WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=FVbfD6g_zJI

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: FVbfD6g_zJI):
- 00:18:16: Meeting Commences: Flag Salute, Moment of Silence, Roll Call
- 00:19:50: Residential Parking Program Discussion, Council Support Review
- 00:38:36: Parking Rules, Regulations, and Concerns About Enforcement
- 00:42:08: Cottage Kitchens and Microbusinesses: Zoning Ordinance Changes
- 00:53:29: Joint Meeting Decision; Ordinance Review to be Accelerated
- 00:54:52: Executive Session: Benevolent Botanicals Litigation Discussion


Part: 1

1
00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:41.520
Got a quum. Let's go. >> Council will come to order. >> I'll rise and salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under

2
00:18:41.520 --> 00:19:01.039
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please remain standing for a moment of silence in honor of our veteran service members and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. We honor and acknowledge the Massachusetts Penacook and Pucket peoples whose ancestral lands we now

3
00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:16.480
call home and on which we gather today. We express gratitude to the indigenous peoples who have cared for this land for generations predating European colonization and continuing to the present. Moving forward, we are committed to ensuring that the histories, voices, and contributions of

4
00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:35.039
indigenous peoples are recognized and respected in the life of our city. Will the clerk now please call the role? >> Council Cologne Hayes, Council Tan, Council Crow here, >> Council Lewong, >> Council McDonald here, >> Council Ali, Council, Council

5
00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:50.000
Simmonelli, Council Taylor >> here, >> Council Winsow, >> Council President Lenn >> here. >> Okay. Okay, under the provisions of the open meeting law, for those of you in attendance, please be informed that UMA Urban Media Arts will be recording this evening's meeting. So, just be aware

6
00:19:50.000 --> 00:20:04.880
there will be audio and video recordings of tonight's meeting. Is anyone else present tonight recording in addition to Uma? Okay, seeing none, moving on to our first order of business. >> Paper 262-26. order that the city council work in

7
00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:20.799
conjunction with the traffic commission to create and institute a citywide residential parking program. >> Councelor Taylor for the paper. >> Thank you so much. Um so this is something that I've heard from residents um a lot in Ward 5 but also in other

8
00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:37.280
areas of the city. Um and I think it is definitely something that we need to be taking a look at. Uh the object is really to streamline the parking throughout the city, enforce the standards to benefit residents, create a net zero parking department, and also

9
00:20:37.280 --> 00:20:53.440
ensure that it's, you know, easier for residents, it becomes more equitable and more efficient. Um so I'd like to continue to investigate. I've done some work on this already. Continue to investigate and see what we can do to prioritize the residents and their

10
00:20:53.440 --> 00:21:08.559
needs. >> Where you referring to? So, I will just I was going to speak to that. Thank you, Councelor Taylor, for the introduction. So, Councelor Taylor had brought this to me as um an idea and something that we've actually had met with the parking department about over

11
00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:25.360
the past few weeks um trying to figure out where to send it. So, for for members of the public watching, essentially, our traffic rules are contained in a set of guidelines that are um basically that our traffic commission holds. They're not in our city ordinances. And so therefore, our

12
00:21:25.360 --> 00:21:42.159
council can't really take up changes to our traffic regulations by city ordinance or by adopting changes to our ordinances. When we met with the traffic um well, when we met with the parking department, um we came up with the suggestion that maybe it would be a collaborative nice approach for us to

13
00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:58.480
dock at something before the council that just um again for us to adopt this order to show the sense of the council that we would like to work together. Recognizing that a lot of our constituents have brought this idea to us that we'd like to have this more equitable approach to permit parking and

14
00:21:58.480 --> 00:22:15.200
that the sense would be that it's actually going to be taken up by the traffic commission. We we can't strictly send things there, but we would be requesting that they take it up. And again, we would be adopting the order and saying this is the sense of the council and that they know this is coming from us because councelor Taylor

15
00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:30.159
and I have met with them and talked it through. It could be a resolve, but >> I think it it could be either it could be either way, but we would we wanted the force of an order. That's how we chose to docket it, but I think it could

16
00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:57.280
be either way. Yes, thank you. Sorry about that. So, we do need to have a motion to suspend our rules to take this up because it is committee of the whole. >> Okay, so moved by councelor Crow, seconded by councelor McDonald. All in

17
00:22:57.280 --> 00:23:12.000
favor? >> I Okay, we have suspended our rules. >> You good, Councelor Smell? >> Okay. >> No, that's fine. I'm going to take councelor Ali. >> Go right ahead. Sorry. Go ahead.

