careful I want to briefly just mention how the revenues in for this department is a astronomical. So, >> I have >> Okay. Um,
it just it piqued my interest cuz compared to other departments, >> um, I it brings out the a line of questioning. Um, >> just so you know, I I just pulled it up, but I I'll have it to send it to you. Most of all of the revenues is from
mattress box disposals. >> Okay. How much how much is the the charges of that? Um >> $20 30 >> 25 30 >> $30 per mattress. Um we
>> have pick up twice a month. Um and our average bill with UTEK is in between 25 to 4,000 2500 to $4,000 a month. Uh we spend with UTEK probably somewhere a little bit over 50 grand. Uh they are
our vendor for mattresses. uh and we are satisfied with with the services that they have been providing to to the residents. >> Do you feel that what we're charging for the um disposal of mattresses um offsets
the the expenses that it incurs in your department to do away with them >> or are you at a loss >> even after charging them? Well, I mean, you know, right now we are um in
conversations with them. Uh, as you know, everything is going up everywhere. Um, and basically, uh, we're just we're not really, you know, making or in the business to make
money, uh, especially for, you know, things like this. Um, and we do take in uh a lot of it also from illegal dumping in the mattresses. So,
we have a container at the yard where they're picking up mattresses and throwing in there that we're we have to eat the cost of that. >> Um, and not only that, but it's it costs for transportation, costs for, you know, the handling of all that other stuff.
Um, but again, you know, we're we're not in the business to be making money on on this kind of stuff. Uh, it's just there to provide the service to the resident. Um, >> I am. >> And >> sorry that I cut you off, but um the
whole illegal dumping, >> I'm in a district where that's super major, and I'm pretty sure that >> it's it's the biggest enemy we have in the city. >> What is the city like? Is there some sort of um collaborative I don't even know how to word it when it comes to the
dumping where it's on a state highway but technically residents they reach out to us because they don't have an understanding as to what falls on on the city and what's considered state. So when it's uh when it's when the illegal
dumping is happening on a on a state side of things, how does the city manages um those fees or those like how do you guys manage? >> Well, I mean those challenges. >> Number one, ISD is out there to inspect.
>> We ISD has to inspect basically, you know, what the illegal dumping is. So, you know, they send the inspector, they do the investigation, uh the outcome of the investigation, if they find the, you know, individual
who was, you know, um responsible for that, then, you know, they they'll find them, do whatever they have to go through, whatnot. cases where um it doesn't happen that way, then you know after a while our crews will go out
there and pick it up and bring it back. I mean it's I mean at at this point we really don't >> so we eat the cost. >> We really don't we really don't go and you know is that state or it's whatever is in the city we just take. >> It's an eyesore everywhere.
>> Okay. Um All right. I'll have to reach out to ISD because now I'm curious and I feel like this brings uh a bigger question on my end in terms of like how many of these cases happen to be you know illegal dumping on state grounds. >> Um now you know I'm just curious now uh
in terms of that like how much is the city kind of taking on those those expenses? >> We're we're taking on a lot. I mean there's, you know, the issues too that um when there's the dumping on the bridge, the illegal dumping on the
bridges and under the bridges >> for all that cleanup. Um that's >> you guys are affected by that. >> That's that's you know our department. >> Yeah. I don't know. I just feel like seems like there's work to be done. Um >> everything can be better,
>> huh? >> Everything can be better. >> Yeah. Uh it's definitely an eye openener. Um, my last line of questioning is just looking real quick at the revolving fund expenses. If you don't mind just um going over I'm I'm
looking specifically at the top three highest line items. There's a 26,000 rehiring Pacific company is >> Yeah. So that's that's Rigg Pacific. That's the company the vendor that we deal with who we purchase the trash barrels from. >> Also these are purchases of the barrels.
>> Purchases of the barrels. Correct. >> Okay. >> 26,000 trash >> and then 26,000 again. Uh and then there's another uh expense there for 28 which is complete recycling. That's the disposal of the hazardous waste, the
TVs, tires, the um >> the other stuff that we have down. I'm sorry. >> Are you referring to waste zero, the Lawrence? I I'm just like trying to understand the comments. >> I'm sorry. So,
Waste Zero, that is the company that um provides us with the um overflow trash bags, the ones that people purchase. >> So, um I we only used to have the overflow bags at here at DPW and Market
Basket on Essex Street. Um we now have them at um America's Food Basket where the residents on the southside can go purchase the bags there. >> Oh, that's >> um so that was something that I implemented make it easier for the
residents of District F um who can go and buy their bags, you know, over there and u Mount Vernon. >> I was going to say and District D because we are we are customers of American food. Um, so yeah, I mean then it's it's been great. They've been selling a lot.
