City Council - Regular Meeting

No, not tomorrow. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

April 14th, 2026, L City Council meeting come to order. Lord's prayer. Dear God, today as this session opens, we pray that your presence will be before us and everyone who serves in the decision-making process of our city. We pray for direction which will lead our city to be strong and unified. May we continue the legacy of our founders. May we be granted this day the wisdom to make decisions which will be for the good of our city. We also pray for your special blessing on all those who are working to transform our city and make it a better place to live and work. Amen.

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. Roll call, Mr. Clerk. Council Leang, here. Council Jirean here. Council Mcdana here. Council Meria here. Council Noon here. Council Robinson here. Council Rook here. Council Scott here. Council Chow here. Council Dakota. Mayor Gia

here. Town present.

Any moments of silence? Seeing none, we'll move on to the mayor's business. 2.1 communication remote zoom participation. Motion to accept and place on file by councel Jirean, seconded by councel leang. All those in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. Three 3.1 minutes of the economic development subcommittee April 7th city council regular meeting April 7th for acceptance. Motion to accept and place on file by councelor Rook seconded by councelor Scott. All those in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. We'll skip the four public hearings. They scheduled for 7 pm. City council motion 66 6.1. Council Leang request the city manager have the relevant department explore solutions relative to fronts and translation accuracy and create and adapt an internal municipal translation policy for use when materials are translated by or for the city of low prior to distribution.

Seconded by councelor no. Councel Yang. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and a happy new year to all. Thank you so much. Um, LOW is an international hub, a stop where people come around the world, regardless of their political views and stripes, dignitaries and regular people stop by and visit. We are honored to display our heritage, values, and language. I understand that our kamay language, our kamay fawn is quite complex. They include regular scripts which is about 33 of them subscripts 33 superscripts 24 and independent characters that's 13. While it is complex but the technology we have can align and reduce mistake by having vendors and city using the same font system. On another note section is the translation policy. As far as the translation policy, if we don't have one, we need one. If we have one, we need to review to see if there are places that need revision review. Uniformity in reviewing translation before displaying our people's pride, heritage is important and should be treated as such. I have a lot of experience in this area and I can help in any way I can. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Leang. Councel Nun.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I know Council Leang is right. My language is very unique and um now this is not the first time council raised issue. He raised issue before he ran for city council and now it's here and issue remain happening. I know we we're human. Um so um I think we can do better. Um I can do we can do better and we should Mr. managers in term of you know you have someone already pay someone to translate it. You kind of like I know it's not you you wouldn't know if it's correct or not. So maybe a second look at it certainly help uh send council Lang volunteer use his service. Thank you.

Thank you councelor non councel cow. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I appreciate uh my colleague putting this motion um on the floor. Um, as council new mentioned happened a couple times before. Um, I'm just thinking um maybe I don't know through Mr. Mayor to the city manager. Um, maybe that the fonts have been downloaded on the computer here at city hall. I wonder if the printer because usually if you have this font correct on one computer and once the program is transfer the the slide or the document transferred to another computer if that computer doesn't have my fonts and then I think it will mess up a lot of things. So I wonder if the print the print shop have my fonts or not.

Manager Golden.

Thank you very much Mr. Mayor and three to the council. council is we have gone through this in in in the past and um Google translate doesn't exactly do the best uh uh it can but the city has changed uh what our practices are uh and we've uh utilized CMAA as one of our major partners in this u Spanish we seem to to get to get right uh Portuguese we seem to get right uh but in this particular matter anytime there's something that goes out from the city we make sure we run it through uh CMA there's a process for us now some of our partners ers, we need to reach out to them. I know that there was a mistake that was made by one of our um one of our partners here in the city and I know that we've uh I'd ask Miss D. Roas to reach out to them to let them know how to appropriately um check uh because I think once again everybody's always stuck into the Google Translate and it'll be fine. Don't worry about it. But, uh, we'll be reaching out to our partner over at the LRTA to to let them know that, uh, CMAA or or Council Leang, uh, is is at the ready. Uh, once again, in in city hall, we have a lot of folks uh that read and write Spanish, read and write Portuguese, etc. So, we're able to utilize that and uh, the translation is a little bit clearer, but um, we'll make sure that that is uh, rectified in the future. But ju Council Leang, just for your, you know, when it when it goes down, when uh Mr. D Roas does this, we have a pretty standard uh order of operations that we now um go through because of actually quite frankly the South Common uh mishap that we had with the stone that was over there. So, Council Chow,

