I'll provide him with their contact. I don't know. He might have to We are tomorrow. We did have fun. I did see I do like Yeah, check them. Check.
Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Okay. Okay. Okay. We do have persistent No. Um, you want to start I mean I have to start.
Good evening and welcome to the special meeting for the Lawrence City Council. Today's date is uh Monday, June 30, 2025. Pursuant to chapter 30 of the act of 2022, this meeting will be hybrid allowing participation both in person in
the city council chambers and remotely. Anybody that requests these zoom links for this meeting through the city clerk's office was provided to this meeting is also being transmitted live through that uh L city council platform
digital platform Facebook and YouTube roll madame clerk councel Levy present council Lantel Luzon is noted as absent council del Rosario present Council Santiago,
present. Councelor Marmal, present. Councelor Reyes, present. Council Vice President Infante, present. Council President Rodriguez, present. Please uh join me for a moment of silence. Now join me for the pledge of allegiance
to the flag of the United States of America stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. participation. All right, we're going to go with public
participation. Uh the rules for public participation are as follows. You're going to have two and a half minute to speak. At the two-minute mark, you're going to hear a beep or sound or an indication that you still have 30 seconds.
When you refer to this council, refer to this council as a whole, not to any individual counselors. The first person that we have is H. Mali. Name and address for the record. 53
Chester Street. Good evening, honorable members. We the citizen are proud to support Lawrence Police Officers Union. Lawrence police officers union. This union of pride and honor with the impeccable leadership by honorable chief
Morris Aglar doing excellent job to protect our citizen. Laurenian number one champion of support of union right. Lawrence police union seniors officers union. Thank you for making Lawrence a safe city. We are proud to support our
best DPW department employees. Lawrence is a beautiful city because of our awesome DPW workers. Thank you for excellent job. Lawrence inspection department employees. Thank you for excellent job. We support your union. We
must hire more inspector. Lawrence public school with impeccable leadership by honorable superintendent Ralph Guerrero. Moving forward with the citizen support of teachers union. We demand the best compensation for our
cafeteria workers. Lawrence always strong. Lawrence always unite. We are proud to support our brave veterans. Thank you for your service. Thank you for standing up for freedom. We demand equal pay for all the senior employees
of our city. We must hire two vacant position for our veterans department. We must create the best elder commission. We the Laurentian pray for the safety of all police officers and the first responder. Lawrence police building a
new building. Lawrence police is the best shining star in our city. Thank you for your service. Thank you. The next person that we have is uh Rich Roso. Councelor Roso. Good evening. Council is Rich Russell,
34 Cross Street, still present and accounted for. I don't know which comic punchline is more appropriate here. What's the difference between dumb and stupid? Dumb is doing it over again and expecting a change. Stupid is doing it over and over and over again, waiting
for it to change. Or is the Yogi Barrel line, this is just like deja vu all over again? Uh, one would figure that between the nine of you making somewhere around $185,000 and the mayor, his chief of staff and his super secret senior adviser making
about $450,000 could read a calendar and to be be able to figure out when 40 day 45 days would be up. What gets me is about 30 $350,000 is being paid to the brain trust on the third floor is going down to towners. I
in my following the city council since the days of May Antigua have never seen such ineptitude in financial matters. Uh now I'm not sure if this still applies but it makes me wonder if chapter 58 the acts of 2010 an act providing for the
financial stability of the city of Lawrence is still in effect. most notably section seven which provides for the appointment of a fiscal overseer to assess the ability of the city government to manage its fiscal challenges. I'm not sure if the state
bailout has been paid in its entirety. If not, Sean Cronin where out maybe he could be do xana and help us save us from the 200 common streets own ineptitude, greed, stubbornness. you
supply the pro adjective or adverb for all of those in Lawrence with low or fixed income. This deja vu all over again is beginning to suck, particularly on our wallets. Thank you for the time to express my frustrations.
The next person that we have is councelor Lelang. Mark Leland name and address for the record, please. Mark the plant 29 Duro F counselors enough is enough. We're better than this or at least we
should be better than this. Let's stop taking our debates to the radio stations and social media and let's have the proper deliberations here. Let's allow our colleagues to have the opportunity to address on their merits
and let's have an open mind when we listen to them. Before June 16th, we offered each other the courtesy to speak or for offering a motion to table. That served us well and built some goodwill.
Let's return to that. Let's stop voting on issues based on perceived alliances. If we think like this, we will be divisive. Our first loyalty is to the
residents we represent. That's it. Keep the politics out of this room and let's deal with the issues. Please tell me why you think I should support or oppose a proposal. Give me a
basis, a reason, a rationale. I will listen to you and give you the consideration and respect of your office. Finally, I understand your frustrations.
I'm also frustrated. What I have learned over the years is that the residents blame or praise our entire city council institution regardless of the final vote. We may think that our residents differentiate
among us, but that is largely untrue. I am asking the council to make our chamber the place where it is acceptable to have an opposing opinion when it is based on reason and fact.
I want us to be thoughtful and respectful. When we accomplish this, we serve our constituents well. U anybody from the public that wishes to speak my address for the record, please.
Martha Vez, director of the um health and human services director, uh 155 Havil Street. Thank you for the opportunity to stand before you once again. I come before you to respectfully request your approval reconsideration of your prior vote for the reauthorization
of expenditures to the recreation department's revolving account. Lawrence Council on aging activities account and lastly veteran stadium. In full transparency, the CAFO's office and our departments have given you a full spendown and revenue intake of each
account. We would like to impress upon you the importance of this approval which affects the efficiency of these two departments. Recreation. The recreation department revolving account covers the cost of summer program field trip tickets, uniforms, transportation,
sports equipment, summer program supplies for activities and events such as arts and crafts, games, signs, printing, professional services, face painters, entertainment, interactive games, activities for various events,
occasional supplies for cups, water bins that are essential to running a successful ful and effective program. Over the years, this program has consistently delivered strong results, serving children from ages 6 to 12 with a consistent yearover-year increase in
enrollment. The summer recreational program serves children from all over the city who may or may not come from low-income households and who may or may not have access to enrichment opportunities that we have been able to provide through our partnerships. by
having students enrolled in our six-week summer programs such as fun in the sun summer baseball camp which is new this year, the six-week tennis camp which is also new this year. We provide a safe structured environment during months when many families cannot afford child
care for private programs. The council on aging activities fund account is funded by activities, programs and events that help offset the cost of such activities. These events, programs, and activities are thoughtful thoughtfully
developed for elders to increase engagement in community dis decrease isolation and promote healthy living. The Lawrence Council on Aging Activities account supports the departmental and program needs. This account offsets the
cost of everyday maintenance supplies, paper goods, kitchen food, coffee, exercise instructors, teachers for citizenship, and English as a second language, and many other costs associated with running an effective senior center. We respectfully request
the city council, all of you, please, to reconsider authorizing the expenditure. Hold on. um expenditures for the recreation department revolving account, Lawrence Council on Aging Activities account, and the Veteran Stadium account tonight. Thank you for your time. Have a
good night. Thank you. All right. Anybody from the public that wishes to speak? All right. Well, okay. Good evening, counselors. Nelson Silver, recycling coordinator for the city of Lawrence. uh writing on a memorandum that was sent to Mayor Brian Deñena from
uh DPW director Jorge Hime. Um I'm sure you all received this. Um it states the following. This report respectfully outlines the significant immediate challenges that will result if item 242-25
DPW recycling revolving fund account with 150,000 expenditure limit is not authorized. The consequences will be swift, visible, and deeply felt by our residents, neighborhoods, and the city. City's capacity to deliver essential
sanitation services. This is not a routine fund. It is the lifeline of our sanitation operations, impacting everything from trash disposal to illegal dumping control to public health compliance. Mattress collection illegal dumping will
surge. Mattresses are among most commonly discarded bulky items. The city currently offers a scheduled pickup program for residents. This service ensures legal disposal and preventative public health violations. Without this funding, the city will be forced to
suspend mattress pickups. Result, residents will have no accessible regulated way to dispose of these large items. The result, mattresses abandoned in alleyways, sidewalks, sidewalks, parks, and curbs. uh creating sanitation
hazards and accelerating ne neighborhood decline. We will see a surge in illegal dumping complaints, overflowing removable removal backlogs for DPW crews, declining public perception of the city's commitment to clean, safe neighborhoods.
This deterioration will not go unnoticed by residents or by the media. Trash barrels, excuse me, overflowing waste, rodent activity, and public health risks. The city regularly purchases and distributes standard trash barrels to residents.
These barrels are critical for proposal household waste containment. Without this fund, we cannot restock trash barrels. That means new residents will go without trash bins. Overflowing household waste will become a common sight. Rodents, raccoons, and litter
will multiply, especially in densely populated areas with limited waste storage. DPW crews will spend more time re reacting to messes than proactively managing operations. Worse still, our ability to respond to constituent
requests 30 more seconds will severely will severely be compromised. We will no longer have the tools to support constituents when they ask for help. The other one real quick is overflow of trash bags. A simple tool that prevents big problem household ha
household hazardous waste. If we cancel these events, residents may not Thank you. have the right way to dispose. Thank you so much. Thank you. All right. Anybody from the public that wishes to speak? All right. Now, uh uh public participation is now closed. All
these names are going to be submitted for the records. Um public hearing. Uh item 16424. Mayor Brian Edipe recommended budget for fiscal year 2026. Counselors, anybody? Um, any questions?
Like to make a motion to withdraw. Any questions? I'd like to make a motion to withdraw. There's a motion to withdraw. Second. properly second discussion. Any discussion? So I going to stay a few facts on the
matter. Um this budget fiscal year 2026 uh having fat a u tax increasement to the u tax levy capacity which means 2.5%.
uh this budget fiscal year 2026 also have in fact a uh new grow new new growth built into it of uh 1.2 million but I guess that we've received information that it was going to be about 1.4
1.2 okay $1.2 2 million with a total percentage of about 3.58 3.58% increasement on the taxes. Um this budget have in fact
uh tax increasements to the constituents with salaries that were not justified and substantially to the public. that over the years
potentially these uh these salaries might be not be able to be afforded by the resident of the city of Lawrence. This budget have in fact on the memo significant errors that were
fixed over the time and errors that were misleading the public. In fact, uh this budget mentioned that the tax increasements was going to be a moderate tax tax increasement
when in fact it was to the max allow by law. One of the memo that it was presented to us this budget have an override um on it. Subsequently that was fixed
to the proper wording. This this budget in fact mention a significant um or mention that in fact
the services that we are going to be receiving are essential services. I don't know what that means. Is that means that we are dealing with the minimum amount of service that we can get or essential services when it comes
to uh life saving savings uh services. this budget. In fact, uh talk about or allow a lot of expenditures that were not quite justified to the
public. Council President, councelor Blend, um through our rules, I want to hear what you have to say, but I do believe you need to pass the gavl on to the vice president so you can if I not mention fat and then I will because that's not my opinion. That's fats. The difference between a fact and an
opinion is that I'm not saying my opinion and saying what is on the budget. Those are facts. Um in fact, this budget will have a huge impact to the community,
to the taxpayers, to the renters. And in fact, we are not 100% sentenced. If the boy was submitted on the second of May 2nd, with that said, I will open up u any
questions for the president or any counselors. Councelor Dari, thank you to you and and going along with you. In fact, we as a body here, we should take respons full responsibility for this budget going through the way it went. that none of us have been through the 45
days before and miss we missed those days. I believe that even the city attorney was surprised about that. So in fact we as a body should take full responsibility of the budget going through the way it went through because we took longer than what it would have
took. I mean the cuts maybe they they did not go through because the way they were they were presented to us. Um, and in fact, again, we should take full responsibility. I believe this is the first time that this happened in the city of the 45 days. And it's and it's
us here. We're here to to cut. We're here to deny. We could have take one day and deny the full budget. If if we all find all those discrepancy that were inside the budget, we should have denied it right away because there was all the discrepancy. The budget and finance uh
committee did their job. did the due diligent, ask the questions that he need at the end when we we're ready to vote. If we find all the discrepancy, they should have been denied right right there and not prolong all the discussion to the end and put us as a body us cuz
people are seeing us as the one that dropped the ball and we got to take responsibility as city councilors. In fact, we dropped the ball and that's why we paying for the 45 days and now our constituents are going to pay what they need to pay. Thank you. Any other
counselors? Councelor Mama through you, Council President. Um, so far I share the same sentiments as my colleagues. Um, however, um, representing District D as a New
Yorker counselor, um, this is the first time I'm experiencing um, this challenge. Um, I've noticed that there are a lot of folks that want to pretend that they have the city charter memorized and uh
it looks like everybody knew about the 45 days. Um, yet I agree um the ignorance of not knowing something does not take away the fact that uh essentially as a body we
are held responsible. Um, however, what I'm noticing too is what is the purpose of having an attorney that serves to who we hire to serve us and to serve our people? What what purpose does he serve when we
constantly ask for legal opinions all the time because none of us here are attorneys? Um often times he interrupts us to provide us with advice to guide us when we are not, you know, when we're stepping into territory that we should
not be stepping into. So where where was that advice? Where was that guidance um for us counselors on Monday, June 16th? I feel like we were all failed to some degree as well. Um,
I also want to state the fact that if we're going to be fiscally prudent and respon and try to be fiscally responsible in one area, let's be like that in every area. We cannot pick and choose when we feel like being fiscally
prudent. um and then choosing certain departments that will trigger heartstrings and therefore we should overlook other accounts
because of the purpose of because it's serving the youth and serving the elderly. If we're gonna be fiscally prudent, I feel like we need to uh be an example that we're we're being fiscally prudent in all areas of the budget, not
picking and choosing which ones. Um I know I did my best in doing my due diligence in reviewing every line item. Um I try to do cuts in order to reduce the impact that is going to cause to our
residents. And it is unfortunate that I I didn't I didn't Okay. Um just to wrap up my thoughts, our job is tough.
I don't want to make cuts. I don't want to argue about someone's uh salary, but at the end of the day, when we're when I'm looking at a tax increase, um I'm just trying to make the best decision as possible for our city. And I wish that
all of you had shared the same sentiments as me, doing the hard work of making cuts, that it's not easy. You know, often times we're looking like we're the bad guys in having to do this. Um, but it is part of our responsibility
and we owe it to the folks that that voted us in here to represent us and be a voice for them. That's all I have to say. Any other counselors? Council President Council Vice President Fante. Thank you, Council President.
um with a lot of what my colleague um Council Marl said, I echo. I also would like to add to those to to those comments that it was particularly frustrating to have these budget meetings
at the full council capacity and looking around the table and seeing some counselors not even having their budget book open. It was frustrating to then see counselors, city employees speaking disrespectfully about the council or
certain members of the council for for us trying to do our job. And then we have people standing at that podium basically asking us to approve what their department needs when they're out there trying to trying to be disrespectful. Um,
another thing I am frustrated about what occurred with the 45day uh to echo my my my colleagues comments. There are individuals here um that like to
I would say um like to inform the full council uh that they know the rules. Um and that would have been helpful for the full council um in that moment. when when we talk about working together, when we talk about having
these respectful conversations during the the full council, that's part of a respectful conversation and debate. And lastly, I want to say I spent the weekend talking to many constituents throughout District D. And I was very transparent about what occurred from
both ends. And I appreciate my constituents for understanding. Um, I appreciate the feedback that they provided me with and I'm glad that I was able to have that transparent conversations with many um, constituents and that's what I'm going to say for
now. Any other counselors? We have another motion which is motion to withdraw. Council Mamo, um, I believe um, I had a question. And I'm not sure if you were able to receive an answer in regards to the budget that
were received. Uh weren't there questions in regards to the date in which uh it was received. Was that like up for debate as to the date that it was received? Whether it was received electronically or date stamped by the city clerk if it was destamped by the
city clerk. Is it supposed to be destamped by the city clerk? Can city clerk? Absolutely. Council. Thank you for the question. Um, on May 1, I received a CVA memo from the CAFO
um asking me to put it on the agenda as a placeholder. The May 1st was a Thursday. That's the day that our agenda closes. So, I did not have the budget on May 1st. Um, I did put it on the agenda on May 1st. That's the day it closes. And in your budget books, there's a date
stamped letter um that is separate from the book. It's a letter from the CAFO dated May 1, date stamped May 1. The books came down on May 2nd. They are not date stamped and that is an error on my part and I cannot fix that at this
point. Um, I did send all of you an email on May 2nd. You all have that email that says the budget book is several hundred pages long. I am not incorporating it into your packages for this week. Um, there's a link to the
budget electronically below and I have paper copies for you here at city hall. The email does not say if they're in my office or your office. And in all honesty, I don't remember if your office was locked and I didn't bring them over or if they're in my office. They were brought downstairs. They were not
datestamped. We received those books on May 2nd. I I don't have a date stamp copy. That is my fault and I will not make that mistake again. Um, but the books did not get timestamped. The letter that came in the day before was timestamped, but I feel like the
email that went all to all of you is probably the best resource to look at because it has an electronic copy of the budget attached to it. It references the fact that I have paper copies. I would never have said I have paper copies if I didn't. So, I got those books by the second. Um
that's the books are not date stamped and that is my fault and I just want to clarity on it. It's not to like point fingers. Okay. answer to your question. Um actually it's also some fats that uh evolve around the
conversations of the around the date and uh those fats were uh that um the council send that over to the to the council in order for for the council or the budget and finance committee to have
more time when in fact uh that was not the case. That was uh that was what the the discussion around also that evolved uh throughout the conversations. Any other counselors that wish to speak? Council memo
and this is just to echo councelor Lelant's message. It was a beautiful message and I hope that it is something that we could continuously remind ourselves on how to conduct ourselves in the decorum that we should be following when we are representing ourselves as
counselors um and being in the position of public service. Um but what I would love to add to that whole message is that um it starts with leadership and um hopefully uh people could realize that
um they could lead by example when it comes to the type of professionalism and the unity and having to collaborate with one another in order to see the city prosper and grow and function properly.
