2026-10-20 - City Council

01:59Mhm.

03:54>> Mhm.

05:49>> Mhm.

05:53>> Hello.

05:54If anybody from the public would like to

05:56speak on public participation, we have

05:59the list here.

06:00You're going to have 2 and 1/2 minutes

06:02to speak. So, I only have three three

06:04people

06:06that sign up. If you would like to speak

06:08on public participation, uh please write

06:11down your name. Just let me know,

06:12please.

06:35If anybody from the public will need

06:36translation,

06:48If you need translation, please just

06:50raise your hand and we're going to

06:51provide you with a a piece of equipment

06:53so you can hear the meeting.

08:11>> Is it

08:13Um

08:13>> If If anybody make a full year request

08:15for the check or something, that is the

08:16check in the 300 other checks.

08:19Make sure they request that.

08:21>> Well, we actually Is it It should be off

08:23the impact, just so you know.

08:27We specifically

08:28Okay. I'm sorry. I don't know what

08:30happened.

08:31Thank you.

08:33>> So, in a minute.

08:34>> For right now, we don't have them.

08:46>> The Boston door.

08:48The door.

08:49The door.

08:51The door.

08:56>> Good evening and welcome to the regular

08:58meeting for the Lawrence City Council.

09:00Today is Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

09:05Pursuant [clears throat] to chapter 20

09:06of the act of 2022, this meeting will be

09:09hybrid allowing participation both in

09:11person in the city council chambers as

09:13well as remotely.

09:15The Zoom link was provided on the

09:16agenda.

09:17Uh this This meeting is also being

09:19transmitted live uh through the Facebook

09:21and YouTube for the city council.

09:24Uh Madam Clerk, roll call.

09:28>> Councilor Gonzalez.

09:29>> Present.

09:30>> Councilor Miguel.

09:31>> Present.

09:31>> Councilor Mambo.

09:32>> Present.

09:33>> Councilor Infante.

09:33>> Present.

09:34>> Councilor Reyes.

09:35>> Present.

09:36>> Councilor Del Rosario.

09:37>> Present.

09:38>> Councilor LePlant?

09:39>> Present.

09:39>> Council Vice President Levy?

09:41>> Present.

09:42>> Council President Rodriguez?

09:44>> Present. Please join me for a moment of

09:45silence.

10:12Now, all join me for the Pledge of

10:13Allegiance.

10:15>> I pledge I pledge allegiance

10:16>> to the flag

10:17>> of the United States of America

10:19>> and to the republic for which it stands,

10:21one nation

10:22>> under God,

10:23>> indivisible, with liberty and justice

10:26for all.

10:31>> [clears throat]

10:34>> Councilors, on the minutes, we're going

10:36to

10:37uh we're going to come back with the

10:38minutes from uh 9/15/2026

10:40in a second. Uh we're going to go

10:42straight to public participation. Uh the

10:44rules for public participation are are

10:47as follows.

10:48Uh you're going to have 2 and 1/2

10:50minutes to speak.

10:51Uh please refer to this council as a

10:53whole.

10:56At the uh 2-minute mark, you're going to

10:58hear a beep or an indication that you

11:00you still have 30 seconds.

11:03The first person that we have is uh Rich

11:05Russo, Councilor Russo.

11:07Name and address for the record, please.

11:16>> Uh good evening, councilors. Rich

11:17Russell, 34 Cross Street, reporting for

11:19duty to complain about various issues

11:22from the City Council agenda.

11:26Regarding agenda item 446/26

11:31about snow and ice operations. How about

11:34requiring snow plow contractors, they

11:37have bigger snow plows, bigger than the

11:39six-wheel plow trucks, and require gang

11:43plowing to push snow further back

11:45against the curb to further increase

11:48traffic capacity on the street. Case in

11:50point, Haverhill Street is going to be a

11:52genuine crap show with everybody double

11:55parked to pick up their little Juan and

11:57Juanita from the charter school on the

11:59corner.

12:00Uh

12:01next, agenda item 41 /26.

12:06Should an individual be appointed to the

12:09uh

12:10as director of office and planning and

12:12development despite despite being on the

12:15list the distribution list of the

12:17wiretap information. It's even more

12:20ironic that one of the individuals that

12:23was uh in involved in the wiretapping

12:26was the airport director. Question

12:29remains to be answered as to how much

12:32control does the planning and

12:33development have over the development of

12:35excess land at the airport despite the

12:38fact that the airport is in North

12:40Andover.

12:43Third, Shakespeare wrote a play Much Ado

12:46About Nothing, which in my humble

12:49opinion pretty much says everything

12:51about agenda item 403/26.

12:55Any discussion by the council

12:58on this vote of no confidence in the

13:00mayor is a symbolic waste of the

13:02council's time. Let the process be

13:05initiated by the citizens. Let that

13:07process play out. Lastly, this will

13:11probably cause an uproar when and if

13:14agenda item 40326

13:16comes up for a vote. Should the two

13:18councilors that were named as receiving

13:21copies of this wiretapped info be

13:24allowed to vote on the disposition of

13:26this agenda here. As always, thank you

13:29for the time allowing me

13:31uh

13:33to express my concerns.

13:35>> Thank you. The next person is uh Fabian

13:37Rojas.

13:38Name and address for the record, please.

13:40>> Good evening, uh Council members. Fabian

13:42Rojas, 50 Green Ridge Street. And

13:45tonight I'm here to speak on behalf uh

13:47regarding item 403-26.

13:49Um the proposal of no vote conference uh

13:52in regards to mayor. And I'm here to I

13:54want to be clear why I'm here tonight.

13:56Uh I'm not asking any of you city

13:57councils to determine the innocence and

14:00the guilt

14:01uh of any criminal charge. You are not

14:03the jury, and most certainly this is not

14:05a courtroom. I am here because this

14:07resolution asks completely a different

14:10question. Does this city council still

14:12have the confidence

14:14in the leadership of Mayor of Lawrence?

14:17And that question matters because every

14:19city councilor here represents the

14:21people of the city. You were elected for

14:23their voice to exercise judgment on our

14:26behalf, to oversee the direction of the

14:28city, and to hold our government

14:31accountable. Uh every of you represent

14:34residents who trusted uh with their

14:37votes. People who are not going to come

14:39in here. Be who people who might not

14:40even uh come into a microphone and

14:44speak. People who have two jobs. People

14:47that are

14:48busy with their families, running

14:50businesses. Uh they expect of your

14:53leadership because they follow.

14:56Your vote tonight tells the people what

14:58represents and what you're standing for.

15:01So, what I when I hear that the vote is

15:03merely symbolic,

15:06I have to really ask, since when the

15:08voice of an elected city council

15:10meaningless simply because it's

15:11symbolic. Symbols matter when come to

15:14elected officials. You're a leader. Your

15:16vote sends a message. Your silence sends

15:19a message. And refusing to take action

15:22sends a message. So, let me ask you, do

15:25do you really have the confidence of the

15:27judgment being exercised city at the at

15:29the city hall?

15:31Do you have the confidence the way city

15:34resources are being allocated and being

15:36used? Do you have the confidence of the

15:39transparency, the accountability coming

15:41from this administration? Do you have

15:44the confidence that the decisions being

15:46made right now are truly the best

15:49interest of the city of Lawrence?

15:51Because of this is what the vote is

15:53about. Being Do you have the confidence?

15:57This is not you being the jury. This is

15:59not you determine guilt or innocence.

16:02You are the representatives of Lawrence.

16:04People follow your lead. Well, right

16:06when you post online, be careful because

16:08of the roads. What are the citizens

16:10going to do? They're going to be

16:11careful, okay? So, the people of

16:15Lawrence deserve to know where the

16:17representative stands. Thank you.

16:21>> Kenneth, thank you. The next person is

16:23uh James Russell.

16:25Name and address for the record, please.

16:28>> Jim Russell, 55 Lowell Street. I'm here

16:31on behalf of the I'm the sec- secretary

16:33treasurer for the superior officers

16:34union. Good evening. I'm here tonight

16:36about two investigations.

16:37I I love what he just said. One into the

16:39February 2025 leak of the Maverick

16:41report and the other into a numerous

16:43hostile work filed years ago. Both

16:45involving the mayor's off- Both

16:47involving the mayor's office

16:48and both have been stopped by the mayor.

16:50More than 18 months ago, I stood here

16:52before you city councilors regarding the

16:54Maverick report leak. The council

16:56ordered an independent investigation.

16:58Why was this stopped? Regarding the

17:00hostile work environment complaints, I

17:02have an email from April 17, 2025 from

17:05the personnel director to the

17:07independent investigator. The

17:08investigation is not over. On July 14,

17:112025, the personnel director emailed the

17:14mayor. I'm quoting, "This needs to be

17:16addressed. Please advise." Over a year

17:18ago.

17:19Two weeks ago I had a recent MCAD

17:22training at the station. I asked the

17:24MCAD representative whether the city is

17:26required to investigate hostile work

17:27complaints on their own. She answered in

17:29the affirmative. Why would the city not

17:31do their own investigation?

17:35It

17:36In June of 2026, I sent the personnel

17:38director, the city attorney two

17:39straightforward questions. First

17:41question, why did the city cancel the

17:44Maverick investigation that this city

17:46council ordered? On July 20th, a month

17:48later, city attorney finally responded

17:50by email to our union attorney. The

17:53mayor canceled any investigation into

17:55the Maverick report. There is no ongoing

17:57investigation. Let this sink in.

18:00Why did Why Why would he cancel it? Does

18:02he have the authority? The council

18:04ordered this investigation, yet the

18:06mayor canceled it. Who has the authority

18:08to make this decision? This was

18:09allegedly leaked from the mayor's

18:11office, and he has the authority to stop

18:13it. Second Second question I asked

18:15personnel and HR, why did the city hire

18:18independent investigators to investigate

18:20numerous HR complaints only to put these

18:22investigations on hold? The

18:24investigation interviewed individuals,

18:26reviewed documents, watched city council

18:28meetings, and issued notices of

18:30allegations. Soon as the personnel

18:32director got these notices, the city

18:34stopped responding to the investigator.

18:36Our lawyer received no answers as to

18:39why. Councils, you have spoken about

18:41transparency, accountability, exactly

18:43what this gentleman just said. The

18:45residents, the city employees of

18:46Lawrence deserve both. Tonight I'm

18:48asking to reserve resume both

18:50investigations under council oversight

18:52and explain why they were stopped. I

18:54have every email, text message, document

18:57this time with and would be happy to

18:58share them.

18:59I emailed the city attorney asking if

19:02the mayor had the authority to do this.

19:04No answer.

19:05Ste- Council Almonte, I remember 2 years

19:07ago I was standing here. You talked to

19:09Director Garcia about hostile work

19:11complaints.

19:12>> Thank you. Thank you. All these names

19:14are going to be submitted for the

19:16record.

19:17Uh madam madam chair

19:19So, councilors

19:26Um

19:36Uh madam chair uh from the uh committee

19:38of the whole and vice chair uh Levy,

19:41item [snorts]

19:42uh 403-26, which is the adoption of a a

19:45vote of no confidence resolution

19:47regarding the Mayor Brian A. De Pena.

19:50Uh madam chair from the committee of the

19:52whole and the vice president Levy.

19:55>> Thank you.

19:58Thank you, council president. Um

20:18Council president, um

20:21item 433

20:23>> 403

20:24>> That's it. I'm sorry.

20:27>> Committee of the whole

20:28>> Committee of the whole

20:31I'm sorry.

20:34It's item

20:35>> Just uh bear with us for a second.

20:41>> Also, 403

20:47Item 403 is the adoption of

20:50a vote of no confidence resolution

20:53regarding Mayor Brian A. De Pena was

20:56sent over to the full council with

20:58favorable recommendation and I make it

21:00as a formal motion.

21:02>> There is a motion in front of us. Can we

21:03hear a second?

21:05Okay.

21:05Properly second discussion.

21:09So, this is got

21:11>> Yeah, I just have a brief statement.

21:13>> Sure. Councillor Plan.

21:14>> I

21:15repeat what I said last time, but it's

21:16really really this issue. I expressed

21:19that at our last meeting.

21:20I firmly believe that the ultimate

21:22question of confidence in the Mayor of

21:24Lawrence should be decided

21:26by the people of Lawrence.

21:28Those who believe the Mayor is doing a

21:30good job deserve the opportunity to

21:32express their support at the ballot box.

21:35At the same time, residents who have

21:36serious concerns [snorts] about the

21:38allegations involving the 2016 Council

21:41illegal activity deserve the opportunity

21:43to seek a change in leadership.

21:46Both perspective deserve to be heard,

21:49and the people of Lawrence should have

21:50that final say.

21:52I understand

21:54why some want to have a vote of no

21:56confidence.

21:57But the voice of the electorate is

21:59ultimately what matters most.

22:02The future of our city's leadership

22:04should be determined by the residents we

22:06represent.

22:08So, there is So, there is absolutely no

22:10confusion about my position.

22:13I am willing

22:15and prepared

22:16to sign the recall petition.

22:22Sure.

22:24Sign the recall petition to put this

22:26question

22:28in front of the residents of here.

22:30>> I guess your mic have a little bit of an

22:31issue. Do you mind just go over

22:34everything.

22:35>> Let's go over that last point, because I

22:36think that's probably the most important

22:38point of this.

22:41To make certain that there's no

22:43confusion,

22:44I'm willing to I'm willing and prepared

22:46to sign the recall petition to allow the

22:49voters of Lawrence to decide the city's

22:51future.

22:53I believe

22:53>> the democratic process, and I believe

22:55the people of Lawrence deserve the

22:57opportunity to make [music] that

22:59decision for themselves.

23:01Thank you, Council President.

23:02>> No problem.

23:03Uh any other counselor that would like

23:05to speak uh on this matter?

23:08Um manager, I just wanted to uh ask you

23:11a uh like if you can explain how the

23:14process went from the beginning, the

23:16first day that we it was introduced and

23:18then late later on going to committee

23:21and then to sequentially

23:23uh

23:24uh coming to this committee to this uh

23:27meeting.

23:29>> Um

23:29So, the item was placed on the agenda um

23:33back at your um October 6th meeting.

23:36There was a motion at that time to

23:38suspend rule 12A to allow it to be dealt

23:40with that same night. Uh without under

23:43rule 12A, all items need to be sent to

23:45committee. Um the motion to suspend rule

23:4712A failed, so it was sent to committee.

23:51At the committee um

23:53five members did vote in favor of the um

23:56adoption to

23:59the adopting a resolution supporting a

24:01vote of no confidence. And um so as

24:03Counselor Levy just stated, the

24:05committee report came up with a

24:07favorable recommendation to adopt this

24:09resolution. Um

24:11so then at this time

24:13the body would either be adopting that

24:15or not depending on how the vote would

24:17go.

24:17>> Yep.

24:18Uh it is important to recognize that a

24:20resolution is an official opinion of the

24:23city of Lawrence.

24:25Only the city council.

24:28Only the city council can do this.

24:31An official opinion of the city of

24:34Lawrence.

24:36That is a resolution uh

24:39uh

24:41for anything that we consider and vote

24:44uh as a resolution.

24:46Tonight uh it's uh it's been discussed

24:49uh item 403 26,

24:52the adoption of vote of no confidence uh

24:54resolution

24:56regarding the Brian E. de Peña.

24:59So, at this time, if there is any other

25:01counselor that would like to speak,

25:03uh this is

25:06this is the last chance. Otherwise,

25:08Madam Clerk, I would like to call a roll

25:10call.

25:13>> I'm not

25:14I don't want to skip anyone, but I'm not

25:16seeing anyone that

25:19wants to speak.

25:21Um

25:22>> Madam Clerk,

25:22>> I'm going to call the roll. Yeah.

25:23>> Yeah, call the roll, please.

25:25>> Councilor Blumenfield.

25:26>> No.

25:27>> Councilor Del Rosario.

25:28>> Present.

25:29>> Councilor Reyes.

25:30>> Present.

25:31>> Councilor Infante.

25:32>> Yes.

25:34>> Councilor Momolu.

25:35>> Yes.

25:37>> Councilor Miguel.

25:37>> Yes.

25:40>> Councilor Gonzales.

25:41>> Present.

25:43>> Council Vice President.

25:45>> Yes.

25:46>> Council President.

25:47>> I vote yes. What's the count?

25:49>> You have six voting in favor, three

25:51voting present, one voting no.

25:54Passes.

25:55>> It's five.

25:55>> So, five?

25:56>> It's a resolution, only needs five

25:57votes. Yeah.

25:58>> All right. Motion carries. Motion

26:00passed.

26:02All right. Uh

26:04Now, we are going to

26:09um item

26:13Out of the public hearing, we have item

26:15four uh 341-26,

26:17which is uh

26:19the um

26:24341

26:24>> 341-26 is the um

26:27right here.

26:28An act compelling

26:29>> Which is an act uh compelling the city

26:32of agencies to adhere chapter 9.25

26:36of the municipal code, so uh

26:37surveillance technologies.

26:40Uh

26:40Madam Clerk, please do read the notice

26:42for item uh 341-26.

26:48>> I'm sorry.

26:54Okay.

26:57>> Is there some left?

27:05Try the front.

27:12>> What do you want me to

27:13>> I don't know.

27:17>> Um

27:18Talking about 341-26

27:21a surveillance technology. It reads

27:23notices hereby given that the Lawrence

27:24City Council will hold a public hearing

27:26on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 at 7:00

27:28p.m. at a public meeting in the City

27:30Council Chambers, 200 Common Street,

27:32Lawrence, Mass. Pursuant to chapter two

27:34of the acts of 2023 and in accordance

27:36with the recently revised City Council

27:37rule two, this meeting will be hybrid

27:40allowing participation both in person

27:42and remotely to accommodate any

27:44participant with health considerations

27:45that prevent them from participating in

27:46person. Sorry.

27:49Um to receive access codes for remote

27:51participation, please contact City Clerk

27:54at [email protected]

27:56or 978-620-3230.

27:59The meeting may be viewed on Facebook

28:00and YouTube.

28:01The purpose of the hearing is to gather

28:03testimony, information, and public input

28:04concerning

28:06the compliance and adherence to the City

28:08of Lawrence agencies and departments

28:10with chapter 9.25 of the municipal code

28:13surveillance technologies.

28:15The city ordinance ordinance known as

28:17known and numbered as chapter 9.25 25

28:20surveillance technology in its entirety

28:23is attached here to and made a part here

28:25of. Persons wishing to be heard shall be

28:27afforded the opportunity.

28:30>> Public hearing regarding uh

28:33surveillance technology is now open.

28:35Anybody from the public that wishes to

28:36speak?

28:40Anybody from the public

28:42regarding this item would like to speak?

28:45Public hearing is now closed. Um

28:49Councilors, what's the motion?

28:50I mean, uh before we actually

28:53ask for motion, we need

28:55we have a couple of items related to

28:58uh to these uh

29:00matter

29:01which is

29:02item 412-26 as well as item

29:08>> 408

29:10>> as well as item uh 408-26

29:15which is introduction to a pilot program

29:17sounds uh thinking license plate

29:18readers.

29:20Um

29:22So, we are going to

29:25entertain uh those two items and uh and

29:28potentially

29:30uh bring this up uh from the committee

29:32as well as

29:33uh

29:34the budget and finance committee.

29:36Madam I'm a non-chair from the budget

29:38and finance committee, can you introduce

29:39item 408-26?

29:47>> Item 408-26 is the introduction of pilot

29:51program sound thinking plate reader

29:53automat automated license plate

29:55recognition or known as the AL

29:59ALPR.

30:01We sent it up um there was already a

30:03public hearing

30:04>> Yes, that's what we did.

30:06>> so

30:07uh we sent it up as a fair

30:08recommendation with the public hearing.

30:11>> All right, uh councilors, uh we have

30:14this item

30:15and uh

30:18which is in relationship to a license

30:19plate reader.

30:21Can I the in that was introduced with a

30:23fair recommendation?

30:24>> Mhm.

30:25>> All right, can I hear a second?

30:27>> Second.

30:27>> Properly second, discussion on item

30:29408-26.

30:33>> Are we just talking about that item or

30:35just all in the camera items at all?

30:37>> Uh

30:40Any cameras are all at all, but under

30:42item 408-26 because we don't have an

30:45item to discuss that matter.

30:49>> So the public hearing item we were

30:51willing to discuss that now. I forget

30:52the number. Number

30:53>> public hearing was closed.

30:55>> 341.

30:56>> 341.

30:57>> Okay.

30:58>> And item Well, we can entertain a motion

31:00for the purpose of discussion on the

31:01item

31:02341-26.

31:04>> So yeah, so I thought the public hearing

31:05was closed, but I I we have the police

31:07officer here. We have the IT director

31:10here. They're here so that

31:13because there's a lot of information. I

31:15just think it's important that we hear

31:17their

31:18what we have written.

31:20We want to hear a little like a summary

31:22of that information regarding what's

31:24happening in the police department and

31:26well also what's happening outside of

31:27the police department in other

31:28departments, which I think our IT office

31:30is going. So if there's no objection,

31:32Council President, what I would ask is

31:33that the police department

31:35give a presentation if they will overall

31:38on all of the issues regarding cameras.

31:40I know in the information that they gave

31:42us, they did tell us in the information

31:44that there are 415 cameras and 3 and 35

31:48plate readers. And if you have in your

31:51packet, Councilors, I know that we all

31:52do, it has a a variety of a lot of

31:55information. It's probably too in-depth

31:57for us to go into complete detail

31:58tonight. So I

32:00I think what's what's going to serve us

32:02best is to get an overview of that and

32:04then we can always go into more depth

32:06later. So if there's no objection, can I

32:08ask the police chief or his designee to

32:10need to give us a

32:12an overview of the police department's

32:14role

32:15in in in talking about the camera usage

32:17that they have.

32:19>> By all means, we have item uh

32:23uh

32:23chapter 9.25 of the municipal code that

32:28entertains all the civilian cameras.

32:31We have uh

32:33uh numerous cameras at the the

32:35department, but also

32:37uh

32:38at

32:40located throughout the city including

32:42city hall.

32:44And that chapter

32:46uh expand to all the cameras in the

32:48city.

32:50So, uh

32:52obviously the police department is the

32:53department that handle the most cameras

32:55in the city.

32:56So, we will entertain the chief of

32:59police that is here present with us.

33:02Uh yes, make sure you introduce

33:03yourself.

33:04>> Uh yes, good evening everyone. I'm

33:05Maurice Sagelour, 55 Lowell Street,

33:07Lawrence, Massachusetts. Now, uh

33:09relative to the uh

33:11>> The chief.

33:12>> Yes.

33:12>> The chief.

33:13>> Uh chief of police, my my apologies.

33:15Um so, we submitted information in

33:18response to the surveillance technology

33:19information uh request that was uh

33:21provided to us uh from the city council.

33:24Uh we did those um relative to the

33:26hearing under section 9.25.

33:29Now, these uh this covers two systems

33:31specifically, city camera network, Flock

33:34Safety fixed LPRs uh respectively. Now,

33:37to that end, um

33:39you know, uh I have with me uh Sergeant

33:41uh Salman Dar who works within the

33:43internal uh IT department

33:45uh and um you know, in in a more broader

33:48sense that relative to what the ISD and

33:51some of the other city departments and

33:52their use and integration is concerned,

33:55we also have uh as stated by the

33:57counselor,

33:58um you know, the IT director for the

34:00city.

34:01But, um if there are any specific uh you

34:03know, I can give you a base in overall

34:05systems overview uh relative to the

34:08camera network of Flock Safety LPRs and

34:10the like. Um if there are any specific

34:12questions to that, I know that we gave

34:14you a vast volume of uh information at

34:17which you probably haven't digested. The

34:19deadline for that was October 14th. We

34:21met that deadline. Um it was supposed to

34:23be before business day, closing of

34:24business day,

34:25uh and we uh we we we went well before

34:28that on that specific date. I don't know

34:31who has had uh the opportunity. My

34:33understanding is that this was provided

34:36to the council in and of itself

34:38in response to the section 925

34:41requests for information. And I pray

34:44that it was provided to your

34:46satisfaction relative to the questions

34:48associated with this. If there's

34:50anything outside of the scope that we

34:51have provided to you, if you want some

34:53sort of summary and overall

34:56that would speak

34:58regarding the camera networks, Flock

35:00Safety, the LPRs, costs, pur- purposes,

35:03prohibited practice,

35:05civil liberties safeguards, you you

35:07know, we can get into it. Anything

35:09having to do with technical aspect of

35:11it, Sergeant Dara, who has been working

35:13diligently

35:15and tirelessly on this and to bring us

35:17up to speed,

35:18you know, and to bring us

35:20ahead of the curve with this technology,

35:23I would refer to I would refer to him.

35:26But again, if there's anything in a more

35:28generalized term that you would like to

35:29know, I'm here. But most of the times

35:33anything technical I'm going to refer

35:34Sergeant Dara. So,

35:36>> In general, Chief, I would like you to

35:39uh

35:40um explain to the public and to us

35:43um

35:44a a all the terms that you have when it

35:46comes to amount of cameras, what is it

35:48that you have, what is it that each one

35:50of them is specialized until the limit

35:53that you can discuss. Um

35:55and and give us an overall overview of

35:58the of the system.

36:00>> Surely, the overview of the system the

36:01city camera network consists of 415

36:04cameras. Now, we share this camera with

36:06the Inspectional Services Division,

36:08Parks, the Parking Division, and all of

36:11these are are contained within the

36:13Lawrence Police Department network

36:14supervised by the Bureau of Special

36:16Investigations.

36:18And we are paying approximately $50,000

36:20a year relative to

36:22maintenance and some of the services

36:24associated with that.

36:25>> [snorts]

36:25>> We want you to know that the camera

36:27systems

36:28contain no audio.

36:30It's basically

36:32a visual genetic platform that is

36:34utilized.

36:37An offshoot of that, the Flock Safety,

36:39the LPRs, we have approximately 35 fixed

36:41Falcon readers and those are leased for

36:43approximately 127,000 a year. That comes

36:47from the LPD operating budget. This is

36:49also managed by the LPR administrators.

36:52And the LPR, and I know that this is

36:54confusing uh

36:56you know, it's like it confuses me. So,

36:58I understand that because a lot of times

36:59it gets conflated. What is LPR versus

37:01the city cameras? How is this used? How

37:03is that used?

37:05And for that reason I I am in full, you

37:07know,

37:08full agreement that, you know, perhaps

37:10we should dedicate one specific

37:13hearing or or evening, if you will,

37:16that we can allow to be to present to

37:19make a presentation here and to educate

37:21the community,

37:23to educate ourselves as for that matter,

37:26as to what Flock is, what how it's

37:29separate and distinct from LPRs, what

37:31its uses are and and the like. And and I

37:34and I know that you have a very heavy

37:35agenda this evening and so I will be

37:38more than happy to return and I have

37:40also we've also reached out to Flock

37:43representatives who would be more than

37:45willing to to come here and explain many

37:48things that that that are tied to that.

37:51>> Tell me before you continue, Chief.

37:53It is important to recognize that we

37:55have an item

37:57under the old business that uh

38:00the intent is to discuss item 41226

38:03as per what you just said.

38:06This this item might take longer than

38:09what expected and the

38:11potential discussion will be the

38:14essential and needed

38:16and a Flock

38:19personal Our

38:20will be here as requested, correct?

38:23>> Yes, sir, Council President.

38:25>> All right. May I continue?

38:27Yes.

38:29>> Um I do want to add that during the

38:31Public Safety Committee that there were

38:34um several documents referencing to the

38:36policy of law cameras that was provided

38:39the day of the meeting, which was why

38:42that item was tabled to allow sufficient

38:45time and opportunity for councilors to

38:47read up on that information and

38:50therefore propose any questions that uh

38:52potentially was not answered during that

38:54Public Safety meeting. So, I do

38:56recommend that um

38:59that those documents, if we are going to

39:01entertain that item at a full City

39:03Council um

39:06to untable it as an old business or

39:09under tabled matters, that those

39:11documents are now sent to all councilors

39:14as opposed to it was just given to the

39:17council members that were part of that

39:19committee.

39:20>> Yes, uh the intent is to uh

39:23potentially

39:24um

39:26table I mean to keep it on the old

39:27business here

39:29uh

39:29and essentially be able to entertain

39:31this item

39:33uh at the full Council meeting

39:35uh with the regards of getting all that

39:37information and providing all that

39:39information

39:40uh as needed uh to the councilors. Yes.

39:43>> So, if Sergeant Darby could please

39:44provide those pamphlets, it was like

39:47three different sections. Um if you

39:50could provide it to all councilors.

39:51>> Absolutely. Uh that was previous

39:55for plate ranger, if that's what you're

39:56talking about, yes.

39:57>> No, no,

39:58um for the Flock camera.

40:00>> So, all that documentation was sent to

40:02uh the clerk's office.

40:05All of them.

40:05>> Yes, we just basically a committee with

40:08only four councilors. So, if you can

40:10send it to all of us

40:11that would be

40:12>> Sure. I'll I'll forward it to all of

40:14you.

40:14>> Thank you.

40:15>> Yes.

40:15>> So,

40:17>> Yes, Chief. You can continue.

40:19>> Thank you. Once again, uh Council

40:21President, uh we knew that we know that

40:23a lot of the stuff that was sent over is

40:25voluminous and uh and and and technical

40:28to some degree. We'd be more than happy

40:30to uh summarize it to to whatever extent

40:33uh

40:33you deem necessary um as particularly as

40:36it relates to what uh civil liberties

40:38and safeguards are in place, retention,

40:41access, and security. I know that

40:42there's a lot of confusion on that. We

40:44hear uh we hear um

40:47we've heard every every every aspect of

40:49it, the whole spectrum of it, uh from

40:51some of the things that are accurate uh

40:54to some of the most absurd. And I think

40:56that it's important for us uh

40:58vitally important for us to not only

41:00educate the community in that regard,

41:02but uh to have everyone here on the same

41:04page in that.

41:05>> Yes, um by all means, Chief. What we're

41:07What we're going to do is uh

41:08um maintain the Flock camera

41:11uh on a separate discussion for later on

41:14and be able to just get an overall

41:17uh when it comes to section 9.25

41:19uh other than the Flock.

41:22>> Very well.

41:24So, uh at this point um

41:26the city cameras uh are based on images

41:29only. They have no facial recognition or

41:31automated analytics without Council

41:33approval as as as is the um the mandate

41:37of the um of the ordinance.

41:39Um there's no enhanced views into

41:41private property except by warrant or

41:43court order. Um and no copyrighted

41:46disseminating uh footage on personal

41:48devices. Um you know, the the LPRs

41:52themselves, they every query requires

41:55documented law enforcement purposes. We

41:57have placed a lot of safeguards uh in

41:59place in that regard as far as and we've

42:01updated our policies uh specifically

42:03three policies in and of themselves and

42:05and I can let Sergeant speak on that as

42:07well

42:08um have been updated. Again, we tried

42:10our best uh with the responsive

42:12documents uh to the surveillance and

42:15technology reports.

42:16So, if there's anything specific that

42:19you would like to know other than that,

42:21the license plate readers per se or

42:23anything other, I'd be more than happy

42:25to answer it or to try to summarize to

42:27the best I can and and certainly

42:29Sergeant Dar is available here.

42:31Anything in that regard we can certainly

42:33talk about what our new policies are,

42:36what we've done to catch up

42:38to the national standards, and what

42:40we've done to address a lot of the

42:41concerns

42:42you know and and and and reasonable

42:44concerns

42:45that the citizenry has relative to

42:47government surveillance and law

42:49enforcement surveillance.

42:50>> Before we open up for the council for

42:54discussion,

42:55do you mind summarize the policies that

42:57we have?

