City Council - Regular Meeting

Mhm.

Good evening and welcome to the regular meeting for the Lawrence City Council. Today is Tuesday, May 5th. Cinco de Mayo, 2000 2026. Pursuant to chapter 20 of the Act of 2022, this meeting will be hybrid allowing participation both in person at the City Council Chambers and remotely. The Zoom link for this meeting was provided to anybody that requested. This meeting will will will also be live at the Lawrence City Council as us, City Council Facebook Facebook page as well as the Lawrence City Council of YouTube page. Madam Clerk, Rocco. Councilor Gonzalez. Present. Councilor Miguel. Present. Councilor Marmol is noted as absent. Councilor Infante. Present. Councilor Reyes. Present. Councilor Del Rosario.

Present. Councilor Laplante. I got him. Councilor Vice President Levy. Present. Councilor President Rodriguez. Present. Present. Uh please join me for a for a for a moment of silence in honor of retired uh Lawrence Fire Department Lieutenant John Gilmoney. A Navy veteran. Now join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I don't have any minutes. I'm so sorry. I just lose track. So we are going to straight to public participation. We have a few people that have signed uh to be able to speak. The rule for public participation are as follows. You're going to have 2 and 1/2 minutes to speak related to any topic uh that you desire. Please refer to this council as a whole. At the 30-minute at the 30th at the 2-minute mark, you're going to hear a beep a sound or an indication that you still have 30 seconds. So, we're going to start with the first person. It's H. Malloy. Name and address for the record, please. Omar 53 Chester Street. Good evening, honorable members. We, the citizen, are

proud and grateful for Lawrence Police Department, one of the best police department in the nation. Lawrence Police with the impeccable leadership by honorable Chief Morris Aguilar doing excellent job to protect our citizen. Thank you for making Lawrence a safe city. Lawrence is a beautiful city because of our hard working DPW workers and leadership. Thank you for keeping Lawrence a beautiful city. We, the citizen, support our Inspection Department and their union. Thank you for excellent job. Lawrence Public School with the impeccable leadership by honorable Superintendent Ralph Ferraro doing excellent job. A million thanks to honorable Director Wu. Lawrence teachers, proud of you. We support your awesome union. Because of you, Lawrence, we rise again. Lawrence always is strong. Lawrence always unite. In this important month of Memorial Day, we are proud to support our veterans. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice. We must hire two new positions in our Veterans Department. We must have the best commission for elders. In this important meeting, as we honor the best police officers and the officer for our first responder, we support our Firefighters Union. Lawrence Fire Department with the impeccable leadership by honorable Chief Delaney, one of the best fire department in the nation. Lawrence Police Officers, thank you for excellent job. We are united to support your union. Thank you.

[applause]

All right, the next The next person is uh Marc Laplante, Councillor Laplante. Good evening, Council President. Three items real fast. Um the LSB, Lawrence Square, initiative continues this upcoming Thursday, May 7th at 4:30, where we remember Fred Gallant. Uh he was a World War I veteran who received the uh Silver Star twice, the Croix de Guerre from the country of France. Uh did not die there, but died when he came back to the city in 1937. His area is actually a very unique area. It's not actually a corner. It's the Manchester Street Rotary. So, um that's going to be taking place on the 7th. On the 14th, a guy named uh Broxy Harrison, Fred Broxy Harrison, another World War I guy, very popular back in Lawrence in the day. He was a baseball player, very well-loved, had quite the quite the athletic career post-war, but served in the war. So, his sign is going to be rededicated at the intersection of June Street and Riverside Drive, May 14th, and that's at 4:00. The last thing I want to just briefly touch is Council I put something on the city council agenda as old business. It did not get on there. I just want to um say that that I think this is a poor precedent that if any city councilor wishes to put something on as old business, they should have that right to be able to do that, and let this body determine whether or not they want to discharge or not discharge. It's not mandatory. But to take away that option, I don't think is a good thing for this body, whether this body, the next councilor, or any succeeding councils. Thank you. Let Let's hold the applause for the end. So, thank you. All right, the next person that we have is Rich Russell, Counselor Russell.

Good evening, councilors. Rich Russell, 34 Cross Street. Let's cool off from all that's happening. Talk about snow. On or about March 17th, I submitted a public record request asking for expenses incurred by all the private snow removal contractors to include names, dates, hours, types of vehicles that have been involved in plowing, sanding, assaulting operations from November 1st of 2025 to the present time. The end of March, I received an email from the city attorney listing the the number and types of vehicles along with the number of hours that they worked. I was told that when the bills were paid, more information would be forthcoming. At one of the last council meetings in a conversation with the capital, I was told that those bills had been paid. I, as of yet, have not received any information regarding the amounts of money paid, to whom, and for what equipment. What I want to know is who fell asleep and failed to fulfill my public record request in its entirety regarding this issue. We are approaching 7 weeks since I filed this. Next, a little bit of show and tell. Who gave Who gave these people the right to use the General Donovan School parking lot to put snow plows in? We, as citizens in the neighborhood, have limited We have limited space to park in, yet these vehicles are parked there. Uh, is this a case of it's who you know in the city that get you a permission card to do what you want with the public be damned? Do they have to go to or do I have to go buy the council a bunch of the $15 team hearing aids because at times the

council seems to be obliviously deaf to the citizens' concerns. Lastly, to the uh Mexican community, happy Cinco de Mayo day. As always, thank you for the time. The next person that we have is uh Jeffrey Pacello. Name and address for the record, please. Jeffrey Pacello, 341 D South Broadway. Since the mid-1990s and 2026, our family has stood our ground regarding commercial usage and/or commercial or residential building of any kind on lot number 18 at 341 South Broadway with five zoning wins and two superior court zoning wins as well. As of last Tuesday, April 28th, I asked Commissioner Blanchette if the city granted any building permits to the new buyer owner of lot number 18 and he said yes. You see, councilors, this completely disregards three to four city zoning laws, especially 29-11 combined with 29-23 paragraph number two, citing that no garage may operate within 100 ft of the nearest residential zone lot in the same block. And when combined with state fire and safety laws, it becomes 200 ft. In the past, city zoning officials changed city and state laws to deny people like Stephen Bryant Sr. or Henry Nassau and even Paul Matalon Sr. to not to deny them building permits and or special variance permits. Why now has the city change chose to a different route? Because they want the tax revenue for lot number 18. We don't fault the new buyer the new landowner for buying lot number 18 with intentions of building a two-family home for a profit. We fault the city's zoning and planning and development for allowing anybody for getting their foot in the door

by never enforcing or changing the zoning laws and by never finding either Mr. Memmolo or Mr. Martino Jr. as admitted in a meeting with Peter Blanchette on Friday, July 18, 2025 when he said, "I never find either party." This now tells us the reason why Commissioner Blanchette never find either party because if he had find Mr. Memmolo for four violations per day for eight years at $300 per violation, Mr. Memmolo would owe over $3 million and never pay any fines. Guess what? Nobody can get any building permits unless all their fines are paid in full, meaning Mr. Martino or Memmolo would never have become enabled to sell lot number 18 for many years. As we know, to ensure the city's master plan for tax revenue income in 2019, somebody changed the classification of lot number 18 from 1320 non-buildable to 1310 potentially buildable land. Thank you. All these names are going to be submitted for the records. So, councilors, now we have Today we have a special day and we are receiving here many of the students and families from the Lawrence uh Lawrence High School. Uh and we are as per rule as per the The council rule, we are going to be honoring and and presenting them a proclamation of this body. Uh with that said, I'm going to be reading all those names and all the accomplishment of that of the student here present. Eventually, we are going to be calling each students to be able to say a few words to the council to the city and to their families if they desire. Um it is not an obligation, but we will

going to present you with the opportunity. So, councilors at these moments, I'm going to pass the gavel to the councilor President Levy. And I'm going to go to the podium with the assistant of councilor Infante because we have quite a few. So, uh items that are that are going to be discussed today are item 20626, 20726, 20826, 20926, 21026, 21126, 21226, 21326, 21426, 215 26, uh 21626, 217 uh 26, 21826, 21926, 22026, 2020 uh 22126, 22226, 22326, 22426, 22526, and 22626. All uh and in a moment we're going to be we're going to be reading uh the names and the accomplishment at the high school. So, You got it up?