I'm all set. Thank you. Thank you. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 6.2 2 council jirean request. Could we bundle 6.2 and 6.6 together if

motion to suspend the rules and bundle 6.2 and 6.6 by council juran. Seconded by council council jirean. Let me read them and I'll get right back. Council jirean request a city manager invite an appropriate personnel member from the Boston Gas to come to make a presentation to the technology and utility subcommittee on how it decides whether to repair versus replace gas mains. 6.6 Council in Noon request the city manager have the appropriate department requiring any gas company to provide when requesting a permit from the city of law to replace a pipe or pipes documentation explaining how the company arrived at the decision to replace the pipes as opposed to repairing them or substituting non- gas alternatives. Do we have anybody registered to speak? Mr.

No, you do. You do Sarah Lab.

Good evening. Uh my name is Sarah Lap at 200 Market Street, number 416. Um so I want to I want to first start off by thanking councelor Snow and counselors uh Dan for bringing these motions um to the council. Um so we appreciate these motions um because we we deeply understand that we need to address the gas leaks that are occurring in our systems but that does not mean automatically the pipes have to be replaced. Um first of all replacing gas pipes are significantly more expensive than repair costs you know on the order of millions versus thousands. Um, these costs end up being reimbursed by rateayers and they're a big reason why the delivery bills on our GA delivery charges on our gas bills are so high. Replacing the pipes means a long-term investment in systems that in Massachusetts we are moving away from due to the climate risk and it continues to commit rateayers for paying for infrastructure that we will not be using in the next couple of decades. The state under DPU orders and the Massachusetts climate law require gas companies to evaluate each pipe replacement to determine if repairing or switching to a non- gas option would be more beneficial to rate payers and the general public. Um that information is not necessarily transparent when they come to to request permission within the hearings to replace pipes. And I believe that it is the hunter council and the public to understand what is the costs and the benefits that have to go into this decisions. Uh furthermore, National Grid has recently requested a 9 to 10% increase in gas rates and they just month ago had the first public hearing uh with DPU in the city of l to discuss the needs for this increase. Um there were two counselors here that very graciously spoke against it that saying that our

citizens cannot afford to continue to invest in a system that it's not going to return those dividends to us in in the long-term future. Um so we would really um support these motions um to ensure that we are permitting the correct investments in the energy infrastructure of our city and make sure that we're set up correctly for the long-term future for the climate risk and for the cost risks that our citizens have to endure. So thank you. Thank you Council Dan.

Um thank you Mr. Mayor. um uh Mizlap and at last week's city council meeting uh Mr. Gman uh gave compelling accounts of the difference and cost and consumer impact of repair versus replacement of the gas mans. Um and so I think it's important that we have a better understanding of those implications as we as city councilors go through and approve um the repair or replacement of those mains. um and um you know get a fuller understanding on a case-byase basis about why the repair is going to be made etc. we get I think rather cursory information to date. Um, and I proposed sending this to the um, technology and utility subcommittee me um, because it seems parallel to a um, motion that was made to send to that subcommittee. um similar kinds of information gathering about how National Grid deals with polls and double polls and other things that again we need to just understand better in order to do our jobs appropriately as city councilors. Thank you.

Thank you, Council J. Council Moon.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I want to thank speakers Sarah Lap. Uh last week it was John Gman. I'm not really uh a stood on this issue. uh they both are uh been advocating for not just the environment but also for rate payer. Um so when John spoke last week and Sarah today or tonight it dawned to me that you know you have a companies that bottom line is bottom line. um instead of repair they replace because it doesn't cost to them it cost to the rate payer um I agree that we should send this to utility subcommittee if we do if we decide to do that we need to speed that up because they coming they're coming every week before us and their decision is not about repair their decision replace it the burden is going to be on the rate payer not on them as a company. We are here to look out for our resident. So while we are planning or schedule or technology utility subcommittee any application coming before this council with regard to PI replacement has to attach with documentation explaining why they arrived at that replacement and not repairing. That's all.

Thank you, Council New and Council Robinson. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um if we look at the request that's on the agenda currently in part of that package you can see the application form where it says um utility gas the project address the reason national grids requesting the grant a location to replace an existing cast iron gas man on Gorum Street that dates back to early I mean um are they providing whoever is signing off from the city photos to to kind of back up what these requests or or is it our people that go out and inspect and sign off on this permit that the council votes on that?