18
00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:29.440
>> Thank you. Um I just wanted to mention and maybe maybe the sponsor knows um we did have a parking review committee uh that was actually chaired by councelor Condan. Um I believe I was on that and Ron was also I believe either an exeicio or or some member. And so I would

19
00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:46.159
definitely review the meeting minutes of of that because we spoke ad nauseium about this um for multiple years I think actually. Yeah. >> And um and I think one of the things that um we came up with is actually um we do have a citywide parking program.

20
00:23:46.159 --> 00:24:02.559
Um and it's basically if you register your vehicle in the city of Malden, you have the right to park in the city of Malden. And so the parking department goes around based on with complaints and basically can check okay this this car is licensed or not licensed in the city or registered in the city and if it's

21
00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:17.279
not registered in the city they can write a ticket to say hey you need to register in the in the city if you live here and if not you're getting these tickets. Um so I do think you you highlighted in your introduction that there's a big enforcement component to this. Um, and I think that that would be

22
00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:34.640
the the the route of least resistance because we had a lot of people that came out in opposition. We had a lot of people that came out in support and it was really a a lopsided discussion where some neighborhoods are like we absolutely need this and other people were like this is a money grab and so we

23
00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:50.320
just kind of want to avoid um something like that. Um but obviously uh thanks for bringing this conversation up. Um I know there's a number of counselors on here with a little bit of the institutional knowledge that would love to share kind of how we were approaching it back then and if it's still relevant.

24
00:24:50.320 --> 00:25:06.400
So thanks for bringing this conversation forward. >> Thank you councelor Mali. And just to briefly speak to that. I know councelor Seika and I I think were on the snow ordinance committee five or six years ago and then I was not on that committee that you just mentioned but I did sit in on it because I know councelor Conan and

25
00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:22.799
I have two wards that above other communities as does councelor Crowe and I there was a there was lengthy discussion as you did say councelor Ali about you know how do you deal with when you've got a ward where only part of it has permit parking and then you've got you know out of state plates that park on street the rest of the time in the

26
00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:39.039
non-p permit zone. We really want to address that for again the equity reasons and just bring up, you know, if we need to add enforcement officers. I think what what I I will say for some of my constituents, what we hear is, you know, on the nights and weekends because we don't have enough enforcement um

27
00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:55.840
personnel to come out to the non-permit parking areas, it just becomes the not a priority. So, if you've got folks who park on street all the time and have a Florida or Connecticut plate, it starts to feel frustrating for residents who live in the neighborhoods that don't have permit parking that um you know,

28
00:25:55.840 --> 00:26:11.520
just speaking for myself, that's what I hear a lot from constituents is they'd like a little bit more attention to the neighborhoods that don't have permit parking where we also don't have capacity to do enforcement um because it just isn't a permit area. So, that, you know, again, not to speak for councelor Taylor, but that's a little bit what

29
00:26:11.520 --> 00:26:25.840
we're trying to get at. Um, okay. Councelor McDonald. >> Yeah. Thank you. Also want to thank the sponsor for bringing this forward. And to be clear, yes, I understand you talking about a residential permit parking program, right? Yeah. Okay. Um, I thought that was clear. Just wanted to

30
00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:43.039
make sure. Um, so I I really don't hate at all the idea that we could have more sources of income as we are grappling with the budget deficit. So I think that is a benefit, but not the reason to do this. And um in addition to the ones that y'all have already shared, I I want

31
00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:57.840
to say the reason I'm excited about this is because it gives us another tool to manage parking demand um in our zoning so that we don't have to rely on parking requirements to indirectly do it at much higher cost and much less precision.

32
00:26:57.840 --> 00:27:13.600
Right? So right now we have more parking requirements that we need in part because we are trying to control how much parking is happening on street. But this will allow if we move forward with this, it'll allow us to have uh limits on how many cars can be registered at an

33
00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:30.320
address or when you can be, you know, if we're restricting parking uh or I'm sorry, if we're not requiring parking for a certain type of development or residence, then we know that we don't just assume people are going to register four cars and park on the street. It

34
00:27:30.320 --> 00:27:46.320
gives us more tools to interact those things. So, I'm really excited about that. opening up some space as we're talking about commercial development and residential development soon as part of the um the need to both engage in the comprehensive plan and do uh what we can in the near term to build up the tax

35
00:27:46.320 --> 00:28:02.720
base. So, thank you. >> Great. Thank you, Councelor McDonald. Councelor Simmonelli. >> Thank you, uh Madam President. Listen, I'm all for this paper. I I you know I'd like to join with the sponsor and I just want to say that you know I've been on this council for about 16 years now back

36
00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:19.600
and forth and uh this isn't something new that we a topic that we have brought up. I remember uh Council Condan years ago brought this forward and then when I first got back on the council this time around we brought it up. I actually brought it uh to uh Ron Hogan's