So counselors, as we continue, it is an honor for me as the president of this council to be in front of you, in front of everybody, in front of the families, in front of the students, to present the this proclamation resolution to the students that are going to be calling a second. So, I going to read one. Most of them are similar. The accomplishment The accomplishment for every single one of them are different, but the main body and the proclamation itself, the language, is the is almost the same. The city of Lawrence proclamation, whereas the city of Lawrence state a great pride in recognizing those individual who taught extraordinarily extraordinarily dedication and perseverance achievement and greatness to bring honor to our community. And that is spirit of honor uh in this case uh Giomar Rodriguez, a resident of Lawrence and a distinguished senior of the Lawrence High School. Whereas, Giomar Rodriguez uh was recently acknowledged as an Abel Lawrence Academy Fidelity Scholar. And whereas, during his high school career Giomar Rodriguez uh participated in the summer uh performing research in uh the program of Merrimack College. Whereas, he researched uh the mental health impact of of immigration on immigrant within our community. Uh is seeking out opportunity to uplift of live others as well. He volunteered with the YDO, a local program here in the city of Lawrence, supporting uh the the Bay Club at the at the organization, and uh teaching uh middle school students uh during research and participations uh with the skills that he actually acquire at different program including the

Merrimack College. Uh whereas, uh through the his advocacy, research, and mentorship, he bring empathy, initiative, and strong sense of uh purpose to all of those uh to constantly working to uplift other and create meaningful change within our community. Whereas, beyond uh the class beyond classrooms, uh Giomar Rodriguez is highly motivated and community-driven student knowing uh for his initiative, leadership, and commitment to advocate deeply uh is he is deeply passionate about immigration justice, and actively seeking for opportunities to engage in civic and civic and legal spaces. Uh after connecting with uh public defendants from the from the committee of public council services who came to speak in one of his classes. Geo secured an internship where he contributed meaningfully to that office. And during February break, he demonstrated social and strong initiative that was invited to return alongside with all there's to go her on that program. Now whereas be it resolved that the city of Lawrence city of the city the city council of the city of Lawrence on behalf of the citizens of Lawrence hereby extend its most sincere congratulations uh and commendations to Geo Marrero Digas for his academic achievement and his contributions to our community during the his high school career serving as a role model for excellence for our youth in our city. The city of Lawrence the city of

Lawrence city council of the city council hereby set his hands and the seal of the city to affirm today signed by all nine city council as well as attested by the city clerk of the city of Lawrence Eileen Bernard. We would like to present this resolution to Geo Marrero Digas. [applause]

We also have many other students that are in similar situations. And we're going to be reading a few of those in a second. Congratulations. Uh I going to be reading a few of the accomplishment of all of the students that we have here. And I going to be reading based on this document. So, Yomar Yomar Congratulations.

[applause and cheering] [applause] Now, [clears throat]

Jared Martinez um as one of the only seven students that was accepted into the ELA uh as a sophomore as a sophomore uh throughout his application and interview process uh for transferring students and quickly become an uh an a member of the ELA communities. His challenge He challenged himself with a rigorous council load. Uh Jared have uh has been one of the incredible incredible students uh that uh ELA. And with that, uh the city council would like to recognize uh Jared Martinez Mejia.

[applause]

Congrats. Thank you. Dariel Rodriguez He was uh the recipient of the QuestBridge Scholar who match uh with Yale University where he was uh enrolled. He was going to be enrolled in this fall. He was accepted uh through that um scholarship. And uh Jared was uh a captain of his uh varsity soccer team. Uh he have an uh extraordinary extraordinary GPA and he's going to be studying financial finance and economics. Congratulations.

[applause]

Dania. Gioni Ortiz. Gioni Ortiz was uh uh she's going to be going to Central College and she uh was a recipient of the pulse scholar. Uh Gioni, congratulations. [applause]

Jordis Jordis Siriaco. He is going to uh Whitman College and he was a recipient of the Red Pine uh and his future study going to be environmental uh science. Congratulations. [applause]

Uh Rai Leni Burgos. She is going to UMass Amherst and she was a recipient uh of the uh Red Pine uh scholarship. [applause] She's going to be uh studying uh psychology. [applause]

Johenny Rosario del Orbe. She's going to UMass Boston. And she is going uh she was the recipient of the Red Pine uh scholarship. It uh great GPA of a 4.53. Uh and I hope and we wish the best in your studies. [applause] [applause]

Edgar Castillo. He's going to UMass Lowell. And he was the recipient of the uh Fidelity Scholar. Uh he was part of the the JROTC uh as well. Congratulations. [applause]

Dariela Ordon. Brandeis University. Uh she was the recipient of that uh Kraft Scholar. She was a mentor at the Boys and Girls Club. And she's going to be the she have a a drawing a GPA of a 4.1. Uh congratulations. [applause]

Jolady Frias. Uh Northeastern University. She was a uh Torch Scholar, member of the MIT team program. CONGRATULATIONS. [cheering] [applause]

ANABELIS MEJIA UH she's going to Bentley College. And she was the the Bentley Presidential Scholar. She's going to be studying finance and psychology. [applause]

Ashley Uh Jayden Los Santos, she he's [laughter] Sorry. UH JAYDEN LOS SANTOS [applause] JAYDEN LOS SANTOS IS GOING TO TUFTS University and he was the recipient of the QuestBridge Scholar. Great GPA 3. 4.39. CONGRATULATIONS. [cheering] [applause] ASHLEY MARTINEZ GOMEZ [cheering]

SHE IS GOING TO BRYN UM BRYN Mawr College. She was the recipient of the Posse Scholar and a great GPA of 4.1. CONGRATULATIONS. ASHANTI BARRIGAS [applause] SHE WAS She's going to Swarthmore College. And she was the recipient of the Posse Scholar. Great GPA. Congratulations. [applause]

Luz Diaz [cheering] Luz was the the class president. Congratulations. She was accepted to She was accepted to Princeton and also Harvard. Congratulations. [applause] [laughter] Angelina Enriquez [cheering] [applause]

She's going to Northeastern University. A great GPA of 4.47. And she's she's going to be a student health science. Congratulations. [applause]

Jennifer Pan, she's going to Marymount College. [applause and cheering] Congratulations. She's going to be a student in accounting. [applause]

Angel Gonzalez Liriano [cheering] [applause] Angel is going to Western New England University and he was the recipient of the Red Pine Scholar. CONGRATULATIONS. [cheering] [applause]

LIZ MARTINEZ, NO, LIZ [cheering] Liz Ramirez. Yes, I'm sorry about that. Liz is going to UMass Amherst and he was the uh red she was the recipient of the Red Vines uh scholarship. Congratulations. [cheering] [applause]

Nazdira Reyes [cheering] [applause] SHE IS GOING TO Emmanuel College. Red and she was the recipient of Red Vine. You know that um um that Emmanuel College almost was here in Lawrence one time. Emmanuel that Yes. [laughter] Congratulations. [applause]

KIRIAMES JOAQUIN [applause and cheering] SHE IS GOING TO UH Merrimack College. She was the recipient of uh Fidelity Scholar and she's going to be studying psychology. CONGRATULATIONS. [applause and cheering]

SO, ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, I WOULD like you to please come over. I would like you to take this opportunity and uh speak through the mic to the city of Lawrence. They're going to be looking at you and watching. So, one at a time, please. Take the initiative. The president. Um Hi. Oh, okay. My Elady Fleas. Um, thank you for having us and I just want to say the city should be incredibly proud of all our students, Abbott, LHS, all of us all together equally. Thank you.

[applause]

Hello, my name's Jay De Los Santos. And first and foremost, I just want to thank my family, my mom and dad, for teaching me the incredible values of education. I love them to death. And I'd like just like to shout out the Abbott Lions Academy community. I think it has a community like no other. I think the teachers don't get recognized enough. I don't think they get paid enough. And um, I think the students are incredible. I just for some of them around here, I just like to recognize some of them. They're incredible. They're so driven. They inspire me every single day. And yeah, that's all I GOT TO SAY. [applause]

HELLO, MY NAME IS JOANNIE ORTIZ. And I just wanted to say thanks to YDO and Tessa specifically because I was never even going to apply to Posse. And then the deadline ended up getting extended and she made me apply. So, thank you, Tessa. [cheering]

My name is Joanna Misosario and I just want to thank my mom and all the support that I've gotten from LHS, especially from my friends and my counselors. I just want to say that I wouldn't have done it without my counselors and my friends with all the support. Thank you so much. [cheering] [applause]

Um, my name is Diomar Jesus Rodriguez Osorio. And I would like to thank all of my family back in the DR since they were the ones that taught me all of the things that I live for till this day, even though I haven't lived there in a while. And I would like to thank all of my friends at Abbott, who almost everybody is here today, since they've all been such a good support system, very great motivation. I honestly don't think I would have accomplished anything if it wasn't for Abbott. And I would like to thank Tessa so, so, so much for being such a good help with applying to college, applying to all the scholarships, just being such a great motivation. And yeah.

[applause]

Hi, my name is Ashanty Vargas. Um I would like to start saying thank you to my mom and my dad. Uh just 3 years ago, I was just Thank you. A regular child who couldn't speak English, and now seeing where I am, I want to say thank you to all of my teachers, to Miss Zebridge, uh for always believing in us, for pushing us to go forward, and putting ourselves in what we often think are uncomfortable situations, but they're growing pains, essentially. Thank you to the YDO team, and to all of my friends in Avid for all of your hard work, passion, and dedication. Thank you. Um Hi, my name is Jordi Ciriaco, and I would like to start thanking my family for all the support they have given me during this transition of going to high school and applying for college, and specially again to YDO and Tessa, who's here, who has been a huge help with this, since it's all like kind of new to me, and coming from the DR, and then learning all these new processes and stuff and then they have like made this process of transition very easy and that I would like to thank also the city of Lawrence and my school for having such a great program like the YDO that works for them and help students find what to do with their future. Thank you.

