I'm going to make this bigger. >> Good evening and welcome to the personnel committee meeting. Today is Monday, June 22nd, 2026. It is now 6:31 p.m. I do want to say that I apologize for the apologize for the late start. We have the middle school graduations or
promotions today and I was just at the Frost um at the Frost School for theirs. Uh pursuant to chapter 20 of the acts of 2022, this meeting of the personnel committee is being conducted both in person and via remote participation. A reminder that persons who would like to
listen or view this meeting while in progress may either attend here in the city council chamber or use our Facebook or YouTube channels and also we we have um we are also streaming from
on channel 22 Comcast and 42 um Verizon. At this point, can you please join me in the pledge? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Councilors, can I have a motion to approve the minutes from our meeting meetings that took place on March 9th, 2026, um
May 14th, 2026, and May 27th, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion has been made by the vice president, seconded by counselor um Miguel. Any discussion on the minutes? Seeing none, all those in favor say I.
I. The eyes have it. All right, straight into I I forgot to mention, voting members or committee members present tonight, we have to my left the vice chair of this committee and and council vice president Anna Levy, counselor and counselor Franklin
Miguel. Counselor Rosalie Gonzalez could not make it tonight due to a personal matter. First item we have is item 264-26, the to extend the temporary appointment of Santiago Matias as director of
planning and development for 90 days. This was put on the agenda by Mayor Brian De Pena and also the personnel director, and we have um the the senior advisor here to speak on this behalf. Um senior advisor, you have the floor.
>> Yeah, before Hi, good evening uh Madam Chair and counselors. The uh before we proceed, um I don't know if this is the right moment to request it. Um the >> Name and address, please. >> Sorry? >> Name
>> Octavian Spanish, senior advisor, 200 Common St. Uh Lawrence, Mass. The um item 231 uh {slash} 26. >> Mhm. So, that's not what we'll get to
tonight. >> to untable it, but I also wanted to mention that the um the removed item 305/26 from the from the agenda. >> 305?
>> Which one? Okay, we we will get we will get to that when when we're done with new business. So, item 264-26 um temporary appointment. >> Okay. The on behalf of the mayor, the mayor wanted the as you see in the agenda to extend the temporary appointment of Mr. Matias
>> Yes. >> uh Santiago Matias, director of planning and development. Mr. Matias is here. Uh if you have any questions, um you can direct it uh to him. >> Okay. Thank you. We'll have Mr. Matias come uh acting director Matias to the to the
podium. Um Uh director Matias, what I usually welcome the What I usually do is I have um the candidate or the individual introduce themselves reintroduce themselves to the to the committee. Um speak a little bit about the work and what you are looking to to do for the
future and then I open it up um for the committee members to ask questions. >> Yeah. Good evening, counselor. My name is Santiago Matias, 32 Arden Street in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Uh I've been uh appointed acting uh OPD director, planning and
development director. In the 90 days that I have working there, I I working hard to bring the unity of of the department. I found uh you know, the department was uh
dividing group, but now everybody is working together. Um plus that we start working um with the mayor health task force to as uh make uh conference about mental health, uh
conference about uh lung cancer, uh another uh activities from from kids. Our mayor uh goal now is rebrand the city. The city of Lawrence has not been rebranding for the last 100 years.
We need to show to people outside of Lawrence the stereotype of Lawrence as a bad city. We need to start working hard to bring these people to our city to enjoy our culture, our our food, our
people. Plus that we want to work hard to bring um a zoning task force. For the last 50 years, you've been working doing variance and special
permit because we don't have a strong zoning zoning ordinance. The ordinance this is too old and then we need to put it in order to be uh to to have a city who really be working. Plus
we're working in moving our offices for 360 A Merrimack Street to 255 Essex Street. That building was acquired by the city a long time ago we pay uh
a big amount of money for that building and never we give it any use really really use for the city. Um now we're going to bring all the uh all the offices here. This going to be more close for citizens to get to get
our services from here from the from the city hall to the planning and development department. Before they has to travel from the north to south and then we try to bring the services more close.
Uh plus uh the winning and that building is is a city building. Um, and then it's going to be more easy for us to uh uh you know, um save some money for the city.
Plus that we are we have a plan for the inspection of service department. I've been working closely with inspection of services. Uh, visiting this department every day. Um, and I bring uh the inspector the
building inspector to work together with the uh planning and development because we need that inspector working together. Uh, try to you know, like try to get results from all that construction that we have in the city.
That's a kind of things that I do in um uh in my 90 days. >> Thank you. Thank you, Director. Um, counselors, any questions or comments for acting Director Matias?
>> I have a question. >> Council President >> Council >> Council Vice President Council Vice President Lovey. >> Okay. >> [sighs] >> Welcome. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. >> I have a question. So, I know that you're going to be moving the or that's
uh the community the planning of community development is going to be moving from South Warren to over here to the Essex Green. So, what about the lease that you have
like on the other building? >> Well, we we start talking to Mr. uh uh uh Lupoli and explain the necessity that we have to moving and we are in the process to get a um some kind of agreement.