It has it starts from up top and hopefully um we're able to get past this and um and I will try to do my best to to be cognizant of that when um how the
way I deliver my my messages. Council President, apologies, council president. Uh I was at a meeting with a group of constituents. U
I just read Oh, it's supposed to be on. Oh, can you hear me now? I just said that my apologies to the council and to the people that are present. I came from a meeting with some of my constituents in regards to parking and the new
schools. I just read this uh and thank you council marmal for calling this a beautiful uh message from councelor Leel Plan. Uh but I just hope that this is also sent to the mayor's office especially to
Mayor Brian Deñena uh because he's part of this too. So, just for the record, I I just hope that councelor Leelan sent this beautiful message to Mayor Ryan Deñena and some of his uh um colleagues
at at the mayor's office. That's what I wanted to say. Council President, right, Council President Council, thank you. Based on the recommendation from my colleague from district uh B, thank you. I I will provide this uh comment. They're here. They heard it, but I will
provide the comments to them as well. Thank you. Thank you, councelor Leelan. Thank you, council president. Council, thank you. I'm waiting to be last because I usually jump in right away. Um, I want to add to my colleagues uh
statement from district D and I and I want to say I'm going to look directly at her. I think uh when it comes to heated discussion or debates during meetings, I believe you and I have a lot of patience. So when we
don't have it, it's because we've endured a lot. Um and I want to say that professionalism, respectfulness is not just during the bud the budget times. I have witnessed counselors get up in the middle of the
of the meeting because they're not happy with how things are going. I have witnessed counselors not even looking at papers um not paying attention to what's what's going on. All of that encompasses respectfulness,
leading by example. And each of us, all nine of us, one way or or the other, are at fault with with one of these things, if not something else. And that's something that that we need to be transparent about as well.
Um, so I hope that we do turn a leaf. I'm sure we're going to have many more debates, heated debates, and discussions. That's not, you know, we're never going to 100% agree, but I hope this was a lesson for all of us moving forward. Any
other counselors? All right, we have an on the line motion. Um, there is a motion to withdraw item 16425. All those in favor, please say I. Any nays? Madame Clair, please call the role on
that. This motion to withdraw document 16425, which is the budget. Um, council Reyes, yes. Council Amara, abstain. Council Santiago, no. Council Del Rosario, yes.
Council, no. Council L. Yes. Council Levy, yes. Council Vice President Fonte, yes. Council President Rodriguez, I vote no. What's the count? Five in favor.
Uh motion carries. You're right. All right. Uh now we go into table matters. Counselors. Council president. Councel Rosari. Motion uh on table item 23425.
Second. There's a motion to on table item 23424. Uh 25. He said transfer of $492 thou 92770.34 from free cash to u designated police uh designated for the police department uh
for copper improvement uh properly second by councelor Reyes discussion I hear none all those in fo please say I any nays have it council president Item 23425.
Councel Rosario. Item 23425. Motion to approve and wave the 30 days. There's a motion to approve and wave the 30 days. Discussion discussion under motion. Uh there is an already an underline motion to approve. I believe can we underline motion was bye
and there is an underlying motion by council which is that the committee rep the committee chair for the bal finance committee. So a friendly amendment to what if eventually go through to wait the 30 days to wait the 30 days. Is that
a friendly amendment be accept? Yeah. All right. There is a friendly amendment and then and it's been accepted to wave the 30 days. Um discussion discussion. Councelor Infant. Thank you through you council president.
All right. pertaining to this item in the next I don't know five six seven items we have another thing being a city council sitting on this side of of of the chamber that is extremely frustrating is that counselors had to take extreme
measures to to get simple documentation on how these monies were going to be used that the level of disrespect from city departments, from the mayor's office to this council is ridiculous.
I don't It was not fun for me. I I don't want to make anybody's life um harder or more challenging. I'm simply and I'm only going to speak for myself. I'm simply just trying to do my job of what I was elected to do.
So, the fact that we had to get this information by doing that is is crazy. Um, and I also don't appreciate the misleading information that was put out to the public stating that because we
did not vote on these items that day, programs were automatically shut down. Um, it was said by the administration. It was said by some counselors sitting here tonight when we all know that's not true.
It's it's I think I've said it one more time. It's very frustrating. All right. Any other counselors? Councelor, this is the time to to to discuss this this this matter. Councelor Marmo. Uh, so quick question.
Um, are we supposed to vote in favor of approving this when we just received these documents today? Like all these in fact, all the documentation I'm seeing like the item uh 24325, we we have not received any new
information. Uh we actually didn't ask for new information on this item. Uh everything was debated at the budget and finance committee and they they provide that on the package for that item. on 234 225. No, but we're looking at 235 right now. Oh,
no, no, no. We are in 234 right now. We're at Oh, we're Yeah, 234. Yeah, we have Melb. Yeah. Uh, we have a chief over here that maybe can explain. So,
see we have some question regarding the 23425. The chief is over here. Do you have a question? Um, no. I just want to respond. Um, thank you, councelor Levy. However, the question behind the reasoning and the purpose
behind my question was often times we're asked to vote in favor of something just receiving information the day of. Um, I I for sure don't operate that way. I don't like I don't want to operate that way. um especially when we're giving hefty amount of information, data,
numbers, like I'm not going to be able to process like everything as we're conducting this meeting. So, if that's a a way to answer why sometimes I vote the way I vote, it's because of this reason
right now. Um and to um councel Fonte's uh uh um to to her defense in the sense of when we're having these budget meetings during budget week, we've continuously asked for certain uh
documentation and data and it is not provided. So it is unfortunate that we're waiting and we have to res resort to these measures in order to get the information that it is required for us to to make these decisions. I know so I just wanted to give you an answer as to
why I was asking these questions. Right. Thank you. Any other levy? Okay. So one thing is that we has to remember is when we are in a committee and we ask for something or for any documentation
we should leave the document at the committee and not to send it to the council and most of this document were sented to the full council with favor recommendation means for me that's everything that I got in my front you know was completely approved and that we
have all the document that support uh the item. So from now and that's is something that we all we've been talking in a different committee. So so we don't have the document that support this item. We're gonna keep it in here and if
we send it to the full council, okay, it's going to be pending when the full council when we don't have a that at the full council. We should Okay. Okay. We can table but we have no time to discuss those item the day that we're presented
to the food council. Council living. Yes. Um essentially what you what you're saying is how to how the council should do the work. And it's going to be up to the council whether or not uh up to the council whether or not they want to make
a determination. If uh the full council uh at the committee level uh they support the item for one way or another a week later it could be that other information have been have arrived other situation have
arrived and uh and by all means we are not in the position to tell the counelors if it is at the full council we should take a determination because they are entire to their own vote because that were elected for that. I
understand how the committee usually operate but that's not necessarily the the the only case counselors can be can feel one way or another way and that's respectful. Yes, I do respect president
council president to you. I do respect you know what what you're saying but what I'm saying is that when is coming in here to the full council whoever is not part of the committee also should be led you know to speak to make a question
or to do or request that also the information. So we should not table an iron that is not being discussing at the full of the full labor. That is my question. Again councelor living uh we shouldn't tell the counselors when to table when not to table. Thank you
councel. We shouldn't because that's part of the procedures procedure the the table the table matters is here for a reason and that reason could be defined as you would like. As a counselor you have the freedom to do so but you cannot
tell counselors. We can't do that. No, it is part of the procedures and that's been u the court if I'm respectful. Councelor Rees uh through you Mr. President uh uh through this process uh through this this item
uh to include uh the whole process. It's not only frustrating for some of my colleagues, it frustrated for everyone uh because it's very frustrating for me because when we have any department in front of us through the full council, we
have the opportunity to request what we want. But follow the question to my colleague councelor Levy. Uh when we table the item we had the right to table but we eliminate the opportunity to bring the discussion and bring more
detail. When you table it in merit you cut the opportunity to make question from us. You cut the opportunity to asking for more results because through the table item is not discussion. Yes. And it's
very frustrating for me because uh every every item I know through the budget they are working very hard because I follow every session uh through favorable light but at the same time when we be uh through the full council
when you table any kind of item you eliminate the opportunity to make question. Thank you. No and and and I agree that procedure of tableabling it wasn't done by this council actually as a matter of fact that's part of our
rules and part of the rob rules of order it is it is there if we want to change that yeah if we want to change that we can we can make it as part of our rule that we allow allow discussion on public on on
table matters but The intent of that when somebody put those rules on the on the on the book was not to have a a discussion on a matters. And then the the point is is like we going around um
around what we believe is right and what is what we believe is is wrong. But that's been there for such a long time and we question it now that instead of focusing on the potential discussion
of how to advance uh those items and uh We can request information very quickly. So we we also need to provide see we need something use the
meeting we have to request is you can table and ask for that but when when I looking for some information and I go and visiting any department and I want to cl for any case that I want to
to have more information I go and visiting any department and asking See, I need more information. I use the meeting and asking. So, but we had a special meeting last Thursday with the
same agenda we have today. So, we can had the opportunity to asking uh last weekend for the documentation and then we have more time to review. Yeah, councelor. Yes, I want to explain that.
Yes. And I and and I'm glad that you're asking that. On Thursday, we had this meeting. No. Yeah, we had this meeting on Thursday. Did give me give me one minute. Give me one minutes. I'm I'm having a
conversation with councelor Reyes. Councelor Reyes. We have this meeting on Thursday. No information was provided on Thursday. But wait, wait, wait. This information was provided today. If the council feel like
they should do something with it, digest that information and be able to be comfortable taking a vote on any of these items they are entire to because information was provided today. It's some some counelors prefer not to have
it on the same day prefer digital information. If the effort was done, an email was sent by the administration on Thursday night, but the information was provided today. It's up to the council to make a
determination. So that's what it is. Councelor Levy what I said that also we had a meeting on Monday last Monday and that's is when everything was stable without letting us
to do any question or there or request any information. So this is the third meeting that we have regarding well you see council living you see how bad it is. We have a meeting a week ago the information was provided today but we
did not ask for any information was because everything was stable. No, no, no. The information of record immediately the table the as a resident through you the information the item was brought out of table or what brought to
the council and immediately was table. So my colleague in here council pran say how come that we going to have a an item take him out immediately table because we are not having any any any any question we are not having any request
we haven't hear from you guys why we are table all of this I don't we having any information councelor levy the information was requested we don't even know that information was requested I'm sorry but the information
was requested Ed the information was requested and it's up to the council to even table today because that's a part of the process. As a matter of fact, I will read something that is important.
If the council vote today on table items, ask the council for the 30 days to be waved in all items. Free cash expire on June 30.
And the revolving funds need to be reauthorized to be operate on July 1st. As per the law, as give me one minute. As the as per the Mass General law, the council have until tomorrow to vote
on the revolment's account and we can have that reading for the record as well. Council President, councelor, vice president. Thank you. um the master and this is why the city attorney should always be in the in these meetings. Um did you by any chance did you speak with
the city attorney regarding that? Did he confirm that? Uh I wasn't able to speak with him about that about that specific but the the law is very clear. If I may, Marlene Czecho, um, controllers's
office, 200 Common Street. Uh, free cash expires June 30th, which is today. We cannot discuss this after today for the revolving accounts. Um, or the free cash transfers. I just wanted to clarify. Um, and then I also I I understand
exactly where all of you guys are coming from. Uh, my staff actually created this report. I do want to clarify that the request for uh detailed information for the revolving accounts. It was a communication had with my boss Ramona, so I'm not directly involved, but my
understanding was she was made that request on Wednesday of last week. On Thursday, me and her met and I had my staff work on this. Um, and we provided that information immediately as an email. I don't know who she sent that to. The information that we received back was that it was not detailed
enough. And so on Friday, we worked harder to get all of the information. So those are the reports that you have in front of you. I feel like it's important for me to clarify that because it was on Friday that we received the request, processed it, and then today's Monday.
We also work until 1:30 on Friday. We had an employee retire. Um, so there was a lot happening. I really do apologize. I do hope that we can work together to try to get your reports provided in a more timely manner. But I just I hope that that helps clarify the information.
But I I would like to note that today is the last day to uh either approve or deny these requests. June 30th, free cash expires. Yeah, the free cash is one thing. The revolving we're going to read the majar law on the revolving accounts.
The revolving accounts needs to be approved today. June 30th. Nope. It's uh let's read let's read the maj let's guys give me a minute let's read the maj law which mandate uh on the maj law section of the revolence account
the section I'm reading is section 53e1 of mass general law I don't um the chapters 44 section 53e1 and then sorry the last date it just says your evolving fund shall be established pursuant to the section
ction bylaw ordinance. Um, the city shall on or before July 1st of each year vote on the limit on the total amount that may be expended from each revolving fund established under this section. In any fiscal year, the limit on the amount
that may be spent from a revolving fund may be increased with the approval of the city council and may and the mayor in a city with approved a board of selectmen by the finance committee in a town. Um, so the state law does state June one for a revolving fund, but on or
before July 1st. I'm sorry. Yep. So that's the Mass General law regarding to the revolving funds. So would you guys be able to have a meeting tomorrow? We have a meeting tomorrow. Okay. We have a meeting tomorrow. Okay.
Regular meeting. Okay. So these item are on the agenda because it's a table matter. So if it's not today, it's fine if it is tomorrow. We'll discuss we will discuss it
eventually. Thank you. Thank you, councilors. No problem. So councilors we are discussing item 24325 which is an underline motion to approve by councelor vice president fante and it was second by
council Santiago councelor Santiago that was back on June 23rd that motion was made and they have accepted a friendly amendment from the council on the free cash yes we have to make a decision today council president I think it it will be important if we clarify those
state council vice president fant Thank you. Three, council president. Um, I would like to hear from the police chief. It's been a while. Nothing has changed. Information hasn't changed, but it's been a while since this, you know, this was brought up. Um, so just to go over, I know we have this
new account designated for police department capital improvements. Can you just give us a quick snippet again if that's okay? Council, good evening everyone. So I think are we speaking about the uh May 28th memorandum uh uh regarding the
capital improvement is that there is this is the transfer for the 492,770.34. Yes. So I have a memorandum uh before me dated May 28th, 2025. Um and it outlines uh what we need uh as far as the uh the
amount the 492,770 plus 34 cents. Um the transfer was requested um for specifically 26 medical kits, 9,750, 26 automatic external defibrills at 65,000, three Ford Explorer cruisers at
two 2011,641, 60 tasers at 169,677, and one unmarked Explorer, $46,72. Um that is my understanding of what the necessity of of it was as far as the
needs for uh for this particular transfer and uh that is what is intended uh to be used for. All right counselors we have a memo from um May 28th and stay
in those uh those transfers u Take your time. Oh, was that? Oh, okay. All right. Uh, council, any other questions in regard to this matter? This is for the police department. Um, just to clarify from the free cash, I want to I want to make sure that we we
clear on this. Can you can you please I do have a question. Just one one little thing. If uh if the council do not vote today on this favorly, that means that we're going to have to wait until when? September is my understanding. September what? I don't
have the exact date, but it would be sometime in September when free cash gets certified again. Okay. All right. Councelor Luzon. Uh yes, through you, Council President. And I would like to ask uh Chief uh Aguiler.
I see here Chief that you the department intends to buy three four three four I I'm mispronouncing that. And four cars. Correct.