37
00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:36.640
attention and um I I don't really know what the issue was that we never really got to do it because it sounds like it's pretty good. I know Everett does it and they bring in approximately a couple million dollars a year. it actually pays for the program

38
00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:53.679
itself and the people enforcing it and puts money in the coffers and um and I'll just say for my neighborhood particularly because we bought a Everett and Everett has parking by permit only. So what's happening is people are invading my neighborhood and parking

39
00:28:53.679 --> 00:29:10.399
their cars cuz today people have got no problem parking a couple of blocks away and walk to their house or park uh in Malden or in Ward 7 for that for for example and then they would like take the tea into the station and then go

40
00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:27.919
because it cost you like $50 to park in in Boston the average right >> for the day and it's $25 for a fine if if if they even find you in in W 7. And I I you know, and I've got like cars that have been on the same in the same

41
00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:45.520
spot on the same street for months. And I think we've got like one enforcement officer during the day uh take care of these things and he he does a fantastic job. I mean, again, another department that does more with less uh these days. So, you know, I can't say anything away from them. So, I'm for it. uh you know I

42
00:29:45.520 --> 00:30:00.320
think it's something that we should really uh wholeheartedly look into. I think it can be a revenue grabber. you know, I I I take my hat off uh to the sponsor on this paper and to council Condan who has taken this up uh on several occasions since I've been on the

43
00:30:00.320 --> 00:30:16.640
council and again, you know, I was just kind of frustrated coming back this year or this time around and you know, they didn't want to do parking by permit only, but I was saying that, you know, my neighborhood particularly should have parking by permit only even though we're not near a train station. We usually do

44
00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:32.480
the train station stuff because people park wherever they want for the train station or around school sometimes. But when you have a city right next door that has parking by permit only and they're now, you know, infiltrating into my neighborhood and parking their cars

45
00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:47.840
there, it's it's just not a cool thing to do. So, we should be fighting fire with fire at this point. So, I'm um strong supporter of this paper. So, thanks. >> Okay. Thank you, Councelor Simonelli. Councelor Winslow, hang on. My mouse is being kind of sticky tonight. Okay.

46
00:30:47.840 --> 00:31:03.200
Councelor Winslow. >> Yeah. No, I know. Um, W 6 is one of the few wards that actually does not have residential parking. So, um, and I I know in the past W six residents have have said it's not needed, but um, you know, we do have issues of sometimes now

47
00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:18.720
with businesses um, starting to bring cars into our ward and and we end up having to work through compliance rather than parking. And I mean the other thing that you know this is part of what the the study that kind of um faced this

48
00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:35.520
challenge was that private ways is a big issue. We have a lot of private ways and right now we don't we don't do enforcement on private ways even though those residents want us to. Um and just just another point um just uh clarity um we actually you know with our charter um

49
00:31:35.520 --> 00:31:52.159
our traffic commission's authority over parking is we we have eliminated the the the traffic commission. So, we are I know Maria Louise is working on uh implementing our new transportation commission. So, ultimately, you know, if we're doing something this dramatic, I mean, we'll really need to have the

50
00:31:52.159 --> 00:32:08.559
transportation commission approved that under ordinance because the traffic commission is doesn't really exist. I mean, right now the traffic commission is, you know, carrying on, but something of this substance, I mean, if we the tra transportation commission doesn't do that, then they're that that will not be

51
00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:24.000
effective. So, it's something to be aware of and it's a it's a necessity to get the transportation running. And the other thing now is if we're not going to have a a parking director, the parking director was going to be on the transportation commission. So, another another wrinkle that uh will have to be

52
00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:38.799
talked about as we go forward. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you, Councelor Winsow. Um Councelor Sika, thank you council president and thank you Ari for bringing this back up because this has been a topic of conversation that's been near and dear to my heart. Um, if I remember

53
00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:55.360
correctly, when we first started looking at implementing residential parking citywide, um, we actually had I I know they've tried to help this process, but we actually had over 200 unaccepted streets. And that was a big reason why

54
00:32:55.360 --> 00:33:13.440
we we never saw this to the very end because an unaccepted street is technically a private way as council and Winslow just said and we're not allowed to ticket on um unaccepted private way streets. So that I I I'm fairly positive

55
00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:29.440
the engineering department there was some lowhanging fruit there that you know everything was crossed off like they had sidewalks they had you know national grid all the stuff that they needed to become an accepted street was there the contractor that did the street

56
00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:44.720
at the time just didn't take it that final step. So I I do remember or I heard that they were tackling those ones. Maybe we can I I don't know how many that actually took off the over 200 list, but um I think it would be food

