City Council - Regular Meeting

To my list is Councilor Franklin Miguel, online is Councilor Selena Reyes, and Councilor Del Rosario is absent, and myself that are present today. Person to Chapter 20 of the Act of 2022, Dismissal of Ordinance Committee. It's being conducted both in person and via remote participation. A reminder that person who would like to listen or to view this meeting while in program may be either attending in person at the location above or use one of the following locations, Facebook or YouTube. Council, let's stand to praise the flag. I pledge to the class of the United States of America, in which we stand as one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Counsel, there are some minutes for approval. March 10th, 26th. April 28th, 26th. May 12th, 26th, and May 26th, 2026. Can I hear a motion?

So moved. Second.

Measure already made by Councilor Selena Reyes and second by Councilor Franklin Miguel. All in favor? Roll call. Roll call, please.

Vice Chair Franklin Miguel?

Yes.

Councilor Selena Reyes?

Yes.

Councilor Gregorio Rosario is absent. And Madam Chair Anna Levy? Yes. Motion carries.

I'm going to take an item from New Business 25426. I was asked to table this item because the person, the director, Victor Ortega, is not here and he want to speak on that. I know that Councilor LaPlante, you would like to speak on that item? Before we make the motion to table?

Thank you for the courtesy, I do appreciate that. I may not be here for the next meeting, so I'd like to get my comments in now. The request that we name a building after Alex Jimenez is an action that I question. I don't question it because of the, The measure that Alex Jimenez, he gave his life for his country, and his family, his dad most specifically, a Gold Star family, has poured his heart and soul, and the empathy that I have for the Jimenez family runs deep. The reason why I have concerns about about naming a building after him is that we already have two things named after Alex Jimenez, and I just think that we start going down this road of doing multiples. Why are we doing some and not others? I think we put ourselves in a very difficult position. The places that we have already named for Alex Jimenez are the Canal Street Bridge, right near Lawrence General Hospital, and also the park. There's a corner right by the park over here, the O'Neill. That corner is named after him. I think that, again, to repeat, I think highly of Alex Jimenez. As a matter of fact, the project that I spearheaded at Stockton Park, out of the five panels, one of the panels that was chosen to provide the story was for Alex Jimenez. So to me, I think his story and his name needs to be remembered. His story needs to be told, but I just asked, I just questioned whether or not we need to go and do one more thing because that's a can of worms that I don't think we as a council want to engage in having more people saying, well, my son or daughter did this or this, how come we don't have that? And that puts us in a very difficult position. So that's my comment on that. Thank you.

Thank you, council. There is a motion for item 254.26 to request to rename municipal building located at 255 SX3 in honor of the United States Army Staff Sergeant Alex R. Jimenez. The motion is to table. Can I have a second? Second. Motion is already second by Councilor Reyes. There is no more discussion on item for table. Thank you.

Roll call. Roll call.

Councilor Agrega del Rosario is absent. Councilor Selena Reyes? Yes. Vice Chair Frankie Miguel?

Yes.

And Madam Chair Anna Levy? Yes. Motion carries.

So the item, I'm gonna take item 144.26 out of table. Can I hear a motion to take item 146.26 out of table? It's the resolution opposing the state mandated implementation of accessory dwelling unit. So we have Councilor Malabalan in here to talk about this item.

So moved.

Second.

Roll call, please.

Roll call. Councilor Gregorio Rosario is noted absent. Vice Chair Franklin Miguel? Yes. Madam Chair Ana Levy? Yes. And Councilor Celina Reyes? Yes. Motion carries.

