Okay, the council will come to order. All 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 God, indivisible, with liberty,
justice for all. Please remain standing for a moment of silence in honor of our veterans, service members, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. At this time, Councelor McDonald is going to share an additional moment of silence. Thank you, Council President. I just
wanted to uh ask for a moment of silence uh to observe the tragic killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis this past week. Um this is an incident that has um affected many communities. It's
been very affecting uh across the country. Uh, and I think we feel that um very acutely here in Malden, Massachusetts, where we have such an immigrant-heavy community and the tragic this tragic death um is very much tied
to the current operations around immigration actions in the Twin Cities. So, I think it's been a week of grief. Uh I've heard from many of my constituents about their concern in our communities um and uh and the just hope that we can help keep each other safe
here in Malden. Um so we pray for the family uh that um we play we we pray for her family and we pray for the people of Minneapolis that they also may be safe
uh and their rights respected. Thank you. Okay. At this time, I will read our land acknowledgement. We honor and acknowledge the Massachusetts, Penuk, and Pucket peoples whose ancestral lands we now 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 indigenous peoples are recognized and respected in the life of our city. Now,
will the clerk please call the role? >> Council Cologne Hayes here. >> Council Condan here. >> Council Crow here. >> Council Lew. >> Council McDonald here. >> Council Ali here. >> Council Sega. Council Simmonelli here. >> Council Taylor >> here. >> Council Winsow. >> Council President Lahan
>> here. >> 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 that there will be audio and video recordings of tonight's meeting. First order of business. First order of
business is public comment. Public comment is allowed under council rules. Each speaker is limited to the subject matter relevant to our evening's agenda and everyone must keep their comments to two minutes or less. Clerk, do we have anybody signed up for public comment? >> We do not, but we received three emails today.
>> Three emails. Okay. Can we go ahead and read those emails? >> These are all in regards to paper 364-25. Dear members of the Malden City Council, I'm writing to express my strong support for Docket 364-25, particularly the funding for a permanent boat house as part of the Malden River
Works project. I am a recent graduate of Maldin High School and a former member of a captain and captain of the Malden High rowing program. My first three years on the team, we practiced four days a week out of the Malden boat house. Its location along the bike path made the sport accessible to students
without cars, allowed teammates to travel together after school, and provided a consistent home base where we hosted regatas and practiced alongside other teams. This past year, we lost access to the boat house. Our water practices were reduced only two days a
week and the rest were held on land. The impact was immediate. Limited water time made it difficult to build team cohesion and translate training into performance. Practices also became far less accessible. What once had been a short
walk became over an hour on foot. I was the only team member with a car and a license and I drove teammates to every water practice. If I could not attend, no one could go. That is is not a fair or sustainable model, nor one that supports equity or long-term program
stability. While we are grateful to Medford High School for temporarily temporary access to their facilities, this arrangement is not a viable long-term, especially now that I have graduated. Despite these challenges, our team reached the state tournament for the first time in four years, placing
eighth overall. A permanent boat house would expand access, strengthen student opportunity, and ensure future Malden students can benefit from rowing on their own river. I strongly urge you to support docket 364-25 respectfully, Mac Keing, Lebanon Street,
Malden. The second one goes on to say, "Dear members of the Malden City Council, I'm writing to express my strong support for docket 364-25 in the funding to construct a boat house as part of the Malden River Works project. I am a Malden resident and the parent of a junior at Malden High School
who rose for the school team. Over the past year, the lack of a boat house has made participation far more difficult. The team has had no permanent home base and boats have been stored off site and outdoors under temporary arrangements. This year, Medford High School
generously allowed Malden students to use their boats in a Malden senior often transported the team. While we are grateful, this is not a sustainable solution and adds unnecessary challenges for students, families, and coaches. The Malden River is a tremendous asset to
our city. When Maldenheim previously had a nearby home base, it greatly strengthened the program. Visiting teams often remark how fortunate Malden students are to train on a river rather than a pond. Regard also bring visiting families who support local businesses, benefiting the
broader community. Most importantly, our boats need a permanent secure home. A dedicated boat house is essential for protecting equipment in ensuring the long-term success of the rowing program. This project is an investment in future generations of Malden students in equitable access to athletics. I
strongly urge you to support docket 364-25. Respectfully, Eden Garart Smith, Corey Road, Malden. Dear members of the city council, I am writing this email in support of docket 364-25, which would fund the Malden
River Works project, including a boat house on the Malden River. I am a current Malden High junior on the rowing team, and I have experienced both having a home boat house and not having one. In my freshman year, I was able to independently get to the boat house for practices all week, as it was only a
20-minute walk from Malden High. It also served as meeting points for Malden River Works events. Then in my sophomore year, we lost access to the Malden boat house. It took weeks into the se the session. I'm sorry. It took weeks into the season to organize a place where we
could practice on the water and we could only practice on the water two days a week and sometimes less due to the weather. Another issue for the team was transportation to the Medford facility. Most of our team last year had no access to a car and walking or taking the bus
took about an hour. So rely so we relied on one senior that could drive. If he was not able to go, the whole team could not go. Despite the challenges of not having a closer boat house, our team has seen growth in our rowing, such as winning scrimmages and placing eighth overall in
the state tournament. Having more access to the water would greatly [clears throat] improve the skills of our crew team. Having access to a permanent boat house would allow Malden students to grow in the sport, rowing at home on the Malden River. Therefore, the support of Docket 364 will greatly
benefit the Molden community and the Malden crew team. Thank you, Yanwan Zhao, Coleman Street, Malden. Thank you to our clerk. That that was really awesome. I just want to say like that was great that those youth wrote in. I didn't actually know a lot of that. Um I know some of us are on the
municipal building committee that's going through some of the proposals for the new boat house, but I'm not sure I really understood fully kind of the struggles they went through. >> Yeah. Congratulations on this standing. >> Yeah, really. I mean, I think that's amazing. That was really I if any of them are watching, just thank you for taking the time. That was pretty cool.
>> Um, okay. Our next order of business is the consent agenda. This evening's consent agenda consists of four sets of meeting minutes to be approved as well as three three petitions to be referred to the license committee. Does any counselor have a desire to remove any of these items from the consent agenda for
the purpose of further discussion? Okay. Hearing none and seeing none, I have a motion from councelor Sika to approve the consent agenda. Seconded by councelor Taylor. Uh, all in favor? >> Okay. The agenda is approved. Next order of business.
>> Paper 30-26, council reappoints, Kathleen French, 596 Highland Avenue, Malden, as a member of the board of assessors. Term to expire March 1st, 2028, and to commence upon confirmation by the city council.