[applause] HI, MY NAME IS JENNIFER AND I WANT TO thank my mom and dad because they always told me that everything I'm doing is a learning experience and I want to thank my teachers for teaching me and I want to thank my classmates for always being there and helping me in like any time. [applause]

Good evening. My name is Emma Velez and today I would like to say thank you to my mother and to Tessa. They were my main support through college and now I can I would like to also say thank you to Lawrence High School that provided me with the resources that I need to now say that I'm ready to go into college and become the first in my family in earn a bachelor degree and become part of the 20% of Latina women who hold a bachelor degree in the US. Thank you. [applause]

Anyone else? Yeah, of course. Hi, I'm Jo Lady Frias. I was very nervous first time around, but I just want to give a very big thanks to my big sister Jessady. I don't think I would have been able to make it this far into my college application process without her being a first gen student and I want to again thank Tessa because she pushed me to apply to Torch and I would not have been able to afford college without her. And I'm very excited to join the 0.16% of women of color in the So, thank you so much for celebrating us. [cheering] [applause]

Any other students? Now we're going to Okay. Uh I'm Jay. Y'all already met me. Thank you to the WاديO team. I forgot to shout them out. Lawrence is so lucky to have them. Tessa, Alithia, Coral, just an amazing staff. And yeah, thank you to SIP AS WELL. [applause]

MY NAME IS NASHLA REYES AND FIRST I WANT to thank God for giving me my dreams and the drive that I have to work hard every day. I want to thank my parents for inspiring me and for making sacrifices for my education. I would also love to recognize the amazing village I have including my peers and my teachers and all the other amazing staff members. And especially Tessa as well. I love Tessa so much and I really could would have had such a hard time. Um there's a lot of ups and downs and Tessa has helped me through it all. So, thank you, Tessa. Well, now I would like to call uh Luz Diaz, the class president. Thank you for having us here. Um I would like to thank my family. I would like to thank my friends. I would like to thank WاديO again. Alithia, Coral, Tessa. They were all great. Um I obviously wouldn't have gotten this far without them. Um but I also want to thank the teachers. Um shout out to Ms. Mori, my physics teacher, Mr. Wendler, my English teacher, and Mr. Mutegi, my engineering computer science teacher. They're my recommendations. I love them so much. They took me so far and I'm proud to say I'm going to join the 2% of Latinas that are engineers in the US. Um and yes, teachers deserve so much. Yeah. Thank you.

[applause] BEFORE WE GO INTO A A 5-MINUTE RECESS, I would like to uh um to say a few things to the students. Lawrence uh is an open-door city. They opened the doors to your family, therefore to you. And once you go out, remember that Lawrence is going to Lawrence is the city of Lawrence is going to be here for you. Once you finish your education, Lawrence is going to be here waiting for you. For those services that you're going to for those skills and knowledge that you're going to that you're going to have, you're going to take [snorts]

out of those institutions, Lawrence needs it. And Lawrence needs your expertise in your future. And we're going to be here waiting for you to lead the city of Lawrence in the future of the city. Thank you. So, let's take a 5-minute Um Madam Vice President, motion to take a Madam Madam Madam Vice President. If I may quickly. I also want to add to the thank yous. We have three the superintendent, two administrators, I think more in the back that support the teachers and the overall school districts that ultimately support the students to achieve their their goals and their dreams. So, I want to say thank you to the administrative team for the entire city of Lawrence, the Lawrence public schools for the encouragement, the support, and just your everyday work that you provide in order to ensure that the students have what they need and to get in to get into Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Merrimack, UMass, and all the other schools that we heard tonight.

[applause] Congratulations. A motion to to have a 5-minute recess? So moved. Second. All in favor. [cough] [clears throat] Aye. Aye. The ayes have it. The ayes have it. Thank you so much. Let's take a 5-minute break and then uh take a few pictures and then we uh we can bring your family, take a picture with you and Professor So, thank you and congratulations. Yep. Can you guys uh just walk around and uh

All right, uh now we are going to uh open the mic again to uh to keep on celebrating uh those uh proclamations and recogni- recognition of the students uh in the city of Lawrence. Uh Victor from the uh from the Lawrence High School, please uh give us a few words. Thank you, uh Council President. And again, thank you for this a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our kids and our families and the great effort of our staff. I just wanted to take a minute to make a very special announcement in conjunction with the Abbott Lawrence Principal. So, tonight we're recognizing students who have achieved great distinction and have uh been admitted to wonderful schools, but when it comes to ranking right, you have you the top 10%, you have the top 5%, and then you have the top student. And so, tonight someone in this crowd or two individuals in this crowd will be crowned valedictorian in addition to a salutatorian. So, I just want to take this as an opportunity to make this public announcement and celebrate this night with the family. So for Upper School Academy, USA Academy, Dariel?

[cheering] [applause] Dariel is the greatest is the official valedictorian of Upper School Academy. Dariel was admitted to Yale University, passed three of his AP classes with five which is the highest score you can ever achieve. So I want him to be very proud of his achievements and I want his family to and his mom and please if you can come up to be recognized tonight for this wonderful feat. So congrats Dariel again for this wonderful achievement. FELICIDADES. [applause]

THANK YOU. UM IT IS AN HONOR and privilege to serve as the principal at Abbott Lawrence Academy and it is my privilege to now announce first our salutatorian, the number two student in our class who has the honor and privilege of being the keynote speaker at our senior banquet. You've already heard from her, but please congratulate me and welcoming up with her and her family Mrs. SHANTI VARGAS. [cheering] [applause] [cheering]

AND YOU CAN JUST REMAIN HERE. OUR number one student who will be the valedictorian at this year's graduation ceremonies and serve as the keynote speaker alongside our other valedictorian from Upper School is, you guessed it, MISS LUZ DIAZ. [cheering] [applause]

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU again for this wonderful opportunity. We have never announced valedictorian or salutatorian in this manner before and I'm very excited for this to be the first with what I hope will be a tradition in the future. Thank you so very MUCH AND CONGRATULATIONS. [cheering] [applause] CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN. THAT was great. Thank you. So congratulations and thank you to the families and all of the student that were honored tonight. Uh with that said we are going to go back to the top of the agenda. So thank you all for being here. [applause]

It's on table. Yeah. It's off. It's It's off. Can I get a motion to on table item 154? The motion second. It's a motion to on table 154-26. Properly second discussion. All those in favor will please say "Aye". Aye. The "Aye's" have it. Item 154, volunteer from the personal committee. Item 154-26, appointment of Modesto Maldonado to the Greater Lawrence Sanc- Sanitary District Committee. Was sent up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. Second. So motion on the table, properly second, discussion. Discussion. Uh great uh Great decision to have Council President Modesto Maldonado. Thank you for your service and to continue to serve the city of Lawrence. Thank you, Council President. Uh Councilors, it's a great pleasure to be here, Madam Clerk. Brings good memories when we were serving together in the City Council. I think it's a great honor to uh to be able to serve again in uh in a different capacity uh to the city. Uh just briefly, I'm going to deviate from from my conversation with you. Uh I don't know whether you noticed when the Council President was mentioning or reading the uh grade average, the almost every one of the students was above 4.0. Mhm. And those of you in my time when we went to high school, 4.0 was the max. The perfect score, the perfect GPA. Uh to see so many students doing so great,

uh way above some of them way above the 4.0, I think it's wonderful. And that says a great deal about the education uh that we're giving our students in the city of Lawrence. That means we are moving forward. And that's wonderful. Thank you. Thank you. Again, uh I know that I'm retired from politics, but uh obviously, uh I would like to continue uh giving the city a little bit of my time. And that's why I chose to put my application to serve in this board. So, uh I hope that you miss your approval and that I can continue giving a little more of my time uh to the city of Lawrence. Thank you.

Thank you. Councilors, any questions to the applicant? Councilor Abreu. Thank you very much. Um this is 2 weeks in a row we've got council presidents coming before us who have been uh put in various boards and commission. It just goes to show that uh we can continue to serve. We don't need to be at this dais to serve, and that service comes in many different ways. And I want to thank you, Council President, for for your service to our city in many, many years. And I'm glad that you had a chance to um to find a place. And I know, based on my first-hand experience with you, your dedication to the city and your eager and earnestness to try to understand the issues and work on those issues um is a testimony to to your uh skill set. And I I expect uh I expect good things as as I did when you were in this chamber full-time. So, I want to thank you. If you don't mind sitting down for 1 second, this has nothing to do with you what I'm about to say. So, if you wouldn't mind, sir.

Councilor Abreu. Thank you.

so You're so welcome. Um this has nothing to do with the Council President Maldonado. I will be supporting him this evening. This does have something to do though with the way that we approach these things. And um it it um the person who um that Council President Maldonado is replacing is a gentleman by the name of Tom Connors. Tom Connors has served many years um on the GLSD, and I don't think he was officially notified that he was not being asked to serve anymore. And while it is the mayor's prerogative to send whoever he wants down, because it's at the whim of the mayor and for us is to say yes or no to whoever we want based on their credentials, etc. It just saddens me that that when somebody, and it's not the first time, what saddens me when someone has dedicated a portion of their life to work to try to improve our city, um that it's my understanding that that it it that there was not even an official we're going to replace you and we've we we're moving on with somebody else. So, um I want to thank Tom Connors um for his service to our city, his service in many ways, but in this particular way is his being a member of the a Greater Lawrence Sanitary District. And I I wish him all speed and success and I hope that he continues to find a place to contribute in our city even though he may not be in that position as a board member. Thank you.

[snorts] Thank you. Um any other councilors? Councilor President. Councilor Leahy Councilor Leahy President Leahy. Who is the Maldonado? No, I don't have a question. Just only to say thank you for all the service that you've been doing to this city in the past and now that's you wanted to come back after a couple of years that you were out of the city. You know, I think so it is it's a plus for us to have you and to for your dedication, for your love, and for everything that you've been doing uh to the Lawrence. Thank you.