42:58>> Yes, at this point we have

43:02policy number 413 and that basically

43:07regulates the use of the license plate

43:09readers.

43:11We also have and that was reissued on

43:14October 13th, 2026.

43:17We also have

43:21Let's see here. We have policy 4.31

43:24and that regulates the use

43:27of city surveillance cameras.

43:29We also have the policy number 4.0 and

43:33that regulates technology technology use

43:36and implementation as it comes to us.

43:39You know, so Once again, new technology

43:42that comes our way has to be vetted by

43:44by our officials, by our IT individuals,

43:46and approved by the chief and brought

43:48before the council. But Sergeant Dar

43:50would have some more specifics on that

43:51one.

43:52>> Okay.

43:52>> Just

43:53just

43:54name and address for the record.

43:56>> Solomon Dar, 55 Lowell Street, Sergeant.

44:00Um

44:02in conjunction with technology and use

44:04implementation of the policy 400. This

44:06was uh created in parallel to uh

44:10the council recommendation under 9.25.

44:13It's exactly what's uh was required by

44:16the council, and we've implemented this,

44:19and the chief and I, we've uh gone

44:20thoroughly over what needs to happen to

44:23meet 9.25. So, this is uh a clear mirror

44:27of that.

44:29>> Councilors, any questions? Councilor

44:31Planck.

44:31>> Yeah, sure. So,

44:33uh because we'll be dealing with Flock,

44:34I'm not going anywhere near Flock. And

44:36just a reminder,

44:37while the police department has the

44:39biggest piece of the pie, there is

44:41another piece of the pie with IT, which

44:45has um

44:47um City Hall, DPW, and the library. So,

44:51we're going to need to bring them up

44:52because they don't have Flocks. They

44:54have cameras. And so, uh we will want to

44:57know more about that. But, I you know,

44:59>> [clears throat]

45:00>> the most important thing about this

45:02evening is this, from my perspective. It

45:05is to get information to the public.

45:08The whole idea behind 925, when I was on

45:11the council, we voted back in 2000 18 on

45:15that, was to make sure that our

45:17government was as transparent as

45:19possible in providing information. And

45:21we have not And I'm not looking to blame

45:24anybody in this room, but we have not

45:26fulfilled that obligation as a

45:28government to our citizens when we when

45:30we went ahead and had this ordinance

45:33passed in 2018.

45:36The win tonight is this. The win

45:37tonight, the success tonight, is if we

45:40get that information out to the public,

45:41if public if the public is concerned or

45:44wants to know about our camera policies,

45:47what the cameras are doing, we're taking

45:49a significant step this evening in

45:51making sure that they are aware. So, my

45:54question, I guess, and this is kind of

45:55an IT question, most literally, is

46:00the John Q. Public

46:02finds out that they want to whatever

46:03their reasons are says, "Oh my god, they

46:05got cameras in Lawrence. What's going on

46:07with the cameras? Where are they? What

46:08are they doing? How did they get where

46:09they're going? Are they looking at my

46:11house? I mean, what are they doing?"

46:13Where can they get this information that

46:17you have provided lots of information?

46:18Where can they see that?

46:20>> Again, so

46:229.25, I think, was

46:25something that really was,

46:27you know, ahead of the curve when when

46:29the council approved it back then.

46:30>> [snorts]

46:31>> 9.25 is is basically

46:34structured to such an extent that it

46:36safeguards civil liberties,

46:38you know, and it really places a

46:41responsibility on law enforcement to

46:43explain, document, and report,

46:46you know, the activities and what we're

46:49using it for, what how we're storing it,

46:51you know, and who's overseeing this,

46:54who's who's watching Big Brother, and

46:55and and is Big Brother responsible

46:58or accountable

46:59to the citizenry. And and I agree. I

47:02agree that it has. I know that and and

47:05there's no surprise on anyone here

47:07that the we had some tumultuous years

47:10prior to me taking over.

47:13There was a revolving door

47:15and during that revolving door and

47:16during those chaotic times,

47:18there was a lack of

47:21basically of of of the transfer of

47:23knowledge, transfer of vision, transfer

47:26of accountability.

47:28You know, there were some huge missteps

47:29taken there as far as responsibility.

47:33Now, in order to

47:35and and in keeping with the public

47:37issues that are going on now,

47:40we're also going to be ahead of the

47:41curve and we've addressed within the

47:44framework of 9.25 the use of almost all

47:46technology, all cameras, and everything

47:49else.

47:49So, we're ahead of the curve in that

47:51relative to the protection of civil

47:53liberties

47:54and transparency as well.

47:56So,

47:58I don't know if I answered the question

47:59or not.

47:59>> just ask one specific question and I'm

48:00going to get off because we know it was

48:02a lot of stuff as we're all

48:03acknowledging. So, one example of an

48:05issue, how do we determine

48:08where

48:09the 300 415

48:12cameras are in the city and are they all

48:15working?

48:16Are there any out of commission? So,

48:18that's a twofold question.

48:20Just and I'm not going to go beyond that

48:22because we There's a lot we can do and

48:23we're not going to have time.

48:24>> Just to answer your previous question as

48:26far as where they can receive this

48:27information, um

48:29they can come to the police station. We

48:31can We can send We can Beside Beside

48:33viewing No. Can I finish?

48:35>> Yes.

48:35>> So,

48:37at any time we have an open door. This

48:39is the police station. They can come in.

48:41They can ask any questions if they want

48:43to view. As far as publicly displaying

48:45it, we can publicly display this on our

48:47website where they can go view this

48:49policy. So, I think that's where you're

48:50referring to and if the public wants to

48:52view that.

48:55Yes. A- And And

48:59>> Uh where can the public can find this as

49:01of today? Is it published yet or not

49:03yet?

49:03>> Not yet. We We We've just sent this over

49:07uh to the council.

49:08>> Yeah. Okay.

49:08>> So, this this

49:09>> So, once we finish with the discussion

49:11tonight, hopefully we can we can

49:13actually see it on the website sometime

49:15tomorrow.

49:16>> [laughter]

49:18>> I love you.

49:20>> Yes.

49:20>> Okay. [laughter]

49:21>> I mean, it's a big day for the police

49:23department tomorrow.

49:25>> Yes. Uh so, as far as the location goes

49:30and how many are down, as of our last

49:33meeting here, there were 13 and they're

49:35being actively worked on.

49:37>> 13 that are down?

49:38>> 13, yes.

49:38>> Okay. Yeah.

49:39>> Yeah.

49:40>> And And how do we choose And my last

49:42question is how do we

49:43choose where these locations are? Yeah.

49:45>> So, we have a total of and how many are

49:48down? Just to Just to make sure.

49:50>> If

49:51415, there's 13 now.

49:54>> Okay, no problem. So, we have 402

49:57that are uh working.

49:58>> Yes.

49:59>> Councilor Flynn.

50:00>> Okay, thanks. So, uh and how do we make

50:02the decision? There's 415. I remember we

50:05started with 50.

50:06>> Yes.

50:06>> We started with 50 back, I don't

50:08remember what year it was. I think it

50:09was VASC who started this whole thing

50:10back in the day, and it was 50. Now, we

50:12have exploded. Um and we're going to

50:15talk not tonight, but we're going to

50:16talk about why they've exploded, but but

50:18how do we decide where those locations

50:20are? This 415.

50:22>> Well, location were based on uh several

50:25factors. Obviously, uh they're being

50:27utilized on different various poles in

50:29the city.

50:30>> Mhm.

50:30>> Uh some are occupied and are controlled

50:32by the city. Uh others are by the

50:35utility company. So, it was in

50:36conjunction with them where that was

50:39located. And there's also the hotspots

50:40where we've believed in the city that

50:42were triggering uh the need of these

50:44cameras. Uh that's why we went with

50:46PTZs, uh deployable cameras as well. So,

50:49um those were the uh the thought behind

50:52where they would be positioned

50:53tactically.

50:54>> Right.

50:54>> Councilor Flynn.

50:55>> I'm over here with the police

50:56department. I just want to take the

50:57time. Uh Chief Aguilar, you when you

51:00first heard that we were behind the

51:01eight ball on this, you stepped up

51:03immediately to give us at least a

51:04preliminary information on that. So, you

51:07understood we had some issues and you um

51:09you were more obviously this is way more

51:10comprehensive tonight, but you initially

51:12got some stuff. So, I just want to

51:13publicly say thank you for getting us as

51:16quickly as you heard about it some

51:17information cuz you saw the seriousness

51:19of it early on during your tenure as

51:21chief. appreciate that and I just just

51:23wanted to acknowledge that before I ask

51:25IT to come in and give us their slice of

51:27the pie if that's okay, Council

51:28President.

51:30>> Thank you, Council President.

51:31>> No problem. So, let's allow the IT

51:32department to come on and and speak on

51:35behalf of uh

51:36the city in regard to the other cameras.

51:42Just just uh if you can uh

51:45provide us with an overall

51:47um

51:48of the system that you manage or the IT

51:50department manage when it comes to the

51:52the city cameras.

51:53>> Sure, definitely. Good evening,

51:55counselor. Good evening, everyone.

51:57Um Carlos Castillo, IT director for the

51:59city of Lawrence, 200 Common St.

52:02Um as for the city uh cameras,

52:06um

52:08I've been here 5 years and I think this

52:11is the first time

52:14that

52:15the IT department have submitted a

52:17report. Um

52:20and this is was an ordinance that I was

52:22not aware about and I'm actually happy

52:25that I submitted the report cuz I also

52:29believe in transparency.

52:30I also believe in doing the right thing.

52:33Um as for uh city hall, uh we have 16 16

52:38camera throughout the building. The

52:39location are disclosed on the package uh

52:42that was sent. Uh we have nine in the

52:45DPW yard

52:47and 28 at the library.

52:50So,

52:51those cameras uh

52:53only are being accessed by IT and the

52:57facility manager, which is Glenn Garry.

53:01So, if there is any incident that

53:03happens within uh be

53:06um in any of the facilities that belong

53:10to city hall,

53:11um then they let me know, "Hey, Carlos,

53:15I need this video. This is what have

53:17happened." And then we turn on uh we

53:19turn in the video. Now,

53:22based on this ordinance, also um

53:25when when we were asked for reporting,

53:28I also went ahead and

53:30did an assessment, right?

53:32Of what we currently have. Um

53:35this system was installed prior to my

53:37time

53:38and I can attest the only camera we have

53:42in compliance is the one that I

53:45installed a couple of years ago out on

53:47Common Street. Now,

53:50like I said, I

53:51I don't mind providing any reports, any

53:55location to you guys.

53:57I just want to be in compliance.

54:00Um

54:02and

54:04after all of that,

54:05right? The assessment, I also put down

54:09the needs, right? What what we need

54:11because I have DPW

54:13made a request. I also have the

54:15recreation department that made a

54:16request that they need some cameras out.

54:18In South Lawrence, we do have

54:21the parking facility that needs camera.

54:24They There's a lot of area that has been

54:26vandalized

54:28and they requested. So, I put everything

54:30on hold until I come before you and

54:33submit a proper report to see how we can

54:36move forward.

54:38And which, like I said,

54:40I'd like that

54:41to be

54:42providing the information that you guys

54:45need.

54:46>> Um counselors, any questions in regard

54:49to the reminding of the cameras that we

54:51have in the city of Lawrence?

54:52>> Similar question, Council President.

54:54>> Councilor LaPlante.

54:55>> So,

54:57how do you decide how many cameras are

54:59appropriate and adequate in City Hall?

55:01So, I'm asking you two questions before

55:02I forget the second one. Or the DPW or

55:04the library, how do you decide how many

55:06and where? And number one, number two, I

55:08really

55:10Police Department's a little bit easier.

55:11If the chief wants it, the chief gets

55:12right? So, it's pretty simple. Um

55:14in your arena,

55:16who has the authority to say I want to

55:18see the I want to see videos? Who has

55:20that authority?

55:21>> All department heads.

55:23All department heads

55:25uh are able to request. Unfortunate, I

55:28am going to be very blunt.

55:31The city does not have a straightforward

55:33policy when it comes to video requests.

55:36Uh I mentioned also in the report, I did

55:39reach out to the attorney

55:41also to work on a policy, right?

55:44Just to also safeguard some of the

55:47information that are uh being released.

55:50Um

55:51Now, in terms of determination, how many

55:53cameras we need? Now, if you're DPW, DPW

55:56needs camera.

55:57IT will install it and manage it, but

55:59I'm not paying for it cuz I

56:02I didn't budget for it. If the library

56:04needs camera, I'm sorry, you

56:07you have to come up with the funds and

56:09we gladly, to save some money,

56:12we gladly install the cameras for you.

56:15And but the camera are installed based

56:18on assessments and needs by the

56:21department.

56:24>> Are there Are there audio on the cameras

56:26or just video?

56:27>> No, just video.

56:29>> All the video I know right now, for all

56:31we know what happened recently, I just

56:32noticed around this building, for

56:34example, we see that there is cameras

56:36are in use and audio or or whatever.

56:39>> Uh, yeah, so those those camera has been

56:41uh taken away.

56:43So, uh the one with the audio, but right

56:45now at this moment, all the cameras

56:48we have no audio. They don't have no

56:51audio capability and going forward,

56:54just to be transparent to everyone,

56:57those we will follow that same concept.

57:01No audio. Uh,

57:03if we need to come before you guys

57:04before we do anything with the camera,

57:07I'm willing to come and provide you guys

57:09any information that it's needed.

57:11>> And last question again, we could we

57:12could we could spend a lot of time on

57:13this and I'm not going to take I'm not

57:14going to take any more time. I asked the

57:16police department this question, I'll

57:17ask you. Out of the 16 at City Hall, the

57:20nine at DPW, that's 25, 28 in the

57:22library, I think that's 53. Out of the

57:2453 cameras that we have, are they all

57:26operational or some out of operation?

57:29>> Uh, right now, let's say for instance,

57:31DPW yard, we have a total of nine

57:33cameras.

57:35Four of those cameras are completely

57:37out.

57:38Um all the cameras we have here at City

57:40Hall, they all functioning, but they are

57:43outdated.

57:44Uh our current DVR doesn't hold [snorts]

57:48not even 30 days worth of footage.

57:50And and it's because of the age of the

57:53system.

57:54>> And library?

57:55>> Uh library, right now we just have uh

57:58two cameras that are completely out.

58:00>> So, 26 out of 28.

58:04Again,

58:05plenty of stuff. I'm going to stop.

58:06Thank you very much. And thank you for

58:08your cooperation in working through. I

58:09know this is a very sensitive topic.

58:11Now, none of us were

58:14we all understand and see you and

58:15understand what's going on. So, I mean I

58:17from where I'm sitting, I appreciate

58:19what your assistance on trying to get us

58:21and get us information. And how can the

58:23public find out where the cameras are

58:24for your for your stuff that your

58:27IT-related stuff.

58:27>> The I I don't know anything about loss,

58:31but if if

58:33>> [snorts]

58:33>> uh we can we I can share that same

58:36report that I shared with you. We can

58:37upload it to the city website. And be

58:39available if if you guys thinks it's

58:41okay. Yeah, I mean, why not?

58:43>> It's the whole idea. The whole idea

58:45behind this is to get it out. The second

58:47the council president the second step in

58:49this this is not a tonight thing. This

58:50is a in the future thing. This is step

58:53one. Step two is for us to have a

58:55conversation regarding

58:57now that the approvals, the discussions

59:00and I know this is over this is a very

59:02broad overview, but what we need to find

59:04out are what are the results?

59:06What are the impacts? That's the next

59:08conversation that needs to come from

59:11from this. So, this is step one and

59:13there needs to be step two with the

59:14police and with with the IT and their

59:16things. But tonight, I think we've

59:18canceled that as long as you get that

59:19stuff online with the police department,

59:21I think we're going to be good for

59:21tonight from where I sit. Thank you,

59:23Council President.

59:24>> Any other councilors? Uh Councilor

59:26Stephanie Fontaine and Councilor Olivia

59:27Marmol

59:29uh are next.

59:30>> Thank you, three of you, Council

59:31President. Um Director,

59:33can you go back uh

59:36repeat or re-clar- clarify it for me.

59:40When you mentioned that out of all the

59:42city cameras, there's only one in

59:44compliance, which is the one on Common

59:47Park, is that correct?

59:49>> Uh Common Street.

59:51>> All right. So, what do you mean by not

59:53in compliance? What factors

59:56um

59:56>> Uh I I'd say not in compliance is

1:00:00because it's modern and newer compared

1:00:04to what we currently have.

1:00:06>> Can you just expand a little more on

1:00:07that, because I mean I was a little con-

1:00:09confused.

1:00:10>> Confused, right. Okay.

1:00:10>> Because if it is not in compliance,

1:00:12means potentially have audio

1:00:14>> Oh, no, no, no, no, no. So, so

1:00:17Okay, so so so so not a scam compliance,

1:00:20meaning that they are already end of

1:00:22life. They are at a stage where we need

1:00:26to replace them, right? If If it's like

1:00:29every IT system, right? We always do

1:00:31plan for a 5-year plan, right? For any

1:00:34IT equipment. Because after 5 years

1:00:37some equipment after 5 years is

1:00:39completely end of life, and we need to

1:00:41change it. Uh it's just um I I guess the

1:00:45business of

1:00:46um but the the camera that is on Common

1:00:49Street is an Axis camera, and those are

1:00:52newer.

1:00:52>> Okay, perfect. That's good for

1:00:54clarifying that.

1:00:55>> Counselor Infante.

1:00:56>> Thank you. Repeat again, how many city

1:00:58cameras do we have? I missed that.

1:01:00>> I It It's We have 28 for the library. We

1:01:03have 16 for City Hall, around 53.

1:01:06>> 53. Okay, so one is in compliance

1:01:08according to the the life span.

1:01:10>> Yes. Mhm.

1:01:11>> Have you conducted a cost analysis of of

1:01:14replacing

1:01:15>> Yes.

1:01:16>> the Okay, how much would that be?

1:01:17>> Yes.

1:01:18>> Do you know Do you remember off the top

1:01:19of your head?

1:01:20>> Um we're talking about 150,000.

1:01:23>> Okay.

1:01:24And then my second question to you is I

1:01:27guess more of a comment. You also

1:01:28mentioned that we don't have a policy

1:01:31in regards to access to

1:01:34>> a video request.

1:01:35>> video request

1:01:36>> Yes.

1:01:36>> Okay. So, my colleague from District F

1:01:39mentioned that this is a first step out

1:01:41of a a multi-step uh discussion. What

1:01:44I'm going to recommend to you is to have

1:01:46a meeting with the city attorney and

1:01:48let's get working on that cuz I believe

1:01:50that's important.

1:01:51>> We already started.

1:01:52>> Oh, you already started? Perfect. So, I

1:01:54missed that. So, I apologize. I'm glad

1:01:56that you did that and that is all I have

1:01:59for you. Thank you.

1:02:00>> Councilwoman

1:02:01>> Uh my colleague already touched on it.

1:02:03It was regarding the policy factor of it

1:02:06and [snorts] I do see that the attorney

1:02:07is here with us. So, I was going to ask

1:02:11um his input, but I believe you just

1:02:13said that you're currently working on

1:02:15that policy.

1:02:16>> yes. So, we we had a briefly word

1:02:18conversation. So, I already have it

1:02:21typed up. I'm going to hand it over to

1:02:23him and then whatever modification that

1:02:24needs to be done uh from a legal

1:02:27perspective, then uh then after that

1:02:29we'll move forward.

1:02:31>> Given the fact that there wasn't a

1:02:32policy per se regarding the request of

1:02:35videos, I'm assuming you've been

1:02:36requested is

1:02:38how do I word I'm trying to see how do I

1:02:40word this? How do I phrase it?

1:02:43Have you've Have your department um

1:02:46has received requests in the past for

1:02:48videos?

1:02:49>> Yes.

1:02:49>> And if so, what was the process that you

1:02:52were

1:02:53you were following?

1:02:54>> either uh send me an email, word of

1:02:57mouth, or send me a text.

1:03:00>> And you were able to like pass over

1:03:03>> Well, yeah, whatever they uh requested

1:03:05cuz they are, you know, uh department

1:03:07heads and

1:03:08>> Okay. And there was never any

1:03:12like kickback or challenges or

1:03:14discussions regarding

1:03:16>> Uh

1:03:17>> sending videos to like So any Anyone

1:03:19could have requested it?

1:03:21>> Uh

1:03:21>> I don't know if the

1:03:22You stood up, so I'm assuming

1:03:24>> I I think you have to understand what's

1:03:25being requested. We had various assaults

1:03:28on people working for the city occurring

1:03:30outside. So we would request videos to

1:03:33see if we can get the assailant.

1:03:35So it's pretty apparent why we were

1:03:36looking for it. There's nothing like,

1:03:37"Hey, I want to see if Susie walked into

1:03:39the building." It was, "Hey, somebody

1:03:42threw a brick through the window. Do we

1:03:43have a camera for that?" "Hey, someone

1:03:46threw a brick through the side door. Do

1:03:48we have a camera for that?"

1:03:49>> attorney, but again, the question was,

1:03:51considering that there hasn't been a

1:03:53policy set in stone, I was curious as to

1:03:56what was the procedure

1:03:59prior to having a policy in place and

1:04:02how you how you guys actually executed

1:04:05these requests.

1:04:06>> So that's why I mentioned that that's

1:04:08why we had the conversation, right? To

1:04:11start up a procedure, right? To

1:04:13>> And I'm glad you You showed the

1:04:15initiative.

1:04:16>> kind of clarify, right? Uh when it comes

1:04:19to someone requesting a video. Right now

1:04:21you have a valid question. Honestly, I

1:04:24don't have an answer. I don't push back,

1:04:26right? If the department head asked me

1:04:27for a video,

1:04:29you know, he's he's a department head

1:04:30and you know, I'd I'd provide

1:04:32>> a log that you guys keep? Is there some

1:04:34sort of record

1:04:35>> Uh an email so

1:04:36so that that's

1:04:37So that's why I want to do the policy so

1:04:41that way we do everything by the book.

1:04:43>> Okay.

1:04:43>> Uh which

1:04:45I would love that. Um

1:04:47>> But as of now, so as of now

1:04:48>> As of now, we It's a work in progress.

1:04:50>> There's no tracking system?

1:04:51>> Uh well, just email. We just have

1:04:53emails.

1:04:54>> Okay.

1:04:54>> So,

1:04:55um we have whenever someone send me an

1:04:57email or text.

1:04:58>> Okay.

1:04:59>> But I want to limit the send me a video

1:05:03the word of mouth or something like that

1:05:05then that way we can just have a

1:05:06procedure in place and just follow that

1:05:08procedure and then everyone will We will

1:05:10be, you know, in gets done.

1:05:12>> Okay. Almost that Council President.

1:05:15>> All right. It is important to recognize

1:05:16that the police department have a

1:05:18specific procedure to the to release

1:05:21video footage for anybody in the public

1:05:23and that's usually through a FOIA

1:05:26request and got to be documented and

1:05:28then

1:05:28>> [snorts]

1:05:28>> provide that information. So, the police

1:05:30work a little different. I don't want

1:05:32both processes to be confused.

1:05:34So, they already have a

1:05:36specific process to follow.

1:05:39That they have done in the past.

1:05:40Uh Council West Basin Levy.

1:05:42>> Okay. Thank you, Council President and

1:05:43to you. I just only a quick question.

1:05:46You said that we have a camera at the

1:05:47senior center or at the center.

1:05:50>> At the center, unfortunately, Martha has

1:05:52been asking for camera.

1:05:55But,

1:05:56it's one of those things that I have

1:05:57never

1:05:59uh

1:06:00those type of requests, right? I

1:06:01consider those requests as capital

1:06:04improvement, right? I don't put it in my

1:06:06operating budget. And we haven't

1:06:10formally put in a request for those

1:06:12camera.

1:06:13So, now that we have an ordinance, like

1:06:15I said, we just going to follow whatever

1:06:17we have in the ordinance and and start

1:06:19working

1:06:20with that. And yes, I do have the senior

1:06:23center in in in mind that we will add

1:06:26cameras in the future if the Council

1:06:28permits.

1:06:30Um because there has been incidents in

1:06:32there and

1:06:33there hasn't been any camera to capture

1:06:36uh

1:06:37what have gone on

1:06:39uh in there.

1:06:41>> Okay.

1:06:41So,

1:06:43maybe this is for the neither outside

1:06:46>> Neither outside. Senior center does not

1:06:48have any cameras outside or inside at

1:06:51all.

1:06:52>> Okay. Thank you.

1:06:53>> You're welcome.

1:06:55>> Are there any Council other questions in

1:06:57regards to the city cameras or perhaps

1:06:58the police department?

1:06:59>> Hi, Council President. Your microphone.

1:07:02>> Councilors, any questions in regard to

1:07:04the city cameras or perhaps any

1:07:06questions to the police department.

1:07:12Any other questions?

1:07:13>> [cough]

1:07:15>> Uh

1:07:17I think that

1:07:20Councilors uh

1:07:22for future reference I think that we

1:07:24should table this matter at the full

1:07:25council.

1:07:27Uh but it's up to the uh

1:07:30to the councilors to uh

1:07:32decide.

1:07:32>> three items right now.

1:07:34>> So can I get a vote

1:07:35>> 341

1:07:36>> Yeah, item 341.

1:07:37>> Okay.

1:07:38>> Uh

1:07:39I'll entertain a motion.

1:07:40>> Do you want us to call it?

1:07:41>> Yes.

1:07:42Okay.

1:07:47>> Now that's checked off.

1:07:48>> That box is now checked off. There needs

1:07:49to be another item, I think, new item

1:07:52introduced to say what are the results?

1:07:54What's happening? We got you we got

1:07:55that. Now we need to figure out what are

1:07:57the numbers.

1:07:58Uh so we can dig a little deeper on that

1:08:00and it's going to go beyond the flocks

1:08:01as everything.

1:08:02Again.

1:08:03>> Yeah, we can definitely we can either

1:08:04table this matter or withdraw this

1:08:06matter.

1:08:07Uh

1:08:08and introduce a new item when it comes

1:08:10to uh seeking for the result of the

1:08:12cameras and the flocks have an

1:08:14independent item completely independent

1:08:16item that is at the safety committee.

1:08:18And at the old business

1:08:20>> And we have

1:08:20>> on this agenda today.

1:08:22>> Council president also we have a 412.

1:08:24>> Yeah, we we will entertain 412 in a

1:08:26second.

1:08:28>> So motion to table

1:08:29item 341-26.

1:08:34>> That's the motion to table. No

1:08:35discussion on the table matters. All

1:08:37those in favor please say aye.

1:08:38>> Aye.

1:08:38>> Any nays?

1:08:39>> Nay.

1:08:40>> Uh Madam Clerk please call the roll.

1:08:41>> Shift new item.

1:08:45>> Councilor Price I think you said a few

1:08:46last time.

1:08:46>> Sure.

1:08:48>> Yes.

1:08:50Councilor Price

1:08:51>> Yes.

1:08:53>> This is to table. Councilor

1:08:54>> Yes.

1:08:55>> Councilor Fajardo

1:08:56>> Yes.

1:08:57>> Councilor Reyes

1:08:58>> Yes.

1:08:59>> Councilor Rodriguez

1:09:00>> Yes.

1:09:01>> Councilor Rodriguez

1:09:03No.

1:09:07>> Yes.

1:09:08>> Yes, motion carries. Uh you know 40826

1:09:11we present the report. We have a

1:09:14underlying motion for this item, which

1:09:16is a motion to

1:09:19Motion to approve, I believe. So

1:09:22Item 40826 introduction of pilot

1:09:25program. SoundThinking Plate Rangers

1:09:28automatic license plate recognition.

1:09:31Uh there was a motion to approve.

1:09:36And it's been properly second discussion

1:09:38on the matter.

1:09:42Uh

1:09:43there was that it was in doubt.

1:09:47Just just just revise the how it was in

1:09:50doubt.

1:09:50>> Okay, hold on one second.

1:09:53So are we talking

1:09:55>> That was going to finance committee.

1:09:58>> [snorts]

1:10:02>> So it was a it was sent out

1:10:05with a favorable recommendation and that

1:10:07was presented as a form of a motion.

1:10:10And it was second as well.

1:10:13So discussion on on this matter. This

1:10:15matter is a license plate

1:10:18reader.

1:10:19So let's allow the police department to

1:10:21expand on this program.

1:10:24Discussion.

1:10:26>> Yes, sir. So this is a um

1:10:30We presented this uh last council

1:10:32meeting as an alternative to what we

1:10:35currently have for Flock.

1:10:37Uh Plate Ranger is uh

1:10:40a company

1:10:41from SoundThinking. We have various

1:10:44platform from SoundThinking. ShotSpotter

1:10:46is one of them. CrimeCatcher is another.

1:10:48We actively use both of those

1:10:50technologies.

1:10:51Uh what we requested of the council was

1:10:54a opportunity under 9.25 to demo this

1:10:57technology to see uh uh other avenues.

1:11:02>> Duration and what is in take?

1:11:04>> Duration would be 90 days.

1:11:07Uh there would be no cost to the city.

1:11:09>> And 10 cameras?

1:11:11>> I'm sorry.

1:11:12>> And 10 cameras?

1:11:12>> 10 cameras.

1:11:13>> Extra cameras that are going to be

1:11:15separate from uh the camera

1:11:16>> Separate from the Flock ones, yes.

1:11:18>> Okay. Counselors, uh this item was uh

1:11:21debated in um

1:11:23uh the uh budget and finance committee.

1:11:25Any questions in regard to this matter?

1:11:27>> Councilor President.

1:11:28>> Councilor Infante.

1:11:29>> Thank you. I just want to This is a

1:11:31comment, not a question, but we had a

1:11:33very

1:11:35um in-depth conversation and

1:11:37presentation during the budget and

1:11:39finance committee.

1:11:40Um and I believe that anyone from the

1:11:43public who hasn't watched that portion

1:11:46of last week's meeting should because it

1:11:48was very informational. I actually

1:11:50believe um maybe something to discuss uh

1:11:54more with the with the chief um but

1:11:57perhaps even that portion of the video

1:12:00should be displayed within the Lawrence

1:12:03Police website or the city website

1:12:05because it is a pilot program. There is

1:12:07safety concerns when it comes to

1:12:08surveillance and etc. And I just believe

1:12:11that yourself and the gentleman from uh

1:12:14the representative from the company

1:12:15provided so much information and good

1:12:18information that it should be more

1:12:20available um to the public cuz as we

1:12:22continue to have meetings, that video's

1:12:24just going to, you know, get buried with

1:12:26other

1:12:27um live streams.

1:12:28>> May I suggest we can uh we definitely at

1:12:31the news station we have two different

1:12:32uh independent um

1:12:35technologies now where we can display

1:12:37the demo, actually.

1:12:38>> Perfect. Okay. Thank you.

1:12:39>> Thanks.

1:12:40>> So,

1:12:41uh yes in general,

1:12:43can you give us an overall view of this

1:12:46this new system?

1:12:48Yes in general, can you give us an

1:12:49overall the of this new system

1:12:52uh that the city is considered as a

1:12:53pilot program for 90 days and can you

1:12:56establish some type of difference

1:12:58between the current system that we have

1:13:01and this new system that we trying out?

1:13:03>> Yeah, so

1:13:04the both of the platform are actually

1:13:06cloud native. So it's

1:13:09it's not stored on any type of server.

1:13:11However, the main difference in between

1:13:14Flock and Plate Ranger is one is a

1:13:16little more

1:13:18it has more reach. So Flock does have a

1:13:20bigger reach. It goes nationwide versus

1:13:24Plate Ranger is exclusive to I would

1:13:26have to say the community. That's how

1:13:28it's configured to.

