2026-10-13 - Ordinance and Committee of the Whole

05:28Good evening and welcome to the

05:30ordinance in the government relation

05:31committee. Uh the meeting is scheduled

05:34for Tuesday, October the 13, 2026 uh

05:386:30 p.m. So this meeting is also uh

05:43being conducted as a hybrid meeting and

05:45you also can remotally access the

05:48meeting through the digital platform to

05:51do uh the rules. Uh we have council

05:55president uh Joanni Rodriguez who is to

05:58my right uh because we didn't have a

06:01quum so to be part of the meeting today.

06:04Uh and to my left uh we have uh

06:08councelor Frankly Miguel the vice chair

06:11of the committee and myself

06:15person to chapter 20 of the of 2022.

06:19This meeting of ordinary committee is

06:21being conducted both in person and via

06:23remote participation. And as a reminder,

06:26the person who would like to listen or

06:28to view this meeting while in progress

06:31may either attend in person at the

06:34location above or use any of the

06:36following asset um Facebook or YouTube.

06:41Please stand now for the flag of

06:43>> the

06:47flag of the United States of America and

06:50to the republic for it stands one nation

06:53under God indivisible with liberty and

06:56justice for all

07:02>> council. We have a minute uh to approve

07:05for um August 24

07:08and September 29, 2026. Can I have a

07:12motion?

07:14>> Uh madame chair, I won't be able to vote

07:16on this minute. So,

07:18but I'll make the motion to approve.

07:21>> Second.

07:22>> Motion is already made in second. All

07:26those in favor?

07:28>> I. So,

07:32Miss Claire,

07:34roll call, please.

07:36>> Roll call.

07:38>> Councelor Vice Chair Franklin Miguel.

07:40>> Yes,

07:43>> Madame Chair. Anna Levy.

07:44>> Yes.

07:45>> Council President Javanni Rodriguez.

07:47>> Abs.

07:48>> Thank you. Motion carries.

07:50>> So, motion carries.

07:53Thank you. So, the first item on the

07:56agenda is item 417. Uh 26 is the inst

08:03on Mars Street at Brook line street Paul

08:06number 463050 and referend number

08:1031358963.

08:15We had a somebody from the national

08:19please state your name and address for

08:22the record.

08:25Vasna Ang 11:01 Turnpike Street here on

08:28behalf of National Grid.

08:31Uh National Grid is seeking the town's

08:33uh petition approval to install um pole

08:3740

08:394630-50

08:41uh in between existing poles 4630 and

08:454631

08:46for system reliability upgrades.

08:50Uh the pole will be installed in the

08:51public way.

08:53Council

08:58any question or concern

09:05>> through your manager

09:07>> president?

09:08>> Usually these items get referred to that

09:11uh to the DPW or

09:16>> the this item is no no it's not sended

09:19to DPW. is sended after uh directly to

09:23the silicons

09:24>> to the fans.

09:25>> Yes.

09:26>> All right. I will ask the question here.

09:28So um this is to um this is to serve any

09:33business or to improve

09:34>> No, this is any specific area.

09:36>> Uh this is to improve the old uh the

09:39overhead infrastructure around the area.

09:40there's if there's a let's say there's

09:42an outage the um the upgrades that we're

09:45putting in it would detect the outage

09:47and if

09:49that section is out we can actually um

09:52power it from another section. So this

09:55automatically detects an outage and

09:57possibly

09:59fix that outage from powering from

10:01another area. So

10:02>> so the infrastructure is to improve the

10:05overall services on the Marson Street

10:08area.

10:08>> Uh yes. Okay.

10:12to

10:13council vice chair.

10:14>> So this new pole that you're proposing

10:17um is that going to be between the two

10:19assisting poles already?

10:20>> Yes.

10:21>> What's the distance between the two

10:22poles and if

10:24>> uh I don't know off my head. This is a

10:28design from another person. I'm just

10:30here for the um for the uh

10:34ordinance meeting I I guess.

10:36>> Okay. So, so uh we do have concerns with

10:40this um I mean not necessarily the

10:43improvement but uh the poles when we are

10:46placing double poles or triple poles in

10:49in some cases.

10:50>> Yeah. Uh, are you looking to remove any

10:53of this or

10:54>> um, from what I understand, I don't

10:57think any poles are going to be removed,

10:58but if you if the city finds that having

11:01the three poles in the uh, in the same

11:04proximity, they can possibly figure out

11:07a different uh, scheme for this if uh,

11:10the city doesn't approve it. So,

11:13>> so this is a joint poll for Verizon and

11:17also for

11:18>> um,

11:19>> national agree. Yeah. From from from

11:21what I see here, uh, yes. Jointly owned

11:24poll.

11:25>> Join the own.

11:26>> Yeah.

11:26>> Join the old poll

11:29>> or a new pole?

11:31>> Yes.

11:31>> A new one?

11:32>> Yes.

11:33>> Okay.

11:39>> So, do we have to order a public hearing

11:41or we send it directly to

11:43>> to order a public hearing?

11:44>> Yeah, I'll make a motion that uh we send

11:45it to the full council or a federal

11:47recommendation to order a public

11:48hearing. Second.

11:50>> So motion is already made to send it to

11:52the full council to order a public

11:54hearing. Already second. Um

11:58any other discussion?

12:00If no, all those in favor?

12:03>> I I

12:03>> there I have it.

12:05>> Thank you.

12:05>> Thank you too.

12:10Item 41826

12:14uh is one way orion is three. So we have

12:19in Kia

12:21councelor Rosali

12:28may address.