Um, it's very for the city because we pay uh $80,000 to get served to get internet in that place plus the money that we pay for rent and and everything. It's
when we moving we going to save a lot of money plus that I said you know the services they're going to be more close to the to the citizen. >> You say $80,000? >> Uh, yeah I a fiber fiber optic uh,
maybe Mr. Carlos Castillo can explain you more because we don't have we don't have a cable there and then we use we have to use another cable. Oh, was he here? Maybe he can explain you you needed him
to explain about the fiber optic cable. >> Director? >> Good evening Counselor. Carlos Castillo IT Director for the city of Lawrence. To elaborate on your commentary. So, >> [clears throat] >> the office of planning and development currently we don't have fiber
infrastructure on that building and for us to bring city connectivity we talking about $80,000 around that range because we need to bring in fiber. Now currently
we are using a point-to-point device that connects to the retirement board which is across the street and that's how we are getting connectivity. Now, uh, connection is not the best. It's
working but it's not the best. So, if that office move into this building I see a saving of you know, $80,000 at least. Uh, that's what he was referring in in
terms of uh, the fiber connectivity in in that pricing range. So, that that is a saving that the city will have if they decide to move into that building. >> Thank you. >> Councilwoman Arroyo.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. >> Carlos. >> Uh so, if they move to the other building to this building, they're going to save at least the 80,000 that they are saving that they are uh spending right now.
So, they don't have to pay any >> So, so right now >> [clears throat] >> I I As you may know, the the the city does things sometimes that, "Hey, we're moving to a place from one day to another." So, I
I had a challenge in the IT department where I needed to provide network connectivity to a place that that we have never ran an assessment, right? Uh to run fiber. We had we ran the assessment after the fact.
Um so, when I did the assessment with the contractor, that's what they quoted quoted us in order for us to bring fiber here, you know, we're talking about maybe 80 80,000 dollars. And
like I said, for the time being, we do have a temporary connection that they are working on. And as I stated, it's not the best. It's not uh productive. >> So, they don't have any fiber optic right now. >> No, right now there's no fiber. So, there's no
>> So, there is no installation of the fiber optic right now. >> have fiber there. So, we do have a temporary connection that we're using. We are using it from the the retirement board uh via the air. So, it's via satellite. So, that's what we're using right now.
So, the reason why we haven't spend that amount of money in bringing in that IT infrastructure to that building is because we are uncertain on what's going to happen. So, for us, to me it doesn't make sense to go ahead and spend $80,000 and then
and say, "Hey, you know what? We're going to go to Essex Street." I I don't see any value on that. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> So, um what about the the least expensive? How much is the least expensive?
>> Um that I know is around 10,000 10,000 something. >> Monthly? >> Monthly, yeah. Um and we uh already be in conversations. Maybe
we can reach an agreement. The mayors the mayor also called Mr. Lupoli. And then we're going to try to before we're moving uh set up everything there. Plus uh plus the another uh reason to
moving these uh um offices here is the revitalisation of the downtown. All, you know, uh immigration offices was moving to the south. Um
a lot of business as are moving and we need to give lives, you know, to to this business in in Essex Street. That's why uh we're thinking to moving these offices to the downtown Lawrence.
>> So, you uh through your presentation uh you also mentioned through your presentation zoning ordinances that you said that the zoning ordinance is too old. >> Well, you know that the ordinance, the last time that I find out that they do
something like um a package of ordinance was in 1992. We we made a a task force there up with the uh fire department, police department, inspection and services, uh the commissioner, uh
building inspector. Everybody's together working, you know, because they dealing every day with the ordinance. And and and then we are working uh um identifying what's the more problematic uh um
uh uh ordinance that we have in order to uh correct it and then uh call for uh public public uh audience public uh participation. And after hire a lawyer from outside
to make sure that everything is legal, you know, in the legal way. And then bring all the package to you to approve. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Council as President. Any other questions?
>> Through you, Chair. Uh my question through you, Chair, uh wouldn't be necessarily for Mr. Matias, but uh either for the senior advisor or or the personnel director. Um besides the extension of Mr. Matias
now, what will be the plan for the for this uh position? Do we are we going to um reassess uh Mr. Matias in the next 90 days again or is there any plans to post the position? Uh So, I'm not sure if
>> like to bring up the personnel director as this is a personnel matter. Uh but quickly to answer your questions, if this were to pass, um an acting role do by ordinance um has to be reauthorized by the council every 90
days. Yeah, if it's acting, yep. Director? >> Good Good Madam Chair and Council uh City members. Uh to answer your question, my understanding is that there is an intent to post the position. >> Okay, thank you.
>> That was easy enough. >> [laughter] >> Are there any other questions or comments? Uh uh council council vice president. >> Yeah, I'll be happy to. >> This is also for Mr. This is also for Mr. Matias.
>> Thank you. >> Tell me a little bit uh a little bit more about the mayor task force that you said that you are trying to work that you've been working very hard with this. >> You know, I got like 35 years of work and living in Lawrence, and I know mayor
health task force is a big big uh um part of the city. Um the full couple years I don't hear nothing about this this uh this group. When I started, the first thing that I do and was, you know, working together
with Um then you can see that the mayor health task force now is, you know, is in every place of this of the city working uh um in the intersection of margin and low, we we are there working try to uh
do some pilot plan to uh um make possibles because that's that that that place right there has there's a lot of accident there. And then we we try to do something there. Uh we have two times we we made a mental health. We
have a mental health problem here. Um uh we we make a conference about mental health. Uh we have a plan to to bring uh to bring doctors to provide services, you know, to people in Lawrence.
