WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=rSDANQoTcTc

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: rSDANQoTcTc):
- 00:01:00: City Council Meeting Called to Order, Roll Call
- 00:06:15: Public Participation: Citizen Praises City Departments
- 00:08:10: Public Participation: Citizen Criticizes City Budget, Snow Removal
- 00:21:59: Public Participation: Citizen Concerned About Street Safety
- 00:24:16: Mayor's Advisor Introduces 2027 Fiscal Year Budget
- 00:32:44: Memo on Municipal Budget Process and Responsibilities
- 00:46:15: Budget and Finance Committee Outlines Budget Review
- 00:55:00: Revolving Fund Account Authorizations and Recommendations
- 01:01:50: Revolving Fund Account Authorizations and Recommendations Part 2
- 01:02:08: Approval of Bond for Airport Administration Building
- 01:05:04: Transfer Funds for Greater Lawrence Sanitary District
- 01:07:13: Student Awareness of Fire Education Program Authorization
- 01:07:55: Transfer Funds for Economic Development Master Plan
- 01:11:13: Transfer of Free Cash to Various Reserve Accounts
- 01:14:37: Municipal Hearing Officer Appointment Withdrawn
- 01:15:07: Reappointment of Daniel Foley to Airport Committee
- 01:16:51: Motion to Suspend Rule #6 and Pull Ordinance Items
- 01:17:10: Discussion: Potential Church Sound Volume Issues, Prior Grievances
- 01:27:04: Approve Permits: Get To Know Your Church Event
- 01:28:12: Proposed Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments Hearing Opened
- 01:32:20: Water and Sewer Rate Adjustment Presentation


Part: 1

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I'm on the phone with I'm on the phone with No, I see that. I mean you have to go. There is there is no that qualify for the raises. They have getting

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Yeah, I know. I don't think they're getting raises on the I've seen quality I can't even get a raise raises for the people I think I'm going to say You think it's out of hand? or four. This is what you get for working Is that paying you more than $100,000 a week?

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Eric is a flight I would get Eric five How much is it? You get a $52,000 You get $213,000 a year. Okay. Is he available with a a $25,000 raise? You you deserve this raise. So you No, I don't like that. No,

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I don't >> Good evening and welcome to the regular meeting for the Lawrence City Council. Uh today is Tuesday, May 19th, 2026. Pursuant to chapter 20 of the Act of 2022, this meeting will be hybrid allowing participation in both here at

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the Council Chambers as well as remotely. Uh the Zoom link for this meeting was provided to anybody that requested. Uh this meeting is being transmitted live through the YouTube through the YouTube uh City Council page. Uh roll call, Madam Clerk. Councilor Gonzalez. Present. Councilor

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Miguel. Present. Councilor Marmolejo. Present. Councilor Infante. Present. Councilor Reyes noted as absent. Councilor Del Rosario. Present. Councilor Oplant is noted as absent. Council Vice President Lapin. Present. Council President Rodriguez. >> Present. Um please join me for a moment

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of silence. >> [snorts] >> Now join me for the pledge of allegiance. 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

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all. Councilors, can I get a motion to approve minutes from uh 4/21/2026? >> Second. There's a motion on the table, properly seconded. Discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say "Aye." Aye. Uh the ayes have it.

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Now, we going to straight to public participation. Uh the first person that we have is H. Malli. Name and address for the record, please. Omar Younis Malli, 53 Chester Street. Good evening, honorable members. We, the

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citizen, are proud and grateful for Lawrence Police Department, one of the best police department in the nation. Lawrence Police, with the impeccable leadership by honorable Chief Morris Agler, doing excellent job to protect

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our citizen. Thank you for making the Lawrence a safe city. Thank you for excellent job. Lawrence is a beautiful city because of our best DPW workers and leadership. Thank you for keep making Lawrence a beautiful city. We, the

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citizen, support our Inspection Department and their union. Thank you for excellent job. Lawrence Public Schools with the impeccable leadership by honorable Superintendent Ralph Guerrero, doing excellent job. Million thanks to honorable Director Wu.

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Lawrence teachers, proud of you. We support your awesome union. Because of you, Lawrence will rise again. Lawrence always is strong. Lawrence always unite. We are proud to support our brave veterans. Thank you for your sacrifices.

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Thank you for your service. We must hire two new positions in our veterans department and create the best commission on the elders. In this important meeting, as we support our firefighters union with the lawyers fire department with the impeccable

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leadership by honorable Chief Delaney, one of the best fire department in the nation. Lawrence police officers, thank you for excellent service. We are united to support Lawrence police officers union. Thank you.

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Thank you. The next person is Rich Russell, Councillor Russell. Name and address for the record, please. Uh good evening, Councillors. Rich Russell, 34 Cross Street. Before I start, uh would I be remiss in wishing somebody up there a happy wedding anniversary?

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I can address you cuz you're not a Councillor anymore. Good evening. Rich Russell, 34 Cross Street. Have you had any Any Have you guys read any good books recently? I found this online. In the financial fiction section on the internet.

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Uh there's some that are worth every penny that they can get paid, plus more. Then there are some that should have to pay the city to inhabit city property for a supposedly 30 7 and 1/2 hours a

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week. I didn't realize that in some cases knowing someone constituted a special skill set. The FY budget was 469 million bucks in change. The FY 27 is recom- recommended

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budget is 489,000 almost 490 million dollars. That's a 4.32% increase. The federal government gave Social Security and military disability recipients a 2.8 cost of percent cost of

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living increase. Why don't you shut the [ __ ] up? Pardon me? I hate [ __ ] Okay. Why can't or won't the city budget stay

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across the living increase window? Uh next. When will the city make realistic appropriations for snow removal? A million dollars is reasonable. >> Stupid [ __ ] [ __ ] monkeys all die. Motion to recess.

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Uh a million dollars is reasonable number. >> Mhm. >> [snorts] >> Let's go back. Uh, can I get a motion to get out of recess? Come on. Can I get a motion to get out of recess? >> Come on. Second.

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There's a motion on the table, properly second, discussion, there is none. All those in favor please say I. I. Any nays? There is uh uh uh Councilor Russell, you you have 2 and 1/2 minutes. Again. Public participation. >> You don't You don't want me You don't want to read the book again, do you? No.

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[laughter] >> Okay. Uh I'll just continue from where I uh dropped off uh with the snowplow. Uh Uh when will the city make a realistic appropriation for snow removal? A million dollars seems reasonable. Any

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money left over you can uh do what you're doing stripping like stripping the money out of the various accounts to go to other accounts. To me, that makes sense, but again uh I guess with white hair you uh lose brain cells. And lastly

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who gave someone permission to patch to park a bunch of junkie snowplows in the General Donovan parking lot? If the residents of the area can't use it for parking in the wintertime during snowstorms, then why

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should someone be allowed to use it for storage off-season? I mean, it's it's getting to be a sore point. Every time I drive by, there's another vehicle in there. Right now, it's up to six snowplows. With that, I thank you for the time

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despite being broken up. Thank you. All right, uh the next person is uh Vicente de la Rosa. Name address for the record, please. Oh, ordinance. Okay, if it is not public participation, then later on we're going to have ordinance. >> Okay.

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Uh same as Samuel Aponte. Also have an item on the agenda or you have a public participation? Hi everyone. Peace be unto you. Are you here for public participation or you have an item on the agenda?

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I have an item item on the agenda. >> Okay, so later on we're going to entertain your item. Okay. Thank you. So should I go should I carry on? >> yes, later on we will uh Later. >> We'll discuss your item later on. You can sit. Yeah. You can sit. Okay.

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Marisol Cardenas. Also an item on the agenda? Are you part of ordinance as well? All right, later on we're going to entertain your item. Okay. I want to speak in Spanish. Later on, yes. Okay.

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Um, muy buenas noches. Uh, if you have an item on the agenda later on we're going to we're going to call you. Oh, okay. Luego. Uh, Oscar Ordonez. Name and address for the record, please. Um It's my first time here.

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So be patient with me, please. You have 2 and 1/2 minutes and please provide us with your name and address for the record, please. >> is Oscar Ordonez. My address is 277 Lawrence Street. Uh My I I'm coming here today

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because I was hit by a car 2 months ago on Lawrence Street. Um and I'm concerned about the safety on that street especially for kids, elderly, and

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us as citizens in there. And unfortunately um it just got hit up a little bit and everybody's crazy in there. Uh I'm thankful because I I didn't get worse

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but I still without work right now without pay. Um and I need to know how uh the city can fix the street signals and um there's something that needs to be done

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in there because um there are kids and elderly people going in into those uh bodegas and the gas stations and it's crazy right now. Yesterday I think there was an accident uh around 10:00 uh

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in there. So I don't know who's the person that represents that area that can help me to do something. All right, thank you so much. Um All these names are going to be submitted for the record.

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Um So the first item that we have on the on our agenda that is is not quite there but is on their communications uh from the mayor's office we're going

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to have that uh item 227-2026 fiscal year 2027 uh budget review and a schedule hearings and under that item we're going to entertain uh the mayor's office to introduce that uh

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FY 2027 budget. Welcome. Good evening, Council President, Councilors. Octavian Sanders here an advisor to the mayor on policy and external affairs. Uh here we are again. Um during our budget preparation. And what

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I'm going to do, I I ask you to uh be patient with me because there's two documents that I need to read. The first um the second one has been shared with you tonight, which uh was prepared um in with the mayor um this afternoon. That's the reason why

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we haven't sent it earlier. Nevertheless, I'm going to read the budget statement, the mayor's budget statement for fiscal year 2027. Dear counselors, >> [clears throat] >> I am proud to present the city the city

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of Lawrence fiscal year 2027 operating budget at a time when our city is maintaining financial stability while continuing to focus on long-term planning and responsible stewardship. As I shared in the my state of the city

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address, our city remains focused on steady growth and responsible progress. This reflects the meaningful advances we have achieved together and as a community through careful careful management and continued

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collaboration. Independent credit rating agencies continue to affirm the strength of our financial management. S&P Global Ratings has maintained an A+ rating with a stable outlook, and Moody's continues to recognize our

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stability and disciplined approach to budgeting. These ratings confirm what we know. Lawrence is managing its finances responsibly, meeting its obligations, and planning for the future with purpose.

