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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=taXAiJweiHo

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Good evening and welcome to the special meeting of the Lawrence City Council. Today is Wednesday, July 15, 2025. Pursuant to chapter 20 of the act of 2022, this meeting will be hybrid allowing participation both in person in

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the city council chambers as well as remotely. The soon link to this meeting uh was available to anybody that requested uh and it was also posted online. This meeting is also been transmitted live through that uh uh YouTube Lawrence

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city council page and chair at the u uh Facebook Lawrence City Council page as well. MLA please call call the role. >> Councelor Gonzalez is noted as absent. Council Miguel >> present. Council um Marmal is noted as

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absent. Council Infante >> present. >> Council Reyes >> present. >> Council Del Rosario >> present. >> Council La Plant >> present. >> Council Vice President Levy >> present. >> Council President Rodriguez >> present. Please join me for a moment of

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silence. Now join me for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to theublic and liberty and justice for all. public participation.

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Um, anybody that is requesting to be participating in poly participation, you're going to have two and a half minute to speak. Um, at the two minute mark, you you have an indication that you still have 30 seconds to go. Please

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refer to this council as a whole. >> We did not have Um, anybody that would like to speak on public participation? >> Sure. >> All right. >> Anybody?

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>> All right. Um, public participation is is now close. Closed. Uh, public hearing. There is none. Communication from the mayor, city official, city attorney, there is none. Committee reports. Uh budget and finance committee that is none. Housing committee that is

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none. Ordinance committee that is none. Personal committee we have item 28126 appointment item 28126 appointment of William uh J. Maloney uh

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second city second second assistant city attorney. [snorts] This item was sent to was put together and sended to this council by uh the city solicitor uh Tim Mutton. It was discussed at the uh personal

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committee a few second ago and I going to report I going to ask for a report on this item. Madame chair from the personal committee. >> Thank you council president. through you. Item 281-26 appointment of William J. Maloney as second assistant city attorney was sent

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up to the full council as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. >> Second. >> There is a motion in front of us by the by the chair of the committee councel infante was second by councel president infante uh by council vice president

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Levy. Um at this point counselors um I would like for the city attorney to come in front of us and introduce the candidate and subsequently open the opportunity for the candidate to be to speak.

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>> Tim, >> sorry Tim Hooton, uh city attorney. I'm just going to give you a little background on this and etc. I I I'll try not to repeat everything I said at personnel, but I know there's different members. So this is is uh an applicant for the second city attorney. Um some

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people have asked various questions so I want to address them right up front. Um we have had various people who have applied. Uh one of the problems with um this position and many positions in the city attorney's office is that the people that apply obviously they have a license, they've gone to law school, but

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they're looking for a job now. They're not looking for a job later. They're looking for a job now. And we don't move that fast. And a lot of times these people um by the time they get interviewed get brought up they've found other jobs as I I noted in the first um in the personnel committee uh one

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candidate which I thought was very nice and I think that um the uh one of the councils that seemed to uh by the time I got was able to get back they had opened a law practice and no longer were interested. So uh that's why when you say had there been I provided everybody with applicants in the past year. Um Mr.

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Mr. Maloney had applied for the first position. U we did interviews. It became apparent that um that it wasn't a good mix at the first position. The position is is strictly what I'm looking for, what I entail was a strictly litigation

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person. Um and it was a um just not his forte. But the second was more of his forte. Uh obviously Mr. Maloney was is formerly a clerk of the city. He was also had worked in the city attorney's office as well as many other things. and

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the second attorney and I I'll I'll address the labor part second. Um what I need uh and what I told the personnel committee is right now in my office right now I have a um a attorney not an attorney he is a law student a thirdyear

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law student who's volunteering for the summer. Having him in my office makes all the difference in the world. He does all the things that I can't get to. um if I have to re research something, he can research it for an hour while I can spend it on other things. So, there is a

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lot of work that needs to be done in my office. It's not glamorous. It's not big, but it's essential to the running of the city. So, um I believe Mr. Maloney would be very well suited for that. Um it's drafting of ordinances, it's showing up at court for various

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things. It could be small claims, it could be gun appeals, it could be receiverhips, it could be any number of these things. And that's the thing that that that takes up a lot of time. Um, as far as the uh the labor that the we have

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labor council right now um who would continue to do that while Mr. Maloney would be working on what I would call the smaller labor things, the grievances, the complaints, the investigations. Those are the things that are done by my office that most people don't see. And I those are things