Can you explain? Give me a minute. Can you uh do you mind closing the door, please? Thank you so much. Yes. Can you mind explaining why do we need four uh cruisers? Oh, yeah. Three
cruisers and one on Mark. Yes. Uh the four uh represent replacements for four vehicles that we're currently moving over to um for auction. Um they've reached their end of life. Uh at this point we have certain cruisers um that
are being shared uh by by the several shifts. So those vehicles are are 24/7, 7 days a week, no holidays, no time off. And uh that brings an end of life to the cruisers utility uh rather quickly. Um, right now I have four uh cruisers that
are slated uh to go to option to auction um where we can try to get as much as we can uh back from uh from that auction and reintroduce it back into uh this particular line item. But um it's it's it's it's not substantial, but these are
just replacement vehicles I guess is the short of it. Up to you President Mark one. So it's four actually. Three and one on Mark. Yes. Four vehicles. So, so three are marked and and what what that means is they're
bas they're outfitted uh for the black and white cruisers that you see patrol division uh cruising one. One one is unmarked which uh is intended uh to replace uh one of the specialty units whether it's detective or community policing. Community policing. Do we have
a count of how many cars do we have do we have at the department so far and who's using the cars? Do we have any of that? We do. Uh, we certainly do. I have it in my office. Um, I could uh forward that forth with um I I I don't know. I
don't venture to guess right off the top of my head. I understand. We have we have Yeah, we have some. I would like to see a list of how many we have and who's actually driving especially uh well, whatever information you can
share. Um if you can, I will appreciate that. Absolutely. Thank you, office. Uh, chief. Yeah, absolutely. Um, any other questions? Any other questions? I'll call the questions. All those in favor, please say I. Any nays?
Alan Clair, please go to the room. Thank you. Um, council Reyes. Yes. Council Mama. Yes. Council Santiago. Yes. Council del Rosario. Yes. Council Luzon. Yes. Council La Plant.
Yes. Council Levy. Yes. Council Vice President Infante. Yes. Council President Rodriguez. I vote. Yes. Motion carries. Uh councilors. Any other motion? Council president. Councelor Rosario.
Motion to on table item 23525. uh year end transfer between departments account. There's a motion. I think there is an underlying motion already on that. I mean wait a minute. Motion to on table. Yes, you're right. Uh motion to on table. It's been properly second by
councelor Reyes. Uh all those in I. Uh any the eyes have it? Uh we have an underline motion for that. Correct. Council President 23525 year end transfer between departments
account. We got information that we received from before and what is the underlying motion? Uh the underlying motion is motion to approve and um second you need one we don't have just want to add a friendly amendment to that to wave
the 30 days if possible. My motion was made by councelor and seconded by council. Vice president if you accept a friendly amendment to wait the 30 days in case we approve it. There's no further I accept. Do you okay
motion has been u made properly second friendly amendment has been made and was accepted by councelor presidente. Uh we have received some information for item 235. Uh, by the way, Milen is here representing the CAPO first time. Alen,
congratulations. Uh, it's an honor to be in front of you guys. So, thank you for your time tonight. She's doing She's been great. Uh, I was working throughout the day with her and other items and she was very helpful.
So, thank you. Thank you. Uh, counselors, we have the year end transfer from different departments. What's this means? This means that there is some um organization organizations or departments that have some money left over and that's going to be used
within other services within the city. Uh in particular we have uh this one which is uh one transfer that is going to be for uh employee benefits GIC health insurance. Uh it is
expected to be 1 $1.2 $2 million more than what is expected. Do you mind explain explaining that? Of course. Um, so I do apologize. I wish that I had more detailed information. I um didn't realize that I was going to be presenting until uh Friday morning. So,
um, please forgive me in advance, but um, so when it comes to the year transfers, what we do uh, per mass general laws, we are, um, able to just make sure. So, Master laws allows
us to make transfers between departments annually to get rid of any deficits that may appear before we close the books. So the goal of these year transfers is to clear any deficits within the departments before we close the fiscal year. Um and uh council president asked
about the employee GIC benefits. Uh so we estimate every year how much we expect that we will spend in insurance, health insurance. Um but as know costs are constantly rising. We get more employees. Um sometimes employees will
sign up for family health plans. Employees have children and those increased costs can bring up that number. Um and so as much as we try to estimate uh this year we are requesting to transfer that amount into that account. So counselors uh we have couple of
things here. There is there is a item one two three four, five, six different uh department that are transferring. Uh the number one which caught my attention was the one on um the employee benefits. The other ones
was the cemetery. The cemetery has been uh it's been presented with different uh non-use funds and $30,000 overtime. Uh the firefire department is presented with $12,000 transfer for different
things uh that are going to be used by uh fire suppression. Fire suppression and uh parking enterprise funds. It's going to be a couple of transfers
$131,785 and $21,000835 uh for the total amount as 153,620 uh loan interest overtime u permanent salaries uh and water and sewer for that
uh parking enterprise fund. Uh, the APER enterprise fund was also presented with $12,300 and the water and sewer enterprise fund it was presented with $12,371,000. Uh, any questions counselor? Any questions in regard to the year end
transfers? I hear none. U Madame Clair, please call the role. Council Levy, yes. Council La Plant, yes. Council Luzon, yes. Council Del Rosario, yes. Council
Santiago, yes. Council Marmal, yes. Council Reyes, yes. Council Vice President Infante, yes. Council President Rodriguez, vote, yes. Was a motion carries. Um, any other items? Council President. Councelor,
I would like to make a motion on table item 23625, the authorization of value cemetery revolving fund accounts expedite limit of $95,000. Second. Uh it's been uh the motion to untario,
second by councelor Reyes. All those in favor, please say I. Roll call, please. To unt document 23625. Um Just call the roll.
Council Reyes, yes. Council Mamo, no. Council Santiago, yes. Council Del Rosario, yes. Council Luzon, yes. Council Lant, yes. Council Levy, yes. Council Vice President Fonte, no.
Council President Rodriguez, no. What's the count? Um, 63. Motion carries. Uh what is the underline motion on that malanche? Madame clerk. There's a motion to approve and there's a motion to approve.
It was made by 23 uh 23625. Yeah. I would like to uh motion to approve. I would like to offer a friendly amendment to wave the 30 days. It is a friendly amendment wave. I mean
it was done by I accept. Thank you. Discussion councelor vice president. Thank you council president. I voted no to unt because I would like to tonight. Was this were these um
emailed to us? No. No. Right. Okay. So, I'm gonna be for my colleagues and for the public. I'm going to be voting no on the on the revolving accounts so I can
have tonight when I get home um to review these packets that we received right before our meeting. Uh, councelor, vice president, it is important to notice that there were two accounts that uh there was information was sent ahead
of time without um yes and I and yeah I'm aware of those two. Yeah. Y so if it is based on that I just want to put that up there. Thank you for the clarification council president. Uh okay. We have for the cemetery we have
the the the reauthorization of the boulevard cemetery building accounts with the expenditure limit up to $95,000. When we talking about the expenditure limit that means that any any amount of dollars that they receive they can only spend up to 95,000. That's
the expenditure. As per the law the council can reauthorize the accounts tomorrow with expenditure limit limit that is different than the $95,000. It could be that the $12,000 I mean u the
$95,000 become another amount and that's also fine. I just don't want I just based on the information the research that we have done um in the last few days uh those things are things that arise and
if one of those accounts counselors are not fine or comfortable voting in favor of a specific amount that amount could be modified by the council. It is awaiting our right to do so. And then subsequently when that account get to
the end of that uh the council uh can act on a petition from the mayor asking for those accounts to be uh increase those limits. That's within the state law. That's also within our right
to to vote. At this point, we are uh talking about a revolving account for the Belry Cemetery for up to $95,000. Um um for up to $95,000 and that's for the item 23625.
Any questions? Del Rosario made a council del Rosario um friendly amendment and that was friendly amendment. The motion and the motion uh the friendly amendment was second by
Oh, no, no, no. Sorry. Never mind. You're right. Yeah, it was not is a motion is not finally. All right. Counselors. U discussion. Councelor F. Oh, no. No. I wasn't. Thank you. I wasn't. Oh, okay. I thought that
you you want to Okay. U counselors, any questions in regard to that uh to that uh this account? It is important to recognize that also information was requested um around these items uh of record and on record uh for for the
purpose of getting to um or making an educated decision about those revolving accounts. Um any counselors any questions? Motion to table. Second. Second. There
is a motion to table. I'm sorry. I I don't think anyone answered. I want to give the the opportunity any other I mean I can entertain the motion to table now. We're going to have same dilemma but as a court if we can actually well you know allow the conversation to to fluid.
Any other qu counselors any questions? You have anything to add? Yes please. Thank you. No ask ask for the floor. Sorry. I just want to give a little bit of background about the revolving funds and I will make sure to email each of you the reports that you have in front of
you as well. Um so just to give a little bit of overview all of the revolving funds being submitted tonight um all the ones before you in previous fiscal years when these revolving funds were authorized this created an account per
section 53E1-2 chapter 44 of the general laws that allowed departments generate revenues for the designated revolving account as requested by each document number tonight. Reauthorizing or approving the
authorization of each revolving fund would allow the department to spend their previous year's earnings in the following fiscal year. With each of these revolving funds, the city is asking all of you honorable counselors to do you mind repeating for the record
the section that you just mentioned on the Mass General law? Oh, of course. section 53E1-2 of chapter 44 of the Mass General Laws. We just want to make sure that we notice that. Um, so reauthorizing or approving the
authorization of each revolving fund would allow the department to spend their previous year's earnings in the following fiscal year. With each of these revolving funds, the city is asking each of you, honorable counselors, to authorize the establishment of each fund with an
annual expenditure limit as specified in the actual document um number. And all of the revolving funds conditions are the same. So, I'm going to go ahead and read them now. Um, all fees, dues, payments received in connections with
the activities of the department's revolving fund shall be deposited into the fund for the purposes and activities of the department and may be expended without further appropriation. The fund balance at year end carries forward to the next fiscal year if
reauthorized. If not reauthorized, the fund balance closes to the general fund unless it is transferred to another departmental revolving fund. Expenditures from this revolving fund shall be authorized by the department's director and shall not exceed the
balance in the fund. The director shall provide a report including all receipts and expenditures of this fund to the mayor on a quarterly basis and to the city council on an annual basis in accordance with the provisions of section 53E1-2
of chapter 44 of the general laws. No expenditures may be made from this fund for the purpose of paying full or part-time employees wages or salaries unless the revolving fund is also charged for the cost of fringe benefits associated with those salaries paid.
Each revolving fund requires authorization for each ensuing fiscal year and each fund if approved tonight or tomorrow would hereby be authorized through June 30th 2026.
Thank you. Right. Uh counselors, any questions in regard to the uh to this specific revolving fund account? Do you mind going over uh how the BU
cemetery receive funds? Yeah, so the cemeteries director is not here tonight, so I will do my best. Um so on uh one of the forms that is cemetery revenues um what you'll see is
that their funds are from um majority let me see here their funds are from um containers. So they are receive revenue for the plots uh of land that um people need for their
family members. Um and then for their expenditures, their expenditures are grounds and cleaning related, so maintaining um the cemetery in in in order, repairs and maintenance for equipment, operating supplies for the
office and as well as the grounds, and then the purchase of grape boxes. So you will see all of the revenue is just one item. It's cemetery container fund foundations. Um there is a lot of questions when it
comes to the expenditures. Uh I was trying to have a uh a normal conversation with the director today. Uh but that was not possible. Uh I was expecting her to be here so I can
uh ask questions but I mean she's not. I can see here just for the uh for the records that the cemetery the the Belgia cemetery have expenditures related to uh General
Bolman's uh great LLC Amazon's India Valdez uh means uh precast Amazon uh JC Power Associate American Cemetery Supplies Nidia Valdez
Nidia Valdez New England Cemetery Association Amazon Amazon Amazon Amazon Gerald Bodman's Amazon Harvest Signs Har uh Amazon S uh St. Sweeney
uh Mint Prias U Kesi Memorial Amazon Leonard Rodriguez Council President Council President Thank you. Um, aside from the summit, I believe mostly all all of all of these revolving
accounts are going to have items similar or differently. But, um, and we just received, to your point, a detailed because you did attempt the first time, we just received a detailed report on these accounts. And I think it is a fair ask to table these items so we can
review it tonight and gather all our questions. So then you know we're not done then people are not saying oh you guys didn't come prepared you guys didn't ask all the questions etc. Um I would like that opportunity. I heard another colleague would like that opportunity. Um and I I just think it's
pointless to go to go through every line item when we we have a report for every for every fund. Um and then we can come back tomorrow with the questions when we're better prepared. I understand that. There is one thing that caught my attention though that I would like to bring him up as per the law. You
mentioned that this revolving funds account cannot be used for permanent or temporary employees unless uh their fringe benefits are also being paid from that revolving fund. I'm seeing here that
I don't know if I'm looking at it right. I I forgot my glasses today. But I'm seeing here that there is overtime for the amount of 29,738 on the expenditures. Can you can you at least look into that?
Uh because I mean as per the law you cannot have uh So, um the cemetery closes uh later in the year. Um and there is a lot of activities, a lot of overtime that is uh
charged to the account. My understanding is there is a lot of issues at the cemetery uh where staff is constantly being called to um report to the cemetery after working hours. Um there
have so um we just approving $30,000 from on the previous item for overtime for the cemetery on the revolving accountancy. another $29,000 overtime uh for this item and we have on the
budget about close to close to $38,000 also overtime uh from this but what make caught my attention very deep it was that you just mentioned on your statement that the revolving funds account cannot be used
for permanent or temporary employees. Do you mind repeating that? Of course. So, no expenditures may be made from this fund for the purpose of paying full or part-time employees wages or salaries
unless the revolving fund is also charged for the costs of fringe benefits associated with the wages or salaries paid. That means a lot health insurance. Oh, for health insurance. Yeah. Okay, got it. So, but
not for permanent or temporary employees, right? So, if they are paying for salaries and wages, they also have to pay for the employees uh health insurance and um Medicare costs. So, those are fringe benefits.
So, at the end of the day, are we allowed to use these funds for temporary employees, impermanent employees or no? Yes. Yes. No. I mean, I don't want to put you on the spot. We can continue the conversation later on. No, you're not.
The the the bullet is very clear. Um, you can pay for full or part-time employees wages if you are also covering their fringe benefit costs. Does that answer the question? usually um if I may couns usually that
means like if that amount well it seems large like $30,000 is probably relatively small for all the employees and all the overtime over the whole year. So what it typically means is if you if that's a tenth of the employees salary or the tenth of the over then a
tenth of their um health insurance should also be coming out of that account too. So it may already be included in that number. I'm not sure but it is there are other laws that have similar restrictions in other departments and they just do or some of the grants if you have a admin you have
to also include the admin's um benefit that's not an uncommon clause and they would just account for that in that number that's hurry counselors u table and and that and that's why it is important to have this this detailed
information it is important for the public to know also So that the council have received the original on the original memo. The council have received the year end balance. The year end balance
the expenditure of uh of the no the the um the total amount of that that was put into the account the expenditure of that account and then the the the balance the total balance of the account at the end of the fiscal year. So those those were
the four five number that were provided to the council for nothing like this and that's why because of uh we wanted to see to be able to authorize those accounts wanted to see all this information and uh and I'm glad that we have this because that's exactly what
the council means when it comes to uh authorizing uh the revolving funds. the revolving fund could be at some point be seen as something that is not and being transparent and clear. We receiving this information today which is great. Thank
you so much. Motion to table. Um second motion to table as we made council presidente the administration would like to have an opportunity. Will you is draw your motion? No, because I want the opportunity to to
have a better informed discussion. It's concerning the overtime. Okay. Concerning the overtime, it's relevant. We'll draw your motion. Right. So, let's allow the administration. Yes. The uh when it comes to overtime uses,
um I think sometimes uh you know, people are naive to what the cemetery is all about. That's normal. I mean, if if you're not in the in the if you don't follow the activities, it's kind of difficult to know. People die anytime.
Burial doesn't happen from Monday to Fridays. They also happen during the the uh the weekends. So, anytime that needs to there's activities that needs to happen, it the cemetery needs to be
open. uh during winter time if there's any snow removal any uh let's say there's a burial uh that requires also council president activities thank you I'm sorry senior adviser but
I'm going to respectfully ask I know you just started if we can have the chief of staff explain this to us yeah I I think that I know what you're referring to there's no conflict here okay yeah trust me there's It's always there's a conflict with Octavia, but there's no conflict here. I just want to make sure
we're doing the right thing here. So, I know you understand that. I'm responding because sometimes, let's say nine people, you some of you are not involved, let's say, with the with the cemetery, but it's part of it. And sometimes the questions is why are you paying overtime? Why do you have to send
people over? Why the overtime hours are so high? Well, before the cemetery was open on a regular basis. Now you need an employee to go back during the weekend and close the especially during summer to close the cemetery because before you
had uh drug activities there. You had uh prostitution as part of it and also gang related activities that one rival gang with the other would destroy uh the different tombs in in the cemetery. If
I'm not correct, I think councelor Rosario within your I think you also said it was within your district. Thank you. Motion to table. Motion to table. Second. A second. Properly second by council Marmo. No discussion on the table matters. All those in favor please
say I. I. No. Any nays? Madame Clair, please call the role. This is on the motion to table. Council Reyes. No. Motion to table. Okay. Council Mamo,
yes. Council Santiago, yes. Council Del Rosario, no. Council Luzon, yes. Council Lant, no. Council Levy, no. Councelor Vice, Council Vice President
Fonte, yes. Council President Rodriguez, yes. What's the count? 54 in favor of tableabling. Okay. Motion carries. Councelors, what's the other any other motions? Council President, Councelor Councel Luzon, I I I have a question. Uh uh we
have an item we can discuss. Oh, no. I Yeah, go ahead. Go ahead. I'm sorry. Council President. Council, can we do a motion to unte item 23825? That's your desire. Second. It's been properly second uh to table. All those in favor, please
say I. I. The eyes have it. That's item. You say item 135. 238. Oh, 238. Okay. So, discussion uh 238 to unt.