Okay. So, we need a vote to refer this to the personnel and appointments to committee. Um, hang on one second. Councelor Crow, is this one that you want to refer? >> Actually, I would like to >> I'll second >> approve on the floor. We've been doing
this with um with reappointments, you know, like with people that have been doing these things. So, I I just want to make a motion to um approve her appointment. >> Okay. Fantastic. on a motion by councelor Crow, seconded by councelor >> Sika. We actually need a roll call.
>> Oh, we do need a roll call on this. Okay, one moment. Council McDonald, did you want to speak to this? >> Okay, you have the floor. >> Yeah, thank you. I just had a question. Um, how how many terms has Kathleen French served on the board of assessors? >> Long time.
>> Does anybody want to hang on one second? Council to grow. Actually, I that's a very good question, but she was an employee and now she serves on that. So, between those two things, um, she's been, you know, working on this stuff
for a long time, but I don't think that she's been on the board of assessors. >> Is the question because you are you councelor McDonald, are you asking if she exceeds our practice of automatically? more more just that I don't feel the
need to like interview folks who are going to be reappointed. I just want to know what we're evaluating and deciding to go ahead and proceed with the reappoint. Do we ask the I know that I I have a better sense actually of how the mayor's staff does it. Like I I know that uh his team will will contact the
individual. They'll contact the chair and ask just you know how things are going and and if this person wants to continue to serve and go through that. And I just want to know like are I'm just curious. I I don't know. Kathleen and you know have no have have nothing
nothing but good things to think. Um just that I was curious what if any process we're just using to kind of make sure that we're uh checking in on these reappointments. That's all. >> Okay. Thank you, Councelor McDonald. Councelor Condan. >> Yes.
>> Thank you. Uh, Kathleen's very knowledgeable and she worked up in that assessor's office for a long time and she always responded to any questions by any counselors extremely
>> thank you councelor Conan on staff. Okay. >> Okay. Um Oh, councelor Cologne Hayes. >> Oh, thank you. Um, I'm glad you asked that question. Uh, so I think I remember Kathleen French too. I know. Um, from
working with her. I'm sure she's great. But I wanted to um I'm trying to remember what we decided as a counselor that that we were going to re I don't want to take up time and interview people. I don't want to do that. I couldn't remember where we landed with were we going to um
interview reappoints um and just where that was at just to make sure we're following our what we decided a couple of years ago. >> My recollection was that 20-year appointments we were going to automatically um go put forward for
interviews. And so what I'm hearing is that this person does not meet that, but that the combined their time, right, that threshold um in this appointment, but that maybe they have years of staff time. So that >> okay, >> what we're hearing is that there's years of experience is substantial, but that
they don't exceed the 20 years on this appointment. >> Okay, that makes sense. Just if that would have been like, yeah, right out of the gate. I just wanted to um I do know that we said, you know, we set a sand the set a standard and I couldn't remember what it was. Okay, thank you. Okay, >> thank you, Councelor Cologne Hayes. Um,
so we do need a roll call. Correct. >> We do. >> Okay, let's let's move on. >> Council's motion seconded by Council Sega to confirm this reappoint. Council Cologne Hayes, yes. >> Council Condan, >> yes. >> Council Crow, >> yes. >> Council Lewong, >> yes. >> Council McDonald, >> yes. >> Council Mal,
>> Council Sega, [clears throat] >> yes. >> Council Simonelli, yes. >> Council Taylor, >> yes. >> Council Winslow, >> yes. >> Council President Lahan, >> yes. >> Okay, she's reconfirmed unanimously. Okay, next order of business. >> Paper 31-26. Order that the outstanding
council items be carried forward from the 2024-2025 bianial session to the current session. And attached to this paper is >> right of all of the outstanding papers we have. >> So you should all have an attachment at the end of your agenda to review. Um all
the papers have a recommendation in red from the clerk. Um, so if there's any discussion or proposed amendments, we can take that up. Um, I think I will refer questions to our city clerk. Um, but if there is any discussion, hang on one, I see a couple lights. I will take
those in order. I see councelor Winslow first. >> Yeah, I just note the first four papers. Um, the recommendation is then is is for these three papers to be placed on file. I think it should say four papers. So that's papers 6524, 9924,
>> 27825, and 33325. >> Um, >> is that is that >> as a matter of fact, Council Winslow, it's correct by saying these three papers should be placed on file because that last paper 333-25 was added after the fact. And in fact,
that paper [snorts] was taken up in the finance committee. If you remember over the summer, we were going to do a com a council meeting to talk about this paper that was sponsored by council metaphor, >> right? >> We decided to not take it up in the council, but rather have it discussed in
detail in the finance committee. >> Okay? >> So, this was a cleanup where I just made a final paper for paper 333-25. >> Okay? >> And council president uh Lahan actually signed it this evening. So, this is not something that's coming back to the full council. That should not have been on
this that should be taken off this list. Okay. So, >> the three papers we're talking about here. Okay. 6524, 9924, 27825. >> Maybe just the first three papers or I just it just was confusing to me. >> Yeah. I'm sorry about that fourth paper
that we cleaned that up administratively. >> All right. Yeah. So, I just note that. Thanks. Great. >> Okay. Thank you, councelor Winsow. Councelor Cologne Hayes. Yeah. Thank you. I actually just asked you this same question. I'm going to see if I can ask it again so that the public um uh can hear. So, I was trying to pull that up,
but it's regarding the paper. There are two papers on there um talking about short-term rental policies. One that came forward from community members that we ended up um I think we tabled it. Yep. >> And then a second one that was sponsored by me that will be moving on. I just
want to make sure I'm saying that right. >> 278, which is what's on this we're looking at right now. Paper 27825. That was the one that came forward through a con constituent initiative without a sponsor. There was some discussion back and forth about how to proceed. It ended up being tabled and you councelor
Cologne Hayes put in a clean paper, fresh paper that's in committee which we will discuss later on this list. >> This is the paper 278 that should probably be placed on file because it's been replaced. >> Okay. I just want to make sure if if the folks who put this forward are watching
that we're clear on what the paper >> is not dying. It was just resubmitted in a different format with the sponsor. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Okay. Uh, councelor Ali. >> So, I was just going to ask about 9924, which is related to 15 Ferry Street. So,
I know it's been on the agenda for a long time. Uh but just so everyone knows, I believe tomorrow um the planning board is going to be u meeting to discuss 15 Ferry Street um and provide a recommendation to the council
and then we will potentially be taking up um some redevelopment that is being proposed in that area. So, I would just ask that we don't table this until that um whole thing has been resolved because there is still potential for us to
figure out an alternative use. Um if it does get tabled, I can always put in a new paper in the same format. Um but if it's if it's already there, um I think just moving it forward, it should be resolved, I think, in the next couple of weeks, maybe couple of months. Um, but
now would be the time to kind of reactivate that conversation. Thank you. >> So, are you making an amendment, a proposed amendment or I'm sorry, let me put your light back on. >> Yes, sir. It would I would like to move 9924 uh forward um to >> roll forward.