1:13:31Otherwise, the technology itself it's

1:13:34it's it's based on

1:13:36for the Lawrence Police Department.

1:13:37We're reactive department. So when a

1:13:40call for service does come depending on

1:13:42the priority of the crime, it will

1:13:43display

1:13:45that vehicle that's on a particular hot

1:13:47list to come up on screen and then we

1:13:49would follow through with that that hit.

1:13:52>> So the new system is more like

1:13:55have an option of

1:13:57being only local.

1:13:58>> Yes.

1:13:59>> Correct.

1:14:00And I'm assuming that is that's what we

1:14:02going to try out.

1:14:03>> Yes. So with Flock obviously goes from

1:14:07it reads other municipalities

1:14:09as long as you share with that

1:14:10municipality it would it would trigger

1:14:12that. With Plate Ranger is it's

1:14:15exclusive

1:14:16to this community.

1:14:20>> Counselors, any questions?

1:14:22Counselor Rosario.

1:14:23>> Thank you to you.

1:14:24If we decide to go with this pilot

1:14:26program

1:14:28are we in any contract that we need to

1:14:30cancel and maybe pay with Flock?

1:14:33>> Well, we have a an annual renewal with

1:14:35Flock. So we do have a commitment with

1:14:37them for that 127.

1:14:40And following that

1:14:42it would be an overlap

1:14:44of course.

1:14:45But again, it all depends on if the demo

1:14:48uh produces fruit.

1:14:51>> Thank you, counselor.

1:14:53Any other questions, counselor? Just a

1:14:55comment.

1:14:55>> Uh, counselor Labrun.

1:14:56>> Uh, so actually, I had a question. The

1:15:00the yearly contract needs to be approved

1:15:02by this council now. I think that's been

1:15:04established. So, I think that's it's

1:15:06there, but so I from this point going

1:15:08forward, whenever that due date is, we

1:15:10should have an opportunity to to know

1:15:12more about the what's happening, etc.,

1:15:14etc. So, just so you're aware of that.

1:15:16>> Absolutely. It was actually presented

1:15:18part of the package that was submitted

1:15:19to council, and also budget and finance

1:15:21committee had introduced the renewal

1:15:23that was coming up.

1:15:24>> And to that is my my real point here,

1:15:26which is this. Finally,

1:15:29since 2018,

1:15:31this is what this council intended to

1:15:34see

1:15:35when this ordinance was passed. We are

1:15:37finally It took how many years now?

1:15:40Eight years or so, but we're finally

1:15:43where we should be when regarding to

1:15:45cameras and allowing us as a council to

1:15:48review and understand because of the

1:15:50sensitivities of the cameras, the civil

1:15:52liberties of the cameras, the way these

1:15:54cameras can be abused

1:15:57be [cough] abused, and we're going to be

1:15:59able to handle that and is it and it's

1:16:01going to be a tool, and it's all about

1:16:03making sure that we protect making sure

1:16:05the police has their tools, but also

1:16:07making sure that the civil liberties of

1:16:08the public are also protected as well.

1:16:10So, there's that delicate dance. So,

1:16:11we're doing it the right way is my

1:16:13point. Thank you for for being a part of

1:16:15this, and we're finally doing it the

1:16:16right way.

1:16:16>> Yeah, I couldn't agree with you more.

1:16:18I'm actually also the civil rights

1:16:19officer for the PD, so

1:16:22that's important to me as long as with

1:16:24the department.

1:16:25>> Any other questions, counselors?

1:16:27Uh, we have a pilot program that we need

1:16:29to approve.

1:16:31Uh, if there is no questions on the

1:16:33pilot program specifically, I'll call

1:16:35the question. Madam Clerk, please call

1:16:36the roll.

1:16:39Yeah, just call the roll.

1:16:41>> Yes.

1:16:43>> Councilor Lozano.

1:16:44>> Yes.

1:16:45>> Councilwoman Reyes?

1:16:46>> Yes.

1:16:47>> Councilwoman Infante?

1:16:48>> Yes.

1:16:49>> Councilwoman Mamo?

1:16:50>> Yes.

1:16:51>> Councilman Miguel?

1:16:51>> Yes.

1:16:52>> Councilwoman Gonzalez?

1:16:55>> Councilwoman Noriega is absent.

1:16:56>> Oh, Noriega is absent? Is she going to

1:16:57be?

1:16:58Thank you.

1:17:00Um

1:17:02I'm so confused right now. Council Vice

1:17:04President?

1:17:04>> Yes.

1:17:06>> Council President?

1:17:07>> Uh I would just like to call the all

1:17:09there there the vote for councilor

1:17:12>> Councilwoman Gonzalez was the the roll

1:17:13call.

1:17:14>> of the of the

1:17:15of the new camera system, the license

1:17:17license plate recognition

1:17:18>> pilot program for

1:17:20document number 408.

1:17:22So, we're voting on Can you please

1:17:24repeat that?

1:17:25>> Sure. Um it's document number 408. It's

1:17:27coming out of budget and finance and

1:17:28it's the adoption of a 90-day pilot

1:17:30program for cameras. Um

1:17:33It's document It's the Sound Thinking

1:17:35Plate Ranger Automated License Plate

1:17:37Recognition Program across

1:17:39all

1:17:39It's um Put on my Rosie Shepherd, the

1:17:41director of support services with police

1:17:43department.

1:17:45>> Yes.

1:17:45>> Yes. Yes, perfect.

1:17:46>> All right. Motion carried unanimously.

1:17:48Um at this time, we are not taking all

1:17:52that uh the Flock camera. We're going to

1:17:54let it uh

1:17:55uh let it go to another um to another uh

1:17:59meeting or two

1:18:00to be able to discuss this with more

1:18:01data.

1:18:06So, councilors, let me go back.

1:18:08>> Council President, can I make a motion?

1:18:10>> Go on then.

1:18:10>> I say yes.

1:18:11>> Okay. Thank you.

1:18:12>> Can I make a recommendation, Council

1:18:13President, that we continue with the

1:18:14police department so they can go move on

1:18:16and finish with them tonight with

1:18:17document 6526, which is the noise

1:18:20ordinance? Can we Can we

1:18:21>> Yeah, that's exactly what I have. The

1:18:23noise ordinance uh as a third item.

1:18:26Um I item uh Can I get a motion to table

1:18:29item 6526?

1:18:31>> So moved.

1:18:31>> Second.

1:18:32>> Is a motion to table this item, properly

1:18:34seconded, discussion?

1:18:36I hear none. All those in favor, please

1:18:37say aye.

1:18:37>> Aye.

1:18:38>> Any nays? The ayes have it. Uh let's

1:18:41introduce this item again.

1:18:43Uh

1:18:44as it was tabled in the past.

1:18:46>> You want to read it back into the

1:18:47record?

1:18:48>> Yes, please.

1:18:49>> Um

1:18:53I'm sorry. Um

1:18:55do you just mean the document or the

1:18:56whole

1:18:57>> No, the we we the I'm assuming there is

1:19:00a changes that we're going to be

1:19:01discussing.

1:19:02>> I think you need to change

1:19:03>> and item presented.

1:19:10Uh

1:19:11So, item 20 65 26 is the proposed update

1:19:15uh to noise ordinance uh 0904

1:19:19uh 040.

1:19:21Uh now, the Captain Ariel Montas from

1:19:24the Lawrence Police Department is here

1:19:25with us.

1:19:26Uh welcome again.

1:19:29>> Good evening, sir. Good evening,

1:19:30Council. Um Ariel Montas, I'm Lawrence

1:19:32Police Department. I'm 55 Lowell Street.

1:19:35Um

1:19:36here I am again. Um obviously, we

1:19:38haven't forgotten about the importance

1:19:39of um

1:19:40of the this ordinance. Um so, we went

1:19:43back to the lab. We redrafted it. We

1:19:45came up with something that I think will

1:19:47be more palatable to the council.

1:19:49Um

1:19:50and it would that would also

1:19:52you know, it actually um

1:19:55um easier to understand for the public,

1:19:58easier to enforce for us. Um and I

1:20:00certainly hope um you know, that it's

1:20:02that it that we could get your vote. I

1:20:04would like to read a a statement if you

1:20:05would if you would mind.

1:20:06>> Uh by all means.

1:20:08>> Um

1:20:09So, Councilors, um between January and

1:20:11early October this year the Lawrence

1:20:14Police Department responded to more than

1:20:153,400 noise calls.

1:20:18That's over 12 calls every single day if

1:20:21you were to space them out throughout

1:20:23you know, throughout the day. But, these

1:20:24calls are 70% of these calls are coming

1:20:26in after 9:00 p.m. Uh when people are

1:20:29trying to sleep. Almost 2/3 happen on

1:20:31weekends and more than half of the

1:20:33entire year's calls piled up in just

1:20:36three summer months.

1:20:39They're not abstract numbers. They're

1:20:40nights of

1:20:42lost sleep for families, um in

1:20:45apartments, for shift workers,

1:20:47uh for kids who have to go to school the

1:20:49next morning, and for elderly residents

1:20:51who simply want peace in their homes.

1:20:54Um right now our ordinance is too vague

1:20:57um to give officers a clear tool and too

1:21:00weak to give um residents actual relief.

1:21:04Um the rewrite in front of you um is

1:21:07about one simple thing, which is making

1:21:09it possible to enforce the quiet when it

1:21:11matters the most. Um

1:21:14and I certainly hope that you guys um um

1:21:16that we could get your support here

1:21:17tonight.

1:21:18>> [snorts]

1:21:19>> Uh counselors, we have this ordinance

1:21:21that uh is a modification of the of that

1:21:24uh

1:21:25of the former uh

1:21:27ordinance that we have in the city of

1:21:28Lawrence more

1:21:31uh

1:21:31open and more clear to the public.

1:21:34And uh we have a a good amount of

1:21:36discussion last time.

1:21:38Uh and it was some changes also

1:21:40introduced uh as it was highlighted uh

1:21:43on the package that you have you guys

1:21:45received. Any questions on this matter,

1:21:47counselor?

1:21:47>> a question parliamentary

1:21:48>> question. Who is the author of the

1:21:50underlying motion?

1:21:51>> Uh

1:21:55I believe uh

1:21:59It was on

1:22:00>> But you don't find us committee on the

1:22:02>> Uh let's take a look at it. Give me 1

1:22:03second, counselor Blanco.

1:22:09>> Back on July

1:22:117th.

1:22:13>> Uh we had a motion to approve with no

1:22:15vote taken. The motion was made by

1:22:16counselor Blanco, seconded by counselor

1:22:19Reyes.

1:22:20>> And it was tabled.

1:22:21>> And that was tabled. Motion to table by

1:22:23counselor Marmolejos, counselor Leahy.

1:22:25>> So we did we make a motion to table? Is

1:22:27that right?

1:22:28>> Yes.

1:22:28>> Yeah, we just now got to remember that.

1:22:29>> I'll I'll speak on it briefly tonight.

1:22:32So,

1:22:33thank you.

1:22:36Let me just start off by saying

1:22:39one of the most important issues, the

1:22:41thing that aggravates residents the

1:22:43most, in my opinion,

1:22:46parking is starting to creep up, by the

1:22:47way, but it is noise.

1:22:50Not You mentioned it, Captain. You've

1:22:52mentioned the lack of sleep, families,

1:22:55work, people who are trying to get to

1:22:56work, trying to go to school, elderly

1:22:58people who just want a quiet time.

1:23:01It's It's It's It's loud. You get it.

1:23:04You've given us numbers. You gave us a

1:23:06number, I wrote it down somewhere, 3,400

1:23:09noise calls this current year, and we're

1:23:12not even done with the year yet. We

1:23:13still have 2 more months left. [snorts]

1:23:15It's probably going to eclipse 3,500,

1:23:18maybe even close to 4,000, who knows?

1:23:20Let's hope not.

1:23:22But, this This is what drives people out

1:23:24of the city.

1:23:25This, and parking. I think parking is

1:23:27starting to get there, too. This is what

1:23:29is doing it. Because

1:23:31people

1:23:33they want to enjoy the city, but they

1:23:34also want their quiet time, too.

1:23:37And when the reason why you have 3,400

1:23:40noise calls, which is an amazingly large

1:23:41number, is because people are crying out

1:23:45for some relief.

1:23:47They They don't know where to turn.

1:23:50And when we found out that the ordinance

1:23:52that we thought was this good ordinance

1:23:54that we can enforce it and make stuff

1:23:56happen, we learned during the testimony

1:23:58that this was unenforceable. You could

1:24:00not enforce this. And so, for the

1:24:02longest time now,

1:24:04everybody's thinking there's a noise

1:24:05ordinance that the police can enforce.

1:24:07Well, we The emperor is wearing no new

1:24:09clo- no clothes here. There was no There

1:24:11is an ordinance, but it's unenforceable.

1:24:13So, if you wanted to crank it, as Spinal

1:24:15Tap would say, to 11, for those of you

1:24:17who are older, you would know what I

1:24:18mean. This is

1:24:21>> You did they didn't make a difference.

1:24:22You you can just go there and knock and

1:24:24if they appealed that it I mean like you

1:24:25you you go back. We need this. We need

1:24:28to get these officers, Council

1:24:29President, the tools that they need to

1:24:32to provide the kind of relief that our

1:24:34neighbors that our residents need. And

1:24:36so I I

1:24:38When the best part about this is it came

1:24:40from the police department.

1:24:42That's the best part cuz you know why?

1:24:44They've got buy-in.

1:24:46This is their ordinance.

1:24:48They're telling us that if they have

1:24:49this tool, they're going to make a

1:24:51difference.

1:24:52Now, with a tool that they say that that

1:24:55they want that they've crafted, I want

1:24:57to give them that tool. And so I don't

1:25:00expect the 3,400 to go down to zero,

1:25:03but I do expect to see when this thing

1:25:05is if this passed and hope that it is. I

1:25:07encourage you all to support it. I want

1:25:09to see that trend line or I want to see

1:25:12improvements on it. I want to see This

1:25:14year it's 34, but next year 2,500. The

1:25:18year after that 2,000. The year after

1:25:20that 1,500. Or better. Or better. So, on

1:25:23behalf of the people that I represent,

1:25:25when I knock on their doors almost every

1:25:28year, but definitely every 2 years,

1:25:30I hear from them immediately, this noise

1:25:32and parking. This noise thing,

1:25:35what are you doing about it? What are

1:25:36you doing about it? What are you doing

1:25:37about it? I can't do it. Thank you. I

1:25:39hope you can all support it.

1:25:42Oh, wait. I got a parliamentary

1:25:43question. Can we just adopt Can we just

1:25:45substitute? I want to make a motion to

1:25:47include this to substitute my emotion

1:25:50with this document right here.

1:25:51>> Wait, you're amending a motion.

1:25:52>> I'm amending my own motion with this

1:25:54document.

1:25:58>> If I may if I may say something um real

1:26:00quick.

1:26:01>> Um yes, Councillor Monahan.

1:26:02>> Um please. Um

1:26:05>> Yes, Councillor

1:26:05>> I I think that earlier was said that the

1:26:07Lawrence Police Department is a reactive

1:26:08department. Um and that does apply, you

1:26:11know, to the use of um of that

1:26:13technology that we were that we were

1:26:14speaking about at the time.

1:26:16Um

1:26:17we do have the luxury of having some of

1:26:19the most motivated officers probably in

1:26:21the Commonwealth.

1:26:23They want to go out there and work. They

1:26:24want to do proactive work. The type of

1:26:26work the type of police work that that

1:26:28you guys want to be seen done.

1:26:30Um

1:26:31jumping from, you know, addressing 3,400

1:26:34noise calls

1:26:35keeps them from

1:26:37actively enforcing traffic laws in the

1:26:39areas where accidents actually take

1:26:41place, monitoring the areas where

1:26:42robberies take place. Somebody has to

1:26:44hold all of these calls. And I think

1:26:47that this is a great tool that's

1:26:48actually going to eventually create the

1:26:50condition that will allow these officers

1:26:53to not have to respond to these types of

1:26:55calls, at least not in volume like that,

1:26:57and be able to focus their efforts in

1:26:59the areas that actually matter and that

1:27:02keep everyone safe.

1:27:04>> After

1:27:07>> Uh yes, Councilwoman Montes. Thank you

1:27:09for the statement.

1:27:10Uh any other questions from the council?

1:27:12Councilwoman Infante.

1:27:13>> Uh you you you can go to Councilwoman

1:27:14Rosario.

1:27:15>> Uh Councilwoman Rosario.

1:27:17>> Thank you, Councilwoman Infante. Thank

1:27:18you, uh through you, Councilwoman

1:27:19President. It

1:27:20I want to apologize to the police

1:27:22department cuz probably out of those

1:27:233,400 calls, 1,500

1:27:26are mine.

1:27:27Um

1:27:281,500 are mine, and and and I want to

1:27:30apologize for that, but I I also want to

1:27:32say that I I've been in support of this

1:27:34ordinance, and now, I mean, the amended

1:27:36one is is better.

1:27:39We need this. And And probably

1:27:41in my neighborhood is one that you guys

1:27:43know cuz it's recorded. It's It's where

1:27:45I get most of the calls from the

1:27:46neighbors, and it's outrageous. And And

1:27:48you guys responded.

1:27:50You guys responded every time that we

1:27:51called. You guys went over every time

1:27:53that we called, but nothing happened to

1:27:55the, you know, there was nothing to

1:27:57follow up. Right? They put it down, and

1:27:59I And I tell every officer respond, I

1:28:01say, "If you park on the corner,

1:28:03give them 10 minutes, and they're going

1:28:05to blow it up again."

1:28:06Councilor, but there's nothing to follow

1:28:08up. We gave them a ticket. I mean, what

1:28:09else can we do? We have nothing. And And

1:28:12to concur with my my colleague Le plan

1:28:14now we put in the tools and that's what

1:28:16I said in the last meeting. I mean we

1:28:17got to give them the tools to enforce

1:28:19and we can

1:28:20we can support this if this is go

1:28:22through, we got to bring this out to our

1:28:24neighbors and to our constituents and

1:28:26let them know that this is in place. And

1:28:28maybe the calls will go down, maybe

1:28:30people will be more conscientious that

1:28:32once again it's going to hit their

1:28:33pockets and they're going to go to court

1:28:34and then and and all kinds of stuff are

1:28:36going to happen to them. But once again

1:28:38I thank you for this and and once again

1:28:39I apologize for those 1500 calls that I

1:28:42that I've been made I lost 3400.

1:28:47>> Uh

1:28:49Councilor Infante.

1:28:51>> Thank you through you Council President.

1:28:52>> Councilor Infante.

1:28:53>> Thank you through you. Um I was a

1:28:55supporter of this from the beginning so

1:28:57I also thank you. Um but I do have

1:29:00questions of regarding the revised

1:29:02draft. So in District E we've had issues

1:29:07in the industrial park, at the Frost

1:29:09school, um uh uh

1:29:11the state park and also at Malvern Park

1:29:14throughout the five years that I've been

1:29:16a city councilor. Um and I'm what I'm

1:29:19seeing here is the language there's a

1:29:20lot of language about residential

1:29:25um

1:29:26uh residential um property line or when

1:29:29it penetrates residential property line

1:29:31but what are we doing in terms of public

1:29:34spaces when noise is out of hand?

1:29:37>> So again the ordinance is it's a a

1:29:40mechanism um

1:29:41you know, to not have to basically

1:29:43affect an arrest.

1:29:44Um

1:29:45situations where it's it is in fact a

1:29:47public park or it's a nuisance to the to

1:29:50the community and there's other tools um

1:29:52you know, um um

1:29:55mass general laws such as I'm disturbing

1:29:57the peace or disorderly conduct that

1:29:58would actually take you know, take

1:30:00effect at those points in time.

1:30:02>> Okay, I just want to make sure because

1:30:03again it is

1:30:05um very

1:30:08targeted when it comes to residential

1:30:10peace and and resident residential

1:30:12disturbance.

1:30:14Um, but I want to make sure that that

1:30:16the public spaces are also covered.

1:30:19Um, I mean, my my biggest headache out

1:30:21of all the ones that I listed is that

1:30:23industrial park aspect of it every

1:30:26summer. So, um, I just want to make sure

1:30:28that you guys are able to enforce

1:30:31whatever it is when called when calls

1:30:33come.

1:30:34>> if I may, in those public spaces, um,

1:30:37quite and I and I've seen and I've seen

1:30:39the the calls, um, that that you're that

1:30:41you're referring to.

1:30:43Um,

1:30:45you have you have other laws that

1:30:46actually, you know, that that take that

1:30:48take place, um, that take precedent

1:30:50there, um, such as trespassing again,

1:30:53um, disorderly conduct, disorderly

1:30:55um, um, disorderly conduct, um, um,

1:30:57disturbing of the peace,

1:30:59um, illegal uh,

1:31:00they're illegal assemblies, um, for the

1:31:02most part. Um, so, those those would be

1:31:05addressed. At that point in time, some

1:31:07people need to be introduced to the

1:31:09judicial system,

1:31:10um, as opposed to just receiving a

1:31:13consequence. This is basically a a

1:31:14consequence or mild consequence,

1:31:17um, before taking that that further step

1:31:20that may be an arrest. Your situation,

1:31:23you know, that leads to an arrest or at

1:31:25least a summons to court.

1:31:26>> Thank you. And I also received two

1:31:28questions directly from a constituent.

1:31:31>> Yes, ma'am.

1:31:31>> Um, one of one of which is how would

1:31:35this cover, um,

1:31:37businesses that disrupt the peace? So,

1:31:39specifically,

1:31:41uh, the example or the instance that was

1:31:43given to me was the the businesses

1:31:46across the Merrimack River when they

1:31:49have their outdoor, um,

1:31:52uh,

1:31:53settings or parties or etc., that noise

1:31:56actually

1:31:58uh, travels to the row [snorts] and

1:32:01Everett Street area where residents

1:32:03there can hear that and it goes on and

1:32:06on and on and it appears to them that

1:32:08nothing is done about it. So, how do we

1:32:10address those those situations?

1:32:12>> I'll tell you it'll be addressed exactly

1:32:13how I would address your house. You

1:32:15know, an officer would come over and

1:32:17they would have a come engage you in

1:32:18conversation. Hey, neighbors are

1:32:20complaining it's too loud. Typically

1:32:22typically the first interaction, it's

1:32:24just a verbal warning a a conversation

1:32:27between two humans and hopefully at that

1:32:29point we gain some compliance. If at

1:32:32that point if that doesn't work, then

1:32:33obviously we would escalate to a

1:32:34citation. Um and yeah,

1:32:37it does apply to to to any business.

1:32:40Um

1:32:41So, I hope that that's good enough

1:32:44answer.

1:32:44>> And then the second question that I

1:32:46received from a constituent is

1:32:50to ask you whether you believe the $200

1:32:53um

1:32:54violation fee is sufficient for repeated

1:32:57offenders.

1:32:58>> Do I personally believe it?

1:33:00>> Yeah. Well, not per but as an officer

1:33:03sponsoring this,

1:33:04is $200

1:33:06sufficient or should a repeated um

1:33:11uh uh

1:33:12repeated offender, thank you, get like

1:33:15an increase every time?

1:33:17>> So, I'll tell you in in my opinion, this

1:33:19is my this Ariel Montes' opinion. All

1:33:22right? I don't want to put anybody in a

1:33:23financial hardship if I don't have to. I

1:33:25do understand I I at my house have

1:33:28cookouts. I at my house have have

1:33:29gatherings. Um you know, and yeah, I at

1:33:32my house at at times have had the music

1:33:35too loud and somebody has had to knock

1:33:37on my door. Um so, no, I don't want to

1:33:39create a a hardship. I just want to

1:33:40create a condition where where we could

1:33:42go back to being neighborly.

1:33:44And and I think that that's I think that

1:33:47this allows us to accomplish it.

1:33:49>> Thank you. I believe that this may

1:33:51satisfy uh their questions. If not, I'm

1:33:54sure I will hear from them cuz they are

1:33:56watching. Uh and I will connect with you

1:33:58if, you know, there are other questions

1:34:00or comments from from the constituents.

1:34:02Thank you.

1:34:03>> Thank you, ma'am.

1:34:05Any other councilors?

1:34:13So,

1:34:14uh Captain Montanez, do you do you mind

1:34:16uh reading section E of the ordinance?

1:34:19Of the proposed ordinance?

1:34:20>> Of course, sir.

1:34:25Equipment and measurement. While the

1:34:26city may use ANSI-certified sound level

1:34:29meters to measure uh measure commercial,

1:34:31industrial, or permitted construction

1:34:33noise at a 50-ft distance, the use of

1:34:36decibel meters is strictly optional.

1:34:38Sound levels measuring equipment is not

1:34:41required for officers to enforce the

1:34:43residential noise and quality of life

1:34:45violations outlined in subsection C and

1:34:48D.

1:34:49>> Can you go those Can you go through

1:34:51those [snorts] sections, please?

1:34:52>> Absolutely.

1:35:00So, um section C, general provision. No

1:35:03person shall make, cause, or permit

1:35:04noise that is plainly audible beyond a

1:35:07property line, through a shared wall or

1:35:09floor in a multi-tenant building, or

1:35:12from a distance of 200 ft away. If a

1:35:14responding um police officer can clearly

1:35:17hear the noise under these conditions,

1:35:20it constitutes prima facie evidence of a

1:35:22violation.

1:35:24Um you want me to um read D also?

1:35:26>> Yes, please. That's part of it.

1:35:27>> All right. Specific prohibitions. The

1:35:30following activities are explicitly

1:35:31prohibited unless they they involve

1:35:34emergency repairs by municipal

1:35:35departments or public utilities. One,

1:35:38radios, televisions, and amplifiers.

1:35:40Playing or operating any radio,

1:35:42television, musical instrument, or

1:35:44public address system so that the sound

1:35:47crosses a residential property line or

1:35:49penetrates a shared apartment wall.

1:35:51Number two, street noise, unreasonably

1:35:54unreasonable yelling, shouting, or

1:35:56singing on a public street between 11:00

1:35:58p.m. and 8:00 a.m. that disturbs

1:36:01surrounding neighborhood.

1:36:02Um three, motorized recreational

1:36:04vehicles operating a dirt bike, mopeds,

1:36:06dune buggies, or snowmobiles on public

1:36:08or private land in a way that blasts

1:36:11noise into residential properties.

1:36:13Number four,

1:36:15construction and power tools, running

1:36:17heavy construction equipment including

1:36:19bulldozers, jackhammers, and concrete

1:36:21mixers, or power tools outside the

1:36:23permitted hours. Permitted hours are

1:36:25weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and

1:36:28Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

1:36:31Sunday and holiday

1:36:32holiday work is strictly prohibited

1:36:35without prior written consent from the

1:36:36chief of police or their designee. And

1:36:39number five, idling vehicles, leaving a

1:36:41commercial

1:36:42a commercial motor vehicle over 10,000

1:36:45lb idling for more than five consecutive

1:36:48minutes within 150 ft of a residential

1:36:50property.

1:36:54>> So, can you can you uh

1:36:59Can you expand a little more when you

1:37:01say on section C

1:37:02uh if a response responding officer

1:37:04[snorts]

1:37:06police officer can clearly hear the

1:37:08noise

1:37:09under those conditions?

1:37:12So, can you provide an examples of what

1:37:14is that?

1:37:15>> Um I'll give you a good example.

1:37:17Um

1:37:18and and actually I can give you the best

1:37:20example. I worked I worked what what

1:37:24referred to as impact patrol

1:37:26um a couple of weeks ago. I am I

1:37:28responded to one of the large mill

1:37:31buildings on Broadway

1:37:33um for a noise call. Now, if

1:37:37based on the current ordinance that we

1:37:38have

1:37:40you know, and and you've obviously seen

1:37:42those those mill buildings, I would have

1:37:44to go 100 ft from the property line.

1:37:48Well, these things are the size of a of

1:37:50a city block.

1:37:52Now, I go into this building and I'm

1:37:55you know, the music took me to where it

1:37:57was.

1:37:58You know, to where the call was. So, I

1:38:00didn't have to look at the number. I

1:38:01knew where I was I was walking in the

1:38:02right direction because I could hear the

1:38:04music. And eventually, I got to the

1:38:06apartment and I advised

1:38:08the the the resident and they were

1:38:10gracious enough to to to stop.

1:38:13But I could hear I could hear this

1:38:14music, you know, well before I actually

1:38:17made it to the apartment. The current

1:38:18city ordinance does not address does not

1:38:21address

1:38:22being able to hear the the sound through

1:38:24a shared wall or or ceiling.

1:38:27So, in all reality, I wouldn't have been

1:38:29able the current city ordinance I

1:38:30wouldn't have been able to enforce.

1:38:33So, that's basically basically at the

1:38:36officer could actually

1:38:38receives

1:38:39receives a complaint, goes and

1:38:40investigates, and through his senses is

1:38:44able to verify that in fact, yes, this

1:38:46music is loud.

1:38:48>> Because it's not just about music, it's

1:38:49about television and stuff like that as

1:38:51well.

1:38:51>> Correct.

1:38:52>> It could be a Netflix show.

1:38:53>> It could be.

1:38:57>> Can you go through section F, please?

1:39:00>> Absolutely, sir.

1:39:07Would you like me to read it aloud?

1:39:08>> Yeah, please.

1:39:09>> Of course.

1:39:10Enforcement and penalties. The Lawrence

1:39:12Police Department and traffic control

1:39:14officers are charged with enforcing this

1:39:16section. Officers may establish probable

1:39:18cause based on direct observation, a

1:39:20corrupt a corroborated citizen

1:39:22complaint, or other reliable evidence.

1:39:25Enforcement for violation of this

1:39:27section shall be criminal complaint or

1:39:30by non-criminal disposition as provided

1:39:32on the section 16040

1:39:35of this code and general laws chapter 40

1:39:38section 21D.

1:39:39All fines issued under this section may

1:39:42be recovered by non-criminal procedure

1:39:45promulgated in chapter 40 section 21D.

1:39:48Which um which procedures are

1:39:50incorporated herein by reference

1:39:53provided however that if a person in

1:39:55violation fails to follow the procedure

1:39:58and requirements of chapter 40D

1:40:01I mean I'm sorry chapter 40 section 21D

1:40:03then the fines and fees shall be

1:40:05recovered by indictment or complaint

1:40:07pursuant to chapter 40 section 21D and

1:40:10chapter 40E.

1:40:12Authorized enforcement personnel may

1:40:14issue citations pursuant to

1:40:16general law chapter mass general law

1:40:18chapter 40 section 21D assessing a fine

1:40:20of $200 for each offense. Each day a

1:40:24violation occurs and continues

1:40:26and continues constitutes a separate a

1:40:29separate and distinct offense.

1:40:31Additionally, any person found in

1:40:33violation of any provision of this

1:40:34chapter may be prosecuted for a

1:40:36misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof

1:40:39shall be fined $200.

1:40:42>> Uh when section F use

1:40:45on the ordinance you said traffic

1:40:47control officers are going to be also

1:40:49enforcing this law.

1:40:51>> So that's what's in the current in the

1:40:52current ordinance.

1:40:54Um

1:40:55I don't anticipate that the chief that

1:40:57the chief will have traffic control

1:40:58actually enforcing it. However, it's

1:41:01it's left open.

1:41:03>> But I mean it's on the ordinance.

1:41:05>> It's in it's in this ordinance and it's

1:41:06also in the current ordinance in the

1:41:07books.

1:41:09>> Uh and does does

1:41:12is is this appropriate to have to have

1:41:15it here or should should it be removed?