Any nays? The eyes have it. Item 23825, the reauthorization of of the recreational and park self uh supporting services revolving accounts. This account is a little different than the other ones. This account, the intent of
this account is to spend every money that we have on there. The state law actually was configured to allow all the funds except for $10,000. Uh and uh and that's the difference between this account and the other account.
Correct. Correct. Manley, that is correct. Council President, thank you. Council president to you councelor Rosari can send them job to the vice vice president if you accept the friendly amendment to wait the 30 days in case we approve. Thank you. Uh
councelor vice president font have said the friendly amendment of waiting 30 days councilors any questions I mean we have an underline motion at this point and the motion is to motion to approve second by um
to approve. Okay, it's uh it was second by councelor Mamu. Discussion on this on this specific revolving account. Discussion, councelor councel presidente. Thank you to you,
council president. Um, I know this is perhaps some of my colleagues won't understand, but I still I still hold my stance on wanting to review this. Um, because it's more detailed and there are numbers. You're not just looking at the comments, you're looking at numbers, too. And and I and I know that the
director has been here um advocating, and I appreciate that. Um, but I just to give to give my colleagues a a response um as to why I still feel that the same
way for every every every item. But um yeah, that's all I want to say. All right. Uh we have the director here. Director. Okay. Um okay. So basically our um revenues come in from when we
have our summer program, we collect trip money. So if a field trip to Cannibal Lake is $40, the parents pay 20, the city pays the other 20. So when we collect these monies, they come in. If we rent a a park for someone having a tournament that's not part of little
league or that it's not free, we bring we bring in that income. So last year we brought in $17,273. As you can see underneath, um there was a mistake that there was money that was supposed to be in the stadium fund was
put into this revolving account and it was transferred out and it went into and if you look at the stadium account, it went there. That was a mistake on our end. Um, and as far as expenses, as I say, um, because we don't, um, charge for pucks and parks, and we do a lot of
things hoping to help our community, um, our money comes in and we pay for the expenses of what the summer program is. If you look at the first expenditure, it's a PO to for the uh, Cannibal Lake to go buy the tickets to Cannibal Lake because we do have to purchase them ahead of time. We can't just show up to
Cannibal Lake and say we need 200 tickets. Um the other things are operational and it says operational supplies for parks. We try to be um as per CAFO we in our comments in Munice we try to really detail what we're spending our money on.
Council President Vice President. Thank you. U thank you director. Quick question. I mean, this is a relatively short um report, so I might change my mind on this, but can you explain to me the the park rental situation? So, is that when
when you're renting a park outside of the city, or is that for someone that's coming from outside and having a tournament, if they have a tournament that's going to generate income, anytime somebody's going to generate income, we should be renting our parks? If they're doing it for free for kids, then we don't charge. Okay. Thank you. And I
know that for some reason my brain processed it as the department renting out itself, like the department itself renting out the park. So I Yeah, my brain is a little Thank you. Any other questions? Council Marmo. Um, out of curiosity, are there different
fees for those that are non-residents um versus those that do reside here? No. Pretty sure. So it's all the same fee? Yes, we're looking at doing that. We're developing a whole structure of how we're going to charge for P. All right. Because I know when I served at
Greater Allens Tech, they do have some sort of like difference um in fees when we're we're when it's going to be used by either an alumni or if if it has, you know, GLTS students part of the program.
So, I do that with the center rental. When we rent the center, we we did we charge differently for nonprofits than we do for outside organizations. Any other counselors? Uh, council president.
Um, director uh Bles the baseball fields uh where do I see those uh numbers reflected here? Uh yeah, but I mean the amount it's for
the amount of people that I see in No, baseball fields are free. Okay. The leagues use the parks for free. Is that is that new? It's been since Mayor um Brian A. Dea came in. The mayor came in
and um they leave a deposit. They leave a deposit. So, we take they fill out their permit and we um take a deposit of $550 and if they don't if they leave the parks dirty or if they cause any kind of damage, we keep the $550 and then we
void their permit. If they want to use the park again, they have to come back, give another $550 deposit, and get another permit. But for the amount of league that we have in the city in the tournaments that are actually
making money out of the tournament, I I see the numbers are um totally low. Totally agree. I mean, I've been working diligently to try and make sure that I understand when tournaments are happen. It's it it
actually has been a struggle because people will say to you, "It's not a tournament, not a tournament." Um, and you know, we can't work seven days a week, but if we know something, we go and ask or we call the league presidents. We've come a long way with league presidents. We try to have at least like we just had a meeting last
week because we were having some issues about some of the parks and, you know, drinking in the parks. So, we brought all the league presidents in and told them, you know, what the rules are and how we can take that money away. Um, so we're working diligently. I think that, um, I have spoken to the mayor and we
are working on creating a pay scale and creating fairness all the way across through you, council president. So, they go to other cities to and they have to pay to use the soulful fields. Absolutely. and they come here and they
well people that live here and I'm very familiar with the solo fields believe me I I know them uh I know the people that play there so it it doesn't make a lot of sense because the amount of work and
all the calls that you get from me and maybe from other counselors uh it it doesn't make sense I understand your concern. I think the most important thing is it actually has taken me three years to get to a point
of understanding how they all function and how all their tournaments function and they actually at the beginning of the year in January we call them in and they have to give us dates for tournaments and we black out those dates now and if you don't give me a date for a tournament you cannot use a park and
no one is allowed to share their permit. If you share your permit you lose your ability to use a park. So, we're putting all these rules and regulations in place to try to get to a better system. And I think that for me, the charging part is essential, but I think organizing it is
more essential. I And then once we get that in place, then I think there's there can't be no, oh, but I Oh, but we Oh, but I didn't. It it's written black and white. I do understand that. But I mean, how can a city function without not charging? that I
mean it they pay if they go to other cities they have to pay if they go to habil they have to pay to use the solo fields the basil field if they go to metuin they have to so why are we giving something for free and I understand and you have done an amazing job dealing
with all the directors because I I know most of them and it's hard it's hard work but it's still this is a city we are providing a service and we need something in return that I was impressed with the amount of money that I saw here
because it doesn't make based on the amount of people that use the solable fields it doesn't make sense but I do understand uh where you're coming from and and the hard work that that you putting into this and it's getting more
organized but still money should come in because we are we are offering a service uh thank Thank you, council president. Thank you, councelor Luzon. Um, any other counselors?
Any other counselors? I'll have pass. I have a a few questions to you, Madame Vice President. President, thank you. Uh well Ma um thank you for everything that you have provide
uh and every and and how uh how this whole conversation have been involved and your willingness to uh provide information. Thank you. That make a huge difference when it comes to making a determination.
Um, I also wanted to say that I'm I'm I'm ready to make a decision on this specific revolment account, not because of what the mayor has says throughout. Instead, I'm ready to make a determination, not based on pressure,
but based on information that you have uh put up in front of us for how you have managed uh the situation. Information was asked, information was provided. you took a couple opportunity to step up to the mic and speak on
behalf of your accounts as of why you think it's important to keep on advocating uh for those those services those essential services that are not quite provided on the operating budget. Uh so for that I I'll definitely
appreciate what you have done. Thank you. Uh and and that means a lot that means a lot to the constituents. I didn't I did not make a determination on these two accounts before because information was not enough. Uh and as soon as you hear that nobody have ask
you instead you send an email different than other accounts that that was not the case. Uh, I I definitely appreciate um that on your end and and I definitely appreciate
the fact that you're willing to um respond to any questions. I didn't appreciate the fact that um the mayor took this opportunity uh to play games and to play politics. That's wrong. Absolutely wrong. It is
completely different of what you're doing here at this level, how we call it down here, and what he's doing upstairs. Uh it is a completely disconnection between the importance of those services
that you are advocating for and the politics that the mayor is playing with this funds. Those funds were approved, those accounts were approved to be authorized until June 30. And today is June 30.
And and if those funds and and if those services or those programs were not allowed or were not running today, it was not because we didn't approve the funds because the pron is supposed to be spent tomorrow or June f or July 1 or
after that. So essentially having these uh having these uh seniors and and and and and youth taking those two topics to play games around and stuff is difficult. Uh but I'm glad that you
still around. You're still around as a servant. Uh not as an employee because you do more than what an employee do. You serve the community with your effort, with your time, and with your dedication. And we actually took us took
you as an example um a couple of days ago with another employee that come in front of us seeing that role model that you present to the to the to the different employees that essentially that's what we're looking forward to see the future. So thank you for doing what
you're doing. I appreciate it. I appreciate your comments. Um I work at the discretion of the mayor alongside all of you. I really do believe that it takes a village to raise a child. It takes a village to run this city. I'm a resident of the city of Lawrence. I love my city. I've been here since I was 5
years old. And I am a public servant. I work for the people alongside all of you to make us better. So, I'm here to always open my doors. Um, I'm human. I can make mistakes. I'll be the first one to admit my mistakes, but I am always
open to hear your concerns and to um acknowledge if something needs to be changed. I I I am a communicator. I think communication plays a big role in everybody's life. So, um again, it whatever you need from us, I would give
to you just because number one, we're transparent. Number two, um it we are a public entity and number three, you know, we're here to serve everybody that's out there. And when I serve elders and children, I'm serving families. And that means all of us
because I have kids, grandchildren, everybody has something that's attached to something else. So, council president, thank you. Thank you, director. Coun council. Oh, I'm sorry. Oh. Um, just a quick question. Were the
services interrupted at the senior center today or Friday or Thursday? They were not. Okay. And any services provided by recreation department were interrupted as of today? No. Oh, thank you so much. For the record, no services
were interrupted. Thank you. And to clarify, as we read earlier, per mass general laws, we have these funds need to approve be approved on or before July 1st. Um, so there's that. Any other
questions or comments for the director pertaining to this item? Seeing none, uh, councelor Levy, just a comment. I want to thank you, Ma, for all the work that you've been doing and always you've been smiling to everybody that coming to the center or
outside the center. and I see you on Sunday morning, Saturday, doesn't matter the day or the time that we need you. You are there for us and for the community. Thank you so much for everything that you've been doing. My pleasure. Thank you, Councelor Levy. Any
other questions or comments for director Le or Councelor Marl? I'll be brief. Um through you, Madam Chair. Madame Vice Chair, um I love how you advocate for your department. you are always prepared. Um, and the reason why I'm
going to vote in favor of this revolving account um, being approved is because I must say it's only two pages. So, as we were waiting for this meeting to start, I was going over it and it was easy for
me to understand the what was coming in and what was coming out. Um, however, had it been five, six, seven pages, I would have been inclined to keep it tabled just to allow myself the the amount of time to to go over it. Um, and
with that being said is, you know, these are the things that we I personally was looking for. Um, and I I think uh you do an amazing job and everybody knows it and I I think it's important to give people their flowers, especially when when they're still alive and working for
us. Thank you. Thank you. And to I mean, director, you know this because you go be before the budget and finance committee, but to the public. Um, when we request these documents or when we get these documents, we actually do review these
documents and as you know, we actually do ask questions. Um I believe some there is um uh an I an idea that that we don't read the documents or we don't review the docu the documents but we actually do
and we ask the the appropriate questions. Um and we try to do our best to work with you. Like you said it takes a village to work with the directors and and get the the process moving. All right. With that being said, um there's a motion to approve. All those in favor
say I. I. Okay. Any nays? Madame clerk, can you call the role? Sure. Council Reyes, yes. Council Mama, yes. Council Santiago, yes. Council Del Rosario, yes. Council Luzon, yes.
Council La Plant, yes. Council Levy, yes. Council President Rodriguez, yes. Council Vice President Ponte, yes. Thank you so much. Motion carries. Thank councilors. Any other motions? Council
President Council Rosario motion on table item 239 is SL25 which says authorize veterans um second we skipped 2 237 I'm actually taking it as as the motion has been presented to table so
it's not not all so the motion is presented to one specific and then I open that up um what was the for item what 23925 item 239 uh 3025 which is the authorization of Veteran Memorial
Stadium revolving funds accounts second for the expenditure limit of $100,000. It's been properly second by councelor Levy. Uh this is motion to unt Oh, I mean I hear
I hear 11 this side. I'm sorry. Uh all those f please say I I any n the motion carries. Um what's the underlying motion on this item?
There's a motion to approve and it was second by All right. And um this is 239. I just um the motion initial motion to approve Santiago. Council Santiago second the motion the underlying motion the
underlying motion to approve. So who made the motion? Um, council vice president fant is an amendment friendly amendment. Thank you. If this is approved, wave 30 days. Thank you. All right. Uh, there is a motion to approve it. It's a friendly amendment to
wave the 30 days. Uh, it was accepted. Discussion discussion. Council presidente. Thank you. Director Valdez, the second page of this report. Can you just go through all this overtime? There's 27 over 27,000 in overtime. What
do we use that overtime? Okay, so I knew this would be the question and I really um I actually called CAFO today. This is DPW workers. So do it is by union contract that every time we rent or someone is using we meaning the schools
central catholic the vogue anybody using the uh stadium there has to be um a DPW worker there and depending on the amount of people that they're there is depending how much uh how many people go for overtime or how many people are
there to work. Um this is another I'm going to be fully transparent. This is another one that we are working through um because there wasn't a lot of communication as to um how many people were needed on a on a specific time. The
union decides like depending on the crowd. So now we're having more conversations with DPW and we actually exchange you know numbers of the people that are going to the stadium and who's going to be there and so that we are in contact of who's going to be there and
knowing this. So, um, moving forward, we will have better detailed information. I've also instructed the recreation department on our end when we give permission to use the stadium for us to have it whether it's a school activity
or non-payment activity or if it's a rental and how many people can went to so that we have so we have clear um bookkeeping on both ends as to DPW's overtime and and what we keep for overtime also.
So, um, thank you. Thank you, director. Now, there are two items here from December 20th and May 29th that appears to be money coming in because it's in parenthesis within an
expenditure chart. U one for over $14,000 and another one a little over $8,000. What? Thank you. Yeah. So that's actually my department. So we try to audit each of these accounts and whenever we either feel or see that the
uh charge in this case it was for overtime but we felt it was not appropriate for this account. Um we will transfer reallocate it back to the account that it should be coming from. Um and so that would either come from the actual department head letting us know oh no this employee did not work
overtime for the stadium. They worked overtime for another location. um or if we are um looking at the time sheets. So that was a transfer because it was should have been coming from a different account.
