Oh yeah. Let's go. Hallelujah. Get Get yourself. I don't know. Hi Pat, are you joining our meeting? >> Are you joining the personnel meeting? Oh
>> yeah, we're about to start um for the appointment of Ann Marie. >> Yes. Yes. >> Thank you. >> What was that? Now meeting today is Monday, August 11,
2025. It is now 6:07 p.m. Uh mo voting members present with me. We have councelor Anna Levy, the vice chair of this committee, councelor Wendy Luzon, and myself, councelor Stephanie and Fant. 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 um
accounts. 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. >> Counselors, we don't have any minutes for approval tonight, so we're jumping right into new business. I'm actually going to take the second item um as we wait for um school committee member and
member of the Lawrence Cultural Council Pat Mariano to join us through Zoom. So um let's go to item 331-25 uh to confirm the temporary appointment of Carlos Moss to the LRA uh which would
be to complete the term of Sarah Perez who um resigned from her position. And we do have Mr. Carlos Matoss here with us today. Uh Mr. Matoss, you have the floor. Introduce yourself even though we already know who you are, but
>> Sure. >> Tell us a little bit about this this uh confirmation this uh item. >> Sure. So u as just for the audience at large that may not be familiar with me, my name is Carlos Moss. I am, as you see in the application before you, um,
looking to fill the remaining term left behind when, uh, Sarah Perez resigned at the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority Board. Um, I have extensive background in this area. As the council knows, I was the former director of planning and economic development for the city of
Lawrence. I have background in engineering. I worked 10 years in the research and the design analysis, research and development section for the New York State Power Authority doing modifications to nuclear power plants, hydroelectric plants, and other types of of engineering as well. Similar to Miss
Perez, I also ran a uh organization that did business development in the city of Chelsea, dealing with similar populations such as the city of Lawrence with regards to economic development. We brought hundreds of thousands of dollars in assisted businesses, small businesses in the uh city of Chelsea during the uh
COVID when uh a lot of the business were at threat of going out of business. I believe that uh this is a area that is very important to the city. I believe in uh housing development. I believe in economic development and workforce development and the type of investment that will help the city of Lawrence in a
multitude of ways. Um and this is why I've decided to apply for this position. I'm a resident of the city of Lawrence. I've been engaged for plus 20 plus years in this city in a variety of different types of things. Former city councelor as well as you know so public service is something that I have done and continue
to do and look forward to doing in the city of Lawrence. >> Thank you Mr. Mats. Counselors any questions or comments um pertaining to this item or for Mr. Moss? >> I guess I have one comment. Um Mr. Mtos, I have absolutely no doubt in
your background and experience that I think u throughout the year the two years that you've came when you came back to the city I've made that very clear and and then the discussions that you and I have had. However, I do not feel comfortable having the super the
deputy superintendent part of this LRA um committee. I don't I it could it might not be anything there might not be an ethical issue with it or anything like that. Um obviously I don't think you would be here if there
was an issue. I did try to call the city attorney earlier today but um he did not answer my call nor has returned the call yet uh to just ask him about this. But for me, I'm only speaking one counselor. I do not feel comfortable with voting in
favor of this appointment for now. >> So, um, one, you're right. I there is no conflict. I am a resident of the city of Lawrence. Um, as Miss Luzon is my counselor, uh, judging by all the flyers that that were chopped off at my door this weekend. Um, so there is no
conflict and I am a resident of the city and as part of that I want to contribute to the city and being a member of boards. Uh this has absolutely nothing to do with the school department in any shape, manner, or form. And as a matter of fact, the chair of the LRA currently works for the school department. So that
would be no different than me. >> I did not know that actually. >> So I would that's what I would bring to your attention. As well as there are other members of other school committees like Ana Medina who was appointed by the governor who also works for a school system. So I do not see that there would be any issue regarding that.
>> So I mean the well first they're the chairman of I did not know that. So that even I mean you're you're his boss outside of that. So that's that that brings in a whole different another thing. But um in terms of the member Anna Medina, she works for Greater
Lawrence Technical School, which is a regional school. It doesn't just serve the city of Lawrence. >> I believe you still vote on their budget. >> We do. Yes. >> So that's part of the city of Lawrence's responsibility nonetheless. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Either way, I I just don't I still
don't feel comfortable. I I get it. Um, I might from here until the final vote may change my mind, but that's where I'm at right now. Any other questions or comments? Council Luzon. >> Thank you, Madame Chair. Oh, >> thank you, Madame Chair. Finally got a
mic that I have to press. Yes, I have a question for Mr. Moss. Um, I'm I understand. I I I'm assuming that you are familiar with the LI. >> Yes. And you're also familiar with u and I'm going to call it a conflict but the
misunderstanding between the LRA and the city council. >> Yes. >> Um would you what would you bring to the table? >> So what I would say I would bring to the table is really trying to follow what the the statutes of the state indicate.