>> All right. Okay. Just wanted to make sense cuz I know under comments there's certain like >> So the city what happens is the city puts up the the the the amount. So this year we we had to pay way 019,000,
right? So, and then from there, um, basically when, so they they charge us to hold the bags. When the retailers order the bags and they sell them, then they credit the city back um for the
amount that they ordered. >> Okay, almost, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments? How are the >> How much does it cost for a trash barrel? >> Per barrel.
>> Um 55 to 55 bucks. >> That's the That's the the retail. >> That's that's the cost >> for us >> for us. >> For us 55. >> Yeah. >> Um how much would it cost if we bought everybody that has a blue one recycle and not a trash barrel a new trash
barrel today? >> How much would that cost? >> Repeat that again. So, >> how much would it cost to when because we haven't done this in 10 12 years, 15 years. >> The trash barrels are the original trash barrels. How much would it cost to replace all the original trash barrels?
>> There's probably about 26,000 residences in the city that we we um >> 26. Okay. >> Well, more than that. Probably about 28 >> between 28 and 30 somewhere that we service. >> Okay. Um but yeah that that's that is
something that is in my uh folder for negotiations with capital pretty soon. >> So so here's my thing. Um I think this would be a fine place if we had that because people are constantly doing it and I think it was certainly the Lant
administration that I recall is when we had the the trash barrels come in. >> So I'm guessing it was like how many? 15 >> 15. So you're thinking that would make some sense. So 2011 that would fit that time frame. So
I you know we we've been spending money on ARPA money on like a lot of stuff. I would tell you flat out that people who need blue replacement bins because 15 years in this city it's a long time.
>> The new barrel the new barrels now have a 10-year warranty. So, that tells you something. Right now, we're at 15 on some of these. And we own our barrels. Is that right? The barrels that we have, who owns the barrels, the blue barrels? >> Who owns the barrel? >> Is it Is it the resident who owns the
barrels, the trash barrels, or the city owns the trash barrels? >> Well, the resident pays for it, but it's actually still I would just It's property of the city. >> So, when you sell your house, the trash barrel goes with the property. >> Property. Correct. >> So, it's really the
city's >> the cities. property resident uses it. I mean resident purchases to use. >> Right. >> So anyway, the long and the short of this is um why am I asking in this now? Because you've got this fund. There isn't I think there is a need. I don't I
mean some people I mean I wouldn't not I don't need to replace mine. I've got mine since 2011, but we you know we've been we've handled it pretty well. We haven't been a target of vandalism. Things have been good, right? So I I wouldn't need a new one. But I know plenty of people who are duct
taping or just trying to keep things, you know, together. And and I'm thinking a good way, you want to talk about getting some love, a good way to get some love would be to that really impacts people is to for people who need it
>> who are trash a trash b is way past due and I don't know how you get there and but on this recycling revolving fund would would that fit? There are situations where you know we we also um you know people who have hardships and so on and so forth. >> Mhm.