Thank you. Councilor Laplante, just like you, uh I'm really uh happy uh that uh it's not going to be easy to replace Tom. Uh I have known Tom Connors for quite a while, many years back, and I'm really happy that he has served the city so well. So, I feel the same way as you that uh that he has done a fantastic job. Definitely. Any other questions? Any other questions, councilors? Thank you. There is none um at this point I'll call the questions. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any nays? Uh the eyes have it. Congratulations, council council president Maldonado, on your appointment. So, let's go back to the Board of Finance Committee um Madam Chair from the Board of Finance Committee. Council President, um thank you. Um through you, Council President, I'm going to start off. I was told that their um time is uh of the essence tonight. So, I'm going to start with item 159-26, appropriation transfer in the amount of $25,000 of free cash allocation from airport to Office of Planning and Development. It was brought to us by uh Senior Advisor Spanner on behalf of the mayor, and this was brought This is brought up as a favorable recommendation, and I make that as a formal motion. Second. Motion in front of us, properly seconded. Discussion? I hear none. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any nays? Uh motion carries. Council President,

let's go now to old business. Right? Yep. Old business, item 156 uh 20 26, right? Item 90. Oh, sorry. Item I Item 90-26, which is the proposed proposed modification of ordinance uh 0204-081. Uh Councilor Infante. Thank you, Council President. I see here [clears throat] Wait, hold on a second. Hold on hold on a second. Uh we have received notice that the mayor have vetoed this item. It was put on the agenda for to move to move along of any of that of the desire of the council. Council is what's the motion. Yeah, we need a motion if this if the council decide we can we can have a motion to override. There is a motion. Can we have a second? Second. Just to override the veto? Yes, to override the veto.

Second. It's been properly second discussion.

Discussion. Councilor Infante. Thank you, Council President. Councilors, a few Now it's going to be a week, all right, senior advisor. It's going to be about a week or so, but the senior advisor and I were going back and forth a bit via email pertaining to this ordinance, and I did clarify to the to the senior advisor that this particular modification to ordinance 02.04.081 was just to eliminate the term um provisional. And I explained that the council took a vote 2 years ago that passed and ultimately was signed to eliminate the term and definition provisional from the administrative code section the the municipal code, which is the over the title of the of our ordinances. I did just briefly speak with the senior advisor. He was not aware that this was still being vetoed, but I think there's an understanding that there is no further action for this ordinance. This particularly I this particular item in front of us is just to eliminate the term provisional that is no longer existence. Um and within our ordinances. Councilors, any Councilors, any other any questions? To override the veto, we need uh six votes. If there is no other questions, I will call the I'll call the call the vote. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? It passes unanimously. Uh Thank you. Uh the veto have been override. Uh let's go back to top of the agenda by the finance committee. Budget item 128-26, payment of prior prior year invoices in the amount of 60,000 with the vendor

Flock Safety was sent up as a committee committee report and I make that as a formal motion. There is a motion to accept the community the committee report. Are there any questions? Properly second? Any discussion? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Uh any nays? The ayes have it. What's the motion? Motion to approve. There is a motion to approve. Properly second. Discussion. Discussion. Councilor Planas. Thank you. The reason why I did not support I want I sent I wanted to send it up. I also wanted to make sure that uh that this board had the opportunity to think about and address and discuss how we're dealing with the surveillance and the cameras throughout our city. What's happened here and there's been some corrections that have been made is that a set of cameras um I think they were plate readers uh that were purchased. This happened to come before us because it's a prior year authorizations are going this money was spent last year. They got to use this year's money to spend for last year's bill. And so, this happens, unfortunately, but it happens. So, that's the only reason why it's here before us. We already purchased this. We need to pay the bill. So, having said all of that, what's fascinating about this is this is partly about timing. Is the police chief was good enough to actually very soon after when you realized this, gave us a report, I think all of us a report that talked about at some level of detail the the readers. And that was a good I was a good faith effort to to correct this. But, what's what's it because we're about to enter the budget season right now, and because when we were at the budget committee and we asked the question, "Do you expect to be spending

more money on this again next year?" And I think the answer is was yes. [snorts]

Our ordinance is very clear whether it's a prior use, a current use, or a new use dealing with surveillance cameras, including plate readers. It is in the language specifically. If we the reason why it was important for us to have a kind of a consensus to how we're going forward is because there is language inside our ordinance says if we do not if they if if agencies don't follow the procedures, they shall not be funded for that purpose in the next year. Or be funded. So, there's a there's a question here. We're about to fund something. There's been no public hearing on it. We have a report. It doesn't meet all the criteria of what the report requires, but we have something which is better than nothing. And this is our first shot out of the box. So, unfortunately, we don't we have not been able to figure through as a group how are we going to address this? Maybe relying on legal counsel to help guide us through this. We don't have it. I've got a proposal that is now before the ordinance committee to help with this possibly. But it's all about timing. This is before us now. We have a bill to pay. Um there's no real good vote on this. I I think I'll be voting in favor of it tonight because I don't I think we have to pay the bill. We just can't not pay the bill. But the question is is what do we do when going forward even if we pay this bill? And we're not going to I don't think we're going to answer that question tonight. I think it's going to be still outstanding. But it has to be what I want is for my colleagues, Council President, to know the issue. To know the issue. The issue is again, to repeat, we're about to pay something that we have that we that we have to pay. But how we got to that point didn't measure up to ordinance. Thank you. All right.

Any other comments? I hear none. All those in favor, please say Aye. Aye. Any nay? That is carried. I'm out of chair. I don't want 29-26. I don't want 29-26 authorize authorization to transfer funds in the amount of one 175,000 from police administration to computer software were sent up as a committee report and I make that as a formal motion. Second. A motion is before us, properly seconded. Discussion.

Discussion. Councilor Blood. To add to my earlier conversation, they both tie in together. One of the principal underpinnings of the ordinance is for transparency and for the public to understand what what we are doing as a city with respect to cameras. Whether it's the police department, whether it's DPW that we found out in the budget committee that has cameras at the yard, or whether it's in city hall on the third floor or wherever they are in city hall. We need to have transparency and the law strictly talks about that and we're not following it. So I'm hopeful that we can move on this. At least have a we're not going to need a public hearing on this. There's going to be a vote on this tonight. But one of the key points is to have a public hearing so the public has a chance to listen to what the proposal is and to speak on it. That's rare that we actually have something like this in our ordinances. It's unique. But we have it and we're not doing what we're supposed to be doing. But I'll be supporting it tonight. Why? We have a bill that has to be paid. This is going to be interesting when we get to the budget for 2027 what we're going to do. I don't have an answer. But we got to start putting our heads together on how we're going to deal with this. Collectively, it's not my job to figure this out by myself. It's all of our jobs to figure this out with the with our with the folks that are our departments. Thank you. Any other questions? Any questions? I hear none. All those in favor please say Any nays? The ayes have it. Um that was part of the committee that was a committee report? All right. Uh now what counselor is what's the motion? Motion to approve. It's a motion to approve. Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor please say

Any nays? The ayes have it. Item 155-26. Item 155-26 transfer um funds in the amount of 400 400 457,000 from free cash to department to fire department overtime account. Was sent up as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion.

Second. It's a motion in front of us. Properly second discussion. Which one is this again? Item 155-26. All those in favor please say The ayes have it. Item 158.26. Item 158-26 approve an extension on the creating a thriving Lawrence funding awarded to Semana Hispana was sent as a favorable recommendation and I make that as a formal motion. There's a motion in front of us properly second discussion. I ask for a roll call vote. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councilor Laplante. Yes. Councilor De La Cruz Rosario.

Yes. Councilor Reyes. Yes. Councilor Infante. Yes. Councilor Maldonado is noted as absent. Councilor Miguel. Yes. Councilor Gonzalez. Yes. Councilor Vice President. Yes. Councilor President. Yes. Motion carries. Item 159.26. We just did that. Also We have under old business the 1 Okay. 50 156 that's what No, no, that was 158. Yeah, 158 was the thriving Lawrence.

It's all done. No, I'm on [snorts] 159. Yes. Yeah, we already did it. That one because it was beginning. Okay. All right, now before we let's there is no housing housing economic development reports. Madam Chair from that uh Okay, before we go to the ordinance committee, let's go to old business. So we can have most of the employee um out as soon as possible. Item 156.26 authorization to spend $10,000 MassDOT safe routes to school uh signs and lines projects. Uh for that item I'm going to have to recuse myself out of this vote due to a potential conflict of interest. The document is tabled at committee so we need a motion to pull committee. Okay. So, which one is it again? one? 156 and open this. So, do I have a little motion here? Motion to pull from committee. Okay. So, counselor, uh we have I don't 15626 to pull it out from the committee. From the all business, is the authorization to expend $10,000 from math dollars. Same route to a school S A T S sign in line sign in lines project by Malta Hall. Hi. Motion to pull from committee. Yeah, I already did.

Discharge. To discharge. I second that. Second the motion. Yeah, I did. Okay. Right. You have to vote. All those in favor, say aye. [laughter] Okay, motion to approve. No. No. No. Discharge. We have a motion to We We want to discharge. To discharge from committee.

from the committee. And you asked for them to be on the table. Okay. All those in favor? Aye. Any known? Okay. Motion to approve. Motion to it's already approved. Motion to approve item 156-26. Second. Second.