57
00:33:44.720 --> 00:34:02.000
for thought. Um and in the meantime, uh until we can get this implemented, good luck to the traffic department, but a few years ago, we did with Council Condan, we did put some rules in place. So, it it's not our our parking

58
00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:18.000
department's doing the best they can. like councelor um Linad said the they're tackling the complaints. So if you have any constituents in your ward that notice a New Hampshire license plate that has been at their in front of their

59
00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:36.079
house for weeks, do a little cclick fix or call Ernie at the parking department. They are amazing. I had I had one on my street. Um, and we kept ticketing, ticketing, ticket it, and that Texas plate turned into a Massachusetts plate real quick. So, it we did our job, you

60
00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:52.879
know, like you need to be able if I think when we did it, councelor Rali, it was 7 days. If they were there longer than seven days, was it five or was it seven days? There's a there's a period of time that they'll come and they'll chalk the tire.

61
00:34:52.879 --> 00:35:08.640
>> Yeah. Um or they'll count, you know, if if the card moves, then they'll count every night, but if the car doesn't move, they chalk the tire and they'll come back and they they write what they need to. So it as long as it's documented for, you know, say five

62
00:35:08.640 --> 00:35:24.560
straight days or seven straight days, they they give that person a ticket and then they let them know blah blah blah. So there is in the meantime, because this this is not something that I think that we're going to be able to tackle overnight. This could be at I'm going to

63
00:35:24.560 --> 00:35:42.160
say at least a year-long process. It's not going to be as easy as we like to think, unfortunately. But I am all in. I would also like to be added as a sponsor for this pay. But thank you. Great. We'll be sure to do that. And I and I will just say that one of our in our intent in putting this on committee of

64
00:35:42.160 --> 00:35:58.400
the whole tonight is recognizing that the traffic commission, I think, only has a couple more meetings this year. One of them is next week. So, we didn't want to wait to get it on next week's docket because they meet at 5 before the council meeting. So, just trying to start the process recognizing that it is going to be a long haul and fully

65
00:35:58.400 --> 00:36:13.920
respecting all the progress that's been made um by other counselors up to date. Um okay. So, I do see councelor Ali for the second time. Sorry, you're bringing back lots of memories and and so >> and I think it's helpful so that the

66
00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:29.599
entire council but also the public is aware of kind of like the work that was already done as much as possible. Um because it's not easy for even us to go through years of meeting minutes to try to get caught up. >> Um there were primarily two challenges. There's the daytime parking which is

67
00:36:29.599 --> 00:36:44.880
what the parking permit currently is around the train because we're concerned about people coming into Malden parking and then using the train to go to Boston. So the existing parking programs are only daytime not and then the the other challenge which is more what you're referring to is the nighttime

68
00:36:44.880 --> 00:37:00.240
parking and there is no nighttime parking um permit in the city. Anyone can park overnight as long as you're registered in the city. I have overnight parking permit in Woody. >> I'm I'm learning that there are some minor overnight parking permit zones to

69
00:37:00.240 --> 00:37:16.000
my knowledge uh or edification >> 247. >> And so um in the the dates that councelor Linan or the days that councelor Lahan is talking about there's two different things going on. There's like once you move to Malden and start garing your car here, you have like

70
00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:32.079
maybe 30 days or something like that to register in the city. That is what the citywide parking regimen is is if people aren't doing that, that's when they start ticketing and getting people to register. >> Um, there's a different one of how long you can leave your car unattended, which is, I believe, 7 days.

71
00:37:32.079 --> 00:37:49.280
>> But the the the beauty of the existing system is only the most egregious and only the real problems rise to the attention of our parking enforcement. I'm kind of like a not a big big brother big government person. as much as you all would like maybe disagree. Um I I

72
00:37:49.280 --> 00:38:06.000
think really only the worst problems should should get the force of government on them and one of the reasons being is I know what it's like for our residents to maybe be traveling for a long time and not have the ability to leave their car somewhere. And so like if they're visiting family out of the country for a month or a couple

73
00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:20.800
weeks, um you know, I try to be sensitive in terms of like does it really make sense for us to tow this person's car when you don't know how much that could really turn into in terms of a bill. They might not know for a couple weeks that their car got towed and then they're owing owing thousands

74
00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:36.240
of dollars. Um so there's there's ways in which the existing program is not perfect. Um but it really kind of helps weed out the ones that are annoying but not necessarily egregious. Um, >> you have to move your car every 24 hours.