Thank you, Madam Chair and members of the committee. I rise today to offer a resolution from this council that opposes the state mandate implementation of the accessory dwelling units, otherwise known as the ADUs. We and all the entire Commonwealth are under a law that allows for structures to be built in addition to their current structure at various locations throughout the city. Specifically, an ADU up to 900 square feet or 50% of the principal dwelling, whichever is smaller, is by right, by right, meaning they don't need anybody's permission, by right in any zoning district where single family dwellings are allowed. And I'll just kind of go through the resolution briefly. We are one of the more dense cities in the Commonwealth, and we are going to be adding to that density throughout our various R1s, R2s, and R3 zoning districts. We already have congested neighborhoods. Look, we all know the challenges we're facing with parking. Your agenda this evening probably has a bunch of handicapped parking because the folks that have handicapped parking can't find spots, so they need to have it because all the spots are taken. So parking is a traffic congestion. It takes forever to get across the city. we are dealing with water getting strain on our water and getting water to our places specifically you know the the water that we're bringing we're going to have more and more people with giving a demand for that water we're going to be increasing our sewer and storm water systems and of course when you have more people that's going to put a further strain on our schools our police and our fire listen we're an old mill town we have an old layout We have a lot of multi-families, mixed-use properties, and the challenge that we're facing is a challenge regarding public safety and neighborhood stability. And what the state legislature did was a one-size-fits-all. It doesn't make a difference if you're living in North Andover or if you're living in Wellesley or East Hampton or Lawrence. This law applies to everybody. And we all know each one of those areas is not the same as Lawrence. We are a completely different community with respect to our housing projects. So what this resolution will do, it's going to send, I'll read that part of it. The city council calls upon the mayor, the Lawrence legislative delegation, and the governor to support legislation that would repeal or substantially amend the ADU by right mandate to restore greater local control, particularly in densely populated urban communities such as ours. The planning department, the building inspector, and all other relevant city departments are directed to implement the ADU law using the maximum reasonable regulations permitted under state law, including, but not limited to, strict enforcement of the dimension standards, setbacks, heights, and lot coverage, site plan review where allowable, compliance with all building, fire, and Title V septic and sewer requirements, and any lawful restrictions on short-term rentals. The council requests that the planning department prepare and present a report within 90 days detailing the projected impacts of ADU development on Lawrence's infrastructure, parking, schools, and municipal services, and identifying any additional local measures that can lawfully mitigate negative effects. The clerk of the city council is directed to transmit certified copies of this resolution to the mayor of Lawrence, the Lawrence delegation to the Mass General Court, that's our delegation, the governor, the executive office of housing and livable communities, and any other appropriate state officials. So a lot of the details inside the resolution, you can read that more, you can get more of those details, but I ask that this committee send this up to the full council with a papal recommendation IT'S A RESOLUTION. NOTHING HERE IS BINDING EXCEPT THAT WE'RE ASKING OR THAT OUR INTERNAL STAFF GIVE US INFORMATION. SO I ASK THAT YOU SEND THIS UP WITH A PAYABLE RECOMMENDATION.

CANCEL THE PLAN.

YES.

YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. So they mentioned that this year we gonna have a diminished order student. My question is why we gonna have less student at the school when we know that the population is growing? And every day we have more people living in the city of Lawrence.

I don't have an answer. I can speculate. I don't have an answer. I think we talked about that last night with Superintendent Carrero. I think we're all surprised by that, but we all know that there are many more developments coming down the pike. And if any of us have gone to the planning board or zoning board meeting, you will see firsthand that there are variances that are being permitted to allow more and more units to be brought in. And what we do know in my conversations with the mayor is that we do have a lot of unlawful apartments in the city. According to the mayor, his number's not mine. There are 9,000 unlawful apartments in the city. Not my number, it's his number. That's a big number. So if you combine all these things together, I can't give you a good reason, I can speculate, but I can't factually give you a good reason as to why we're down 183, because my eyeballs, your eyeballs, we see the cars, we know what's going on. There's many more people in our city than has been, so I can't explain that to you.

What I just did, When I hear about it, well, I hear about it in conversation that I have with the people from the school department, but also, like I said, the population is growing, and we are trying to build more housing, more buildings, and it's true. We had one on the November 5th, 2024 ballot, So this item, Councilor, was sent to the city attorney and I got... Okay, I got it. something in here that say that this proposal language was approved by the attorney that you already had the language that I was sending to you guys and that was approved by the city attorney. And this can be extended to the full council for both.

Through you.

Okay, first, we are taking the item out of table. From?

Second.

All those in favor? Aye. The aye, aye. Okay. Councilor Ray.

What is the documentation or email? What the legal department sent to us?

What I got in here, by the city clerk that the proposed language approved by the city attorney. The language that I was sending was approved by the city attorney. So council, can I hear a motion to send this to the full council? The resolution? Can I?

A second.

So that's a motion was made by Councilor Rager and second by Councilor Miguel. Others in favor?

Aye.

So item 143.26. Thank you. Let's start from the beginning of the agenda. Oh, we have Council Luzon. And Council Luzon, can you hear us?

Yes, Madam Chair, I'm here. I can hear you.

Hi, good evening.

Thank you. Good evening, Madam Chair, council members.