Manager Golden. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. Through the council, that's uh the responsibility of our our engineers to to look at that. And and is there a documented photo or something on file from whoever is signing off with the review? I would need to check with the engineers office to make sure that that was happening. Thank you very much. Yes, they do. Council Robinson, they do provide a big folder. It's upstairs in engineering. Everyone they do is upstairs in engineering and in my office as well and in the clerk's office. Robinson, I

if that's the case, I mean, would that be something that we could include with when when the council's looking at the permit and it's requesting, you know, whatever that request is, can we get a copy of that photo as well? Some of them are 200 pages photos. Yeah, there's 200 pages of documents in there each. Some of them are big individual case. Okay. All right. Thank you,

Council Scott. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I was also going to ask about the process that we follow. Um I understand that they it's very confusing. I attended the meeting. I was lucky to attend the meeting at the senior center on this. Um the what became clear is that full pipe replacement seems to be their preferred model and a lot of residents are asking you know why is that if the state is moving away from gas pipelines why are we replacing everything instead of repairing them um and then passing the costs in full on to rateayers and I think that's the part that's missing is that you're paying for all these repairs in full uh from national grade colonial gas whoever they also had billing mistakes and they were p trying to pass the billing mistakes on to the rateayers so there's a lot of questions that are happening. Um, and I think that's why I appreciate that this was brought forward because it brings it for a bigger discussion here on the floor. Um, and I do think we have an obligation to make sure that we're making sure that we're checking that work as valid work um, before it gets, like I said, build back to us in the end because our electric rates proposed this year, I'm sorry, our gas rate proposal was 8 to 10% increase that they're looking for approval for again. So, thank you.

Thank you, Council Scott. Manager Golden.

Uh, thank you very much, Mr. mayor through to the council. I just want to be clear. So the technology utility and sub subcommittee that we're going to have, we want to have them talk about double polls obvious obviously and the gas u the gas replacement for pipes and billing. So all three for the for the uh techn technology and utility subcommittee. Would that be is that okay? Uh I it was my proposal to send it to the same committee since they seem to be intertwined and I think what we had sent there back in February was double polls, future polls and gas projects anyway. So, um, but there I think there also is, uh, councelor Nun's proposal is that in the interim until that meeting can be scheduled, we really should be, um, more rigorous about both the information we're getting and what we're considering as we make the decisions on utility um, policy.

Thank you, Council Dire. Council Mcdana, thank you. Um, Mr. Mary threw you to anyone in the room who might be able to answer this question better than Google. What what's the the lifespan on a on a under road gas main? Quick quick Google looked like 50 plus years, but I I don't know how accurate that number is. Yeah, it depends on what it was laid in. It depends on a lot of the soil types and stuff like that, but an average is 50 years. Yes.

And and so I guess two-pronged question. one in this 200page plus packet that goes along with the the gas uh gas main proposals that is reviewed by the engineers office before it comes to us for a vote. Would we be able to at a minimum just get when how old that pipe is that they're proposing to replace or

that's part of what you're going to the subcommittee for so we can add it to the document and whatever the changes are will go there but I don't think that would be a problem. Okay, that I mean that that seems like not a huge ask out of all that 200 pages. And then um the the only other thing I would say and I know it's going to the subcommittee is I I do I understand not wanting to make the investment in infrastructure that's going to last for 50 to 100 years that may or may not be phased out. And I think that the goal of the state is that it would be phased out whether we think that's going to happen or not. I think that is the the policy goal. Um, but I would also just say I don't really know as far as the effect on the rateayer what effect in for the subcommittee I guess what effect we can really have because I would imagine national grid does have a vested they they they have a vested you know mon they have an economic interest here a business interest in in replacing these pipes and so if they don't replace it in l I'm assuming they're going to go you know a town over and replace that pipe instead but it doesn't mean we shouldn't look at it. Thank you. One of one of the questions is if one part of the pipe is failing and you just repair that. It's like water manes. If you have three brakes on the same street and you just keep repairing them and then you replace the road with a brand new road and another one breaks, now you just broke into a brand new road. So there's a lot of questions that go along to this subcommittee on this piece. It's not as simple as just repairing one section because the other section is just as old and if you spend that money on replacing that road, our residents will be calling us every 3 minutes that you cut into that road within that moratorum. Um, yeah. All in favor of the motions signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 6.3 Council Direan requests the city manager have the appropriate department evaluate ways to encourage drivers to respect the 25 mileph speed limit in the city particularly in light

of GPS enabled vehicles. Seconded by council council Jiren.