Uh the lung cancer, uh we we do something in the center. Uh they make a lot of tests right there. Try to find out, you know, how the our community are doing there. Uh, and I've been working together. I've been working, you
know, every day with all these lady try to, uh, to to bring back the the the the mayor health task force it was before. >> You know something that this is part of the thing that sometime bother me.
I've been part of the different mayor task force. Not just for the administration. It's has been in this administration anything. But I've been in part of a couple of mayor task force and at the end we never see like the result. It's nothing like a in writing that's,
uh, that this mayor did this or this task force. I just to write whatever that we've been doing in there. Like you say, you make it mention that we had a lot of health problem. Yes, we have a lot of
mental health problems in here. We have, um, a lot of problem with transit, with, you know, and this is something that I've been talking for so many years. You know, this problem that we are having right now, we projected I don't know how many years
ago. The guys from he passed away. That's, uh, that's, uh, the the CEO from the psychological center. I don't know see you remember him or do you know him? You know. He has a a task force
with the mayor that practically twice a month we have to get together for hours and at the end we never see, you know, what we talk on those task force. What was, you know, that the projection in here five year in say five
year, in three year, and that's is part of the thing that sometime we voting here at a company that is called Ruda. How many? 1990 something. We are spending more than 2 year working
on that task force. Trying to figure it out you the projection of the city of learning in 20 year in 15 year. There is a book that is being resting. I don't know. I got one copy. But I have a book resting one in my house. I don't
know where is the other one. And we never finish or we never do whatever that we are supposed to do uh to compliments all of this. >> I can guarantee you that this uh task force
is going to be working differently. When I started working in 360 the the supervisor of that group [snorts] was working in the center. They she have people working in 360 and and and you know and the head of the
department was working in in the center. My first decision was bringing this lady Miss Alicia Miller bring that lady to work together. The only way that we can be success is we working together you know. Uh now
uh now uh planning and development is is is in every places. When they got something let department and other departments be participating because we working as group. You know that that that's the only way we we can be success. We we working
together. >> Mr. Matias, I think that you know something that I that I think that the city council sometimes has to be invited to be part of those task force orders. Because at the end we work on the ordinance. We are the working you know
the person who work with every department to figure it out how we going to solve most of the problem and how we going to uh implement the ordering of the changes that we are going to do. I think that this is the problem in here that city
council is not invited to those meetings. >> Well, under under my uh supervision or administration, I can say um I make sure is that you receive every
single uh times when we have um department head meetings. Everything that I said in that meeting, I send to you to your email well about what we doing and how we doing. And we can do it without you. You know,
like I'm I'm I'm positively sure is that council is very important to to develop this city. You know, like the other day we talking a good conversation about quality of life. Everything, you know, like everybody asking outside, you know, like
we are we are together in this. Um you more than welcome to go to you know, like I waiting until we moving to show you, you know, like what's the plan with the building. That building we want to rename the building in the name of the lady who
died in Afghanistan. Uh to put to to make possible her name never be forgotten in our community. Um and we are working in a lot of things, you know, >> [clears throat]
>> but everybody together. >> Yes, but at least I think so that it's not the same when you send the something just in writing and to say, "Okay, we have this meeting and we are going to invite any of the city council or whoever is being appointed from here through you, Madam Chair, whoever is
being appointed from here also be part of those meetings. That's just what I said. But um thank you anyway. >> Yeah. I promise I'm going to do it. >> Valencia >> Any any other questions or comments?
Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. >> Motion of the Senate to the full council as a committee report. >> Second. >> Motion has been made to send to the full council as a committee report. There's a second. Any further discussion on item 264-26?
Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I The eyes have it. Thank you so much. We do not have a meeting next week. Our next meeting is on July 7th. >> Thank you. >> We do have a little break. We'll see you on July 7th. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, um, acting director.
The next item we have is item 265-26, appointment of an I don't want to I think I think I think we have a mess uh we messed something up on the agenda. Um Valencia, is your first or last name? >> Last name.
>> Last name. Can So, and your first name? >> Danaidy. >> Huh? >> Danaidy. >> Danaidy Valencia to the converse conservation commission, and she was put on the agenda by Mayor de Peña and senior advisor Spanner.
We do have, um Dennis Lilly. >> We'll do it very brief. >> Okay. I I just have Director McCarthy also. >> fast. Um I the mayor um
accepted the recommendation from, um, Mr. Dennis uh Lilly and the conservation commission. Uh as you can see, um, we are very proud to see a young person that is trying to volunteer in the help his uh, their city.