75
00:38:36.240 --> 00:38:52.400
>> And then, >> uh, I'm told that that's that sounds ridiculous. >> Um, I'm told that it's you have to move your car every 24 hours. I think that's ridiculous. Um, the other dynamic was like reporting visitors and having to like like disclose parties. Um, you

76
00:38:52.400 --> 00:39:08.800
know, it just it got really convoluted. and with with with the data security uh concerns that people have nowadays with flock cameras and AI um you know the more eyes and particularly AIs we have on on this type of stuff um the more

77
00:39:08.800 --> 00:39:24.720
concerned I am for just our residents generally. So I think it's a really important conversation to have. >> Um it's just those were the some of the concerns that kind of came up. Um, and I'm looking forward to having the conversation. And I hope that was a distillation of multiple years of us trying to figure this this this this

78
00:39:24.720 --> 00:39:40.880
tough cookie. Um, and where we kind of came up with what was if you register your vehicle in the city of Malden, then you have the right to park here. Uh, because you're paying your excise taxes here. That's kind of where we ended up. Um, so if it's a program that says you register here, you get an excise tax

79
00:39:40.880 --> 00:39:56.000
bill. When your excise when you pay your excise tax, you get a permit. I think that would be a great system. I don't know if it would be revenue generating. Um, >> just respond to some of the things. >> I'll get I will give you a chance. Yes, >> I'm done. >> Thank Thank you, Councelor Mi. Okay, we

80
00:39:56.000 --> 00:40:12.880
will end on councelor Taylor. >> So, I I just wanted to address when we instituted the the parking permits in certain areas. What it basically did was push forward, right? So, the street next to me may have permit parking. My street

81
00:40:12.880 --> 00:40:29.920
may not. So now that street is getting encroached on, people are parking and they're walking to the tea or they're, you know, uh it it's becoming a bigger issue. So to have something that's more streamlined that we look at all of all of these issues. And I've been, you

82
00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:46.400
know, this wasn't something that I just put on in the last few weeks. This is something that I've been looking at for about the last year, working with our parking department, with Ernie, looking at the previous minutes and seeing what's changed in the city and and where we're going now. So, I I think this

83
00:40:46.400 --> 00:41:02.319
feedback is great and it's things that we will definitely work on. Um, but the the issues are different now than they were a few years ago because we have people kind of moving in more and more. We're feeling it in different neighborhoods we didn't feel it in

84
00:41:02.319 --> 00:41:19.040
before. So, I'm hoping this addresses that and really brings a sense of equity so that people can park closer to their house and be able to get in and, you know, bringing groceries or things like that where we're just seeing so many different issues in different areas. So

85
00:41:19.040 --> 00:41:35.760
that this would bring more equity >> to the city and then not have something like oh I don't know what the parking rules are in W 8 first W four versus W three to streamline it. Um, also because we I did hear I was on a call with and

86
00:41:35.760 --> 00:41:52.079
there was some people from Melrose saying, "Oh, we just park in Malden, >> right? We just they can't park overnight." So, yeah, we I just go to Malden and park. Like, these are the things that are other communities are affecting what we do. So, now it's time, you know, things have changed and it's

87
00:41:52.079 --> 00:42:08.079
time to take another look to make it equitable and focus on our residents and and what their needs are. Well said. Um, okay. Seeing no other lights, do I have a motion to adopt the order?

88
00:42:08.079 --> 00:42:24.400
So moved by councelor Simmonelli, seconded by councelor Taylor. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Okay, the order is adopted. Next order of business. >> Paper 263-26. Be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the code of the city of

89
00:42:24.400 --> 00:42:41.520
Malden, Title 12 and Title 9 are hereby amended by the following as is outlined in the body of this paper. It's a rather long ordinance. So it's if you click through the paper number, you'll see all of the changes that are being proposed by the sponsor, Council Lewong. >> Okay, Councelor Leong for the paper.

90
00:42:41.520 --> 00:42:57.760
Great. Thank you so much. And I just want to say that this is not just my paper, it's also councelor Lahan's paper as well. Um, so we have been working on this for a couple months and it is um to do with residential um cottage kitchens and allowing that within the city of

91
00:42:57.760 --> 00:43:14.319
Molden and there's two and it's outlined the different ordinances in the different spots that we would have to make some changes. But in a nutshell, it's allowing um our residents to be able to um apply for special permits and be able to run and have um non-p

92
00:43:14.319 --> 00:43:31.440
perishable food items baked and cooked in their own kitchens and be able to sell that online and sell it at farmers markets. Um all the all our surrounding cities around us do this. So um and do allow it and we have seen um many successes. So, I'm proposing that this

93
00:43:31.440 --> 00:43:47.359
goes to economic development for to outline some um more parts of this that need to just be worked out. That's it. Great. Thank you, Councelor Lewong. And I just really want to thank you. This actually came to us via award