Uh thank you very much. Um until recently I drove a 2010 Honda uh which had uh didn't have cameras or traffic sign recognition or intelligent speed assistance but my new car actually displays the current speed limit. um on many of the roads as I'm driving around LOL and other communities and I noticed that it often displayed speeds displays speeds of 30 or 35 miles an hour on many roads in l that are subject to the 25 mph speed limit or it doesn't display a speed limit at all. Um, and I know I think there are ways that the city in coordination with the state and other municipalities could find ways to let the various GPS apps and mapping systems know the speed limit. And um, I believe that our transportation engineer uh has has tried those approaches and and I'd ask that uh she continue to keep her eye on opportunities to do so. Um but in the meantime, we may be able to um help by adding an additional 25 mph signs at various strategic spots around the city so that cars are will remind their drivers what the speed limit is. Um, and I suspect from the research I've done that only a standard 25 mph sign rather than the yard sign version would be read appropriately by the traffic uh sign recognition software. Um, I do understand that many drivers ignore the speed limit signs or forget that the 25 mph sign that they read when they entered the city applies citywide. But that little display on their dashboard is a continuous reminder um of the speed limit when it's working properly. Um so I think it can be helpful as we think about um trafficcoming measures. This might be a somewhat simple way to help ensure that we're um you know

encouraging um the compliance with our speed limits. Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Juran. Councel Non. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um so we heard of this at the last night's neighborhood meeting in the Highland uh about the uh 25 mile per hours. Uh has we complete all the um all street now 25 mile per hour sign on right through you Mr. Mayor to the manager manager Golden.

Uh yes uh that has happened. Uh what we're doing is we're working with MADOT as council Jiren had spoken about. We're working with MASDOT because MASDOT is the collector of the information to speak to ways waz uh those organizations. Uh and we're having a little bit of a a challenge because they haven't exactly adopted yet when communities go 25 miles an hour uh throughout the entire community. For for what reason, I don't know. Uh but at this point in time, um Miss Alman has been talking to Mass DOT. Once mass dot uh would allow it to happen, they'll be sending it out to ways and the other the other uh the other organizations that um people utilize for for driving throughout the cities. But uh we also um I know we've ordered a couple I think we have half dozen at least coming in the automatic signs that we'll be put placing throughout the city and we'll continue to update those um periodically. I mean we could probably use a lot more than uh six to 12 of those but we'll uh we'll order those as as needed or as we can uh bring in Mr. Mayor through you to the manager one more question where are we in in force in term of enforcing full force enforcing 25 mile per hours do you know

uh thank you Mr. Mayor 3 of the council. Uh I can talk to the superintendent about that. Uh we can find that out. But we do have a step process uh the ST uh process where we do have uh it's a unfortunately it's a limited number of officers that are trained in how to how to do that. Uh our direct um uh patrols which you know I' I'd normally say car 2, etc. K 1 2 3 all the direct patrols are always um they're out there paying attention. But our step uh vehicles, those are the folks that are actually out there doing the radar. So that's something I can find out for everybody. And I do know in the beginning uh we passed out uh a whole bunch of uh warnings to let people know. Uh you know, once again trying to let everyone know that 25 miles an hour, when in doubt, go 25 miles an hour. But uh Council Deran brings up a very good point. Uh some of the vehicles are reading something differently. So we are working through that with mass dot and the other uh apps I guess the other applications that that are utilized.

Thank you. Thank you councel noon. All in favor signify by saying I. Any oppose? So ordered. Council rook. Uh motion by councel Rook to suspend the rules to take 8.3 vote accept the gift of labor for the bottle concession stand out of order. Seconded by councelor Robinson. Um Mr. Manager. Uh, thank you very much, uh, councilors, and thank you very much to the public. Wait, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Let me read the full reading.

I'm sorry. Wave full reading and second reading by title. Authorize the city manager on behalf of the city of L to accept a gift of labor from various local unions and a local general contractor for the construction of the bottle concession stand building at shed park in the city of l. Mr. speakers. Mr. Mayor, Brian Durkin,