Thank you. And one last question because I haven't seen this so far at in the other reports. What does PR mean? under comments run equals zero city PR
P R payroll payroll. Okay. All right. Thank you. And then I also would like to note too all of these reports are done by charge code uh for the revenues. So charge codes are the fund uh accounts that we associate with a specific type
of revenue source. It just makes it easier to kind of see. So, for the revenue pages, you'll notice that there's a lot of um sixletter uh words. Those are the uh charge code associated with the type of revenue that the department is receiving and that's just
how we code it in the system. Um but so PR stands for payroll and that's all that's charged to this account is payroll over time. Thank you. Any other questions, counselors? I'm glad I'm glad that the that the system for to run the stadium has still
been working out because uh I wouldn't like to see uh the stadium to be similar to other uh municipal buildings perhaps some school or or sport facility on the schools that
are so attached to employees that people are not able to use it at the end of the day. Uh so that's something that scares me all the time. Um I mean there is so many things that we can do to provide to
the to their community but there is so they are so attached that you know to union contracts or to unions employees and stuff like that. And I understand that everybody need to make their uh need to make money, but I mean there is some time a specific areas that we need
to make sure that they're still accessible even with the fees. Um and I hope that within the process of working this uh out to ensure that things get rent out and they also uh
uh people are allowed to by moneywise they're allowed to use it. uh that are not quite expensive, we can we can definitely develop a system that actually work for for the people and and that's exactly what I actually want to work at. Um I
think it's a beautiful stadium. It you know it should be used. We should have many more things there in my opinion, my humble opinion. Um, but I think one of one of the things that was missing and it has gone into play because um, director Ho Heyman and myself have very
good communications and and we're working towards making things easier and better is by us knowing how many people how many staff is needed for how many people. So that way when we ask the person that's using the stadium, if they only need one person, then we're only
going to charge them for the overtime to cover that person. That's it. That's all it gets charged. and then the charge of the use of the stadium which right now is $100 an hour. Thank you. Thank you for council president. Council, I
there's a few questions that I have because uh Marlene mentioned what is your title? I'm currently acting assistant controller. Acting assistant. Uh acting assistant. Acting assistant. Are we
proud of her? We are. I'm proud of you. That's, you know, well, but anyways, you mentioned that's what I thought when she first came. Um, so I I what I see in the second page is
payroll. Uh, we are paying overtime out of this account. So, it brings me back to what you mentioned uh on general laws. Um, how can we explain this? Uh,
and it's a lot of overtime. Yeah. So, that's all that gets charged to this um veterans uh stadium account. Um, so whenever salaries are being charged, whether that be regular salaries or um in this case overtime, the revolving fund also needs to compensate for their
benefits, which is their health insurance um and uh Medicare costs. So, Director Bellis is is is Is this taking place? Are you paying because I see Well, that that's is No, it wasn't at the beginning. I'm going to
I'm being very honest. I know you are as as we're learning all of this, right? It's a learning bumping kind of vehicle. Um I wasn't aware of that. So, when we were renting this this um the stadium out, we would charge $45 an hour because what
what we did is we took what the what the labor is making and I put it at time and a half. But because of union contracts, it depends how many people are in the stadium. It depends what day they're working because if they're working Saturdays, it's different pay than Friday night. It's if they're working Sunday, it's a different pay. So, now
what I'm developing is like a pay scale of okay, if you rented this day, this is what you have to pay. Okay, if you rent it this day, this is what you have to pay. And be very clear, this is the hourly. So, we have them, you know, understand that this is to rent the stadium and that's what goes back into
the revolving account and that's something that stays in the stadium for something in the future if you want to do a program. But then you have to pay for the DPW worker. That's a union contract. you have to pay for them to be there and that at the end of the year will be taken out to be paid for or dur
or sometimes they do it yearly monthly you know and they write it all together and then they take what that so we will be in giving a report that states okay we're depositing $2,000 and $2,000
$1,500 of it is for usage of stadium and the other part is for the um DPW work But but are we and I know they send you to fix things to fix departments and you do an amazing job. Um but are we in
compliance according to the general laws? We are because we're paying that's what we're paying. I can tell you that um the payroll department constantly audits before they add in any payroll. They look through the laws. They look through the accounts. So they make sure that they are funding uh the accounts
appropriately. Um so we definitely always try to make sure that we are maintaining um compliance and this account has been charged over time. My understanding is for years. It's not uh something that is new. So yes, thank
you. Thank you director. Thank you. Thank you. Uh it is important to recognize this is the first time that we've received these reports. So that's why question get raised. Councelor Llan. So just help me understand this a little
bit better. So I see in the revenue section that we are received about I can't hardly hear you. Sorry. Can you mic? So I'm seeing in the revenue section Yes. that we received almost $17,000. Yes. And I see in the expenditures we're
spending over $27,000. So that's a net deficit to is there a is there a um is there enough money in the account to to offset
that deficit spending it that's their question but this one um so um the exact answer I will get back to you uh but my understanding from all of
these accounts they cannot spend more than they have in the uh fund and as well as more than what was appropriated by the counselors the previous year. Um but I will find that and and get that answer back to you if that's okay. I
also believe DPW takes on some of that expense. So they're well within their I'm presuming this is a cut and paste operation with this revolving fund. It's 100,000 this year was probably 100,000 last year which probably been 100,000 for a little while. I'm going to guess.
Um, so they're probably with they are expending under the authorized expenditures that we provide every year is going to be my educated guess. And I just it just but but it's I think it's good to to know um
to know that what the what the balance is over there. I fundamentally I know these are not taxpayers dollars. I understand that. This is not our property taxes. None of those things are going through it. These on all these accounts, these are monies that are coming independent of the taxpayers. And
so I kind of hold that not that we're treating this, the state's treating this differently, not me. So there's still accountability, which is why it has to be reauthorized every year else you wouldn't be here for that. But I think that the the prison by which we look at
it can't be somewhat different. And obviously the stadium is something that's um geographically important to me as well as fundamentally important to me as just as a concept or as a a state entity, a city entity, but it's it's smack dab in in my district. Um and so
it's, you know, I I have a heightened interest in its uh affairs and what goes there. I was here all too frequently. I the the Portuguese festival that took place in 2017. I watched I watched all the committee meetings. I know the council president actually brought that
up during that meeting. Um I haven't forgotten that either. Um and so the um it it's it's something that um and the other point that I think was made during that committee meeting or maybe even tonight was we we need to fundamentally
understand whose role is it to approve things that are there. And let me add to the recreation department to our fields. Um it's my understanding in reading our ordinances that our ordinances say that if it's a league
that's purely the authority of the recreation department. However, if it's a special event now that comes before us and so oftentimes in the stadium there are leagues. Central Catholic they have a series of games that's kind of like a league situation. But when you have a
one-time event that goes there, that really should come before the council uh for a vote um according and know we had you and I have had discussions about that a little bit. Are you talking about the drummers? The drummers are one that's not that's that's not how everybody like everybody else is
basically soccer. Um well you got you get you get the the little guys playing football for example the pop that's fine. That's a league that goes on all year round. So that's but but these one-time events sometimes just cultural events that take place there too that Portuguese is an example of one. Um nothing's coming into mind more
frequently or recently I think St. Patrick's Church had one recent within the last four years an event over there that had to come before the city council. That was a one-time event. Any one-time event um should come before the council. And I would say and I would
argue and that that same logic would hold true in our ball fields as well when you have these tournaments using the tournaments. They're they're the leagues in the tournament. So I guess that's a in it's a that's a cluster. So and I I know you know that.
So leagues, right? So anyway, so I guess what I'm asking for is this. I I I'd like to get some clarification on on the the financial situation there. And I'd like to work with you through you on on on learning a bit more about the schedule and and getting that
information out to the people that are most impacted, the people live in the stadium, the people live in Colonial Heights who are the directive butters to that area and so people understand what the traffic flow is on Winthre Bav etc. So that it would be good to know that. So, I'm happy happy happy happy
to report that come se um January I mean July 1, fingers crossed, we've been working on um sportsmen, which is a web page that's going to go through the recreation department where all our calendars are going to be there and everybody can look
on the calendar and know who's using the ball field. And that's just not for us. It's actually also for the police department, for the other leagues, for us not getting so many calls like, "Why is this person here? I'm supposed to be using." So, the only people that will be on those calendars are people that have
gotten permits through us. I I have been in the works for about a year and a half on that. Um, as much as I would love to say that it's fully functionable, the only thing that's not going to function is because it doesn't coincide with how electronic payments are made here. But
we're working on that. We're that's the only thing that's not going to work. But other than that, you'll be able to see our flyers, our calendars, what's happening every day in the recreation department. And that to me, I think is a win-win.
Council President, Council President, I also I'm sorry. No, go ahead. I also want to say that it has never been done before, but the recreation department shares the calendar of events with DPW.
So, they know we send them like every single calendar, every single park that we have, we tell them when they're going to be when they need to be, you know, cleaned or they need to be um lined or anything like that. They have the um stadium. So everybody in the morning we
all have gone into this thing of looking at calendars and knowing what's happening and they call us. The other thing is the calendar with the city clerk which has worked phenomenal. Um you know we've we had our bumps and everything but we've put systems into place that I think
I I I believe I'm confident in saying that in a year we're going to be in a very different place. Thank you. Thank you, council president to you. Thank you, director Bles. Uh I I'm going to ask the same
question about uh the fee for the use of the stadium. The numbers are really low and then we have to pay so much money for over time and uh yeah, it doesn't make sense. No, as I
explained, it was kind of that com miscommunication when we were charging, we were charging for one person being at the stadium. So, if somebody was like having an a function where there's going to be 200 people, the union would say, "No, we need two people there or we need three people." And we didn't really
figure that in. So, now we've gone over that hump and now we know for this year coming year like how much we need to charge for like DPW to be there. But how much money are we what is the cost to the the permit? how much it costs to rent the stadium right now. Right now
it's $100 an hour to use the stadium and then plus what it costs to pay for DPW. Is the mayor also giving this use for free? No, the stadium is not for free because the amount of money is really low. Yeah, there there was remember the stadium gets used a lot by school
departments. We don't charge. Okay. Well, that is I understand that. But by other uh nonprofits that are getting grants uh that are sustainable, I understand that some of them are not. But for the ones that are getting now, we're doing that with nonprofits, which
I've been reaching out to, you know, like we just had a a a breast cancer walk there and the woman paid to use the stadium. You know, it's a nonprofit from North Reading. They came in, they paid they paid to use the stadium and they did a breast cancer walk around the stadium on a Sunday morning and she she
left. So when people come to us, we we rent, you know, and I think the the better we get organized, the more we can advertise, the more we can use it for the right reasons. We have a nice track, you know, we have we have a beautiful field. Um, and I feel that it could be used for things. I agree. I And also I
agree. I think that if we are letting an organization use this uh facility for free or for a very low cost, they should at least pay for uh the workers for the overtime because
this is not sustainable. Absolutely. I agree. Just a suggestion for future reference. I agree with you. Thank you. Uh, director bis I u director I would like you to um I I
have a suggestion. Yes. Uh and that will be you know for you you're going to have to take a visit to the Muan um stadium and they have different sorts of revenue because they have multiple use on the
stadium. Um this uh spring I was able to visit uh through an event that they have there and their stadium that because of the painted a little different. Yeah. They be able to they play baseball on it
too. Yeah. They play a lot of different sports. Uh and it doesn't doesn't uh take away from the actual football field. Uh but I mean that's another another source of revenue that we should look into it and potentially out of this
account we should be also looking into potentially um invest on the own stadium uh that I don't see that within the accounts. Um I don't I don't know if we have a different source of funds that we can
save a little bit of money, a little money here and there to in case that we need some some type of repair, quick repair that we don't have to wait because the intent of that is also uh to kind of like you know perhaps some type of rainy funds. Yes. Um I 100% agree. I
will take I I will go with Adie to the Muan Stadium although I've been there but I will go and pay more attention. um capital improvement monies are there and it is a veteran stadium. So, one of the things that I've spoken to the veterans
director is to be out there and see if there's funding for anything like that to you know um to be able to tap into whether it's at the federal levels or foundations or stuff. So, we're going to start looking at things. Thank you. Any other counselors?
I hear no. So, I'll call the question. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any NS table? No, it was a motion to approve. That was the only motion. There should not mention and that was what 30 days wave. Oh, I mean I um
I can call the role. I mean all any n motion to approve. Did they skip this one? Yeah, I have it. Okay, counselors. Any other motions? A motion to on table item uh 237-25.
Council President 237 25. There's a motion to unt properly second by councelor Levy. Roll call. Roll call to unt 137. Let me just call that uh the
item 13725. the reauthorization of the council council on agent revolving fund account for the spend expenditure limit of 150,000. Um, madame cler please call the role.
Councel Levy, yes. Council plant, yes. Council Luzon, yes. Council Del Rosario, yes. Council Santiago, yes. Council Mamo, yes. Council Reyes, yes. Council Vice President Infonte. No. Council
President Rodriguez. I vote. Yes. Motion carries. Uh was the on motion. Was a motion to approve by councelor uh vice president infante discussion.
I'm looking at council again. I mean friendly amendment. If it's approved, wait 30 days, please. I accept. So, there is a motion to approve and uh prop properly second by council Santiago. Councelor Santiago, councelor Marmo, you
have the floor. Let's go. Oh, my apologies. I was literally going to ask if we received, but then I I saw the acronym LC and I kind of figured it out. Um I so again when the meeting started I
mean before the meeting started I was able to go over some of them and there were some accounts that were quick and easy for me to review. This one not so much. I have not been able to even review I haven't even be have begun to review
um this data. So, um, my apologies if, uh, if I may potentially, um, decide to not move forward at this time. All right. Well taken. Counselors, any
other questions? Council President. Councelor Espante. Thank you. Um, Council Marl stated what I was going to say regarding my no vote on the table on on tableabling this. I believe this is five pages, six pages. And I and I do know I just want to put this on there. I
do know most of the work that the that that you guys do under under this department. But again, I mean, we're not just dealing with comments. We're dealing with with looking at the numbers and etc. And there's a lot more pages to review. So,
I I would like the opportunity to have the time to review this. Um although only one counselor is going to be up to the to the the nine of us at the end of the day. So just as full disclosure, there is no overtime on this and there's no staff being paid. These are vendors
being paid. Um our expenses again, if you look where the comments are, we don't we try to tell you what it's for and you know um if you look at the expenses, it'll say face painting for city event. That means that we had
uh inter intergenerational event. It mean when it says city event, it's not just a senior center event. That means that we had it with grandparents and everybody else which we invite the whole city in um you know evening exercise that it so we try to
really be um really conjudent of like making sure that what you see is what you're like the mu you know doulas which is market basket but by the way that's how they that's how they put it. Um it's food supplies for like our kitchen for like when we have a a dinner party for
Mother's or Father's Day or anything like that, Christmas, whatever we do is there. Um as far as revenues is concerned, it says special events like if we have a special event, it could be a special dinner party. It could be um
we have a traveling chef which comes in and and elders buy a ticket to eat like from this traveling chef and that is a special event because that money the chef doesn't charge us that money goes directly to the center. So that's a a that could be a special event. Special
bingo is when we play bingo and it's you know um coverall. It's different than just a recreational bingo and people come in. um replacement cards. We have scan cards that um seniors have and if they lose it because I was spending a
lot of money, it cost $3 to it cost $3 to replace the books for citizenship. We we also sell that for the classes and we ask for a donation of $3. Um and that's what the class books are. um Alzheimer's Association, they use the center, we
have uh a a breakfast and they give us the money to like we we cook for them or we set up the breakfast for them in the space and they they they pay that to us. Um so that's where we get and as you can see, you know, our expenses are $30,883.
It is an account that's used for things that the city does not pay for. So anything that you see here as an expense is something that is not in my general budget is usually here. We've been fortunate because you know if you look at my budget overall in 2023 we weren't
getting any opera operational supply and monies in our budget. We are now getting that. So you know the money goes in and we spend less. So, we do have, you know, a a balance, I think, of $117,000 in that account because it is something
for when rainy days come along and, you know, um we offset the cost of anything that's not covered through the city. So, I mean, this is I know it's a lot, but you know, we do use it a lot. Um this is where all my teachers um get paid from,
whether it's an art teacher, and all my teachers really are seniors. I give them an opportunity. They become vendors. And they might be retired teachers that are teaching citizenship classes or um Spanish classes or English classes or arts classes, sewing classes. They're seniors that are doing those kinds of
work because I I'd like to help people and give back to them. Um so those are really our expenses and the where we spend the most is really at market basket which is dele. That's where you see that there's more expenses. It's you know some because those are paid like
every quarter or so. We'll spend about, you know, 12 $1,500, but I'm frugal. I make a dollar last. Council President, council Luzon, I'm going to ask the same question again. Where service interrupted at the senior center since
our last meeting, our last emergency meeting, for the record, Miss Director, if service were interrupted? No. Okay. Thank you. Not as of June 30th. Well, we
we are dealing with that director. Thank you. Thank you, director, for your answer. Thank you, Council President. Councilors, any other questions? Councelor Marmo, just briefly reviewing this. I'm just scanning it. Um, you said that was, Correct me if I'm wrong. I
don't know if I misunderstood. Um, did you say no overtime was paid under this account? No, we don't pay. Okay. Um cuz I'm seeing the warant uh war. Uh let me see. This is page I believe to be the fourth page. Um and
it's just for me to understand under comments. I'm just trying to understand what it means. The where it says warrant run city PR. I thought I could have sworn you guys said that meant payroll. No. Yes. So that is a reimbursement to an employee for um
getting food service. So um it seems as though that that employee must have gotten something for uh either an event or a something that the the revolving account needed and so that's actually a reimbursement. Reimbursements are done via payrolls.
Um, director, uh, out of curiosity, do we do some sort of like survey to the to the seniors and the members that we serve in terms of like what other services they would like to see? Oh, yes. Um, cuz I'm I noticed that we have
our go-to vendors for certain uh activities. I'm just wondering uh what are any potential future uh projects or activities that uh you may be offering that it's brand new?