Right. There's a lot of state law and there's a lot of intentions. There's regulations that were put by the um Department of Livable Communities which has been renamed. Um and I'm a big stickler for adhering to those type of things, right? Do if you don't agree and
and this is your job as well as it was mine. If you don't agree with some law that's there, you either try to change it or you try to modify it or you try to live with it. Um and that's what I would bring to the table. I like to one of the things that I that I believe that that is a strength that I would bring to it is exactly one the various perspectives
that I have in the positions that I've held two the fact that I have been in legislature not only at the city council but also at the state level right I've been a legislative aid at the state level to the first elected Latino to assisting ethsics district I've been assistant to the lieutenant governor of
the state of Rhode Island so I'm very versed in those type of things and look for solutions based on what the laws are and what you can or can't do. The the the plan that that was developed has stipulations in it. Some of those have changed over time since it's been to
2014 with regards to that. But my my anybody I used there used to be a joke about when I sat where you're sitting. They used to call me chapter and verse, right? Because I would quote I would say, "Okay, this is what the statutes say." And as a matter of fact, if you watched the last meeting of the LRA, they were trying to take a vote that I
said, "No, you can't take that vote because that wasn't in the agenda. So that's that's what I would bring to the table. Counselor >> um and that now that you mentioned that you live in district B, some of the
projects that um proposed by the L will affect the parking on the district. >> So I'm assuming if you drive how you drive a car, you already know how difficult it is to find parking,
especially in the downtown area. Um, any comments on that? No, I'm asking this because you you mentioned that you are a district. >> I'm a resident of district B. District B. >> As a matter of fact, I'm a former counselor of district B. So, I know
district B well. Yes. So, here's the thing. I think that and this is something that I spoke to the council about with regards to um when I was confirmed to be the econom the planning development director which is I think that we need to look a little bit differently at parking not just a
downtown right I think that there's a need for parking and there's a lot of competing needs there's not only a need for parking there's a need for housing there's a need for workforce development there's a need for business and entrepreneurship the city just doesn't have a one need and to say that gee we just have to focus on parking that'll
solve all our issues. It's not true. We have to focus on a multitude of issues and look at multiple strategies and none of them counselor are going to be perfect, right? But what we do also need to do is not look at just these properties with regards to that. This is the only solution that we have available
or the only tool in our toolkit. One, like I said before, we need to look at what the parking situations and opportunities are in the neighborhoods, right? To relieve some of that congestion. as you know, council, because you walked them. I know you walked them, right? And I walk those streets as well. There's congestions on
some streets and then other streets there's not, right? And so, how do we figure out a way to kind of deal with those types of situations? I'll give you an example. This is part of the schools, right? I get the complaint about, hey, where are people going to park with with these new schools, right? But we didn't
stop building the new schools because we didn't have parking, right? So the same thing I would say to you here, we can't stop building housing or or e economic opportunity because we won't have exactly the parking. And if you look at some of the international standards, for example, Spain comes into mind, right?
They have this thing called super blocks where they actually don't require parking anywhere. And if you look across the country in some of in some of the zonings for the downtowns, they make zero parking requirements for them to be able to do that because they're trying to promote walking. So, one of the things we need to look at is what are we
trying to prioritize and how are we trying to prioritize it, right? But they don't allow parking in those areas or cars in those areas and they push those cars out to the further and they shuttle people in. So, there's a variety of different solutions than just having parking right right at your door. So,
those are the types of things and creative solutions that we need to start really looking for. It just can't be I live here so let me go right downstairs. That doesn't always work in a city. Uh so we have to figure out we have a limited amount of space. What can we do? Can we go down? For example, one of the
projects that I would have loved to do um had I continued in that position is underneath the the other types of real estate that we have like uh in Boston they do parking underneath the park, right? Is that a possibility? For example, are other types of lots and
other types of existing structures like the garages we have, can we expand them? Can we do public private partnerships with for example right behind the vault there's a private owner of a huge parking lot right that could maybe with some support from the city or the LRA
create a parking garage that could accommodate even more parking so there's a variety of different types of solution and they're not the only ones. So really thinking outside the box, creating partnerships with the with the private sector and thinking how can the state help us, how what's our long-term vision
of it and what is it we want our downtown dynamics to be will yield different decisions and saying I need parking immediately right after my door. >> Thank you. Uh I have another question madam chair if I may uh through you.