I'm going to take it at 2-61-26. the review of the current sexual harassment policy and reporting procedures within the city and government administration. Also, I have information that whatever that we decided in here, we need to send it to the personnel for any correspondence and documents. So, Councilor Luzon, can you tell us about your proposal?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Council, committee members. Yes, it's very self-explanatory. I'm requesting a review of the policy of sexual harassment. If you go back, Madam Chair, to the handbook that is given, to the employee. The last time, according to the one that I received that I was reviewed was in 2007. And it doesn't include any, it doesn't mention social media, texts, et cetera. So based on the importance of providing a place for the employees, a safe place, I AM REQUESTING THE COUNCIL TO REVIEW THE POLICY. SOMETHING THAT IS LAST TIME, ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE, IT WAS REVIEWED IN 2007. SO IT'S KIND OF OLD. AND THIS TYPE OF DOCUMENT, MADAM CHAIR, IT NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED. IT NEEDS TO BE UPDATED. WE ARE NOT ADDRESSING ANY INCIDENT. that had happened recently, we just, I'm requesting the policy to be reviewed for the safe for the employees in City Hall. And as you know, Madam Chair, sexual harassment can happen to men as well. So we would like to see, we would like the city to provide, administrators to provide a safe environment for any employee. also to make sure that the law has been followed. We also want to know what is the procedure once a complaint is made to what department, what is the department that actually deals with the complaint?

Okay. Okay. We are going to send this document to the personal department or to send your request to personal department for review. I think that you should also, you know the procedure that maybe you should contact the personal department and express your consent and tell why would you like to to see and review, maybe to add, or I know that there is so many things right now that is going on, and like you say, this is something that has not been reviewed for many, many years, and this is the moment to start working and doing some changes in some of the ordering or policies that we have in our city.

Madam Chair, if I may, for me and for other members of the community, it's important to have a clear understanding when a case is reported. We want accountability. We want to know how the report, who gets the report, who is responsible for handling the complaints, and what's the process of an investigation. Basically, yes, to revise this policy. And yes, if it has to go to the personal committee, I think that that is a great idea. And we'll be there to support the item.

Council Luzon, yes. As far as I know, most of this report, when it's something related to sexual harassment or anything, has to be reported first to the personal department.

Yeah, that's our concern, Madam Chair. That's one of the concerns that we have. The procedure is not clear or it's not being followed. But thank you for that clarification.

Okay, so Council, any discussion or any questions to Council Luzon on this item 261.26 regarding the current sexual harassment policy?

Can you share? I want to congratulate Councilor Luzon for her activeness in the community. She served this community and she still continues to advocate for the good of the community. So with that said, I will proceed just to recommend this motion to send to personnel department as you consider. Yes.

So a motion is already made to send it to the personal department, and already seconded by Councillor Reyes. All those in favor?

Aye.

The ayes have it. Councillor, can I hear a motion to table?

Motion to table. Second.

The motion to table was made by Councilor Reyes and second by Councilor Miguel. All those in favor?

Aye.

The ayes have it. Thank you, Councilor Luzon. And thank you for your service to the city.

Thank you. Through you, Madam Chair.

Yes.

I want to take an item on table.

Which one?

169-26. Motion to untable?

Yes, I, okay. So a motion to untable item 169-26 from April 21, 2026 is the all-gold dealer license renewal by Brother Jury. So can I hear a motion? Second. So the motion is already made and second by Councilor Miguel. All those in favor? Aye.

Motion to send with favor recommendation through the full council.

There is a motion to send item 16926 by Councilor Reyes and second by Councilor Miguel. All those in favor? Aye. The aye have it. So let's start from the beginning of the agenda. So I think that we already did that. So we have, okay, so new business. Item 253.26 is the creation of the ordinance prohibiting city employee from serving on city or floating board and commissions by Councilor Franklin Miguel. Councilor Miguel.

Yes, thank you, Chair. If you allow me to read what I submitted. Traditionally, city employees have not served on boards and commissions unless it is in a specific ex officio capacity or as a board administrator. The city charter prevents city employees from serving as elected officials, however, the charter is silent as to appointed officials and an ordinance does not exist that specifically prohibits city employees from serving as appointing board members in regards uh in that regards i propose the following ordinance uh 02.04.115 no personal employee by the city of lawrence no personal employee employed by the City of Lawrence, including employees of school department, shall serve on any city board, commission, authority, or multiple member body, whether appointed by the mayor, city council, or otherwise, with the exception of ex-officio members whose designation is established under the Massachusetts General Law, or those board member elected by the peers per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 32 on the Retirement Board. First, I want to be clear that what this ordinance is and what it's not. This ordinance is not an attack on city employees. Our municipal employees are dedicated public servant who work every day to provide essential services to our residents. their contribution to our community are valued and appreciated. This ordinance is also not an attempt to limit the mayor's appointment authority. The mayor will continue to remain the authority granted under the city charter to appoint qualified individuals to the board and commissions. Rather, this proposal is about preserving the independence, impartiality, and public confidence in our boards and commissions. Boards and commissions are often called upon to exercise independent judgment on matters affecting the city. What I do not question is the integrity of any individual's employee. excuse me, it is important that these bodies remain free from both actual conflicts and the appearance of conflicts. When a board member's primary employee's salary benefits and professional advancement are tied to the same municipal administration, the public may reasonably question whether that individual can add with complete independence, even when acting in good faith. This ordinance seeks to strengthen the public trust by ensuring that boards and commission members can carry out their responsibility without perception on due influence, pressure, or divided loyalties. I HAVE RECEIVED, YOU KNOW, THE CORRESPONDENT RAISING LEGAL POLICY CONCERNS REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL AND I WELCOME THAT DISCUSSION. IT IS IN FACT I BELIEVE IT IS APPROPRIATE AND BENEFICIAL FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO RECEIVE A FORMAL LEGAL REVIEW BEFORE TAKING ANY FURTHER ACTION. This is ultimately a conversation about good governance, public confidence, and maintaining the independence of our municipal boards and commissions. I look forward from receiving that legal guidance, and I want to make a motion to send this item to the city attorney for review and get his legal advice.