1:41:17>> I wouldn't remove it quite frankly. I

1:41:18think that it would require um

1:41:20that it would

1:41:21it would require um further exploring.

1:41:25Um the needs of the department change

1:41:26frequently based obviously on staffing

1:41:28and things like that. So can their role

1:41:30expand to um enforcing traffic?

1:41:32Yeah, it's possible but again they they

1:41:35that would require the chief to evaluate

1:41:38and further advise on that when the when

1:41:40the time or when it's appropriate. But I

1:41:42wouldn't slam the door on that.

1:41:44>> Traffic control officers are not under

1:41:45the chief of police.

1:41:47>> I'm sorry, sir.

1:41:48>> Traffic control officers are not under

1:41:49the chief of police.

1:41:50>> No, I I I I mean extending extending the

1:41:54authority, sir.

1:41:56>> No, what I'm saying is traffic control

1:41:57officer, they are not under the chief of

1:41:59police jurisdiction. It is under the DPW

1:42:02director jurisdiction.

1:42:03>> I do understand that, sir. It's What I'm

1:42:05saying is that it's to the on the chief

1:42:08to extend that authority if need be.

1:42:10So, traffic control officers,

1:42:13as I'm sure you guys are aware, but they

1:42:14do come to roll call, they do work in

1:42:16very close partnership with the Lawrence

1:42:18Police Department.

1:42:19>> All right.

1:42:20Enforcing traffic, yeah.

1:42:23I mean I

1:42:24me personally going to pass the gavel

1:42:26over to the uh

1:42:28to the

1:42:29vice president. Me personally, I have I

1:42:32I'm in agreement with this ordinance

1:42:34when it comes to the concept

1:42:37of what we need to

1:42:40uh to fight uh what

1:42:43have affects the city of Lawrence

1:42:45resident when it comes to uh

1:42:48noise and noise complaint.

1:42:50But, I also need to recognize that

1:42:53in the way that is be is going to be

1:42:55enforced

1:42:57uh it is it is uh

1:43:00not as I wanted to see

1:43:03uh when I when it comes to collecting

1:43:04facts. To be able to give a somebody a

1:43:07ticket of 200 uh or any type of amount

1:43:11we need to we need to make sure that uh

1:43:14we collect the facts, not just a sense

1:43:16of what is it. And and the way that is

1:43:19being written is that it is going to be

1:43:21completely up to the officer to hear the

1:43:23noise.

1:43:24Something that is completely subjective

1:43:26and not necessarily

1:43:29uh and not necessarily going going

1:43:31uh a fact based on numbers, based on a

1:43:34piece of equipment that could be

1:43:36utilized

1:43:37uh, to be able to enforce it. It is

1:43:39optional

1:43:41as it says here. I wish that I can have

1:43:44uh,

1:43:44the the tools to be able to support this

1:43:48ordinance.

1:43:49The intent of it is is is is is is

1:43:51perfect.

1:43:53But, when it comes to the enforcement,

1:43:55uh,

1:43:56I think that

1:43:58it should be worked out more.

1:44:01Uh,

1:44:01and obviously

1:44:03not having that opportunity at this

1:44:06level,

1:44:08uh, it is it is

1:44:10very difficult voting against this

1:44:13ordinance.

1:44:14Uh, but it is not something that

1:44:17as a legislator body

1:44:21or part of the legislator body should be

1:44:23uh,

1:44:25an ordinance that it could be

1:44:28enforceable based on fact. It's going to

1:44:29be very based on uh, subject subjective

1:44:32situation when the police officer

1:44:35walk over there or perhaps the traffic

1:44:37control officer

1:44:38walk over to uh, that house and hear the

1:44:41music or hear the the radio show

1:44:45or hear the

1:44:46TV show

1:44:48that is uh,

1:44:49loud perhaps, but is is is completely

1:44:53subjective.

1:44:54It could be that that apartment have

1:44:57less insulation

1:44:58than the other apartment and that would

1:45:01cause a ticket to this person that live

1:45:03there.

1:45:05Uh, so it is it is difficult for me to

1:45:07vote yes

1:45:08due to the fact that is absolutely

1:45:10subjective to the officer or whoever

1:45:12goes there

1:45:13uh,

1:45:14and be able to

1:45:16uh,

1:45:17provide this person with a ticket of

1:45:18200.

1:45:20So, unfortunately I would not

1:45:23uh, support it. I'm not going to vote no

1:45:25on it.

1:45:26But, I will I will definitely not going

1:45:28to be able to at this time

1:45:30um support an ordinance that is not

1:45:33based on facts. But, I definitely am

1:45:34tough.

1:45:35>> Cal, Cal, if I may.

1:45:36>> Yeah.

1:45:36>> Um a couple of things. Um

1:45:40relative to uh

1:45:41the questions about you know uh the

1:45:43noise, how it affects businesses, and

1:45:45the like, um or vehicles. Um there are

1:45:48also other statutory options that we

1:45:51have. This is just another tool in the

1:45:53tool belt relative to the enforcement of

1:45:55something that has plagued us right now,

1:45:57and affects our standard of living. So,

1:45:59the businesses, for example, if the

1:46:01businesses are loud, we have a statutory

1:46:04uh mechanisms that we can use

1:46:06uh for licensing committees and and and

1:46:09the like. So, that's already in place.

1:46:10So, this is not conflating one thing or

1:46:12the other. I think that this is only

1:46:14giving us

1:46:15uh now finally a statutory tool to

1:46:17enforce

1:46:18uh an ordinance that has been on the

1:46:19books, but really uh is unenforceable.

1:46:22Um so, uh that that's the first thing

1:46:25that I just wanted to address.

1:46:27Uh secondly, relative whether uh the

1:46:29mechanism, and I understand that uh we

1:46:31have mechanism decibel readers, and and

1:46:34what you're talking about is an

1:46:35objective issue. Now, uh our our laws

1:46:39and our ordinances are all based on a

1:46:40couple of things. of them is the

1:46:42objectively reasonable standard. That

1:46:44means if a reasonable person can say

1:46:46that a music is loud, then the music is

1:46:48loud based on that reasonable person. It

1:46:50is not subjective per se, to give a

1:46:52police officer the right to do whatever

1:46:54he wants. The police officer is there

1:46:56cuz somebody called. And he went there,

1:46:58and it was corroborated that the music

1:47:00is loud. You don't need a decibel reader

1:47:02to know when somebody's music, or a guy

1:47:04is out there with a speaker the size of

1:47:06a refrigerator, um you know, whether

1:47:08he's being loud or not being loud. Any

1:47:10person can tell that. Certainly, his

1:47:12neighbors can tell that, and that's why

1:47:13they called us in there. So, that uh

1:47:16that addresses that. If it's a Nex-

1:47:18Netflix show, and we've gone to many

1:47:20Super Bowl parties, uh uh football

1:47:22things, uh baseball games in backyards

1:47:24with TVs that are gigantic, with

1:47:26speakers that are equally gigantic.

1:47:28That's what that's intended to address.

1:47:30And I certainly understand your concerns

1:47:31in that regard, but I don't think that

1:47:33for the enforcement of law, anything

1:47:34that has inarticulable articulable

1:47:38basis or or a reasonable basis

1:47:42has ever been challenged in court. It is

1:47:44up to the person who violated or the

1:47:46person who's accused to have his day in

1:47:47court and prove why that didn't happen.

1:47:50And then we bring the evidence forth.

1:47:51And in many times we're going to bring

1:47:52the evidence is that we've been to 123

1:47:54Elm Street 22 times.

1:47:57300 Essex Street has generated thousands

1:47:59of calls in the last couple of years,

1:48:02thousands.

1:48:03How many times are we going to go there?

1:48:05We're going to bring that into evidence

1:48:07and we're going to show the judge or let

1:48:08them show the judge that this was a

1:48:10one-off mistake, a party that went over.

1:48:14That's not going to fly. We're going to

1:48:15let let the uh the the the the the the

1:48:18judge determine that. And who that judge

1:48:20is, whether it's a hearing officer, an

1:48:22actual judge, they'll determine that. If

1:48:24we lose, we lose. But we start to show

1:48:26the message that this behavior

1:48:28destroys our standard living.

1:48:30And that is not in comportance with our

1:48:33standards. Okay, we all have a right to

1:48:36sit down in our yards. We all have a

1:48:37right to watch our baseball game without

1:48:39somebody throwing crazy party in the

1:48:41back. So, that I think is is is

1:48:44something that we're not going to find

1:48:47an objective machine or something to

1:48:49that effect tell us if that is. Any one

1:48:51of those decibel readers is subject to

1:48:54challenge at any given point in time.

1:48:56Anyone can appeal it. Then we have to

1:48:58pay the money. The city has to pay the

1:48:59money to have, you know, decibel readers

1:49:01for everybody. We have to calibrate it.

1:49:03We have to pay subscriptions. We have to

1:49:05do a whole bunch of things.

1:49:06When in reality any particular

1:49:08reasonable person can understand

1:49:11that that music is is is loud. I mean,

1:49:13that that's something that is recognized

1:49:15by the courts in civil cases, not just

1:49:17in these particular cases. And I I I I

1:49:19don't think that we should elevate

1:49:21concerns in that regard. Now, relative

1:49:23to you know, the $200 fine, yes, sir.

1:49:27>> Yes, uh before you continue, uh

1:49:30I think that we are going

1:49:32in different directions because that is

1:49:33an aspect of the topic.

1:49:35And you are on one side of the spectrum,

1:49:38and I'm talking about the other side of

1:49:39the spectrum. We are talking within the

1:49:41topic,

1:49:42but we are on different side

1:49:45of the equation.

1:49:47And what I mean by that, I'm not talking

1:49:49about the loud music that everybody can

1:49:50determine it from here to my house. Or

1:49:53perhaps when here when we hear the city

1:49:55council and the the music right next to

1:49:57us is is loud.

1:49:59We can hear that. We can determine it

1:50:01that.

1:50:02But I'm not talking about that.

1:50:04I'm talking about that subjective area

1:50:07that is based on a neighbor's complaint

1:50:10that just

1:50:11don't like sometime the type of music

1:50:14and decide to call.

1:50:15I'm talking about that.

1:50:17And those are two different extreme

1:50:19different different areas.

1:50:21So,

1:50:22when it comes to what you said that the

1:50:24evidence you're going to bring to the

1:50:25court

1:50:27is that if you've been on uh

1:50:29uh 400 Commerce Street or 200 Commerce

1:50:32Street

1:50:3320 times,

1:50:36the judge will take that as an evidence.

1:50:38What about if the new a new person just

1:50:40move in?

1:50:42The history of that

1:50:44pre-former person is going to be on the

1:50:46history of a new person

1:50:48coming in. So, we need to make that

1:50:49distinction. What I'm saying is at the

1:50:51end of the day, Chief, is that when we

1:50:53create laws, we need to be specific and

1:50:56create those laws not only for the

1:50:58extreme on one side, uh

1:51:00also thinking about the potential

1:51:02of of not necessarily

1:51:04uh that bad person always.

1:51:08>> And that's a And that's a reasonable

1:51:09concern. And And And certainly I

1:51:11understand it. Um I can assure you that

1:51:13if someone moves from what This is the

1:51:15way it works. A police officer goes to

1:51:17123 Elm Street. They go in there and

1:51:19there's Mo Aguilar. He's having a crazy

1:51:21party. We go in there. Who's the owner

1:51:23of the house? Mo Aguilar. I come in,

1:51:26license, we take the name, we jot it

1:51:28down. It goes into our QED system. That

1:51:30QED system logs who we spoke to, what

1:51:33time, who the officer was, what the

1:51:35determination was. Written warning,

1:51:37whatever the case may be. Now, Mo

1:51:39Aguilar moves out of there and I've been

1:51:41I the police have been to my house three

1:51:43times. Mo Aguilar moves in there and all

1:51:45of a sudden Ariel Montas moves in. Now,

1:51:46he's having a party. When they come in,

1:51:48if those names don't match, there is no

1:51:50citation.

1:51:51Unless there is something that is

1:51:53absolutely chaotic and we have seen

1:51:55obscene things. Okay? At that point,

1:51:57they're going to get a citation right

1:51:59away. I'm moving toward a zero tolerance

1:52:01policy and I understand your concerns,

1:52:03but there are technical and this is why

1:52:05technology is huge. They're technical

1:52:07guard

1:52:09um

1:52:10guardrails in place in order to prevent

1:52:12those misunderstandings from happening.

1:52:14By the time that we go to a house,

1:52:16believe me, we've been there before and

1:52:17it's going to be documented. And we know

1:52:19we've talked to Mo Aguilar 12 times

1:52:21already or three times or four times,

1:52:23whatever the case may be.

1:52:24I submit to you that anytime that we

1:52:26have to go there more than two times,

1:52:27that's a citation.

1:52:29They're going to have to love that music

1:52:30a lot in order to Yes, sir.

1:52:33>> Um

1:52:34It is It is conflicting what you're

1:52:36saying.

1:52:37But you know what?

1:52:39You have the vote to pass this ordinance

1:52:42tonight.

1:52:43I believe that what I'm saying is

1:52:44different than what you're saying. And

1:52:46it's con- it's conflicting. What you're

1:52:48saying is conflicting.

1:52:49Because

1:52:50uh

1:52:53If an office If a neighbor called

1:52:57the officer knew that they've been there

1:52:59a couple of times already.

1:53:01But it's it might be not the same

1:53:03person.

1:53:04So, we already

1:53:05uh already assuming that is the same.

1:53:09And essentially will provide a ticket

1:53:12with a zero tolerance. So, I don't want

1:53:15you to I don't want you to keep on going

1:53:16that way because it might it might not

1:53:19be uh

1:53:20something positive uh when it comes to

1:53:23uh potential challenges. Let's Let's

1:53:24keep it up to that point. I I understand

1:53:28uh

1:53:28I just can't as as a legislator

1:53:31of this council I can't have

1:53:35uh I think a little different

1:53:36potentially. I can have an ordinance

1:53:38that it is it is not based on

1:53:41uh actual fact and technology involved

1:53:43into it. And instead we're going to go

1:53:47from what we have from the past

1:53:49subjective

1:53:50uh of of the officer passing by and

1:53:53taking that data.

1:53:56Uh and also based on

1:53:58you know, data that potentially could

1:53:59match and not necessarily. But that's

1:54:01all right. I understand. Thank you so

1:54:03much, Chief. I appreciate it.

1:54:05>> Thank you, Council President. I can only

1:54:06say I assure you

1:54:08uh that our police officers

1:54:10um will uh exert every effort to be just

1:54:13to the person that we come across like

1:54:14we do with every other effort. I can

1:54:16also assure you that the stats show that

1:54:18in the years that this ordinance has

1:54:20been on, our police officer average

1:54:22about 3% 3% of those thousands of calls

1:54:26we get at 3% get citations. 3%.

1:54:29So, I think that we kind of have gone

1:54:32above and beyond and perhaps that's even

1:54:34led to the reason that we're in the

1:54:35state that we're in. But I understand

1:54:37your concerns, Council President, and

1:54:38should any concerns arise, I will always

1:54:40review. I will always try to work with

1:54:42you, all of you, uh to address your

1:54:44concerns and come to a medium on that.

1:54:46Then I appreciate your time. Thank you.

1:54:48>> Thank you. Appreciate it.

1:54:56>> Councilor,

1:54:57any further discussion on this item?

1:55:02So, there is a

1:55:03to approve item 65-26.

1:55:09>> Um

1:55:11>> Is a motion to approve or or to on

1:55:14table?

1:55:15>> As amended.

1:55:15>> There's a motion to approve.

1:55:16>> Is a Okay.

1:55:17>> As amended with the current uh

1:55:19>> With With amended. Okay.

1:55:22>> Yes, it was second.

1:55:23>> Okay. So, motion to approve and already

1:55:25second. All those in favor?

1:55:27>> Present.

1:55:28>> Okay.

1:55:31Roll call, please.

1:55:34>> Um Councilwoman Gonzalez?

1:55:36>> Yes.

1:55:38>> Councilor um Miguel?

1:55:39>> Yes.

1:55:41>> Councilor Mamo?

1:55:41>> Yes.

1:55:42>> Councilor Infante?

1:55:43>> Yes.

1:55:44>> Councilor Reyes?

1:55:45>> Yes.

1:55:46>> Councilor Rosario?

1:55:47>> Yes.

1:55:48>> Councilor LaPlant?

1:55:49>> Yes.

1:55:50>> Council President?

1:55:52>> Present.

1:55:53>> Thank you. Um Council Vice President?

1:55:55>> Yes.

1:55:58>> Motion carried.

1:55:59Thank you.

1:56:00>> Thank you very much. Have a good night.

1:56:01Thank you.

1:56:03All right. Uh

1:56:04let's go back to uh Personnel Committee.

1:56:06Madam Chair from the Personnel

1:56:07Committee.

1:56:08Uh do you mind taking um

1:56:11item 411-26, please?

1:56:18Thank you.

1:56:23>> Item 411-26, appointment of Belincia

1:56:26Lynette Perez as Director of Office and

1:56:28Planning Development was sent up as a

1:56:30favorable favorable recommendation and I

1:56:33make that as a formal motion.

1:56:34>> Is a motion to approve, properly second,

1:56:36discussion.

1:56:37Let's allow that uh the presenter and

1:56:40also the HR Director and also

1:56:43uh the candidate to introduce themself

1:56:45and to talk about the process, how it

1:56:47went, uh what you believe it should be

1:56:50then what you believe uh if it is any

1:56:51changes or anything like that.

1:56:53>> Thank you, Council President. Uh good

1:56:55evening, first and foremost, Council

1:56:56President

1:56:57and City Council members. Cara Garcia,

1:56:59Personnel Director. Uh, 200 Common

1:57:02Street. In front of you, you have the

1:57:04appointment of Ms. Belgica Linares

1:57:06Perez.

1:57:08A search committee was formed by the

1:57:09mayor's office.

1:57:11All five members reviewed the resumes

1:57:13based on a standard rubric form and then

1:57:16interviewed the candidates

1:57:19all with the same standard questions.

1:57:22The committee voted unanimously for the

1:57:24candidate that is in front of you. I'll

1:57:26have her come up to address you as well.

1:57:29>> [snorts]

1:57:37>> Ms. Linares Perez, please introduce

1:57:38yourself and give us an update.

1:57:41>> Linares Perez, and I am the acting

1:57:43director for the Office of Planning and

1:57:45Development.

1:57:47Good evening, uh, Council President and

1:57:50members of the City Council.

1:57:52I

1:57:54appreciate your time tonight. I know I

1:57:57came before the

1:58:00the Personnel Committee not so long ago,

1:58:02and many of you were there present at

1:58:05um, that night. But tonight, I come

1:58:08before you seeking your support for my

1:58:11appointment as the Director of the

1:58:13Office of Planning of and

1:58:17of the Office of Planning and

1:58:19Development. With confidence in my

1:58:21experience and clear commitment to

1:58:24continue the work that I have begun.

1:58:27As I have already expressed, my

1:58:30background includes program

1:58:31administration, staff supervision, grant

1:58:34writing, budget management, community

1:58:37engagement, and partnership development.

1:58:40These skills support my responsibilities

1:58:42of this position, and I ask you to

1:58:44consider this, my experience together

1:58:47with my performance as the acting

1:58:48director.

1:58:50Since assuming the role, I have

1:58:51strengthened coordination with the OP in

1:58:53the OPD office.

1:58:55Um I have

1:58:57um also been in very close contact with

1:59:00inspectional services, implemented

1:59:02monthly department meetings, and

1:59:04requested consistent project updates to

1:59:07clarify responsibilities and any

1:59:09obstacles that have come up during this

1:59:11time.

1:59:13I have reviewed budgets, grant

1:59:15allocations, contracts, and requests for

1:59:18proposals.

1:59:20I have attended planning board and

1:59:22zoning board of appeals meeting just to

1:59:24get familiar more familiar with the

1:59:26process. And I have met with developers

1:59:29and attorneys to understand proposed

1:59:31projects as their implications for and

1:59:34their implications for Lawrence.

1:59:37Um I have also

1:59:40reintroduced to the department our

1:59:43bi-weekly meeting with the treasurer's

1:59:44office, the city attorney's office, and

1:59:46the assessor's office to improve

1:59:48coordination on city-owned properties.

1:59:51To establish next step and to strengthen

1:59:54um all the follow-throughs.

1:59:57I expect our department to be available

1:59:59and responsive to all city residents and

2:00:02to city businesses.

2:00:04Our our professionals, our staff,

2:00:06which many of them have left tonight

2:00:08because

2:00:10uh we work till 7:00 and they were they

2:00:12have um family commitments, but I do

2:00:14have some of my team back here with me

2:00:16supporting me tonight. And I trust that

2:00:20our staff brings valuable expertise and

2:00:22institutional knowledge. And I respect

2:00:25that expertise and ensure that it um

2:00:28that and I use that when I make informed

2:00:30decisions.

2:00:32I have also invested my time

2:00:36in um trainings for HUD, community

2:00:38development block grant, the home, the

2:00:41Build America Baba, which is Build

2:00:43America Buy America.

2:00:46And I have um completed the expe- um

2:00:50a 3-day Expanding Capital Access in

2:00:52Latino Communities training.

2:00:55And attended the National Community

2:00:57Development National Association for the

2:01:00for this region.

2:01:03I continue to participate in the

2:01:04Economic Development Master Plan for the

2:01:07and I am part of the steering committee

2:01:09with the Merrimack Valley Planning

2:01:11Commission.

2:01:13I'm sorry, I have a bad cough.

2:01:16And I um continue to connect and hoping

2:01:19to connect long-term economic planning

2:01:21with the Lawrence's needs.

2:01:24We have exciting projects that we are

2:01:26working on. I mentioned some of these

2:01:28last um Tuesday.

2:01:30When I mean last Thursday, when we

2:01:32mentioned such as the Bennington

2:01:33Triangle, Pemberton Way, and the Tower

2:01:35Hill Waterfront, just to name a few. And

2:01:37we continue to work

2:01:40on these. These projects require

2:01:42sustained oversight and collaboration.

2:01:44And I continue to uh strengthening the

2:01:47um how we work with everyone that is

2:01:51involved and able to in order to move

2:01:53these projects forwards.

2:01:55My priority includes expanding pathways

2:01:57to home ownership through our

2:01:59um first-time home buyers program, which

2:02:01will be launching in the next few weeks.

2:02:05I have also committed to the continued

2:02:08evolution of the department through

2:02:10operations of responsible stewardship

2:02:13and my public service.

2:02:16I ask um

2:02:18that my record is fairly reviewed and

2:02:21thoughtful consideration is taken. I

2:02:23know that we have talked about that I

2:02:27don't have the back a background in

2:02:29planning.

2:02:30However, I do have a background in the

2:02:32Lawrence community

2:02:33and have the best interest for the for

2:02:36the community and for

2:02:39for this department.

2:02:41I came to you with a favorable

2:02:43recommendation from the personnel

2:02:45committee after they interviewed me and

2:02:48considered my work and my last 90 days

2:02:52as something that could be brought up to

2:02:54you guys. They recognized the potential

2:02:56that is um

2:02:58that I can contribute to the department.

2:03:01Thank you. I appreciate that.

2:03:07>> [clears throat]

2:03:08>> My intentions have been very clear and

2:03:10genuine since the very beginning.

2:03:13And my commitment remains the same to

2:03:15the city of Lawrence and to the people

2:03:17we serve.

2:03:20I work extreme I have a worked extremely

2:03:22hard in the last 90 days

2:03:24and have done a lot of work in this

2:03:27in the um

2:03:28in the department and I believe everyone

2:03:31deserves an opportunity to demonstrate

2:03:33their true potential and that is what I

2:03:35am asking for tonight.

2:03:37I know that there's a lot of um

2:03:40so much going on in the community when

2:03:42it comes to the politics, but I also say

2:03:46that um

2:03:48as Michelle Obama say said one time,

2:03:50when they go low, we go high.

2:03:53And for me, that means keeping my

2:03:54standards high, my purpose clear, and my

2:03:57commitment to Lawrence stronger than

2:03:59ever and ignoring the noise around me.

2:04:02So, tonight

2:04:04I welcome any questions from you and I

2:04:07do hope that you take all this into

2:04:09consideration.

2:04:11>> Thank you. Um uh thank you

2:04:14Ms. Perez

2:04:15>> [clears throat]

2:04:15>> um for the presentation and the update

2:04:18when it comes to

2:04:19uh your appointment uh to become the

2:04:22next OPD director.

2:04:24Uh at this time, councilors, I'm going

2:04:25to open up for questioning for uh to the

2:04:27candidates.

2:04:30Any questions?

2:04:34Question. Councilor Plan.

2:04:35>> Sure.

2:04:39>> Welcome Ms. Perez and

2:04:42to start off, I always applaud people

2:04:44who want to take an active role in our

2:04:46city, who want to lead our city, who

2:04:48want to better our city and clearly

2:04:50um from your track record uh you have

2:04:53demonstrated that you do have uh a

2:04:55passion for our city. I see that you

2:04:57were your involvement in so many

2:04:59different things and um

2:05:01and and that's a credit to you um and to

2:05:04what you're trying to

2:05:05um

2:05:07and what and and who you are as trying

2:05:09to better the our our residents. So,

2:05:11thank you and I mean that.

2:05:13>> Thank you.

2:05:13>> Um

2:05:15I do have some questions regarding the

2:05:17application, which is what I'm focusing

2:05:19on. I'm focusing on

2:05:21pieces of paper that tell about your

2:05:23path past. I'm also focusing on

2:05:25requirements and our and our ordinances

2:05:28that have requirements on there. So, as

2:05:30I ask you these questions, please keep

2:05:32in mind what I'm trying to do is to see

2:05:35if what you have done

2:05:37matches what the requirements are in our

2:05:40ordinances. So, the first thing that

2:05:43just jumps at me

2:05:44um in looking at the materials is the

2:05:47requirement for a master's degree

2:05:51in

2:05:52I should have had it open.

2:05:55>> [sighs]

2:05:57>> I'm going to I'm going to read it. A

2:05:59candidate for this position requires to

2:06:01have a master's degree in urban and

2:06:02regional planning preferred.

2:06:04A master's degree in So, a master's

2:06:06degree

2:06:07I think the comment would be there in

2:06:09urban and regional planning preferred.

2:06:12There's been some discrepancies on the

2:06:14master's degree. Can you tell me, have

2:06:16you completed, have you achieved any

2:06:18kind of master's degree?

2:06:19>> I do not have a master's degree. I

2:06:22started my master's degree at Salem

2:06:26College, which is now Salem University

2:06:29back in 1998

2:06:31and I took classes throughout the the

2:06:34first you know through two years

2:06:37but I was unable to complete my master's

2:06:39degree.

2:06:41>> And so step one is is a master's degree

2:06:45in urban and regional planning

2:06:46preferred. So it's a master's degree of

2:06:48which you

2:06:50I you acknowledge that you don't have a

2:06:52master's degree. So you haven't even

2:06:53crossed that threshold. The next part of

2:06:56that

2:06:58Yes.

2:06:59>> It is important to just read the last

2:07:01part that you said.

2:07:02>> I did.

2:07:02>> Preferred.

2:07:03>> I said that preferred. I said it several

2:07:05times throughout the whole thing. Okay.

2:07:08A minimum of five years experience as a

2:07:10municipal planner with one to three

2:07:12years of supervisory experience. So

2:07:14let's move on.

2:07:16A minimum of five years of experience as

2:07:18a municipal planner.

2:07:20Do you have

2:07:21five years of experience as a municipal

2:07:23planner?

2:07:24>> I do not.

2:07:25>> Okay.

2:07:28I don't need to have to go through the

2:07:29second part of that.

2:07:30Uh and then what it looks for is an

2:07:32equivalent combination of education and

2:07:34experience. And I it it it would appear

2:07:37to me that that is not met as well.

2:07:40Um

2:07:42I've had a chance to look at your

2:07:43record.

2:07:44I actually spent some time late this

2:07:46afternoon in the personnel office

2:07:48looking at the records cuz there's other

2:07:50things that are of some interest. I

2:07:52One of the things on on issues like this

2:07:53and OPD's an important position in our

2:07:55city. And so I wanted to make sure that

2:07:58was thorough and as fair as possible

2:08:00that I when I woke up this morning I had

2:08:02no idea how I was going to vote. Really

2:08:04didn't and that you may or may not

2:08:05believe that. Had no idea.

2:08:08Uh but as I was going through the

2:08:10information that is required and trying

2:08:12to match and make that Um it it it

2:08:15became clear to me depending on on your

2:08:17answers this evening that while

2:08:20you bring a lot to the table

2:08:23I it does not appear that you're a good

2:08:25fit for this position.

2:08:27It doesn't mean that you can't be a good

2:08:29fit for something else. It doesn't mean

2:08:31that you don't have things that you can

2:08:33contribute to our city in other ways.

2:08:35I just think when we're looking the

2:08:38background that you have

2:08:40it it screams social work. That was

2:08:42actually one of the degrees you were

2:08:43working on and that's a noble profession

2:08:46and it's a noble talent and that is not

2:08:48to belittle. It's something to to to

2:08:50actually to show to shine a spotlight on

2:08:53cuz that's good work.

2:08:55But this is not what this position is

2:08:56looking for. So, I'm I'm going to have a

2:08:59very difficult time this evening. I'm

2:09:00going to listen to the discussions from

2:09:02my colleagues.

2:09:03I'm going to listen to what they have to

2:09:05say.

2:09:06But it doesn't appear at this point that

2:09:08what I'm looking at as far as the

2:09:10qualifications versus what's the what

2:09:12you're what you bring to the table is

2:09:14meeting.

2:09:15>> And I respect your

2:09:17your honesty.

2:09:19And as

2:09:22as you all know, last Thursday I did

2:09:25make it very clear that I did not have a

2:09:27planning background. I suggested that I

2:09:30bring other qualities and other

2:09:32experience to this position and whether

2:09:36it is what

2:09:38you know, it's it's based on on your on

2:09:41how you on your perspective and I do

2:09:42respect that. So, thank you Councillor

2:09:44LaPlant.

2:09:50>> And you're good Councillor LaPlant?

2:09:52>> [clears throat]

2:09:53>> Any other counselors?

2:09:55Councillor Mamo.

2:09:58>> All right, give me a second.

2:10:03Okay, Miss Perez, I've had the luxury of

2:10:05like sitting in the last time

2:10:08trying to get a head start with the

2:10:10process of you being interviewed

2:10:13>> [snorts]

2:10:14>> and hearing your responses and I wanted

2:10:16to kind of like follow up on some of

2:10:18those responses and I've also added

2:10:21unfortunately

2:10:23it brings me to add further questions as

2:10:25I'm diving deeper

2:10:27uh when it comes to this position.

2:10:29Um at one point, cuz I've realized how

2:10:32contentious this position is, and I've

2:10:34questioned like why is it so

2:10:35politicized? Um sometimes it's very

2:10:38annoying when we're seeing so many

2:10:41people from the outside trying to

2:10:43influence and infiltrate their opinions

2:10:46onto us, but upon learning how massive

2:10:52the responsibilities that would fall on

2:10:54your shoulders and the amount of people

2:10:56that you would have to collaborate

2:10:58within the city, I've learned uh so the

2:11:01reasons why

2:11:03it has been politicized. Mhm. So,

2:11:06with that being said,

2:11:09in the last meeting, we touched on um

2:11:13challenges

2:11:15with uh with some developers and the

2:11:18entitlement aspect of it.