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that can be taught very easily. And as you hang in there, I mean, this job is a baptism by fire. You learn things as you go along. And so I think that with his background, he could learn u and eventually take over the job of labor council, maybe do the contracts that we

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need. Uh but that is very specialized. Um could I find someone to do that job out there? Not for the not for the money we're paying. Uh people, if you are a labor lawyer, you're working for a big firm making big money. um or you're working for a union, you're

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working for the police union, you're working for something like that. So, we have to we have to self-e our people and teach what we have to go on. But um as again trying not to repeat uh I've had this job I've did when I first was appointed um temporarily I did an a year

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a year and a half without any help. I then did a year with help which was great. We accomplished so much at at that point. Um the uh the vice president um said to me before that year um I want to see you bring down the amount of

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cases that referred to outside counsel. That after that year I was able to come back to her and say that I had referred no cases zero cases to outside counsel because I had two very good lawyers in my office and I'm looking to do that again. I'm looking to bring down the cost of the city of Lawrence for for

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council. Certain things that won't happen overnight. It takes time. it takes uh time to teach people, but that that's the job of this this attorney. So, I think that the second city attorney, although not glamorous, is so important, vital to the running of the city and running of my office. And I

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think with Mr. Maloney's background, I believe that he would be a very capable candidate and I I ask you to entertain that possibility. >> So, in another word, you're recommending the candidate. >> I am recommending the candidate. Yes. >> Counselors, um if there is any

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questions, I We entertain it through the city of Cheney. We entertain it now if it's not and then we open up questioning for the for the candidate >> res. Thank you to you attorney

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as I'm happy seeing that you brought somebody in to me the process of hiring somebody. I mean, I I might not be aware. You might be in communicating maybe with the city council president or somebody else, but it's disappointed to me that I have to ask questions. Oh, how

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is that going? And I still don't have answers. Um, I requested some documentation of how many people have applied, why why we haven't hired anybody. That might be that might be classified information, but I should have got a little note back.

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>> I provided that. I believe you're >> when when did we received it? because I haven't received it. >> Council, you all got an email. It was actually from Carol Garcia and it had all the first um >> when was that dated? Because I haven't received it. That's why I'm saying it. So >> before the 10th. Um I

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>> So I I so I do apologize if I do have it. I probably missed it. But again, I don't know who who you guys reporting to and the process when it comes to the hiring, but us going and ask questions because >> No, >> because we sit around. >> Can I because

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>> No, I fully understand. >> I sit around. I have a dinner and I and I overheard a conversation and I asked this attorney that I have no idea and he said, "Well, I've been waiting for a year." Um, and I've been I feel that I've been the city is kicking me away from it. I'm like, "Okay." So, I decided

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send an email. So, it will be this this body for the past two years that I've been here, it it it been using the word transparency. But we use transparency to me when it's convenience. But transparency also have to come from you to us. I mean I'm happy

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you you get an assistant. I know you need the help but it's also throughout the process somehow we need to get information cuz cuz people ask us questions and we have no answers. >> Sure. >> You know throughout this you see how you explain it's difficult people won't do this job for this money this and that.

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Sometimes at least me I don't know if you again if you communicate it because some communication goes somewhere else and sometimes I don't get it but [snorts] we need to have that communication ongoing that way when we face anybody out there we have an answer for it right now out

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there saying that you hiring Maloney because Maloney it's it's it's cuz because the mayor recommended and and he's not suitable but I I believe after reading his his resume and what you saying he's very capable to do the job. It's not but those are the things that

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come to our city that people are seeing listening and because we don't have an answer they believe there's not transparency in the process so all I ask is next time that we get a little information even if again if it's classified you cannot provide say well uh counelors 10 people apply we're

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working with two we denied eight and I and I can go out there and defend yourself when people facing me and say listen what's going on in the world they they interview 10 people they have to eight of them did not go through. So that's all I'm asking for. So it should >> and I agree I agree with you completely.