Sure. We bring in we bring in entertainers also and some entertainers donate their times because they're being paid by Mass Cultural Council. So we do do that. Um, as a matter of fact, this week I'm having a meeting with um, UMass Low who's looking to do a computer um,
room but with laptops because I don't want computers because they're bulky and we can't move them but if we have laptops. So, we're looking at digital technology and how we interact with um, seniors and and also looking to use those same laptops to have maybe gaming
after school for kids. So, like how do I dual use these things? So, yeah. And everything that I've done at the center, it's because I listen to the community and what their needs and wants are. And you know, when someone says to me, "Oh, I'd like to see this." I say, "Okay,
let's see what we can do." Um, the Asian elders wanted yoga. I have a yoga instructor now. So, a yoga instructor does yoga. He twice a week does yoga on one day and ch and chair yoga another day. So, yeah, everything stems from
grassroots. I don't make decisions unless I feel like somebody's going to take care, you know. And for the record, um yesterday I was talking to one of my residents from Essex Towers and I I I sometimes um I love when they kind of congregate by the
window cuz they're like people watching and um oftent times I hear them, you know, speak of what their day-to-day is like and they mention the senior center a lot. They love the domino tournaments. So, if that's something that you guys could continue to do, uh I don't know if
you offer like three days of the week. Is it is it money? We have dominoes every day. Oh, it's every day. But we have tournaments like every three months or so. Okay. All right. if there's a way that we could expand on that or um I know we have uh is it usually at the
senior center or do you guys tend to go out um and do tournaments whether it's at the common uh I don't want I don't call it a common park campon park um or any other uh city you know the city-
owned uh facilities uh for those seniors that can't make it to um the senior center. So, a lot of the elderly housings, they have their own person that does activities. What we try to do is we ask if we could go in there to have like a day for us and then we bring
in information and do things with them because there are people in the elderly housing that program things for the elders that are there. I cons and I'm going to uh refer to one of my constituents.
How is uh the process of uh the uh orderly uh eating? Do they have to be a member of the city c of the senior center? So how does it work? No. So our meals are funded by age span which
is funded by title three federal monies. So in order to be able to eat for a donation of $2 and it is a donation. If you don't have it, you don't have to give it. um you would have to sign up two days in advance. So the first time you walk into the center, it's free.
We're not going to tell you that we're not going to give you a meal and we and we welcome you. We give you a tour. We tell you about the meals, but once you start to come like on a daily basis, we ask them to fill out an application through the kitchen, which is the nutritional program. Um we let them use
our space to provide these meals. Um and what they do is they fill out the form and then it gets sent to HBAN and then they become part of the program. And all we ask is you tell us when you're going to be at the center and if you're going to cancel, if you could cancel at least two days before. We have to put in
orders two days before. So if I want to have something special and I want them to do something special, I have to do it two days in advance. Okay. Okay. Thank you, director. Council Levy. Yeah. Thank you, Council President. I'm
through you. It just only one things that Montre would you be able to say no the the the calendar for the moms. I will be sending something I we're a little short staffed right now so it's been hard to do something but um I have
been trying to post on the city website our flyers so that they know but I will work on that. Okay. Just please just to just to add it to the city council and that we can receive it and maybe we can put in our calendar also. There are some
time activity that maybe we would like to go and or see or whatever but we would like to make a chair with them. Thank you. I will do that. Thank you councelor La ask my question. I'm all set. Thank you
councelor Santiago. The question that I have is similar like consular. Do you have any charge for for yoga classes for in the morning? No, the evening classes are a dollar for uh one
hour of exercise. The morning Yeah, the morning classes are free for seniors and that's that's this is what the activities account pays for. Thank you. Uh can you specify how people can join the classes at the afternoon? You just
show up. And just show up. You just walk in the door and we say, "Hi, welcome." Say, "Is this your first time here?" And you say, "Yes." And we say, "Well, are you here for a specific reason?" And you say, "Yeah, I'm here for exercise. Would you like to exercise now?" And then we can give you a tour afterwards. Or would
you like us to give you a tour then you could do exercise? And we give you a tour kind of explain. And then we ask that if it's not the first time, the second time you come in that you fill out all the information for our my senior center and you get a little um
scan card and then when you come in you scan your card and you put exercise and if you're going to have lunch you press lunch and then we know that you're in the building and you're doing that and that's for open to the public. That's open for people that are 55 and over. Okay, perfect.
So for Domino's is 55 and over. 55 and over. You're almost there, right? You're almost there. But that's what I was going to say. I that's that's what I was going to say. I mean, can you send us when the domino tournament is? I'm going to invite La Plan so that we even it up, you know, between the both of us. We'll be there cuz I I'll take some from him
and and we'll be 55 each. Don't worry. In August, I get to eat lunch. Let's go play domino. I don't think Thanks. Thank you. I I mean I I didn't say anything earlier. I should have I've been through struggle with you with the stadiums and the any
sport activity. It's it's long gone now that we approve it, but but you've come a long way when it comes to that and I know what your struggles are because I I I fought with you through all this things. So on a daily basis, right? People that come to us and says we want it for free and I told you ma don't give
it to him for free because he's making money. So but it it's great to have you around mother. Thank you. I also appreciate the struggles because it's it's good to condate and like have different opinions. Did you change your mind? Maybe, right? Um,
um, any issues with space as of yet? Like, do we have enough space to to service everyone that shows up? Of course. Um, we do. Um, can we always get more? Yeah. My vision is to have you know a building where we can have human
service building which would be the build the departments that I oversee to have you know council on aging recreation and the veterans altogether because I feel those are the people that need services. So, I would like to see veteran services at the center more so
than at the city level because when a when a veteran goes in to see um veterans director and that veteran needs further assistant, my staff is able to help them and connect them to the services that they need.
Um, thank you. Thank you. Yeah. My last question is, have there been any seniors injured or hurt um with uh any activities or programs that you guys have in place? And if so, do you mean fighting between the seniors? No, not
fighting the yoga maybe the maybe the Zumba class went they went a little too hard, you know. Um, no, but I mean we've had to call an ambulance because a senior might not feel well or there a lot of the times it's uh has to do with diabetes like they might have a sugar
low or their blood sugar is too high or they're not feeling well. So um there is a protocol in in central when someone feels sick. We're not nurses so the first thing we do is we call 911 um and then the patient decides whether they want to go with the ambulance or not.
And if they don't, they have to sign off that they're not going. All right, council presidente. Thank you, Martha. Director, I still would like the opportunity to review that packet. I'm going to make a motion,
but I don't think I'm going to get this one. That's okay. I respect that. All right. Thank you. I'll make a motion to table. Is a motion to table? Can I hear a second? Can I hear a second? All right. The motion
motion has been second by councelor Santiago. Uh I'll call the role. Madame, please call the role. This is on the motion to table. Um councel Reyes. No. Council Mamo, no. Council Santiago, no. Council Del
Rosario, no. Council Luzon, no. Council Lant, no. Council Levy, no. Council vice president. Um yes president. Yes. Council president Rodriguez. No board on me support. No. Let's go for
the motive the opportunity. Let's go the underline motion. Motion to approve the and wave the 30 days. Madame Clair, please call the roll. Councelor Levy. This is for motion to approve. Motion to approve to and wave
the 30 days. Yes. Council plan. Yes. Council Luzon. Yes. Council del Rosario. Yes, council Santiago. Yes, council Marmal. Yes, council Reyes. Yes, council vice president Fonte. Yes, council president Rodriguez. Yes. Uh again,
Martha, thank you for sending all that information that you sent over since last week. We highly appreciate it. Thank you very much. Have a good night. Good night. All right, counselors are entertaining any other motions. Motion to take uh what table?
Okay. You say table we have motion to take table item 24025. 240. Yes. 25. Uh can you hear a second? This is for it um uh the library
programs revolving funds account for the expenditure limit of for the amount of $50,000. Uh it's been properly seconded by councelor Reyes. Uh all those in favor please say I. I. Madame Clair please call the role.
Okay. This is to unt um councel um Ana Levy. Yes. Council Lant. Yes. Council Luzon. Yes. Council Del Rosario. Yes. Council Santiago. No. Council Mamo. No.
Council Reyes. Yes. Council Vice President Infonte. No. Council President Rodriguez. I vote. No. What's the count? Um five in favor of untabling four. Motion carries. Councelor, what's the underline motion?
Discussion. Uh what's the underline motion first? What is the underline motion? Madame cler. There's a motion to approve as amended by councelor vice president friendly amendment. If it gets approved
to wave the 30 days, please I accept. All right. There is a friendly amendment to wave the 30 days. The can the motion was made by councelor Ren Infante. It was second by councelor Luzon and the underline motion and motion to approve. So we have a report counselors.
Um any questions? They submit for today. Yeah. Thank you, council president through you. Um, initially I was going to say the same thing. I This is over five pages. I'm seeing though as I look at this for the
first time right now for like skimming through it. Most of these expenses are copies, but all there's no further explanation. I'm assuming the director is going to give us that explanation. So, I'm I'm gonna sit back and and hear
what she has to say. Thank you. Um, you're going through the expenditures or you you are you asking a question about the expenditures? I'm sorry. I was looking at revenues and I Oh, revenue. Yeah, I was looking at revenues. I'm sorry. And that was
already explained. But yes, but for expenditure specifically, there are quite quite a few high items specifically uh associated with restaurants or dining out or dining in. I don't know, but I'm
sure the director will be absolutely um we'll explain. All right, director. You have the opportunity. Thank you, council president. So in front of you what you actually have and I will be quite frankly it's something that's not new from libraries. We usually obtain some type of fee whether it's a deposit for
an item like our Chromebooks or our hotspots. In this case a lot of our library finds is like if you don't return an item like a book uh what ends up happening we associate it to a fine as of COVID. The reality of it is as long as the constituent brings back the material in good condition we actually
wave the fee. So in front of you are actually either they're outstanding or that the constituents have made themselves responsible and have paid the fee associated to the material. This ensures that we can continue to circulate the material amongst us and our partners at the MVLC. In addition to
that, we also include expenses in this revolving account which is our meeting room spaces. When I first uh became uh the director again it was a uh three years in May. Uh our fees were about 50 an hour for the meeting room space. Uh, as you know, we're in high demand.
That's increased to 75 hours uh per meeting room request outside of the hours of operation. Yes, sir. The library fines. Yeah. No, no, no. The the revenue uh you say 75 and then I missed that. No, of course.
Uh so our uh one of our revenue is our meeting room spaces. Uh when I first came into um to this position, our meeting room space was about $50 an hour outside of the hours of operation. Uh we had increased it um from me encumbering
the position to 75 hours um $75 per hour. Correct. For the meeting room space outside of the hours of operation. We I am sitting diligently with the board of trustees to re-examine that as we talked about the stadium to $100 an
hour uh for room requests outside of the hours of the of the operation. Motion pass. Past 10 already. Jesus. It's a motion to pass 10. Properly second. Uh, all those in favor, please say I. The eyes have it. Roco.
Uh, madame clerk, you you may continue. May I? Thank you, council president. Uh, so those that's one of the revolving ways. Another way that we actually evolve in this account specifically, and I want to share in lie of it, our revolving account max is $50,000. we sit
under maybe $3,000 in that current account. That's usually our printing fees, our meeting room reservation, our faxing, both color and black and white copies. So, the idea of this account is to hopefully stimulate revenue to give back to exactly what we use it for,
which is copying paper, fax machine updates. Uh this year, actually to date, which the the caffeold made us aware of, is that it's actually lower than most years. And that's probably due to the fact that our fax machine has been out since February. We had been out of contract with our one of our copier
machines in the first floor that we're looking to renew. Uh one of the contracts is $179 a month with Toshiba. That means it'll be about $2,138 per the year. Uh that under $3,000 would
cover having that additional copier in the first floor for the for our constituents. revenues council president. Uh again, uh I'm concerned about the
rental fee. How much are we charging to rent uh the library space? It was uh $50 per hour as of 2022 to 2023. and we increased it to $75 per hour outside of the hours of
operation to uh $75 an hour. It the amount is really low. Uh I mean taking in consideration uh uh all the events that take place there. Um
are you uh is this space is giving is are you waving is anyone I mean you're the director you should know are you waving the fee to any organization? Thank you for asking that a counselor. One of the things that I did when I came in was actually mitigate that pro
possibility by adding a meeting room reservation platform. So we use a platform called Hufi. So unless your reservation goes through that platform within the respective times allowed, then it's not it's not admissible. So therefore, although you call us out, if there that time bracket is not
available, there's no way we conveniently tell you that you can or cannot use this space. Okay. So we're not making a lot of money in renting. No, ma'am. and the board of trustees and and myself, we're looking to increase that and it's actually before the board at this moment to increase it to $100
the hour uh for room res reservations out of the hours of operation. Okay. So, uh through your council president saying can I can we ask about respences? She haven't she haven't get there yet. Okay.
Good. So, thank you director. Um, again, as I said before, I'm I'm a little scared when it comes to when it comes to uh not having access at some point and it happened uh with some
buildings and school departments that we have no access whatsoever. Uh and and that could be better. So, so like I said before and uh to you, it is it is kind of like um you know, it's it should be a balance. uh we probably have different set of opinion when it comes to the
rentals. Um but I I uh it it is it is need to have a place to meet and that's been the library. Thank you council president and may I add our hours of operation in returns to council lone is very short. So in our fall and and
winter hours we're open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. So consider that time. It's very a short window for you to reserve a space and and therefore if you reserve between 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the weekends, we are open. Therefore, we're not charging the public for the utilization of the space if it is
available. Therefore, if they go to due process through our reservation platform and they're able to secure the space regardless of their organization that's serving the public, then they're able to do so within our hours of operation. Uh, council president, if I may, but we are
paying, we're running a city, so we are paying for staff. Well, you're doing it during the hours of operation. So, that doesn't happen on Saturdays. No, it does in the on the fall and winter hours. In the summer, we're not open on the weekend as of yet.
Yeah, it it it I do understand and and your point and it it's great point. you know, we offer something for free, but also we are spending money in staffing, in electricity, heating. So, I mean, we're running a
business here. Uh, so we need to take a look of that. I know that the library is the this the place to be. You're doing an amazing job, but we also run in a city and we need revenue because the way we're going, this is not going to be
sustainable in a few years. Yes, ma'am. And in tune to that in regards to our retired caffolds, Mark, I know that's something that he drilled into me is how can we create more revenue for the library? And I assure you, we are examining that. So, right now, our limit is 50,000. And I hopes to
come before you one day actually arguing an amount that's sustainable in order to bring that back because again, revolving accounts means exactly that, right? Giving in to get out and get out specifically to our constituents and that's what we plan to do. So I do appreciate that and I will go ahead and
share that with the board. Thank thank you. Thank you. Councelor President, any other questions? Councelor Lel, how much revenue do you have as of today? How much is your your your balance in the account? Are you going to roll any over? Our current revolving
account is actually under $3,000. Uh I don't have the exact number on me, but it's actually uh under 3,000. That's the this revenues correct. So, and then that's facts, copy copies, and and um black and white and colored
copies. So, my question was, what is your statement? What's your balance as of the today, the end of the fiscal year? And it's under three under $3,000. Under 3,000. Thank you. Counselors, any other questions? Councelor Maru, we haven't get to the
revenue yet. I mean, not to dispenses. We're gonna allow the director to No, we waiting for the that she's gonna explain that the that u we're talking about the revenues. We we're not talking about the expenses yet. Okay.
Um again, just briefly, I'm like doing my work as we're conducting this meeting. Um if you don't mind, cuz again, this is like new to me. So, just so I know that I'm understanding
what I'm looking at, if you could go over when I'm looking at the revenues, what because I'm assuming these are different accounts and they're all have the their abbreviations. Uh, so the MS exp1 the library FIN
um, let me see if you see LIBC for the book sale. So I'm seeing different I'm assuming these are different accounts with different totals. I just want to understand what
each of these accounts mean. Um and then the second part of my question in revenues is un trying to understand and I'll give you an example. Um,
so for copies and this is on page three, when something is in parentheses, does that mean it was we received money or money was taken out? That means that the library received that money. Okay. So the
numbers next to the date, is that the number of copies that we made or the number of copies that the service? So it's like was it three copies? So what does uh two and three mean when I'm seeing two three three
that is the period. So that's the month that the deposit was made in. Um so for example July would be period 1. Um and uh if I may too um just to answer to that first part of your question um the way that we code in our system we like
to try to keep track of as much detail as possible. So um It's the same account that is the money is being deposited into. We have different what is called charge codes which is those uh sixletter um some of them have numbers but
majority are are letters. Um so that whenever we want to know how many for example donations did the library receive we run that charge code MSEXP1 and we can see that they received $107.95 this fiscal year in donations. So, that
is the purpose of how um that uh charge code works. And I did print this report by charge code for you guys because I just figured that might be the most helpful for how you guys review. Um and so the next charge code lifin is for any
late fees that the library collected. Um and then there is uh the copies charge code. Those are for any um correct me if I'm wrong. Literally, people pay money to print pages at the library. Um, and that's what that that that word copies
mean. You'll notice that the description is the same because they tend to receive for the same things. Um, there are departments that have kind of an array, but the library has a certain set of revenues that they uh can charge for or charge for. And so that's how that
report is broken down. The other one I one the L E P R I those are the room rental fees and you can kind of see um I should have put the header on each page. You can kind of see the last column is the
comment of what that charge code is. Um so it does kind of mention rental incomes, rental incomes and sometimes the clerk will put a little bit more detail like the actual date of the event. Um but so um then my my last question for now
again questions are they come up as I'm reviewing what does it mean when I'm looking at so we we've already clarified that when it's in parenthesis that means it's money that coming in came in so I'm seeing on the same day money coming in
and then it was coming out in the same amount well maybe it's two different things but it it comes across process like it's associated. So if that's not the case, please let me know and clarify that. I can actually tell you exactly what it is because I actually it was
right when I became acting assistant controller. So I was in the workflow to approve these um some of these charges. So what happened was the library had some new staff members who double charged residents. Um it happened only a few tiny amount of times. So they had to
refund them. So any of those charges that you see that um are positive hits either are a refund and um I'm not quite sure if there would be any other reason why they would be receiving the money back, but anytime you don't see a parenthesy, it's the library having to
process a payment back to a resident. And I think that that's just common trial and error as we train. And one of the things that I've noticed throughout the city is that we're a lot of us are trying to walk before we run. So implementing those policy, creating those manuals that those errors are not
created are very important. Uh one of the things that we do do as a city and we collaborate and connect right away is to find the best way to rectify it as soon as possible. Hence why you see a short time frame from that that date. Uh I think it will be important to kind of
like you know you just mentioned a bunch of little things like the the uh PR what's the meanings of on the reports and on the comments also there is some things as councelor Marmo just mentioned
I think that an email will be clarifying what all those means like when a p when a sheet with a sheet of the report perhaps any report and then saying oh this is what it means this is mean this this mean this this mean that and whatever because I mean I think that it
will be important essential it is every as we go we can see a lot more and a lot more and lot more no it's not just a one page report now anymore it's numbers that means things mean expenditure means services means a lot of other things so
essentially clarifying those those minor little details uh through an email. It will help not just now but I mean in the future as well. Of course. I'll make sure to provide that for you guys. Yeah. Thank you. Appreciate it. Counselors, any other questions? Motion to table.