>> We help them. >> No, I I I get that and that that I guess that's a good thing. Um I just was wondering if if that would would would that fit under the uh the purpose of this? Would would a trash a regular trash barrel would that fit under this rubric or or would it only be recycling? Because the title of this is DPW
recycling revolving fund. Would a regular trash barrel fit under this scenario >> under this revolving >> revolving fund? Yeah. Yeah. >> I guess it's been for the past couple years now. >> So we've been >> prior to me being here. >> So I guess precedent being what it is,
right? Uh and one last question. Is there any DP involvement in this at all? Mass DP involvement in this revolving fund? Um, no. I mean, the only the only money from that we get from D from that grant money
is is spent for uh hazardous waste also, >> but it's not going anything. It's not just >> nothing is going into recycling revolving. >> Okay. Anyways, I I I give that comment to you for your not the DVD, but the the the trash bins for your consideration. If we
have extra I I don't know what that I haven't done the math. So it's 55 times 28,000. Is that what we're looking at? >> I mean we pay 55. I mean there's other um I would just say I mean depending on the amount of where how many were
ordering it at all. >> It's $1.5 million. >> Mhm. >> Is okay. Like I said, that's something that it's it's on my folder for negotiations with if it's either capital or another
company who might come, you know, um when it goes out to bid. Uh but that is something that we are in desperate need of and whoever comes in should eat the cost. >> Yep. >> I have um a question, not a question,
but I guess a comment for consideration. You probably have already thought of this. I don't get this a lot, but sometimes I do. And it's the situation when a resident's um the the cap of the
barrel gets broken, >> the tipping the tipping of of the container when it goes onto the truck, >> right? And and it's Yeah. And it's >> and they bang it and Right. >> And they throw it. Yeah. >> Right. So, so when that >> like I mentioned, I I don't get this a
lot, but once in a while I do once in a blue I I do get this and you know the response from the city is well you need to spend $100 to buy a new a new container. >> Um so I don't know if if if it's possible to either when we have
negotiations, can the the waste company cover that or is is it possible to just have the the cap part of it that residents can purchase? I don't know. But I'm sure you already have this in your >> So, so it's basically
and I get their frustration. >> Um, but then you know it's it's conversations that I have with the supervisor from capital pretty much all the time. I figure >> um and you know like I said there are certain you know situations where we
help out the resident in cases where capital might have broken the barrel then you know it's it's taken care of. Um but yes uh it's an ongoing thing. It's gotten a lot better. Uh you know we
have they have certain employees who are new whatever. Uh, but like I said, when uh residents purchase new barrels, they uh have a 10-year warranty now. >> Um, so it's either if if it can't be
fixed, then it will be replaced, but the older barrels, unfortunately, we can't order parts for >> it would have to be the whole unit. >> Understood. Thank you. >> Any other um comments or questions? Um, councelor council president.
>> So, uh, through man, quick question on the spend the short from last year. I mean, how much how much money you guys spent last year uh before that uh before June 30 of 2025? >> That's a that's a good question. I don't have that on the top of my head. Um, I
don't know if the CAFO can help me out with that one whenever she's got a second. my computer. >> Well, essentially the what I want to what the the my my point of asking this question is because I want to uh I want to know like an average how much you
guys spent. I see that this year you guys have spent 141 141,599. Um, and that including the purchase of the borrows as well >> and uh and a couple other things that that you guys do. >> Like right now we're in desperate need
of trash barrels. Uh we have been for the past month now, but we are strapped and we can't do anything until the new fiscal year. Um I would say last year we were we were um we probably 100 maybe 100,000.
I I ballpark somewhere in that in that figure. No, the reason why I'm I'm I'm asking is to see the the expenditure of that uh of the account and see the potential of doing something else with the reminding money perhaps that uh that
uh allows people to uh to take advantage of a specific programs that do more um that have some criterias when it comes to helping out. Mhm. >> Uh uh because that could be interpreted
as okay many things but you have uh about $23,500 uh left in the account that is the reming um uh the reming money that is here that with the new authorization that money will be roll over into next
year. But getting a number on a specific amount that transferred it over to an a specific amount of borrows. I did the math and and with this $23,000 you're about to you can actually buy up
to uh 427 barrels. Let's say that you get a 200 barrels. And with that 200 borrows, you you start a program that have some criterias on as to how you'll be able to
help out people that meet that criteria and not necessarily based on the discretion. >> You know what I mean? >> There's also been talks in regards to the price of the the the cost of to
purchase one. Um there we're looking at ways to um lower that. >> Okay, that's perfect. So, essentially what I would like to to to to hear in a proactive way is that whether or not uh
a program can start so you can uh you can follow that protocol to help out people that meet some criterias and be able to justify that as well uh under the program. And what I mean by that perhaps if you have
if you have a situation at the cemetery we will talking about the cemetery right the cemetery have a specific programs that you'll be able to bury somebody on their low prices uh based on a specific criteria that people have based on the needs but you have to have some
criterias for you to be able to qualify to that uh and not just you know uh I know somebody that I know somebody that knows somebody and not be able to get the deal. >> No, no, no. >> You know what I mean? So, basically, >> it has to be a a you know, certain
reason um you know, whatever it may be, hardship, whatever. Um we gladly help out the the constituent. Um you know, uh especially veterans, elderly, uh and we
we do our best um to to help anyone out. Um there's also something too that's in the works with UTEK. Um we are you know signing not to get off the topic but um we are implementing something there too
to help veterans and u people who have financial hardships who can't u pay to dispose a mattress >> because that that is >> it would go straight to you know it'll be thrown somewhere and >> we're gonna have to eat. One thing that
I was thinking is like around uh perhaps people that have uh apply for uh to be able to do that uh the tax reduction uh programs. >> Mhm. >> For elderly.