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At the same time, we recognize that we are at a critical moment in our city financial uh evolu- evolution. We have made significant investment in our future, new schools, a new police large police headquarters, and critical

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infrastructure improvements across our neighborhoods. These investments are necessary and long overdue. But, they are also come with long-term financial responsibilities that we must need that we must meet, uh, sustainably.

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That is why this is grounded in a clear and guiding principle. Our financial stability must be supported by economic growth. We cannot rely solely on raising taxes, and we will not balance our future by

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cutting essential services. Instead, we are focused on our expanding our tax base, attracting investment, and creating new sources of locally generated, uh, revenue. Across Lawrence, we are unlocking

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underutilized land, advancing housing and commercial development, and building partnership that bring new opportunity into our city. This strategy is already producing results with rising property values, increased development activity,

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and a stronger, more resilient local economy. At the same time, we continue to invest in the infrastructure that supports the growth, rebuilding our streets, improving public spaces, strengthening connections between neighborhoods, and preparing our city for the challenges of

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the future. But, our most important important investment is in our people. We are strengthening education and workforce development because we know that long-term economic success depends on the opportunities we create for our

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residents, especially our young people. Through partnerships with our public schools, colleges, and community organizations, we are aligning education with workforce needs, expanding access to training, and creating clear pathways

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to good-paying jobs. We are preparing our residents not just for today's economy, but for the future. We have also achieved a major milestone in the governance of our school system. After nearly two decades, we have we

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have we successfully reformed the school committee structure through collaboration with the city council, our state partners, and educational education leadership. This reform lays the groundwork for Lawrence to regain local control of our

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public schools, an important step towards greater accountability, stronger outcomes, and a system that reflects the needs of our community. Education is not separate from our financial strategy.

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It is the is it is central to it. When we invest in education, we strengthen our workforce. When we strengthen our workforce, we grow our economy. And when we our economy grows, we build the revenue base needed to support our

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services, meet our obligation, and invest back into our neighborhoods. The budget also reflects our ongoing commitment to thoughtful and disciplined financial management. Through fiscal year 2027, we will

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continue to align budget decisions with established priorities, measurable outcomes, and the city's long-term strategic goals. This approach promotes accountability, enhances transparency, and helps ensure

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responsible stewardship of public resources. I respectfully ask the city council to work in partnership with my administration to review this budget and ultimately adopt it. The decisions before us are not just

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about members on a page and numbers on a page. They are about the direction our of our city. They're about how we meet our obligations, how we invest in our residents, and how we position Lawrence for long-term success.

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We have already demonstrated what we can achieve when we work together. From major capital investments to critical governance reforms, that some that that same spirit of collaboration will be essential as we

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move forward through this budget process. I am committed to an open, transparent, and constructive dialogue with the city council. I want welcome your input, your ideas, and your partnership as we finalize a budget that reflects our

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shared responsibility to the people of Lawrence. This budget is about balance. It is about maintaining strong financial discipline while investing in our future. It is about protecting essential services while creating new growth

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opportunities. And it is about making sure that the progress we are seeing today continues for years to come. Lawrence has come a a long way. We are no longer defined by the challenges of the past.

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We are defined by the strength of our progress and the clarity of our vision. The budget is more than a financial plan. It is a roadmap for sustainable growth, fiscal stability, and shared prosperity. And together, we will continue building

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a city where opportunity exists in every neighborhood and where the best days of Lawrence are still ahead. Thank you, and may God bless the city of Lawrence. Sincerely, Mayor Brian DePeña, Mayor.

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The second part I would like to read the and I'll try to do it as quickly as possible because I know you have an extensive agenda. Uh is a memo that was uh that uh was prepared on behalf of Mayor DePeña to be submitted to you.

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It's in reference to preparation of responsibility of the municipal budget process fiscal year 2027. Dear members of the city council, as we enter the year's budget season, Mayor Brian A. DePeña respectfully urges all members of the city council

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to fully prepare themselves to understand the municipal budget process, including the terminologies, ongoing operational expenses, fixed budgetary commitments, and the long-term implication of the decisions made during budget deliberations.

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The annual operating budget is one of the most consequential responsibilities entrusted to municipal government. Decisions made during this process directly impact the city's ability to meet debt service obligations, maintain essential public services, support

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personnel, and persevere and preserve the long-term financial stability of the city of Lawrence. Each year, the mayor is required to present a clear clearly narrate

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and sorry, to to present and clearly narrate his financial position and budgetary priorities based on the pressing needs of the city. And to outline how those needs can be responsibly met given the availability

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of funds and municipal resources. This responsibility requires balancing fiscal discipline with the practical realities and the balance facing our community. We respectfully ask the city council undertake the same level of preparation

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and responsibility in reviewing the proposed operating budget. Councilors should dedicate the necessary time to study the budget carefully, understand the city's financial obligation, ask substantive substantive questions,

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and fully comprehend the long-term physical implication of the budgetary decision. Unfortunately, last year budget hearings involved an extensive and lengthy process, yet critical financial obligations, including OPEB funding,

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were not adequately addressed. These are real and ongoing commitment that directly affect the city's financial health, financial stability, and and future flexibility. It is equally important to recognize that the that discussions regarding

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departmental funding should never be centered on the individual currently serving in particular positions. From both an ethical and governance standpoint, budget deliberations should focus on whether the council supports

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the overall funding and operational needs of the department heads uh on the departments based on the priorities and needs of the city, regardless of who presently occupies the role. Of foremost importance are the council

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council's decision concerning economic development and other income generating initiatives that strengthen the city long-term tax base. These decisions directly influence Lawrence's ability to meet municipal loans, bonded indebtedness,

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infrastructure obligation, public services, and personnel costs in the years ahead. Mayor Brian A. DePena's long-term fiscal strategy for the city of Lawrence is centered on expanding and strengthening the city tax base through the development and redevelopment of

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underutilized vacant and blighted private and public properties. The administration The administration firmly believes that sustainable economic growth and strategic redevelopment are essential to bringing dormant properties back to

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productive use, generating new revenues, creating jobs, attracting private investment, and improving the overall financial stability of the city. The The administration remains committed to the principle that Lawrence cannot

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cannot rely solely on raising taxes to meet its growing financial obligations, nor can the city responsibly balance its future by reducing or eliminating essential municipal services that residents depend upon.

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Instead, the focus remains on expanding the local economy, increasing property values through responsible development, attracting new commercial and residential investment, and identifying new sour- identifying new sources of locally

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generated revenue that are feasible, viable, and sustainable over the long term. During the mayor's first term, several members of the city council publicly criticized various economic development initiative advancing

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advanced advanced by the the the administration. However, to date, there has been limited presentations of comprehensive counterproposals or alternative long-term revenue strategies addressing how the city should otherwise generate the additional

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income neces- income necessary to support municipal operations, infrastructure obligations, public safety, schools, employment benefits, and other essential services. The administration as respects

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respectfully encourages all parties to move beyond criticism alone, and instead focus collectively on practical solution-oriented discussions that advance the long-term interest of the city. The mayor remains willing to engage in

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good faith collaborations and compromise where possible, and asks that members of the city council likewise present constructive alternatives where common ground may be achieved for the benefit of Lawrence residents and taxpayers alike.

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The council should also be mindful that failure to responsibly address the city financial obligation may ultimately result in increased pressure on the tax levy. While no administration takes the impact of raising taxes on on resident, it

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remains a potential consequence when structural financial needs are not met. In recognition of this, the mayor has already begun discussion with municipal staff to identify and evaluate alternative revenue strategies that may reduce reliance on property tax

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increases. These efforts include reviewing and potentially adjusting the city's fee structure, service charges, and administrative fees where appropriate. At present, Lawrence fees in several area

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uh at present, Lawrence's fees in several areas remain comparatively lower than those in many other municipalities across the the Commonwealth. And a thoughtful reassessment may provide a

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more balanced and equitable approach to revenue generation. As you are aware, the city financial practices, creditworthiness, and fis- fiscal management continue to be closely monitored by credit rating agencies and

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municipal bond stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth. The decision made during this budget cycle will have lasting implications for Lawrence's fi- financial reputation and future borrowing capacity. The mayor welcomes a thoughtful,

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intelligent, and respectful review of the proposed operating budget. Healthy debate is an essential part of the democratic process. However, that process must also be accompanied by good faith collaboration and compromise to secure a sound

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financial future for the city of Lawrence. Should there be big differences in priorities or viewpoints, we encourage compromise grounded in consensus and fiscal responsibility. There is one mayor, but there are nine

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councilors. And it's not realistic to expect the mayor to compromise independently on nine separate individual priorities or positions. Effective governance requires identifying areas of common agreement

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and work collectively towards solutions that reflect a broader consensus of the council and the best interest of the city as a whole. Only through preparation, diligence, informed decision-making, and cooperation can balance and responsibility