94
00:43:47.359 --> 00:44:03.200
three resident and councelor Lu Wong really stepped up and took this and did ran with it and did the research at a time when I was very very busy with my day job and onboarding as council president and um it was a tremendous help to me to be able to take that and

95
00:44:03.200 --> 00:44:19.280
be able to respond to my constituent but also was an honor for me to be able to then re-engage and assist. This is something that as I've learned about it um has been something that I've become passionate about. I didn't realize how many residents in the city are um really hoping for Malden to come in line with

96
00:44:19.280 --> 00:44:35.040
the greater surrounding region as offering this as something that can help folks to, you know, make some money with something that they already maybe do as a as a hobby or as something for their friends and family, but that we could help them leverage that into being a homebased business. I think what what

97
00:44:35.040 --> 00:44:50.480
I've learned from councelor Lewong is that this is something again that surrounding cities do, but also that we could maybe work with our planning department um staff to leverage into maybe a larger business incubator for things like perishable foods or the the

98
00:44:50.480 --> 00:45:06.640
broader ecosystem of food based businesses. So I would love to think of this as even just the starting point. I think there's a lot of potential here. I think sending it to economic development is the right place to get that conversation started. bring in our public health staff, our um building commissioner, really whoever has

99
00:45:06.640 --> 00:45:23.200
expertise around it to get the right zoning ordinance um created. So, with that, I will go to some of our counselors who have their lights on, starting with councelor McDonald. >> Uh just want to yeah, thank you, Councelor Long for uh and councelor Lenan for bringing this forward. Um, you

100
00:45:23.200 --> 00:45:38.560
know, when I first ran for office, I heard a lot about this because so many people had started businesses at home during the pandemic and we just really didn't have the spoons or the wherewithal to move it then. So, I'm really grateful wanted to be asked wanted to ask to be added as a co-sponsor.

101
00:45:38.560 --> 00:45:53.200
>> Got it. >> And um just wanted to note that I so there's an error on the agenda and I like can't click through to the full ordinance. >> So, I just want to ask that that be okay. Let me take a look. That's all.

102
00:45:53.200 --> 00:46:12.640
We can certainly fix that. >> Okay, I will. Sorry, I >> I'll stop touching the light. >> Uh, councelor Ali, >> I I was also going to mention that I can't you can't actually see what the paper is. >> Okay. >> Um, so in concept what you said, um, I

103
00:46:12.640 --> 00:46:27.839
am in support and would love to to see that um, be vetted. Um, it it it looks like it impacts a couple different um, titles. So obviously chapter 12 is zoning. I'm assum assuming chapter 9 is like sanitary or health or something like that. Um so definitely including

104
00:46:27.839 --> 00:46:44.720
you know the health department to make sure you know uh people are being um you know cleanly and and inspected. You know I think this is I'm sure what you you plan on on doing. Um but um I yeah until I have a chance to read the paper I would I probably want to be a sponsor but I just want to do my due diligence

105
00:46:44.720 --> 00:47:00.720
first. Um, and it sounds like it's going to go to economic development to be vetted and then it probably would a new paper would get be submitted with like the the actual changes um that would go through the ordinance and ordaining process with the planning board. Um, so probably would co-sponsor at that point

106
00:47:00.720 --> 00:47:18.240
once we have more of a um a robust conversation in economic development. So, thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. And we are trying to address the agenda issues. Can't can't really figure out the challenges that folks are having. It looks like it's linked fine. I have it in front of me. Yeah, I'm not sure the issue.

107
00:47:18.240 --> 00:47:35.440
>> So, what I did was I opened the agenda. I clicked on the paper number. It opens up legis >> the attachment to your meeting invitation. >> No, the the attachment on the agenda. >> No, but where did you get the where did you pull up the agenda from? >> I got it from both on

108
00:47:35.440 --> 00:47:51.599
>> the attachment has been removed from if you if you repopulate your agenda, that attachment has been removed because Council Long said that it wasn't the one she intended >> to have. So, disregard that attachment. We'll replace it with the new one.

109
00:47:51.599 --> 00:48:07.359
>> Um, but the wording of the paper itself is actually in there. >> It's in the text. >> It's in It's in the body of the paper. >> I got it. Thank you so much. >> So, it clicks through >> into legisar. >> The document linked as an attachment does not look the

110
00:48:07.359 --> 00:48:22.160
>> That's because it's been removed. So, if you refresh Yep. Yep. But the body of the paper, you did see that though, right, counselor? Okay, great. >> Still want to be at those. >> Okay, great. >> You've been added, sir. >> All right, I will I will go to councelor Winslow.