There's a motion to table. Second properly second. Dis no discussion on the huh? No. Are we did we talk about the food your revenues expenditures? No. No, we haven't we haven't talked about that
yet. Okay. The discussion. All right. There's a motion if this passes. If it doesn't, I don't know. Uh it is a vice president. Motion's table. There's a motion to table. Motion stays. Uh all those in.
Any nays? Madam Clair, please call the roll. Councelor Reyes, no. Council Mama, yes. Council Santiago, yes. Council Del Rosario, no. Council Luzon, yes. Council
Lant, no. Council Levy, no. Council Vice President Fonte, yes. Council President Rodriguez, I vote yes. Was account. Five to table, four against. So motion to table carries. We'll see you tomorrow. All right. Any counselors? Any other any
other motion? Council president. Council Levy take a item out of table two I'm sorry 24225. It 24225 has been motioned to untly second by
councelor Reyes. Uh item 24525 is the authorization of the DPW recycling revolving fund account. um expend the short limit 150,000. Um all those in favor please say I. I.
Any nays? Madame Clair, please call the role. This is to unt document 242-25. Council Levy, yes. Council La Plant, yes. Council Luzon,
no. Council del Rosario. Yes. Council Santiago, no. Council Mama, no. Council Reyes, yes. Council Vice President Infante, no. Council President Rodriguez, what? No.
What's the count? The four tots. Motion to fail. Motion fails. Um councilors, what's the motion? There's an underlining motion already, council president. No, no, no. Motion to
unt to untable fails. So stay fail. Motion to table. No, no, no. Remain table. Remain table. Uh councelor councel Rosari. Motion to unte item 24325. Um motion to on table 24325
properly. Second by councelor Reyes. Uh this is transfer fund from free cash transfer fund for the amount of 6,137,126 from free cash uh to various accounts properly second by councel. All those in favor, please say I. I. No. Uh, any
name? The eyes have it. Okay. So, document Oh, sorry. You have the floor. Document 243-25 is asking for authorization to transfer $6,137,126 from free cash account 013590
to various accounts. I will go over um the accounts. Uh so the first one is 500,000 into the OPED trust fund. OPED stands for other postemployment benefits reserve and it was established to begin
funding the city's health insurance costs for retired employees. Per Mass General Law Chapter 32B section 20, cities can set aside money to preund these OPED obligations and per government accounting standards known as
Gazsby 74-75. Cities should be setting aside annual appropriations into the fund planning for long-term retirey health costs. This helps to build creditworthiness for the city. Um, and with rising medical costs
throughout the country, some people uh may pick costlier health plans, other may pick less costly. So, as a city, we play by ear based off of the trends to estimate the amount that we will be needing for the following year.
Should I go over every account in general or should I stop here? Yes, please. Okay, thank you. Um the other uh second account is 500,000 into the compensated absences reserve fund.
This is reserved for supporting departmental budgets for lump sum payments made to employees upon retirement or termination for compensated absences such as vacation or sick leave benefits.
We are asking to uh for $200,000 to be transferred into the workers compensation claims reserve fund. These funds are reserved for supporting departmental budgets for workers compensation claims including indemnity
and medical payments. Uh so 1,665,848 into the DPW snow and ice expenditures account. This transfer will eliminate the snow and ice deficit incurred by the city of Lawrence. We are allowed per Massachusetts general law to deficit
spend for this account, but must fund those over expenditures before year end. 1,71,278 into the stabilization reserve for fiscal stability. These funds are a supplemental reserve fund to ensure
fiscal stability restricted to chapter 41 of the acts of 1990 and can be used for any purpose but must be replenished in the following year. To ensure fiscal stability, this fund is calculated at one and a half percent of the amount to
be raised less the enterprise funds. Uh $1 million into the stabilization reserve for debt service. These funds are reserved to subsidize the city's increased debt service related to recent capital projects supported by general
fund obligation bonds issued without a debt or Prop 2 and a half override. $1 million into the stabilization reserve for litigation and judgments. These funds are reserved for litigation expenses and or to settle judgments or
claims against the city and uh that is the overview of all of them. Right counselors, we have a motion. We have a well an underline motion. We have an underline motion to approve and who council president second it council lon
council lant vice president I would like to offer you a friendly a member if we approve this to wave the 30 days please I accept do you accept thank you very much it's been accepted council mamu
council president um are you able to provide me with guidance could other motions be provided on top of that underlying motion. Uh it is in order. If you put a if you actually put a motion, we just hear them out. If it is second, okay, will be an order. Depend on Well, I don't know how this is going to go,
but could I make a motion to uh approve the ch the transfer of funds to the following accounts, which is the DPW snow and ice expenditures and the stabilization reserve for fiscal stability. at this point.
Uh all right. There is a specific amount for those uh for those two accounts. Uh can I hear a second? Second properly second. Discussion discussion council president. Thank you. Um remind me again um
the stabilization reserve for fiscal stability is the one that if We don't pass taxes. There's an increase in taxes. A little bit of a more more information on that that need to be provided.
I um so I know that uh the snow and ice expenditures uh is one that if it's not passed then taxes are increased. I have anything regarding stabilization reserve for
fiscal? No, no, it's the opposite. That'll clarify for a little more. Um the stabilization fund is it's a it's a fund that was created out of the out of result of the issues that we have back then um probably eight 16 years ago and
that have to be as you mentioned 1.5% of the uh of the the definition that you provide previously. is a one point 1 1.5% of the tax amount to be raised less the enterprise funds less the enterprise funds. So that automatically if we don't
have that amount of dollars on that fund that automatically will be add to that uh to the to the taxes or to the to that uh to the potential taxes that we're going to be charging. There's no nice uh different than than that stabilization
fund account will be taken out of the free cash automatically but not necessarily on the tax the taxes. Uh yes, it will increase taxes if we don't um if we don't
uh approve these funds, but uh it is important to recognize that it is not specifically as we've been as we've been hearing around that it is a fund that was allocated to reduce or the
manage the amount of taxes that is going to be charged this year is different. is an obligation that we have to stabilize our local economy. Council Lebron, yeah, I I just wanted to ask the the proponent for the for the cut
the rational basis and the reasoning for cutting everything except for the expenditure on the snow and ice and fiscal stability stabilization. Why are we cutting the remaining one two3.4 million?
Um I will um I will allow the council council member to explain but I mean I want to clarify u something on the motion. There is an underlying motion that it will be discussed. Uh that is a motion to approve everything that we
have. uh she put a motion on top of the underlying motion which is to at front be able to approve those two funds. Uh that doesn't mean that she is guarding the rest the remaining of the items. That means that we're going to keep the
discussion open to for the remindings. I would candly council president I'm confused by that explanation. I I thought I heard maybe maybe if the proponent can make the motion again maybe I can hear from her own words what her motion is. Okay. So yeah, um to to
the council president's defense, I am not proposing by my by making this type of motion. I'm not insinuating that I want to cut anything. Um given the explanation and the gravity of the situation with these two line items,
I just want to make sure that we are moving forward in ensuring that the transfer of um these funds are being made to these two specific accounts. And madame cler can you read the motion that councelor the the motion that
councelor m just mentioned? Sure. I have a motion made by councelor marmal and seconded by vice president infante to approve a portion of the document 42 42325 specifically the 1.665848
million for snow and ice and then approval of 1,71,7 278 for the stabilization fund. That's the motion that's before the body right now. Council president, I my understanding is that we we are in
a position to cut approve or table I and so when we're just taking two portions out of that and not and and it's a it's a it's a motion that it's very highly unusual and I don't fully grasp it. I know that the council is
saying that she wants to see to make sure that these two items are funded, but if we pass the motion, those two items as as as well counselor, I'm not ready to move on the other ones. I'm for sure ready to make a decision and move on for me. I can't speak for everybody
else. I made the motion. It was seconded. Could other counselors be in favor? Maybe. If not, that's perfectly fine. I made the motion because that's what I'm comfortable in moving forward in approving for the time being for tonight. So, is the council president
calling that in order? Yes, I call I call that in order. But from my understanding, approving those two line items with only one number on the item, which is shouldn't we split the the the item itself into
two just in case? I mean that's that should be because that I mean a proven gets two line items and there's only one item number and there it doesn't make sense again to me when it comes when it comes to that cuz you can it's only one one item in there and involve all those
all those uh transfers I mean madame clerk if the counselor's item did pass um as drafted right now I would recommend that the body split the document to be that would be a 243A if you want create a 243b at that point
to deal with the rest of it or any portion of the rest of it. That would definitely be in order. Um, but if and when this motion passes, that would be maybe the time to talk about creating the A and the B. Yeah. And that's great. The explanation, but which item are we going to approve? Because
those line items doesn't have any numbers. It's only one item. I'll I'll explain. Um, as we presented, I'll follow I'll follow the clerk's recommendation, but as we presented, we are talking about allocations. We're not talking about any
particular individual situation that we cannot differentiate from one or another. On those allocations, it's a 1,665,48 as you explained. That's for snow and ice. and the stabilization reset fund for fiscal stability that's uh 1 mill
1,71 278. So since we're talking about numbers is not such thing as a confusion. But uh to make it a little more clear, I'll enter in a motion to split item um 143 uh 25 into A and B. So
move. There is a motion on the table properly properly second. U please say I discussion council plan. I'm just again this is can we show any precedent on this? I know the clerk readily provided we're
going to split this and app on a on a appropriations transfer. Um I'm just struggling to understand how we can this requires six votes that splitting the vote requires five
vote. I understand that but for the final passage it requires it will require six vote. Yes. I it's just only the the administration can send down an appropriation transfer request which they have done. I'm thinking out loud, Council President. So
now what we're doing is that we're we're taking their request and we're splitting their request in two. Yes. And that's totally that's completely fine. We can either deny or uh not deny or reduce. If
I may also add to the conversation, um these uh monies are coming from free cash. So these monies, um today would be the last day to appropriate this um by not voting on it tonight. Essentially, the next available time that we would be
able to bring this up would be in September. And um I don't know that it would be too late by then. Um, so I just wanted to to reit like reiterate that for you guys that it is from pre-crash and today's the last day. We're clear on
that. Yes, definitely. Um, the motion is to split the item into AMB. That was my question because as far as I know otherwise we're going to increase the tax it's going to increase that's the misper
section we have that's the misperception and that's what what what been discussed uh or that's what been said if the free cash is 35 on September Remember
the snow and ice account will not uh will not affect taxes. Potentially potentially the one the $1 million1 171 million71
278 potentially that that could be add to increase taxes. It is important to recognize also that when we split the rate it's in November. So it it's anytime between now and November that the council have the opportunity to
discuss those rates. We don't know yet. Potentially it could increase taxes. We don't know. That's why we have the opportunity tonight to discuss whether or not we approving this item or we denying this item. If the item get denied and then it is it is an
opportunity to increase taxes. Council Lamo, uh, do you mind giving a point of clarification? A vote needs to be taken tonight by midnight or is it by tomorrow because I'm the July 1st is something else. Uh, for the revolving account is July 1st. For the free cash
transfers is June 30. Okay. Thank you. So everything on on 243 of tonight? Yep. Um, the motion m please call the role on the motion to split. Could I make one point of just I guess
parliamentary or procedural clarification for you. I get I get everyone's concerns. I do and I I get I think everyone's trying really hard to be super professional with each other and I really am respecting that. I just want to point out if you vote not to split the
document and then the motion to approve 2.6 million is what passes, you've eliminated the ability to go back and vote on the other $4 million. So, I cannot tell you how to vote, but I I just want to make sure people understand that that if you split the
document and you approve the 2.6, you've said now we're not going to split now. We can't go back and relook at that 4 million. That's not to say someone on the prevailing side couldn't um reconsider or take other procedural actions, but if you're thinking voting
against the split, maybe I'm going beyond the scope of my job, but I I just feel like Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I just want to take in mind if if you vote against the split and you want the whole amount to get approved, you might want to vote for the split because you
won't get another bite at that apple for the other four million. It's just something to think about. All right. So, a parliamentary query just based on that, council president, if it's all right. So, was the was the amendment approved as a friendly amendment or did we did we vote? No, it's it's an underlying motion. So the motion is
underline right now. The underline what is it the motion before the body at this time was to approve 2.6 or and change of the full 6.6. So so and then there was a motion to split the document by
councelor Marmo. So right now the motion splitting the document gives you the opportunity to get back at the other four. Allow me ask question. Sure. So last Thursday, Wednesday, whenever we last met, there was a there was a motion
for approved to approve this $6.1 million transfer. It was tabled. That's correct. And so the underlying motion when we came here tonight was for 6.1 million. Yes. Correct. And so then there was an amendment that was I think made
and then properly seconded or was it a friendly amendment that was made? It was a main property second. That was a underline motion. So that was so that was so right now we're at the point where where we need to have it and then that's a third motion to split the documents. So which one are we deal So
shouldn't we deal with that first first one of it's it's it's in order one motion on top of the other motion is in order. So motion to split the document is in order. Yeah. And that's the motion that we're discussing right now. But is that trump the previous motion? Not
trump. It's a motion on top of the motion, not Trump. It's an individual motion as it is one motion on top of the motion and that's completely in order. There's a secondary motion on top of the Yeah. And then it's a third motion on top of the second motion which is motion to motion to split.
We're not getting confused here. Motion to split the document. Madame Clair, please call the RO. Okay. motion to split the document into A and B. ML, please explain. Split the document
by Yeah. By splitting the document. Yeah. If you Yeah. So if you make a motion to split the document, that's going to give you basically two votes. The A vote is going to be for the 2.6 million and then the
balance which is almost 4 million. Yes. Yeah. No counselor. Counselor. No. Counselor. Counselor. Counselor. Counselor. Counselor. It is a motion
that you can vote yes or no. mention and don't what what the madame cla mentioned mention is her opinion about an island that she actually mentioned that she's going beyond clear on in her opinion I want to be clear
just see that's the issue I it's not my opinion it's a parliamentary procedure I just want to make sure you're aware I want to be clear by splitting the document I want to million but you're not listening to her I don't listen Go ahead.
Go ahead. Anel Rees. By splitting the document, you are saving your opportunity to get at the other four million. If you vote not to split the document and this passes, you've passed a portion of the funding but not the other portion. So, you've
kind of created a situation where you've lost access to the other $4 million. So if you I think the reason I raised the point is I had a concern that people who want to get the whole six would vote not to split and if that's your logic it's actually the opposite. Yes. What I
understood is I don't care for this proposal we lost the opportunity to vote to split the another part. No if you split the document that will give you two votes. Yeah. One for the
the initial 2.6 six and one on the balance. If we do not vote to split and the council's underlying motion passes, you risk losing the other $4 million. Yeah. What I what I mean is then council
president, but that's the key point. Council Lan, let allow me to recognize you first. Can be recognized, council president. Give me one minute because we're still having the discussion here. I cannot jump into another discussion. So we are we good, Council Re? Okay, but
I know boring yes to split the the motion uh the document the document we can lose the another part. So I'm very clear on that part. I want to be more clarification. All right, councelor LL.