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and respon- responsible budget be achieved. Should you have any questions, please feel free to feel free to contact my office. I'm Mayor Brian A. DePeña. Um Council President, we um

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in the coming days, we will also share with you a document that we have reflecting um uh the several administrations through the past and this current administrations' um hiring practices, the amount of uh

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employees that the cities have had since Mike Sullivan, uh William Lantigua, Dan Rivera, Kendrys Vasquez, and Mayor Brian A. DePena. The reason why we're doing it is because um

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like tonight I just received a document from a document indicating that some of the other municipalities are cutting staff. Uh that's across the Commonwealth. I hope uh and base on our budget

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proposal, that would not be the case. Um and the reason why we did that study and which would be shared with you is because um our population has grown. Our

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we have more students. There's more services that are required. And to not responsibly look at the budget and cut services uh and also employees would be detrimental to the city as we are progressing. So, you we can't

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go back. We We need to move forward. Uh at the same time based on this uh email, lastly I would encourage our new council uh members, Rosalie Gonzalez and Franklin Miguel, if you have any other questions uh and all of

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you as well. Um not only can you contact the our council, but we have an open door policies if you have any questions or any concerns or you want to know how we make our decisions based on our proposal to you, uh we will happy and I myself

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will be happy to be there. I will be like usual during the entire budget budget process. I don't know if Johanny is here tonight, our chief of staff. Uh we agreed that this would be a difference

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that we would be here tonight and during the entire budget process. We're human. Um if if we have if I have a commitment, she will be here. If she has a commitment, we share responsibility. Should you have any questions, feel free

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to contact us. Uh yes, but thank you for introducing the fiscal year 2027 budget. Um to me the the introduction of the budget um through this memo

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uh from the mayor Brian A. Depeña was a a clear path um to um somehow one way or another call out the council instead of the calling out for

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the the budget. What is what the budget entails. That is the most important part instead of focusing on the council. Uh 90% of that of the of that uh of this memo is is from the get-go attacking

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the city council. Uh telling us many things that through through words you can figure it out, but I mean we are we are very professional. We're going to keep it as professional. And um and we're going to approach this just

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like the mayor wants. Uh in a way that uh we are going to be very thoughtful, very intelligent, and very respectful uh to the review of this proposed budget fiscal year 2027. Uh we are not we are not going to stay on that pattern of

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fighting because the city of Lawrence is above our heads, above the mayor's head, and above every single council head. Um and we need to work towards the people. I believe that the memo should be focusing on introducing the budget

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instead of fighting with the council. And we're not into that to to all by all means. But we're going to take this as a good and balanced. Thank you for introducing the budget as I said fiscal year 2027. And now we're

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going to we're going to pass the floor to the chair of the budget and finance committee counselor Stephanie Infante, so she can provide us with some guidance as of how we're going to proceed with the review of the budget fiscal year 2027. Thank you Council President through you.

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Before I get into the memo, I just want to quickly congratulate Zulimar Gonzalez from the city clerk's office who graduated from Northern Essex Community College on Saturday. Zulimar started with us as an intern, so congratulations [applause] Zulimar.

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She's here taking on the tough meeting covering for our assistant city clerk Jan Duran. Council President on May 14th Thursday May 14th 2026 myself in partnership with the vice chair of

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the budget and finance committee sent a memo to the mayor to city to the city council to department heads and actually citywide to ensure that everyone was on the same page as to how this budget process is going to look for

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this year. And some of it is lessons from last year. One thing that we did take on that I mentioned at the beginning of the year, we did year-to-date budget hearings to see how how the budget to date was was going particularly with with the bigger

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departments and it seemed to help the budget and finance committee. I recommend for my colleagues who aren't on the committee to watch those sessions in preparation to what's to come. Council President, I'm just going to read this for the record and um

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that way the public knows also exactly what what is said on what is said on this memo. And it was addressed to the council president, council vice president Anna Levy, city council members, Mayor Brian A. De Pena, department heads, Lawrence Public Schools, Greater Lawrence Technical School, and Lawrence residents um from

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the chair and vice chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. Dear city city colleagues and community members, we are pleased to present the official FY27 budget review schedule. As we begin this essential phase of our municipal governance, we want to express

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our sincere gratitude to the Budget and Finance Committee for their outstanding work during our year-to-date budget reviews. Your diligence has set a strong foundation for the weeks ahead. Submission and key statutory deadlines.

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The FY27 budget was officially submitted to the city clerk and city council on Thursday, May 14th, 2026 at 3:19 p.m. And let me just actually correct that. The physical budget was stamped at 3:18

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p.m. The email was sent at 3:19 p.m. So there is a a minute difference. Please be advised that that we have received formal confirmation from state council that the 45-day statutory period begins on the day of submission. Consequentially,

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the final day for the city council to take official action on the FY27 budget is Saturday, June 27, 2026. The hearing process. Formal budget hearings are scheduled to take place from Monday, June 1st through

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through Thursday, June 11th. This year, and I want to make sure that uh we do have some department heads here and for for um residents listening at home, this year, we are adhering to a strict schedule to ensure every department and

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priority is given the appropriate time and focus. Please note that no rescheduling will be accommodated unless it is an absolute emergency unless it is an absolute emergency situation.

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Your cooperation in maintaining this timeline is vital to completing our review within the required window. Pre-hearing [snorts] support and training. To ensure our counselors are fully prepared for the hearing phase, Ramona Ceballos, our CAFO, will be available

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from Monday Monday, May 18th to Tuesday, May 26th. During this time, the CAFO is available to one, assist in reviewing the budget documents, two, answer specific technical questions, three, provide a refresher on

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municipal budget process for those who requested. We encourage our colleagues to take advantage of this window to gain a deeper understanding of the proposed figures before we convene for public hearings. We look forward to working collaboratively with all of you to

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ensure a transparent, physical fiscally responsible, and productive fiscal year 2027 2027 budget process. Respectfully, Council Stephanie Infante, Chair, and Council Vivian Marmol, Vice Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. Council President, I am now going to

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read into the record the official um FY27 budget hearing schedule. For Monday, June 1st, 2026, we have the opening statement and presentation from our CAFO. The first department we have the Administration and Finance Division and

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under that division, we have the Office of Budget and Finance, the Controller's Office, the Purchasing Office, Information Technology, Assessor's Office, Treasurer's Office, Tax Collector's Office, Office of the Personnel.

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We also have Debt Services, Intergovernmental Assessment, Employee Benefits Benefits, Risk Management, and Office financing uses. Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026, we have the city attorney's office, the

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city clerk's division, which which covers the city clerk's office, elections, vital stats, and annual listings. We also have health the health and human services division, which covers Council on Aging, Veterans Office, and the

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recreation um recreation's office. That evening, we also have the Police Department and the Fire Department. Thursday, June 4th, 2026, would be the night for the City Council, the mayor's office, emergency

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management, Office of Planning and Development, which includes Office of Community Development, Planning Office, Planning Boards and Commissions, Planning Zoning Board, and Economic Development. We will also

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have the Inspectional Services Department on that evening, as well. Monday, June 8th, 2026, will be the night for the hearing for Lawrence Public Schools and Greater Lawrence Technical School. And lastly, Thursday, June 11th, 2026,

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the departments that will have their hearing will be the Public Library, the Bellevue Cemetery, Department of Public Works, Parking Enterprise Fund, Airport Enterprise Fund, and Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds.

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Uh Council President, thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Budget and Finance Committee. Myself and the vice chair, we look forward um to to to starting this this process. Uh thank you. Thank you um uh Madam

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Chair from the Budget and Finance Committee. With that said, we going to um uh We appreciate the mayor's office being here and communicating uh for the fiscal year 2027. And uh thank you, Madam Chair, from the

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Budget and Finance Committee uh to give us some guidance as of uh how we're going to how the budget is going to look like uh when it comes to the review. Uh with that said, I'm going to close this uh this item. Yeah. And we're going to go right away to the regular agenda that we have for

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tonight. Uh we have a couple of people that are here today uh from the administration that have been here since 7:00 in the morning and we're going to as a courtesy we're going to take them first so they can go home and be with their families. Um

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>> [snorts] >> So, Madam Chair, from the Budget and Finance Committee, uh everybody on this list pretty much is here. So, let's uh let's hear those uh committee reports and uh any recommendations. Item 173-26.

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Item 173-26, reauthorization of Belvidere Cemetery Revolving Fund Account with the expenditure limit of 95,000 was sent up to the full council as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. Second. >> Second.

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Is there a motion to approve this for the second discussion? Would we want to hear anything from these uh any presenters? I'm trying to um I know uh counselors, you do have a manila folder with um additional information. So, the

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committee did ask to see not only the expenditures but also the revenues that are coming into each department. Uh so you do have that available for you. And that's I mean I I've asked my questions um Council President so I'm

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going to leave it for you. Any >> For the members that are not on the line. >> would like to ask a question in regard to the item 170-26. The the reauthorization of the uh uh baby cemetery revolving fund accounts

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with an expenditure limit of $95,000. Any questions? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. >> Any nays? The eyes have it. Item 174-26. Item 174-26 reauthorization of Council on Aging

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Revolving Fund Account with the expenditure limit of 150,000 was sent up to the council with a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. Second. There's a motion in front of us properly second discussion. On the report, councilors, you have

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received the the balance the current balance of the accounts and the amount as of how this money was uh spent. Any questions? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The eyes have it. Item 175-26.