good evening everyone. Brian Durkin, uh 25 Dinsmore Street in LOL. Um, if it's okay with uh the mayor and and the manager, I'd like Matt Malash just to go first just to get us going. Thanks. Awesome. No pressure. Thank you, Mr. Durkin. Um, members of the council, Matt Lasher, 39 Parinway. I'm the president of L Youth Baseball and Softball League. I had asked for the opportunity and Brian, who is never afraid to speak, was nice enough to let me go first. Just to make sure we start off with thanking the city for the diligence that they've put in to this. This has been a number of years in the making. Um, and it has taken twists and turns throughout the process to get to the point of what's before you today. And I can't thank enough uh Gavanni Bayz Rose Camo, the DPW, Mark Burn who works so hard on this, the manager, um the assistant city manager, the mayor, mayors three times before this. And uh I I just what this does and what you have before you today, Brian will speak more to who Steve was and what Steve meant to the kids of this city. Um, but what this will mean going forward and what the Marramac Valley Building Trades Council has been willing to do, what David Daly is willing to do to be a part of this is everything that's right with the city of LOL. And this is an opportunity for us to allow not just baseball and softball. While it's positioned as a concession stand, restroom facility for baseball and softball for the youth, it's also the JV field for LOL High School and the girls. Having restroom facil facilities is an equitable opportunity that we have been unable to provide prior to today. It also is where cross country is run for

both middle school and for the high school. And so this facility is far more than just a concession stand for baseball and softball. This is something that again through the very gen generous donations of uh Mr. Daly and the Marramac Valley Building of Trades Councilman who you'll see in a moment um is going to come to fruition. And so I just wanted to thank all of those people involved and let you know what was before you what it means to everybody in this city. So thank you very much. Mr. Durk.

Hello again, Mayor Ger, members of the city council, manager Golden. I' I'd also like to take the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Brian Durkin. I'm a resident of LOL. I'm the director of player development for LOL youth baseball and softball. I want to echo the sentiments that that Matt expressed here tonight. I want to accomplish three things in speaking here. First, I want to say thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Manager Golden's incredible team have worked side by side as we navigated every possible pitfall, every possible obstacle, every possible issue that we could along the way here to be able to get us here tonight. I want to thank Dave Daly and and Daily Construction for stepping up to take on this project as the general contractor. And I want to thank the hardworking union members and their representatives like John Drinkwater, the Marramac Valley Building Trades Council and collaborating with us to make this happen. We're humbled by your generosity and we're appreciative beyond words. The second purpose of speaking here tonight is to simply state why this project was necessary. By way of timing, this project was 7 years in the making. The structure solves a great deal of uh of issues at the park as it will provide permanent sanitary facilities for all. A safe place for baseball and softballs to change players to change and will serve as a true asset to the community to serve over our 400 baseball and softball players and their families of the L youth baseball and softball league as well as l. The third and final purpose is to speak tonight about the building uh the person after whom this building is being named, Steven Botto. Back in 2021, I appeared before the board of parks petitioning for the naming rights to this structure. In the past, I've heard Chairman Linan, I'm I'm sorry, Chairman Finnegan speak about heroes and importance of reserving honors for those who make a difference in the world in our communities. And I found for the board's consideration that night a definition of what a community hero is. Individuals who offer their courage, strength, and self-sacrifice in the service of neighbor or neighbors.

benefiting people who may never know them by name, but will certainly benefit from the rewards of their work. If it pleases the council, and and I apologize if I go over three minutes, but I want to tell you a little bit about Steve because I think it's important that we recognize how amazing people in our community can be and what an what an instrumental impact that they can have across the board for little boys, little girls, parents, coaches, volunteers, and the people of our great city. Steve grew up in Centerville. played baseball for LOL High School in the UMass LOL Riverhawks and he was the team team captain of both teams and that's because people gravitated to Steve's leadership qualities and they appreciated the respect that he showed for each unique individual. Following his playing career, he became a physical education teacher at Greater Low Regional Vocational Technical High School. He coached baseball there as well as at LOL High School. Steve married his wife Melissa Burns of LOL and they raised and Melissa continues to raise their children Belvadier and that is through their children Matthew and Abby that Steve became involved with Shed Park. Steve coached virtually every level of our organization. He coached practices, clinics, regular games, travel ball. Wherever the league needed him, Steve was there. You could find him. He would care for our fields, often seen raking them, dragging them, ensuring they got water, lining them, preparing them for games and tournaments or practices. He was meticulous about the fields appearances because he took great pride in LOL being represented well both in terms of the product on the field as well as our fields themselves. Like me, Steve was the director of player development for Shed Park, which is now L youth baseball and softball. He taught coaches, volunteers, and parents how to coach and how to teach the game. He helped develop and implement clinics to reach out to our community and foster the growth of the sport. He was a catalyst for the creation of the citywide league so that every kid in LOL would have an equal opportunity, the same opportunity to to love the sport like he did. His