All those in favor? Discussion. Discussion. Discussion. You said thank you. Uh $10,000 for lines. Um My district houses the high school. We also have the Green School as well. Um so, there's a pretty substantial uh in South Lawrence East. And so, we've got a lot of schools in a very short amount of space. I'm seeing that there is um Lower Tower Hill, which I used to represent and I love, just for the record. Love Lower Tower Hill. But, I represent a place where there's a lot of needs for lines that are really really a lot of schools. Can we can regardless of this grant, can we see some lines for for the areas that where the schools are? Good evening, counselors. Alicia Miller, uh Mayor Salles and Task Force. Um This this This This grant funding comes from Safe Routes to School. In order for schools to be eligible for this, they have to be active participants with Safe Routes to School.

Okay. Um Presently, we we have a few schools and of [clears throat] all of the schools that are actively actively um involved, the Guilmette was the only one that qualified right right around now. Uh the Arlington was the first school in the state to receive this grant. Uh the Frost didn't need it. Uh and when we were working, the Leahy was still go- about to get into their new space. So, they So, they weren't qualified at the time. Um For schools, the one thing I will say is is uh to ask schools to be more involved with Safe Routes to School. The Lawrence Public School System as a whole is a Safe Routes to School partner, but the [snorts] individual schools have to make that decision to be part of the activities of Safe Routes to School to qualify for this money. Thank you. Uh this is and I'll make this very brief. So, thank you for the explanation. I understand now that there's qualifications and there was a school, Guilmette School, that qualified. Congratulations to the Guilmette School for getting their act together and for being awarded the money. That's fantastic. The uh the the other point here, since we're talking about safety for children and this is a grant for lines, Mhm. you know what a real important safety feature is that we don't do in the city? Shovel the sidewalks in the snowstorm. So, kids are walking, adults are walking in the street because the residents think, "Oh, it's the city's job to do the sidewalk." Or in the city doesn't get around to it. Or the business, God forbid. Like I said, I have a couple of major corridors of major schools. And this year for the first time, I pushed and I pushed and I finally got traction after God knows how many years to get some but I'm just hopeful that we can expand on that because there's plenty of residents who aren't doing what they're supposed to be doing, required by law, to shovel to shovel the the the sidewalks so our

students that we care so much about. We celebrated them earlier. We care about them. But when it comes to shoveling snow, well, we don't care as much. We don't care as much. We're going to Yeah, somebody else's job. So, I'm hopeful with your help that we can get some traction cuz one thing to get money, which is fantastic. I'll be supporting it. But the reality is is that we get there's places to improve. Thank you. Council, any other question or any other discussion on this item? So, there is a motion to approve. Everybody agree? All in favor? I. So, may I have it. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, there is there is no report. Your mic is off. Oh. Sorry.

[laughter]

Can you let the council president know that all set with that item? Thank you. Thank you. All right, let's go back to uh back top of the agenda, ordinance committee. Um on the ordinance committee, uh we need to finish up with item before 9 uh 9:00 p.m. because we have the translators. And there is a and they're going to be finishing up by 9:00 if we have no need. So, item 171-26

Item 171-26 I'm going to chair for the ordinance committee. So, item 171-26 is the Saving Our Youth event 2026. It says resource fair at the Campanelli Park on Saturday May 16th, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday, June 5th from 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Um was submitted to the full council with favorable recommendation and I make it as a formal motion. Second. It's a motion in front of us, properly seconded. Discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say "Aye." Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. We're good. Thank you. 163. They are 163. All right, let's go back to top of the agenda. Okay. All right. Translation. Call it important. They already live. 160 the one. 160 160. What we can we 163.

We can do 163. Okay, no problem. Okay. All right, let's go back to the agenda. Item 4826. Item 4826, motion here from the from the ordinance committee. Okay, item 4826 is the creation of building analysis position for the water department. That was submitted by the personnel director, and it was sent it to the full council with favorable recommendation, and I make it as a formal motion. There is a motion in front of us. Also to send it to public hearing. This is to order a public hearing. Uh Properly second. It's been second by what council member? Who Who second it? Second. Properly second. Uh discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, please say "Aye." Aye. This is the order of public hearing. The ayes have it. Uh What is What is the item? The Okay, perfect. Item 12726. Item want 27-26 is a home rule petition uh for the credible service for Lawrence police officer uh submitted by counselor Stephanie Infante was handed to the full council with favorable recommendation and I make it as a formal motion. Second. There's a motion in front of us properly second. Discussion. Counselor Plan. Thank you, sir. I got the package here. I saw the emails. Um I see that Officer Cano is here. I also see the uh uh Gina Rizzo, the executive director of the Lawrence Retirement Board, is here. Uh I just have I what I don't have I I read Director Rizzo's comments in the email regarding the lack of the It's not going to cost the city any money. Uh but

I I still have a question regarding that. So, uh could I ask Ms. Rizzo to please come before us? So, so welcome, Director, and appreciate you being here. So, my my question here is I remember very distinctly having very similar conversation 2 years ago, 3 years, I forget the length of time. Um and we did not support it at that time. Uh I think there was funding issues, there was ambiguities regarding it, there's a lot of different things that were coming up. What separates this particular vote from the vote that we took two or three years ago when it was a much bigger universe of potential employees? Sure. So, the Retirement Board will take a neutral stance in this. Um you know, as lawmakers, it's up to you if you decide you want to create a home rule petition for Mr. Cano, it's up to you. Um we will provide you with the information that we can. Um so, the the what came before you 2 years ago was very broad. It left um a lot of openings [clears throat] for other people to come in. This is a you know, they had taken out two other pieces in this and this this home rule petition is just for Mr. Cano. It only affects Mr. Cano. Um we did do a cost study and analysis through our actuary and um you know, she came up with two figures. There's there's a a cost to Mr. Cano if the city wants to pick up um the other cost they can or if Mr. Cano wants to pay for the whole thing, there's you know, according to her, she's the expert, um they're saying that the accrued liability will be zero to the city. You know, and it will just allow Mr. Cano to purchase um something he's not able to purchase right now. It is um state service, but um the MBTA does not allow um people to purchase this you know, they didn't enter into the retirement

system. So, it's not pensionable service. This law will only allow him up to 2 years of creditable service. And again, you know, we take a neutral stance on this. Um the way it was written before, it was very broad. It would have opened up and left room for anyone with outside service to come into the city and purchase, you know, time if they had it with a non-chapter 32 um entity. So, this is just specifically for Mr. Cano. Um I spoke with our our attorney, our board attorney. I also spoke with the Perak attorney. So, Perak is the oversight board for all of the retirement systems in the Commonwealth and they said it's not uncommon for cities and towns to do things like this. Um it's really a matter of what you prefer to do. And we will follow, you know, the law that you create. Uh yes, yes, yes, just state your name and address for the record, please. Uh my name? Sure. Gina Rizzo. I'm the director of the Lawrence Retirement Board. And the address for that for that retirement board? I'll Oh, for the retirement board? 354 Merrimack Street, in Thank you. Sure. Uh thank you. So So thank you. So So you said that there was two options here if we want to go forward. So that's my question is the two options. And my other question is is while this home rule petition this home rule petition is strictly for one individual

Mhm. do we have other individuals no matter where in city service that could say, "Oh, I've done something like this and I should be able to get what Mr. Cano is receiving. How many other How big is that universe? So I really would have no idea, right? I mean this, you know, I don't think Mr. Cano created this He created this home rule petition or but I'm sure he found some similar language in another home rule petition.

Mhm. I mean there are entities across the state that, you know, aren't not too many, but there are um entities that don't um conform to chapter 32. They they're not part of chapter 32. But I I have no idea. I mean but they would have to do the same process. They would have to come before you. They would have to do a cost study. They would have to you know, do the whole like exactly what was done here. What is the um how how strong is the retirement system? I we have a choice here. The choice here is we can say it'll be no cost to the city Mhm. and Mr. Cano has to pick up the entire thing

Yeah. or there's a cost share that the city or the retirement board or the city's got to pick up a portion of it. How strong is the retirement board? I mean our board or the retirement system. What do you mean? For I mean for I mean sometimes I'm hearing these horror stories that we're underfunded Mhm. and that and that as we go through time and we don't have enough retirees and people to be able to pay the pensions we go forward. So how strong is the retirement?

we are slated to be fully funded in 2036. We're about 69% funded right now. Um you know, I mean that's about all I can tell you. It's, you know, Is the If If we go and split this, is is that coming from the retirement board or coming from the city who's going to be paying the the half the the $7,200? Sure. The So, the city pays an appropriation. Um it's, you know, it's about 25 million right now every year until 2037 while changes. I'm going to go back just to this just to Mr. Canell. So, that's the whole big one. So, it says here Mr. Canell pays his portion of the cost to be nine nine thousand nine hundred sixty dollars per annum and approximately seven thousand two hundred for the city. That's the city. That's not to be confused with the town retirement board or or whatever their town retirement commission.

on the city side. So, we need increase the cost of the appropriation approximately by that amount. There are no exact figures. Everything changes um every year. I mean, they came up with this because like anyone that's paying into the system, you're funding your own retirement to a degree. Yeah. So, our actuary takes, you know, all of his funding. He's funded, you know, most of his retirement already. This will continue to fund it. It'll add the two years to him. Um and, you know, if if he pays the whole portion, there will be no additional cost according to the actuary for the city. So, the appropriation would just stay status quo if you approve this and he paid the whole thing. If not, your appropriation would go up if you bought the two years approximately 7,200.