Thank you. So, I think I think it's really important that we get because this is an important they're all important votes, but this is important votes because if if we mess up this vote, this is actually going to be potentially costing people money. number one. And number
two, if we mess up this vote, this we're not taking care of potentially of other obligations that we have that the city's that the city should be putting money into, whether it's OPED or the uh the u the compensated absence reserve fund, the workman's comp claim. These are
places that we need to be responsible. This is what gets us in trouble years ago when we weren't doing these things and I was around. We went to receiverhip. I don't want to do that again. So, I want to be clear.
This first vote is to split if the the vote that we're about to call the question on is to split this up. Am I right on this? To an A and a B. Okay. So, that first vote is say if if the vote is to split it up, then we're going to have we're going to have two votes
after that. one vote on part of it and the other vote on the other part of it and then if both pass that's fantastic I hope both pass if one passes and the other one doesn't that's not great and if obviously if both don't pass that's
awful that's brutal brutal for the people repres number two number and so the other point there let's say that the thing doesn't pass which is I think what plan you you're speaking out of order we have a motion to split and you're talking about
the other motion that might come up. That's out of order. It you don't have you don't have the you don't that's out of order completely. If you if you want to talk about the split, you can talk about the split. In the meantime, you cannot talk about potentially what might happen in the future. Council President,
for me to make an informed decision on this particular vote, it's absolutely critical that I understand the dominoes. If I don't understand the dominance, you can you can understand it but not potentially discuss it. I can't. No, no. This is This has everything to
do with my vote. This has everything to do with my first vote. Everything to do with my first vote. Asking the vote that potentially goes to down has everything to do with this first vote. It is totally in line with it. It has to It is not in order to talk about the future vote. It is in order to talk about this
vote, which is to split the document. It's I I don't like having this discussion with you, council president, because based on the letter that you just mentioned, it's not that I don't like speaking with you because I do enjoy that. But what I don't what I'm having a problem with is is fundamentally
understanding that how we get to this point that you have to I I understand you're trying to abide by the rules and and what you say is 100% correct when it comes to we need to be dealing with this particular vote but you the linkage of these votes is what's making this thing
critical the linkage and if we fail I I know that you don't but if we fail to see the linkage then we're doing a disservice because one boat But you cannot talk about the other things that is not in front of us. The
splitting of the document is what is in front of us. You can vote yes or no. That's democracy. That's part of government. That's what you just read on public comment. No, I don't think that's what I read in public comment. Council President, what
I talked about in public comment that we need to be respectful in this chamber. We need to talk about the issues and now we're trying to talk about the issues. That was my driving point. We need to rather than personalities and rather than all that stuff, we need to start thinking about the issues. This is about this issue. This is about the issue.
This is about trying to figure out if I vote a certain way, do I lose the potential right that we're going to lose money on a secondary vote? I need to know that because that'll change and effect my first vote. So that's within your right.
Pardon me. But I'm that's within your right that you need to understand your vote. But talking about it out loud on the floor when it's not the time. It's out of order. And that's what I'm calling it. But I will lose the time, council president, if we take this vote and then the and then I lose that
opportunity. I can't go back. But I mean I I cannot tell you how to vote. You have the right to vote one way or another way. But I mean, we got to call the questions. If if I'm and I'm not listen, if I'm
having a hard time understanding, I'm sure I'm not alone in this. I am going to think there's probably others in this body who also would like to get some clarification. As a as as the council president, we get to that point will be will be clarified. As the council president, we're asking
you to be a neutral arbiter in this and provide the membership of which you're leading the opportunity to understand it more clearly. And I think that's an ultimate responsibility. And the question in front of us, councelor Laant, is motion to split the item
into A and B. If the motion carries and then we're going to have two items that we're going to be able to discuss those both individually. That's what we have in front of us. One that is for $3.4 4
million and the other one that is for about 2 $2.6 million. Council I'm going to issue um a uh number nine of our rules to challenge the rule of the chair to give the courtesy of the council to have the
opportunity to flesh things out more fully. My motion is to challenge your opinion that we're not allowed that we're not allowed that we're not that we're not allowed to go ahead and ask a follow-up question that is somewhat related. Read read the read the read the
the rule. Rule number nine, appeal. Yes. Any member of the city council may appeal the decision of the presiding officer by motion. No other business shall be in order until the question of the appeal is decided. No debate shall be permitted until the question of appeal. The vote upon the question of appeal from the
ruling of the presiding officer shall be by roll call. The decision of the presiding officer shall stand unless a majority of the votes are to the contrary. The presiding officer shall be allowed to vote on any question of appeal. There is no further discussion. I've called the question. I've asked I
made a motion. I'm looking for a second. There is a motion to appeal. What? clarify what you're appealing to. I'm appealing your decision, council president, that that it isn't not in order for me to ask the questions regarding uh the the linkage between
this and a potential second amendment. Essentially, what I called I called a not in order that you want to speak about other items that is not in front of us. You want to appeal there, council president, I made the appeal. I just want to I want to make sure that we're clear. Are you want to appeal there? My words, council president, I've just
already made mention what I'll call the questions. In favor to the appealing, please voting yes means that you are in in favor of restracting my decision of uh
not allowing this conversation to continue because it's not in order. But no means that the conversation will continue as as before. Am I right? Hi, Madame Clerk. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any names? No.
Madame Cler, please call the RO. Um, councel Levy. Yes. Council Lant. Yes. Councelor Luzon, man. Can you please should the the motion before the body
right now is a challenge of the chair's ruling not to allow discussion on the question which is with regard to the linkage of the upcoming three votes. Um council plant is asking to appeal that decision of the presiding officer. So a yes vote means that you allow
conversation on the linkage of the votes and a no vote means that you will not allow that conversation. No. Council del Rosario. Yes. Council Santiago, no. Council Mamo, no.
Council Reyes, yes. Council Vice President Fonte. Abstain. Council president. But no. What's the count? There's a 44. So there's no motion fails. Motion fails.
All right, I'll call the questions to split the document. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any naysay? Madame, please call the role. This is to split the document. Council Reyes. Any clarification?
The is to split to split the document. Yeah. Yeah. motion to split two document or or stay as a one document. If you vote yes, you split it into two. If you vote no, uh you're not splitting it.
Well, the madame chair clarify before as I know they are not. Yeah, but I mean we just call the questions. Voting yes means that you're splitting the document. Voting no means that you we stick with one document. I'm voting no. All right. Council Mamo,
yes. Council Santiago, yes. Council Del Rosario, yes. Council Luzon, yes. Council Plant, no. Council Levy, no. Council Vice President Fonte, yes. Council President, I vote yes. What's
the count? 63. So now we have item 143A which is uh $3.4 million for OPET trust fund comp uh compensated absence reserve fund work compensation change reserve fund injuries and duty
reserve fund stabilization for debt service and estabilization for litigation judgments for the amount of $3.4 million. That's a and then we have document 14 243b25
which is uh the DPWS nor expenditure for the amount of 1 1 million 1,600 1,66548 plus the stabilization reserve fund for 1,71278 for the total amount of what's the total
amount? Somebody has the total amount. 2.6 2.7 2.7 uh 73 Yes. 2 million2 737 1 126.
Yes. Correct. All right. So now counselors we have a motion uh to approve uh 243b which is
um the DPWS known as expenditure plus the stabilization reserve funds is that your motion council m that is uh council president do you mind going into details as to approving this motion is
where in fact it won't affect or would be a rise on additional tax uh uh taxes to the residents as it was claimed. Uh yes. Uh last last week's meeting, we have comments from uh a member of this
body that established an a specific amount for the amount of about 20 uh $20 or $50 uh that was going to be raised if we don't approve the stabilization reserve fund for uh for fiscal stability.
So yes in fact approving this item will uh will not will this amount will not be add to the taxes already increased on the operational budget for the amount of 3.58%.
Will you Mr. President Councel Rees but the rest bing go to increase to our residents the the remaining balance? Yes. The $3.4 million. No, that's do not increase taxes only the
stabilization reserve fund for fiscal stability. The amount of 1,71-78 is the amount that potentially could be add to the tax to be increased. The rest of the money, no the rest of the money
will be uh again considered when the uh free cash become available but that will not increase taxes. Only the stabilization reserve for fiscal stability the state will automatically add it to the to that uh to that
account. Correct. Can you explain yourself? Yeah. So, um, you're correct. Um, I would like to note though that the DPW snow and ice expenditures, um, from my understanding
from the CAPO, what she mentioned was that if it is not approved, it would get taken out of free cash. Yes. Um, automatically. Yeah. Mhm. Yeah. It will it will be taken out of free cashache before it gets 85. Uh, if I'm I mean you
I mean that's what you get from the CFO. Okay. That's exactly what I the conversation that I have that's what it says. Yes. Uhhuh. So counselors we have a motion in front of us which is that uh for that that specific amount that does not means
that the other amount is not going to be approved but as as presented council memo presented uh the motion to approve 24325b which is for that amount for the amount that we just mentioned. Any questions on
regarding to this? This is on snow and ice. Correct. Um any questions on this matter? Council, you had made those lovely um uh yeah friendly friendly amendment to wait the
30 days if this is approved to the 30 days. Okay, it's been friendly amendment. It's been accepted. Uh there's no questions. All those in favor, please say I. I. Yes. Any nays? Madame Clair, please call the role,
please. Council Levy, yes. Council plant, yes. Council Luzon, yes. Council Del Rosario, yes. Council Santiago, yes. Council Mamo, you're doing residents of service. Um, yes.
Council, yes. Is a is a yes vote. Councelor Reyes. Yes. Council Vice President Infante. Yes. Council President Rodriguez. Yes. Motion carries unanimously. Now we have item 243 A25. Council de
Rosario. It it it's it's my personal opinion. It's a comment. It is a shame that we get to this to those folks. What is the motion? Councel Rosario. No motion. Yes or no. Next time. And will you continue the business, but it's a shame and that's what people call this a circus.
What's the motion? There's no motion. We have an underline motion. Uh, madame clerk, what is the underlying motion for for this item? Well, obviously without 243. We do not have a motion to approve the remaining balance, which is the 3.4
million um for 243-25A that we're looking for a motion. Motion to approve and wait the three days. There is a motion to approve item 243A 25 for the amount of $3.4 million. 1 million 2 million $34 million. It's
been properly second by council. Councelor Reyes. Uh discussion council espressant. Thank you. I was going to say anything, but I'm going to say it. No, no, no. I mean, stick within the item, please. No. I think this is important to say. Okay.
Um, last week just attach it to the item. When we were discussing these items, these same items that that we that we now have in front of us, we've endured many side comments,
many inappropriate comments. And again, when it's one of us that gets annoyed, it's an issue. We don't we don't say anything back when our colleagues do do that same
thing to us and that that's annoying. Council President Fante uh stick to the item. Any questions on item uh 24325? Can I just
Okay. Um I understand that I don't I understand that there's uneasiness about maybe of these document numbers. I don't know if maybe I just didn't do a good enough job. No, no, no, no. Wait, wait. You you you you're doing great. Okay. It is It is It wasn't even you because that
item was sent back almost uh three weeks ago. So, that's not you today at all. Don't feel ashamed. Nothing. It's it's it's like it is what it is. Yeah. Um I do want to clarify um that uh the OPED
trust funds um not only so every single uh document being requested is not only requested every year but it's important for the city to build these funds because this goes into not only the creditworthiness of the city but for example I'll just give one example the
stabilization reserve for litigation and judgments as you guys know we're very short staffed in the attorney's office we have an attorney of one. Um there's a lot of moving factors that we take into account when we're coming up with the numbers that need to go into these departments. But please know that as the
finance department, we sit with each uh each department that is involved in each of these funds to make sure that we're trying to calculate as responsibly for the next fiscal year so that um should situations arise, we're prepared. Uh and
so the OPED trust fund goes into the creditworthiness of the city. It's important that we keep um funding that reserve. And actually the state always recommends that cities continuously add to the accounts. It just looks good when we know that we're going to have a lot
of people that are going to be retiring in the future that are going to have a lot of medical costs. Um and I don't know if any of you guys have questions on any of these specific funs. I would love to be able to maybe try to see if I can help break down this information, but I do just want to stress the
importance of each of these funds and funding them so that we can have stability for the city. Thank you for your comments, councilors. Any questions? Councelor LBL. Sure. I'm going to be voting yes on this. Um I I I
understand the importance of this and I understand the commitment that we make as a as a municipality that we need to continue to fund these things. Some of them pre uh predate many of our involvement in the city and there are bills that have to be paid and we need I
think the the comp patroller has said it right. We have a responsibility to be responsible uh and to pay and to put these funds and the money that we can not only for today but for the future. I am eager though as I mentioned in the
several hours ago now if someone is is is is doesn't think this is a good idea if someone believes motion to pass 11 motion to pass 11 properly second discussion and there is none all those in favor please say I I the eyes have it
I I am eager to hear if someone has a rationale or a reason as to why we should not vote for this this evening I could be swayed to vote no but I'd like to know what that reason is so far I've got compelling reasons to overwhelmingly vote yes on this. But maybe I'm missing something. If can someone please
enlighten me, engage in in a deliberation here publicly so we know why we may want to consider voting no. Absent that I'm voting yes. So what councelor Llang is saying that if you're voting yes, please state it.
If you're voting no state you say say as a why. So essentially what we're saying is that vote before we call the vote. Council President, you're mistaken my words. If you feel like you're going to be voting no on this and you've got a
compelling reason, I'd like to know why. No one's under any obligation to say this. Nobody has to say it. But I'm just saying this is supposed to be a deliberative body. Legislators by their nature are supposed to have give and take exchange of information. Why we are voting that's how we learn. That's how
we get educated. Any counselor that wishes to speak? I'm asking my colleagues, if you plan on voting no and you already made that decision, maybe I'm missing something. Would you please help me understand? Anybody that wishes to express their vote?
Any discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? Madame clerk, please call the role. Councelor Levy for motion to approve. Motion to approve item 24325A
for the amount of $3.4 million. Yes. And wait the 30 days. 30 days. Councelor Lelant. Yes. Councelor Luzon. No. Council Del Rosario. Yes. Council Santiago. No.
Councelor Marl. No. Council Selena Reyes. Yes. Council Vice President Fonte. No. Council President Rodriguez. No. What's the count? 54. Motion fails. Motion fails. Five. Councilors. Any
other motions? Motion to adjurnn. Yes, sir. Before we adj. Yeah, there is a bunch of items that we still have. Yeah. I like to take motion. I get document number two. Do you want to before
withdraw withdraw my I withdraw my motion. Councelor Rosario have withdraw his motion for motion to unjoin. Um councilors any other motion? All right. Uh I entertain a motion to I'll make a motion only because it's on
the agenda. I'm I'm not I may not vote in favor, but I think it's the right thing to do. Document 24125. I make a motion that we take that off the table. Second. There is a motion on table 24125, the the reauthorization of uh peg access
cable related funds revolving funds account for the appropriation of $450,000. Uh this been second by councelor Levy. Councelor Leon Councel Luzon. Uh, all
those in favor to unt. No. Any nays? Um, Madame Clair, please call the roll. 241-25 on tableabling is um, council Levy. Yes. Council plant, yes. Council Luzon, no.
Council Del Rosario, yes. Council Santiago, no. Council Mamo, no. Council Reyes, yes. Council Vice President Fonte, no. Council President Rodriguez, no. What's the count? 45. Motion fails.
Motion to adjourn. There's a motion to adjourn. Properly second. Uh, councelor before we join. Uh if I might cancel, do you mind withdrawing for an information that in Dubas? Uh well, it's not going to be in order. What's happening?
Do you want to draw a We draw withdraw the motion again. uh councilors, we we we have a meeting on the 7th uh related to an specific issue uh that is for special meeting on the seven uh not an
emergency meeting uh that related to any specific issue that is rel uh is regarding the flot the flood map uh for the city of Lawrence that was discussed previously on this agenda. uh we call for an special meeting on
that and that is a requirement that before the 8th action need to be taken uh as per the federal government regulations for when it comes to those specific maps that meeting will be on the 7th. You will be getting an specific notification
on on that item. The intent of that is that um tomorrow we will call the meeting uh for that day which is the seven a subcommittee meeting and that way uh counselors that um wanted to join
they may be able to join and they may be able to join online as well. Uh we will call the tomorrow on the regular meeting we will call subcommittee meeting that is on the same day and then uh four counselors going to be here uh on any of those subcommittee meetings
that way we can uh make sure that we get that we get through that uh councilors and councelor Levy are we going to discuss tomorrow this item that we're table today councelor Levy you asking me a question that is for the future
it is I can't answer that but I'll entertain a motion. Motion to adjurnn. Um there's a motion to adjurnn properly second discussion. There's no discussion. All those in favor, please say I. I. The eyes have it.