2:11:20And I wanted to gain an understanding

2:11:23from you as to how would you be

2:11:26addressing these challenges. So, I know

2:11:28you gave an example in terms of, you

2:11:30know, maybe putting your foot down,

2:11:32[clears throat] telling them no, but

2:11:35how could we dive deeper and what

2:11:37procedures would you put into place or

2:11:40what would you recommend from uh

2:11:42as a counselor um

2:11:44that we should be doing in order to

2:11:47deter

2:11:48um

2:11:49having to work with these type of

2:11:51developers.

2:11:54>> So, some

2:11:56developers and, you know, have

2:11:58definitely been a challenge to work

2:12:00with, but I think that um

2:12:04developers need clear requirements.

2:12:07And we need to be able to communicate

2:12:10that to the

2:12:12to them.

2:12:14Um we can treat everyone fairly, but

2:12:17people also need to come and treat our

2:12:19city fairly.

2:12:21I know there's a lot of developers that

2:12:24um come to our city and they think that

2:12:27because there's has been a history of

2:12:30doing things maybe a certain way here,

2:12:34they

2:12:35don't think that they should be held

2:12:36accountable. They come and they think

2:12:38they need special treatment

2:12:40because or one reason or another or

2:12:43because they have this history with the

2:12:45city. And I think that is something that

2:12:47preferential treatment is not something

2:12:50that our office should be focused on.

2:12:53I think that it would be amazing if the

2:12:56city council could come up with an

2:12:58ordinance on how to work with with

2:13:00developers. I think this would be very

2:13:02important. I think that this would not

2:13:05only help the office, but it would help

2:13:07the planning board, the zoning board

2:13:10when they have clear and concise

2:13:12expectations of what it is that the city

2:13:14is looking for.

2:13:16Um as far as working with them, not only

2:13:20do you you know, putting our foot down,

2:13:22but I think that we need to hold them

2:13:26you know, bring them to the table and

2:13:28say, "This is what you present. This is

2:13:31what the expectations are." And I think

2:13:34that we as a department need to be able

2:13:38to maybe come up with a track sheet

2:13:40where we, okay, have you done A, B, and

2:13:42C?

2:13:43Did you do this so that you can move on

2:13:46to the next step? It's all about

2:13:47accountability and I think that that is

2:13:51the most challenging part because there

2:13:53hasn't been that in the past.

2:13:57>> The reason why I'm asking this question

2:13:58is because um

2:14:01uh not only the the whole LRA debacle,

2:14:04but recently um

2:14:08on Margin Street, there's a specific

2:14:10developer, we're not naming any names,

2:14:13but

2:14:14I want to be able to bring awareness

2:14:19um

2:14:20and I'll give you an example. I was

2:14:22helping uh my mother who happens to live

2:14:25in Methuen and I'm learning

2:14:27through the mayor of Methuen and DPW as

2:14:30to if there were complaints

2:14:33or if there's a pattern or history of

2:14:35complaints working with a specific

2:14:37company, they have something in place

2:14:40where

2:14:42these companies will they stand to lose

2:14:45by not want by not having to

2:14:48[clears throat] have anything on record

2:14:50from the city of Methuen where it would

2:14:53jeopardize any future work. So, I'm

2:14:55looking to establish something of that

2:14:58nature if we have if we don't have

2:15:00anything as of now.

2:15:02Developers that are continuously

2:15:04disregarding policy and procedure

2:15:07because they know the mayor or they

2:15:10>> Shouldn't be allowed to do business with

2:15:12our city.

2:15:12>> They're very well known. I think that

2:15:15regardless of who you know in the city,

2:15:17there's policy and procedures that need

2:15:19to it needs to be priority and I want to

2:15:23be able to understand from you is it how

2:15:26is it that we could

2:15:27tackle that situation?

2:15:30>> And I absolutely agree with you,

2:15:33Counselor Marmol. I think that something

2:15:35has to be created because this is

2:15:38I've been there 3 months.

2:15:41And I have been I've seen repetitive

2:15:43behaviors. With uh for example, that

2:15:47specific corner. We went there

2:15:51um the mayor's health task force went

2:15:53there. We did surveys in the

2:15:54neighborhood. We went there on a

2:15:57Saturday morning at to track traffic

2:15:59where traffic was coming from and where

2:16:02>> [clears throat]

2:16:02>> um

2:16:04>> Do you need water?

2:16:04>> I have some here.

2:16:07And then on one

2:16:09day

2:16:10there was this huge excavator right on

2:16:13top of our project.

2:16:17I did call the gentleman

2:16:19myself. I had the support of

2:16:24ISD.

2:16:26And they gave them a certain amount of

2:16:28time to move it. And

2:16:32first he refused. Again, we made another

2:16:34phone call. And I finally called them

2:16:37and I said, "Do you know that you just

2:16:38cost my department $600,000?"

2:16:41My department went before the city

2:16:42council and because we are not

2:16:46caring for our project that you just

2:16:48went and parked your

2:16:51excavator there. Now we're losing, you

2:16:54know, our community is is losing money.

2:16:56And our community is losing

2:16:59this very important project. So I think

2:17:01it's accountability to

2:17:04not every developer. And I

2:17:06and I do think that either the

2:17:10you know, there has to be

2:17:12an ordinance created by the city council

2:17:15where

2:17:16you know, if there's developers that are

2:17:18have these behaviors, then they're not

2:17:21respecting and following, I think they

2:17:24shouldn't be allowed to do business with

2:17:26our city.

2:17:27>> Okay. Thank you.

2:17:29Also,

2:17:31um

2:17:32in the last meeting

2:17:34we touched on projects and I believe

2:17:39the chairman of that committee

2:17:41asked you

2:17:43how would you determine

2:17:45um the approval of these projects. And I

2:17:47believe, and I don't want to answer for

2:17:49you, I believe you said something along

2:17:50the lines of making some sort of

2:17:52assessment as to what's beneficial.

2:17:54And I want you to dig a little bit

2:17:56deeper as to what do you mean by that?

2:17:57Because

2:17:59I feel like that's a matter of

2:18:00perspective. The administration, every

2:18:02administration has a different vision

2:18:05and we have different counselors and

2:18:06each counselor may have a different

2:18:08vision as to what they think is

2:18:10beneficial for the city. Um, as we've

2:18:12seen in discussions, um, especially in

2:18:15the housing, um, committee,

2:18:17there's some of us that are

2:18:19pro-development and there's some that

2:18:21are pro, however, we have to talk about

2:18:25the challenges that jeopardize these

2:18:27projects, whether it's the school,

2:18:30whether it's having enough personnel

2:18:33within our law enforcement and the

2:18:35school system and parking, blah, blah,

2:18:37blah, blah, like all these things.

2:18:39So, I want you to dig in a little bit

2:18:42deeper to tap into

2:18:44how do we address that? You know, I

2:18:46always make this joke is that uh,

2:18:48Lawrence is ready for a second floor. We

2:18:51need to build a second floor. I always

2:18:52joke about this, but in reality, I think

2:18:55that we need, um,

2:18:57when these projects are coming to our

2:18:58neighborhoods, I think we need to take

2:19:00in, the first people that we need to

2:19:02take in consideration is the community.

2:19:04I think a needs assessment needs to be

2:19:06done, um, maybe

2:19:09I know that sometime, you know, there's

2:19:11public hearings on things, but not

2:19:13always the community attends because

2:19:15there's very, there's many challenges

2:19:18for the community. There's the language,

2:19:20there not everyone feels comfortable

2:19:22going to a public space to be able to

2:19:25share thing, you know, to question, um,

2:19:27things like that because let's face it,

2:19:29our Sometimes our community don't think

2:19:31they have that right. So, I think that

2:19:33empowering our community, empowering our

2:19:35neighborhoods, letting people, you know,

2:19:37doing a needs assessment and presenting

2:19:39what it is, um, I think that public

2:19:42meetings not only have to, should be

2:19:44done for

2:19:46for our parks or for, it, it they should

2:19:49also be done for constructions.

2:19:53Do they need that? Is there a sufficient

2:19:55parking? What is it that people have

2:19:57questions and I think that they deserve

2:20:00answers. So, I think that doing needs

2:20:02assessments, maybe working with the city

2:20:04council in the district in the different

2:20:05districts and creating these

2:20:08an assessment tool what it is that your

2:20:12your district needs and maybe so a

2:20:14developer comes, "Okay, I'm going to do

2:20:15this in district D." And you're like,

2:20:18"No, this is not what my city need my

2:20:19district needs." So, I think that's

2:20:21where we need to start doing needs

2:20:22assessment in our different

2:20:23neighborhoods and hearing really hearing

2:20:26out the community and what they believe

2:20:29the needs are and then

2:20:32take in consideration that data.

2:20:35>> I'm glad that you touched on community

2:20:36input cuz it was part of my question.

2:20:38So, that's one less thing for me to to

2:20:41ask because to me it is important to

2:20:45also get the community input

2:20:47when it comes to these developments and

2:20:48projects.

2:20:50Um and I promise to almost be done. I'm

2:20:52sorry, guys.

2:20:54Um

2:20:55what would you do

2:20:57if

2:20:58these proposed developments

2:21:00are in compliance with zoning, however,

2:21:04we're seeing pushback and disagreement

2:21:06amongst

2:21:07elected officials or councilors

2:21:10regarding that prospective district.

2:21:15>> I actually went to a meeting on

2:21:16something very similar yesterday.

2:21:19There's

2:21:20um

2:21:21you know, there's push for this

2:21:23development to go through. I know that

2:21:25there's

2:21:26people in the neighborhoods have a

2:21:28little have had a little pushback.

2:21:30Um city council has uh

2:21:32had a little pushback and I think it is

2:21:36about again, what is it that the

2:21:39community needs? Is this appropriate for

2:21:43for the community at this time?

2:21:46Um

2:21:47I know that when projects go to zoning

2:21:50and go to planning and they get a uh

2:21:54a building permit. People who, you know,

2:21:56they just start building without taking

2:21:58into consideration other things, but

2:22:04I think that sometimes projects need to

2:22:06be paused if needed. If it's not what is

2:22:09convenient for

2:22:11the community at that time. And

2:22:14I've done that on two projects.

2:22:17>> Do you want to touch on that? What are

2:22:18like the projects that you've

2:22:20>> Um

2:22:21>> Margin and Lowe.

2:22:22>> Oh, okay.

2:22:23>> And

2:22:24Margin and Lowe.

2:22:26There's two projects there that have

2:22:27>> across the street.

2:22:28>> Right. And one on Jackson Street as

2:22:30well. Um and they have been paused.

2:22:33>> Okay.

2:22:35>> And sent back to to zoning and planning.

2:22:38>> Okay. Do you partake in these meetings

2:22:40in zoning and planning?

2:22:42>> not I don't have to, but because it's a

2:22:45learning um experience to me, I I am um

2:22:49attending the meetings just because I

2:22:51want to know exactly what happens,

2:22:54um

2:22:55how the votes go, how you know, so I I

2:22:58have been attending the meetings.

2:22:59>> Okay.

2:23:00Um

2:23:02I want to touch on affordable housing

2:23:04and how that is a priority. Or

2:23:09it seems like it is, but then we have

2:23:12projects where it kind of undermines

2:23:15that. So,

2:23:17um I just want to have your your take on

2:23:20that as to how do we prioritize

2:23:22affordable housing, but then we're

2:23:24having projects that come before us

2:23:27where

2:23:28it looks like they're prioritizing

2:23:30market rate housing, and then we

2:23:32obviously have the commercial aspect of

2:23:35these projects as well. So, I just want

2:23:37to get your take on that.

2:23:38>> So, I have uh recently had a

2:23:41conversation

2:23:43about There's There's city lots that we

2:23:46have.

2:23:47And we just went to a

2:23:50conference

2:23:52and I went upstairs to the mayor's

2:23:53office and said, you know, these lots

2:23:54can't just be

2:23:56um sold because HUD has changed

2:23:58regulations. Things are changing because

2:24:01how there is a housing need all all

2:24:03around the country.

2:24:05And HUD is going to require that cities

2:24:08who have city-owned properties build on

2:24:11these lots

2:24:13for affordable housing.

2:24:15So, that is um

2:24:17part of what

2:24:19I am working on. I also There are a

2:24:22project was presented to me a call to us

2:24:26and I said, you know, you're building

2:24:27these apartments, but

2:24:29I think that maybe

2:24:33five of these apartments can be sold to

2:24:35first-time home buyers

2:24:39through our program. So, I think that,

2:24:41you know, I think that those things need

2:24:43to be taken in consideration and the

2:24:45discussed with developers when they're

2:24:47making these suggestions.

2:24:49>> Okay.

2:24:49>> [snorts]

2:24:49[clears throat]

2:24:50>> And um I'm I'm just I'm going to find I

2:24:52could keep going. I could keep going,

2:24:54but

2:24:55um

2:24:56I heard, I'm not sure how accurate this

2:24:58is, but if you could provide

2:25:00um

2:25:01if you could provide maybe details

2:25:04regarding I heard you're willing to take

2:25:05a pay reduction on the salary for this

2:25:09position.

2:25:10And if that is so, I do find that

2:25:12commendable. I don't I rarely I don't

2:25:15think I've ever seen someone uh since me

2:25:18being counselor someone willing to take

2:25:21uh

2:25:21a pay cut coming into a position.

2:25:24>> of information very quick.

2:25:25>> Please.

2:25:26>> this this position is contract.

2:25:29Uh this This is one of the three

2:25:30positions that are contract.

2:25:33>> What What does that Talk to me as if I

2:25:34don't know what that means.

2:25:36>> Uh well, uh

2:25:39the chief of police is contract. Uh the

2:25:42fire fire department is contract.

2:25:45And this position is also contract,

2:25:46which means that the negotiation of the

2:25:48salary will be based on the negotiation

2:25:51of the contract.

2:25:53>> So I think that we're

2:25:54>> And that negotiation can happen.

2:25:56>> Yeah, right. So I think

2:25:57>> So was I wrong for I again it's what I

2:26:00heard. I don't know how accurate that

2:26:01information was.

2:26:02>> Not at all and I I can make a disclosure

2:26:05and I can make a disclosure. I don't

2:26:06have a problem with that. I know that um

2:26:09the prior

2:26:10director was making a 190 her contract

2:26:13was for $195,000.

2:26:16Um I have the contract that I have

2:26:20negotiated would be

2:26:23starting at 138 with a 3% increase every

2:26:27year. So at the end of the 3 years in

2:26:30the contract, I would make 148, which is

2:26:33substantially less than

2:26:35um I think that it was

2:26:38because she was managing the opioid

2:26:41settlement. I don't think that that is

2:26:44needed in our office. We have the

2:26:47potential with our staff and with our

2:26:50community partners to be able to manage

2:26:53that the the opioid settlement without

2:26:57the director having to do an a contract

2:27:00for that. So that was It's not the pay

2:27:03cut, it's that I believe that the prior

2:27:09salary was a little

2:27:10>> So Oh, I know cuz I tried with a budget,

2:27:12you know, trying to make I try to make

2:27:14make a budget cut for that specific

2:27:16[clears throat] department because of

2:27:18that increase, but it didn't go through.

2:27:20>> Right.

2:27:21>> Just wanted to say that

2:27:23for the record.

2:27:24But then again, I do want to reiterate

2:27:27that I I do find it commendable that

2:27:29>> Thank you.

2:27:31>> your willingness to move forward

2:27:34acknowledging that this would be a

2:27:36decrease from the previous um um

2:27:40the previous allocated funds for that

2:27:42position.

2:27:43>> Yes.

2:27:43>> Um I will put a pin on it when it comes

2:27:46to

2:27:47>> [laughter]

2:27:47>> my questions and allow my colleagues to

2:27:51to

2:27:52take the mic at this point.

2:27:54>> Um any other councilors?

2:27:56>> Council President.

2:27:57>> Councilor Infant.

2:27:57>> Thank you. I would be remiss as the

2:28:00chair of the personnel committee if I

2:28:02don't bring this up. Um during our

2:28:04discussion there was questions

2:28:06uh pertaining to transcripts.

2:28:10And we do have an update on that that I

2:28:12would like the city clerk through you,

2:28:14Council President, to give an update on.

2:28:17>> Madam Clerk.

2:28:20>> Thank you, Councilor. Um

2:28:23I was not at the personnel meeting. I'm

2:28:25here a lot and I did miss that meeting,

2:28:27but after the fact that personnel

2:28:29director's office did let me know that

2:28:30there was a request for the transcripts.

2:28:33I did a a paper copy which I can share

2:28:34with with you tonight.

2:28:36I What I was told though when I received

2:28:38these was

2:28:39the transcript is not part of the public

2:28:42record, that nothing in the ordinance or

2:28:44the posting required candidates to

2:28:46provide um academic transcripts.

2:28:49Um

2:28:51that is why it's not in your packet. It

2:28:52is not part of the record and the

2:28:53candidate has specifically asked it not

2:28:55to be included in the record. It's her

2:28:57college transcript. Like why would we

2:28:59all need copies of that in 20 years when

2:29:01I have it floating around? Seemed like a

2:29:02very reasonable request. I do have it.

2:29:04It is from Greenville

2:29:06and it does verify that um

2:29:08she um has received a bachelor's of

2:29:11degree from Green Greenville College as

2:29:13of December 20th, 1996. And I think

2:29:16that's what everyone was wanting to

2:29:17hear.

2:29:17>> everyone knows my age.

2:29:19>> Yeah. Well, no, [laughter] that's all.

2:29:20You could be a child genius. You could

2:29:22be whatever. Um

2:29:24But the the transcript is here and a

2:29:26letter from the college stating that she

2:29:28obtained her degree on December 20th,

2:29:291996.

2:29:30>> And can you clarify that this was um

2:29:34uh

2:29:35confirmed through the city clerk's

2:29:37office directly or was it

2:29:40>> It was provided to me through the

2:29:41personnel director's office. I didn't

2:29:42Yeah.

2:29:42>> Okay. Thank you.

2:29:43>> Yep.

2:29:44>> Um Council President if I may have

2:29:46another I have

2:29:47>> There is I also did provide a letter

2:29:50from the college. It's very old. It's

2:29:52from 2005. I needed

2:29:54but I and I had it and there is a letter

2:29:57stating from my college that I did

2:30:00receive my degree from there.

2:30:01>> Yes.

2:30:02>> Councilman Fontanez.

2:30:03>> I have a comment um

2:30:07an update of my due diligence. I I was

2:30:10receiving

2:30:12calls and communication from individuals

2:30:15opposed to this confirmation

2:30:19as well as individuals for it.

2:30:22Um I even took it a step further and

2:30:24spoke with in individuals that um

2:30:27participated in the committee.

2:30:29Um the the committee the hiring

2:30:32committee and I I was pleased with what

2:30:34I heard to be quite honest.

2:30:36Um I also want to say

2:30:40and I believe she's here tonight um

2:30:42because it's similar going back to

2:30:44qualifications doing the job etc.

2:30:48Um there is a time when there's a

2:30:50difference between questioning

2:30:52um processes

2:30:54and questioning uh

2:30:57a position.

2:30:58And what I've learned through this

2:31:00process is I questioned a pro I

2:31:03rightfully so questioned one of our

2:31:04processes um

2:31:06in our ordinance

2:31:07but I learned from that individual

2:31:11that when she came up

2:31:13during the pub during the budget and

2:31:15finance um hearing

2:31:18she knew

2:31:19that role the numbers inside and out.

2:31:23And I remember leaving that meeting

2:31:27feeling horrible

2:31:29because

2:31:31I was part of not giving an opportunity

2:31:33to that individual after witnessing

2:31:36that hearing.

2:31:38And and that's why

2:31:41I am interesting to I'm interested to to

2:31:43continue hearing the discussion because

2:31:46I also am am conflicted with my vote

2:31:50because of those two. There's there's

2:31:52there's a requirement that we have in an

2:31:55ordinance and then there is

2:31:57there is the opportunity

2:32:00um

2:32:02and I've

2:32:03sat here in this very chamber and was

2:32:06proven

2:32:08wrong in the in the best way possible.

2:32:11So

2:32:12that is where I'm standing here with

2:32:14that.

2:32:16I do know that there are other

2:32:18counselors that aren't part of the

2:32:19personnel committee. We've heard from

2:32:21two.

2:32:22I I do want to hear if there are any

2:32:24other questions or or or comments for

2:32:27you from other

2:32:29from other counselors but I wanted to

2:32:32put where I'm at publicly

2:32:35because I thought it was I think it's

2:32:37important for for folks to hear that.

2:32:40>> I appreciate that. Any other

2:32:42[clears throat] counselors?

2:32:45>> Council President

2:32:46>> Council Vice President Levy

2:32:47>> Yes.

2:32:49Hi.

2:32:51Um

2:32:54I agree with some of my counselors and I

2:32:57do not agree with with some of the

2:32:59others, okay? So but it's nothing

2:33:02against

2:33:03uh

2:33:04against you or whatever that because

2:33:06that that is a

2:33:08sometimes it start coming that you know

2:33:10I had nothing. I know you're important

2:33:13in the community. I know you for many

2:33:15many years

2:33:17and

2:33:18like I told you before this position you

2:33:22know, uh required uh

2:33:26the minimum qualification is a director

2:33:29for the office of the planning and

2:33:30development shall be a master degree in

2:33:33urban

2:33:34and regional planning and prefer a

2:33:37minimum of 5 year experience as a

2:33:40municipal planner.

2:33:41That is practically the minimum

2:33:44qualification that they've been looking

2:33:46for.

2:33:48Saying that,

2:33:50okay, what uh specific professional

2:33:52experience qualify you to lead

2:33:56the Lawrence Office of Planning and

2:33:58Development?

2:34:00Particularly

2:34:01if you have never served as a municipal

2:34:03planning director or manage a department

2:34:06with comparable responsibilities.

2:34:09>> So, I have not directed a planning

2:34:13department, but I have managed a

2:34:15department. Before I came to the city of

2:34:17Lawrence,

2:34:18I

2:34:20I worked in Lowell and I managed 20 an

2:34:24office with 25 employees. So, I you

2:34:27know, and we wrote grants. We did

2:34:30budgets. We managed people. We managed

2:34:34We did a lot of the things that are

2:34:36required when you are in a director's

2:34:39position or in you know, in an executive

2:34:41director's position.

2:34:43So,

2:34:45I may not have the background in

2:34:46planning and I since the very beginning

2:34:49I've been very transparent about that.

2:34:51However, what I do bring to the position

2:34:54is my community engagement, my community

2:34:56development expertise, knowing the

2:34:58community, my connections with different

2:35:01agencies, with

2:35:03you with businesses,

2:35:05with our people who are the ones who go

2:35:08to that office every single day and and

2:35:12I have to be you know,

2:35:14when people go to the Office of planning

2:35:16and development.

2:35:18That's the least thing that they go

2:35:20there for. There's so many other things

2:35:22that happen in our department

2:35:25as far as services.

2:35:27They go for the lead program. They go

2:35:29for the first time home buyers program.

2:35:32They go to be able to be referred to the

2:35:35you know, we have

2:35:37the homeless coordinator. They go

2:35:40to be able to be connected to resources.

2:35:43There's a lot of There's a lot that goes

2:35:45on into that office that

2:35:48is not even on that job description that

2:35:50I had someday should probably be updated

2:35:54because the office of planning I think I

2:35:56said that

2:35:58last week. So much goes on in our office

2:36:01that this is like

2:36:03That office is like what really moves

2:36:05the city because that's where everyone

2:36:07goes. Yeah.

2:36:08People get sent there from city hall,

2:36:11from ISD, from different agencies. So so

2:36:15much goes on

2:36:17counselor.

2:36:18And that is what I bring. I bring that

2:36:20expertise. I bring the expertise of

2:36:23being able to lead a team to coordinate

2:36:27things, to be able to manage, to be able

2:36:31to for example, we have a

2:36:34We've had to reschedule a public meeting

2:36:37for the Castello Park because of the

2:36:39weather. Today we called an emergency,

2:36:42you know, a small staff meeting and I

2:36:45said I need volunteers to be able to go

2:36:47out and do the outreach in that

2:36:49neighborhood.

2:36:51And our staff is willing to do it.

2:36:53They're going to go do the to inform the

2:36:55public. We're going to go knock on doors

2:36:57and leave those flyers so that next week

2:37:00when we go to the public meeting, people

2:37:02can come and have their input. So that

2:37:04is what

2:37:06leadership looks like and I think that

2:37:09is what I particularly bring to the

2:37:10table.

2:37:13>> Okay, so we know your engagement in the

2:37:15community. It is not a bonus. But

2:37:19I think that it is more important in

2:37:21this, you know, for this position.

2:37:24Uh

2:37:26There is also a funda- fundamental

2:37:29difference between securing grants. So,

2:37:31you mentioned that you know how to write

2:37:34grants. And there is a fundamental

2:37:37between securing grant funding and being

2:37:39responsible for the successful execution

2:37:42of a municipal development project.

2:37:46Can you identify a significant projects

2:37:49for which you were personally

2:37:51accountable from the initial planning

2:37:54through budgeting, procurement,

2:37:56implementation, and regulatory

2:37:58compliance and completion?

2:38:00>> Yeah. Um in my prior

2:38:03position, in my prior job, I wrote

2:38:06grants, I managed the grants, we

2:38:07reported grants. Grants is not just

2:38:10writing a grant. And you know, you have

2:38:12to do reporting, you have to do

2:38:15um

2:38:15you have to do site visit. You know,

2:38:17people

2:38:18whoever's giving you that grant is going

2:38:20to come do a site visit, is going to be

2:38:24you know, you have to

2:38:26be able to provide data. You need to be

2:38:28able to provide all the information

2:38:30that's needed. So, at when I was at my

2:38:33prior job, through the early um depart-

2:38:37the early

2:38:39department the Department of Early

2:38:41Education and Care, I brought from A to

2:38:44Z a grant that till this day that agency

2:38:48that I worked for still has. And I

2:38:50worked I was able to sustain that grant

2:38:53while I was there for 17 years.

2:38:59>> What was the project total budget? And

2:39:01how many employee or contractors did you

2:39:04supervise?

2:39:05Uh how the challenge allows and

2:39:10how do you measure the result of this

2:39:13grant?

2:39:15>> So, back then, I was managing 25 staff.

2:39:19There were also 75

2:39:21providers that were licensed providers.

2:39:25Um,

2:39:26so through that,

2:39:28we did and the

2:39:30>> to assess

2:39:31>> I'm sorry. I got distracted.

2:39:33And uh, you know, so managing the not

2:39:36only the staff, but the also the

2:39:38contractors, we did contracts, we did

2:39:41RFPs, we made sure that people were

2:39:44bringing in documentation, that they

2:39:46were able to um, comply and that they

2:39:50would qualify. We did a lot of

2:39:52qualifications

2:39:53and so all this is work that I've been

2:39:56doing throughout the years.

2:40:00>> Do you want me to ask?

2:40:01>> So, uh, what was the final decision

2:40:03making um,

2:40:05on the grant and the capacity for the

2:40:08>> I'm sorry.

2:40:09>> What was the final decision making on

2:40:11that? How did you measure it?

2:40:14>> Oh, we collected data.

2:40:16Um, there were different tools like the

2:40:18FIDCs, as um,

2:40:21the ASQs. It's it's different, you know,

2:40:23this is a different language because I'm

2:40:25talking about a whole different field,

2:40:27but that is how we were able to measure

2:40:29and present to

2:40:32to the state in order for them to fund

2:40:34us.

2:40:37>> Um,

2:40:39I still have a more question, but I'm

2:40:41going to do this one and I'm going to

2:40:42let all of my my other

2:40:45So,

2:40:46considering the technical administration

2:40:49administrative and a security

2:40:51responsibility of this position,

2:40:54what specific qualification distinguish

2:40:58you from other applicants

2:41:01who pose the former education in urban

2:41:04planning

2:41:05and demonstrated municipal development

2:41:08experience

2:41:10and also had a leadership in in

2:41:13comparable departments.

2:41:15>> Again, a lot of those things that I

2:41:18presented as far as being able to manage

2:41:21grants, to manage people, to

2:41:26bring people together, to

2:41:29do you know, participate in community

2:41:32engagement, and participating in

2:41:35collaborations with different agencies

2:41:37within the community.

2:41:39All those things are

2:41:42are things that we do on a daily basis

2:41:44and I myself for the last 30 years of my

2:41:48life

2:41:49have been committed to that. I have been

2:41:52committed to service and I have been

2:41:54committed to doing this work when it

2:41:57comes to administrative work. I have

2:42:00been involved in in this municipality

2:42:03for

2:42:04for years in one way or another. So, all

2:42:08that experience when it says

2:42:11at the bottom of that, there are

2:42:13substitutions, I have been able to prove

2:42:16that through throughout my career.

2:42:19>> Why we should vote for you today?

2:42:22>> Because

2:42:24people need opportunities.

2:42:26Because people need to be given chances.

2:42:29Because I have been there for the last 3

2:42:31months

2:42:33and

2:42:36there has been a difference.

2:42:38People can notice the difference.

2:42:40My staff who is here can support that.

2:42:44And because I am willing and open to do

2:42:48the job.

2:42:49I have passion for for the work that is

2:42:53being done. I have been able to create

2:42:56partnerships not only with my staff, but

2:42:59with um the agencies that we work with.

2:43:02Groundwork's Lawrence, we have a very

2:43:04close relationship with them because

2:43:06they manage a lot of our programs. With

2:43:08Tech, who is the engineering

2:43:11um company that we use, we I've

2:43:15you know, with

2:43:16with Mr. Jim Barnes, who was

2:43:19the he was the director of

2:43:22community development. And we use him

2:43:25for a lot of things, you know, to do the

2:43:27environmental reviews. So, building

2:43:29those partnerships

2:43:31as we go is what makes us strong, and I

2:43:34have the capacity to do that. I have the

2:43:38the want to do that, and I want and I'm

2:43:40willing to learn because I'm not

2:43:42standing here

2:43:43pretending that I know about planning.

2:43:46I've learned a lot about planning in the

2:43:48last couple months. Um but I am open, I

2:43:52am willing, and I and I want to learn

2:43:55because if this if this apartment moves

2:43:58forward, our city moves forward. And if

2:44:01our city moves forward, my so does my

2:44:03family, so so do I. So,

2:44:07having the those skills that I bring

2:44:09that can be I think that that

2:44:13if we're going to focus on what I don't

2:44:15have,

2:44:17then you will vote no, but if you focus

2:44:19on what I do have and what I can offer

2:44:21to this department, you would see things

2:44:23in a different light.

2:44:26>> I I understand what you say, you know,

2:44:28see we focus on what you have and what

2:44:31you don't have. Instead, you need to

2:44:33focus on what is the most important for

2:44:36this department.

2:44:37>> I understand that, and that's why I

2:44:39understand

2:44:39>> have to focus principally on the

2:44:42qualification that's uh

2:44:46uh the know the knowledge on some of

2:44:49these things that's uh that have on that

2:44:52had this department. So, the

2:44:55the community development department is

2:44:57one of the most impo- For me, it's one

2:45:00of the most important

2:45:02piece in the city of learning that we

2:45:05need to focus and not just only to have

2:45:08some someone that's had an Okay, so

2:45:11everybody want to learn in how to want

2:45:15to

2:45:15do so many things. But, uh here are

2:45:18there are so many important parts or

2:45:20piece, you know, that we have to put it

2:45:22together. And like for me as an like a

2:45:26as a as an architect, knowing and you

2:45:29know about your urban development,

2:45:32construction, and all of this, I feel

2:45:35like we have to be very careful, you

2:45:38know, with this department.

2:45:39>> And I respect that

2:45:41uh counselor

2:45:41>> I'm going to pass uh

2:45:44So, I don't know if there is any other

2:45:46counselor that would like to make

2:45:50>> All right, counselors?