>> Yeah, just that one. The other ones that are in public properties I think can can die. I think we can do it with with this discipline. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh, councelor McDonald, one second. Okay, >> just a point of order on that. I the I
don't have a problem with rolling over the that paper, although I feel like it's not great to roll over a resolve like it's because it's not substant. It's not it is it is not take a substantive action on behalf of the council. What happens to the papers that roll forward? Are they just waiting to
be scheduled for further action? Because what I don't want is to then have things end up back t immediately back in the tabled section of the agenda where this was living. That's all. >> So this necessarily >> but moving forward it just like doesn't show up on the agenda until it is added
to the agenda. Correct. >> Is that correct? >> This would this to our clerk >> all of the papers that roll forward. I actually have the same question. >> Is your specific question to this one? Does this go back on the table because that's where it last was on the agenda? >> Yes. I think I have both questions.
>> I think we would >> procedurally keep it off the table until >> it's council Ali is ready to have it posted to the agenda. >> Um but you should know that you've got 30 days >> once we take this vote. So we can't let
this paper go for like another year and a half. It won't it will expire on its own if you don't take it off within the next 30 days. >> And that's true of everything. >> Correct. >> Okay. Understood. Thank you. on the table. >> It's not going to be on the table. It's just going to be rolled forward for so
that you can take it up in 2026 >> when when you're ready. Well, when council Mali's ready? >> Clarify. >> Yes, of course. >> So, so everything that we that we don't carry forward expires in 30 days, but the ones that we carry forward continue? >> No. Everything that you don't carry
forward tonight will expire, and I will clean up those papers administratively and place them on file tomorrow in my office. what you roll forward you'll need to take action on in 30 days time. >> My understanding is us carrying it
forward is what allows us every all papers die within the 30 days but us carrying it forward is what allows us to take action on it beyond 30 days. That's how we've always operated. >> That's not how we did it two years ago.
I can't comment on two years ago, but I do know that like since I've joined the council, that's how we we've operated. >> Okay. We're we're consulting the the rule book. In this case, it is also a resolve though, so I'm not sure it really makes
ton ton of difference. [cough] [laughter] >> Noted. >> Thank you. Okay, so it says 703. All other papers not finally acted upon at the end of the bianial session shall
be placed on file unless the council votes within 30 days of the beginning of the next bianial session to hold over said paper provided that no matter shall be carried over for more than one bianial session. Any dormant papers that
have not been acted upon or carried over shall be placed on file in a new paper of the same subject matter shall be required. In the absence of a vote within 30 days of the beginning of the next bianial session, any papers shall be placed on file. In the absence of a
vote within 30 days of the beginning of the next bianial session, any papers shall be placed on file. So, we're voting tonight to roll it over and then in the absence of a vote within the next 30 days from tonight, the papers shall
be placed on file. So, you've got 30 days to vote to roll the papers over at the top of the paragraph and then at the bottom of the paragraph, you've got 30 days to take action on what you did move forward. >> I'm going to let councelor Ali respond
and then go to councelor Winsel. Okay. >> My understanding is that's the same 30 days. So like so the vote to it's the vote to carry forward like so the in the absence of a vote to carry the papers forward within 30 days
of the beginning of the bananal session which was when we were inaugurated then everything will be placed on file. So if we didn't if we don't take what we're doing tonight if we didn't do this for 30 days from when we were inaugurated everything would be placed on file. we'd have a clean slate, but
anything that we are are are voting to move forward gets carried forward into this new session. Um, but yeah, I won't belabor the point. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Councelor Almi. Councelor Winsow. >> Yeah, my recollection is is what what
we're talking about when we move it forward, we can't move [snorts] it forward twice. So papers from this past session can go carry forward into this new, you know, session. If we can't the next council can't take those papers forward that's kind of I think that's
how how it has worked so it's my recommend >> right that's a separate point alto together that's one two three four fifth listed on the sixth line of that first paragraph >> so I mean I guess that I that's just my recollection of how we >> that's part of the rule but I don't
think it speaks to what council is discussing right now. >> Okay. So yeah. >> Are you all set council wins? >> Yeah. Yeah. No, I just I just my understanding is the vote here is papers that we don't we file we don't put on
file and vote to carry forward are active for this session until the next two years from that's my understanding I don't I haven't looked back at the language but that's seems to be how I remember we've been operating.
Because I know particularly I think back about four or five years ago, councelor Ali made a real point there was a lot of mess on this and we really cleaned up a lot of stuff. There was a lot of stuff that had not been we had gone through this process formally. So we started it
back up but there was a lot of things that were not filed or carried over. It was a mess. So I know uh there was an effort I don't know if you were maybe it was Debbie Dary and you were head of rules and ordinance but you made a big effort you know I think when you headed
rules and ordinance to really clear it up so so I you know we can you know we can always pull things back but >> I can tell you in the last two bianial sessions the rules as the way I just explained them is the way this body handled outstanding papers. >> Yeah. Right.