Okay. Now, are you familiar with state employment and O3s and contractors? Are you familiar with that idea? So, what happens in in in in maybe there's an analogous situation in city employment. So, in state employees, there are these they're called O3 consultant/contractors. So, they're going to be paid. They're working every day as a state employee. However, they're not a state employee meaning they're not putting money toward a pension. Mhm. So, there are times, for example, that if someone transitions over from a 03 consultant's contractor to a regular state employee, at some point, you could buy back your time as a as a 03 consultant and apply that to your time as a regular for your pension purposes. So, my question is, I'm not sure if there's something like that similar or if you're at least knowledgeable about that as to how the Commonwealth deals with something like this. Do they require when you say we're going to buy back the time, does the employee have to buy all of it or is the Commonwealth pitching in like the state's pitch potentially pitching in some money? So, um I know for Lawrence, I can just tell you we have our own bylaws. We wouldn't allow that time. That wouldn't, you know, we you if you're paid on a 1099 via a W-2 from the city, um you will never be able to purchase that time through our board unless somebody came before you and did a home rule petition. State maybe has their own set of rules. Um if it's time that, you know, somebody didn't contribute, [clears throat] but it was um chapter 32 service, it could have been they were temporary, it could have been provisional time, it could have been temporary time. Um we do allow them to buy back, but the city doesn't pick up any cost to that. The person picks up the entire liability. What is before us right now? Did we pick a Is there a motion picking one of these or what came out of the committee? Favorable recommendation. Didn't say which one? Two. No, there is no no options. I mean, if

we can through you, Council President. It says favorable. Uh yes, uh yes, just answer the question then we go back to Council LaPointe uh with his questioning and then uh we go we open up for another councilors. So, do we have a answer for that a specific question? Yeah, we already choose any, but uh Officer LaPointe Officer can know actually stated that he was willing to pay the full amount, no cost to the city. Bingo. All right. Can I All right. Councillor La Plante, do you have any other questions? All right. Councillors, any other questions? Give me one second. Council President. Councillor Infante. Thank you. I I do want to say aside from that, it is um if if you look through your documents on the um committee report, it does say on the record um officer A Cano present willing to pay full amount of $17,200 for the two years that he's looking to get. Point of information. Just Just to So, before we continue, um Madam Clerk, please offer us some information when it comes to that uh this uh this matter. Yeah, I just wanted to provide a point of information with regard to the uh item that's before you. Councillor La Plante raised a good point when he asked like, "What are you voting on?" There's a document on the table. Literally on your desk. Um it looks like this. It has two yellow highlights in it. That's the most recent version, and the two yellow highlights are the most recent edits. Um he's asking for up to two years because if it takes a while and he's only needs to buy a year and a half he rather than buy the full two years, he wants to buy up to two years, and then he's paying the regular interest. So, those two changes are on there. Just want to make sure people know that when you ask what you're voting on, I believe what you're voting on tonight is this version with the two yellow highlights. All right. As Clerk, Councillors, Councillor Infante, you have the floor. Um I'm also able just to clarify that it is on the record that um

through the ordinance committee report that um he stated uh that he does he is willing to pay the full amount um and this and Gina I Sorry, Director Rizzo, uh she she already said some of the things I was going to say, and and one comment I was going to say that this is not uncommon for municipalities um to do. As you know, two years ago I came before this body to try to introduce this in a broader aspect, but there was um concerns from the city council pertaining to expense, and I think we can all Well, I'm not going to say we I think, but at least this councilor feels good about what we have in front of us uh particularly because there is no additional cost to the city, and Officer Cano is willing to to [clears throat] do that. And quite frankly, for the future, if there is someone who who's eligible and is willing to do the same thing to pay for their for the full cost of of their of their years, I wouldn't be opposed to it, either. That's all I wanted to say. Council President. Councilor Lavoy. So, we have a Officer Cano hearing. I know that he want to to talk to us and just let him know what he said to us at the Ordinance Committee, you know, that we supported at the full group, so the Ordinance Committee supported his petition. Officer [snorts] Cano. Good evening, honorable councilors. Abel Cano, 94 Maple Street. Uh to reiterate um my my um my petition uh based on when I went to the Ordinance, I am committed to paying the full amount, the city amount as well as mine. And um it is up to 2 years cuz I'm not sure how long the process will take. So, it may be um after it goes to the state, it may have less than a year, it may have a year time that I could purchase back, or it could be a year and a half or two. So,

if I have that opportunity, and you allow this, uh I'd appreciate it. Any other councilors? Um I'm going to pass the gavel and express my opinion of all these. Um I'm going to be on the opposition of these matter for a couple of things, couple of reasons. Um And the reason the one of the the main reason was because uh when I joined the MassDOT back then 18 years ago, uh that was uh one of the topic that uh was discussed during that time. You didn't know anything about it, but I mean uh I know that people were not happy about uh situations similar to this one, which is a single out for the benefit of one particular person. And uh that was around uh the discussion of the employees uh throughout um the district that I was serving. And uh and essentially uh even though the city might not have uh a direct impact, but that uh the pension uh compensations uh will be and and essentially even though um we we are um we are not having a direct impact directly, but I mean somebody's somebody going to have to pick up these uh uh these funds. And I want to be consistent with the with what I with my experience uh when it comes to pensions and um at the end of the day, those are funds that we're going to have to uh um somebody going to have to come up with those funds at the end of the day. Um I I'm all in favor of uh supporting our uh employees. And I believe that uh the employees have something to give us,

which is the services. And and I and I actually believe that if if an employee is willing to um stay with us and and um and be able to provide those services, we're willing to uh pay for their pension. And that's the uh that's the entire situation. Um with that said, uh, I going to be in the position of this. Council, any other question or discussion on this matter? All those in favor? No. Councilor Lopez. Councilor Gonzales. Yes. Councilor Miguel. Yes. Councilor Marmol is noted as absent. Councilor Infante. Yes. Councilor Reyes. Yes. Councilor Rosario. Yes. Councilor Leplan.

Yes. Councilor um, Council President. No. Councilor Vice President. Yes. So Motion carries. Um, all right, moving on on the agenda. Um Item 161. That's the presiding Yes. Council President.

hear. Thank you. Thank you, Councilors. No problem. Congratulations. Um, item 161-26. Madam Chair from the Ordinance Committee. Item 161-26 is a five stars express transportation LLC renewal of the tassel livery license. Uh, we have in here uh, Officer Ivan Soto was sent it to the full council with favorable recommendation. And I make it as a formal motion.

There's a motion in front of us, properly seconded. Discussion, Councilors. Same three questions that we have in the past. Discussion. Uh, Councilor Leplan. Good evening, honorable members of the City Council, honorable Madam Clerk Bernal. Uh, Officer Soto from the Los Angeles Police Department, 90 Lowell Street. And I appreciate the opportunity to address you this evening. I'm here to present five stars uh, express transportation for the renewal of their livery service license. Five Stars Express has been a valued transportation provider in our city since January 26th of 2011. Their fleet includes seven buses and seven vans. They currently employ 18 individuals. Each year they diligently complete the required business packet for the city. Obtaining all necessary signatures and stamps. I am pleased to report that for this renewal all paperwork, signatures, and stamps have been properly submitted. Additionally, all required background checks and licenses have been issued. Before I conclude, I would like to note that the representative from Five Stars, Ms. Mildred Diaz, is present this evening and available to answer any questions the council may have. At this time, I respectfully request the City Council's final approval for their 2026 license renewal. All right. Um, any any questions? Councilor Rosario. Councilor Rosario. Thank you, too, you. Just a comment. Um, and I made a comment at the at the ordinance committee. I believe that we need to revise whatever is holding some business owners to what uh building owners are not paying to the city. Uh, this is a perfect example. One business owner is that the uh occupancy permit was hold due to the fact that the owner of the building wasn't paying the city what they owe. And it's frequently happening in this [snorts] in this city. Well, if they owe water, they owe taxes, and anything, the business owners cannot get the proper

documentation that they need. And there's not such a ordinance or anything. I don't know who actually pursue that. I got a document that I requested, and it's briefly that, but I believe they shouldn't be the business owner put in this in this position. They've been coming in for 2 weeks to try to get to renew their license. Well, throughout the years, they've been paying the taxes. They've been employing people. But they've been punished due to something that we have here in the city, that we punish business owners instead of the building owners. So, we as a body, we need to revise that and see how we can change that because business owners should not be paying by the building owners are not paying the city. And she they shouldn't be put in this position. And that's my comment. And we should revise what is there and and and make some changes cuz at least this business will be able was able to go through, but some business are going out of business due to the fact they cannot renew the license cuz the business owner owe water or taxes and it's not their fault. Thank you. Um any questions, councilors? I hear none. All those in favor, please say yes. Any nays? The eyes have it. Item um 16326. Thank you, councilors. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, wait for me. Give me 1 second, please. You're good. 1631 United United Healthcare

All right, I got it. Item 16326 is a United Healthcare Community Plan Resource Fair at the Common on the Common Park. On Thursday, June 11th from uh 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Uh Cecilia Futcher, United Healthcare Community Plan, was sent it to the full council with favorable recommendation and I make it as a formal motion. Second. There's a motion in front of us properly second discussion. Since you're here, so tell us about the fair. Uh it's actually I believe our second time doing it. The previous one was before COVID and we are trying to resume again to do a resource fair um within the um within the area and vicinity of this community we have approximately 3,000 members which we plan to invite at least 1,000 of those members and we are anticipating that 10% will attend. Um this is a resource fair for membership but they're also able to bring a friend to to to the to the event. We anticipate that we would have approximately 10 to 12 um resource vendors in the area from providers offices, food pantries, churches, and valuable information that they'll be able to provide. Any questions, counselor? Any questions, counselor? I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Any nays? The ayes have it. Congratulations. Thank you. Let's go to the top of the agenda, public hearing. Madam Clerk, please read the notice for item 132-26. Excuse myself. All right.