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Item 175-26 reauthorization of the Recreation and Park Self-Supporting Service Revolving Fund was sent up with a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. >> Second. There's a motion in front of us

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properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The eyes have it. Item 176-26. Item 176-26 reauthorization of a Veterans Memorial Stadium Revolving fund account with the

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expenditure limit of a hundred thousand was sent up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. Second. There's a motion in front of us properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor please say "Aye". Aye. The "Ayes" have it. Thank you. Item 177-26.

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Item 177-26, reauthorization of library programs revolving fund account with the expenditure limit of 50,000 was sent up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. Second. There's a motion in front of us properly second discussion.

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I hear none. All those in favor please say "Aye". Aye. The "Ayes" have it. Item 178-26. Item 178-26, reauthorization of PEG access and cable related funds revolving account

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available to Lawrence Public Schools with the appropriation in the amount of 350,000 was sent up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. Present. There's a motion in front of us properly second discussion. I hear none.

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Um All those in favor please say "Aye". Aye. The "Ayes" have it. Item 179-26. Item 179-26, reauthorization of PEG access and cable related funds revolving fund account available to the City of

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Lawrence with the appropriation amount of a hundred thousand dollars was sent up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. Second. There's a motion in front of us properly second and that motion is in relation to uh the government channel.

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Correct? Can you Yes, uh discussion. Is that part of the motion? Uh discussion, Council President. Can you integrate that as part of the Um for the government portion of the PEG access. All right, discussion, uh Councilor Infante. Thank you. As Council President was stating, uh the Budget and Finance

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Committee approved half of the amount um of $100,000 to cover the channel available to the city of Lawrence, which is for the government access. Um that covers meetings like city council our city council meetings. We did, however, uh

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did not approve the other half that's pertaining to the community access of the city of Lawrence because we currently don't have a plan as to how um that channel is going to be used. Uh we are we were told that they are working

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on something. Um it is also our understanding from our council that it who explained that night these these appropriations cannot be used for anything else. So, if that was a Sorry about Yeah. Oh, okay. So, um

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So, if um the administration does come up with with a proposal or a plan for the community service um part of of the channel, they would have to come before the council for that um funding to be

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appropriated for that usage. So, it's not going to be used for anything else. The money will be there and will be ready um once a plan is a is approved and presented by the administration. And it is important to recognize that uh once that happened and then they need to come back in front of the council to get

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reauthorized. Can you uh specify the amounts the total amount that is available, please? Uh >> For fiscal 2026, $216,000 were received and the council agreed to take 50% of that, which would be $108,000. So, the the motion is

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reflecting the right amount, which is $108,000. 108 No, we have So, there was a typo. We have $100,000. So, I I meant to say $100,000. >> discussed during the meeting, but it was originally 100, yes. Yeah. So, half of the funds, which is $108,000,

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are going to be authorized for the purpose of the uh after the council vote for the purpose of the uh um the government channel. Uh council, any questions? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. And the bottom line is

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reflected. Okay. All right. Uh the next item is item 180 uh 26. Item 180-26, reauthorization of DPW recycling revolving fund account with the expenditure limit of $300,000 was sent

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up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. There is a motion on the table. Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All right, have it. Item 182-26. Item 182-26, approval of bond

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authorization in the amount of 10,149,973 for airport administration building was sent up to the full council as a committee report, I believe. Um let me just double-check that. >> [snorts] >> Um as a

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Sorry, let me just one second. As a favorable recommendation, but we were pending the plans um which the airport manager did did send over the presentation to the full council in your emails. Um so I make that as a formal motion as a favorable recommendation. >> There is a motion from all of us uh for

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this item. Second. Properly second discussion. It is important to also um specify that the bond authorization is going to be on the on a reimbursement basis. And the city will be responsible for any specific amount. Do you mind clarifying

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those? Yes, uh counselor and councilor you, council president. Thank you very much. In your emails and available for the presentation tonight is the slide deck with the design. As you all may know we are currently in a design phase of the airports administration building.

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Um and with the support of the state's budget in especially through mass department of transportation aeronautical division, it is what we expecting a 95% grant. Our 5% share is what we are going to be moving forward

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to although we have to bond the entire amount that 95% will balance off. We are committed not to start the project unless we have our guarantee that we're at that 5%. Currently uh the we are about 20% short uh based on the

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previous amount that was authorized some 2 years ago uh when the project was proposed uh by the state. So, we are uh hoping that the FY27 budget will reflect uh that gap um so that we could move forward. But again, if we don't have

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that guarantee, the design will be ready until a point in time when the state has the available funding for us to move forward. Any questions, Councilwoman? Council President, I also thank you. I also would like to add that the budget and finance committee did request that the airport manager sign an official memo to

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the city council once that funding is guaranteed by the state so that we know that it's not $10 million anymore but that whatever that 5% amount will be um that the city's responsibility. Any questions, councilors? Any questions?

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I hear none. At this point, I will call the question. All those in favor, please say I. I. The I's Any nays? The I's have it. Thank you. Item 183-26. Item 183-26, transfer in the amount of $1,007,282.

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282 dollars with 28 cents from retained earnings to Um I What was the I forget the >> retained earnings Uh what was the account What was What was the the account again because it only shows the

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account number. Uh credit other assessments. So, let me let me reread that. Transfer in the amount of $1,007,282.28 from retained earnings to other assessments to fund the GLSD the Greater Larimer Sanitary District's FY 2026

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assessment. It was sent up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. There's a motion in front of us properly second discussion. Do we have anybody from the water and sewer department? We have the commissioner. Good evening, counselors.

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All right. Good evening. Just give Just Just give us an overall of uh why this is important. Sure. So, we underfunded our budget um by $1 million roughly um at the beginning of this fiscal year because just long story short, we don't have the

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revenues to put on paper. So, we we have to borrow this from our retained earnings. Um we got a credit every year we get a credit in the third quarter. So, we were able to pay the third quarter payment um which was like a roughly 600,000. Um and now we need to make the fourth

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quarter payment. Any questions, counselors? Uh are we going to be okay with that eventually? Yes, with the proposal I have tonight we'll be in great shape. With the proposal that's coming up later or or this one?

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>> Yes. Uh later on this evening. All right, counselors, any [snorts] questions? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 184-26. Item 184-26,

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authorization to expand $10,933.13 for student awareness of fire education program, better known as the SAFE program, and $4,168.38 for the senior SAFE program in FY2026 was sent up as a favorable

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recommendation, and I make that as a formal motion. There's a motion in front of us, properly second, discussion. Discussion. Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 185-26. Item 185-26,

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transfer in the amount of a $110,000 from the ARPA free cash for the development of the economic development master plan was sent up as a favorable recommendation, and I make that as a formal motion. Second.

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There's a motion in [snorts] front of us, properly second, discussion. Discussion. Councilor Infante. Thank you, Council President. I just want to let the the full Council know that the committee did request from Director Francisco Cirillo um for him to send the

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documentation with the business name of whom is going to be or the agency that's going to be conducting um which actually they they were there that night, but a full report of the agency, um what that plan is going to look like, and the scope of the work overall, so we would be um

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receiving that, I would say, fairly soon from from that department. Nicole. Oh, we have Kate here. >> Kate, uh and the corporal, please. Um Kate King, Office of Planning and Development, 360 Merrimack Street. I believe that was emailed. Oh, was it?

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The scope of service was emailed, yeah. Okay. Um like what kind of any questions? Let me let's double check on that on that. In the meantime there is another question for the council. So these funds are part free cash funds.

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This is the latest fund that haven't been uh spent on the balance and the total balance, right? Yes, so this is originally from the Thriving Lawrence uh projects. This particular one had a a beginning balance of 400,000. We used 200,000 for the AI

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project with the uh the web and this 110 is coming from the remaining 200,000. All right, there's still some funds there available, 90,000 or there's >> Yes, that's correct, yeah. And and the the mayor is fully aware of this transfer and he authorized the your

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department to bring it up in front of the council. Yes. So he's he got his blessing. Yes. Okay. Council President. Councilor Councilor Thank you. Um I just checked my email, I do not at least I don't have that plan. Um so if I director I Cirillo, I just checked to see that

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maybe perhaps if the agency sent it I don't see I don't see it either. He told me today he had sent I'm sorry, he told me today that he had sent it. Okay. So I I don't have it. I can't speak for the other councilors but in my inbox it's not there. Okay. But I do want to say uh we had the pleasure of having the

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the agency with us that evening. Can you remind me of the name of the agency? It's a MVP C, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. Merrimack Valley >> was here. He's the one who'll be working predominantly on it. Yes. Uh they essentially help uh municipalities

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from the Merrimack Valley including our our neighbors and um he was very knowledgeable, the agency is very knowledgeable and I think the committee overall was was content with what we heard and uh so we look forward to receiving that that plan. Yeah.

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Councilors any questions? All right. none. All those in favor, please say "Aye." Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 186-26. Item 186-26, transfer in the amount of

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10.8 million um from free cash reserve to various accounts. I'm actually going to read off those accounts, Council President, I may. Sure. Um so those 10 million is going to go into the

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OPEB trust fund in the amount of a million dollars, compensated absences reserve fund in the amount of $800, workers compensation claim reserve fund in the amount of 400

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400,000 dollars, injured on duty reserve fund in the amount of $200,000, stabilization reserve for debt services in the amount of 3 million dollars, stabilization reserve for litigation/judgements

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in the amount of a million dollars, and lastly, DPW snow and ice expenditures in the amount of 4.4 million dollars, and that was sent up as a favorable recommendation, and I make that as a formal motion. There's a motion in front of us,

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properly second discussion. Discussion. Councilor Amigone. Yeah. I would like to ask uh what's the balance of the free cash right now for the from the city? I mean, after this transfer >> Caffa. Yeah. Yep. Good evening, councilors. Ramona Caffa.