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I'm not I'm not going to argue in one bit. Um one of the things I will say and is that how to explain it is almost I don't want to use the word intimate arrangement that I have in my office. I need

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somebody that works well with me. Are have there been people that have applied and have interviewed and they're wondering what happened? I didn't think they were a good fit. It doesn't go to the mayor. It doesn't go beyond that. If I don't think they're going to work in my office for whatever reason, I just

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don't put them forward because >> No, I I I know, but I'm just saying there's some people out there that say, "Geez, I never got to call back. I don't want to hurt their feelings and call them up and say, "Hey, listen. I didn't really like you. Um sometimes I just let it." >> No. And I thank you for that. All I'm asking is a little info. Counselors,

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this is taking me long. Why somebody, again, I interviewed 10 people. I believe eight of them are not suitable for this position and that's how I feel. Two of them I'm continue to work. I'll give you an update later on. Those two fellow the wagon. Listen, those sons did not fit the position and this is where

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I'm going. I'm going to I mean have new applications. That's all I'm asking. >> You you fed me perfectly for something that doesn't involve Miss Maloney. Um I have a candidate for the first position um with some special skills and some special needs. I intend on speaking to the city council just to explain to them

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what I'm thinking of in that and see if that's something they would consider. So I I'm right on track with you. I do agree completely that I you should be in from the process and that's what's going to happen. >> That's that's a good approach. I believe also like you know at the end of the day

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it's a matter of just providing the information. >> Exactly. Thank you. >> No problem. Counselors any other questions for the city of Chenny? >> I have a comment council president. >> Councel infante. >> Thank you. Quickly, um, Attorney Huen, I disagree with, uh, the statement of of

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not informing a candidate if they didn't, um, advance to the next level. I think we should have either a standard generic, maybe if you don't want to call them, maybe an email that can be sent. That way, if another counselor bumps into a candidate, they're not saying, "Oh, I'm I'm wait I've been waiting for

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X, you know." >> Yeah, I understand. Sometimes it's three candidates and they might be the best. I'm just waiting so I I don't make a decision at that point. I understand that kind of but if I decide that someone's not getting it, you're right. >> That won't be a cultural fit in within

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the office and and you know for sure and I think this should be a practice across across the board. We should be sending out communication. >> Thank you. No problem. And something that I have noticed uh on both of the comments of the counselors and what you just said is that um hiring is a priority for this

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department. >> Yes. something that this council might be able to compromise when it comes to the hiring is potentially have if if it's something that is uh to hire an attorney, we can hold in a special meeting like we are doing today. We are

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saving right now three weeks worth of uh time uh that these candidates might be able to come in and work. So the council might be able to compromise on that because we need to also

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>> have you know something our end to be able to >> I appreciate that council president. Thank you. >> U counselors any other questions for the u to the to see the chain council. >> Thank you. I think I'll just go through you Mr. Hooton um rather than to the to

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the applicant because you're the one that's the sponsor of it and and maybe he will have some comments on the questions if he if he comes to speak. So I'm first of all I'm inclined to support the nominees. So I just want you to know that right from the beginning. Um

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>> you always say that before you ask the tough questions but go ahead. [laughter] >> I I just have a couple of comments and a question. So um the first one is and I think you've partially addressed it but in this particular case the applicant

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um has not had any direct legal experience uh since 2004 according to the resume and I just wanted you to kind of go through that. We look for it again. um he had looked like he had a private

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practice from '92 to 2004 and that's the last time it appears that he has practiced law according to the resume. So just make me feel better that that's a good thing but it's not necess we don't need like

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>> so so for this position considering the fact of what it pays um everybody that applies is a brand new lawyer >> so nobody has experience nobody has experience and what I'm looking for so it is a teaching position I have to

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teach each and every candidate that's applying for that position um what they're going to So, Mr. Maloney is no different than any other candidate except for the fact that he had practiced prior before. He does have a a back history of it. Um, these people don't have back history. Some of

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these people are out of law school for six months, a year, whatever. Um, but what most people will never get, unless you're in municipal law, and most people aren't in municipal law, and they would not apply for an entry- level position

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if they were in municipal law, is um the whole system, the how the city is run, the ordinances, um, you know, the charter, things like that. People don't know that that on the outside world. That is something as a city clerk that he would have intimate

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knowledge of. Um that he would know how to how things get passed, how the city council works, how how ordinance that we ordinances are like laws. I mean people outside of the city don't understand that at all. Um understand you know what the fines are, how we collect them, how

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why we go to housing court, all the little things that happen in there. That's the basic education that I don't have to give to Mr. Maloney because obviously he he lived it. He knows it. So, um, that's that's the the uptick that he brings as opposed to those