Okay. Mr. Reggie.

Your mic is off.

The whole language that you are already reading is not in the packet. It is. Oh, really?

It's right there. No, no, it is right there. That's the ordinance. I just supported the ordinance I submitted. That was my opinion. I mean, supporting that item.

The whole discussion what you're presenting right now is your own opinion. Yes. It's not through the ordinance.

No, the ordinance is right there in front of you.

Okay, because the ordinance and only the proposal here, you don't have any draft, any documentation. We only have your opinion. Okay.

Yes.

I want to make sure because I try to figure out what is the whole document. You are already reading it. I don't have anything in my pocket, but okay. I second your motion. Same for the right opinion through the right department.

Okay. Thank you.

So can we also to table at the same time?

Sure.

Mention to the table and send it to . Okay. So item 254.26 is the request to rename the municipality. I'm sorry. That's item 253.26, decreation of ordering prohibiting city employee from serving on city of Florian board and commission. That was already made by Councilor Miguel and second by Councilor Ray. And second by Councilor Rayes to send it to the city attorney. All those in favor?

Aye.

The aye have it. Council, I'm going to take it as a block. Item 255.26. 2.56.26, 2.57.26, 2.58.26, 2.59.26. Can I get a motion? Motion to take as a block. Second. All those in favor? Aye.

Aye.

So, item 255.26 is a resident parking on Gale Street. Item 256.26 is a resident parking from Greenwood Street. 257.26 is a resident parking Essex Street from Greenwood Street to Warren Street. 258.26 is a handicap. Oh, I'm sorry. I have to... Okay, just... Yeah, I have to divide it. I'm sorry. Maria. I have to divide it 255, 256, and 257. Those three items to be sent to the Lawrence Police Department for measuring, review, and recommendation. Can I have a motion?

Motion to send it to the Lawrence Police Department.

All those in favor? Can I have a second? Second. All those in favor?

Aye.

There I have it. So, item 258.26, I'm going to take it as a block. Item 258.26 and item 259.26. Can I hear a motion?

Motion to take it as 258.26? 258 and 259?

258 and 259 as a block, yes. Also in favor?

Aye.

There I have it. 258.26 is a handicap parking. 4940 Street, and 25926 is a handicap parking, 156 Park Street. So both of them to be sent to Lawrence Police Department for measuring, review, and recommendation. Can I hear a motion, please?

Someone.

Second. No. Can I hear a second? Second. All those in favor?

Aye.

They aye.

Madam Chair?

Madam Chair?

Yes. Quick question. Wouldn't 256, 257, and 255 go to DPW? Yes. And the Lawrence Police Department? Yes.

Yeah, I got in here also by consideration to be sent to the LPW, according to the city clerk.

Yeah, that's what DPW and the first three. Yes.

Okay, thank you. Item 26026 is to install one J-O port on Broadway near Holy Street. Referring 3-1-1-2-7-7-5-2, that was submitted by the National Grid and to be sent to the full council to order a public hearing. Can I hear a motion?

Motion to second.

Motion made by Councilor Ray and second by Councilor Miguel. All those in favor? Aye. The ayes have it. Iron 262-26 is from Amedar Family Pinie and Sports Day at Oconee Park. This is going to be on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This one is already approved by the Recreation Department.

Motion to send to full council with further recommendation.

Second. So motion made by Councilor Miguel and second by Councilor Reyes. All those in favor? Aye. The ayes have it. So we have the item 162. We have item 169. Council, there is another item that you would like to take out of table? No. So there is no more items. So can I hear a motion?

Motion to adjourn. Second.

Motion to adjourn by Councilor Ray and second by Councilor Miguel. All those in favor? Aye. The ayes have it. Good night.

Good night.