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So before this transfer was 10 uh 14 million, and after this transfer will be um 3.2. 3.2? >> Yes. Yes, 3.2. 3.2. Do you can you remember or anticipate like

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uh when was the last time that we had this balance in free cash in the last 10 years or so? Sure. In 2023, our balance of free cash was about $2 million. Okay.

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Perfect. Thank you. Miss Gaffney, can you go over the debt service stabilization reserve? Absolutely. The stabilization reserve for debt service is used to subsidize the city's increased debt service related to the two new schools and the police station.

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Without the use of a debt exclusion or a nova ride. So, we for this fiscal year, we are going to for this fiscal year we used $5 million related to debt service to pay um

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for the the two new schools and the police station. For next year, it's going to be a little higher because we had to finalize the borrowing last year to finish the two new schools. So, our debt service service is going to increase next year for FY27. And I'll go into more detail when we get to the

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budget. Okay. Uh counselors, any questions? Hopefully, we don't have that much snow next year. Yes. All right. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any nays?

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The ayes have it. Thank you. Sorry, I was told it wasn't working. I was checking. All right. Let's go um Let me see if Forest Memorial is here. Were you here for personnel? All right. Let's go back to

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personnel committee. Item 172-26, appointment of Christopher Berkeley for the municipal hearing officer. That item has been has been requested to be withdrawn. Uh Buckley has requested his name be withdrawn. Thank you.

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Counselors, can I get a motion to withdraw the item? >> So moved. There is a motion to withdraw, properly seconded, discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 204-26, thank you so much. Item 204-26,

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reappointment of Daniel Foley to the Lawrence Municipal Airport Committee and chair from the Personnel Committee. Item 204-26, reappointment of Daniel Foley to the Lawrence Municipal Airport Commission was sent up as a favorable recommendation, and I make

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that as a formal motion. There is a motion in front of us, properly seconded, discussion. >> [snorts] >> We have the candidate in front of us. Welcome. >> Yes. Good evening. Daniel Foley, 11 Cedar Drive, Lawrence. Yes, tell us a little more. Why you want

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to keep on serving? Why you want to keep on serving? It's just something that I enjoy doing. How for how long you've been on on that committee? Uh about 20 years. Wow.

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Counselors, any questions? You're his boss. >> [laughter] >> All right. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Thank you so much. Thank you for your service. All right. Um Counselors, we have a couple of

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new items. Counselors, we got a couple of items that they are new and old business. The reason why they are on old business is because we have an unexpected incident. So it was a blackout here at City Hall.

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And and the committee the ordinance committee need to send a few items that are date sensitive and put it as a on the agenda as an old business. Madam Chair from the ordinance committee and the vice president Council Levy.

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Item 226. Thank you, Council President. Council President, uh So, Council President, through you, as per rule 11, I would like to make a motion to suspend rule number six and pull four items

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uh from ordinance committee and also I would like to move those items as as a block. So, item 200 226. 226.

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Uh Evangelism Outreach 2026 the Campanelli Park June 7. Uh 20126 Reseda Growing the Spirit of the Van Nuys Park on July 18, July 18, 2027.

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Uh item 202 2026 Construyendo Futuro Evento Familiar at the Canoga Park on July the 24, July 25 also. And 203 2026

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Get to Know Your Church at the Canoga Park on May 23. Uh from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Council uh there is a motion in front of us to take all those under the suspension of the rule that specifically

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and it's been properly second discussion. Discussion. Councilor Infante. Thank you. I just want to remind and I'm sure the ordinance committee is already doing this, but um when was it that I was here? I I forget what day I I stopped by. It was

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almost close to closing. And again, we're having the issue with the loudness of the services coming on park and I heard it and I know that this council has addressed it many times, but I don't want this to be an ongoing issue

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this summer. So I just want the the churches to be cautious and respectful of the apartments that we do have around the common park that we do get those calls when when the services are too loud. So we love that you're there, but just

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please be mindful of that. All right. That's all. Councilor Esposito Levy. Okay, thank you Council President. Yes, we always ask and remember people just to get the speaker through the people who's coming not to

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the buildings that are completely around and just to make sure you know that it won't bother the people from the other side. All right. Something that when I was when I served on the ordinance committee they keep

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they keep on saying keep the music for yourself. And and I guess that that's basically the the main comment throughout. All those in favor all those in favor please say I. I. Any nays? The [snorts] eyes have it. I'm the

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acting chair from the ordinance committee item 226. 226 is that it's going to be at the common park on June 7th, 2026. Oh, I'm sorry, they changed the day.

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It's going to be July 19th, 2026. Everybody have it the notes on the package. All [snorts] right councilors, we have Iron 226 Evangelist Outreach 2026 at the companion common July 19th, 2026.

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Uh can I hear a motion? Uh motion to approve. There's a motion to approve, properly second discussion. Council President Councilor Del Rosario Thank you, through you. And and going back to to the noise, what it is is and I'm sorry that I'm going to say

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that, but have you seen the equipment that they use? It's like concert, it's like massive speakers. Last uh two two summers ago when I when we had all the complaints, I went and take pictures of it. Uh the churches have spent a huge amount of money on this equipment. It's like a

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huge concert. I mean, the biggest speakers you can imagine. Panels of sound producing thing that is like it's amazing. I mean, it's it's beautiful, it's amazing, but they've got to be more conscious of the people around it. I mean, I know the Holy Spirit gets to you, it's beautiful. You

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laugh, you bring all the speakers up, but there's people out there that are not participating, and they calling us. And we don't want to get to the point that we will say no to the churches due to the fact that that we need that. We need you guys out there. But also be mindful that all the money that you spending on those huge

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equipment to bring to the parks, because it's creating noises around it. The elderly, the kids, everybody is suffering, and we get all the calls and all the emails. So be conscious to that. Uh we never say no to the churches, but it's getting to a point that eventually

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if the noise complaints keep coming, we we will have to I mean, it stop uh doing these things for you guys. So we don't want to get to there. So be mindful that all the equipments that you have. I mean, if it's if if it's a concert, it should be in a closed space. It shouldn't be in an open space, it's going to bother somebody.

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And I seen it in an open space, and it's again, it's amazing the equipment that you guys use, but to me for church services, it's too big and it's too loud. Any other councilors? Council President Harris. Councilor Mamo Um through you Council President, I I do have a

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question in terms of process. Um, I don't want to single out churches because it's not just church organizations that use the parks. Um, it could be, you know, any organization, you know, whether they want to have a softball game or a

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baseball game or all these other organizations that take space in um, city parks and fields. Does the Ordinance Committee have anything in place where we are able to check if there were any prior grievances or

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um, how do I word it? Were they previously cut you know, fun I don't know, fined or have they cut you know, have law enforcement been caught contacted to address these organizations in the past? Like do we keep track uh, track

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or have [snorts] any record of these complaints? So, moving forward when these organizations, you know, sometimes these are yearly events. So, it it keeps them in line to like, you know, if you want to continue to use um, our our spaces that, you know, there are

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rules and regulations. Um, so I'm just wondering, does the Ordinance Committee have anything Yes, um, the Ordinance Committee received the approval and each [snorts] department sign on that approval. Including the Recreation Department, and

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the Police Department, if it is music involved. And before they do the approval, we uh, assume that they check on the record to see if the organization have any type of uh, complaint in general.

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Uh, and that's what we expect. Uh, that's the level of expectation that we have on the different departments that sign off on those documents before they they come in front of us. Obviously, we receive complaint at the moment. Uh, most of the time those departments not

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necessarily deal with deal with complaints except for the police department. And recreation department as well. But yes, but we expect for them to tell us on that report. Before they sign off, this organization is not

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is not necessarily a church. Any organization. Any. It's is not is not recommended for a permit. For a specific reasons. Obviously, they need to say the reasons. But yes, the ordinance committee have that in place. Through you, Council President. Come.

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Before we go to you, Council Woman. >> say to conclude my my point across is you know, since since being counselor, I have yet to see like we approve constantly uh via the ordinance committee and then moving it up to the full council. I've

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never seen anything included in the package from the police department, you know, saying no to to an organization. So I that's the reason why uh some just wondering. It makes me question and I I would want um the the police department to update us, you know, provide feedback

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if they are doing their due diligence in providing us with that information. >> Yeah, they have said no in the past to to different events. Okay. Yeah, they have. Councilor Rosario. Yeah, and that's what I was going to say. I mean, they don't come to us when they say no. The recreation department will say no.

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We had I had an incident at Kennedy Park, which is in my district, a few years ago. And even the church that was going to use that park, they called me. And when I went to the recreation department, they showed me the complaints. They said, "We can't We can't have that." And I said, "Well, it's tell me this is recreation department." So when they say

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no, they got records with the complaints. But they don't get to us cuz they get the denial out there. They don't they're not here in the agenda. Yeah, when they get the date for that for that specific event, and then they happen to be that they have that discussion as well.