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candidates is that his municipal experience, even though it was a while ago, uh, you know, it's still experience, it's it's better than than the people that have no experience. >> Thank you. Uh my my next point is uh the applicant has a tremendous

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experience municipal experience having worked in the clerk's office having been very involved in elections which is of course part of the clerk's office. Um I mean he's been he was there I the resume doesn't clearly state how many years that I could see but I know that it's

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many years uh that that he was in that position. I just [clears throat] I guess my just a con concern may be too strong a word, but maybe it's an observational concern, which is we have a clerk that does the clerk's job, and I want the

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city attorney to do a city attorney's job, and there needs to be a separation even though I know that the the applicant has tremendous experience in the previous job. I know that. I've worked with the individual. I know that. Um but I I just think that we need to

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make sure that separation exists. >> I am not hiring an assistant city clerk. I don't need an assistant city clerk. Um I am very happy with the city clerk we have. Um so and I have so much work um that does not involve the city clerk that Mr. Maloney will be busy every

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minute of every day. He is that's not going to be a problem. >> Okay. >> So all right. Super. And and I think my last point or question, you know, when when the applicant left and retired and the resume says in 2020,

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November of 30th of 2020, I don't know how important this is, and maybe you can say it's not important, but since you're the sponsor, I just need to get from your perspective how important or not important it is. There was a I believe some sort of grievance filed against the city at that time. I don't know what

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happened to it. I don't know if that's been settled. I don't know if that's an impact at all for this position. Are you aware of that? And and how do you how is it a factor? >> There there is nothing ongoing with Mr. Maloney in the city. There anything that was resolved before has been resolved.

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There is not ongoing. There is no deal backroom deal. There's no nothing. Anything that happened before, he is being hired as a city attorney. Um obviously if he had a lawsuit against the city, I would not recommend him. Um there is no lawsuit against the city.

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There is no none of that. So yeah, he comes in clean and that's what I the way I take him. >> Thank you very much, council president. >> Um councilors, any questions to the city solicitor?

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>> There is no questions. So now let's allow the candidates to introduce himself and then talk. >> Thank you, Council President. First of [clears throat] all, thank you counselors for having a special meeting. I feel special. I do. Thank you very

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much. I've worked with >> name for the record. We know you forgot about that. >> I'll start I William J. Maloney uh Esquire 17 Cutler Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts. >> Thank you. So tell us more about the

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process and yourself. Well, as I can attest to certainly to attorney Hooton's uh uh comment on the process, the process is um long. It's arduous. I've been at this about a year, year and

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a half. Uh and happily so uh because I I'm from Lawrence. I grew up here. Uh I know Lawrence intimately and uh I know a lot of you from working as city clerk. Um I don't intend to act as a city clerk and the fact a lot of the city clerk

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what the city clerk does is get um direction from the state uh in terms of legal issues. Um, I think it's a bonus, a plus to be an attorney as city clerk because it constantly bombarded with

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interpreting or understanding statutes that the state is not only creating but also has on the books and reinterprets and sends a different way and how they're understanding. A lot of times, even as city clerk, I'd run to the city

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attorney's office. Yeah, look, see what the state is doing. this is what they're telling us. Is this what it is? And a lot of times that advice is very, very valuable. Um, working for the city attorney's

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office, I've done that before in uh as an assistant city attorney from 1998 to 2004, prior to being land use planner. Uh, I was in land use planner position for about uh six months. uh when the um

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the city clerk's position opened up through happen stance uh and and that was in 2004 and I applied and in fact the interview process was very different at that time. Three or four candidates applied and uh

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happened to be selected with one uh negative vote from uh one counselor. I um won't I won't won't say which counselor it was but then it I reconsider it became unanimous and um it again it's a

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it's a pleasure to be here in a in a sense that'll be acting in in a very different position to quell your concerns. Um there'll be enough to do and I'm sure there'll be enough to do in the city attorney's office. As the council president aptly noted, there is

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um there is a lot of work to be done that is not being done because the city attorney is pretty much by himself. We've seen this before. I've seen it before when I was a clerk. You've seen it before as counselors in various positions. That's what happens in a lot of the positions throughout the city.

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The staffing uh gets reduced um for whatever reason. And again, not citing any reasons, I can remember city clerk's office in the election division in the height of a state election. One employee in the election division one for nine

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months. And the results aren't pretty. They really aren't. But in any event, um if you have any questions about any specific items, I'd be glad to answer them. Uh counselors, uh now that we have the candidate, it was just interviewed

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by the personal committee. Um do you have any any questions to the candidates at this point? >> Llan, >> thank you. Um not really a question because I've already asked the questions that I had.