12:30Good evening uh Rosalie Gonzalez

12:33counselor uh 200 Common Street. I am

12:36here today in support of my um

12:40constituents on Orchestra. They are

12:43requesting to set orchestra as a

12:46one-way. Um, I actually invited them

12:49today so they can speak on behalf of

12:50their request.

12:52>> Okay.

13:02>> Sandra Mazan, 14 Orchard Street,

13:05Lawrence.

13:06>> Good evening.

13:08>> Okay. [laughter]

13:09state your concern

13:11>> and your request.

13:12>> Yeah, I'm a long-term resident of

13:14Orchard Street. I'm a home owner there.

13:17I have been since I've lived there. And

13:20uh we need additional parking on Orchard

13:24Street. As you know, those are historic

13:26homes. When they were built, they were

13:28not built with parking.

13:31And as the density of the street has

13:34grown, there is need for more parking.

13:38Currently, there's parallel parking on

13:41both sides. It is two-way street. So,

13:44we're looking to make it one way so that

13:46we can make space for additional

13:49parking, which would be angled parking

13:52on the street. and the one way from

13:56Newberry to South Union or the opposite

13:59um could be determined at a later point.

14:02But from what we have seen with some um

14:07drawings from AI, pictures, etc., it is

14:10possible to get additional parking if we

14:13make angled parking, but it would need

14:16to be one way to and of course there are

14:19advantages for one-way parking. um

14:22safety. It decreases the number of cars

14:26on the street cut through. It's safer

14:29for pedestrians and again it will make

14:32the needed space for angled parking.

14:40Um I saw that

14:43thinking.

14:45So the ocean is three. I saw that was

14:47only one way. No,

14:50>> no. It's two-way parking.

14:52>> Well, two-way parking and one thing is

14:55two-way people uh uh way for the car is

14:59another is another thing. So, you're

15:02looking for parking on one side of the

15:06S3, one one side of the street or you

15:09are looking just only one way car

15:13getting from Newberry or from Union

15:17Street. What is what you're looking for?

15:19>> So, parking would still be available on

15:22both sides of the street.

15:24>> Okay.

15:24>> Okay. But with that, we are looking to

15:28make it one way because

15:29>> or just make it one way.

15:31>> To make it one way to accommodate. Yes.

15:34Mhm.

15:35>> All right. Because I was a little

15:37confused. You were looking for one way

15:40uh parking just only one side parking or

15:43so you were looking for just only one

15:46way to make a history uh for the car

15:49coming from Union or coming from the

15:52Newberry.

15:53>> No. Well, with the one way, the

15:55direction of it, that could be

15:57determined whether it's one way from

16:00Newberry to South Union or South Union

16:02to Newberry, that could be determined,

16:04but there would still be parking on both

16:07sides of the street. Yes. One would be

16:09angled parking and the other side would

16:11be parallel parking.

16:13>> Okay.

16:14>> Councelor, any other question?

16:17>> Yes,

16:19>> President.

16:21So currently uh Orchard Street is that

16:24it resident parking only? [snorts]

16:26>> There is resident parking only for 12

16:28hours that's in the evening not 20.

16:31>> So that's was Orchard was one of the

16:33original

16:34uh uh if I if I remember correctly

16:39one of the original street that actually

16:41become uh resident parking, right?

16:44>> Yeah. I don't know. It's been uh there's

16:47been 12-hour resident parking for some

16:49time. I think one of the former

16:50counselors did that for us. But um when

16:54I first moved there back in

16:58um 1993

17:00um there was not I don't think there was

17:03>> after that maybe like

17:05>> but it's been over 20 years right that

17:08it's been a resident parking

17:09>> I think it's been yeah it's been a long

17:11time but it wasn't originally

17:13>> that's what I that's what I thought

17:15street garden street and um in Orchard

17:17Street has been one of the original

17:20places that we start the program.

17:24So essentially uh this this is an unique

17:28very unique uh street because you have

17:32the garden in between

17:34>> I'm sorry say that again

17:36>> like you have the like the garden in

17:38between the cut between uh uh Orchard

17:42Street and Jackson Court. So So uh

17:46Orchard Street is a very unique street.

17:49>> Yes. It's it's only a block um long.

17:52Yes. And it there are one ways all

17:54around it except for South Union. So

17:57Garden is one way, Summer's one way,

18:00Newberry's one way.

18:02>> The reason that I'm asking is because um

18:05so that's one of the thing that it get

18:07analyzed when uh when you have a one-way

18:10street.

18:11>> So what other street around can serve

18:14the other direction on the opposite

18:16side? So if one is going down, the one

18:18the other one is going up.

18:20>> So and you have to have a combination of

18:22both otherwise you're sending people

18:23over two three blocks if they want to go

18:27uh around the around the street. So

18:29that's one of the thing that need to be

18:30figured it out to see. Yes, it's doable.

18:34>> Yes. Um some of the part some of the

18:38traffic there we want to cut down on for

18:41safety reasons. Um they're because

18:44people use um Orchard Street because it

18:48is two-way and so you know instead of

18:50going down a one way to get where they

18:53want to go. Yes, we want to cut down on

18:55some of the traffic

18:57>> coming on the street.

18:58>> Like like I said, it was in potentially

19:00I wasn't here when when that was

19:02designed.

19:03>> It was intent the intent is to have it

19:06uh a one way and then another way and

19:09potentially have another street.

19:11>> Mhm. that goes both ways uh to serve

19:15>> the traffic from around the area. That's

19:17how you design it.