What I will ask the council tonight, uh, the committee, is to grant the opportunity for a young person that is involved in the city, that's educating our students to get the approval. Without further, uh, do, I would like to
Mr. Lilly to uh, to say a couple of words. >> Thank you. Name and address for the record. >> Hi there. Uh, my name is Dennis Lilly. I live at 40 Spruce Street in Lawrence, Massachusetts. And for the past 25 years, I've been the chairman of the Lawrence Conservation Commission. I
don't know exactly how that happened, but it is 25 years. Um, I am one of over 1,500 people who serve on conservation commissions here in Massachusetts. Um, we are responsible for managing conservation land, protecting natural resources. And most
of our work involves acting as a local arm of MassDEP and reviewing permits for people who want to do things in and around wetland resource areas. Uh, Lawrence has a surprising number of wetlands, and we're at the built on three rivers, so there's actually quite
a lot for us to do. Um, like most people who sit on public boards, municipal boards, and commissions, we are unpaid volunteers, um, who spend a considerable amount of time gaining the knowledge necessary to
do what is sometimes very technically involved work. Uh, we are a board of five people, and we currently have three members. I don't think I've I think we had five sitting commissioners once in the 25 years that I've been serving.
Um, so when we have an opportunity to fill vacant seats with, uh, someone who wants to learn, wants to put in the time to help protect our natural resources. Um, it's a great opportunity. We're fortunate enough to have other
members in the community. One person's an engineer, one person is a forester. Um, both of them much younger than me. Um, and I think it's really important that we get as many new people involved in serving on boards and commissions as possible, especially something that can
be kind of um, obtuse like the the conservation commission. It's not, um, as high profile as some other boards and commissions, but the work is very important. So, I hope, uh, that you will look favorably on Ms. Valencia's application. This is the opportunity the
mayor as the elected chief executive has made an appointment. Now, the city council can exercise their role in, uh, reviewing that and giving their advice and consent, and I hope that you will do that at lighting. Give Ms. Valencia a minute to
talk to you folks and introduce herself. >> Thank you. Before we do that, we also do have Director McCarthy on Zoom. Director, is there anything that you would like to add or you all set? Hold hold on, Director. Your, um, Zoom is not connected to our audio. >> Can you hear me? >> Okay, now we can hear you. Yep.
>> Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can hear you now. >> Okay. Um, I think, um, I think both, uh, Mr. Lilly and, uh, Mr. Spanik did an excellent job introducing the young lady. And I I agree wholeheartedly with the state statements. So, I really have nothing
further to add. >> Okay, thank you. All right, Ms. Valencia, um, name and address for the record and as you saw previously, just introduce yourself. Tell us more about your interests and why do you believe that you would be,
um, a great addition to this commission. >> Um, my name's Danaidy Valencia. My address is 5 Brookfield Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts, 01843. And I am currently an art instructor at Movement City. Um, I volunteer at Groundwork whenever I have the time. And
it's my second year doing that. It's been really fun. Um, I have a love of learning and a love of the environment around me and a passion for Lawrence. Uh, I grew up here since I was 4 years old. Um, and
I've always had a lot of pride in my city. Um, and as much as I don't know everything that there is when it comes to like environmental or even like the wetland things, I'm
all here to learn and I'm here to like learn as much as I can. I have a passion for learning and to cultivate learning in other people. So, I would love to have a chance to be part of this and help the environment as well as my city.
>> Thank you. Counselors, any questions or comments? >> You know what I count but I count the vice president. >> But I get through you. You know what I like it from your application is that you say that that you like it to
grow up all gardening with my grandfather. >> Yes. Um, I grew up like my grandfather always had a little garden in our house and I grew up doing that with him. So, it was really fun to be able to like do that as an adult again, especially after he's like moved away.
Um, but I've always been surrounded by people who love the environment and people who love to like be in nature, like my grandfather, even my father, who right now he work he like lives in Malden, but he also works in like an environmental uh, um green space. So, I
have these conversations with people on a daily basis about like, "Oh, what are you doing? And like, what are you growing? And how do you do that?" And they have like their own gardens at home and stuff. Thank you. >> Okay, thank you. I like I love it that Council, any other questions or
comments? Council Miguel? >> Uh can you share more um about your experience with uh your volunteer work at Groundwork Lawrence uh last year? >> Um yeah. So, I started volunteering there last year because like I saw an
opening to be able to like show up and be there. Um I was there not yesterday, I think it was the day before. I was learning how to trellis tomatoes and weeding. Um I when I go there, I kind of try to do the work that most people
don't want to. So, like cuz I'm a volunteer, so like if they don't want to weed and they want to plant, like I'm there and I'm just in the dirt picking what I can. Um but I'm always asking what I can help with or what I can learn while I'm there to be able to like just come in and know what
I'm doing instead of like bothering somebody while they're working. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. >> Motion to send to full council with favorable favorable recommendation. >> Motion has been made by Council Miguel,
seconded by Council Vice President. Any further discussion on the matter? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. All right, the eyes have it. Thank you so much. We'll see you July 7th. Thank you. All right, next we have item 266-26,
appointment of Ronaldo De Castro to the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority, brought to us by Mayor DePena. Um do we have a neutral person that can speak on behalf of the administration on
this? >> Yes. I was going to tell you that we have the uh the chair uh Mr. Pedro uh Tejada, who's the chair, current chair of the LRA that can speak. Um I don't know what you're referring to as
as neutral. Uh uh Madam Chair. >> I just because you are also the executive director of the LRA. And so I you know >> Yeah, that's a matter of opinion. Legal uh legally it's legal. You can check it
and do your due diligence. But so far, I have uh Pedro, can you come up? >> Awesome. Thank you. >> To make sure that we cooperate with your wishes. >> Thank you. Good evening, Mr. Tejada. Name and address for the for the record. >> Uh good evening.