Would you uh consider and and that is also a question for the entire board to consider hiring a full-time director that is not um dividing the time between
the mayor's office and the LRA because knowing that this the projects that the L is proposing it is huge >> and it it needs uh from my perspective
And I mean the attention of a director that only attends one organization. Would you consider that? >> Absolutely. I think that that's that's a prudent uh choice. Yes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Mr.
>> Any other council levy? Do you have any comments or questions or are you all set? >> Okay. So, um thank you, Madam Chair. One of my question is for how long are you going to be serving in this? >> I would be filling the existing term
left vacant by Miss Perez. >> Yes, I know for a what is the >> I think that's a year. >> So one year >> correct? I believe that's a year left in her job. >> Okay. No, I know you work and I know you know how hard have you been working for
this city. I know that sometime you've been >> out of the city but you are getting like a back and forth and so I'm so glad that you are back again and I know that we've been talking about all of this project from the L before when you were the
director here and you had so many idea and I hope that some of this idea now that you are approved to be part of this um of the poor uh to be accomplished. Uh
so and I like also the uh the things like it's not just only to f to think about that's parking it just we need a parking and parking and parking. So there are so many other solution that we has to start thinking and and try to
figure it out the way on how we going to solve the the parking problem not just only in the downtown area but also in other area that is getting a lot of congesture. So there is so many places in here. So Lauren is a small it's a
more towns I know and we are growing a lot and there are so many thing that has to be looking for solution not just the parking solution. This is one of the major problem but we I think so that which could start sinking like uh I saw
one of the construction and I don't know if they already use the basement or the for parking in this here in in X3 that way they were should using that area uh for parking getting through the back of
the of the building. The building right across the street does that >> right connected to the city parking lot. Yes, they have underground parking. >> That was a very huge space that should be used and when uh the we I saw the foundation that's my first think it was
that maybe they should use the area to accompany at least you know with some of the parking needed for for that. >> Like I said councelor I think that we need to think about variety of different types of solution. It's not just one one one solution to it. And I think that the
creating partnerships with people looking across at different types of things could be helpful. >> Yep. So, thank you again. >> Thank you, counselor. >> Okay. There are no other further
comments or questions. I will see >> for the record is the L has quum now as it is now >> I don't >> do are you aware of that Mr. Moss,
>> I believe that anytime you have a member that's missing, you have a problem with quorum on any given day. Similar to, for example, today you have a me a member of your committee that's not here. Sometimes you could have the issue of quorum and and and not have that. I'm not sure that this I believe that they do have a quorum currently if every
member shows up, but I believe if one member doesn't show up, they do they would probably not have a quorum. >> Okay. So I'm asking this uh through you madam chair just to for the record for the people that are watching so to explain why another member member is
needed at the L knowing that Sarah Perez resigned. Um that's why I asked the question. Um >> I think that's what I have for now. >> Okay. Thank you. Motion
>> uh at this time I want to state a motion >> motion to send it to the full council with favor recommendation. >> I mean the he needs a second >> if if you need a second for that. Councelor uh Levy, would you consider
changing your motion um from favorable to committee report? >> Okay, I can consider that. Uh so we has to move forward and I know that this need support for the people you know at the labor of the L uh to complete part
of the members of the war. So, I'm going to send it to to the council what's as a committee report. >> Second. >> Thank you. Discussion. I just want to thank you. Um I don't want to hold this but I don't 100% feel favorable yet or
don't know if I will about this. So, I appreciate the committee report motion councelor Levy. Councelor Luzon discussion. Um >> yes uh a concern why we don't have no one here from the L supporting Mr. Matus
and I know he can speak on his behalf and but where is the executive director >> or the vice chair or anyone or are they coming like this is this is where I mean
>> yes for the record because I we are familiar with uh Mr. Moss in his uh >> thing is I I believe people think I mean and I understand the full council is the final vote but this is where the the the
discussions occur. I mean I didn't even receive any communication from any member as the chair of this committee um or even the administration um pertaining to this item either in support or not. Do you know?
Do you know why? Are they planning to go to the full council? Do you know anything? What's What's the situation with that, Mr. Matoss? No. Okay, we will. Okay. >> Not fair to Mr. Mats.
>> Any other questions or comments? We No. All right. All those in favor to send item 3 331-25 to the full council as a committee report, say I. >> I. I any nays? The eyes have it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Mr. Mantos.