mantra on and off the field was that the game should be played with a combination of hard work, hustle, determination, and respect. And these weren't words to Steve, they were requirements. Just prior to Steve starting his last round of chemotherapy, he was part of the subcommittee of our board seeking to get this project off the ground. He was so excited to see this building would provide a concession stand, storage facilities, and sanit sanitation facilities to our park. In short, he loved the fact that he was helping make it better for generations to come. He believed wholeheartedly that it was our obligation to leave it better than we found it. This was Steve. His time, his effort, and his strength, all while battling cancer, was dedicated to the advancement of our sport and the perpetual improvement and preservation of our fields. In every field at Shed Park, there hangs a number four, the number worn by Steve. I'm sure some of you have still been wondering why that number four is up there. That was the player that was the the uniform number that he wore both as a player and a coach. His family at Shed Park honors Steve's legacy because we want our players to be more like four. work hard, hustle, and play the game with determination and respect. This building, this building that is going to come to fruition because the generosity and the hard work of of this administration and the unions and and Dave Dailyaly, this building bearing his name is a fitting tribute and a permanent reminder of a man that helped many people without them knowing his name, but definitely benefited from his hard work. We made a promise 7 years ago to see this project to fruition. With the generosity of these gifts from Daily Construction, the Marramac Valley Building Trades Council, we will see it done. We will leave it better than we found it in memory of Steven and for the betterment of LOL. And I thank you very much for the opportunity to speak here tonight. Thank you,

Timothy Collins. Timothy Collins. That's it. I don't have any more.

Uh good evening members of the city council, Mr. Mayor, Mr. City Manager. Um it's great to be up here in front of you guys, you know, once again. Um, it was great to wake up this morning, put in an honest eight hours at Low High School, go home, get showered, and come here and, um, share the spotlight with these fine gentlemen for this great cause. Um, I think it's proof once again that the trade unions in and around this community are heavily invested in investing in our community. Um, again, it's real it's a real honor and a privilege to stand with these gentlemen. And I feel that when given the opportunity, um, these types of things can happen all the time. Um, with that being said, I'll share the time and I hope you guys have a great night. Thank you. Mr. Clark,

you have anyone else? No more. Motion to suspend the rules by councelor Moon, seconded by councel Mercier. If there is anyone else wishing to speak, they could come up and speak. Mr. Manager. Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh through you to the council. Council is um thank you for suspending the rules. Uh if uh Mr. Daly, Mr. Drinkwater, and Mr. Amato could please come up. Um once again, Mr. Amato is Marramac Valley Building Trades. Dave Daly is owner operator of uh Daily Investments uh and building and uh Mr. to drink water as the painters allied trades. Thank you.

And uh if we could get the rest of the crew in here um as well be much appreciated.

Uh David Dailyaly, 40 Lillian Street, Low Mass. Um just really excited echoing Matt's sentiments. Uh I've been involved in this for the last 8 to 10 years and we've we've hit every roadblock in the world to try to make this thing happen. Um and to be here tonight to celebrate the fact that this is finally going to come to fruition is just beyond exciting for us. Um, I had the good fortune of growing up with Steve and knowing as a friend and a and a and a and a not as much as a teammate because he was too good of a baseball player for me to uh be on his team, but he was such a great guy and uh to see what he went through and the struggles he went through. I I think he's up looking on us tonight to get this thing to the point where we're finally going to start building. We're really excited about that. Um, you know, just the the the the fact is that we were able to come together as a city administration and the trade union in the in the private contractor to make this thing happen is just unbelievable. It's maybe something we can replicate again in the future. But to be able to finally get this thing uh built and we're excited to be a part of that um is just really exciting and as a as a you know together with the trade unions we just really be part of this and thank everyone for their for all their assistance to get us here tonight. So thank you very much. Uh thank you very much uh Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, members of the council. Uh it's a real pleasure to be back in the in the chambers here tonight. Uh and particularly for something uh as positive and exciting is this project. Um uh my name, for the record, my name is John Drinkwater. Uh I'm uh here representing my union, the painters and allied trades this year council 35 as well as the Marramac Valley Building Trades Council and I happen to be a LOL youth baseball and softball parent as well. Uh and actually as we approach uh opening day uh this this coming weekend, I was actually thinking back um to my first opening day uh as as a low youth baseball parent when my kids were playing T-ball. And at that opening day,