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All right, counselors, any questions? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Item 201-26, Madam Chair, from the uh Ordinance Committee. Item 201-26 is the recruiting at the Espiritu Evan

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Porton Park, July 18th, 2026 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Uh Iglesia Lumbrera, I'm sending to the full council or make a formal as a formal motion. Second. There's a motion in front of us, properly second,

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discussion. No discussion? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Item 202-26, Construyendo el Futuro Evento Familiar. 202-26

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is Construyendo Futuro Evento Familiar 2026. Uh the O'Connell Park, July 24th at 2:00 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. And July 25th, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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Uh Vicente de la Rosa, I'm sending to the full council as a formal motion. Second. >> there is a motion in front of us, properly second, discussion. Any questions for Vicente? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Item 203-26. [snorts]

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Madam Chair. Thank you. Item 203-26 is the Get to Know Your Church at the Campanelli Common Park on May 23rd, 2026 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. I'm sending

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it to the full council as a formal motion. Second. >> There's a motion in front of us, properly second, discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. All right, with counselors, we go top of the agenda with item 134-26, Madam

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Chair. Madam Clerk, please read the notice for item 134-26. That's the one. The water rate adjustment. Item number 134-26. Notice is hereby given that the Lawrence City Council will hold a public hearing

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on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 200 Common Street, Lawrence, Mass. Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023 and in accordance with the recently revised City Council Rule 2, this meeting will be hybrid allowing participation both in

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person and remotely to accommodate participants with health considerations that prevent them from participating in person. To receive access codes for remote participation, please contact the City Clerk at eileen.bernal@cityoflawrence.com or 978-620-3230 or view the meeting on Facebook and

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YouTube. The purpose of the hearing is to have the testimony, information, and public input concerning the proposed establishment of the water rate assessment for water use and the proposed establishment of the sewer rate assessment in accord with the schedule of water and sewer rates below to be

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effective in accordance with said schedule in compliance with Mass. General Law Chapter 275 Section of the Acts of 1989 and other applicable applicable other applicable state and federal laws.

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The proposed rates for FY27 through FY 30 um water tier one for water usage of 1 through 14 is 3.77 $3.77 and then in FY28 through 30 will

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be $3.85. Tier 2 15 to 50, HCFs is um $4.07 in 20 in FY 27. Then FY 28 through 2030 is $4.15.

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Tier three, which is 51 through 100, HCFs is $4.37 in fiscal year 27 and then fiscal years 28 through 30 is $4.46. Tier four is 100 plus HCFs would be

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$5.09 in fiscal year 27 and then $5.19 in years fiscal years 28 through 30. For sewer, for tier one, for water usage HCFs of 1 through 14, it's $4.07

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in fiscal year 27 and then in fiscal years 28 through 30, it's $4.15. Tier two for sewer in HCFs of 15 through 50 is $4.40 for FY 27. Then FY 28 through 30 is

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$4.48. Tier three for 51 through 100, HCF is $4.72. And then in fiscal years 28 through 30, it's $4.82. And then tier four for sewer is 100 plus

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101 plus HCFs. Fiscal year 2027 is $4 $5.49 cents. Then in fiscal years 28 through 30, it's $5.60. HCF is 100 cubic feet

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or one HCF equals 748 gallons. 2% increase in the sewer rates in FY 28. Persons wishing to be heard shall be afforded the opportunity. In addition to having this published in the Eagle Tribune, this is also posted on the city of Lawrence web page. Anybody?

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Public hearing is now open. Anybody from the public that wishes to speak? Anybody from the public that wishes to speak? Public hearing is now closed. Councilors, what's the motion? Motion to approve. There's a motion to approve, properly seconded. I guess that we have a presentation before we approve.

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Uh correct? Yes. So, let's uh hear the presentation and then we go for the vote. Okay. I'm William Hale, Water and Sewer Commissioner for 100 Washington. And if we could put the presentation up on the screen, that'd be great. All right, let's uh

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I'm assuming that everything is set on the back in the back, right? They they should have everything, so. >> [snorts] >> So, in 2013, Woodard & Curran and the City of Lawrence began working on uh preparing a financial model, which is just a comprehensive Excel spreadsheet

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that we put all of our expenses um and revenues into. What? In 2015, um the US Department of Justice issued a consent order on the City of Lawrence. That's um primarily for the MS4, which is our drainage

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system. Um a lot of contaminants were going into the river [snorts] and we need to take action with that. So, for the past since 2015, we've been working each year on that um to get uh it's about a $600,000 a year invested in that portion. Um the council approved

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rates in November of 2022. Um that was a single-tiered structure. And they were sem- um semi-annually adjusted um every 6 months over that period of time. So, our expenses and revenues, we have

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our fiscal year 22 um These are the expenses um and and then our actual expenses. So, in the light green, we have our projected expenses, and then in the dark green is our actual expenses.

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So, we pretty much met the expenses. We had a little bit of an uptick in 24 and 25. That's in 2026. That's what we have budgeted, but we plan to have a little bit lower than that if possible and kind of even out that last tier.

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On our projected revenues, so the light red is projected and then the dark red is the actual revenues that we collected. So, each year we've consistently been above what we had projected, which has really helped our enterprise fund.

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So, this is our enterprise balance. So, we've in 2022, the rate model had a projection. And that's in the light blue, and the dark blue is our actual enterprise balance. And if you look over at fiscal

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year 25, which we had closed out with 2 and 1/2 million, we were supposed to be around 750,000. And then for fiscal year 26, it shows us at about 1.5. We're hoping to do a little bit better than that, but the projection was about $170,000.

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These are investments we've made since the previous rate adjustments. And having an issue with the clicker right now. So, this is an overview of our water system. We produce 6.4 million gallons

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average per day. Our max demand is 8.5 million gallons per day. It's likely in the summertime. Serving 88,877 residents. 12,728 service connections, 154 miles of water

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pipe, and then all together it's 12.1 million gallons of storage. So, we pump from the raw water pumping station on Water Street in the lower left corner. Um we pump it up to the low service reservoir and also to the Tower Hill tank

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and to various pumping stations, one on Andover Street and then also on Marston Street to feed our towers. So, we were able to complete a bunch of water work uh even though we didn't have a lot of this on loans, we were able to do some of it with our own funding.

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Um so, Ellis Street neighborhood was completely um had low pressure. We were able to re-pipe that entire area. And we did Atkinson Street and Atkinson Court, which are connected in there. Um we're also able to do Blakeland Street, Hamlin Court, Trinity Street,

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where the new school is. And upcoming, we have Wells Street on the agenda um while we're doing some sewer work in contract seven this year. >> [snorts] >> So, this is our lead service line replacement project. Um so, we got a $664,000

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grant for this with zero match. Um we were able to replace 126 lead lines in the city um in-house with our own staff, which saved a significant amount of money for the city. Um currently, we're going through our

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tie cards and going um house to house if there's any unknown service types, and we're vac'ing with a vac truck in the sidewalk to verify if it's copper or lead. Most of the ones we are finding are copper. And if we do find lead, we

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go and replace it as fast as possible. This is our sanitary sewer evaluation. So, each year this is part of that $600,000 that we go out for SRF funding for, which is a state revolving fund. We do a manhole investigations.

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And recently from 2023 through 26, we've investigated 276 manholes and also 31,550 linear feet of pipe. So, our illicit discharge detection and elimination. This is a program

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where we're abating illicit contamination from going into the rivers. So, each blue area is called a catchment. And that drainage is portrayed to an outfall in the city. So, we basically start at the outfall. We

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work our way with cameras and we do manhole sampling. And we will pinpoint any illicit discharges that's going into the storm water drain, which could be a combination of different things. It's Sometimes it's a direct sewer line

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connected to a drain pipe. So, we abate that. It could be a cracked sewer line that's leaking into the drain. So, total illicit gallons per day removed was 131,165 gallons per day.

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We've talked We've found a total of 49 illicit and we've abated every single one of them. So, this was one that we had found at Lawrence Housing. There was a a sewer leak in the basement and it was being pumped in a pit out to the street and then they

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happen to be sampling. So, this is how we find these is they were sampling the manhole, got a hit there for bacteria and we traced it back to this location. We notified Lawrence Housing, and they made a correction immediately. >> [snorts] >> And more recently, we've done 10

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abatements in the past 3 years out of that 49 I spoke about. Contract 7 sewer work is underway. Um this is the picture from Water Street at Ambankment. We had an older complaint issue a few years back. It had gone on for years.

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Um we able to identify that, you know, that what was happening, so we made the adjustments, and we put in some check valves there, which prevents the sewer gases from coming out of the manholes. Um as you can see in the upper left corner, there's a check valve in there. It's closed at the moment. Um when sewer

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comes through, it opens up, and then it shuts again to block the gases. And we're actually going to install a second one for redundancy in case that one fails. So, these are the projects that we completed since the previous rate adjustments.

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As you can see, we have a good amount of um sewer projects in there. Um [snorts] we've had a lot of loan forgiveness on the SRF funding. We do get principal forgiveness on that. It varies anywhere from 10 to 20%. And if you put that together with all of

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our grants, um those ones we've had small matches on some of the asset management planning grants, but the large grants, we had 1.6 million for a stormwater resiliency master plan. That was zero match, and also the lead service line inventory grant. So, a

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total of 4.9 million dollars um that the city was able to get. So, future projects and investments for the city. So, we have 60 million planned in capital investments in this proposal. Um just the highlighted ones I'll go

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through them as um the commercial meter replacement. So, that will allow the city to bring in, you know, revenue that we potentially we could lose over time. Meters deteriorate and they don't read properly. So, we really need to be on top of that because

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we haven't replaced those probably since 2012 2013-ish. Um those were our first meters we replaced um when we went to the remote reading. Um we're going to be looking to demolish the old water treatment plant and then

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do a lot of water infrastructure work. Um we have a lot of you know, transmission main work in Tower Hill and then um a lot of fire flow stuff in Prospect Hill and then on also on the south side of the city.

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So, water demands have been increasing over time. As you can see, we were in 2021 a little over 2 billion gallons. Um now we're we're looking at close over 2.4 billion gallons per year.