19:18>> Uh but having the concerns that you guys

19:20have, it is worth to have

19:23>> a a a a potential look into it by that

19:27uh by that engineering department

19:30>> or potentially a a an organization a

19:34company that actually provide traffic

19:36stories

19:37>> to the to the city. Another thing that

19:39I'm that I'm seeing is that on the

19:41petition I think that working with

19:43councelor counselor uh Gonzalez uh you

19:47need to have you need to add another

19:48item of the angle parking because that's

19:52also need to be approved separately but

19:54while we doing the while the they doing

19:58the study you can add that as well

20:00because I mean if the intent is to park

20:03in an angle way uh that need to be

20:05changed as well.

20:07>> Yes. Sorry,

20:08>> excuse me.

20:09>> It's okay. Um, originally that's why I

20:11added the one way first uh just to see

20:14where it would go and then um if it went

20:17the right way then I would add her other

20:19request.

20:20>> Yeah,

20:20>> that was the idea.

20:21>> So that's the that's that u and that

20:23also can be looked up u unofficially by

20:27the uh in case that they hire an outside

20:32company. So they can look at that as

20:34well to see it uh at the same time that

20:37they designed the one way uh that they

20:39can actually look into what is the best

20:43way of fitting more cars on an angle way

20:46because it should it could be different

20:49based on the angle. It could be 30° 45°

20:52or uh 90° which is not a good thing

20:57because you need a lot more space to

20:58back up. So each configuration you need

21:02a backup area to that you're not

21:05interfering with traffic uh and the

21:08angle of 30 degrees you require less

21:11distance in the back and then they need

21:14to also look into that to see if it is

21:18doable.

21:19So just just have that conversation with

21:22with their um engineering department so

21:24they can look into that as well.

21:31That should be good.

21:32>> So, I would like to make a motion to

21:34send the to send this um item to the

21:39engineering department

21:41uh to evaluate uh the new design.

21:43>> Second.

21:45>> Can you Did you hear the motion? Okay.

21:47So, the motion is already approved. All

21:49those in favor?

21:51>> I

21:51>> there I have it. Uh I

21:54>> So,

21:55>> okay. So

21:56>> this item is going to be sended to the

21:59full council for next

22:01>> the engineering department.

22:03>> Okay.

22:06>> Yes. Okay.

22:07>> So at the next when when we got back the

22:11the story so we going to let you know

22:14and you know that

22:15>> and then she can come and send

22:18>> Oh

22:19>> and we send it to to the full counsel.

22:21Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

22:28Item 41926

22:30is one hour parking

22:33nuno de Mara park and also

22:37to add a sign that said that uh it's

22:41going to be two uh owner expensive that

22:45was that item was submitted by me and

22:50also um many of you know that we We have

22:54like uh we have five parking spay. Um

22:59>> I think three of three of three to five

23:01>> three to five parking spay. Uh the nuno

23:04the park the America park those part is

23:06being those parking is being used by um

23:11practically the resident and when

23:13somebody try to get into the park it

23:16doesn't find any any space. So we are

23:19asking to this item to be sended to DPW

23:25um and add the

23:30uh the one hour and also to add a sign

23:35that say that it's going to be two as

23:37owner expensive.

23:39>> I'll make a motion to send this item to

23:41the uh to the engineering department.

23:45>> Second

23:45>> uh for evaluation. So a motion is

23:48already made in second.

23:51No more discussion. All those in favor I

23:54>> they I have it. Item 420 26 is the

23:58resident parking on Four Street Bai

24:05from Albor Street to County Road

24:09Council. Motion to send to um DPW for

24:14and Lawrence police department for

24:16evaluation.

24:17>> I'll second that.

24:18>> So a motion already made it and second

24:21or in favor I

24:23>> the I have it. Item 42126.

24:28Uh can I make it uh

24:30>> as a block? as a blow item 42126,

24:344226

24:36and 42326

24:39is a

24:40>> no and also 426 and 27

24:43>> 4

24:442326

24:46>> 426 26 and 42726

24:49>> 426 26 42726

24:54>> I'll make that motion that we take it as

24:56a block

24:58>> the motion already made it and second

25:00All those in favor?

25:01>> I.

25:02>> Item 42126

25:05is remove parking handicap parking on

25:08157 fairway street. 422 is a removal of

25:12the handicap parking 159 Fair Street.

25:16Uh 423 is to remove handicap parking 18

25:21Orion Street. Uh 42626

25:25is to remove park handicap parking on 23

25:29Arding Street. 42726

25:32to remove handicap parking on 2021

25:36Welding Street.

25:38>> I'll make a motion to send it to the

25:39police department and TPW.

25:41>> Second.

25:42>> Motion already made and second or in

25:45favor?

25:45>> I I have it. So item 42526

25:51is a char a parking of 16 oranges three.

25:55>> Do you have an item?

25:56>> Um I hate to interrupt you but there was

26:00an item that you just um you just sent I

26:04believe to the city engineer. It was

26:07item 420

26:0926 resident parking at Fairmont both

26:12sides from Auburn Street to county road.

26:1542626

26:16is remove how parking 420-26.

26:22>> Um I want to make sure that we're not

26:24being repetitive. This is an item that I

26:27and it's you know it just so happens

26:28that I'm here for another item and I'm

26:31just reviewing your agenda. And in

26:34reviewing your agenda, if you were to

26:35refer to,

26:38okay, this is one, two, three, it's on

26:42the fourth page under tabled new

26:45business February 3rd of 2026.