Uh Pedro Tejada 21 Westchester Drive, Lawrence, Massachusetts 01843. >> Okay. >> Pleasure to see you all. I wanted to take an opportunity to introduce Mr. Rolando DeCastro, who I believe would be a welcomed addition
to uh our authority. Mr. DeCastro uh speaks a language that we on the board do not. He is a certified civil engineer as well as an architect. Has been for quite some time. Background education.
Someone versed in the understanding of planning, development uh architecturals someone who could really be an addition with his skill sets to what we're trying to accomplish
within the city and within the LRA. >> All right. Thank you. >> You're very welcome. >> Mr. DeCastro. >> Excuse me. Hello. >> Good evening. Name and address the record. >> My name is Rolando de Castro, 85 Jamaica Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts.
>> Okay. So, as you saw, just tell us a little bit about yourself, um your background, and why you believe you would be um a a great a good addition to the LRA. >> Yes. Well, my name is Rolando. I was born in the Dominican Republic, and I
studied civil engineer there. I came to the United States to grow professionally, and also build my family. Today, I have a great wife and two beautiful daughters. For more than 25 years, I would say, I have worked in
hundreds of projects, mostly residential, in the civil engineering and architecture area. Of those 25 years, the last 12 years, I've been working here in Lawrence. Um So, that's why I am very interested in
in being able to offer my experience >> [cough] >> for the to make it work for the city of Lawrence, and also in support of the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority. >> Okay.
>> Um you have something else? So, my most important experiences and abilities that I think would qualify me for the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority are specifically uh that background. I have worked in
site plan design, um zoning compliance, uh land surveys, coordinating land surveys with the engineering and architectural side, uh and also tools for mapping and GIS.
>> Okay, councilors, do we have any questions or comments for Mr. de Castro? Councilor McGonagle. >> How did you hear about this um uh opening and what make you uh go for it? >> Um
so, a long time ago, probably close to 2 years, uh an engineer friend of mine um he told me about the opening and he said that he was recommended me to apply for
to be a part of the board. Um since it has to do with uh development of projects, which is basically what I do every day, I was really interested in applying for that.
>> Does that answer your question, counselor? Any other comments or questions? >> Council President. >> Councilor Vice President. >> Hi, how are you? >> Good. >> Okay. For how long are you being here in this city of Lawrence? >> In Lawrence, 12 12 12 years.
>> For 12 year and and you've been working um >> um in different [clears throat] places um doing always in the civil engineer and architecture. >> And architecture and design? >> Yes.
>> So, you are graduated from UMass? >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. I don't have any more questions. >> Thank you. I have a question. Um
for the other Ella Rey petition, there is a memo attached to it that states that the administration is looking for a 5-year term. This item does not have any memo with
with additional information. We just we do have the application but >> What additional information are you seeking? >> do have a a memo but it's just the two names for the for the appointment petition
and the application that's it's but for the other item we have Where is it? I was just reading it. Excuse me. Let me find it again. It's a little down.
>> Maybe I can clarify while you're looking for it. >> Yeah, because I I was reading because the what I'm trying I guess what I'm trying to get to is that one one position directly states the term. This one does not.
>> Yes, this this this position is to replace a um There's going to be changes on the on the LRA board. The chairperson term limit expired. So that was the first applicant that we submitted.
And the second this the one for Rolando De Castro it comes to a vacancy that is expected to be open during our next meeting and that would be um
That's the reason why we we are requesting for Mr. De Castro to serve the remaining portion of that that term limit. It would be the position of Pedro Tejada. >> Okay, um can you repeat that again? I'm sorry.
>> So, we have a vacant position which the applicant the first applicant that we we that you have uh tabled as a tabled matter is to serve in the capacity of the outgoing chairperson uh Eric Walker as a board
member that um that his term limit expired. So, that individual is going to serve as for the 5-year term. Mr. DeCastro is going to serve for the remainder of the
vacant position that is going to be replacing Mr. Pedro Tejada. >> Okay. >> For this term and then obviously when his term limit is over we need to come back before you to to um
to request the the renewal of the position. >> Okay. And then my next question is I don't recall the appointments being five 5 years. I I recall has it always I'm looking at
they've always been 5 years? I could be wrong, but I could have sworn it was 2 years or 5 years. Okay, so maybe I'm I'm confusing it with the other boards then. Okay. All right, those are my two questions. Any other question Any other further questions or comments?
>> Just a quick comment. Mr. Vice President Just to send it to us the the requirement for the 2 year, 3 year, 5 year just to >> Yeah, we can send it to you. We can forward it. I'll do it Wednesday if you don't mind. >> Yeah, we do have it in our packets. We
do have the section of the Mass. General Laws that specifically outlines um, the creation and the the the laws of redevelopment authorities and also the housing authorities. >> Mhm.
>> Um, and within that law it does state that for a city um, the city council must approve for either one year, two years, or five years. So, it is it is it is in our pocket. >> Okay.