just to give you some perspective on how long this project has been, uh, worked on, uh, at that opening day, um, at that time, State Representative Dave Nangel threw out the first pitch, having just secured some state funding to help move that project forward. Uh, couple opening days later, uh, state representative Howard threw out the first pitch, having just secured some state funding to move that project forward. Around the same time, uh, when I had the honor of sitting on that side of the banister, this city council was able to find some funding to help try to push this project over the finish line. And at every juncture, um, and not to mention, by the way, um, the many, uh, personal contributions from, uh, the families and friends of the Low youth baseball and softball program. Um, however, at every time that the the bids went out, um, we came up, uh, just ahead of what we had in the account to to get this project done. Um, so I want to thank, um, you, Mr. Manager, um, your your teams and the the planning department, um, the, uh, the parks department, uh, for moving this project along. Uh it's it was a complicated project and uh by making incremental progress uh by mapping out the utilities uh and then extending the utilities and putting down a a pad on the site and stubbing everything out to make this thing ready to build. Uh we were able to to get it to this point. Um, and in keeping in contact with with the league, um, with with your administration, uh, it became clear that to actually get this thing done, it was going to take kind of a big assist. Uh, so at that juncture, um, uh, reaching out to my colleagues at the at the Marramac Valley Building Trades Council, officers, uh, Billy Lang from the Painters and Alli Trades, as well as Frank Amato, uh, from, uh, Plumbers and Gasers, Local 12. um they they brought it uh to the full group of affiliates and I'm happy to say that everyone was

fully on board to chip in and and get this project done. Um so you'll you'll hear um from a few of the folks who represent the the Marramac Valley building trades who will just uh identify themselves here tonight. Um but um it's uh very gratifying to get to this point to get this done. Uh what we really needed um once labor was on board was was a quarterback uh somebody to manage this project and and very grateful um to David Daly and and Daily General Contracting uh for quarterbacking uh these these efforts uh while while we bring the labor. Um, so, uh, and I do just want to say that when we when we brought this, um, to our brothers and sisters in labor, as necessary as this project, uh, was, um, the thing that really resonated, um, with the folks who who were going to help get this done, um, was who this is for, uh, who this building will be named for. And whether or not uh you knew Steve Botto and and I uh sadly uh only had the opportunity to know Steve for a very short time, but it it quickly comes through why so many people uh admire him and what he brought to this community and to the youth of this city. So, I think when uh when people heard uh you know why this project mattered to so many people in this city, uh everyone just wanted to get on board and get this done. And um you know, the the kids in this program have an understanding of why they wear number four on their sleeve. And it's because there's good people who knew Steve Otto well who can explain what that what that number represents and the way you you approach a game. uh and and what you bring to the field every day and this building will ensure that kids in this program will know what the number four means and and who Steve B was for a very long time to come. So, thank you very much uh to everyone for their support and uh I will leave it to uh to Mr. Ramato to speak on

behalf of the uh the building trades council. Thank you.

Uh good evening, Mr. Mayor. Good evening council. Uh we appreciate the opportunity tonight. I am Frank Kamato. I am a business agent with plumbers and gas fitters local 12 Boston. I'm a resident Bill Ricker, so I'm right next door, but I've been coming to low pretty much most of my life. And um you know, having these opportunities is really what it's all about. You know, being the president of Marramac Valley Building Trades, it's an honor to represent the me the members of the hardworking members of all the unions. But tonight, I think having names and faces behind who's going to be behind this project is a great opportunity. So to take that, I'd pass it on to Dave Olaflin. Thank you, Frank. My name is David Olaf. I'm resident of Mthuan Neighbors and um I just thank you guys for letting us be part of this and it's our honor to help out the children of the city. Thank you very much.

How you doing? I'm uh Juan Bashetti uh resident of Pelum, New Hampshire. uh born and raised in l uh local three brick layers and just glad to be a part of this uh this um sorry I don't do this much but just glad to be a part of this. All right, sorry guys. Thank you.