26:48I had requested for resident parking of

26:51Fairmont Street um east side from Auburn

26:54Street to County Road, which is so I'm

26:57just trying to make sure that we're

26:58being efficient and we're not being

26:59repetitive adding similar items that

27:02it's addressing the same streets. Um,

27:05and I do remember that there was a young

27:06lady during our city council meeting,

27:08during public participation that was

27:11addressing wanting resident parking um,

27:15for this street and working with the

27:18city clerk. However, again, February

27:203rd, 2026, that's something that's been

27:23tabled. Um, so I would I would look

27:25forward to, you know, uh, meeting with

27:29you guys to address maybe tabled

27:31matters, um, when it relates to resident

27:34parking, um, and to see what's holding

27:38it up, whether it's, um, continuously

27:40trying to receive information from the

27:42city engineer or the Lawrence Police

27:44Department. Uh, because I'm not aware,

27:46you know, uh, items that we request as

27:48counselors, it gets tabled for various

27:51reasons. Um, so I just want to make sure

27:54that you guys were aware that item

27:57already exists.

27:58>> Okay. So, uh,

27:59>> can you repeat what is the old item?

28:02>> Uh,

28:02>> so I think it's it's various items that

28:05relates to that street.

28:07>> Okay.

28:07>> Um, there's item 3126,

28:11which is res resident parking.

28:13>> Okay.

28:14>> Fairmont Street West Side from Auburn

28:16Street to County Road.

28:18>> Okay. I got it. which is the same two

28:19streets that you just mentioned on that

28:22new business item.

28:24>> Mhm.

28:24>> Then we have item 3226, which is

28:27resident parking

28:28>> Fairmont Street East Side from Auburn

28:31Street to County Road.

28:34>> And then item 3326

28:37um relates to uh

28:40>> changing it to a one-way Fairmont Street

28:42from Auburn Street to Holly Street. Um

28:46and that concludes those three items

28:50regarding that specific street.

28:52>> Okay.

28:53>> So,

28:54>> thank you councelor Mu.

28:55>> All right.

28:55>> I would like to uh make a motion to on

28:58table item 3126, 3226 and 3326 and send

29:02correspondence to the DPW and as well as

29:05that uh police department uh to send us

29:08an update uh when it comes to those

29:10three items.

29:11>> Second.

29:12So motion is already made it to on table

29:15item 3126

29:1732 26 and 3326

29:20to send it to the PW and the police

29:22department to send uh information on

29:25those three item already second

29:28um

29:30in favor

29:31>> I

29:31>> I

29:31>> so they I have it okay thank you

29:36>> so u it is important make a note on the

29:39so they they're correlated

29:42Yes, that's related to the Yeah.

29:47>> All right. Madame chair, I would like to

29:48make a 425. You're you're on 425 right

29:51now.

29:52>> Uh 42526 is the child care parking on 16

29:56or street. That was also for councelor

30:00Rosali Gonzalez. May I hear motion?

30:03>> I will make a motion to send it to uh

30:05DPW and the police department for

30:07review.

30:08>> Second. Motion already made and already

30:11second. All those in favor I have an

30:14item 42826

30:18>> 429

30:19>> handicap I already done

30:20>> 429

30:22>> 428 429

30:23>> 428 and 429 as a blocks

30:26>> I'll make a motion to uh take it as a

30:29block. All those in favor I.

30:32>> So item 428

30:3542826 is a handicap parking on 195

30:39fairway street and 42926

30:42is a handicap parking on 45 m street.

30:46>> I'll make a motion to send it to the DPW

30:48and to uh the the police department for

30:52review.

30:53>> Second.

30:54>> All those in favor?

30:55>> I have it. So 43 and 43126.

31:01Can I make as a block?

31:03>> So move. Second. Second.

31:05>> All right. Second. All those in favor?

31:08>> I I

31:09>> Okay. Item 43026 is a 15minute parking

31:12on 375 SS3 and 43126

31:17is a 50minute parking on 3T to S3. Can I

31:21hear a motion?

31:22>> Have a motion to send it to the uh to

31:24the DPW for review. Second

31:27>> motion already made in second. All in

31:29favor?

31:30>> I have.

31:32>> All right.

31:33>> So, council, we have a couple of items

31:36in here to take our table.

31:43item.

31:44So, can we take in item 37826?

31:49Uh, out of table 363 26, 364 26, 366 26,

31:56335 26 and 336 26 and 33726.

32:03>> I'll make a motion to take it as a block

32:05out of the table matters.

32:07>> All right. Second. All in favor?

32:10they so item 2726

32:17um

32:20it's a handicap parking on 37 Bennington

32:24Street after review at the Lawrence Poly

32:27Department had on favor recommendation

32:30uh approving the handicap parking. So

32:34what is the motion? Motion to withdraw.

32:43>> So motion um motion to fordraw. Second

32:47>> motion to withdraw is already second.

32:50All those in favor.

32:52>> They have it. Item 33526

32:56is um

32:59a request for a handicap parking to be

33:02placed in front of 56 Green War Street

33:06and the police department has a favor

33:08recommendation for this handicap

33:10parking. May I hear a motion?

33:12>> Motion to uh send the full council to

33:14order public hearing.

33:15>> Second.

33:16>> There is a motion to send it to the full

33:18council. Already second. Um all those in

33:23favor

33:24>> I have it. Item 33626

33:28is

33:31handicap parking in uh 145 Union Street.

33:36Uh the Lawrence police department has an

33:38in favor recommendation for this

33:40handicap parking at this location. May a

33:43motion motion to withdraw.

33:44>> I'll make a motion to withdraw but also

33:46send correspondence to the applicants as

33:48as with the denial letter. Yeah. Second.

33:51All in favor? I.