>> All right. >> Perfect. >> Um, any other questions or comments? I'm sorry. For one, two, four, or five years. Um, any other questions or comments? All right. At this point, I will entertain a motion.
>> Motion to send it to the full council as a committee report. >> Second. >> Motion has been made to send as a committee report. There's probably second. Discussion I'll quickly one thing that because the the other petition is tabled right now, so I'm
going to take the opportunity, um, to explain quickly to the public and to the people here. Last time we tabled it to get a a an opinion from the city attorney regarding, um, whether or not we can take action on this.
He came back advising us that it is okay to proceed. So, we are proceeding with this process. Um, and that is why we are entertaining it tonight. All right. Any Any other questions or comments? >> Thank you for that clarification. I
sincerely appreciate it. >> You're welcome. Um, seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> The eyes have it. Thank you. We'll see you July 7th. >> Thank you. Have a good night. >> Good night. All right. Next, we have
I want to take Miss I want to take out of table matters item 205-26, appointment of Carmen Garcia King to the Lawrence Municipal Airport Commission. Can I get a motion to untable that matter? >> So moved. >> Motion has been made, properly seconded.
All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I, the eyes have it. I want to take you first, uh Miss King Garcia King, because you've been waiting for a bit. >> [laughter] >> So, I want to get you out of here. Um
let me just scroll down to your to your Just give me 1 second. Here it is. Okay, so last time we left off, counselors, um we were we were speaking about the again, same thing with with this matter,
A, the legal opinion uh regarding residency and stipending, etc. We did get that that memo from the city attorney on June 1st, 2026. Um and I'm going to read it for the for the record.
I do have to say, um at the beginning of this memo, the city attorney did get your name correctly, and then it was mixed up with Mr. Blackwell's, but I know that he means you. So, I was I'm just going to say your name. >> He still sent you the wrong one? >> He did send me the correct one.
>> Okay. Well, we This is the one that we have. If you can send that Actually, can can you Can we send correspondence to update this for the full council? Um this was sent to to the full council on June 1st, 2026. I've been asked to by the city attorney, Tim Tim Houten.
>> [snorts] >> I've been asked to provide a legal opinion on the appointment by the mayor of Carmen Garcia King to the Airport Commission. Miss Garcia King is a resident of Haverhill and holds the position of acting director of public relations for
the city of Lawrence. Appointment method is set out in Mass General Law chapter 90 section 51E, which is attached. Ms. Garcia King would be one of the nine members who are appointed by the mayor and would have a 3-year term, which
would end on July 15th, 2029. This appointment must be approved by the city council. It is in the attorney's position that Ms. Garcia um Garcia King is not precluded for appointment to this authority and the city council may vote to confirm or deny
the confirmation of the mayor's appointment. There is no statement stipend for the airport commission and no ordinance precludes an an employee of the city from appointment to a board for which there is no pay. I hope this is
sufficient for your needs. All right. So, with that being said, counselors, do we have any questions or comments? I think Oh. Oh, about Yeah. I'm sorry. What's going on? >> Yes. Uh well, first and foremost, thank
you uh for the opportunity to speak and uh thank you for the clarification. That way in the future, um you know, we just know exactly what the the process is. But at this time, we're going to go in a different direction, if that's okay.
Okay. Uh to withdraw. Yes, to withdraw. Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Do you want to withdraw? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, counselors, can I have a motion to withdraw item 205-26? >> So moved.
>> So moved? Motion has been made by the vice president, seconded by counselor Miguel. Any further discussion or comments? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> The eyes have it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you so much. >> Okay. Now, can I have a a motion to untable item 231-26 appointment of Robert J. Blackwell to the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion has been made by Counselor Miguel seconded by the Vice President. All
those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. The eyes have it. Do we have Mr. Blackwell here tonight? Okay. So counselors, so this is the beginning of the process. Um, we did not engage in discussion for
the reason that we wanted the the city attorney's opinion and now we have that. So I'm also going to read this into the record before I give the floor to Mr. Blackwell for his introduction. This was sent to the city council by city attorney Tim Huen regarding Robert
J. Blackwell's appointment to the LRA dated June 1st, 2026. I have been asked to provide a legal opinion on the appointment by the mayor of Robert J. Blackwell to the LRA filed by Mr. Spanner. Mr. Blackwell is a resident of Lawrence
and holds no other position for the city of Lawrence. Appointment method is set out in Massachusetts General Law chapter 121B section C section 5 and 6 which are attached. Mr. Blackwell would be one of the four members who are appointed by
the mayor and would have a five-year term which would which would end on August 11, 2020 2030. This appointment must be approved by the city council. It is a city attorney's position that Mr. Blackwell is not precluded for
appointment for appointment to this authority and the city council may vote to confirm or deny the confirm the confirmation of the mayor's appointment. I hope this is sufficient for your needs. Okay, so now that that is cleared. Welcome, Mr. Blackwell. Um
>> Good Good evening, counselors. My name's Bob Blackwell. I reside at 9 Crushai Drive, Lawrence, Mass. 01843. And if you have any questions you want to ask me? >> The same what we've been going what we've been doing tonight introduction
about you, your background and why you believe >> Okay, my my background I shortly after I graduated college in '84, I got involved in local real estate. I've done just about everything in real estate in the city. I've built homes,