And I'm also going to excuse myself. Are you excusing or recusing? I'll recuse myself.

Okay, that's fine. I'll excuse myself. Do both. Um document number 132-26. Notice is hereby given that the Lawrence City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 200 Common Street, Lawrence, Mass. Pursuant to rule two Excuse me, pursuant to chapter two of the acts of 2023 and in accordance with the recently revised City Council rule two, this meeting will be hybrid allowing participation both in person and remotely to accommodate participants with health consideration that prevents them from participating in person. To receive access codes for remote participation, please contact the City Clerk at eileen.bernal@cityoflawrence.com or 978-620-3230 or view the meeting on Facebook and YouTube. The purpose of this hearing is to have the testimony, information, and public input concerning the proposed annual action plan for fiscal year 2027 for the city of Lawrence, Mass as follows: the Community Development Block Grant CDBG in the estimated amount of one The ad as published did not say the word estimated just for the record, I apologize. in the amount of $1,606,570 in home grant in the amount of $831,508.18. A copy of the proposed FY 2027 HUD annual action plan and proposed budgets referenced herein may be examined, viewed, and copied at the Office of Planning and Development, 360 Merrimack Street, entrance K, unit 270 Lawrence, Mass and the Office of the City Clerk, room 107, 200 Common Street, Lawrence, Mass any business day during normal City Hall business hours. Persons wishing to be heard shall be afforded the opportunity. Public hearing is now open. Anybody from the public that wishes to speak? Public hearing is now closed. Uh counselors, what's the motion? There is a motion to approve, properly second discussion.

Uh I hear I hear none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Uh the ayes have it. Counselor Marcola Planning and Counselor De Rosario have big presence of themselves on this vote. Uh uh Madam Clerk, please read the notice for item 142-26. Congratulations. Okay, let them know to come back. Can you let them know that I said that? Thank you. Docket number 142-26, notice Oh, can we maybe a motion to waive the preamble? Motion to waive the preamble.

to waive the preamble. Can I hear a second? Properly second discussion. I hear none. All those in favor, of the same Aye. [cough and clears throat] The ayes have it. Madam Chair. Madam Clerk. Document number 142-26. Um Be it ordained that the city council of the city of Lawrence that the revised ordinances of the city of Lawrence are hereby further amended by adding the following subparagraphs to section 2.72.070 of the municipal code, finance officer. A, position established. There is established the position of a finance officer in the inspectional services department to be appointed by the mayor. Sub B, powers in general in powers and duties generally. Performs a variety of functions including accounts payable, reconciliation, and department budget management, and record keeping duties. Prepares invoices for payment by the city comptroller, prepares deposits of accounts receivable and cash receipts by ISD departments. Management of department's payroll processing, creates and tracks purchase orders and contracts, performs a variety of clerical duties that require significant decision-making ability, responds to general requests from the public including FOIA requests. Supervision. Provisions provide significant assistance to the ISD director with oversight of reception office including ISD clerical staff of four. Sub D, qualifications. Bachelor's degree in business administration, 7 to 10 years accounting experience, preferably in municipal environment in a municipal environment or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must be familiar with MUNIS systems and Citizen Serve system software. Experience in contract management desirable. Position requires strong interpersonal skills, ability to manage many tasks, attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines, and knowledge of general office equipment and software. And sub E, salary and

benefits. The finance officer's a grade 21, which is 66,885 through 76,862. Point in the SEIU Local Supervisors Union and shall be entitled to receive all benefits provided to union employees regularly employed in the administrative services of the city. Persons wishing to be heard shall be afforded the opportunity. Councilor I mean public hearing is now open. Anybody from the public that wishes to speak? Public hearing is now closed. Councilors, what's the motion? Motion to approve. There's a motion to approve. Second. Properly seconded. Discussion. Discussion. Councilor Infantino.

Thank you Council Council President for you. I would like to know a little bit about the discussion that occurred in the ordinance committee. What will first why do we need this position? And secondly, so far my my issue with this is section C of the of the ordinance. The supervision provide significant assistance to the ISD director with oversight of reception office office including ISD clerical staff of four. We about a year ago or so, I'm looking at you cuz [laughter]

I understand you're the city, you know, but just a year a year and a half ago, I don't quite remember the exact timeline, but this body approved a position of a deputy director for that ISD department. So now why why is this department now needing help with supervision when they have two directors? And plus an overall director because ISD is under the office of planning and development. So I I'm not understanding the whole dynamic here. So if anyone has some information on that, that would be helpful.

Okay, first I Tim Houten, city attorney. And I first I want to apologize because of the people you've had here tonight, I think my GPA just brought everybody down cuz I did not make over point, I'm sorry. But secondly, I what they're talking about is a financial supervision. In other words, so that everybody that gets money is in they would have this particular person, not supervision of what your job is. This is not a boss position. This is a position of I'm collecting all the money. I'm seeing where the receipts are coming in. I have four people that also accept the money. They have to respond to me because I'm creating the charts, I'm doing the reports, etc. So it's not what you think that position is a managerial position of people. This is not a managerial position. It's a supervisory and as far as anything involves money. Can we um

[snorts] Is it an order to amend this ordinance to include specific language to ensure that there is no future confusion as to what the supervision By all means uh By all means there's an order. There is an order a motion to approve right now. And if you want to uh provide changes to that to the ordinance, this is an order. Um thank you. Can I Council President, I'm I'm going to release

for the qualifications? Um Or that uh or the duties. I'm looking at I'm looking at C supervision. Supervisions. I'm going to release the floor to have a minute to Okay, no problem. Any other any other uh questions? Councilor La Plan. I'm going to ask you an unfair question and I don't expect you to have an answer. Uh with this job, we have 9,000 unlawful units throughout the city according to Mayor De Pena. How is this going to help? Just having this position. [snorts] How's it going to help, Ivan? I don't think it will.

I don't expect an answer, but go right ahead and try. I I don't think it will. I think this this is strictly on collecting of fines and I mean maybe if these people are getting fined it's they're responsible for collecting and make sure they're paid, but they they would not be involved in that whatsoever. This is, you know, any any tickets that are not tickets, but any fees that are paid for permits, etc. that make sure that they're properly collected, make sure they're properly paid. So, I you know, if someone isn't applying for a permit for and has an illegal apartment, obviously this person would have no say in it whatsoever. So, we're we're going to re- I'm going to be very harsh. We're going to rearrange the deck chairs here. We're going to get this thing set up, but the real problems facing that department are not going to be dealt with. Maybe I'm I think the real problem is dealing with unlawful apartments and doing what we have to do in in the light in the new era, the dawning era of ADUs. The A accessory dwelling units, this fantastic new dawn that we're facing where more and more units are being throughout the entire city. I want to know what's going on with unlawful units and we're going to be talking about this. That's fine. Um we got to deal with it, so we're going to deal with it. I can't wait to hear what this motion is going to be for this amendment cuz I got some thoughts on that, too. Thank you. Councilors, any other any other questions? Any other potential changes? And going back to you, um Councilor Infante. Thank you, already. I have um That was quick.

[laughter] So, something along the lines provide significant assistance to the ISD director with oversight of and I was writing financial receivables. You mentioned that they receive money. Financial receivables of reception office including ISD clerical staff of four. I have no problem with that. I So, would you She just want to be specific also what the position is going to be? So,

fiscal management? Fiscal management. Oversight of fiscal management of Okay, so supervision provides significant assistance to the ISD director with oversight of fiscal management of reception office including ISD clerical staff of four. Yes. That's my friendly amendment. That's a friendly amendment. Who was the author of the motion? [snorts] You have the motion is from counselor Celina Reyes seconded by counselor Reyes. Counselor Reyes, do you accept the friendly amendment? [clears throat]

It's on the section C of the of the ordinance. And it reads as follows. That's here. So it just So does it say anything specific about financial stuff? It's just to add um provide significant assistance to the ISD director with fiscal management oversight of reception office including ISD clerical staff of four. I accept it. All right, the the motion has been modified. For discussion. Uh counselor Platt. Based on the amendment. So we're offering an amendment. I I have no problem with the amendment. I think that's fine. But but but I'm not full-hearty enough to think that just because we wrote this down it's going to happen. Because I've seen what happens in that department and I know there's people who are supposed to be working on that floor who are not working on that floor. So you can write all the great words we want on that piece of paper to say what we are expecting and I have no expectation it's going to take place. But let's give it a good college try. Let's see what we can get from it. Maybe it'll work. I have no idea. But I'm I'm supporting it. Let's see if it works. But I'm just I'm under no illusions that it's going to. Thank you. Council President. Counselor Infante. Thank you. I agree with my colleague counselor Platt not just within that office department. We see it across municipal departments where we we do take time to create these laws and more often than not the language or the law is not being followed. However, then we come when it does come before the city council, then we then we um we're we're in front of a situation where then we ask, "Well, why wasn't this part of the ordinance?" So, now we have to modify the ordinance so it's best do this now. Thank you for the support. I appreciate that and hopefully uh we can figure it out. But, Counselor LaPointe, is there do you have a suggestion to straighten this? Cuz I don't know what the answer could be or Yeah.