>> Okay. Thank you councelor Wzel. Councelor Crow, >> I it just and I understand that your your passion for um 15 Ferry Street. I do think it's you know as councelor McDonald had mentioned it is a resolve and I do think if we waiting for the
planning board to do something that a different paper should be because it's not really a huge action. It's the wish of the city council and if that's as a resolve but there's not a huge action to be taken. So, I think that if it is
after tomorrow night, then there's a an actionable um paper that goes forward. So, I think this one should be placed on file knowing that your your passion for this. >> Okay. Thank you, Councelor Crow. I have
next Councelor McDonald. Um I just wanted to like I see the point of how you're interpreting this council and I would just ask slashrecommend that if uh when you council president are um considering edits that we maybe clean
this up at a minimum this rule is redundant but I think it is I think it is unclear about what it's referring to and so >> yep I think that's a that's a valid recommendation. I do want to just also note though that we are getting a little
far a field from just needing to vote on these papers. Um I think we can take up the notes on the rules and I think Oh, I All right, Council M. I will let you speak one more time to this. Um but I think we have a motion to amend the
clerk's recommendations regarding this resolve that I haven't heard a second to. So, after council Mali speaks to it, I want to make sure that we move that amendment, that proposed amendment. Um, otherwise, I think we're going to get a little bogged down in the weeds. We actually don't
need to resolve this question about the rules in order to vote on this. So, having said that, I'll go back to councelor Ali. >> Yeah, I think I I I I agree. I think that the the the 15 street is now like the lesser um concern that I have. Um,
so I I do think we after this meeting we we should resolve the procedure and I the only thing I'd recommend is if the city clerk could go back to the um the first meetings or the meetings that we had in January at the beginning of bianual sessions previously um because
then it would show in the record where when we were carrying papers forward and what the intent was. >> So I've done that. That's how I prepared this paper by looking back two years ago and four years ago of how we did it in the past and it's the same exact form. If I could just clarify, not not the last couple years, but like
>> more than a couple years ago. So like the way the way in which I think it might have been a misunderstanding of what if if that's what we were doing the last couple years, a couple years from from the city clerk's understanding. I think it was a misunderstanding between the council in the city clerk's office
because I think we were all in understanding that we were carrying them forward for the entire session. Um, so I I would just say that we should go back and look at how it used to be done, not in the last two terms, but prior to that, because that's how at least those of us who have been up here uh for for a
longer period of time were ant understanding us doing that. When it comes to 15 Fairy Street, I understand the point. Whether it stays on the docket or not, I'm fine. But all these other papers that people might want to carry forward and take action on, it's not reasonable to expect people to do it
within the next couple days or weeks. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Ali. So, I have a motion on the floor to amend the clerk's I want to make sure I get this worded right. Vote to amend the clerk's recommendations. Do I have a second to
councelor Ali's motion? >> Okay. So, the motion is withdrawn. Given that, do I have a motion to approve >> the paper according? >> Yeah. How did we do the last discussed all of it together? >> Okay.
>> I made notes of what the council wanted and then we took one final. >> Okay. >> Based on based on the entire recommendations. >> Okay, that's true. We I we didn't even get that far. >> Okay. Any further discussion? I don't I did
not mean to quash folks ability to discuss stuff other than that rule or 15 ferry. Okay. On a motion, >> we're in agreement with the city council papers. >> I think we have we're what I'm hearing is that we're in agreement with the entirety of the list. Yes. >> Is there anybody who wants to change any of the recommendations for the rest of
the entirety of the list? >> You ready to vote on the whole paper? >> Yes. >> Okay. I have a motion by councelor Crow, seconded by councelor Cologne Hayes. Do we need a roll call? Sorry, I keep flipping back and forth. We can do a voice vote. Okay. All in favor?
>> I. >> Okay, that is approved. Next order of business. Paper 32-26 committee report. The standing committee on finance to whom was referred papers 364 and 467
series of 2025 having considered the same make the following report. Committee recommends both these papers out favorably to the full council by unanimous vote. >> Okay. And a motion by councelor McDonald, seconded by councelor Taylor to receive the committee report. All in
favor? >> I. Okay. The committee report is received. Will the clerk read the first paper? 364-25 order authorizing the city of Malden to borrow $ 1.5 million from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development or any other
entity associated therewith to support a second phase of construction for the Malden River Works project. This was sponsored by Council McDonald as chair of finance. >> Okay, councelor McDonald for the paper. >> Thank you so much. So, this is the paper that we received those public comments
on. And this is um this this is phase two of the Malden River Works project that we have already voted to support for phase one. And this specific loan, it's important to note as a section 108
loan is not paid out of the general fund. it is instead paid as part of our community development block grant federal funds every year. So, it's a loan through HUD um the housing federal housing and urban development
department. They um allow you to apply for loans and then they I think they do they bond it out or they somehow borrow the money to cover all the loans. So, they so this is a program that we've used in the past. It's a program that many cities use to fund um CDBG approved projects. So those that are helping our,
you know, our our most um in need neighborhoods, of which is the majority of Maldin. And so this um so I just want to clarify that that this is we've obviously been having a lot of conversations about the city budget. This does not affect the operating budget. Um it does create a liability
for our CDBG grants. Um those grants, because I know folks have often asked questions about federal grants, are not discretionary. So the federal government cannot decide to award them or not award them um based on uh you know competition
or so on. They are determined by law and by statute. And I do want to just reassure folks that our city staff and legal department have been very diligent in ensuring that we can and should receive our grants that we are entitled to year-over-year. And we've and we've
had positive signals in that um for this year as well. Um so that's the that's the background on the funding. the this will cover the co this will cover not the full cost is my understanding of the salt shed and the boat house um I just think that's fine to say the salt shed
and the boat house the boat house and salt shed it's your preference um these two bu these it will not cover the full uh amount of construction here but it's a key funding piece our city staff have been really excellent at finding funding sources for this project
state sources federal sources in the past um and this is a federal loan uh uh at a good interest rate. So, um the finance committee universal um excuse me, unanimously recommended this favorably and we really want to see this project move forward promptly. Uh and I know our city staff are eagerly waiting
for this vote to hopefully be able to apply for this grant and move this project forward. We've already appointed members to the building committees to oversee construction, which requires us to pass this uh paper so that we can get the money to do it. Uh and so that's my
summary. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you, Councelor McDonald. I have a few lights already. First up, I've got Councelor Simmonelli. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Um, I just want I don't know who do I ask this to. I don't see anyone standing up here, so I'll just refer it over here,
but the CDBG allotment, do we know how much we're actually getting and how much money we're going to have to pay out from that allotment to cover this 108 loan? And what have we used for collateral for the 108 loan? Alex, do you want to thank you so much
for coming up? >> Everybody, um, I believe the number that we have for this coming year is 1.436 million. Don't quote me on that. I think that's the number. That might have been last year's number, but that's generally the range that we see for CDPG. Um, we don't
know yet what the amount will be. We know what the the principal will be. It's the 1.5 divided by a 15year term is what we owe in principle. We don't know what the interest will be until we actually make the borrowing. Um, generally we have done a pretty good job of keeping the section 108 loan payments
within a healthy range so that we still have money in the rest of the CDBG budget for our standard CDBG projects, which we expect to continue to be the case. Um, as we have projects kind of fall off or we make payments down, it increases our ability to borrow without
greatly reducing the CDBG funds available for uh those other projects. specifically, I think the the public improvements, park projects, things of that nature that I know you all care about greatly. So, we we don't try to do 108 loans often. We try to do it for those transformative projects that we
would not otherwise be able to do >> um without that larger sum of money. Um but we don't anticipate that it would significantly constrain our ability to do the park projects that we do on an annual basis. >> Can um before you go on, can I just for folks watching at home, can you just
introduce yourself with your name and title? Hi, I'm Alex Pratt. I'm the director of OSPC. >> Thank you so much. >> Thanks. I'm Chris Simelli, City Council Ward 7. >> Thanks. >> You're welcome. [laughter] Thought I'd break out for you. Do How long is the loan for?