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Uh and the sponsor, I'm going to call Mr. Hootton your sponsor this evening. Um, but this your sponsor I think uh aptly and appropriately answered the questions that I had. So I my my questions are answered. So I but what I want to do if you are successful here this evening and if I was a betting man

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if I was at Foxwoods right now I'd probably put it all on yes at this point. Um but uh if you are successful this evening I know that you and I have served together here in this body for some time. So, we do have a record in the history. Um, and it's a a good

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history and it's a good record and it's um it's um and we do have a very positive relationship. So, I know u from I can't speak for anybody else but for me from my where I sit. I know that I can work with you and I can work with that with the office that's led by

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attorney Hooton. Um and so I I I um I look forward to your uh taking the position. I look forward to uh continue working. Um especially the the impact that you have and the knowledge you have of this chamber. I think it's going to be valuable. I think I think members of

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this council are going to find the value that you bring to it because you understand the ordinances. You understand the beat of the city council and the you know, you know, there sometimes we're asking for stuff and sometimes we really need it and sometimes we don't really need it as quickly as we say that we need it. and

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you kind of you got a good feel for for that. Um and then I just think you've got good decent communication skills. I know that you've always had it with me that we were able to talk if something comes up. So, um I look forward to seeing you in this position. I wish you all the success because if you're

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successful, we're all successful. So, I wish you the the most success possible. So, thank you, Council President. No problem. >> If I may comment uh briefly, uh I share that with you council. We've had robust discussions about ordinances applicab

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applicability of the council rules as they apply to ordinances and to council meetings. And um for the sake of this meeting, I say you were always right. [laughter] >> That's not what he said to me last week. >> I don't remember that. [laughter]

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>> Council President, >> you've been smart today. >> Council, >> thank you. I unfortunately am now changing my vote to a no. And the reason why is I just received an email to my city email right

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now at 7:56 p.m. from an individual who applied to the first assistant city attorney's position. It's a very detailed um email on the experience that this individual individual um went through and and it's not it has nothing to do

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with Mr. Maloney, but it's about the process and I'm not going to support such process that we are engaging in in this city. I'm going to read two paragraphs from this email that struck that struck out to me the the most.

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On January 15th, this is like the fifth or sixth paragraph within within the the email. On January 15, 2026, I appeared at city hall on time. The mayor, William Castro, saw me waiting in the hallway and did

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not know I was coming that day. No one could help me and had me stand in the hallway while they tried to figure out the mayor's schedule. So, this was a pre-scheduled interview that he was asked to come in for. No one could help me and had me stand in

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the hallway while they tried to figure out the may the mayor's schedule. Finally, half an hour late, I was allowed into the mayor's office along with William Castro, Cara Garcia, and Francesca. No one had a copy of my resume. No one had a copy of my

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application. No one was prepared for the interview or had questions. Attorney Hen was not present. the last paragraph. Um there is also a one point of he made

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a point that because they're also watching watch the personnel meeting and are currently watching this meeting and stated that the statement of not having qualified candidates is untrue and then gave me all his all of his

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qualifications which are very impressive by the way. The last paragraph in this email, oh says, "When attorney Hooen tells you he cannot get any any applicants because the process is slow, that is false. I

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was told by every single person not to apply to the city attorney position." And sadly, this administration proved them right and then ended with to feel free to contact them. Um, that does not mean we're talking

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about transparency, right? That does not show me that this was a transparent process. This shows me that there was already a pre-selected individual. And if this individual, if what this individual just wrote to me is true, and

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again, very extensive, very impressive background. This was always pre-planned and I don't fault Mr. Maloney for that because Mr. Maloney is a candidate and is doing what he is being told as any

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other candidate or or or applicant should. But that to me >> does not sound like a fair process. >> I I'd be happy to speak to you afterwards, but I I just want to forget something first. This person who I do not know of applied for the first

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position. >> Okay. Miss Maloney is the second position. So, >> Right. But >> Okay. I just wanted I just wanted to get that correct because I Right. And I'm happy to talk to you and I'm I'm dying to hear who the person is. >> Right. But the reason why I'm still bringing this up is that originally