33:53>> They have it.

33:55>> Same thing with it 277.

33:58>> Okay.

33:58>> Maria.

33:59>> Maria.

34:00>> Okay. Thank you.

34:06So, um,

34:08document 33726 is a traffic story around

34:12255 East Hong E3 part

34:17for the pedestrian safety.

34:20This item was sended to the full council

34:23but according to uh the Lawrence police

34:26department this item need to be sended

34:28to DPW and the city engineer for an

34:32assessment. So the DPW and the city

34:35engineer must conduct

34:38assessment. It is the for view to

34:41determine the physical rowway can safely

34:44board the proposed traffic control

34:47modification and if the municipal in

34:51Frio can support the necessary

34:53transition sign on the row. Can I hear a

34:56motion?

34:56>> Motion to send it to the

34:58>> second.

34:59>> Motion already made in second or in

35:02favor.

35:02>> I

35:04have it. So document 36326

35:08is a no parking on nor street and one

35:13side of the street. So the Lawrence Podi

35:17department also send this item to DPW

35:20and to the city engineer and the city

35:23engineer must conduct an infrastructure

35:26and a special assessment.

35:29It is the perview to determine if the

35:33physical what

35:36of the street necess necessary the

35:39removal of the parking to allow the safe

35:42passage of the two-way traffic. Can I

35:45hear a motion?

35:47>> So move

35:47>> second

35:49>> to send it. The motion is to send it to

35:51the engineering department

35:53>> DPW in the engineer department. So it's

35:56already second. All those in favor.

36:00>> They I have it. Order. Uh item 36426.

36:07Um it's a request for a handicap parking

36:10to be placed in front of four furong

36:13street. The Lauren Police Department has

36:16a favor recommendation for this handicap

36:18parking at this address. Can I hear

36:21motion?

36:21>> Motion to order here.

36:23>> Second.

36:24>> All those in favor? Hi,

36:25>> there I have it. Item 36626

36:30is

36:33a a request for a handicap parking space

36:35in front of 393 lower street. The Lauren

36:39Police Department has in favor

36:41recommendation for this handicap parking

36:44space at this location. May I hear a

36:46motion? Um motion to forward with jaw

36:49and send correspondence with the uh to

36:52the petitioner with the um with the

36:54letter with the police department

36:56recommendation.

36:57>> So motion already made and second or in

37:00favor I

37:02>> I have it. So, ordinate 3 item 37826

37:09uh is a request for a handicap parking

37:11to be placed on front of 192 Union

37:16Street. The Lauren Police Department has

37:18a favor recommendation for this handicap

37:21parking at this address. Can I hear a

37:24motion?

37:25>> Motion to report hearing.

37:27Let's

37:27>> switch

37:2937

37:3137826.

37:38So uh so move

37:40>> there is there is a motion already

37:43second in favor I

37:46>> they have

37:48council any other item from the agenda

37:51>> uh by item 37426

37:56>> no that was on the previous one

37:59>> item 374

38:05Yes.

38:10>> All of those that you haven't

38:12>> those item were already approved.

38:14>> Yeah.

38:16>> Yeah. There is no more item

38:18>> right now.

38:22>> Are you here for

38:26>> you have anything on ordinance?

38:28>> No.

38:28>> No.

38:32All right. Um, motion to adjourn.

38:35>> There is a motion to adjourn. Already

38:38second or in favor?

38:40>> May I have it?

38:46>> Yes.

44:09Stand

44:12>> space.

44:41Give you a phone camera.

48:07spread out.

48:10>> [snorts]

48:40>> Good evening and

48:46good evening and welcome to committee of

48:48the hall. This is a subcommittee of the

48:50Lawren City Council. Today, Tuesday,

48:54October the 13, 2027.

48:57It is

49:007:22

49:02p.m. So this meeting is also being

49:05conducted as a hybrid meeting in UB and

49:09you may remotely access the meeting

49:11through the digital platform before

49:14uh fabu and YouTube the

49:20person to charter of the act of 2022.

49:23This meeting of the committee of the

49:25is being conducted both in person

49:29and via remote participation.

49:31A reminder, the person who would like to

49:34listen or view this meeting while in

49:36progress may either attend in person at

49:40the location above or use any of the

49:42following access location

49:45and you

49:49please roll.

49:51>> Yes. Conor Rosali Gonzalez,

49:54>> present.

49:55>> Conor Frank Miguel,

49:56>> present.

49:57>> Councelor Vivian Marl,

49:59>> present. Councelor Mark Llan

50:01>> present.

50:02>> Councelor Gregor de Rosario is noted

50:04absent. Councelor Selena Reyes is noted

50:07absent. Councelor Stephanie Infante

50:10>> present.

50:11>> Council president Javanni Rodriguez

50:13>> present.

50:14>> And Madame Chair Anna Levy

50:16>> present.

50:16>> Thank you. Please stand for the police

50:19to the flag.

50:22>> Oh, I'm sorry. Before let's do um moment

50:25of silence in the name of Mr. Alberto

50:28Sores who was a a community person who

50:32also was part of the Roombo newspaper

50:36the only uh bilingual newspaper uh in

50:39the city. So let's take a moment

51:00>> [snorts]

51:02>> So let's do the pledge of the flag

51:06to our flag of the United States of

51:08America and to the stand one nation

51:11under God indivisible with liberty and

51:14justice for all.

51:25I think this is

51:28so counselor there is no minute to

51:30approve but before I would before to

51:34start I would like to ask the city cler

51:36to talk about a little bit about the

51:39committee of the whole.