To my my good friend and colleague, District E, uh I I I don't have a suggestion on how to make it better only because um I just I'm fairly jaded at this point with respect to how uh things are developing and I just I I it's it's sad for me to say that, but I am. Um um I'm always hopeful because no one likes to have a Debbie Downer. We all want to be positive and see the good things happen in the night as well, but having seen what's going on it just I just don't I just I just have no nothing I can really add. Thanks for asking though. Thank you. Any other any other any other questions?

Councilor any other questions? All right, I hear no other questions. Um I'm sorry. I I have one more question. Okay, Counselor Infante. Thank you. I know it says grade 20 for the salary. Does anyone have the Grade grade 21. Grade 21. Grade 20 it says here. It says grade Salaries and benefits, the finance office is a grade 20. It says grade 20, yeah. 21 21 Where do you see the 21? 21 Okay, but I'm looking at the ordinance and it says 20. And that's what we approved.

I'm just looking at the draft and it has 21 with the So, what happened at the um at the committee meeting the money was not in there and they asked that I put it in there. I I put the grade the grade was incorrect. It was grade 21 with the salary. It's actually 66 885 to 76 682. The publication the publication on the newspaper was grade 21. The ordinance this document is is as grade 20. I I think And that was by the ordinance committee discuss. I thank you and I Council President since I still have floor. We were looking at the same page which is this one. Yes. But I see it now. My question was what's the what's the what's the the numeric amount? But it is in the ordinance so my question is answered. In the actual ordinance language that was Cuz it was not when I was before the committee and I added that before it came here. Thank you. All right, it was a modification at the committee level and now is a grade 21. Yes. The salary is as between 66,885 to 76,682. Yes. And it's a union position based on the SEIU local supervisors unions. Correct. Uh any other questions Council? Uh it is important to recognize Tim that you have a bachelor's degree with a 7 to 10 years of experience. How you going to warranty how you going to uh make sure that that happen? That would be the when the position gets filled when it's posted. Obviously that's up to personnel to make sure the people have the qualifications. I again I got you. I I know the Council you understand that this is not my position. I I I'm just here because the No, but you provided the answer. Yeah. It is it

is not within your department. I I we understand. Any other questions Councilors? I hear no other questions. All those in favor please say I. I. Any nays? Uh Uh, motion carries. Thank you very much, Mr. President. All right. Uh, top of the agenda, um, marriage public, uh, marriage pending public hearing, there is, um, a list of it. Uh, communication from the mayor, city official, city attorney, there is none. Uh, we finished with the budget and finance committee, the housing committee, there is no report, ordinance committee, there is is is is finished. Personnel committee, there is no report. Uh, public safety and emergency management committee, there is no report. Committee of the of the whole, there is no report, all business is done. Uh, counselors, any uh, table matters that we want to discuss? Council President. Uh, Counselor Infante. We actually we have two, one, two, we have three table matters that we [clears throat] we, um, Withdraw. Do you want me to withdraw? Yeah, so could I make a motion motion to withdraw from table matters items 66-26, 87-26, and 88-26, and also, um, where is it? Um, item um, item 150 154-26. What what No, 154 we approved it.

I'm sorry, so So, the previous two items, can I can I get a motion to on table and and also to withdraw? Uh, motion to on table and withdraw. Second. Properly second, discussion. I hear none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any nays? Guys, have it. Any other items from the table matters? All right, we go back we go to top of the agenda, new business. Item 172-26, the appointment of uh, Christopher Berkeley to the municipal hearings as a municipal hearings officer. Uh, that's going to the personnel committee. Item 173-26, that is in reference to item 236-25 reauthorization uh, of that uh, uh um uh value cemetery revolving funds accounts expenditure limit $95,000. That's going to the finance committee. Item 174-26 reauthorization of council on agent revolving funds account uh up to expenditure limit $150,000. That's going to the finance committee. Item 175-26 175-26 reauthorization recreation of recreation and parks self-supporting services revolving account uh that's going to that um finance committee. Item 176-26 reauthorization of the veteran memorial stadium revolving account uh with the expenditure limit of $100,000. That's going to that um finance committee. Item 177-26 uh reauthorization of uh delivery program funds account expenditure limit $50,000. That's going to the finance committee. Item 178-26 reauthorization PEG access and cable related funds revolving funds account

um appropriation of $350,000. That's going to the finance committee. Item 179-26 reauthorization of that PEG access cable related funds account revolving funds account for that amount appropriation for the amount of $100,000. That's going to the finance committee. Item 180-26 reauthorization of DPW recycling revolving funds account expenditure limit $300,000. That's going to the um finance committee. Item 181-26 transfer of front end litigation revenues $1 million and free cash $1 million dollars legal services, uh 450,000 dollars uh to court judgment account uh for the amount of 1 million uh 550,000. That's going to the way and finance committee. Item 182-26, approval of uh bond authorization for the amount of 10 million 1 uh 149,973 uh from April administration to building um that's going to the way and finance committee. Item 183-26, transfer of 1 million uh 7 uh 282,028 cents uh from the retained earnings um 29 35 90 to uh 29 43 10 56 50 to fund uh GLSD uh fiscal year 2026. Uh that's going to the uh way and finance committee. Item 184-26, authorized to spend uh 10,933 and 13 cents 13 cents from uh for students of war of fire education safe program and 4,168 and 38 cents uh for senior safe program for fiscal year 2026. That's going to the way and finance

committee. Item 185-26, a transfer of 110,000 from uh ARPA free cash uh for the development of economic development master plan. Um that's going to the way and finance committee. Item 186-26, transfer of uh 10.8 uh million from free cash uh reserve uh 03 35 90 to various accounts. That's going to the way and finance committee. Item 186 uh 186 uh 26, request um investigation from the unclaimed properties and city of Lawrence listed of missing money.com that's going to budget and finance committee. Item 186 26 request to vote uh to opt in the property assets clean energy base program. That's going to ordinance committee. Item 189 26 amend ordinance 0116150 municipal hearings officer. That's going to the personnel committee. Oh. That's going to the ordinance committee. Item 190 190 26 request sidewalk access for products displayed 276 South Broadway. That's going to the ordinance committee. Item 191 26 Lawrence House Lawrence Housing Authority uh a family self-sufficient program. Listen that to housing committee.

Item 192 26 141 143 Hancock Street review of self conditions. That's going to housing committee. Uh item 193 26 no parking area 140 114 LaSalle Avenue. That's going to the to the ordinance committee. Item 194 26 20 minute parking 67 East Haverhill Street. That's going to ordinance committee. 195 26 one way on Bowing Street. Uh request traffic study. That's going to ordinance committee. Item 196 26 one way uh Street. Uh that's going to ordinance committee. 197-26 one-way Mechanic Street ordinance committee uh 198-26 resident parking on at Oakwood Ave. uh ordinance committee 199-26 resident parking Stimson Avenue between uh Lawrence Street and Saratoga Street that's going to ordinance committee. Item 200-26 Evan Evangelist outreach 20 26 Common on Common June June 7th 2026 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. That's going to ordinance committee. Item 10201-26 Prescreen the Spirit event uh at the Bon Going Park July 18th 2026 uh from 12:00 p.m.

[snorts]

to 4:00 p.m. That's going to the ordinance committee. Item 202-26 uh Con Tri End of Futuro Evento Familiar 2026 at the Corner Park July 20 July 24th uh from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and July 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. That's going to the ordinance committee. Item 203-26 GEE uh Get to Know Your Church SUD Common on Common uh May 23rd 2026 from 5:00 p.m. from two from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. That's going to the ordinance committee. Item 204-26 reappointment of Daniel uh Foley uh to the Lawrence Municipal Airport uh that's going to that personnel committee. Item 205-26 appointment of Carmen Garcia Quint to the Lawrence Municipal Airport Commission that's going to that personnel committee. The rest The rest of this item has been uh already uh taken care of by this council tonight. So, committee meeting uh before we go to the committee meetings, councilors, uh we are uh we are working with the internship program and uh you are going to be receiving information or communication related to this program. Um if you uh they were you some of some of you already have, if not all. Um but the intent of this internship program is to uh pass those uh uh knowledge that we already have and also working with that uh with the needs of the council when it comes to a specific project that that we're going to have in the future. Councilors, any uh committee meetings at this point? Next Tuesday. So, ordinance next Tuesday. It's the 12th at 7:00 p.m.

um Tuesday at 7:00. What what day? The 12th at 7:00 p.m. May 12th. 7:00 p.m. Uh any uh budget and finance committee? Budget and finance, May 13th at 7:00 p.m. It's a Wednesday? Yeah. 7:00 p.m. Um housing committee? Housing. There's

Councilwoman, you have two items going to housing. Yeah, we have uh councilors of the housing committee. Um can we do Thursday at 6:00? Would you want to do it before budget and finance, like 6:00? On Wednesday? Wednesday at 6:00? Wednesday at 6:00, yeah. Okay. All right, Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Personnel is going to be Monday the 11th at 7:00 p.m. Any other committee meetings? No, but Council President, one more thing on the um internship program. Councilors, I earlier when I when I called regarding the the internship program, I'm going to ask if you can provide me your ideas and feedback before the end of the week. That would be great. I would like to submit a draft of the posting to HR before the end of day Friday, if possible. There's a motion to adjourn. Properly second discussion and hear none. All those in favor please say yes. All those opposed A motion to pass time.