111
00:48:22.160 --> 00:48:38.480
>> Um, yeah. No, you know, having done some type of work like this in Gloucester of talking about residential kitchens and and trying to do commercial kitchens, I'm I'm very supportive of the idea and that type of thing. I just a little bit of the process. I mean, we have the

112
00:48:38.480 --> 00:48:54.400
rules and ordinance committee. I haven't been able to link up. So, we'll see the latest attachment, but yeah, I think it's something we have to think of. I I mean, maybe this should perhaps considered to be go to a joint rules and ordinance and economic development. I mean, I I do think that if it's purely

113
00:48:54.400 --> 00:49:10.400
conceptual then and there's not references to ordinances yet, then they maybe make sense to go to economic development. But you if something is actually proposing an to or or order an or ordinance I I think it should rules and ordinance should be involved in

114
00:49:10.400 --> 00:49:27.040
that. So so happy to have a joint meeting and that type of thing because >> you know ultimately it has to we t typically use the rules and ordinance committee to vet something before it gets referred to you know planning. So, >> and I don't want to speak for the sponsor or the chair of economic development, but I know there was a

115
00:49:27.040 --> 00:49:42.160
desire for some of the economic development staff at OSPCD to engage on this >> first while it was still under development. So, that was a little bit where we were thinking to send it there. But I think again wanting to hear from the chairs of um the chair of economic development and the sponsor whether

116
00:49:42.160 --> 00:49:57.920
there is an openness to doing a um joint session but that sounds okay to me if that's something >> that the sponsor would would like or we could send it to economic development and then maybe pass it along. >> Yeah, I mean that's fine. you know, just I think before I'd like the opportunity

117
00:49:57.920 --> 00:50:13.520
to have the rules and ordinance committee to look at it before it would go to planning just, you know, if it's most efficient to do that as a joint committee or it we think we need more work or whatever. So that's that's just what the process would be. So >> Okay, I'll go back to councelor Leong if

118
00:50:13.520 --> 00:50:28.800
you want to speak to that. >> Um, sure. I'm actually I think that in discussions that we've had was that the reason to come into economic development first because it is a it is a starter and it is a um it's a way for us to be able to look at things a little bit

119
00:50:28.800 --> 00:50:45.680
differently and be creative on how we allow how we're looking to let people and to encourage people in our city to um be their own bosses and and open micro businesses and we really need to kind of vet it there. Will there be some ordinance changes? absolutely to home

120
00:50:45.680 --> 00:51:02.640
occupation adding the you know adding the um the definition into our ordinances and then there's another one in health and um it' be adding the definition in the section into the health code as well. So absolutely 100% it would it would arrive to rules and

121
00:51:02.640 --> 00:51:18.640
ordinances prior to going to planning or any place else. But really it was just the conversation around it um is just being able to encourage our residents in the time that our budgets are where they are. >> I I saw on Reddit this woman started a

122
00:51:18.640 --> 00:51:34.800
um business out of her kitchen in Medford because they allow it and now she was just on Reddit saying, "I'm so excited. My business now is ready for brick and mortar." And that's absolutely what we want in the city. We want them to be able to, you know, do their thing, make their money, and make their

123
00:51:34.800 --> 00:51:51.520
businesses successful. And then, by the way, open up here in our city. So, that was the reason for economic development first, flush it out. Let's let's have that conversation, and then let's move it over to rules and ordinance. >> Yeah. No, I just, you know, we we often have joint committees and >> and I'm fine with that if that would be

124
00:51:51.520 --> 00:52:07.040
a >> I'll take a look at the paper, but you know, you get we get concerned because sometimes if you do things, you know, one after the other, one committee might not understand that conversation. So I I just not having the paper before me and seeing how detailed it is. So it's just

125
00:52:07.040 --> 00:52:22.720
one of the things to think about. I a lot of things seem to be going there and if it's actually we're asking for an order. Yeah. and we have language. I mean, I think the rules and ordinance committee, it may be more efficient ultimately to meet jointly. So, that's that's just Yeah. So,

126
00:52:22.720 --> 00:52:39.680
>> let's let's hear from counselor too. >> I mean, I I could be creative. I'm I say I'm very creative. So, >> thank you. No, I um first wanted to ask to be added as a sponsor. I'm very much in support of this mainly for the reason that council Wong just stated that if we can get businesses started in the city,

127
00:52:39.680 --> 00:52:56.559
seated in the city, and then moving into, you know, we've heard a lot about the empty storefronts, ways that we can fill those with our residents with keeping it, you know, and and growing our community. I think that's so important. Um, so I am just I am really

128
00:52:56.559 --> 00:53:13.119
excited about this and um I'd be open to a joint meeting. I think the idea behind sending it to economic development was looking at all of the the business related dealings with it first and then sending it to ordinance with recommendations of this is why we thought that and then how do we feed