I've renovated dozens and dozens of homes. Some full renovation fire damage, some partial, others just for the aesthetics. Then in the mid-90s a couple of friends and I bought the vacant commercial building on 272 Broadway. Renovated in
and out and opened up Pundo Fino night club. A few years after that '99 Juan Pasquale and I bought the Hibernians. Renovated that, opened up Galaxia night club. Then shortly after that I left the night
club business I got involved in a car dealership in New Hampshire for a few years. That didn't go well and I ended up back in the city in local real estate right up until the present day. >> Okay. Councilor um >> [clears throat]
>> before tell us a little bit I mean obviously your your background but from your background what what would what would be beneficial for the LRA board that you bring with with all of this experience? >> I think I have a
a lot of common sense. I consider myself fairly intelligent and I believe I have a good moral compass. And when I heard the redevelopment authority had to do with real estate revitalization I've done an awful lot in real estate so that's why I was interested in the
board. >> Thank you. Counselors, any questions or comments? >> Through you, Chair. >> Councilor Magou. >> I will ask the same question. Uh How do you hear about the position? And >> In fact, I was asked to be on the board by Mr. Spanner.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Councilor, Vice President. So, this is the first time that you going to serve in the LRA or you have been serving before? >> Excuse me? >> This is the first time that you serving uh >> Yeah, I never I I never thought I'd be on a board. And when I think of boards,
I think of politics, and I don't get involved in politics. But when I was asked, I told them I'd think about it. And I called my best friend Stevie Kofira, and I asked him, and he said it'd be a good board for me to get on, so I called him back and told him that I would, you know, be honored
if I could. >> Okay. So, now you decided to be involved in that. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Sorry. Can Can I briefly state as well, uh through you, Madam Chair? Um we believe in diversity in the city.
And for the last, uh and I had a conversation as well with the mayor, and said that we need to um have uh people from different culture that we can entice to get involved. There's not too many where I've picked up the calls,
uh made a few calls to a couple of people that I that we know that would be uh suitable for the complexity of uh you know, the different issues and matters that we discuss in the during the LRA meeting. And um uh one person that we thought about was
Mr. uh Robert Black Blackwell to join us. And to bring it um so it could be We also think about diversity of women. That's another item. We have one individual that is We only have one woman this time around. But there's also
another vacancy that is coming that we are considering to have another um another um female um representing the LRE and to be on the board. >> You also >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay.
All right. Um so just to make sure that I understand we have four members current well, three members currently. One left one's I mean terms expired. We were told that Mr. Tejeda is also
will be exiting the board. So now we are we're a member of two. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> There's one position that is appointed by by the state. >> Okay. All right. Any other questions or
comments? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. >> Motion to send it to the full council as a committee report. >> Second. >> Motion has been made to send it to the committee report probably second it. Any further discussion on the matter?
Seeing none, all those in favor say I. The eyes have it. Thank you so much. We'll see you July 7th. Uh counselors, I don't think we had one other item that was tabled due to the cancellation last week, but I don't
think that individual is here. Um so with that being said, we have no further business in the personnel committee. Can I have a motion to adjourn? >> Motion to adjourn. >> Motion has been made by the vice president probably second it. All those in favor say I. The eyes have it. Thank you so much,
counselors. And >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> All right. Ready? Good evening and welcome to the Budget and Finance Committee. It is Monday, June 22nd, 2026. It is now 7:34 p.m. I
do apologize for this meeting starting late. The we were behind in the Personnel Committee due to um middle school promotions and I got here a little late. Um voting members present, we have
counselor right counselor Mark LeBlanc and online we have the vice chair counselor Vivian Marmol. Pursuant to chapter 20 of the acts of 2022, this meeting of the Budget and Finance Committee is being conducted both in person and via remote
participation. A reminder that persons who would like to listen or view this meeting while in progress may either attend here in the city council chamber or view either through our social media channels or our government um TV channels.
At this point, can you please join me in the pledge? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Counselors, we we just have
two items tonight. The first item is >> Oh. Oh, huh? >> Did you do roll call? >> A roll call? >> Yeah. >> Hm? Yeah. Right. >> Council member Deplan? >> Present.
>> Council President Giovanni Rodriguez absent. Uh Vice Chair Vivian Marmol. >> Present. >> And Madam Chair Stephanie Infante. >> Present. >> Thank you. >> Okay, I got you. >> Thank you.
>> Have a quorum. >> Minutes um Council, I need um minutes to be approved from our meeting meetings that occurred on May 27th, 2026, June 4th, 2026, and June
10th, 2026. >> So moved. >> Motion has been made by the Vice Chair. Is there a second? >> Second for discussion. >> Seconded by Council of Deplan. Council of Deplan, you have the floor. >> Uh when did we get the minutes for these meetings? >> I don't have my binder with me.
>> I don't have a binder. I don't have minutes. I typically would vote yes, but there's just some I'd rather have the minutes, not read them, but at least say that I have them and or vote for them and not have them. It seems a little backwards, so I'm not going to be uh supporting the minutes. >> I want to see.