51:42>> Thank you councel. I know for several

51:44counselors this is their first meeting

51:46at a committee of the whole meeting. So

51:48um unlike other council committees uh

51:51where you elect your chair, the

51:53committee of the whole is always chaired

51:55by the vice chair of the council. Um the

51:57committee of the whole is comprised by

51:59the full city council but it serves as a

52:01committee. So like any other committee,

52:03your vote is not a binding final um

52:07decision of the council is treated as a

52:09recommendation to the full council. So

52:11whatever is voted on tonight would be

52:14recommendations to the full council to

52:15be voted on at your next meeting which

52:16is scheduled for the 20th next Tuesday.

52:19So just to keep that in mind. Um but it

52:21is a deliberative body comprised of the

52:24entire council but it's treated as a

52:26committee.

52:28>> Thank you.

52:31>> Um also there is no public

52:34participation.

52:35Uh it's like any regular uh subcommittee

52:39that we have in

52:41>> That's true.

52:42>> Uh

52:44and the is it is like any other

52:48subcommittee. So there is that's the

52:50reason why we do not have a public

52:52participation. So we have item we don't

52:56have a minutes to approve and item the

52:59new the item in the agenda is item 40326

53:04adoption of a vote or no confidence

53:06resolution regarding major Brian a de

53:09pena uh subitted by council president

53:12Rodriguez council vice president Levy

53:15and councelor uh Infante

53:21>> thank you madame chair I was asked by

53:24the chairperson to read the resolution

53:26that you are considering into the record

53:28this evening. It's a resolution um reads

53:31vote of no confidence and it reads

53:32whereas the city of Lawrence remains

53:35dedicated to fostering an environment of

53:36trust and mutual respect between the

53:38city government and the community and

53:40whereas the mayor of the city of

53:42Lawrence is responsible for leading the

53:43city and instilling trust in the

53:45government of the people of Lawrence.

53:47And whereas Mayor Brian Apena has been

53:49charged with both federal and state

53:51crimes. And whereas these charges send a

53:53message of distrust in the local

53:55government to people of Lawrence and

53:56distract the mayor in his function as

53:58the mayor. And whereas the city council

54:01hereby takes a vote of no confidence in

54:03the ability of mayor Brian Aena to

54:04continue to govern the city of Lawrence.

54:06Now therefore be it resolved that the

54:08city of Lawrence city council does vote

54:11in the majority of no confidence in the

54:12leadership of Mayor Brian A. Dea and

54:14witness whereof we hereby set our hands

54:16and cause the seal of the city of

54:17Lawrence to be fixed. It would be this

54:1920th day if you adopt this resolution.

54:22This 20th day of October in the year of

54:23our Lord 2026 and then all um all

54:28parties voting in the affirmity would

54:30would in the affirmative would sign off

54:32on that resolution.

54:38>> Council, any discussion on this item on

54:40this resolution? Council Stephanie Fant.

54:44>> Thank you. Just a quick note for the um

54:46city clerk. My first name is misspelled

54:48on the resolution.

54:49>> Okay.

54:50>> With the IE instead of the Y, so just

54:53sure that it's fixed. Thank you.

54:55>> We'll get that fixed. Yeah.

54:59>> What is it?

55:01>> Um there is no public participation at

55:04this meeting, but you did receive two

55:05letters in support of the resolution. Um

55:10one is from former city councelor Wendy

55:13Luzon and one is from a neighborhood

55:15activist. um Lewis Roblace and those are

55:18both on your table this evening. Um also

55:22I had been asked to um

55:26maybe I wasn't asked to [laughter]

55:28um but I understood that there was some

55:30disappointment that the only items

55:32backing up the materials were some

55:33newspaper articles. So, I did get the

55:35official AG's announcement um and with

55:39the indictments from her September 24th

55:41press release that's in your package as

55:43well as the actual criminal complaint

55:45filed with the United States District

55:47Court. All those items are on your

55:48package and on the table this evening

55:50for you.

55:57>> Any discussion

55:59on any other item?

56:01>> Council plan.

56:02>> Cons plan.

56:03>> Thank you.

56:04Um, thank you, Madam Vice Chair. I've

56:06got a comment that I wish to read into

56:08the record for this evening. Uh, tonight

56:10we are being asked to vote on a

56:12resolution expressing no confidence in

56:14Mayor Brian to paint his ability to

56:16govern the city of Lawrence. I do not

56:19intend to support this resolution.

56:22In my view, it has no practical effect,

56:25carries no meaningful consequence, and

56:28does not change the authority or

56:30responsibility of the mayor or this

56:32council. Whatever its stated purpose, I

56:35believe this resolution is primarily

56:38symbolic and risk turning the council

56:40into a participant in a controversy that

56:43is already being addressed through the

56:46appropriate legal channels. I am not

56:49interested in supporting an agenda item

56:51that in practical terms does little more

56:53than generate headlines and social media

56:56attention. Our responsibility as a

56:59council is to take meaningful action on

57:02behalf of the residents we represent.

57:05That said,

57:07I believe it is important for the public

57:09to understand where I stand regarding

57:13the legal matters involving meia. I

57:16would make three points. First,

57:20due process matters.

57:23Our constitution provides important

57:25protections against government

57:27overreach, including the right to due

57:30process and the presumption of

57:32innocence. Those protections apply to

57:35everyone, including the mayor. The

57:38allegations against them must be

57:40addressed through the legal process, and

57:42he is entitled to defend himself and

57:45have the government prove its case.