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These are the proposed water main It's misspelled, but water main improvements. Um the locations that I pinpointed um you know, we'll lock down more um specific streets as time goes on. We have to put that proposal together and

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then bring it to council for approval. So, repairs of the um Tower Hill water tank. So, this is our historic water tower. Um we've been working on getting you know, pretty much a master plan of what needs to be done, but with a lot of brick work needs to be done [snorts] and

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we need access to get into the tank. So, we've been working um we've had a few meetings and we're making a lot of progress on that. And we need batteries. Uh-huh. Can you do it manually? What's that? Can you do Can you do it manually?

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Yeah, we could. And on the computer? He's keeping All right, here we go. So, we're going to be demoing We're looking to demo the old water treatment plant. So, this is one of the big projects we have proposed. That building's been abandoned um for over 20 years.

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So, what we want to do here is if you go to the next slide, so we want to put potentially bring the sewer division over to our property. We need more storage. We have a limited amount of garages on Water Street as it is. Um, so this would be something that

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we would look to do in the future. >> [snorts] >> Um, currently the reservoir, it does have a little bit of water in it. This was a picture from a little bit ago, but we basically back on one side is a 10 million gallon storage tank. You could see the circle

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outlined in the grass area, and that's buried underground. And for aesthetic purposes, we want to fill up the other side and have the fountain like it used to be. If you go to the next slide, so you know, back probably in at least 2008

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or nine, we had an aerator like that in the city. So, in in the [snorts] reservoir. So, we'd like to get that back and beautify the reservoir. It's a really important part of the city. So, these are the proposed rate adjustments. So, with no rate adjustments, you can

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see our in the yellow line that runs straight across, our revenues are flatlined, but the expenses continue to creep up. And our retained earnings are projected to be in the negative by the end of fiscal year 27 by $71,000,

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and it continues to decline, which obviously we can't have happen. So, the proposed rate structure is a tiered structure. So, currently we have a single structure, which is $3.77 per 100 cubic feet for water, $4.07 per

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100 cubic feet for sewer. What we're looking to do is shift that to a tiered structure. So, when you use 0 to 1400 cubic feet, we can maintain those rates that you're paying now. So, you wouldn't see an increase from 0 to 14, as as well as

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sewer would stay flat. Each tier would jump up after tier one would go 8%. So, then you'd pay $4.07 for 15 to 50, and $4.37 from 51 to 100, and then $5.09 for water

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101 100 cubic feet plus. You only pay for the water that you use in the tier. So, for the first, say if you use 17, you would pay 0 to 14 under the same rate that you pay today, but then three of that usage, 300 cubic feet would be

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in tier two at the $4.07. So, essentially it ends up to be a 1% rate increase. A three family, if we can go to the next slide. >> [snorts] >> Okay, so we'll look at the percentage of customers. So,

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1 to 14, you know, those are I consider essential water users. They're lower users. They're elderly people, single couple people in the household. So, that's 26% of our customers, and they they are 16% of the flows.

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And if you look at tier two, that's 47% of the customers, and they are 22% of the flow. And 20% of our customers are tier three, 9% of the flows, but the big thing is is tier four, where only 7% of those

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customers have 52% of the city's flows. So, what the what this plan does is the more water that you use in the city, it shifts the burden to that particular high water user that that has a lot, you know, it costs the city a lot

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of money to maintain this infrastructure. So, we wouldn't want to have a commercial laundromat paying the same as a single family. We can go to the next slide, please. So, why tiered rates? So, it encourages water conservation. So, it's a limited

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resources. It's a It's a limited resource, so when prices rise, customer with higher consumption households and households and businesses are incentivized to reduce non-essential water use, like lawn irrigation. Um it reflects the true cost of

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supplying more water. So, and it also promotes fairness and equity. So, lower income households typically use less water. If everyone pays the same price per gallon, essential users would subsidize heavy discretionary users. And it supports long-term infrastructure

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investment. High usage accelerates the need for pipe expansion expansions, treatment plant upgrades, storage reservoirs, and charging more at higher tiers helps fund these future capital improvements without overburdening low use customers.

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>> [snorts] >> So, this is the model what it looks like with the rate proposal. So, you could see the revenue start to go up. Um in fiscal year 29, we have to pay a little bit out of retained earnings, um but we're in a lot better shape.

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Can go to the next slide, please? So, American Water Works, they recommend that you have a 3-month reserve target, which would be equivalent to 5 to 6 million dollars in reserves. >> [snorts] >> So, with the rate proposal, we're

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looking after fiscal year 26, we start to climb back up to where we need to be. Um and by fiscal year 2030, we'll be at 5.7 million right within that range of reserves. And with all this, we're still the

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lowest in the surrounding areas um for water even with this rate increase. Um so, if you look at Lawrence for single-family home, today their bill based on 1,700 cubic feet would be $135. Andover is 190, Haverhill's 235,

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Lowell's 179, and Methuen is 141. Um and then it it goes up. We can go to commercial is where is is tier four. So, you're looking Lawrence to be 29.85 and over 4,145,

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Haverhill's over 4,000, Lowell's 3,500, and Methuen 3,800. >> [snorts] >> So, we're still significantly lower in commercial as well. So, this would be the bill change. If you look straight down the column, it says average single-family,

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the bill based on that 1,700 cubic feet is $133.28. The bill would now be 135 135 dollars and 17 cents. Three families, 399 dollars is their current bill, they would go to 423.

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And then for the um large commercial user who uses 300 billing units, um would be go from 2352 to 2,985. And this is a seasonal usage bill comparison. So for the single family, you could see

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in the summertime the usage would be about 19, the bill is 152 dollars versus the wintertime you use less water. So you'd use roughly 15 hundred cubic feet and the bill would be 118 dollars. And then the for multi-family it's close

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to the same. 58 for the usage in the summer, 487 dollars for the bill, in the winter it drops down to 46 for the usage and the bill would be 380 dollars. Um these are the rate structures that we considered.

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So to accomplish this same goal and have the capital projects and you know, be proactive in the investments in the city um with all the development going on, the rates would have to be increased across the board 21%. Which is which is high. So that's why we

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opted to go with a tiered rate. We looked at having tier one at zero to 30 hundred cubic feet, it opens up tier one more. Um but the tiers are about water conservation. Um so sending that signal to the consumer is important. I think by

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having a larger tier one, you don't accomplish that. Um and we weren't able to hold the rates flat. So if you you were to be in that one to 14 range, the rates would be a little bit higher than where they are today, which we wanted to hold them to

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that level. And that's the end of the proposal, so we can open it up for any questions. Uh Uh thank you. Thank you very much for uh to the water and sewer department, through you, Commissioner,

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uh for putting this together. I mean, I know that it has been at a great amount of uh time, great amount of work from all of you, uh your department, your consultant, and your team, to be able to accomplish

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this proposal. Uh The last [snorts] time that we have the water increase was on a basic uh flat rate increasement, and we did it through several years. And that was an an average of about 20%.

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Yeah, it was 20% over uh 2 years in 6-month increments. 6-month increments. So, now we we seen another increment based on the need of the department. Yes. >> And this is uh something different, which is based on tiers. Yes. >> Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3, based on

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usage. Uh So, uh something that I would like to uh you know, put it up there on the table to ensure that the people is aware of uh of this proposal. This proposal has been studied, discussed, and approved by

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the mayor's office as well, before it get to the city council, correct? >> Correct. All right. Um And at the same time, every every department that you deal with uh is aware of this proposal. Yes, that's correct. Right. Counselors,

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uh we have a motion in front of us, which is a motion to approve uh the the tier consumption use base incremental to the water and sewer of the city of Lawrences. Any questions to the department? Uh, comments Councillor Mamo.

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Um, I just wanted to say that um, I really appreciate the fact that you went above and beyond um, and it came across that you reached out to all the counselors. Um, I want to say it was over a month ago um, presenting this

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um, this presentation which helped me understand you know, the purpose of of this request to approve. Um, so I just wanted to make sure that um, I recognize your efforts. Um, we all have busy schedules so I do appreciate you

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reaching out and kind of having this uh, prepared way beyond um, you know, it being presented for today so I just wanted to make sure that you you were aware that I I appreciate those efforts. Thank you Councillor. Councillor

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President. Yes. Councillor Rosario. Thank you to you Councillor President. In the same line I would like to have I mean, the department has that probably watching this meeting that when this situation happened and and you have a director or department head that invite you and walk you through it, it's easy

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for us to make a decision. Um, and and I wanted and I want to thank you for that too. I I mean, I I sat down with you. I I went through the process. I took the the material home. So it's easy also to explain to you people what's coming, right? And and department head should should take an

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approach like that. Most of them before they do something make the life easier so they don't come here and get bombarded like they say, right? They get bombarded and it's easy for us to make a decision. So thank you for that Commissioner. You're welcome. Thank you. Thank you Councillor Rosario. And

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Councillors, any other questions? Um, for how long you've been with the department? Um, since 2004 so 22 years. Yeah. You started when you were 18? 19. 19. So, thank you for all your services. I mean, you were very young, very

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dedicated, and uh and your work has speak uh for yourself when it comes to professionalism, and when it comes to having differences of opinion, and maintain that uh and a level that is uh that is required at the government level. Thank you.