>> I believe it's 15 years. I think we have the flexibility to go up to 20. Um I believe it's 15. >> All right. I'm good. Thank you. >> You're all set. Okay. Thank you, Councelor Simonelli. Councelor Cologne Hayes. >> Oh, thank you so much. could you stay up
there for a second? Thank you. Um so this project um is just going to be transformative. It has been already um for Malden. I'm so excited about it. Um I sit on the waterfront access committee and the um Malden River Works and the site plan review for it. So, I know how
hard everyone has been working on this and I just one part of it that um I'm not sure people may not know about, but could you talk to how hard we've been working to hire diverse um constru like something that we're trying to do that
really is going to be groundbreaking and helpful for Malden so people understand how intentional we're being on it? >> Sure. I could talk about that subject for an hour. I'll try to try to do it in 30 seconds. >> Do it. Yeah, we're going out to dinner. You can >> Yeah, exactly. I don't want to stand between you and your meal. Um so state
law, state procurement law has pretty strict rules about you know you have to hire the um lowest qualified bidder. So the the qualified bidder who comes in at the lowest price. There are also rules around uh diversity and hiring uh diversity in procurement and we've been working with the state supplier
diversity office to see how we can ramp those uh things up. We've also started notifying the the state keeps a list of diverse vendors. Those are small business enterprises. Those are veteran owned businesses, womenowned businesses, minority owned businesses, immigrant owned businesses. There's a whole list. They have a database that they keep and
we have started notifying that database whenever we do anything really related to procurement. Um, so that's one way that we're trying to both increase competition and increase particip participation among those disadvantaged vendors. Um, and then something else that we're working on is trying to
identify because there are sometimes barriers to those businesses getting certified even because the state makes them jump through some hoops. So, we've also allowed businesses to self-certify and then we will notify them as well. >> Um, and we're probably going to be stealing or borrowing some lists at
other larger communities that have more capacity to do this. Um, make use those lists as well to to get the word out. And the intention there is um we want to [snorts] use our dollars, our limited dollars as best as we are able and we can do that when there's more competition. So the more that the more
work we do to increase knowledge and awareness of these procurement opportunities especially among disadvantaged businesses um can only help us. >> Thank you so much. I think that's really important. And yet last night we actually were on a call with somebody from the state who gave big kudos out
because they were like, "We haven't seen somebody work like a city work this hard um to try and not just check boxes, you know, and and and do what we think is right." So appreciate all the work. I can't wait to support this. Thank you. That's great to hear. Yeah.
>> I'd be remiss if I didn't um give a shout out >> to uh Becca McFers in my office who has been managing this project. Yes. managing the money for this project as well as um working on the oversight of the procurement issues and the um the DEI questions as well as the the construction management stuff. So, she's
done a terrific job. >> Absolutely. Okay, great. Well, thank you. Uh I next have councelor Condan. >> Thank you. Uh council president, how much are we applying for for this 108 loan? >> It's a 1.5 million.
>> 1.5 million. How many outstanding 108 loans do we have and what's the total? >> The total outstanding I'll have to get back to you on. Uh we have the Roosevelt Park loan which we'll be using for the Roosevelt Park construction and plan for
later this to begin later this um this year. Um that's 1.2 million. Um we did a section 108 roads loan. I believe it was 2018 or 2019 for some neighborhood roads. um that was under two million. Um
they're all generally in this in this value range. I can get you a summary. >> Are we close to retiring some of this debt? >> We just retired. We either just retired or are about to retire Lincoln Commons a couple years ago. I think we retired the
um there was one we did for what is now the senior center um and the mayor's housing task force which was under Mayor Howard. um those either just came off or are about to come off. So, we feel comfortable at this time that we're using it like a credit card in a safe
revolving way and not stacking it too high. >> All right. Thank you, Alex. >> Okay. Thank you, Councelor Condan. Councelor Winsow. >> Yeah. I know I think it's uh you know great to see you know having done some of the early work along the river and having people discover the river you
having a a boat house where boats could be secure and um and our young athletes can go out there and uh ride right on the river. I mean people who have gone out um definitely say this is a great spot training spot. So, um to you know
really be putting um our our foot forward and really you know even talking about master planning focusing on the river um you know getting more activity and focus is important. So very supportive of this project and uh you know great work to everybody who's taken
this from infancy to you know this point in time. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor Wenszel. Councelor Ali >> I just wanted to clarify. So um so you said there was one for Roosevelt Park. So this this isn't the one with the arbitrage. This this is a separate one.
Remember we had the discussion where you had to like >> use it to a different for a different thing. >> That was the I think that was a CPA bond. >> Okay. >> Yes. Yeah, that was the CPA bond. Is that right, Dan? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So this one is still dedicated to to Ros.
>> Yes, exactly. And our and that is how we are funding the work to come this year on that project. >> And what was that number again? >> That was 1.2 million. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay, I think you're all set, Alex. Thank you so much. >> Thank you.
>> So, seeing no other lights, we do need a roll call vote for this. Um, do I have a motion? >> Okay. >> All right. I have a motion by Councelor McDonald. I'll take a second by Councelor Crow. Will the clerk please call the role? >> Council Clone Hayes.
>> Yes. >> Council Condan. >> Yes. >> Council Crow. >> Yes. >> Council Lew. >> Yes. >> Council McDonald. >> Yes. Council Mali, >> yes. >> Council Seika, >> yes. >> Council Simelli, >> yes. >> Council Taylor, >> yes. >> Council Winsler, >> yes. >> Council President Lahan, >> yes.