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and then eventually it was changed, right? I don't know how long ago, but originally Mr. Maloney was being going to be presented as the first assistant attorney. >> So regardless whether now it is changed to second assistant attorney, regardless

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he was still the first pick. No, >> no, >> no. He he was Mr. Maloney was interviewed with three people at for the first position. >> He was he was not going to be picked as the first assistant. Um

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I'm totally befuddled and if it's the person I think I would love to talk to you offline. >> Okay. >> Um but I think there's another story. But I I have no idea because obviously even as you say I wasn't in that interview so I don't know who the person is. >> No. And and just just to clarify something that you it was part of your

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statement that you say that Maloney was not part of what you're looking for for the first city attorney. >> Correct. >> Because you you need you need something else on >> I need extensive litigation experience. I need someone to throw in there to take those cases. Much like the same as when

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I had uh Kevin Foley, he had extensive litigation background. he stepped in the first day, took over the cases, and that's what I'm looking for, >> which this applicant that shows shows that either way, um, regardless, there

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is still situations on how applications are being handled, how the interview process are being handled, the unprofessionalism that we're showing from the city of Lawrence side, because if that did not happen, I don't think this this applicant would have

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felt strongly enough to send me such a detailed email regarding his background and his experience with the city of Lawrence. >> Thank you, council president. >> No problem. >> If I may comment just briefly. >> It's not referring to you.

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>> Is that clear? No. >> As for my application, the only application I made was on my own valition. That's all I wanted to let the council know. >> I was not directed to make an application. I and my application was in general for an assistant city attorney

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position, not knowing which one was available. And when the first assistant position came available, I was not declined, but I wasn't selected. I'll put it that way. >> When this position was still available, then I asked to be considered. I'll just

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leave it at that. I'm I'm not >> Thank you, Mr. Thank you. But I know it's not it's not it's not you. >> It's not you. All right. Uh, counselors, any other questions for the candidate?

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I have a question. So, I'm going to pass the go over to the vice president. Um, Mr. Maloney, we have about six years working together here before you retire. Yeah.

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No, five years. Uh we have great relationship when it comes to the city council staff and u there was some u some concerns that I have when you apply for the position due to the fact that it was

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brought up to the to the council discussion uh due to the fact that it has such an amount of experience and the last thing we would like is uh some interference from the city attorney to a point that he's not looking for a good resolution to bring the city forward

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because it could be a situation that due to the fact they have so much experience on elections perhaps they can use you as they were trying to bring you up last election as a consultant. So that was part of my

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concern originally and and to a point that you know that that was uh something that I consider when it comes to giving my uh vote of confidence to you to come back to the city of Lawrence to

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work. Um I have a discussion with the city attorney. He told me that [snorts] under his direction that's not going to be allowed. And I I assume that you understand that even though you're going

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to come as a second city attorney, you're going to be working for the city solicitor currently and only under him. >> Absolutely. And [snorts] uh that has I mean I can I can tell you that certainly my uh knowledge of elections and

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experience with elections is extensive uh is and that's not a bad thing to have on the side of the city. >> Um which is been missing for many many years through the city attorney's office. Um we in fact if you recall we'd have to hire outside counsel the best

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being Bill McDermott who was just the best top five lawyers probably the top five lawyers in the country regarding election law and we had him as our consultant. Um, I can tell you and I hope that the city clerk would agree that the clerk's office takes its

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direction mostly from the state as to any direction that any election takes or in any issue of controversy. The only thing that they stay away from pretty much are issues that are local issues and those issues are decided by the

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legislative body and through ultimately through a hearing of some sort and that's presented primarily again through the city clerk's office. Um, as the city attorney said in the under uh meeting, um, there'll be a ton of work that I I

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won't have enough time to, uh, try to run two offices. I'm not looking to do that. I'd be crazy to do that. >> So, the city attorney's office has been one of the offices that um, has been in many contro controversial situations.

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Not because they want to, it's because we have different set of opinions on time and they that office need to make a determination whether we're right or wrong under the direction of the one city attorney.

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uh we need to recognize that um he is going to be in charge of the office and I have and I have that question and that statement to >> to make sure that we recon the candidates that come in front of us uh

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knows that you know that's that's the way it goes. >> No question. Um I can tell you certainly as having sat on the dis with most of you here um the way the chart is set up

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it's set up for adversarial proceedings mostly as you're experiencing and most of the seasoned councils will tell you that between the legislative and the executive branch primarily the draw between the city attorney and those two

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branches is is harrowing. It really is because you're asked to make an opinion for the council and probably ask for the same opinion through the uh executive branch. I'm not the one to make that decision.