>> Thank you, Mr. >> All right. Item 330-25, the confirmation to appoint Amarie Neanderty to the Lawrence Cultural Council, which was brought to us by um school committee member and cultural
council member, Miss Pat Mariano, and our mayor, Brian A. Depa. Hello. Welcome. >> Thank you. >> Um, tell us a little bit about yourself and why you're interested in joining the
the cultural council. And we also have actually Pat, would you like to go? Is there anything you would like to say? Would you like to have um an Marie speak first? I'll have you go. >> Okay. I'm a lifelong citizen of the city
of Lawrence except for when I went to college. Um, >> she's not. >> Um, I'm a 35 year retired city of Lawrence uh employee. Um, I'm
the president of the Lawrence um ladies ancient order of hiburnians. So, I know what cultural events are like. I know what city processes are like. Um, Pat Mariano asked me to be on this board and
I respect her a lot. Um, so I didn't want to say no. And I'm very interested in the city. My uncle was mayor for 20 for 22 years. My father was city clerk. So I'm very interested in the city.
So and the cultural events that happened, all of them. >> Thank you. Any questions are up? Pat, can you hear us? >> Pat, >> I think she's mute. >> Yeah, that's what I said. >> No, that's our
>> Can you hear me now? >> We can hear you now, Pat. >> Okay. >> Is there anything you would like um the committee to know about this nomination? About the nomination that you brought um forward to us? >> Yes. Um, I'm very honored, as a matter
of fact, to um recommend Amarie to um to serve as a member of the cultural council. Um, Amarie has been a lifelong resident of the city. If she knows the
heartbeat, so to speak, of uh what happens and loves all the cultural events that occur within the city. Um, so I think we we really hit a home run
with the Emory and um I sincerely hope that the council will vote to um approve her nomination to the cultural council. I think she'll bring to the group a
perspective, a citywide perspective. Um, and it's something that the that we definitely need. Thank you, Pat. Um Pat, how many members do you have currently on the cultural council? So,
>> currently we have five. Um Ann Marie will make six. My term is has expired. So, um Boston gave me the authority to stay on until we have an, you know, at
least seven members. So, I'm, you know, if this, if I could use this as a commercial, if anybody else within the city is interested in becoming a member of the cultural council, please go online and fill out the application and
you'll probably get a call from me and I guess the mayor's office. Um, just asking you why you're interested in the position. >> Thank you. Any questions or comments counselors? >> Madame chair,
>> councelor Luzon. U thank you madam chair through you. I'm just going to take this opportunity to mention that that we need people willing and able to serve in boards. And it's
it's it's it's people like to express their concerns but they don't want to serve. uh there's so many boards in need of uh members. Just going to put that out there and
also to um knowing and Marie for the years that I know and say and I would like to say thank you >> for always being willing and available and able to serve the city of Florence. Um but uh unfortunately we have so many
boards in need of members and I will definitely vote in favor because we need uh to send help. We need to help Mrs. Mariano. Um but it's sad that people are not willing >> to serve but they willing to express
their negative concerns. >> Thank you councelor Levy. >> Yes. Thank you Ve. Well, the first thing that I want to say is thank you Amarie. >> You're welcome. >> I know I know Amarie for many many years. So, we work together uh one of
that as a board. Well, I was member of the board for the historic commission, >> right? >> And she did a very great job. I want to thank you for all the work and for everything that you've been doing to this city for about 30 more than 30
years. No, >> thank you. >> That's all. Thank you so much. And still interesting. So you retired. Just retired. >> I'll never retire. Totally. >> We never I know that we never retired.
So it's a it's something that we fear in our blood that we need to keep helping and doing something for the city. >> Yes. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. And a last comment before a motion. I'm excited to have
you on this council, especially because of the history and the experience that you have with our with our community. I think it's really important to have um individuals with such knowledge and experience and my ask is that if
I don't see it not happen but if you are confirmed I I hope to see or I wish to see um this council take some youth under their wings to ensure that every single we have so many different um
cultural groups and and festival festivals and I don't want to see any of them fade out throughout the years. >> Yes. >> Um but we need people like yourselves to continue that for the next years to come and I hope that the council or you can
bring this back to the council considers that and you know make it >> Yes. I agree. I agree totally. >> All right. >> Motion to send to full counsel with favor of recommendation. >> Motion has been made by councelor Luzon. Is there a second? cycle.
>> Seconded by councelor Levy. Discussion. >> Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. And the eyes have it. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. We'll see you next week. >> I appreciate it. >> Thank you, Pat, for joining us.
>> Oh, you're quite welcome. Thank you. I'm so happy that you approved this. I'm thrilled. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. At this point, I have a motion to adjourn.
>> Motion to adjourn. Second by council, seconded by council. All those in favor say I. I. And I do not leave. >> Okay. [Music]
>> Okay. Enjoy your beauty.