>> Okay, that has been adopted. >> Okay, the order is adopted. And the next paper >> 467-25. order that the sum of $50,000 is appropriated from available cable access retained earnings to be used for capital
expenses specifically to upgrade the playback system at the studio of urban media arts. >> Okay, councelor McDonald for the paper. Uh this was another one that had unanimous support in the finance committee and uh it's important to
understand that the cable access fund is a restricted fund that we get from your from the the fees that we all well actually don't subscribe to cable so I don't pay into the cable access fund but if you subscribe if you subscribe to
cable TV you pay as a part of your bill charge into the cable access fund that is the core funding for urban media arts and there is their operating budget and then they have an addition they they have additional basically reserves that can be used for capital expenses. Um
they worked with the controllers's office uh to come up with a proposal to replace some of their most outdated equipment, equipment that is used for broadcasting these meetings uh and making sure that that is updated with some good technology so that it is more
reliable and better quality experience for our viewers. Um, I understand this is badly needed replacement. And so that will be a combination of uh money they already have in their budget for this year to um for equipment purchases [clears throat] and they also wanted to ask for an
expense from the reserve here. I believe the balance in the reserve is um between three and $400,000. Yeah. Uh before this um before this before this appropriation would take place. So we were all very happy to
support urban media arts moving forward with this strategic capital purchase as part it is part of a strategic capital plan that they have um put forward and they outline for us and have discussed with the mayor's team. Uh so as I said we recommended that uh favorably
unanimously to approve this expense from the restricted cable access fund. >> Okay. Thank you councelor McDonald. Any discussion questions? Councelor Ali, >> I just want to speak in favor of this. You know, obviously MATV and and and
local uh you know, coverage of public meetings is so essential. Um and as councelor McDonald indicated, you know, more and more people are cutting their cable because it's just ridiculous how expensive it is. Um and you know, actually Harold uh uh who who's he
always used to have the sign, he helped fix the door. Um, he actually told me that antennas are now cool and you can actually like get an antenna and get all of the TV that is pretty much what you're watching for free over the air. And the fact that we live in Boston um
means that we have a ton of a ton of radio waves. So, you can get a lot of free high quality like eight 8K TV over an antenna uh a digital antenna. Um, you can get it at Walmart. It's like $20.
It's crazy. And um you save like hundreds of dollars. So So I I think that MATV needs the help. Um and you know, I do know that you know, councelor Clone Hayes and Councelor Taylor were also um you know, working towards getting some laws passed to get new
funding for MATV. They absolutely need it because, you know, as more people go to, you know, streaming online or getting it through the airwaves, um you know, they're losing their funding. So fully in support of this and hope we can also help get them more funding as more and more people cut the cord cable.
Thank you. >> Oh, and donate. >> Councelor Taylor is recommending we donate. >> Point well taken. >> Thank you, Councelor Rali. And councelor Taylor. Okay, seeing no other lights, um let's
see. We can we need a motion and we can we need to do a roll call for this as well. So, do I have a motion to approve this to to >> adopt the order? Thank you. Okay. Motion by councelor Simonelli, seconded by
I'm going to take Councelor Taylor. [laughter] >> Okay. Will the clerk call the role? >> Council Cologne Hayes. >> Yes. >> Council Condan, >> yes. >> Council Crow, >> yes. >> Council Lang, >> yes. Council McDonald. >> Yes. >> Council Ali, >> yes. >> Council Sega,
>> yes. >> Council Simmonelli. >> Council Taylor, >> Council Winslow, >> yes. >> Council President Lan, >> yes. >> Okay, that order has been adopted unanimously. >> That order is adopted. Next order of business. >> 33-26. Committee report the standing committee
on finance to whom was referred paper 434 series of 2025. Having considered the same, make the following report. >> Okay. Okay. On a motion by councelor McDonald, seconded by councelor Taylor to receive the committee report. All in favor?
>> I. The report is received. Paper 434-25. Order that during the city of Malden special municipal election to be held on February 10th, 2026. The following debt exclusion ballot question be included. Shall the city of Malden be allowed to temporarily assess an additional $36
million in real estate and personal property taxes through a debt expenditure exclusion for the specific purpose of paying for the construction of the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical School for which the monies will be used for the fiscal
years beginning July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2022. A yes vote would support a temporary increase in real estate and personal property taxes beginning with fiscal year 27 which is July 1st 26 to June 30th 27 until fiscal
year 202 which is se uh July 1st 201 to June 30th 202 a no vote would make no change to the current tax structure sponsors Ali Cologne Hayes Winsow >> okay councelor McDonald for the committee report >> yeah thank you so committee voted
unanimously ly to recommend this paper unfavorably. And the discussion in the committee I think was good about the issue that this paper had raised um which is about the additional financial burden that the
city has had to take on because we have supported uh the construction of the Northeast Metro Tech new high school. So, the new vocational technical high school, um, that is a cost that's shared by all of the communities that send students to the voke and it's divided up
by how many students we send. And when we approved this back in 2023, is that what it is? 2022, 2022, um, we, you know, didn't have any way to pay for that. So, it is just baked now into our operating budget every year. uh and if
en and if our enrollment changes because um voke enrollment has been very popular with our students is a great program then actually our liability might even uh be go up in future years. Um, we intentionally scheduled and and I
through my authority as the chair of the finance committee intentionally uh scheduled discussion and vote and about the override the operating override last year um to schedule a special election first before considering this. This
paper is not an override which would raise the minimum tax base uh a certain amount and then continue in the future. It is instead an additional charge outside of that tax minimum for a specific purpose. That's that's what a debt exclusion is in this case to pay
down to cover the costs that we estimate for um for supporting this this debt that the vogue has taken on and that they bill us for every year. Uh so there was I think uh an understanding that this is a financial burden on the city. Um but also a lot of discussion about
how the fact that we're already going to the voters to ask for additional money um to ask them to consider raising their taxes to help us uh get to a stable sustainable budget that already does include this payment to the vote. Um
that it would be uh both against that process that we've already worked on and very confusing to voters to try to get all of these things on the same ballot. Uh so the consensus of the finance committee was to not approve this at this time. Um this paper was submitted
during the that set of discussions but now that we have the override on the ballot there was not a desire to add this additionally um on top of that. So I think it is my anyways let me um uh let me stop there. I think that uh
captures the sense of the finance committee about our um determination about this paper. The one other thing I just want to clarify is the reason that we have brought this back to the full council is because it relates to the special election. We really wanted to make sure that there was clarity to the clerk's office who needs to prepare the
election about what is or is not on the ballot. This was just kind of hanging out there. So, we really wanted to make sure that the council took an action one way or another on this paper so that we can proceed with the with the production of the ballot and scheduling the special the details of the special election
which is set for March 31st. >> Okay. Thank you, Council McDonald. That was very helpful. I am going to take the papers lead sponsor first, councelor Ali. >> Uh, thank you. Um, so there are a couple things. So, um, I I'm not under any