2:45:51Any other questions

2:45:53uh before we end the first round and

2:45:55then go back to Counselor Planas.

2:45:57Counselor uh Miguel?

2:45:58>> Yes, um

2:46:00I mean, you already answered part of my

2:46:02question, but I would like to know

2:46:05um in your

2:46:07days at the at the department, what

2:46:09accomplishment can you highlight? What

2:46:11was not there that you brought to the

2:46:14table, and how are you working with your

2:46:18uh directors in the department?

2:46:21>> Well, I think that I have a staff that

2:46:23speaks to each other now, cuz they

2:46:25didn't when I got there.

2:46:27>> [laughter]

2:46:27>> Um

2:46:29but as far as what I have been able to

2:46:32accomplish, I think that we work as a

2:46:35team.

2:46:36Um our finance office, our

2:46:40director of planning, our director of

2:46:44business and economic development, we

2:46:46meet

2:46:47and we get

2:46:49each other's input, which at one point

2:46:53was kind of lost in that department, and

2:46:56that wasn't happening. So, the fact that

2:46:59I have been able to

2:47:01bring this team back together, to be

2:47:04able to work on these projects together,

2:47:07because this is the importance of this.

2:47:11To move projects forward, to be able to

2:47:15move to sell a property, to be able to

2:47:18do the things that need to happen in

2:47:20that department, everyone needs to be on

2:47:22the same page, and they weren't.

2:47:26And now we do we work as a team,

2:47:29and everyone feels that. Everyone feels

2:47:32the morale is high in the department,

2:47:35and we're able to sit and discuss

2:47:40as a team what a project is looking

2:47:42like, what needs to happen, who needs to

2:47:46be contacted, and it's happening at

2:47:49once, because before

2:47:53maybe

2:47:55Director McCarthy would call someone,

2:47:58but then

2:47:59our land user was calling them, too,

2:48:01because there was a lack of of

2:48:03communication. So, people were saying,

2:48:06"Oh, I I just talked to so-and-so." But

2:48:08oh, but So, now we're able to do that as

2:48:11a as as a team as a whole, and I believe

2:48:15that if that is the only way we'll be

2:48:17able to move this department forward is

2:48:19doing the work that we're doing together

2:48:22as a team, relying on each other's

2:48:25um

2:48:25expertise.

2:48:28>> Thank you. Um I did have questions about

2:48:30the contract, but you already mentioned

2:48:32it's for 3 years, right?

2:48:34>> Yes.

2:48:35>> Okay. Yeah.

2:48:35>> Well, I haven't signed it. Uh it was a

2:48:37proposal,

2:48:38um because of course this will happen

2:48:41after if I am confirmed tonight, then

2:48:44you know, that is part of the but that

2:48:46is the

2:48:47the proposal that

2:48:49I that I saw.

2:48:51>> Perfect. All right, thank you.

2:48:55>> Any other counselors before I go back to

2:48:56the second round of questioning?

2:48:59Okay, let's go back to the second round,

2:49:00Counselor LeBlanc.

2:49:03>> Thank you. I

2:49:05paid attention to the answers and I

2:49:08appreciate the candor.

2:49:10Uh a couple of things that are just of I

2:49:12think of concern

2:49:14and I would feel like I'm I'm not doing

2:49:16my job if I didn't express it.

2:49:19So, I had a chance

2:49:21late today to look like I said and to do

2:49:23my due diligence to do just because it

2:49:26it is an important position.

2:49:28I agree.

2:49:30So, I had a chance to take a look at

2:49:32your application

2:49:34in January 18th, 2022 for the police

2:49:37department position.

2:49:38I had a chance to take a look at your

2:49:39application and resume for the July

2:49:4114th, 2026 for this position and then I

2:49:44had a chance to take a look at the July

2:49:4520th, 2026

2:49:48application and resume again for the

2:49:50same position.

2:49:53So, in these applications, of course,

2:49:56um

2:49:57it does talk that

2:50:00that everything here is

2:50:02um

2:50:04I understand that any misrepresentation

2:50:06or omission of essential facts in this

2:50:08application is cause for cancellation of

2:50:10the application or if employed, for

2:50:12immediate separation from city service.

2:50:14It's unlawful measures to require

2:50:16administrator lie detector, blah blah

2:50:17blah. But it talks that we that what is

2:50:20in these applications are true.

2:50:23So,

2:50:24you graduated, you know,

2:50:27in your January 18th, you said you went

2:50:29to Greenville College, Pennsylvania. No

2:50:32mention no mention of Salem State in

2:50:34that application form

2:50:36>> [snorts]

2:50:36>> in 2022.

2:50:38In July 14th of 2026, you sent an

2:50:40application and

2:50:42in here it talks about Greenville

2:50:44College, of course,

2:50:45but then it said that you had 2 years um

2:50:482 years at Salem State and it had MA.

2:50:50Now,

2:50:52I went to college. I have a JD, Juris

2:50:54Doctorate, and I know that an MA is

2:50:56Master's of Art. That's phraseology. You

2:50:59got a BA from Greenville College.

2:51:02And so, when I read that, it immediately

2:51:05appeared when you first applied for this

2:51:07position that it was that you received a

2:51:09Master's of Art.

2:51:11Or you or you went to school there or

2:51:13something. And then on the July

2:51:156 days later, that switched.

2:51:18Um it talks about Greenville, but

2:51:20nothing on Salem State and not there or

2:51:22in the resume.

2:51:24So, when I'm looking at the applications

2:51:27through the chronological chronological

2:51:30that I just provided,

2:51:32can you help me understand why there

2:51:34seems to be these flipping and and

2:51:36flips?

2:51:37Sometimes you say it, sometimes you

2:51:39don't. And these are material These are

2:51:41important things. If you went to school,

2:51:43you listed it, you said you had it. Can

2:51:45you help me understand why that was?

2:51:46>> Of course. So, on my application,

2:51:52the first application that I did,

2:51:55>> July 14th?

2:51:55>> Yeah, July 14th. Um I did mention

2:51:58because I put it as you know, as asks

2:52:01you what school do you do you go to? I

2:52:04have never claimed to have graduated. Um

2:52:09and then

2:52:12I decided

2:52:15on the application, when I realized I

2:52:17had made a mistake

2:52:19when I put MA instead of NA, not

2:52:22applicable,

2:52:24I went back, but I couldn't edit that.

2:52:27Once you submit the application, I

2:52:28couldn't edit it.

2:52:30So, I did a new application.

2:52:33And that is the only reason why that is

2:52:35there.

2:52:38>> I appreciate the explanation. It it

2:52:42raises the question

2:52:44why wasn't placed in 2022 or why you

2:52:47would put NA. No one puts not

2:52:48applicable. No one says all that and

2:52:50then says NA. You say don't

2:52:52>> It where it says if that I if I received

2:52:54it

2:52:55received a masters I put NA. Oh, and I

2:52:58realized that it was a typo so I did the

2:53:00new application. And

2:53:03um

2:53:05>> It says

2:53:07and we all have it in our packet. It's

2:53:09got the school name and address, Sam

2:53:10Houston University, numbers of years

2:53:12completed two, major in field social

2:53:14work, diploma degree MA.

2:53:18MA

2:53:20means masters of art as and you

2:53:22correctly cuz you just provided the

2:53:24transcripts

2:53:25a BA

2:53:27that we all heard about this evening

2:53:29from Greenville. So, we know BA, we know

2:53:31MA. This is a very common thing. You

2:53:34don't put

2:53:36NA. You just say

2:53:38you didn't get it. You was you know what

2:53:39I'm saying? It just that there's

2:53:41something that that could You can

2:53:43understand how this could mislead. You

2:53:45can understand how this could mislead

2:53:46cuz on on September 24th of this year

2:53:50you actually met with five members of

2:53:53this interview committee.

2:53:56Um

2:53:58Before I I say who they are

2:54:02I want to ask you mentioned your team

2:54:05that you work so well provide

2:54:07leadership, people are talking to each

2:54:08other. Finally, there seems to be some

2:54:11cohesion and direction, right? Um I have

2:54:15heard from many [snorts] that your

2:54:17leadership skills are good. That you've

2:54:19got tremendous leadership skills and so

2:54:22kudos to you for those who I've talked

2:54:24to who have said that to you. Who's part

2:54:26of your team?

2:54:32>> Sue Think.

2:54:33>> Sue Think.

2:54:34>> Kate King.

2:54:35>> Mhm.

2:54:36>> Dan McCarthy.

2:54:38Charlene Alpascoal.

2:54:42Pat Ruiz.

2:54:44>> Can you please stand?

2:54:48Yeah.

2:54:50All of them are here.

2:54:53>> Should I Oh, you know

2:54:55>> I just wanted to know who your team was.

2:54:56They

2:54:57don't need to stand up. I know who they

2:54:58are. I know everybody that's on that

2:54:59team and they're very good people. I

2:55:01know them all and I have a lot of

2:55:02respect for those individuals.

2:55:05The people who

2:55:07you used as references are one of them

2:55:11or was somebody on the team.

2:55:15That's not true. Somebody

2:55:19that you use as a as a reference

2:55:22>> [clears throat]

2:55:23>> was on this interview committee. That's

2:55:25true.

2:55:27I don't know if I need to [snorts] name

2:55:28the names. If the council is aware, I'm

2:55:30I'm willing to go ahead and do it. I

2:55:31don't think it's top secret. Um also

2:55:35there's people that are on I I will

2:55:36mention the people who are on the

2:55:38interview committee. Martha Velez, Pat

2:55:40Ruiz, Kate King, Sue Think and Carol

2:55:42Garcia. 1 2 3 4 5. Those are the five

2:55:45people that met on September 24th to go

2:55:48through the resume of which I believe I

2:55:50believe the one that's that's maybe

2:55:52erroneous was the one that was used I'm

2:55:54not 100% sure on that. I'm a little

2:55:56confused on that.

2:55:58But it just seems to me that we're

2:56:00putting people on an interview committee

2:56:03that you've placed This is not your

2:56:04fault cuz you didn't put you didn't

2:56:06choose the interview committee. So, I'm

2:56:07not blaming you. Trust me on this.

2:56:10Somebody

2:56:13presided the interview committee with

2:56:14someone that was one of your references.

2:56:17>> I didn't know who the committee was

2:56:18going to be.

2:56:19>> I I'm and I know that.

2:56:20>> And I listed

2:56:22>> Yeah.

2:56:23>> that person as a

2:56:25professional reference.

2:56:28Um

2:56:28It's someone that I have worked with and

2:56:31I listed her as as the as a reference. I

2:56:34didn't know she was going to be on the

2:56:35committee. Matter of fact, when I walked

2:56:38into

2:56:40into the interview,

2:56:43I looked at her and I said, "Oh,

2:56:46I had no idea that she was going to be

2:56:48there."

2:56:49>> I don't doubt that and I believe that. I

2:56:51really do because I it's not your job to

2:56:54create the interview committee. Of

2:56:55course you wouldn't know unless unless

2:56:57someone told you, "Hey, I and I believe

2:57:00that that you didn't know that." But

2:57:01when you when you do something like

2:57:03that, it would lead someone like me

2:57:06who's looking at this, who looked at the

2:57:07scores, who looked at these things,

2:57:09right?

2:57:10To say

2:57:12the way that we conducted this,

2:57:15don't you it would appear like that's a

2:57:17leading a little bit of um

2:57:20of an advantage.

2:57:21Someone that is a professional person

2:57:23that you you described one of these

2:57:25individuals as

2:57:26that's serving now to judge you.

2:57:29Clearly

2:57:31>> [laughter]

2:57:31>> you wouldn't put that person on as a

2:57:33part of your

2:57:34as a as reference.

2:57:35>> Yeah, and I don't think that uh

2:57:38whoever put the committee together knew

2:57:40that either.

2:57:41Um

2:57:42>> I I that I don't

2:57:42>> That that was my reference, you know.

2:57:44>> Like that that I don't know, but I would

2:57:46certainly say that

2:57:47>> application was done

2:57:49earlier in

2:57:51a couple of like month in July, I

2:57:53believe. So, and that interview happened

2:57:56in

2:57:57August. I can't remember the date, but

2:58:00um

2:58:00>> Is there a motion

2:58:01uh motion to pass the end?

2:58:03Yeah, right now.

2:58:04Probably second discussion. There's

2:58:06none. All those in favor say "Aye."

2:58:07>> Aye.

2:58:08>> Any nays? The ayes have it. Please

2:58:09continue.

2:58:10>> So, I do I do understand how that would

2:58:13um that how that could look. However, I

2:58:16had

2:58:17I did not know who the members of the

2:58:19committee were I did until you know I

2:58:21walked in there and I was like oh

2:58:24um

2:58:25I didn't know. Okay.

2:58:26>> And Council LaBlanc it's important to

2:58:28recognize the following too that that

2:58:31the interview committee

2:58:33recommend

2:58:34to the mayor the mayor make the ultimate

2:58:36decision as to who to send to the

2:58:39council.

2:58:40>> So the mayor

2:58:41I mean I've been on this a little while

2:58:43now the mayor doesn't have to go with

2:58:44the recommend

2:58:45>> Exactly.

2:58:46>> But in this particular case the mayor

2:58:47decided to do that. And and the the

2:58:50person that was recommended was Ms.

2:58:51Press.

2:58:52>> Correct.

2:58:52>> That that's what happened.

2:58:54Final point and I think this is going to

2:58:56be it for me tonight. There's another

2:58:57point but I just this is what I want to

2:58:59make.

2:59:00I think we have

2:59:02um we see things differently.

2:59:05um

2:59:07Listen.

2:59:08We all

2:59:10are looking for opportunities.

2:59:14We all are looking for a way to grow

2:59:17to get

2:59:18to get challenged to do new things to be

2:59:22um to be able to excel sometimes fail

2:59:25but trying to do things that are

2:59:27interesting and innovative.

2:59:29And so I I don't

2:59:31as a philosophy have any objection

2:59:34to giving people

2:59:35opportunities.

2:59:38When I hear and this is where I think we

2:59:40see things differently.

2:59:42When I hear that I just need an

2:59:43opportunity

2:59:46sometimes for me if somebody was an

2:59:49assistant director for five six years

2:59:52and maybe didn't have the right

2:59:55credentials for the master's degree but

2:59:56did that particular job for that

2:59:59all I need is an opportunity. That more

3:00:02resonates with me. Okay, you've been

3:00:04doing this job you got a track record I

3:00:05can see it. It's six years or whatever

3:00:07it is it's it's substantive. I can do

3:00:10that. That means something to me.

3:00:12But when I look at this,

3:00:14while I want to give people

3:00:15opportunities, I also need to figure out

3:00:19what's in the best interest of our city

3:00:20right now.

3:00:21Right now.

3:00:23Is it And I and I can't turn a blind eye

3:00:28to what the requirements are. I can't

3:00:30just say yeah.

3:00:31I know it said preferred on that.

3:00:35So, but it's okay. I can't

3:00:38I don't think for me. I'm going to give

3:00:40you my opinion and it others may share

3:00:42or disagree and this is why we're here.

3:00:47I do believe that

3:00:49there needs to be something more closely

3:00:51aligned to giving an opportunity and I

3:00:53think what we're offering here with the

3:00:55it's a lot it's a lot here. This

3:00:58position is amazing.

3:00:59It's an amazing amount of work. I read

3:01:02the responsibilities.

3:01:04You were just touching a little bit of

3:01:05it.

3:01:07And so, I think you bring leadership

3:01:10into your credit. What you're very short

3:01:12on, to be very candid with you, is what

3:01:15is needed in the requirements, which is

3:01:17substance in that issue. And part of me

3:01:20says, well, why didn't we? And we got

3:01:22the other applicants. I'm not going

3:01:24there.

3:01:25But part of me thinks this.

3:01:35I thought I heard all that before.

3:01:38It's like a review.

3:01:40Oh, it is. Okay. That's a little delay.

3:01:43Oh, okay.

3:01:44Well, that's fast. I'll try to regain my

3:01:45thought, Council President.

3:01:47Um

3:01:51Talking about opportunities, we talked

3:01:52about providing someone like yourself

3:01:54that and having that the subject matter

3:01:56ex- expertise.

3:01:57Um and I I was I was going to go and

3:02:00just say all the different things that

3:02:01this job requires, but having

3:02:05you don't We're not I'm not looking for

3:02:06an expert on

3:02:10on these issues, but I need somebody

3:02:12that's got more than just 3 months of

3:02:16exposure to it. That's not serving the

3:02:19people well. I want the best qualified

3:02:21candidate. I want and and here's where I

3:02:23was going.

3:02:24We need to We need to do our search more

3:02:26fully.

3:02:28I saw the applicants.

3:02:31We as a city should do better.

3:02:34I was here when Dan Rivera was here.

3:02:38I don't think any Who was here when Dan

3:02:40was here?

3:02:41You.

3:02:42>> [laughter]

3:02:42>> And

3:02:43you.

3:02:45So the clerk Clerk Bernal when she was a

3:02:46councilor, of course, and she was she

3:02:48was staffing, of course, the council

3:02:49president. Remember Teresa Park?

3:02:52>> Yes.

3:02:52>> Of course. Do you know how she got here?

3:02:56The story is that she actually he

3:02:59It It was the mayor that went out and

3:03:02actually recruited her to apply for the

3:03:04position. She was someone I believe she

3:03:07was an assistant or very close to that

3:03:10or at an active

3:03:12and was able to do it here. What What

3:03:15I'm suggesting to you is that

3:03:17when we're doing these important

3:03:19positions,

3:03:21not just putting it on Indeed,

3:03:25whatever the board is, is not an enough.

3:03:29We need our top people, even our mayor,

3:03:34to go ahead and start finding people

3:03:36over.

3:03:37Rivera is awesome at poaching.

3:03:40You should see what he did to the city

3:03:42when he became a master development. He

3:03:44took all of our good employees and

3:03:46brought them with him, right? Did it.

3:03:49Pardon me?

3:03:50>> Including me.

3:03:51>> 100%.

3:03:53Did Did Did a lot, right? And I just

3:03:56used that not that we're going to be

3:03:57putting, you know, wings on Dan Rivera

3:03:59and give him a halo or anything like

3:04:01that. But when it came to that,

3:04:03I thought he did an outstanding job. And

3:04:05my point here is this,

3:04:07are we coming close to that? I don't

3:04:08think we have to hit that directly, but

3:04:09are we making any kind of attempts to do

3:04:11that? And I don't know that we were to

3:04:14our residents' benefits, not for our

3:04:16benefits,

3:04:17but to our residents' benefits. Are we

3:04:18doing enough to try to get the best and

3:04:20the brightest here in our city? And I

3:04:22don't know.

3:04:23And maybe they are in our city. I'm not

3:04:25saying that they're not.

3:04:26But are we going and we finding these

3:04:28people? And I just

3:04:30There's a There's a level of doubt

3:04:31there. I'll be candid with you. A level

3:04:33of doubt. Thank you.

3:04:33>> You brought up You brought You brought

3:04:35up great points, Council member Planas,

3:04:37when it comes to the process and the

3:04:39intent and the and the

3:04:44and the candidates. Uh

3:04:48I just happen to be that sometime you

3:04:50you are consistent with what you say,

3:04:52but sometime you are not.

3:04:54Uh

3:04:54I understand that, you know, that, you

3:04:57know, it is important points.

3:04:59Uh

3:05:00they brought up. Uh

3:05:02I don't know how you brought it last

3:05:03time we have this position in front of

3:05:05us, but I mean I I think that you have a

3:05:06positive

3:05:07>> acting

3:05:08>> acting

3:05:08>> Council member Planas

3:05:10>> I Council member Rosario

3:05:11>> Thank you. Thank you. Would it be

3:05:13possible that call those members they

3:05:14actually pick Ms. Perez and and ask them

3:05:18what did they base on recommending her?

3:05:20Would it be an order

3:05:22to have them to to

3:05:24>> And it would be

3:05:25it would be helpful.

3:05:26>> Would it be walk us through? I mean,

3:05:28some of them are here, so they should

3:05:30walk us through some of the process, not

3:05:32all of it, and make us understand why

3:05:34was she be why was she

3:05:36chosen to be the candidate? I mean, we

3:05:39don't If If If you find it in order, I I

3:05:42believe that we need to hear for for

3:05:43that committee or some of them

3:05:45to see how the process went.

3:05:47>> Yeah, I mean, that's something that

3:05:50it would be helpful for the for the

3:05:51council to hear, even though potentially

3:05:56uh we are going away from the process

3:05:59because that committee actually

3:06:01introduce uh, candidates to the mayor

3:06:04and the recommendation as the mayor

3:06:06follow through it was um,

3:06:08Miss Perez. [snorts]

3:06:10Uh, I believe that you know,

3:06:13destructing that specific order uh, will

3:06:17uh,

3:06:18go against the process of the of the

3:06:20mayor

3:06:21um,

3:06:22uh, recommending a candidate. So, we're

3:06:25going to have to make that as a norm.

3:06:27But, what I can do uh, in the will be

3:06:30Huh?

3:06:30>> But, I heard it was unanimous.

3:06:32>> Yes, uh, what I can do um,

3:06:34is to hear uh, the the process as of how

3:06:38we how we went

3:06:39out of the um,

3:06:41uh, HR director.

3:06:43So, in that way uh, she will explain in

3:06:45general terms

3:06:46how the the process

3:06:49uh, how that committee was formed and

3:06:50assuming that she was an advisor

3:06:53an advisory to the mayor and also uh,

3:06:55part of the committee.

3:06:57And that way we can talk in general also

3:06:59how the process uh, went.

3:07:00>> Good evening again.

3:07:01>> Thank you.

3:07:02>> So, the committee was established by the

3:07:04mayor uh, or the mayor's office and on a

3:07:07set date we met, we reviewed all of the

3:07:09candidates resumes. They were graded

3:07:11according to a standard metric. Um, and

3:07:15counselor LePlant had had the

3:07:17opportunity to to check that out uh,

3:07:19earlier today as he mentioned. After

3:07:21that we then uh, performed the

3:07:23interviews and unanimously and there are

3:07:26a couple of members of the search

3:07:27committee here today. Unanimously it was

3:07:29it was um, voted for Miss Lynette Perez.

3:07:34There were standard questions as well

3:07:35that every applicant uh, that actually

3:07:38showed up to the to the interview was

3:07:41asked as well.

3:07:42>> So, in general terms the questions were

3:07:46uh, picked, developed and asked to every

3:07:48candidate.

3:07:49>> Yes, correct.

3:07:50>> Equally.

3:07:50>> Everyone was asked the exact same

3:07:52questions.

3:07:53>> Okay.

3:07:55Um

3:07:56in in general terms, I think that

3:07:58it is a pro- it is the proper process.

3:08:01Um and also you mentioned something very

3:08:03important that it is important to

3:08:06to uh to talk about our counselor plan

3:08:08when I had and and and review those. He

3:08:11was not

3:08:13sent That's information was not sent to

3:08:15him. He come over to your office and

3:08:17review those according to the process.

3:08:18It's also important to recognize that

3:08:21the process is that and any counselor

3:08:23have the right to go to the personnel uh

3:08:26the personnel department and review any

3:08:28type of process now or potentially

3:08:31later.

3:08:31>> And I encourage it, please. My doors are

3:08:33always open. As counselor

3:08:35>> the that's the way it is.

3:08:36>> of other counselors now as well.

3:08:37>> Yeah.

3:08:38Um Counselor Rosario.

3:08:42Counselor Reyes.

3:08:44>> Uh you Counselor President uh

3:08:48just comment for the candidate.

3:08:50>> Absolutely. Thank you.

3:08:52>> Thank you, uh

3:08:54Got it.

3:08:56>> Uh thank you for applying for this

3:08:57position. Uh sometime we lose our great

3:09:00candidate because we

3:09:03uh taking in consideration

3:09:06uh

3:09:07uh a lot what is the qualification. Uh

3:09:10but at the same time we need to taking

3:09:12in mind uh how important [snorts] it to

3:09:15have the passion and lead the

3:09:17department. When we had the ability to

3:09:20moving forward the department is a plus,

3:09:23too.

3:09:24I want to

3:09:25um

3:09:26say thank you because you respond every

3:09:29question we have tonight. And

3:09:32you know, sometime we don't have uh

3:09:35the master

3:09:37uh degree in planning development, but

3:09:40through

3:09:42uh through the day or through the moving

3:09:45forward the kind of job, you can have an

3:09:47interesting to uh continue

3:09:51you got ready in this kind of position.

3:09:54I want to say thank you. Uh

3:09:56Uh I think it's a plus when we have the

3:09:59ability to manage the staff. And moving

3:10:02forward our department. Thank you for

3:10:04that.

3:10:05>> Thank you, counselor.

3:10:07>> Here on the second round of questioning,

3:10:09counselors. Any other questions?

3:10:13Before I call the

3:10:15Before I call the question.

3:10:17All right. At this point, counselors, uh

3:10:20All those in favor, please say aye.

3:10:22Any nays?

3:10:23Uh Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

3:10:27>> Councilwoman [snorts] Plant?

3:10:28>> No.

3:10:29>> Councilman Rosario?

3:10:30>> Yes.

3:10:31>> Councilwoman Reyes?

3:10:32>> Yes.

3:10:33>> Councilman Infante?

3:10:34>> Yes.

3:10:35>> Councilwoman Marmol?

3:10:36>> Yes.

3:10:37>> Councilman Miguel?

3:10:38>> Yes.

3:10:39>> Councilman Gonzalez?

3:10:41>> Yes.

3:10:42>> Council Vice President Levy?

3:10:43>> No.

3:10:44>> Council President

3:10:45>> No.

3:10:46>> Council President Rodriguez?

3:10:47>> Yes.

3:10:48>> What's the count?

3:10:49>> 7 2.

3:10:49>> 7 2. Congratulations.

3:10:51>> Thank you, counselor. Thank you,

3:10:52counselor.

3:10:56>> Mr.

3:10:57Mr. Reyes.

3:10:59>> Over.

3:11:02>> Councilwoman Plant, are you Hispanic?

3:11:04>> That's what I thought.

3:11:14The oldest city.

3:11:14>> Why not?

3:11:17>> [laughter]

3:11:26>> Counselors, we have a full agenda.

3:11:29>> No kidding.

3:11:30>> And we have a couple of couple of things

3:11:32that we need to take care of right away.

3:11:34Um

3:11:39Um

3:11:40the police.

3:11:41Let's counselors, let's go committee

3:11:43reports and let's go to the budget and

3:11:44finance committee.

3:11:56And this is not That was a quick.

3:12:03Budget and budget and finance committee.

3:12:06Madam Chair from the budget and finance

3:12:07committee.

3:12:09Guys.

3:12:11Okay, let's go.

3:12:16Uh item uh

3:12:19item 383-26

3:12:22>> Item 383-26 home rule petition for

3:12:25carnival service for six Lawrence

3:12:27firefighters with sent up

3:12:29as a favorable recommendation. However,

3:12:33I'm going to make a motion for take to

3:12:34table until the November 17th meeting

3:12:37for

3:12:38um the communication that we've

3:12:40received.

3:12:40>> Yeah. Uh

3:12:42it's been second.

3:12:44The version that we sent over was

3:12:46version number two, which is the it

3:12:48including payment for of the recipient.

3:12:51If they pay, they will uh

3:12:53they will receive the credit of time.

3:12:55So, it's

3:12:57The communication, Madam Chair.

3:12:58>> desk, it says 383 at the top.

3:13:03>> So, two versions were presented. Version

3:13:06one that didn't include the payment,

3:13:07version two that include the payment.

3:13:09>> like this.

3:13:16>> And we're going to have it uh an an um

3:13:19an opportunity to discuss that

3:13:21to discuss this

3:13:23uh on November 17th, 2026.

3:13:26All right. Uh so, motion to table. All

3:13:28those in favor, say aye.

3:13:29>> Aye.

3:13:30>> Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 405-26

3:13:33>> Item 405-26

3:13:35authorization to expend $300 as a gift

3:13:38from the estate estates of contents and

3:13:41Kadali was sent up as a favorable

3:13:44recommendation and I make that as a

3:13:45formal motion.

3:13:46>> There's a motion in front of us properly

3:13:48second discussion.

3:13:50Councilors, I encourage everybody to

3:13:52look at the meeting of the subcommittee

3:13:53level

3:13:54for that

3:13:55by your finance committee and here that

3:13:57the discussion that took place around

3:13:59this $300 gift from an specific person

3:14:03from the city.

3:14:04At this time any questions to the chief

3:14:05of to the chief of fire fire.

3:14:09I hear none so all those in favor please

3:14:10say I.

3:14:12Any nays? The eyes have it. Item 407.

3:14:16Item 407-26.

3:14:18>> Item 407-26

3:14:19authorization to expend 40 43,500

3:14:23of the BJA

3:14:25FY2025

3:14:27Edward Ryan Memorial Justice Assistance

3:14:29Grant was sent up as a favorable

3:14:31recommendation and I make that as a

3:14:32formal motion.

3:14:33>> There's a motion in front of us.

3:14:35Properly second discussion on this

3:14:36morning.

3:14:38I hear none all those in favor please

3:14:39say I.

3:14:40The eyes have it. Item uh

3:14:42>> I'm going to take actually item 410-26

3:14:45first Council President.

3:14:46>> Okay.

3:14:47>> 410-26 transfer of funds in in the

3:14:50amount of 2000 $2000 from legal services

3:14:54to from the legal services account to

3:14:56the claims account was sent up as a

3:14:58favorable recommendation and I make that

3:15:00as a formal motion.

3:15:01>> There's a motion in front of us properly

3:15:03second discussion.

3:15:04I hear none all those in favor

3:15:07The eyes have it. Uh Madam Chair from

3:15:08the personnel committee let's go to

3:15:10that.

3:15:10>> a motion to untable item 372-26

3:15:14appointment of Sherice J. Dana

3:15:17Davenport to the Board of Registrars.

3:15:21>> There is a motion to untable this item

3:15:22properly second discussion. I hear none

3:15:24all those in favor please say I.

3:15:26The eyes have it. What is the underlying

3:15:28motion for this item?

3:15:29>> Motion to approve.

3:15:30>> There is a motion to approve. Who's

3:15:31second the motion?

3:15:34Um

3:15:35>> we can entertain a new motion if you

3:15:37wish.

3:15:38You don't have it. You have it? Okay.

3:15:41446-26. I'm a hold on. Never mind.

3:15:44372-26.

3:15:51Uh well, the clerk we know that we

3:15:53already have a motion. Motion to

3:15:54approve. Well, the clerk is looking for

3:15:56that information as of who seconded.

3:15:59Let's entertain the candidate.

3:16:01Uh

3:16:02thank you for coming tonight.

3:16:04Uh and if you can introduce yourself,

3:16:06name and address for the record, and and

3:16:08tell us a little more about you.

3:16:10>> Um Sherri Davenport. I'm at 351 Water

3:16:13Street. This way.

3:16:14>> Yeah.

3:16:15>> Uh Sherri Davenport. I'm at 351 Water

3:16:17Street in Lawrence, of course. I've been

3:16:18a resident of Lawrence for 40 years.

3:16:21Um and I am looking forward to serving

3:16:24the community in the city of Lawrence as

3:16:26your Board of Registrar for the

3:16:27Republican Party.

3:16:28>> Okay. Can you

3:16:30uh

3:16:30Uh so, can you repeat some of the

3:16:32question in that I ask you at the

3:16:34committee level and why you want to

3:16:36serve?

3:16:37>> Um so, I want to serve because I've been

3:16:40doing I'm a resident services

3:16:41coordinator. I'm in the social work

3:16:42field. I've been in communities not

3:16:44serving Lawrence. I've done Andover,

3:16:46North Andover, Haverhill, Amesbury,

3:16:48Newburyport, and I haven't I haven't

3:16:51been in the capacity of serving my city.