>> Mhm. >> Uh so we can get those applicants and potentially ask whether or not they have the needs of a new borrow. Mhm. >> So in that way we can u actually put
that kind of together with the uh the tax reduction program that we have in the city of Lawrence for seniors >> that uh you have to you have to have a specific uh you have to be you have to be this age and then a specific >> I I definitely you know what I mean? So some kind of like you know I get what
you're saying but like I said we're not here to we're not here to make money. We're here to provide a service. So whatever we can do to help anybody out we do it. Um, you know, and it's if you're looking
at my expenses too, I mean, if you see the the on the credit card fees that we we eat up too that we don't charge the constituent, um, you know, that's almost $5,000. >> Yeah, I agree. >> Um, and you know, like I said, it's
>> Yeah, I I get it. I get it. just want to know like you know just trying to put something up there so you'll be able to >> yeah I I'll I'll you know we can sit down and figure that out >> talk about that and perhaps >> to the director and you know go from there >> sometime we just forgot about
those that um you know seniors and stuff like that that potentially they not they don't know that there is some type of help available potentially uh how we doing with that uh with the recycling bins are those available level still.
>> We have some that um through waste management. >> Is it not working? >> It's not getting a >> Oh, sorry. Oh, now it's loud. Um so through waste management, uh we received
recycling barrels. Um we get it every year. They um it's part of the the contract that we have with them. So, we we did have some um if you have any uh constituents who need anything, uh you can have them reach out to me or if you
have you can reach out to me and just give me the address and uh we can deliver them. >> No problem. I just want to know like you know if they're they were available at some point, but I mean we haven't here for a while if they still are. >> We had some delivered about 3 weeks ago.
>> All right. Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Um, at this point I will entertain a motion. >> I'll make a motion to I'll make a motion to send it to the full council with a f recommendation. >> Motion has been made by the council president. Seconded by the vice chair.
Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. And the eyes have it. Thank you. All right. Councilors, we have item 181-26, transfer from litigation reserve in the
amount of 1 million and a transfer from free cash in the amount in the amount of 1 million to legal services account specifically in the amount of four 450,000 and also to the court judgment account
specifically 1,550,000. Um, attorney Hooton originally did have planned to be here. Unfortunately, um, he did reach out and he had a situation at home that he had to attend to, um, a personal situation. So,
I was notified um, our caffe was notified. So, she is here to answer questions in regards to numbers. Um, if we do want to take this, we do have one more item aside from this. So, either way, we're still here. But if we do want to take this now, if we discuss this
now, I am going to ask if you have any specific legal questions to please connect with the city attorney prior to this to the count the full council meeting on this matter if we decide to take it to send it up. Caro,
I'm not any motions to table. So, >> we're funding table. >> Oh, >> yeah. >> Just a couple things. One, your battery's dying. two. We're late. We're getting tired and this is a big topic. >> Yep. Okay. >> I I like to make if it's all right, I can make a motion to table.
>> Motion to table by council the plan, second by the vice chair. All those in favor say I. >> I. The eyes have it. Okay. >> We have last new item, new business item is item 186-26. The transfer in the amount of $10.8 8
million from free cash reserve to various city accounts. Um and we have our capital here. Do we have a list of Yes. So there is a report that shows the
the different accounts on a column and it shows the beginning balance plus additions minus deductions and it shows the ending balance as of when we ran this report uh the end of April. >> Yeah, we have the the memo here. Um so
they're looking to tr she's looking to transfer 1 million to the op O oped trust fund. $800,000 to the compensated absences reserve fund. $400,000 to the workers
compensation claims reserve fund. $200,000 to the injured on duty reserve fund. $3 million for the stabilization reserve for debt services. $1 million for the stabilization reserve for
litigation and judgments. And lastly, $4.4 4 million towards DPW snow and ice expenditures. >> So the first the first four items, the OPED, compensated absences, workers
comp, and injure on duty were funds that um were established by the city back in June of 2017. Um Mass General Laws had enacted some laws regarding these specific funds. the
city had to adopt it locally and the city did adopt it um back in June of 2017. The OPE or other postmployment benefits reserve falls under Mass General Laws
chapter 32B section 20 and this fund is to cover the benefits for retirees health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance and so forth. Right now, based on the actuary report that we just had
done, we have a $317 million liability. Um, I'm sorry, that's the I'm jumping ahead. That's the compensated absences. The the the OPE is a line item that we have to fund every year. We did
not we were not able to fund any um additional funding last year. So that's why I'm asking for a million dollars to compensate for the two years. Um the OPE is one of the accounts that the rating agencies looks at um favorably for a
city um when we're going to uh out to borrow. So we I'm asking um for the line item to be funded. Right now um the uh balance on this account is 2.8 8 million and the additions that you see
there for 87,000 is just interest income that this account is um able to receive reserve for compensated absences. This is under Mass General loss chapter 40 section 13D.