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You're not going to be paying me enough. I'll be leaving early. There's your man. >> Okay. No, no problem. I just want to make sure like it's important to bring it up. Um, another thing that I going to going to bring up this position, the sec the second city of China, it's very

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tricky when it comes to the to the uh to that separation of power. Uh and uh I kind of like you know we have have at least during my time here we have have at least three three second attorneys

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that I have uh vote on and and you know I I made sure that they understand that [snorts] even though there is some confusion in between uh who that second position or second city attorney report to I just want to make sure like we we

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here with this discussion is straight and direct that uh you report to the city attorney. >> Policy does not come from the second city attorney as the policy does not come from your clerk. The council sets

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the policy for the council. The executive branch sets the policy for the executive branch. They don't bleed through each other and should not. This is my boss. All right. No problem. Um, what make you come back?

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>> I miss you guys. [laughter] I forgot what it was like. No, I I can give you the altruistic statements and certainly they all do apply. I grew up here. I live here. Um, having something to do is important, too. Earning a paycheck is important to me as well.

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Always has been all my life. I'm a worker just like you. Okay. Um, so you're going to have different different set of benefits than what you have before. Is some is that something

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that you planning on on bringing back your old benefits from the city? >> Actually, how the benefits kind of work and I checked that with the retirement and the and the city side. Um, this they're similar. They're exactly the same and they're spring from the same

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fountain which is the city. Um the retirement board says I can retain the benefits to the retirement board primarily health and dental and that's usually it. Uh Medicare insurance is the medical part of it that continues regardless of either. Um I'll still be

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required to pay into the retirement system uh at a greater rate. I'll have you know and the retirement doesn't count toward any uh increase in retirement benefit. So it's really the same. The only thing I had asked during the contract is that if the retirement

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board for some reason doesn't provide uh dental and health insurance that the city side provide the same thing that they provide. Okay. >> All right. I'm going to leave it up to that. I will support your appointment as a second citizen.

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>> Thank you, council president. Any more questions or comment? >> Yes. Um, since I was present on the previous uh committee personnel, you address all my concerns and we all know you. I haven't

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worked with you directly as a counselor, >> right? But uh we all know that your work capacity and your integrity of you know doing your work. So I'm intend to support your uh >> Thank you councel. >> Thank you

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>> counselor. >> Thank you. So this is a one-year contract. >> It's a one-year contract. >> Um >> so we get to look at each other after a year and [laughter] decide if it worked. I see you plenty

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in the neighborhood >> neighbors. >> Um, your vacation sick time, is that usually in here or is that just >> It's in there. I think it's two weeks after 30 or 60 days.

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I'm on probation for the first >> six weeks or something like that. >> Four months. >> Four months. Oh god. [laughter] I'll survive. Number seven. >> Thank you. Yep. See it. Okay.

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15 days absence illness. Okay. I I guess I'll let it let it go. I'll let it go there. I I got some comments regarding my colleague from District E. I'm just going to let that go and and see where this goes at this point. Uh I'm not going to comment on

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that. Um yeah, we'll leave it there. Thank you, >> councelor. Any other comments or any other question? If no, can I hear a motion? >> There's a motion. >> Is a motion to approve?

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>> Okay, please the roll call. Sure. Council La Plant, >> yes. >> Council Del Rosario, >> yes. >> Council Reyes, >> yes. >> Thank you, council. Council Infante,

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>> present. >> Council [snorts] ML is noted as absent. Council Miguel, >> yes. >> Council Gonzalez is noted as absent. Council President, >> yes. >> Council vice president, >> yes. >> Thank you, counselors.

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>> Good to meet you on a day off. >> [laughter] >> Councilors, at this point I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. >> So good. >> Motion to adjourn. >> Motion to properly second. Madame Clair, please call the role. >> Um,

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>> councelor Gonzalez is noted as absent. Council Miguel, >> yes. >> Council Marl is noted as absent. Councelor Fonte, >> yes. >> Councel Reyes, >> yes. >> Councelor Delazario, >> yes. >> Council La, >> yes. >> Council vice president, >> yes. >> Council president, >> yes. Motion carries.

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>> Thank you. Congratulations.