delusions. This will this will not pass tonight. Um but I I will say, you know, more more importantly, um that I understand that the chair of finance used um discretion to not schedule a a meeting to about this last year. Um but
like for anyone who's on the finance committee if that ever happens again and it's like your paper or another paper that you want to talk about um a majority of a committee can schedule a meeting and can put things on the
agenda. So, it's not just the chair. U we did put that in our rules just so that there isn't, you know, any type of um because it's it's it's I'm not saying it was wrong in this cir I think it was wrong in the circumstance, but I'm not saying that the majority of people think it was wrong in this circumstance, but
if a majority of a committee really wants to talk about something and a chair will not put something on the agenda, the majority of the committee can put that on the agenda. Just just a lesson. Um, and I'm just mentioning it because that was part of why we're talking about this tonight and we didn't
talk about it during the Prop 2 and a half override discussion. Um, you know, I I will say that I do still support this. Um, you know, we we talked about what the average cost would be for like a an average single family home um home
homeowner of a single family home. Um and you know the cost of this proposal here for the debt exclusion for the vote debt um would be in the $90 range uh whereas for the 5.4 million um that
would be $353 a year uh and the 8.5 would be 532. So um you know it's it's a lower cost um uh solution that I think would also have a benefit. Um, I I don't personally think
it's too confusing. Um, I I think that our our residents are very intelligent and would be able to figure out how to, you know, vote on three questions. Um, but that's, you know, I'm not going to belabor the point. Um, so yeah, I think that in the future I would appreciate if
my papers could be heard, you know, in a more timely manner, but I understand politically why it was done. Um, but I think it's important for the council to know if you would like to ever hear something in committee, you do have a mechanism to do that. I wasn't on finance, so I couldn't do that. Um, you
know, with that, I would just, you know, move to adopt, but knowing that it's not going to pass. So, no hard families, y'all. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Ali. Councelor Cologne Hayes. >> Uh, thank you so much. Actually, Council Omali, um you said a lot of the stuff I
was going to say, but um I am also not delusioned. This is this is not going to pass. I realize that I'm not on finance um this year, so I wasn't able to vote um in committee, and I do understand why some people might think that this was too confusing to put on the ballot. I realize that, but I'm going to vote yes
because I think it's a great idea. Um I definitely learned a lot. Um, and I'm glad that um, Council McDonald had uh, just said that they made that decision. Um, I learned a lot about maybe how I would handle that differently um, to try
and get it before all of this discussed because now it looks like it's so late. It does seem silly now, but if we had discussed it earlier, I think it may have had a a different thing, but it's all in the past. Um but I am going to still um vote yes for it and hoping that
also what we discussed um in finance was that let's say this you know things don't pass we could always bring this up and when I say things I mean the two and a half override if nothing passes maybe this is something that we could look at again so learning all about this um was
good and talking about it um is is a good thing and again I have I have I know where this is headed but I am still going vote yes and I appreciate it um being brought forward. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Cologne Hayes. Councelor McDonald.
>> Well, thank you all for your shade about my committee cheering. Um but I do want to correct the record to say I did schedule this for a hearing in December. We just ran over from the previous committees and we didn't have time to talk about it. But I just want to be clear. I did schedule it as I promised I
would do. Um, and I wanted to say that the reason that we did this was to honestly pay respect to the mayor and the finance team and to the many people who came out to discuss the proposal that was before us. I did not think we could start having a roundrobin discussion of multiple types of ballot
proposals at the same time and actually have transparent authentic public engagement. um that so that was I just want to say that that like my priority was to make sure that we were actually having a substantive conversation about the things before us and it's okay if you
disagree with that determination. Um but that was the reason that we couldn't talk about everything all at the same time. That's really bad for public transparency and engagement. uh and this came up late in the process um well after uh you know we had already been
having hearings on the other thing. Anyways, just wanted to state that and then also just state if we vote this down today, if the the pro the motion that councelor made was to vote was to vote to approve. If we do that, we vote it down, we cannot reconsider it for six
months. So if the hope is that this is something that we could return to in the future if a override does not pass as a kind of like regroup plan B to consider, my recommendation would be to put forth a motion to place it on file because then it would not trigger that six-month
limit. So that is my offering of goodwill after you have, you know, questioned my judgment to just say if you if that's something that you would hope to do, I think that's probably a better procedural move. But I defer to you, councelor Mali, what you would propose for a motion on the paper.
>> Thank you, Councelor McDonald. Councelor Winsow. >> Yeah. No. Um, you know, I appreciate that Council Mali put this paper together and it was good to have that, you know, and you know, one of the cards we could take off. I mean I think as we discussed the override and that type of
thing I felt and I asked this in committee of that you know was consideration of this debt that we have part of the baseline discussions of the override it is. So I I do think it is you if we had a choice of we sort of did
an alle cart this might have worked but we decided to basically say you get you have this choice of you know cart you know meal A or meal B um and that's sort of what we had and this is in you know basically a debt we owe no matter what
whether we choose AB or or neither. Um so I think that that um there was actually some very good discussions about what this debt we have and and actually it's it's unusual we it's you know that that this can depend upon how
many students we have and that type of thing it's it was a good discussion so having this paper go forward but I just think for simplicity sake I can't support putting this on the ballot. So, I think we have two strong proposals we're putting out there for the voters to consider and I think at this point
this would just not make clear and and those two proposals did consider the debt we owe and that the baselines that were there. So, thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Councelor Wzo. Uh councelor Cologne Hayes for the second time. >> Yes, that's um fine and then I'm done
here. So, I think that it was a great discussion and we should be questioning everything. So, I'm I'm sure my um well, I'm what the right word is, but sad to hear that you felt that it was shade. It was this the answering to
constituents who were asking why this was out late. And I'm was really glad that you addressed that. Um how it came out and why it wasn't discussed with everything. So, it's just a different way of handling things. It's it's and it's fine. Um, so we'll move forward and
and we could just roll a vote. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Councelor Colon Hazes. Councelor Omali for the second time. >> Um, yeah, the the only thing I'd say is I need a second. Um, so I would appreciate that and um, you know, if it
does fail, which it will, um, I we can always suspend the rules. We can always if if we need to take it up again, we we can always suspend the rules. Um, thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Councelor Ali. Councelor Condan, sorry. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Um,
I happen to be one that uh, Council McDonald handled the uh, conversation very well. And uh, we're not ready. We're not sure how we're even going to
do on the override. And by sticking the public with something else, as complicated as it is, you could be blowing all of it. So, you can't bite