129
00:53:13.119 --> 00:53:29.920
them in. Um but I'd be open to a joint meeting as well. I think we can do that. >> It may be faster too. >> It may be faster too and and honestly let's you know >> we want to get these people up and running. >> Yeah. Quickly. >> Yeah. >> Um okay. Uh, councelor Ali,

130
00:53:29.920 --> 00:53:45.760
>> I was able to review the ordinance. It seems like it's really well thought out. Um, and so I would also support sending it to the joint. Um, I think it would be the most efficient way. >> Uh, and having had a chance to review it, I would also like to be added as a co-sponsor. >> Great. >> Uh, and I appreciate all the work you did. You know, I think focusing on the

131
00:53:45.760 --> 00:54:02.400
the zoning as well as the public health component, um, I think really checks all the boxes. Thank you. >> Okay. Noted. Uh, councelor Councelor Winsley, you have your light back on. >> Yeah. Yeah, I have back on. No, I I I did finally get access to the paper. I see it is is good detailed and I I think

132
00:54:02.400 --> 00:54:19.119
it may be actually more efficient to do it at once >> because there is the detail so it isn't uh I think it'll actually be more efficient so we can just have the discussion in one at one time and then just send it right on to uh >> is that a motion? >> Yes. So that' be my motion to refer it

133
00:54:19.119 --> 00:54:35.520
to both economic development and an ordinance thing. >> I'll go to councelor C. So on a motion by councelor Winslow, seconded by councelor Lewong to refer to a joint economic development and ordinance meeting. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Okay, that is referred.

134
00:54:35.520 --> 00:54:52.000
Next order of business. >> Have a moment before the next I just want to confirm that we have councilors Luong Lahan McDonald Taylor and Ali. >> Donald Taylor. >> And I see that I'm adding crow. Thank you. >> Okay. I didn't want to miss anybody

135
00:54:52.000 --> 00:55:11.200
>> and I had on the previous one myself, Simmonelli and Sika. >> Yeah, I did. >> Okay. Okay. >> I'll have some very happy people that have been waiting. >> Yes, this is a good news moment. >> No, no, no. You It's your good news to

136
00:55:11.200 --> 00:55:27.160
celebrate. >> Okay. >> So, thank you very much >> and congrats on that's your first paper, isn't it? Is that your first paper? Second paper. Okay. Well, congrats on your second paper. >> The audit. How could I How could I forget the audit paper?

137
00:55:28.319 --> 00:55:44.000
>> Such a >> You jumped right in with that one. >> Okay. Thank you for that. I appreciate it. So, we're ready for the next order. Business paper 264-26. Order that the city council will vote whether to go into executive session

138
00:55:44.000 --> 00:55:59.280
with legal counsel regarding the matter of benevolent botanicals LLC and 926 Eastern Avenue LLC v City of Malden um Mass Land Court docket number 22 MISC 000076 for the purposes of exemption 3

139
00:55:59.280 --> 00:56:15.760
Massachusetts general law chapter 3A section 2183 to discuss strategy with respect to litigation in the hearing that was held on April 28th 2026 with such discussion An open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the city if so declared by

140
00:56:15.760 --> 00:56:31.359
the chair and if also allowed by the body to emit. Maria Louise, special assistant to the mayor, Ron Hogan, chair of cannabis licensing and enforcement commission and Nelson Miller, building commissioner and zoning officer. >> Okay. Thank you to the clerk.

141
00:56:31.359 --> 00:56:51.359
Any questions, discussion? Oh. Uh, that was you. Oh, okay. Um, do I have a motion to enter executive session? >> So, moved by councelor Lewong, seconded by councelor Crow. Okay. citing

142
00:56:51.359 --> 00:57:07.440
exemption 3 of Mass General Law, chapter 38, section 21A, wherein discussing paper 264-26 in open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the city's litigating position on councelor Lewong's motion to answer

143
00:57:07.440 --> 00:57:22.240
enter into executive session, seconded by councelor Crow. The clerk will now call the role. >> Council Condan, >> yes. >> Council Crowe, >> yes. >> Council Lewong, >> yes. >> Council McDonald, >> yes. Yes. Council Ali, >> no. >> Council Seca, >> no.

144
00:57:22.240 --> 00:57:39.839
>> Council Simmonelli, we losing. >> Council Taylor, >> yes. >> Council Winslow, >> yes. >> Council President Lennan, >> yes. >> Okay, that order has been adopted. >> The order is adopted. Okay. The council will enter into executive session. The body will not reconvene for any further

145
00:57:39.839 --> 00:57:51.480
business this evening and will adjourn directly from executive session. I got to pass my drinks tonight >> at 7:58 p.m.