>> Motion to table. >> Motion to table has been made, probably seconded. Um no discussion to table matters. Can you uh Madam Clerk, can you please call the roll? >> Um Council member Deplan? >> Yes. >> Council President Giovanni Rodriguez absent.
Vice Chair Vivian Marmol. >> Yes. >> And Madam Chair Stephanie Infante. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. >> Uh first new business, we have item 267-26, authorization to expend $5,409.36
for the Aeronautics grant for runway five drainage improvements. And we do have the airport manager online with us, Mr. Francisco Urena. Mr. Urena, you have the floor. >> Hi, good evening counselors and
Madam Chair. Uh this evening uh item 26726 represents a part of the drainage improvement that has has begun and is in the wrapping up phase over at the airport. Uh we received this
amount for 5,409 and 36 cents represents 5% of one of two grants that we received from MassDOT Aeronautics. And with your support, we would like to uh
accept the the grant assurances that are part of said grant. >> Thank you. Can we have IT just raise the volume a little bit for the zoom? Thank you. All right, counselors, any questions or comments for Mr. Urena? >> I got a couple questions.
>> Um Counselor LeBlanc. >> Was this approved by the board? >> Yes, uh counselor, it was. >> And just give me a flavor. You said that um which requires grant assurances. What
kind of grant assurances are we talking about? >> Uh the standard grant assurances that come with an airport uh that that that the that the money's were to be used only for the airport, that the airport needs to remain open for another 20 years, uh that uh
again, kind of just limited to those items, that the that the money's are are to be used responsibly and with diligent uh uh authority. >> Thank you. >> You also counselor? >> Mhm.
>> Any other questions or comments? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. >> Motion to send this up to the full council with a favorable recommendation. >> Motion to send up as a favorable recommendation was made by counselor >> Klein, is there a second? >> Second. >> Seconded by the vice chair. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, madam clerk, can you please call the roll? >> Vice chair Vivian Marmol. >> Yes. >> Counselor Mark Le Plain. >> Yes. >> Counselor person Giovanni Rodriguez is absent and madam chair Stephanie
Infante. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. >> Motion carries. Okay. Next item we have is item 268-26. Authorization to expand $22,447.34. This is for the MassDOT Aeronautics
grant for runway five drainage improvements. Mr. Urena, you have the floor. >> Thank you, counselor, and thank you, madam chair. So, the airport receives has received a second grant. This was because the federal government provided two grants. One was the regular entitlement, which
was the the previous item 267. This second grant is part of the bipartisan infrastructure law that took effect. And this is a 5% match that the state provided through MassDOT Aeronautics for the amount of $22,447.34.
This item has been approved by the airport commission and the monies have been invested into the drainage project. So, essentially is reimbursement at this point, uh represents uh the second grant
of with you tonight 26826. >> Thank you. Councilors, any questions or comments? >> I've got one question. >> Councilor the Plant. >> Thanks for anticipating my other questions, um manager. You're in, I appreciate that. Uh my question is when you get these and you
send these to the council, uh is the council also aware of of of of these documents and these um budgetary items? >> There's not a uh I mean, out of out of courtesy, uh I
can make it a point to to dig dig deeper. There's four signatures that are required. The airport commission, the airport recording secretary, the mayor's office, and then the council. Um but she
was made aware as we were expanding this project, and as we were walking through the various uh aspects. But as far as the grant coming in, I could make a better point, uh counselor, to to have a direct conversation with her. >> No, I appreciate that, and I appreciate
the fact that you are touching all the bases that you're required to. You just named those parties off, I appreciate that. But I do think uh she is like the ringleader of the city, and uh it it's just good uh as a courtesy. And I think you're right on the money, just a bit of
a courtesy to let them know what what is going on, so that they they have it. She Her office has it. So, I just think it's just a good a good thing to do. So, thank you for offering. >> Thank you, counselor. I'll definitely add that to to my list.
>> Kim, any other questions or comments? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, can you please Oh, can I we don't have a motion yet. >> I'll make a motion. I'll make a motion we send this up to the full council with a favorable recommendation. >> Motion has been made by Councilor the Plants, seconded by the Vice Chair. Any further discussion on the matter?
>> [snorts] >> Seeing none, now Madam Clerk, can you please call the roll? >> Sure. Uh Vice Chair Vivian Marble? >> Yes. >> Councilor Mark Le Plant? >> Yes. >> Council President Divina Rodriguez absent, and Madam Chair Stephanie Plante?
>> Yes. Yes, motion carries. Mr. Urena, we will see you on July 7th at the public >> Great, thank you very much, Madam Chair and Councilors. >> Have a good evening, too. >> You as well. Uh Councilors, at this point, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. >> So moved.
>> Motion has been made by Council of the Plants, there's a second >> Second. >> Seconded by the Vice Chair. All those in favor say I. >> I'll take a roll call >> I'm sorry, roll call. >> [laughter] >> Councilor Mark Le Plant? >> Yes. >> Vice Vice Chair Vivian Marble?
>> Yes. >> Council President Divina Rodriguez absent, and Madam Chair Stephanie Plante? >> Yes. >> Yes, thank you. >> Yes, thank you so much, Councilors.