This is reserved for um money set aside for retirees. As of right now, I have uh between public safety, police, and fire, I have about $550,000 worth of um payouts that u are being
paid before the end of the fiscal year, and that's the reason why I'm asking for the $800,000. So, I do have a few others that are retiring. Um, but usually the the the public safety uh employees are the ones that have the higher amount of
years and also sometimes the higher salary. So, um, when you're paying out a few of them, it adds up pretty quickly. Um, then we have the workers compensation. Um, this is under master law chapter 40 section 13C. These funds
are reserved to support departmental budgets for workers compensation claims throughout the city. This does not cover public safety. Public safety is covered under master laws chapter 41 section 111F and that is for uh injure on the N of on
the line of duty which is a different um law. So if your public safety is 111F uh which is injuring the line of duty, if you are a regular employee, it will be uh workers comp. So they're they're they follow different laws within Mass
General Laws. Um I'm also asking for um to put some money aside for the reserve for debt service. This is the account that I'm using to cover the additional costs related to the two new schools and the police station. And as you know, we
did not get uh an override or a debt exclusion. So, we are using um money that we can get from free cash to cover this additional cost. um the litigation judgments. We have as as stated on on the city attorney's
request a couple of uh items that we need to uh settle and that is to cover that fund so that we have additional funds before uh free cash expires. As we all know free cash expires June 30th is not certified until probably the
beginning of November. So between July 1st and November, we don't we don't have free cash to access. So I want to make sure we do have money in case we do need to settle some cases between now and then. And um the last but not least, the DPWs know and I this year was a a
significant increase. Unfortunately, it's a 4.4 million deficit. And um um I have a 25page report of expenses that I will be forwarding to you tomorrow as well. Oh, that's a true idea. >> Mhm.
Um, and it shows, you know, by category where they spend the money, the vendors that they paid it to and so forth. But we all know that the season for Snow and Ice was very challenging this year. So, um, that's a big hit, >> right? All right. Counselors, any
questions or comments for the capital pertaining item? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion >> entertain a motion. Anyone? >> Motion to send to full counsel with favorable recommendations. >> Second.
>> Motion has been made properly seconded. Any discussion on the matter? I believe these are pretty clearcut. Yes. Um, very clear black and white explanations. Seeing none, all those in favor say I.
>> I. >> I. >> The eyes have it. >> Before anyone leaves, capital stay put. >> I I promise we're done for the night. However, I originally had planned to unte item
zero um item 30-26 which is the reclass classification of non-UN position update Collins center report to reflect cost of living adjustments. However, due to um obviously the length of this meeting, we're not going to be taking this matter
tonight. However, we will no matter what take it next meeting um because there there is an there is a need to confirm whether or not this is going to be passed in regards to reflect that in the budget.
So, we will be taking this matter um next budget and finance meeting. Our cath reached out to me. I asked her to send the documents again to you guys. So, you guys I think it was two weeks ago or so. >> Yes. Um so you do have the spreadsheet
that reflects the positions. Um she did last time we spoke about that matter. Um someone asked about separating you know leadership and and and administrative like operational types of of position. So you you'll see that reflected in
there. I just want to make sure that this committee is ready uh to discuss that item for next time. Thank you. Capital. >> Thank you. Have a good night. >> You as well. Motion to adjurnn, please. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Motion has been made
by the vice chair, probably seconded by the council president. All those in favor say I. I. The eyes have it. Thank you so much.