off more than you can chew. We've never had an override in this community, and this is the first time. We're going to try our best to pass it because we need it. There's no question. But uh no,
I think uh our chairman did a great job in handling that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Condan. Councelor Simelli. >> Thank you, Madam President. Well, I just want to say that I am on the finance committee and we did meet earlier today
in subcommittee and I it was unanimous uh that you know this paper didn't go forward. Not that it's not a good paper and it's not that it's something for us to look at uh down the road, but I have to you know say I think that council
McDonald did a fantastic job with it and uh you know we're all heading for some tough times moving forward here. We already know that. And I think if we continue to like uh add more colors to the painting, it
just becomes distorted after a while. And I, you know, and I think people are going to go out there and look and uh if you give them too many questions, you know, they're just not going to go for it. I think that they they it becomes too confusing too confusing to too confusing
to explain uh to the constituency uh for all these other plans uh that are moving forward. So I just think that it was just a little too much too late and I think we should just stick with what we have and move that forward and educate our constituency the best way
that we can and I think it's just to keep it simple. Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Simonelli. Okay, so seeing no other lights, we do have a motion and I heard a second from councelor Cologne Hayes on the floor. So we I I will just say from the chair, my
preference is an agreement with councelor McDonald who I feel handled this in a timely manner. This the amount of business coming through finance this fall was unbelievable. This was filed in at least to me in mid November. We moved
it immediately through the council and to the finance committee. Um I have no issues with how this was handled. My preference would have been to place this on file, but we do have a motion and a second on the floor. So I'm going to take up that vote. Um so that would be a
motion to a motion to adopt the order and we need a roll call. Correct. >> Yes, we do. >> Okay. And it needs a twothirds majority to be adopted. >> To pass. So this is to adopt which would put the question on the ballot. A yes would put it on the ballot. A no
would not put it on the ballot. >> You have you have a question, councelor Mali. >> It's not going to make a difference. But um why does it need twothirds? >> That's what state law says on these kind of questions. >> We um Okay. So because when I asked that question for the Prop 2 and a half, we
were told it was a simple majority. >> This is a different kind of question and I would confirm that with the treasur's office today that >> debt exclusion questions, this is not an override. This is a debt exclusion, >> so it requires a different vote. >> Interesting. >> See, we learn things every day. Thank
you so much. Appreciate it. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, we're going to take a roll call. We need eight votes. >> Vote puts the question on the ballot. >> A no vote lets the paper fail. >> Okay. >> Council Cologne Hayes, >> yes. >> Council,
>> no. >> Council Crow, >> no. >> Council Lewong, >> no. >> Council McDonald, >> no. >> Council Mali, >> yes. Council, >> no. >> Council Simmonelli, >> council Taylor, >> no. >> Council Winslow, >> no.
>> Council President Lahan, >> no. >> So that paper fails 2 to nine. >> Okay. So that is not adopted. >> Not adopted. Okay. Next order of business is personal privilege.
Councelor Winsow. Yeah, I just uh wanted to take I have a a moment of silence and a good some good news too. Um but so I just first wanted to take a moment of silence. Uh Barbara Rogers of the Rogers family who's very well known. I know Chris knows them very
well um passed away and her um wake was yesterday. So I just thought uh we should give a moment of silence. >> Okay, I'll stand. Thank you. >> And then just I wanted to wish my due um a longtime Malden resident and business
owner uh a happy 50th birthday. So she's having a her 50th birthday. So just wanted to acknowledge that. So >> well happy birthday. >> All right. Great. Take care. >> Thank you councelor Wzo. Councelor Cologne Hayes. I was just looking for the flyer. Sorry.
>> That's okay. No, no. Um it's again I've been saying it almost every meeting. Um we're going to have I love to invite everyone um city councilors, the school committee, our public um to join and celebrate Martin Luther King Day. Um you know, especially now during these times,
it's great to um you know, come together as a community and celebrate this great man. And that would be Come on, I've got it. This would be Sunday. Here we go. Okay. Sunday, um, January 18th from [clears throat] 3 to 6, it's going to be
at the Emanuel Baptist Church um, in Malden, we have a great keynote speaker. We have two youth speakers, one from Malden Catholic, one from um, Malden High. And, um, Malden Reeds will be there. Uh, so you could bring your kids.
There's going to be a separate room upstairs. For those of you who have gone before, you know, um, it's the same process as last year. they'll be able to pick and read books. So, they'll be occupied because this, you know, goes a little bit long because there's a lot of great um speakers and, you know, it's something that's very important for us
now. And then Malden High School love for kids will also be there and the friends of the Malden Public Library uh will have books that um you can purchase for very inexpensive um and uh during that day. So, please come. It's important um to celebrate in community.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Cologne Hayes. Councelor McDonald, >> I just wanted to let folks know that we did talk in the finance committee about earlier today about having community education forums about the city budget and the issues that have led to the override. These are not debating the
ballot measure, but rather to make sure that voters can be informed with key information about our city finances um and about the decision to place this on the ballot. Um, so we're looking at a couple of different sites possibly at schools across uh the city and an online
uh meeting as well so folks can join virtually. We're thinking about interpretation, want to make sure folks understand the ballot um and give resources to other counselors so they can take them to other places like senior buildings and um community organizations. So, we just I just want to let folks know that we are talking
about that, working closely with the mayor's team about that to make sure that our voters are informed and know about this election um and have the information they need to make up their minds. And I also just want to wish um my son Julian a happy birthday yesterday. He turned 11 and was and he
had a very sweet and lovely birthday. So, happy birthday Julian >> if you're watching. >> Thank you, Councelor McDonald. Counselor Ali. >> Uh thank you. Um, you know, as has kind of been mentioned, um, you I want to wish everyone a contemplative and active
MLK day. You know, I think, uh, you know, peaceful, nonviolent, civil disobedience is what, uh, has changed this comm our our nation. Uh, and I think it is important that, you know, if you're doing that, just be safe and be smart. But that is your right. Uh, and
in going out and and protesting and petitioning your government is is what we are all fighting for. uh whether you're on the street or you're Senator Mark Kelly who's you know being you know prosecuted for for speaking um the truth and and the law um it's very 1984 out
there right now um so you know there's a reason why we read these books as children uh so that we can recognize it in real life um and you know walk into it with full eyes open um if anyone is interested in understanding a little bit more about the whole tableling and the carrying forward of papers I did a
little research Um, and this is from the time when um, our longtime city clerk Karen Anderson was still here. Um, there was a paper to create a community preservation uh, committee and and that paper came up in in 2015. Um, and it was
not finally acted upon until November of 2016, which is what created the CPC committee. And the paper number is 1 611-15. So anyone who's interested in seeing a paper that you know was from a previous bianial session that then was carried
forward and and taken action beyond 30 days. That's an example. 611-15. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor Ali. Okay. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to >> Okay. On a motion by councelor Sea, seconded by councelor Simonelli. All in
favor? I. We are adjourned at 8:21.