3:16:53Um so, I want to do that in that

3:16:54capacity.

3:16:55>> Uh counselor, just point of information,

3:16:57this this committee

3:16:59is one of the two committee in the city

3:17:01of Lawrence that is a partisan

3:17:02committee.

3:17:03Uh a Republican and a Democrat and

3:17:05whoever the mayor decide and uh for the

3:17:08reminding of that uh of the members. Uh

3:17:11is a requirement by law and uh she's

3:17:13going to represent the Republican party

3:17:16uh on the uh on the committee.

3:17:19Uh they the committee is an essential

3:17:22committee for election organizing

3:17:23elections.

3:17:25Uh any other questions to the

3:17:26candidates?

3:17:28Councilor Flynn.

3:17:28>> I just um

3:17:31Were you aware what you're getting

3:17:32yourself into?

3:17:33>> Yes.

3:17:34>> I am. [laughter]

3:17:35>> Okay.

3:17:35>> I've reread and I've I've met with a

3:17:37couple of folks and they've given me

3:17:39kind of feedback as far as to what I'm

3:17:41getting myself into.

3:17:42>> Okay. I mean, we are about to enter a

3:17:45crazy time in the city.

3:17:47>> Correct.

3:17:47>> And we're about to I think we are in the

3:17:49crazy time right now.

3:17:51>> We're in it.

3:17:52>> We are in the middle of the crazy time

3:17:54and and some of this craziness may reach

3:17:56your doorstep. And so I just, you know,

3:17:59it [snorts] it's it's it's a tough

3:18:01position. There's expectations.

3:18:04Unfortunately, unlike

3:18:06unlike the Board of Registrars, we are

3:18:08on television every night of the week.

3:18:10You can see us, you can hate us even

3:18:12more after you watch us two or three

3:18:13times, or you can love us,

3:18:14whichever way it goes. Um, you're not

3:18:17going to have that. So you're you're

3:18:19But the thing the decisions you make are

3:18:21going to be pretty im-

3:18:22They're going to be consequential. And I

3:18:24just I I don't want this moment to pass

3:18:27without like reiterating

3:18:29uh how important it is, how difficult it

3:18:32might be, how challenging how how

3:18:34challenging it it might be for you and

3:18:37the board and the the

3:18:40My hope is that you state

3:18:42My hope is that you follow the law to

3:18:44the best of your ability, follow wise

3:18:47counsel, use your best judgment, and be

3:18:50as impartial and neutral as you can

3:18:52possibly be as you try to bring fairness

3:18:55in the fundamental part of our

3:18:58government, which is the election. So

3:19:00that's my ask.

3:19:02Um, I think I'm the only Republican on

3:19:03this board, so

3:19:05I look to you especially

3:19:07to to guide that and hold that mantle

3:19:09most specifically. So um

3:19:12I I will be supporting you this evening

3:19:14and and I I wish you all the very best.

3:19:15>> Thank you so much.

3:19:17>> So a quick question, are you are you

3:19:18registered as a Republican?

3:19:21>> Was I raised as a Republican?

3:19:22>> Are you currently?

3:19:23>> I currently am, yes.

3:19:24>> Okay.

3:19:25Just just a a making sure because it

3:19:28could be that you intend to register and

3:19:30not registered

3:19:30>> No, I'm registered.

3:19:31>> Okay. Councilors, any questions to the

3:19:33candidate?

3:19:35Any questions to the candidate?

3:19:37All right. Uh this is the just

3:19:40this is the time that is

3:19:43very difficult for that board and when

3:19:44it comes to learning the process

3:19:47not to the board perhaps to a new member

3:19:49that is coming in into a completely new

3:19:52process that haven't been done

3:19:56for quite some time in the city, but I

3:19:57mean it happened in the past. Uh

3:20:00councilors, if there is no objections,

3:20:01I'll go

3:20:02>> I have a I have a comment.

3:20:03>> Uh counselor Infante.

3:20:05>> Thank you. I I just want to re

3:20:07because I don't remember whether or not

3:20:08I said this at the personnel committee

3:20:10level, but I do want to publicly state

3:20:13that although each election cycle is is

3:20:17hectic,

3:20:18um we do see a difference between state

3:20:21and municipal elections. Municipal

3:20:24elections are 10 times worse

3:20:26uh in my opinion at least. Um there's a

3:20:29lot more pressure. There is sometimes

3:20:32lack of boundaries and respect to

3:20:35people's um respective jurisdictions.

3:20:39And um I just want to make sure that you

3:20:41are prepared for that and It looks It

3:20:44looks like you are and and I have faith

3:20:46in that. But I I want to put it out

3:20:48there that that's going to come and um

3:20:51we do have an amazing city clerk and

3:20:54your colleagues that have been through

3:20:55this and I I highly recommend to for you

3:20:58to lean on them cuz it's not an easy

3:21:00period.

3:21:00>> Perfect. Thank you.

3:21:01>> You're welcome.

3:21:02>> Don't get scared.

3:21:03>> No, not scared yet.

3:21:05>> [laughter]

3:21:06>> But I'm not lying about that.

3:21:07>> Yeah, it's true.

3:21:08Um councilors, any other questions?

3:21:11I hear none. All those in favor, please

3:21:12say aye.

3:21:13>> Aye.

3:21:13>> Any nays? The ayes have it.

3:21:15Congratulations. you.

3:21:16>> All right. So, counselors, let's go back

3:21:18to the top uh to the Board of Finance

3:21:21Committee.

3:21:22Um

3:21:26>> Item

3:21:27409-26,

3:21:29the

3:21:30net metering

3:21:32electricity off-take agreements,

3:21:3520-year electricity building credit

3:21:38agreement with the 978 Solar Development

3:21:41LLC

3:21:42>> Only the yeses.

3:21:43>> or New Leaf

3:21:46>> Go ahead. Go ahead.

3:21:47>> or New Leaf Energy was sent up with a

3:21:50favorable recommendation, and I make

3:21:52that as a formal motion.

3:21:53>> Second.

3:21:57>> I

3:21:58pending Actually, I'm sorry. It was sent

3:22:00up as a

3:22:02committee report pending

3:22:05a

3:22:07letter from the city attorney and also a

3:22:09letter from our capital.

3:22:12That is the actual

3:22:14um

3:22:16>> All right. Um

3:22:17>> Your mic is off.

3:22:19>> We are accepting the committee report.

3:22:20That is a That is Can I hear a motion

3:22:22for the committee report?

3:22:25I

3:22:26Is it a motion?

3:22:27Can I hear a mo-

3:22:29Oh, okay. It's properly second

3:22:30discussion on the committee report only.

3:22:32I hear none.

3:22:34All those in favor, please say aye.

3:22:37The committee report.

3:22:38>> The committee report.

3:22:39>> Yeah.

3:22:40Now, we are going We can entertain

3:22:42another motion.

3:22:43>> No, I have a question on the committee

3:22:44report.

3:22:45>> On the committee report? Uh yes, go

3:22:46ahead.

3:22:47>> The

3:22:48So,

3:22:49so the committee report pertains to is

3:22:52attached to whether or not we received a

3:22:54letter from the city attorney or

3:22:56capital. Did we receive those letters?

3:22:57>> Yes, we did.

3:22:58>> There are two items on your desk.

3:23:01>> We have it on the on the

3:23:02>> Make sure it's on record. All right.

3:23:03Thank you.

3:23:05>> Uh yeah, the city attorneys have sent

3:23:07information regarding to this item.

3:23:10>> One is from the the capital and one from

3:23:12the city council.

3:23:13>> Capital from the

3:23:14>> Capital sent an email on Monday pretty

3:23:16detailed.

3:23:17And then the attorney sent the one

3:23:19sentence letter.

3:23:20>> Thank you.

3:23:21>> All right. Um

3:23:22There is some

3:23:24I entertain a motion now.

3:23:27Motion to approve.

3:23:28>> Second.

3:23:28>> There is a motion to approve. Properly

3:23:30second.

3:23:34No, we we call the vote. I just open up

3:23:37uh the the

3:23:38your opinion into it.

3:23:41I don't vote it by the way.

3:23:43>> Well, that's why I was asking.

3:23:44>> Yeah.

3:23:45Yeah.

3:23:45All right. Um

3:23:47Now we have a motion to approve.

3:23:50Uh based on the recommendation that the

3:23:52capital sent and based on the uh the

3:23:54information that the city attorney sent,

3:23:57counselors, is there any questions in

3:23:58regard to this matter? This is a 20-year

3:24:01uh contract.

3:24:03Um

3:24:09Counselors, any questions?

3:24:13All right. Can you provide us a little

3:24:14bit more details before uh

3:24:16before we take a vote?

3:24:18>> Yeah.

3:24:19Yes, absolutely. Uh Joseph Capital on a

3:24:21Colonial Power Group, 5 Mount Royal Ave,

3:24:23Marlboro.

3:24:24Uh good evening. Uh we're asking the

3:24:26committee to recommend approval of item

3:24:28409-26 under the proposed agreements

3:24:31approximately approximately 16 million

3:24:34kilowatt hours a year of net metering

3:24:36credits um from three solar facilities

3:24:39uh to city accounts. Um so, the utility,

3:24:42National Grid, uh will apply these

3:24:44credits to the city's utility bills uh

3:24:46and then

3:24:47um

3:24:49>> Present.

3:24:49>> as effectually the city will get a bill

3:24:52from the solar developer for 90%. So,

3:24:54they'll receive um a 10% savings for 20

3:24:58years uh with approximately $11 million

3:25:01over the 20 years.

3:25:07>> Counselors, any questions?

3:25:09Uh

3:25:10just uh just just to give some contents

3:25:13uh

3:25:13before we um

3:25:16we were going to have a 20-year contract

3:25:19and a 15% discount.

3:25:21That um

3:25:23math would have ended up being about $12

3:25:25million.

3:25:26This is a little different. This is only

3:25:28about $11 million uh a little over $11

3:25:31million in saving on a 20-year contract

3:25:34as well. All right?

3:25:36>> Correct.

3:25:37>> Any questions, councillors? I hear none.

3:25:39All those in favor, please say aye.

3:25:41>> Aye.

3:25:41>> Any nays?

3:25:42The ayes have it. Thank you.

3:25:44>> Thank you.

3:25:44>> So, let's go now to

3:25:46the

3:25:48Is that on table now?

3:25:50>> 274

3:25:53274 It's a table item, yeah. So, we can

3:25:55discuss it.

3:25:56>> Uh can can I get a motion to on table

3:25:59item 274 26, councillors?

3:26:02There's a motion to on table that item,

3:26:04uh which is the request for zoning

3:26:06change on 46 Winders uh Winder uh

3:26:09Properly second. Discussion.

3:26:11I hear none. All those in favor, please

3:26:13>> Uh is that to take off table?

3:26:14>> This is to take out of table.

3:26:15>> He had a heart attack.

3:26:18>> All those in favor, please say aye.

3:26:19>> Aye.

3:26:20>> The ayes have it. And now we have uh can

3:26:22What is the underlying motion?

3:26:26>> Um

3:26:27>> I think it's to approve.

3:26:28>> I think

3:26:29it's to approve.

3:26:39Um I have a motion

3:26:45This one.

3:26:48I have a motion made

3:26:50to table from Councillor Plans.

3:26:52>> And you have a underlying?

3:26:54>> I don't I'm not saying that.

3:26:55>> No?

3:26:58>> It's it's it's Yeah.

3:27:01>> We don't have an underlying motion?

3:27:04>> Um

3:27:06>> It's mismarked. It's It's not What

3:27:09happens or not actually, so

3:27:10yeah.

3:27:11>> Well, counselors, I will entertain a

3:27:13motion at this point.

3:27:15I believe there was a a motion to

3:27:17approve, but I mean uh

3:27:19we can entertain a motion.

3:27:20>> I'd like to make a motion that we

3:27:21disapprove of this item. Reject this

3:27:24item.

3:27:25>> Deny.

3:27:25>> Deny this item.

3:27:27>> All right, there's a motion to deny.

3:27:29>> Can I hear a second?

3:27:30>> Second.

3:27:31>> Discussion.

3:27:32>> Discussion, Counselor Plan.

3:27:33>> Very simple. Um we all have it.

3:27:36I would I know it's late. Well, I just

3:27:38need your attention now for just a few

3:27:39minutes. We all have at our desk this

3:27:42packet this letter from the city council

3:27:44which I requested this the council voted

3:27:46for regarding whether or not this

3:27:49location is spot zoning. The technical

3:27:51term is preferential zoning. That's the

3:27:53that's the legal term.

3:27:55And we did receive the opinion from the

3:27:58city attorney.

3:28:00>> Do you mind reading it for the record?

3:28:01You're referring to it?

3:28:03>> I've been asked this is from the city

3:28:04district city council from Timothy Duda,

3:28:06the city attorney.

3:28:08Dated today.

3:28:09I've been asked to review this request

3:28:11for a zoning change to see if it is spot

3:28:13zoning.

3:28:15Uh in reviewing this request, I reviewed

3:28:16the zoning history of

3:28:18this property.

3:28:20This property is located in a business

3:28:22one or a B1 zone.

3:28:24There are no properties adjacent to it

3:28:27to a to a a highway access district. It

3:28:30is a district parcel with no other

3:28:33parcel near it in a highway access

3:28:35district, HA2.

3:28:37I believe this is definitely spot

3:28:40zoning.

3:28:41If you have any questions, feel free to

3:28:43give me a call regarding this matter.

3:28:45That is why I had the concern.

3:28:48Spot or preferential zoning is unlawful.

3:28:51And we have the city's opinion

3:28:52attorney's opinion saying that it is.

3:28:54That was a hunch. You can't just have

3:28:56one parcel and [clears throat] call that

3:28:57out. So, anyway, that's the that's my

3:28:59motion

3:29:00for a second.

3:29:00>> No no no no problem. I just want to make

3:29:02sure like we'd um

3:29:04we stated it clear. The the city

3:29:07attorney didn't say that it was

3:29:08unlawful.

3:29:10The city attorney that's your opinion

3:29:12and then the city attorney says that yes

3:29:14it is an S 5 zoning.

3:29:16So if you say that it's unlawful can you

3:29:18provide

3:29:19>> Sure.

3:29:20>> uh there you go to the mayor.

3:29:21>> law in the Commonwealth I think we've

3:29:22got other land use kind of planners here

3:29:24that are more

3:29:25>> It's more involved than I am.

3:29:26>> can say that things are tossed out are

3:29:29at the court levels are um

3:29:32um

3:29:33judgements are that if you have a parcel

3:29:36like this that is called preferential

3:29:38zoning it is unlawful. So it's not a

3:29:40criminal act just unlawful. It's

3:29:43we shouldn't be doing that there are

3:29:44laws against this by case law. Don't ask

3:29:47me I'm not the city attorney here. I'm

3:29:48not going to be able to give you the

3:29:49case law on the matters but there is a

3:29:51treasure trove of case law that that

3:29:54that talks about

3:29:56um in great detail uh what spot and

3:29:58preferential zoning is. And the city

3:30:01attorney's position is that this is

3:30:03definitely my his words definitely spot

3:30:05zoning.

3:30:05>> Yes. I agree that he said that. I mean I

3:30:08just want to make sure like you know for

3:30:09the people up there uh that the city

3:30:12attorney did not say that it was

3:30:14unlawful but he said that it was in the

3:30:16spot zoning for sure.

3:30:17Uh we have the applicant here. I just

3:30:19out of fairness I would like to if they

3:30:21have any questions the motion that we

3:30:23have here is to deny the item.

3:30:26>> The last meeting good evening.

3:30:28>> I just name and address for the record

3:30:29please.

3:30:30>> Elias Canch 36 Bell Avenue Mass.

3:30:33The last meeting I was here

3:30:35when

3:30:36Mr.

3:30:38>> Councilor Flynn.

3:30:39>> uh Flynn recommended that it goes

3:30:41through

3:30:43the city

3:30:44lawyer

3:30:46to see if it will

3:30:48affect

3:30:51the corridor if they change my zoning.

3:30:54>> No, the question that I can share the

3:30:56plan referred to the city attorney was

3:30:59around if it is an S bad zoning or

3:31:01preferential zoning. That was not

3:31:04anything related to whether or not that

3:31:06affect the area, correct?

3:31:08>> We just That was a simple question to

3:31:09the city attorney.

3:31:10>> Yes.

3:31:10>> That's all it was.

3:31:11>> It wasn't a whether or not it is an S

3:31:13bad zoning change or a preferential

3:31:15zoning change.

3:31:17Change. Excuse me. So, that was the

3:31:20question and the city attorney have

3:31:21respond

3:31:22and says that yes, it is a an S bad

3:31:25zoning change. Which is it could be

3:31:28considered as a preferential zone

3:31:29change.

3:31:30And based on different cases that it was

3:31:33uh

3:31:34that it has been occurred lately, S bad

3:31:37zoning could be considered

3:31:40unlawful as per the discussion. I'm not

3:31:43saying that, but I mean that's what part

3:31:44of the discussion. Just to be fair

3:31:47on the discussion. Yes.

3:31:48>> So, what falls under highway access?

3:31:50What is actually highway access? When I

3:31:53started this application and they told

3:31:55me you fall under fall under highway

3:31:57access. What is actual highway access?

3:32:01>> Well, it's a specific zoning that

3:32:05that can be changed. Thank you, Teresa.

3:32:08That can be changed if we change in the

3:32:10entire area to that a specific to that

3:32:13to that spot. Or to that location.

3:32:17Perhaps not one particular. And the

3:32:20question was brought up whether or not

3:32:22independently of the zoning that it was

3:32:24uh

3:32:25supposed to be changed to. The question

3:32:27was was asked whether or not this is an

3:32:30S bad zoning change or a preferential

3:32:32zoning. That's That was the question

3:32:34around.

3:32:34>> Yeah, but what I'm trying to find out

3:32:36what falls under highway access to

3:32:39change the zoning.

3:32:41Do you have to be a certain distance

3:32:42from the highway to your property? Or

3:32:45what falls under that heading? So, I

3:32:47understand clearly.

3:32:49>> Yeah, when we refer to the city council,

3:32:51we we deal with the the the zoning

3:32:53change.

3:32:54Uh and under the recommendation of the

3:32:57different departments that that deal

3:32:59with it.

3:33:00And

3:33:01ultimately

3:33:03the final approval of the of the zoning

3:33:06uh change fall into the city council,

3:33:08but we are not experts on what what is

3:33:12what is specific zone.

3:33:13We follow the recommendation of the

3:33:15different departments and we definitely

3:33:18if it is recommended by the different

3:33:19departments, we agreed and sometimes

3:33:21disagree. At this point the the motion

3:33:25that is in front of us is not to approve

3:33:27that uh

3:33:29the preferences zoning that has been

3:33:30presented.

3:33:32>> So, the person that was with me the last

3:33:35meeting

3:33:36they also applied under the highway

3:33:40for the old cinema. So, what how is it

3:33:43difference? What's the difference

3:33:45between theirs and mine?

3:33:48>> I we can definitely refer to

3:33:50for you to have an specific meeting with

3:33:52the with the with with the planning

3:33:56planning department so they can explain

3:33:59to you as of what is the difference

3:34:00between the two. We have we cannot

3:34:02entertain the other the other item due

3:34:04to the fact that is

3:34:06that is not within our discussion at

3:34:09this point. If we entertain both of

3:34:12them, we can establish the difference

3:34:13between both of them. Uh but at this

3:34:15point we are just um

3:34:18looking to to discuss around this bus

3:34:22zoning change that is being proposed.

3:34:25Also, it is important to this

3:34:28one of the decision could be that that's

3:34:30an overlay area not necessarily in this

3:34:32bus zoning change.

3:34:34>> So, before you vote, do I have the right

3:34:37that I don't take the vote tonight to uh

3:34:41have uh

3:34:43my lawyer look at into it and check with

3:34:45the city lawyer.

3:34:46>> You asking us to potentially table this

3:34:49matter and and ask for the different

3:34:52attorneys to meet?

3:34:53>> Yeah.

3:34:54>> I think that it will be up to the

3:34:55council to entertain that motion.

3:34:58Uh Madam Clerk.

3:35:00>> Just as a point of of information or

3:35:02clarification, the planning board does

3:35:04do that. Um they do do a process and Mr.

3:35:07Elias um Mr. Conchas recently been at

3:35:09the planning board. I think that's what

3:35:10he's thinking of. If they don't have

3:35:12enough You have to maybe have three

3:35:14votes and they'll have three members. So

3:35:16even if he gets two out of three, he'll

3:35:18have a majority, but he he won't have

3:35:19the number to carry his item. They can

3:35:21ask to continue the document. We don't

3:35:23do that That's not part of our tradition

3:35:24here. So what he's asking was a little

3:35:26bit different. You you could entertain

3:35:28it, but it's not part of what we do

3:35:29normally.

3:35:30>> No, but I mean it could be that that we

3:35:32that we can table and then wait for the

3:35:34next

3:35:35for the next meeting until they have

3:35:37more information and satisfy the

3:35:39applicant. And that's not that's not an

3:35:41fair an unfair ask.

3:35:43>> Sure. I just Yeah, he's coming from some

3:35:44a different places, I think, as well.

3:35:46>> But it will be up to the council members

3:35:48to uh

3:35:50have a motion to table.

3:35:52If there is any any councilors that will

3:35:54entertain this motion

3:35:55uh on top of the other motion that will

3:35:57be in order.

3:36:01>> Motion to table.

3:36:02>> There's a motion to table. Can I hear a

3:36:04second? Properly second. No discussion

3:36:06on the table matters. All those in

3:36:07favor, please say aye.

3:36:08>> Aye.

3:36:08>> Any nays?

3:36:09>> No.

3:36:10>> Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

3:36:12>> Sure. Um

3:36:14Councilor Gonzales.

3:36:17Is noted as absent. Sorry.

3:36:20Um Councilor Miguel.

3:36:21>> Yes.

3:36:23>> Councilor Mamo is also noted as absent.

3:36:25Um

3:36:27Councilor Infante.

3:36:28>> Yes.

3:36:29>> Councilor Reyes.

3:36:30>> Yes.

3:36:30>> Councilor Davasario.

3:36:32>> Yes.

3:36:32>> Councilor Plant.

3:36:33>> No.

3:36:34>> Councilor um Vice President.

3:36:36>> Yes.

3:36:36>> Councilor President.

3:36:37>> I vote yes. Motion carries.

3:36:39So, I'll see you on

3:36:41let's shoot for this item for November

3:36:4417th, so we can have you guys can have

3:36:46enough time to discuss.

3:36:48>> Thank you very much.

3:36:48>> Thank you.

3:36:49>> Have a wonderful evening.

3:36:50>> Um okay.

3:36:53So, now let's go back to the any other I

3:36:55mean, I don't see anybody else.

3:36:57Let's go to the public hearings.

3:37:03Public hearings, um

3:37:07Councilors, we have a couple of public

3:37:08hearings and the the first public

3:37:10hearing will will be resident parking

3:37:12for item 100 25 101 25 320 322 25

3:37:19367 25 368 25 381 25 389 25 405 25 406

3:37:2725

3:37:29442 25 494 72 25 494 25 272 55 26

3:37:37256 26

3:37:40257 26 284 26 and 285 26.

3:37:45Madam Clerk, please read the notice for

3:37:46this all those items.

3:37:48>> Yeah. Notice is hereby given that

3:37:50Lawrence City Council will hold a public

3:37:52hearing on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026

3:37:54at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council

3:37:55Chambers, 200 Common Street, Lawrence,

3:37:56Mass. Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts

3:37:58of 2023 and in accordance with the

3:38:00recently revised City Council Rule 2,

3:38:02this meeting will be hybrid, allowing

3:38:03participation both in person and

3:38:04remotely to accommodate participants

3:38:06with health considerations that prevent

3:38:08them from participating in person. To

3:38:09receive access codes for remote

3:38:11participation, please contact the City

3:38:12Clerk at

3:38:12[email protected]

3:38:14or 978-620-3230

3:38:17or view the meeting on Facebook and

3:38:19YouTube. The purpose of this hearing is

3:38:21to gather testimony, information, and

3:38:22public input concerning the proposed

3:38:24amendment to the revised ordinances of

3:38:26the City of Lawrence to be further

3:38:27amended by adding the following new

3:38:29subparagraphs to Section 10.40.060

3:38:33in the municipal code permit parking

3:38:35street designations to be inserted in

3:38:37the proper proper alphabetical order.

3:38:40Document number 100-25 Washington Street

3:38:43both sides from Manchester Street to

3:38:45Lake Street. Document number 101-25 Lake

3:38:48Street both sides entire length.

3:38:50Document number 332-25 Cypress Avenue

3:38:53north side from Pearl Street to Byron

3:38:55Avenue. Document number 367-26

3:38:58Jackson Terrace both sides entire

3:38:59length. Document number 3

3:39:0268-26 Albion Street both sides entire

3:39:04length. Document 381-25 Bromfield Street

3:39:07both sides entire length. Document

3:39:10389-25 Inman Street south side from a

3:39:13point 20 ft east of West Kenneth Street

3:39:15to a point 60 ft east of West Kenneth

3:39:17Street.

3:39:19Document number 405-25 Monmouth Street

3:39:21south of Park Street both sides.

3:39:25Document number 406-25 Lakeland Street

3:39:27both sides entire length.

3:39:28Document number 442-25

3:39:31Wendell Street both sides entire length.

3:39:33Document number 474 Lansdowne Court both

3:39:35sides entire length. Document number 494

3:39:37Tewksbury Street both sides entire

3:39:41Tewksbury Street both sides heading

3:39:42north from Everett Street to the end.

3:39:45Document 255-26 Gale Street both sides

3:39:48entire length. Document 256 Greenwood

3:39:51Street both sides entire length.

3:39:52Document 257-26 Essex Street north side

3:39:55between Greenwood Street and Warren

3:39:57Street.

3:40:01Document number 384-26 West Street both

3:40:04sides between Archer Street and

3:40:06Manchester Street. And document number

3:40:07385-26 Bay State Road both sides from

3:40:10Water Street to a point 200 ft in a

3:40:13southerly direction.

3:40:15Persons wishing to be heard shall be

3:40:16afforded the opportunity.

3:40:19>> Public hearing is now open. Anybody from

3:40:21the public that would choose to speak?

3:40:25There is none. Public hearing is now

3:40:27closed.

3:40:28Councilors, uh we can entertain

3:40:30individual motions for each one of them

3:40:33or take it as a block.

3:40:35>> Motion take it as a block. Motion Motion

3:40:37to approve uh 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

3:40:41Can we highlight that on a on a on the

3:40:43time, please? [cough]

3:40:45>> So,

3:40:46um

3:40:46there is a motion to approve all those

3:40:49as a block, and the time frame will be

3:40:52from 7:00 p.m.

3:40:54to 7:00 a.m.

3:40:59Uh there is a Can I hear a second?

3:41:01>> Second.

3:41:01>> Uh discussion.

3:41:05>> Um

3:41:06discussions. I'm sorry.

3:41:07>> Uh councilors, as I'm just joining you

3:41:10guys,

3:41:11the 7:00 [snorts] p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

3:41:14it was for

3:41:15the whole block or is there any specific

3:41:19um

3:41:20items? I'm so sorry.

3:41:21>> No, for the whole block.

3:41:22What the um DPW's been recommended is to

3:41:25be the

3:41:26resident parking is be uniform. Uh also

3:41:28will allow in those areas will allow

3:41:30business throughout the day to be able

3:41:33to park uh while most of our residents

3:41:36need parking when they get home in the

3:41:38afternoon. So, that's that's what the

3:41:40recommended time, and we want to go

3:41:41uniform with the with the signs that we

3:41:42already have in place in the ordinance

3:41:44that we have in place in this

3:41:46neighborhood.

3:41:47>> All right. Um any other questions,

3:41:49councilors?

3:41:51I hear none. All those in favor, please

3:41:52say aye.

3:41:52>> Aye.

3:41:53>> Any nays?

3:41:54I say aye. It Madam Clerk, handicap

3:41:57parking.

3:41:58Item 302 uh 26 uh

3:42:02handicap parking on 66 L Elm Street.

3:42:05Item 303 26 handicap parking on 36 uh

3:42:08Highland Ave.

3:42:09Item 303 26 26 handicap parking on 83

3:42:14Warren Street.

3:42:15Uh item 380 26 remove handicap parking

3:42:18from 65 Union Street.

3:42:21Item 30381

3:42:2326 remove handicap parking on 32 Warren

3:42:26Street

3:42:27right on 382-26 remove handicap parking

3:42:29on 124

3:42:31uh Fremont Street.

3:42:33Madam Clerk, please read the notice.

3:42:35>> Sure.

3:42:36>> Maybe somebody wants to waive the

3:42:37preamble.

3:42:39I got

3:42:40>> Can I get a motion to uh

3:42:41>> waive the preamble.

3:42:42>> Second.

3:42:43>> Properly seconded. Discussion? I hear

3:42:45none.

3:42:46All those in favor, please say aye.

3:42:47>> Aye.

3:42:47>> Any nays?

3:42:49Councillor

3:42:50>> You got to put the mic on.

3:42:51>> Oh.

3:42:52>> Aye.

3:42:53>> Aye.

3:42:54All right.

3:42:55>> Aye.

3:42:55>> Uh Madam Clerk, please read the notice.

3:42:58>> The purpose of the hearing is to hear

3:42:59the testimony, information, and public

3:43:01input concerning the proposed amendment

3:43:03to the revised ordinances of the city of

3:43:04Lawrence to be further amended by adding

3:43:06the following subparagraphs to section

3:43:0710.36.340

3:43:10of the municipal code handicap parking

3:43:12in the proper alphabetical order.

3:43:14Document 302-26 Elm Street, south side

3:43:17from a point 145 ft west of East

3:43:20Haverhill Street to a point 165 ft west

3:43:22of East Haverhill Street.

3:43:24Document 303-26

3:43:27Highland Highland Avenue, south side

3:43:30from a point 65 ft east of Prospect

3:43:32Street to a point 85 ft east of Prospect

3:43:34Street and

3:43:35document 306-26

3:43:37Warren Street east side from a point 162

3:43:40ft north of Butler Street to a point 182

3:43:43ft north of Butler Street. And further

3:43:45amended by deleting the following

3:43:46subparagraphs to section 10.36.340

3:43:49of the municipal code handicap parking.

3:43:51Document 380-26

3:43:53Union Street east side from a point 100

3:43:55ft south of the intersection of Summer

3:43:57Street to a point 120 ft south of the

3:43:59intersection of Summer Street. Document

3:44:01381-26 Warren Street west side from a

3:44:04point

3:44:05217.6 ft northerly of the intersection

3:44:08of Essex Street to a point 237.6

3:44:11ft northerly of the intersection of

3:44:12Essex Street and two document number

3:44:15382-26

3:44:17Trenton Street West Side 1.40 ft south

3:44:20of Fern Street to 1.60 ft south of Fern

3:44:23Street. Persons wishing to be heard

3:44:24shall be afforded the opportunity.

3:44:26>> Public hearing is now open. Anybody from

3:44:29the public that wishes to speak?

3:44:32Public hearing is now closed.

3:44:35Councilors, what's the motion?

3:44:37>> So moved.

3:44:38>> Second.

3:44:38>> There is a motion to approve as a block

3:44:40or approve individually?

3:44:42>> To approve it as a block.

3:44:43>> Okay, there is a motion to approve it as

3:44:44a block. The The handicap approval and

3:44:47the removal as well. Uh [snorts]

3:44:48properly second discussion.

3:44:51I hear none. All those in favor, please

3:44:52say aye.