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>> thank you so much. Thank you for your services, Counselor Infante. >> Thank you. I want to uh add, and I say this every time, almost every time, when you're in front of us, you are to this day one of my proudest votes. And it's because of what the Council

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President um stated, and you proved some people wrong. Um and you just you always go above and beyond, and I hope you can I mean, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't continue the way that you are, but I I always say you are to this day one of my

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proudest votes, so thank you for your for your efforts and for your work. Thank you. Counselors? Yeah. Counselor Vice President Levin. Thank you. You know, I want to say thank you for the opportunity to just to learn whatever that you were explaining

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and telling me during the day that I I was there. And also, it's very grateful to see the changes that it's been done to the video to the water department. It's very nice just to go there and the different the offices,

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you know, how they looked and and everything. That is a place that before I will not recommend it, but uh now I can say, yes, you can go all over there, and it's going to be completely different, and people can see the difference. Thank you so much. Thank

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you so much for the work. You're welcome. Counselor Levin, any other questions, counselors? Um No? Okay. At this point, I'll call the questions. Roll call Madam Clerk. Um, sorry. I wasn't really thinking

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about the roll call there. Um, Councilor Gonzalez. Yes. Councilor Miguel. Yes. Councilor Montano. Yes. Councilor Bonte. Yes. Councilor Reyes. Yes. Councilor De Rosario. Yes.

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Councilor Plant is noted as absent. Councilor Vice President. Yes. Councilor President. Yes. Motion carries. Congratulations. >> Thank you so much. All right, going on top of the agenda. If there is anybody else that is here, I

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don't think so. All right, on top of the agenda Madam Clerk, please read the notice for item 59-26. Motion second. There's a motion to wave the preamble properly second discussion. There is none. All those in favor please say aye. The ayes have it.

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Madam Clerk. So, document number 59-26, 102-26, 103-26, and 141-26 are related to handicap parking. Notice is here The purpose of the hearing is to gather testimony, information, and public input concerning the proposed amendment to

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revised ordinances of the city of Lawrence to be further amended by adding the following sub-paragraphs to section 10.36.340 of the municipal code handicap parking in the proper alphabetical order. Document number 59-26 Bowden Street

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south side from a point 20 ft east of Davis Street to a point 40 ft east of Davis Street. Document number 102-26 Bennington Street east side from a point 150 ft south of Fern Street to a point 170 ft south of Fern Street. and

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document number 103-26 Farnum Street, south side from a point 102 feet east of Philip Street to a point 122 feet east of Philip Street. And further amended by deleting the following sub-paragraph of section 10.36.340

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of the municipal code, handicap parking, document number 141-26 Orchard Street, south side from a point 230 feet westerly of Union Street to a point 250 feet westerly of Union Street. Persons wishing to be heard shall be

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afforded the opportunity. Public hearing is now open. Anybody from the public that wishes to speak? There is none. Public hearing is now closed. Counselor, what was the motion? >> Motion to approve. Uh there is a motion to approve, properly seconded, that's in order. Uh

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Discussion. Discussion, Counselor Infante. Thank you, Council President. I'm actually going to ask my colleagues to table this for now. Um within the documents there's the expired handicap placard that actually the Madam Clerk brought to

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my attention when we first submitted this back in February. To my knowledge, the the renewal one hasn't been um submitted. At least I don't have it, but I also need to double-check um to see if any messages were sent to me.

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>> Right. The motion to motion to table is in order if you want to uh present that. >> all or just document 59? >> Document 59. 59. So, motion to table Yes. This the motion is to item 59-26. >> Oh, okay. Got you. Yes. >> [snorts] >> It's been properly seconded. Do you you motion to table?

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There's a motion to table, properly seconded, no discussion on the table matters. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 206-26. Motion to approve. There's a motion to approve, properly seconded, discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please

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say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Item uh 103-26. >> Motion to approve. There's a motion to approve item 103-26, properly second, discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. And then, removal, item 141-26.

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Motion to approve the removal. Uh there is a motion to approve, properly second, discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Uh Top of the agenda, there is a no uh report from the housing committee.

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Ordinance committee, there is no report. Um and then, public safety committee and and um emergency management, there is no report. Committee Committee of the whole, there is no report. So, table matters, any anything from the

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table matters that we want to discuss? Uh there is item Uh can I get a motion to untable item 145-26? Uh Llamada de Dios a la comunidad at the company on common on 6-20-26. Uh there is a motion to untable,

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properly second. Uh All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Uh councilors, Um council, this item had been tabled because um uh there was two dates. One was the June

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6th date, and one was the September date. We had the approval from recreation for the June date, but not the September. So, it was tabled because there was sufficient time. We have received both approvals now from recreation. So, it would be appropriate to approve the document at this time.

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All right, councilors, uh we got all the clear from the recreation department. Can I get a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. There's a motion to approve, properly second, discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Item 147-26, can I get a motion to untable?

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So moved. Second. There's a motion to table on 46-26. Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor please say "Aye". Aye. The "Ayes" have it. And this item is a day of Bible celebrating on March uh the companion column September 2026

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20 2026 uh from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. uh There was an approval that was uh needing or missing from the police department, correct? That's right because if there's a marching

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band >> [clears throat] >> Yes. So, we are clear with that item as of as of now. Yeah. And we are looking to It is appropriate to approve it at this point. So, we get a motion to approve properly second. >> [snorts] >> Discussion. I hear none. All those in

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favor please say "Aye". Aye. Any nays? The "Ayes" have it. Um going to go straight to new business. Uh item 228-26 proposal fiscal year 2026 municipal budget. Um that's going to the

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Wyanne Finance Committee. Item 229-26 authorization to spend $1.2 million uh earmarked from the Congresswoman Lori Trahan for the municipal bridge repairs. That's going to the Wyanne Finance Committee. Item 230-26 appropriation transfer for the amount of $30,000.

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Amount uh city departments upper free cash allocation. That's going to the Wyanne Finance Committee. Item 131-21-26 appropriation uh appointment of Robert J. Blatchford uh to the Lawrence Redevelopment

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Authority. That's going to the Personnel Committee. Item 233-26 resolution honoring Jacqueline uh Gregory grocery store. Jacqueline grocery store uh 27 years of service uh

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to the city of Lawrence. That's going to the [snorts] uh ordinance committee. Item 234-26, renewal of all gold and second hand uh second hand uh dealer's license, that's

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going to ordinance committee. Item 235-26, renewal of pawn broker license, uh that's going to ordinance committee. Item 236-26, renewal of pawn broker license, uh Benny Cruzan. That's going to the ordinance committee. Item 237-26,

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request to amend uh zoning of uh 6 Chickering Street, uh the Arco National Constructions, uh this item will be going to the ordinance committee as well as the planning board for their recommendation.

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Item 238-26, uh tarde de alabanza at the Compagnone Common, Sunday Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. That's going to the ordinance committee. Item 239-26, 42nd annual Bread and Roses uh Heritage Festival

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at the Compagnone Common, Monday, September 7th, 2026 from uh 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. That's going to the ordinance committee. Item 240-26, Grace in the Park, Compagnone Common, Sunday

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uh June 28, July 19, and also in August 16, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. That's going to the ordinance committee. Item 241-26, uh tree planting and uh

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creation of care event at the Costello Park, September 2026 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. That's going to the ordinance committee. Item uh 242-26, handicap parking, 31 Brooks Street, uh that's going to ordinance committee.

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Item 253 26 handicap parking at 58 Exeter Street. Ordinance committee. Item 254 26 handicap parking at 5th and Street. Ordinance committee. Item 255 26 removal removal of handicap parking.

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111 Y13 Olive that's going to ordinance committee. Item 256 26 install one jail pole on West Street and near the Hamden Court. That's going to ordinance committee.

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Item 257 and 220 Item 257 26 Russian parking on Ella Street and Winward Street. That's going to the ordinance committee. Councilors, now we're going to interchange the regular meetings for the regular

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committee and subsequently we're going to have a sequence of meeting for the budget and finance to be announced at this period so so ordinance. Ordinance next Tuesday at 6:00 is going to be uh a follow meeting of from the last

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meeting and then at 7:00 we're going to start with the new meeting. All right, personnel. Personnel will be Wednesday at 6:30. I think there's only one left. Wednesday 6:30 and budget and finance?

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Wednesday at 7:00. Wednesday at 7:00. Can I also just hold on. And I stated earlier but the budget hearings Budget hearings? Um we're going to have I'm going to repeat the dates just in case. June 1st, June 3rd, June 4th, June 8th,

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and June 11th all starting at 6:00 6:00 p.m. That's a one full week? That's within two weeks. >> Two weeks, okay. >> full weeks. >> And those dates are also going to be sent to any councilor, to all of the councilors. And if you have any

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questions in regarding to the budget at that moment you can come over and from the podium you can speak and discuss and advocate for any item or any particular allocation that is on the budget. The chair as a courtesy traditionally

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will entertain those councilors as well. Any questions councilors? All right at this point I'm just going to motion to adjourn. Yes. Okay, I just want to make sure we have um Do we have housing? Housing scheduled that was previously scheduled

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for Wednesday at 6:00. I just want to make sure it's not um interfering causing an interference with personnel. [snorts] So personnel is at 6:30 and then at 7:00. It's at 6:00. Yeah, it's been probably

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pre-previously scheduled uh at that time. How many items do you guys have? Uh Maybe two. Two but I don't know if McCarthy's going to want to untable. Two for sure.

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One item. One? Did you want to uh Let's just keep it at that and then it is what it is. I mean budget budget is is relatively short. I think that the longest discussion we will have is is the polar that will be untabled that night. So

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All right at this point if there is there is no other business I entertain a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn. There's a motion to adjourn properly seconded. >> [snorts] >> All those in favor Aye. Any nays? You guys have it. Thank you so much. >> Mhm.