57:48Several members of this council have

57:50appropriately recognized the importance

57:51of those constitutional protections and

57:54I agree with them. Second,

57:58if this council lacks confidence in a

58:00particular policy or action of the

58:02mayor, we already have meaningful tools

58:05at our disposal. We can vote on matters

58:08the mayor proposes or supports. We can

58:11approve them, reject them, amend them,

58:14or otherwise exercise our authority as a

58:17legislative body. We can also place

58:20specific matters on the agenda, request

58:23information, ask questions, and conduct

58:26the oversight that is part of our

58:28responsibility to Lawrence residents.

58:31Those actions have real consequences.

58:34The symbolic vote of no confidence does

58:37not. And third,

58:42the city charter provides a mechanism

58:45that directly addresses the questions of

58:48competence in the mayor. The recall

58:51process.

58:53A recall gives the voters the

58:55opportunity to decide whether the mayor

58:58should remain in office.

59:00That is a meaningful process with a

59:03meaningful consequence.

59:06I support allowing the recall petition

59:10to proceed to the voters.

59:12To repeat, I support allowing the recall

59:17petition to proceed to the voters. The

59:21allegations facing Mayor Deena are

59:23serious and they have resulted in legal

59:26action by both federal and state

59:28authorities.

59:29The Federal Department of Justice, led

59:32by a Republican, and the Massachusetts

59:34Attorney General's Office, led by a

59:36Democrat, are separate institutions

59:39operating under different political

59:41leadership and with different

59:42responsibilities.

59:45These organizations are often at odds

59:47with each other, but regarding Mayor

59:49Dea, they both agree that he has

59:52violated the law. The legal proceedings

59:55should be allowed to follow their course

59:57and Mayor Deia remains entitled to due

1:00:01process.

1:00:03At the same time,

1:00:05given the seriousness of the

1:00:06allegations,

1:00:08I believe the residents of Lawrence

1:00:10should have the opportunity to make

1:00:13their own judgment about whether they

1:00:15have confidence in the mayor's

1:00:17leadership. If the residents want Mayor

1:00:19Deena to remain in office, they should

1:00:22have the opportunity to affirm the

1:00:24choice. If they want him removed, they

1:00:27should have the opportunity to make that

1:00:29choice as well. This is a consequential

1:00:33process. It gives voters a direct voice

1:00:37in determining the future of our city.

1:00:41For those reasons, I will not support

1:00:44this resolution tonight. I believe we

1:00:46should focus our attention on actions

1:00:48that have real impact on the people we

1:00:50were elected to serve and allow the

1:00:53appropriate legal and electoral

1:00:56processes to work as they are intended.

1:01:00Thank you, Madam Vice Chair.

1:01:03>> Any other councils that would like to

1:01:05speak?

1:01:09>> Councelor President.

1:01:10>> Uh thank you, Madame Chair. Thank you

1:01:12for the opportunity to speak.

1:01:15Uh

1:01:17I was one of the uh three counselors

1:01:19that uh uh put this forward for the

1:01:22council to discuss this matter and as a

1:01:26president of the Lawrence city council I

1:01:27support the board of no confidence to

1:01:29the mayor leadership

1:01:32uh to govern the city. Lawrence

1:01:34residents deserve a city that uh a

1:01:37city's government that focus on their

1:01:39needs with transparency, accountability,

1:01:43and public trust.

1:01:46Mayor Dea is definitely entire to a due

1:01:48process

1:01:50and the presumption of innocence is

1:01:52there. The council the council

1:01:55responsibility is to evaluate his

1:01:57leadership and the impact to the city.

1:02:01The board of no The board of no

1:02:03confidence expressed our judgment about

1:02:06his ability to lead

1:02:09and do not expressed or determined guilt

1:02:14or criminal guilt.

1:02:16Public trust matters.

1:02:20When serious when serious concerns about

1:02:22leadership

1:02:24uh is brought up to our attention, we

1:02:29need to take action and a board of no

1:02:32confidence

1:02:34does that.

1:02:35My responsibility

1:02:37is to the resident of the city. I will

1:02:41continue to advocate

1:02:43for accountable leadership, reliable

1:02:46city services, and government that put

1:02:50the city of Lawrence first.

1:02:53With that said, I'm definitely going to

1:02:56support the board of no confident to the

1:02:59leadership of the of Brian.

1:03:04councelor any other counselor that would

1:03:07like to make a comment or any discussion

1:03:14if there is no more comment or

1:03:16discussion on this matter can I hear a

1:03:19motion

1:03:20>> I'll make a motion to send this item to

1:03:22the full council with a f recommendation

1:03:25>> second so motion already made it and

1:03:28second all those in favor

1:03:30>> I I'll request a roll call

1:03:33>> you Okay. Roll call. Maria, please.

1:03:38>> Councelor Mark Plan.

1:03:39>> No.

1:03:40>> You said no.

1:03:41>> I said no.

1:03:41>> Okay. Thank you.

1:03:44>> Sorry. Councelor Stephanie Fante.

1:03:47>> Yes.

1:03:48>> Councelor Rosal Gonzalez.

1:03:50>> No.

1:03:52>> Councelor Franklin Miguel.

1:03:54>> Yes.

1:03:55>> Councelor Vivian Marmal.

1:03:57>> Yes.

1:04:00>> Council President Javanni Rodriguez.

1:04:02>> Yes.

1:04:04And madame chair Anna Levy.

1:04:06>> Yes.

1:04:07>> Thank you. Motion carries. And we have

1:04:09councelor Selena Reyes and councelor

1:04:12Gador Rosario absent.

1:04:14>> It is important to do madame chair. Um

1:04:16yes just continue.