3:44:53>> Aye.

3:44:54>> Any nays? The ayes have it. Adult

3:44:55daycare parking. Madam Madam Clerk,

3:44:58please read the notice for item 338-26

3:45:01Adult daycare parking at 63 Boswell

3:45:03Street.

3:45:04Uh

3:45:05>> Sorry, what was the document number

3:45:06again?

3:45:07>> 338-26.

3:45:11>> Oh, sorry.

3:45:16It was

3:45:17Sorry.

3:45:20338.

3:45:32Um the purpose of the hearing is to

3:45:33gather testimony, information, and

3:45:35public input concerning the proposed

3:45:36amendment to the revised ordinances of

3:45:38City Lines we further amend by adding

3:45:40following subparagraph to section

3:45:4110.36.450

3:45:43of the municipal code a daycare drop-off

3:45:45zone in the proper alphabetical order.

3:45:47Document number 338-26

3:45:49is Boswell Street north side from 1.40

3:45:52ft east of Bunker Hill Street to 1.60 ft

3:45:54east of Bunker Hill Street. Persons

3:45:56wishing to be heard shall be afforded

3:45:57the opportunity.

3:46:00>> Councilors, uh

3:46:02Our public hearing is now open. Um

3:46:04anybody from the public that wishes to

3:46:05speak?

3:46:07All right, public hearing is now closed.

3:46:09Councilors, what's the motion?

3:46:10>> Motion to approve.

3:46:11>> There's a motion to approve, properly

3:46:12second, discussion.

3:46:15I hear none. All those in favor, please

3:46:16say "Aye."

3:46:17>> Aye.

3:46:17>> Any nays? The ayes have it. The stop

3:46:19sign, uh item 374-26, creation of

3:46:23four-way stop sign

3:46:25at the intersection of Bruce and Corner

3:46:26Street.

3:46:28Um

3:46:29and also a stop sign, uh item 375-26, a

3:46:33stop sign at Sunray Street, corner of

3:46:36Highland, uh

3:46:38uh

3:46:39Madam Clerk, please read the notice.

3:46:42>> The purpose of this hearing is to gather

3:46:43testimony information and public input

3:46:44concerning the proposed amendments to

3:46:46the revised ordinances of the city of

3:46:47Lawrence to be further amended by adding

3:46:50to section 10.28.100A

3:46:53of the municipal code stop signs and

3:46:55flashing red signals the following

3:46:57paragraphs in the proper alphabetical

3:46:59order.

3:47:00Document number 374-26

3:47:02is Bruce Street, east side.

3:47:04Excuse me.

3:47:06Bruce Street, eastbound and westbound

3:47:08drivers on Bruce Street at Corner

3:47:10Street. And document 375-26, Sunray

3:47:13Street, southbound drivers at Highland

3:47:16Avenue. Persons wishing to be heard

3:47:18shall be afforded the opportunity.

3:47:21>> All right, motion, um

3:47:23public hearing is now open. Anybody from

3:47:24the public that wishes to speak?

3:47:28Public hearing is now closed.

3:47:29Counselors, what's the motion?

3:47:31>> Motion to

3:47:32>> There is a motion to approve of that

3:47:34block. Uh properly second. One of them,

3:47:36item 374-26 is a four-way stop sign. The

3:47:40other one is at is at a

3:47:42is a two-way stop sign located at uh

3:47:44Sunray Street.

3:47:46>> Just to clarify for the record, there's

3:47:48already a stop at Corner's on um at

3:47:51Bruce. So, we're just adding the

3:47:53>> Yeah, we're adding a a secondary set of

3:47:55uh

3:47:56stop sign, a four-way stop sign.

3:47:59Uh the other one, perhaps, Sunray Street

3:48:02is you have none.

3:48:04No stop sign at all.

3:48:08Um

3:48:10discussion.

3:48:11I hear none. All those in favor, please

3:48:13say "Aye."

3:48:13>> Aye.

3:48:14>> The "Ayes" have it.

3:48:17Go to top of the agenda. Counselors, can

3:48:19I get a motion to approve minutes from

3:48:21uh 9/15/2026?

3:48:23>> So moved. Second.

3:48:24>> There's a motion to approve the minutes,

3:48:25properly second discussion.

3:48:28I hear none. All those in favor, please

3:48:29say "Aye."

3:48:29>> Aye.

3:48:30>> The "Ayes" have it. Let's go straight to

3:48:31committee reports.

3:48:33Um

3:48:36Communicate No, let's go straight to a

3:48:38communication from Mayor City Officials

3:48:40for City Attorney.

3:48:42Uh we got an update for item uh 47 433

3:48:4526, which is an update on uh Nunzio

3:48:48DeMarco uh covering a start to covering

3:48:50status and expected uh completion

3:48:52timeline. Madam Clerk, do you have that

3:48:54information?

3:48:55>> Um yes.

3:48:56At the request yeah, request of

3:48:58Counselor Levy, we had reached out to

3:49:00both uh Lawrence Community Works and

3:49:01Groundwork Lawrence. They sent us very

3:49:03similar updates, but I'll I'll read them

3:49:04both into the record.

3:49:06Excuse me, the first is from Olivia Rosa

3:49:08at um Lawrence Community Works. She

3:49:10reads,

3:49:11"Good afternoon, Eileen and Counselor

3:49:13Levy. I am writing to provide an update

3:49:15on the Nunzio DeMarco and Armand Hyatt

3:49:17Playground projects. Unfortunately, we

3:49:19experienced significant delays early on

3:49:22due to a contract not being ready by

3:49:23scheduled start time as well as delays

3:49:26in sourcing some of the lumber equipment

3:49:27for the playground. However,

3:49:29construction officially began last week.

3:49:30This was on October 14th. Um the crew

3:49:34started with excavations from the splash

3:49:36pad at DeMarco Park along with the

3:49:37additional site work for the playground.

3:49:39The crew plans to continue the work

3:49:40through the end of the year, weather

3:49:42permitting. We are currently working to

3:49:43finalize

3:49:44a revised timeline, and as soon as we

3:49:46have an updated construction schedule, I

3:49:48will share that with the team. Please

3:49:49feel free to reach out to me or Brad

3:49:50Boucher at Groundwork Lawrence with any

3:49:52questions or concerns. I'm happy to

3:49:54schedule a call if preferred. Thank you

3:49:56for your patience and support."

3:49:57>> All right. Counselors, any questions in

3:49:59regard to this item?

3:50:00Uh I It is an update that was requested.

3:50:03They've been they start working, which

3:50:05is good.

3:50:05>> Yes, that is the most important that

3:50:07they start working.

3:50:09>> All right, great.

3:50:10Awesome.

3:50:11>> so they want to try to swing it before

3:50:14it snows start. I don't think so, but uh

3:50:18let's pray it on that.

3:50:20>> Go ahead. I can tell you later.

3:50:22>> Okay.

3:50:23So, that is the update that we have on

3:50:26Nuncio De Marco Park because a lot of

3:50:28people are asking me on that regard. So,

3:50:31I'm so glad that they also responded and

3:50:34also uh

3:50:35Mr.

3:50:37uh Brad

3:50:39from Groundwork

3:50:41also he's saying um

3:50:44>> [clears throat]

3:50:44>> practically the same thing that you

3:50:46already read it.

3:50:48>> Yeah.

3:50:48>> Okay.

3:50:48>> Thank you.

3:50:50Uh, I entertain a motion to withdraw.

3:50:52I'll entertain a motion to withdraw this

3:50:54item.

3:50:56>> Motion to withdraw.

3:50:57>> Second.

3:50:58>> There's a motion to withdraw properly

3:50:59second discussion.

3:51:00I hear none. All those in favor please

3:51:02say "Aye".

3:51:03All right, any nays? The ayes have it.

3:51:05Housing Committee there is no report. I

3:51:07mean a budget and finance committee

3:51:08we're done. Housing Committee there is

3:51:09no report. Ordinance Committee, Madam

3:51:12Chair and Vice President Levy.

3:51:14Item 277-26,

3:51:16handicap parking 37 37 Bennington

3:51:18Street.

3:51:20>> Uh, that's I don't

3:51:24Item 277-26

3:51:26is a handicap parking 37 Bennington uh

3:51:29Street. Uh, was sent to the full council

3:51:32to withdraw and I make a favorable

3:51:34recommendation.

3:51:35>> Uh

3:51:35>> Second.

3:51:36>> There's a motion in front of us properly

3:51:37second discussion.

3:51:39I hear none. All those in favor please

3:51:40say "Aye".

3:51:41>> Aye.

3:51:41>> The ayes have it. Item 236 and

3:51:44also

3:51:46item

3:51:46236 and also item

3:51:49366.

3:51:51Uh, can I take it as a block for

3:51:52withdraw?

3:51:54>> So moved.

3:51:55>> Second.

3:51:55>> Uh, there's a motion to uh to withdraw

3:51:58those two. Properly second.

3:52:00Um

3:52:01Also, the withdrawal was subject to send

3:52:04correspondence to the applicants as of

3:52:06why we withdraw it.

3:52:07So, Madam Clerk, please make sure that

3:52:09that happens.

3:52:10>> Sure.

3:52:10>> Uh,

3:52:11there's a motion in front of us properly

3:52:12second. Discussion?

3:52:14I hear none. All those in favor, please

3:52:15say "Aye."

3:52:16>> Aye.

3:52:16>> Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 335-26.

3:52:22>> Item 335-26

3:52:24is a handicap parking of 53 Greenwood

3:52:27Street. Was sent

3:52:29to the full council to order a public

3:52:30hearing, and I do as a formal motion.

3:52:32>> Second. There's a motion in front of us

3:52:33properly second to order a public

3:52:35hearing.

3:52:36Um

3:52:37All those in favor, please say "Aye."

3:52:38>> Aye.

3:52:39>> The ayes have it. Item 364-26.

3:52:41>> Item 364-26

3:52:43is a handicap parking of 4 Fenno Street.

3:52:46Uh, was sent to the full council to

3:52:48order a public hearing, and I do as a

3:52:50follow as a formal recommendation.

3:52:52>> There is a motion in front of us to

3:52:53order a public hearing. Properly second.

3:52:55Discussion?

3:52:56I hear none. All those in favor, please

3:52:57say "Aye."

3:52:58>> Aye.

3:52:58>> Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 378-26.

3:53:02>> Item 378-26

3:53:04a handicap parking of 192 Union Street.

3:53:08Uh, was sent to the full council to

3:53:10order a public hearing, and I make as a

3:53:12formal motion.

3:53:13>> There's a There's a motion in front of

3:53:14us properly second. Discussion?

3:53:17I hear none. This is to order a public

3:53:19hearing. Um All those in favor, please

3:53:20say "Aye."

3:53:21>> Aye.

3:53:21>> The ayes have it. Item 373 uh 417-26.

3:53:26>> Item 417-26.

3:53:28>> is the install 1J04 on Morton Street. Uh

3:53:34Brooklyn Street, and the phone number

3:53:36846-3050,

3:53:38and reference number 31358963.

3:53:43Was sent to the full council to order a

3:53:45public hearing, and I make as a formal

3:53:46motion.

3:53:47>> Second. There's a motion in front of us

3:53:48properly second. Discussion?

3:53:50I hear none. All those in favor, please

3:53:52say "Aye."

3:53:52>> Aye.

3:53:53>> The ayes have it. Personnel Committee,

3:53:54there is no more report. Public Public

3:53:56Safety and Emergency Management, there

3:53:58is no report. Committee of the whole,

3:54:02>> [clears throat]

3:54:03>> item 40426,

3:54:05Madam Vice President,

3:54:07uh Levy.

3:54:09>> Item 40426

3:54:11is a discussion regarding complaint or

3:54:13charges issued by

3:54:15uh

3:54:16Massachusetts Attorney General

3:54:17concerning a police officer in the 24th

3:54:20Council with favorable recommendation

3:54:22and I make a formal motion.

3:54:24>> Uh there is a motion uh

3:54:27It wasn't

3:54:28>> It wasn't a motion.

3:54:29>> Draw.

3:54:30What do we draw?

3:54:31>> No, that is a formal

3:54:33>> That was a recommendation. Yeah.

3:54:35>> 404 wasn't a favorable recommendation to

3:54:37accept

3:54:37>> All right, councilors, we are getting an

3:54:39update.

3:54:40>> Oh, I'm sorry. It wasn't a committee

3:54:42report and I make a formal [snorts]

3:54:43motion.

3:54:43>> There is a motion to accept the

3:54:45committee report. Properly Can I hear a

3:54:47second?

3:54:47>> Second.

3:54:48>> Properly second. Discussion on the

3:54:49committee report.

3:54:51Uh on the committee report before we

3:54:53close it, I would like to get the update

3:54:55and potentially table this matter

3:54:57eventually. Uh Madam Clerk, please read

3:54:59the update from the city attorney.

3:55:01>> Sure.

3:55:01>> On this matter.

3:55:02>> You all got a memo to your emails today

3:55:05from the city attorney that just reads

3:55:07um

3:55:09"I have been asked to periodically

3:55:10update the City Council on anything

3:55:12happening on the federal and state cases

3:55:15against the mayor. Nothing has happened

3:55:16since my last update. Both cases are

3:55:19scheduled for early December for the

3:55:21next hearing. I would suggest to table

3:55:23the item until I can give you some

3:55:24concrete information. Any questions

3:55:26regarding the matter, please let me

3:55:27know."

3:55:28>> Uh so, this is the committee report. Uh

3:55:30councilors, any questions on the

3:55:32committee report?

3:55:33I hear none. Uh all those in favor,

3:55:35please say "Aye."

3:55:35>> Aye.

3:55:36>> Any nays? The ayes have it. Councilors,

3:55:38I will entertain a motion to table this

3:55:40item.

3:55:40>> Motion to table.

3:55:41>> There's a motion to table. Properly

3:55:42second. All those in favor, please say

3:55:44"Aye."

3:55:44>> Aye.

3:55:45>> Any nays?

3:55:46The ayes have it. Old business. Um

3:55:49We have item 165-26, loading zone at 66

3:55:52Jackson Street. Uh AF Cafe, councilor uh

3:55:55Rosalie put this item, and we need to

3:55:57release from committee to order a public

3:55:59hearing. Councilors to do that we need a

3:56:02uh pull it from committee and then be

3:56:04able to discuss it at this level.

3:56:06Can I hear a motion? Uh Madam Clerk, can

3:56:08you advise us with the motions?

3:56:10>> Um Yeah, just as you were saying, a

3:56:12motion to release the document from

3:56:13committee.

3:56:14>> Can I hear a motion to release this uh

3:56:16item 165-26 from committee?

3:56:19>> Motion to release item from committee.

3:56:21>> There's a motion to uh

3:56:23to do the just that, properly properly

3:56:25second.

3:56:25>> Mhm.

3:56:26>> Uh discussion.

3:56:27Any nays?

3:56:29>> I was just looking for the document

3:56:30number, I apologize.

3:56:30>> Uh I hear none. All those in favor,

3:56:32please say "Aye."

3:56:32>> Aye.

3:56:33>> Any nays? The eyes have it. Uh the item

3:56:37uh we received information uh if

3:56:39from the city attorney

3:56:42as of uh potentially uh revising

3:56:46this item and not necessarily

3:56:48recommended. I would suggest uh to send

3:56:50correspondence to the city attorney to

3:56:52this

3:56:53>> City Engineer.

3:56:54>> Sorry. Let's go back. We received

3:56:56information from the City Engineer

3:56:58uh advising uh that there is not enough

3:57:01space on this location to be able to

3:57:03accommodate uh

3:57:05a a

3:57:07loading zone uh on Jackson Street, even

3:57:10though potentially it could be uh

3:57:13it could it have a potential to be

3:57:16accommodate accommodated at Heber Street

3:57:21because it's right at the corner.

3:57:22>> That's where it needs to be.

3:57:23>> So, um I'll I'll recommend to send

3:57:26correspondence to the city attorney to

3:57:29to the City Engineer

3:57:31>> Engineer.

3:57:31>> to uh look this again uh and look at any

3:57:36other alternative as to how this this

3:57:39could be accommodated if it is.

3:57:41So, can I hear a motion to send

3:57:42correspondence to the city engineer?

3:57:45>> So moved.

3:57:46>> Second.

3:57:47>> There's a motion to send correspondence

3:57:48to the city engineer.

3:57:50Can I hear a second?

3:57:51>> Second.

3:57:52>> Properly second. Discussion on the

3:57:53matter.

3:57:56I hear none. All those in favor, please

3:57:57say aye.

3:57:58>> Aye.

3:57:58>> The ayes have it. Uh Counselor Gonzalez,

3:58:01it is important to advise those people

3:58:03that

3:58:04uh apply for a for a loading zone

3:58:08that is not exclusive to the business.

3:58:11That is uh just a Anybody Anybody from

3:58:15around can use it, and this is not a

3:58:17permanent spot for them also.

3:58:19>> Um through you, Council President, I had

3:58:21a conversation with the owner, and I

3:58:23explained exactly that.

3:58:25>> Yeah, cuz sometimes they apply and then

3:58:27oh, I have a free parking.

3:58:29>> Motion to pass 11.

3:58:30>> There is a motion to pass 11.

3:58:32>> So moved.

3:58:32>> Second.

3:58:33>> Properly second. Discussion. I hear

3:58:34none. All those in favor, please say

3:58:35aye.

3:58:36>> Aye.

3:58:36>> Any uh The ayes have it. Item 182-26.

3:58:39>> Did we want to order the public hearing?

3:58:41>> Um

3:58:42I think that it will it will be in

3:58:43order, so

3:58:44>> Do we should order it now then?

3:58:46>> They released it out of committee. They

3:58:48made a motion to get correspondence.

3:58:50>> Yes, and now we need to Yes.

3:58:52>> order a public hearing.

3:58:52>> Uh Counselors, I'll entertain another

3:58:54motion that could be in order order to

3:58:56order a public hearing.

3:58:59>> Is that the same item?

3:59:00>> Yeah.

3:59:00>> For this item 165-26.

3:59:03>> So So moved.

3:59:04>> There's a motion to order a public

3:59:06hearing. Properly second. Discussion. I

3:59:08hear none. All those in favor, please

3:59:09say aye.

3:59:09>> Aye.

3:59:10>> Any nays? The ayes have it. Uh item

3:59:13182-26,

3:59:15approval of bond authorization, $10

3:59:16million, 149,973.

3:59:20From the April administration buildings,

3:59:22uh Francisco Brenya is here with us

3:59:24tonight.

3:59:26So,

3:59:27Madam Clerk, give us some context on

3:59:29this item.

3:59:30>> Sure. This is an item that we actually

3:59:32approved um

3:59:34earlier this year. I want to say either

3:59:35May or June. I apologize. I don't have

3:59:36the date in front of me, but um

3:59:39for bond council purposes, you have to

3:59:41order a public hearing. It has to be

3:59:43published in the newspaper, and those

3:59:44those things do not happen. So, at this

3:59:47time, we're asking you to reconsider the

3:59:48document

3:59:50for the purposes of um not to to

3:59:52reconsider, but to order the public

3:59:53hearing at this time. The the the motion

3:59:55is have you

3:59:56>> And then, on that point, we need to

3:59:57>> And then, after the public hearing, you

3:59:59would reconsider the motion.

4:00:01And vote to approve it or ratify.

4:00:03>> Or ratify, yeah, that's the plan.

4:00:05Um all right, councilors, at this time,

4:00:07I now entertain a motion to order a

4:00:09public hearing on item 182-26.

4:00:11>> So moved.

4:00:12>> There's a motion in front of us, to

4:00:13order a public hearing, properly

4:00:14seconded. Discussion.

4:00:16I hear none. All those in favor, please

4:00:17say aye.

4:00:17>> Aye.

4:00:18>> The ayes have it. Thank you, Mr. Urena.

4:00:21Um

4:00:21>> Thank you, councilors.

4:00:22>> No problem.

4:00:23Um

4:00:26Uh

4:00:28Councilors, can I get a motion to uh

4:00:29pull item uh 412-26 for the purpose of

4:00:33uh

4:00:33tabling uh this level?

4:00:37>> Say that

4:00:37>> Does Can I get a motion to pull item

4:00:39412-26, which is the Lawrence Police

4:00:42Department Flock safety cameras,

4:00:44out of committee, and uh be able to

4:00:47discuss this matter uh next meeting at

4:00:49this level?

4:00:51Can I get a There is a motion in front

4:00:53of us, properly seconded. Discussion.

4:00:55>> Discussion.

4:00:56>> Yes. Uh Councilor Mama.

4:00:59>> Being that this was tabled at the Public

4:01:01Safety Committee because uh

4:01:04it

4:01:05it wasn't a

4:01:06we haven't finished our business when it

4:01:08when it came to this.

4:01:09Does it have to be sent back to

4:01:11committee, or could we still, even

4:01:12though it's right now under old

4:01:14business,

4:01:15are we able to still address it under uh

4:01:18at the committee level?

4:01:18>> it from committee, no.

4:01:20If we just leave it there, yes.

4:01:22Do you Are you planning on having a

4:01:23meeting related to this item soon? This

4:01:26item soon?

4:01:28>> Um

4:01:28>> Councilor, since you wanted to

4:01:30>> Yes, we're revisiting this.

4:01:31>> All right, councilors,

4:01:34We'll draw the motion to this item going

4:01:36going back to the the

4:01:39the public safety and emergency

4:01:40management committee.

4:01:43Um

4:01:44>> Okay.

4:01:44>> Any table matters, counselors?

4:01:47That we want to address?

4:01:50All right, go straight to new business.

4:01:53Item 434-26,

4:01:55payment of prior invoice, $30,316.80.

4:02:02Um Raleigh Harden Parkinson

4:02:06Gaston

4:02:07This is going to be sent to the uh

4:02:10budget and finance committee. Item

4:02:12345-26,

4:02:14fiscal year 20 20 27

4:02:17property tax classification.

4:02:20Uh a public hearing is anticipated for

4:02:21this matter.

4:02:23Do you want to order it now?

4:02:25>> No.

4:02:26You want to um send it to committee and

4:02:30>> We don't want to have time. We need to

4:02:31order a public hearing now.

4:02:34For a specific day on November, last

4:02:36second meeting usually.

4:02:39>> Okay, if you want to committee come out

4:02:41on November 3rd, and you can order for

4:02:43November 17th when it comes out of

4:02:44committee. I think you can order

4:02:45>> Okay, perfect. No, and then

4:02:47I hear.

4:02:48>> Yep. Yep. Yep.

4:02:48>> Okay, no problem. This item will be in

4:02:51going to the

4:02:52budget and finance committee.

4:02:54>> [laughter]

4:02:55>> Item 436-26, authorization to spend $280

4:02:59from the project 195-80 established to

4:03:04pursue Mass General Law

4:03:05uh C40 uh section 22G to support deaf

4:03:09and uh

4:03:11deaf and hard of hearing awareness in

4:03:14the city of Lawrence. This item will be

4:03:16going to the budget and finance

4:03:18committee.

4:03:19Is the amount correct? $280?

4:03:22>> Yeah, $280, yeah.

4:03:24>> All right, item 437-26,

4:03:27appointment of Elbi Elbis Lora to the

4:03:31Lawrence Cultural Council. That's going

4:03:32to personnel committee. Item 438-26,

4:03:35resolution formally naming the Lawrence

4:03:37Police Department community room

4:03:41to be the Lieutenant Charles

4:03:44Sandon

4:03:46community room. So, that's going to

4:03:50uh

4:03:51ordinance committee.

4:03:53Item 439-26, handicap parking 115 uh

4:03:59uh handicap parking 115 Farnham Street.

4:04:02That's going to ordinance committee.

4:04:04Item 440-26, handicap parking 125

4:04:07Haverhill Street. Ordinance committee.

4:04:09Item 441-26, handicap parking 39 uh

4:04:14Holly Street. That's going to ordinance

4:04:16committee. Item 442-26, handicap parking

4:04:19at 108-110

4:04:21Wachusett Ave.

4:04:22Ordinance committee. Item 443- 26,

4:04:25install a jail pole on Lowell Street and

4:04:28near Oxford Street.

4:04:30That's going to ordinance committee.

4:04:31Item 444-26,

4:04:33disparity of holidays pay

4:04:35scheduling and for certain municipal

4:04:38employees.

4:04:40That's going to

4:04:42>> Go to budget or you can go to

4:04:43ordinances.

4:04:44>> Ordinance committee. Item 445-26,

4:04:48handicap parking to uh

4:04:50120 Bunker Hill Street.

4:04:52That's going to ordinance committee.

4:04:54Uh item 446-26, review of snow and ice

4:04:57uh operations and proposed amendment to

4:04:59the city assisting ordinance. That's

4:05:02going to ordinance committee.

4:05:04Councilors,

4:05:05uh anything else from the agenda?

4:05:09All right, let's go straight to uh

4:05:10subcommittee date specific dates.

4:05:17Uh ordinance committee.

4:05:22Committee.

4:05:25>> What I

4:05:27>> Next Tuesday or what?

4:05:28>> I would like to ask the members of that

4:05:32ordinance committee to say they want a

4:05:34Tuesday, they want a Wednesday because

4:05:36that never they

4:05:37>> Tuesday work for you guys?

4:05:38>> with the same.

4:05:42>> 7:00 p.m. Tuesday.

4:05:43>> Okay.

4:05:44>> Um budget and finance and personnel

4:05:46committee.

4:05:46>> So personnel and budget and finance um

4:05:50I'm going to have to schedule it for

4:05:51Wednesday. I have a prior commitment on

4:05:54Thursday.

4:05:54>> Wednesday?

4:05:55>> So Wednesday at 6:30

4:05:58um personnel budget on Wednesday at 7:00

4:06:02but

4:06:03um most likely the vice chairs will have

4:06:06to chair those two meetings. The vice

4:06:08the vice chair of each committee.

4:06:10>> to be online?

4:06:11>> Um I I'm going to I'm in class but I

4:06:14have something I have a prior commitment

4:06:15Thursday that I can't schedule.

4:06:17>> So this is personnel? Okay, so personnel

4:06:20and Wednesday?

4:06:21>> Wednesday, yeah.

4:06:22>> Okay.

4:06:23>> 6:30.

4:06:24>> At 6:30?

4:06:25>> Yeah.

4:06:28>> You good good for Wednesday? Okay.

4:06:31Um

4:06:33safety

4:06:35public safety

4:06:36You have the clock tower.

4:06:37>> schedule it for Friday.

4:06:38>> Okay, crazy.

4:06:40>> Maybe we can schedule it for Friday. I'm

4:06:41okay with that.

4:06:44>> Public safety, it could be Monday

4:06:47uh it could be Tuesday or late

4:06:49or it could be uh

4:06:50Thursday.

4:07:00>> Does Thursday work for members of public

4:07:02safety?

4:07:02>> Okay, I'm sorry. Hold on.

4:07:04I'm sorry. I I got my Thursdays mixed

4:07:07up. My commitment is this Thursday not

4:07:09next Thursday.

4:07:10>> So okay, Wednesday you

4:07:11>> can do Thursday.

4:07:13>> No, I mean Wednesday you can you'll be

4:07:15able to do the meetings?

4:07:16>> No, I have class on Wednesday. So, it

4:07:19could be Thursday at 6:30 personnel and

4:07:22Thursday next Thursday

4:07:24um 7:00 p.m. budget and finance.

4:07:26>> So, you do both on your Wednesday?

4:07:28>> Thursday budget and finance and um

4:07:30can you do Thursday for those two

4:07:32meetings?

4:07:33>> What do you mean? I'm I'm not on budget.

4:07:35>> No, you're on budget.

4:07:37>> for 7:00

4:07:38on Thursday.

4:07:39>> Yes.

4:07:40Okay. So, public safety.

4:07:42>> I mean, that's the only option.

4:07:43>> Public safety and I'm going to have to

4:07:44then

4:07:45>> Wednesday

4:07:45>> Wednesday

4:07:46>> Uh

4:07:476:00

4:07:49Let me

4:07:50council members 6:00, 7:00.

4:07:52>> Safety 6:00 or 7:00?

4:07:54>> We have to be voting.

4:07:56>> Huh?

4:07:56>> On the 6:30

4:07:57>> Not on Wednesdays.

4:07:59>> Not on Wednesdays.

4:08:00>> No, on Tuesdays we stay We stay the same

4:08:03>> I have a schedule there for the 6:00.

4:08:04>> Oh, sorry. You said

4:08:05>> So, 7:00?

4:08:07>> Wednesday 6:00

4:08:08>> Hold on because we have we have a we

4:08:10have an especial situation.

4:08:13Uh the early voting.

4:08:14>> He has something on the 6:30.

4:08:16>> Oh, the training. Oh,

4:08:18>> trainings.

4:08:20>> So, just on Wednesdays?

4:08:21>> Just this week.

4:08:23>> And uh what time they uh end?

4:08:25>> Until 6:30.

4:08:27>> 6:30?

4:08:27>> Until Wednesday 6:30.

4:08:28>> So, okay. 6:30 we can begin. Okay.

4:08:31Public safety could be done at 6:30 or

4:08:337:00

4:08:35on Wednesday.

4:08:36>> Oh, so 6:30 is fine.

4:08:38>> 6:30 uh

4:08:40public safety. If there is any change,

4:08:41just communicate with Teresa and the

4:08:43clerk and we go from there.

4:08:45>> communication to

4:08:52>> Yep. Councilors

4:08:54No, no, no. Not yet. Councilors

4:08:59Can

4:09:01Councilors

4:09:03Next meeting

4:09:08Next meeting which is scheduled to will

4:09:12um

4:09:14Just give me 1 second.

4:09:17On the 4th.

4:09:20All right, it's scheduled to be on the

4:09:213rd.

4:09:23So, we're going to have it on the 4th

4:09:24due to the fact that we're going to have

4:09:25elections

4:09:27on that day.

4:09:28So,

4:09:30so the next meeting will be on uh on

4:09:33Wednesday, November 4th.

4:09:36>> Sounds good.

4:09:37>> Okay?

4:09:40>> We'll just stay up all night. It'll be

4:09:41like a big party, just like in the good

4:09:42old days.

4:09:43>> Yeah, that's what we've been doing it.

4:09:45Yeah.

4:09:45>> Um

4:09:46the biggest issue is the packages in the

4:09:47agenda. That stuff will get out the week

4:09:49before, so no matter how late we're

4:09:51here, um

4:09:52>> Okay.

4:09:53>> we'll discourage you from all the stuff

4:09:55we get on the day of the meeting, like

4:09:56we got today. Like

4:09:57>> Okay. Counselors,

4:09:59uh I'll entertain a motion.

4:10:01>> She's looking to observe a moment of

4:10:02silence for um

4:10:04>> Okay.

4:10:05>> Please.

4:10:05>> Uh Counselor uh Vice President Levy, I

4:10:08will follow your lead.

4:10:09>> Yes, I would like to ask uh to remember

4:10:12that the council to have a moment of

4:10:14silence

4:10:15uh in the name of the mother of Oneida

4:10:18Aquino, past city council, Oneida

4:10:20Aquino, who passed away last week.

4:10:23>> Please. Let's have a moment of silence.

4:10:52>> Thank you, counselors.

4:10:55>> All right.

4:10:57If there is anything else, Madam Clerk,

4:10:59is there anything else I would need to

4:11:00take care of?

4:11:02No? Okay. Then there is I entertain a

4:11:03motion to adjourn.

4:11:05>> Motion to adjourn.

4:11:06>> So, can I hear second?

4:11:08>> Second. Properly second discussion and

4:11:10hear none. All those in favor, please

4:11:11say aye.

4:11:12The ayes have it. Thank you, councilors.