1:04:17>> Okay.

1:04:18>> Motion carries.

1:04:20>> All right. Uh it is important to

1:04:22recognize the councelor Rees. She have

1:04:24sent uh had she have communicate uh with

1:04:28me as a council president regarding his

1:04:31her uh not being here today. She have a

1:04:35little bit of an issue at the aper and

1:04:38she wasn't able to attend as per her

1:04:41last text message.

1:04:43>> Thank you counc president uh for the

1:04:46information. The next item on the agenda

1:04:48is item 40426.

1:04:51Just uh before we continue with that so

1:04:54cler do you mind giving us an update as

1:04:56of what that means what we did and uh

1:04:58when it's going to be take care of the

1:05:00council.

1:05:01>> Sure. So um that last item was sent up

1:05:04to the full council with a favorable

1:05:06recommendation. And that means at your

1:05:07next meeting, which is Tuesday, October

1:05:0920th, there'll be a final vote on that

1:05:12item um or there should be a final vote

1:05:14on that item unless it's tabled for some

1:05:16reason. Um where that resolution will

1:05:19either be adopted or um denied that

1:05:23meeting.

1:05:25>> Uh just

1:05:28to ask a question to uh Tenny Hilton

1:05:31that is here today in case anything

1:05:33missing.

1:05:35Sergey Jenny Hilton, there is anything

1:05:37that procedure wise we we missed or

1:05:39everything is all set?

1:05:42>> Everything is fine. You you voted to

1:05:43bring it up to the full council. It will

1:05:44be heard at the full council.

1:05:46>> Just want to make sure.

1:05:47>> No problem.

1:05:53>> Can we get to the next item?

1:05:58So the next item on the agenda is item

1:06:0040426.

1:06:02is a discussion regarding complaints or

1:06:06charge issued by the Massachusetts

1:06:08Attorney General concerning a public

1:06:11office council by councelor President

1:06:13Yari Rodriguez.

1:06:15>> Yeah. Thank you madam chair madam chair

1:06:18of the committee. Uh the reason that I

1:06:19put this up is because we wanted to get

1:06:22an update uh from the city attorney or

1:06:24anything that we don't know uh and that

1:06:26can be discussed in public when it when

1:06:28it comes uh to the complaint or the

1:06:30charges against the mayor of the city of

1:06:33Lance. So I just want to ask for a quick

1:06:35update from the city attorney.

1:06:38Um the only thing that's changed is

1:06:41today the mayor was arraigned in

1:06:43superior court in Salem. He pled not

1:06:45guilty and was released. So he got

1:06:47further dates on his criminal case. So

1:06:50that's the only thing since the last

1:06:51time we met that has changed.

1:06:52>> And that is uh through mane that's in

1:06:54regard to the state charges.

1:06:56>> That is regarding the state charges.

1:06:57Yeah.

1:06:57>> Okay.

1:06:58>> And they g they gave a continuence date

1:07:00on that when the for the procedure

1:07:03discovery etc.

1:07:03>> Do you have the specific dates?

1:07:06>> I believe both dates are in December.

1:07:07Both the federal and the state. Uh I

1:07:09would be giving you them off the top of

1:07:11my head. I don't have them written down

1:07:12but something like the sixth and the

1:07:14eth. But don't hold me to that.

1:07:15>> Yeah. can if you can uh find out and

1:07:17send it to us that will be great.

1:07:18>> I'd be more than happy to.

1:07:20>> Uh thank you

1:07:26>> council. Any

1:07:28more discussion on the item

1:07:3240426

1:07:34question?

1:07:37So what is the motion?

1:07:39>> Motion to table

1:07:42up there

1:07:44>> table up there. That way we can discuss

1:07:46it down there.

1:07:50>> In case we need we need another update.

1:07:56>> All right. I would like to uh make a

1:07:58motion to send this item to the full

1:08:01council

1:08:02uh with the intent of tableabling at the

1:08:04full council and that way if it is any

1:08:08update we just do it at the full

1:08:09council.

1:08:09>> So send it to the committee report.

1:08:10>> Send it as a committee report.

1:08:12>> Second.

1:08:14>> So already made it seconal.

1:08:26No.

1:08:28>> Councelor Franklin Miguel.

1:08:29>> Yes.

1:08:31>> Councelor Vivia Marl.

1:08:32>> Yes.

1:08:34>> Councelor Mark Llan.

1:08:35>> Yes.

1:08:38>> Councelor Gregor Rosario is noted

1:08:40absent. Councelor Selena Ray is noted

1:08:43absent. Councelor Stephanie Infante.

1:08:45>> Yes.

1:08:47>> Council President Javanni Rodriguez.

1:08:49>> Yes.

1:08:50>> And Madame Chair Anna Levy.

1:08:52>> Yes.

1:08:53>> Thank you. Carries.

1:08:56Council, there is no more items on the

1:08:59agenda for today.

1:09:01So what is the motion?

1:09:04>> Motion to adjourn.

1:09:06>> So motion to adjourn. Already all in

1:09:09favor

1:09:11Maria please.

1:09:14>> Any name?

1:09:15>> No on that one.

1:09:17[laughter]

1:09:18>> Okay.

1:09:22>> Yes.

1:09:23>> Okay. Thank you so much. Cons Rosar is

1:09:27noted absent. Cons absent cons

1:09:32Gonzalez.

1:09:34>> Council Franklin Miguel Con Marl Council

1:09:37President Rodriguez and Madame Chana

1:09:39Levy.

1:09:40>> Yes.

1:09:41>> Thank you. Motion carries.

1:10:10There we go.