Uh Adam Schindla, I own Schindler Plumbing and Heating Local 12 contractor and LOL resident. I'm pretty excited about this. So, thanks guys. Uh, Robert Judson, law resident with the Carpenters Union. Um, I didn't grow I grew up in Tesboro next door, but I moved to law a long time ago and this city's amazing. I appreciate everything. I played over 30 baseball at Shed Park and uh, we need to do it and uh, glad the Carpenters could be a part of it. Thank you. Uh William Lang, business rep for the Panasoni Trades, District Council 35, also the uh vice president of the Marramac Valley Building Trades. Really excited to get this project done, guys. Thank you for your time. With that, we'll close the that portion and we'll go to the council members. Um Council Mia.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. May I say, don't thank us. Thank you. Thank you. I'm so proud. Um, when you hear the terms, uh, there's a lot to like about Lel, there truly is. And this is a fine example of what we're talking about when we say those words. There's a lot to like about Lel. Thank you very much. These are the unsung heroes. I I I love the union because my husband was president of local 39 at the time. Now it's 35. So my heart is with you. You I was on uh WCAP yesterday afternoon. I it was the first time Gary Francis had his show in the afternoon and I was his guest and he said, "Well, let's talk about the agenda." He says, "Is there anything exciting on the agenda?" I said, "You bet there is. Let me tell you about all the unions that got together." And I named every single union. And this is a project that would cost if we as a city are taxpayers $275,000. You did that for us, for the children. I have a special uh place in my heart for coaches because a coach keeps a child occupied, keeps them going, teaches them how to be competitive but respectful. And some of you are the product of being in baseball uh like that. So, I'm so very proud of each and every one of you. Dave Dailyaly, you're amazing. This is what I call about a person that has something and gives it out to help others. Congratulations. Thank you so much. And thank you. And the ladies there, I'm so proud of you. Good for you. Woohoo.

Council Jiren. Uh, thank you very much. I just want to say thank you. And um as somebody said, this community effort really reflects and demonstrates what is great about LOL. And I really appreciate you're coming forward and undertaking this effort for the children of the city. Thank you. Thank you, Council Duran. Council Robinson.

Thank you. Um for the past four plus years um we've talked about trying to get things done just because uh projects just like this perfect example. Um this one is very special based on all the testimony we've heard about the the miraculous person I I've never gotten the chance to meet but you hear nothing but amazing things. Um again, anytime a collaboration between trades, local people getting their hands dirty and working to do something for any community is it's it's mind-blowing. We've kicked around the ideas and and I think Mr. Daly touched on something very important, especially with this budget and and everything in the in the near future looking the way it is. When you see these professionals of tradesmen come together and and say we're going to make this right for the community, it's it's all inspiring. And I hope we can continue these uh collective efforts and and partnerships between the city of LOL and and our local trades. And again, I think this further strengthens the reason this council has talked in the past. We need to find more ways to incorporate our trades people into local positions and jobs. So, thank you all for stepping up and um making this a reality. Greatly appreciate it.

Thank you, Council Robinson. Councelor Newan.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Wow. I'm very impressed. Um I don't know Steve Boro, but his labors of love did not go unnoticed. You have every trait in this room come together and when everyone come together nothing impossible and this is all for the children appreciate all they've done Matt Dave Brian John and all the trade thank you for doing it and thank you for remind our communities that the your labor of love will never go unnoticed and that's what uh Mr. Steve Boro, labor of love. Thank you very much for all of you being here in the same room doing what you do. Thank you.

Councelor Cow,

thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I really appreciate everyone coming to speak tonight. A lot of wonderful things said about Steve Ble. Um I don't know him personally but I have some of his family members who live in my neighborhood and we talk about him quite frequently the type of impact that he had on with kids um of all ages and such a wonderful history to speak of the love um that all of you have for him and you know the community love for him. Uh one thing I want to to comment is the the nonprofit organization Mr. daily uh uh put together to raise funds for uh for this project. It's really is a true partnership between public and private partnership and all your volunteerism uh come together to make this happen. It's going to be very very meaningful for the kids and for the families for many generations to come. So, thank all of you.

Council Rook. Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um yeah, this is a special uh evening tonight. Um, you know, maybe with the exception uh of our auditor, uh, Kelly Oaks. Um, you know, I was very close to Steve. Uh, we grew up together. Uh, I was his classmate, uh, his teammate. Uh, he was one of my best friends. Um, people that know Steve, um, know, um, the battle, uh, and the hell that he went through, um, along with his family. Um, and as much as Steve suffered, he, um, was always available. He always was there to coach um and be part of uh of kids, not just his own two. Um but uh he was always there and always participating um and just you know every time you asked him how he was doing uh you brush to the side and say yo how are you doing? You know how are your kids doing? Um and it just makes it very special to be here uh tonight. Yeah. I know you know uh the man knows this and others but these estimates um were much much higher than than we're here for right now. um and to come together and you know anybody that can bring Dave Dailyaly in unions together um you know that is something that's made Steve even more special. So, if uh Jeff Thomas doesn't kill him uh during the project, I think that would be a victory right there. And um if we have anybody else other than Steve, you know, we uh and you know, there's a lot of people that deserve uh gratitude and thanks, but um I just want to just um you know, mention uh John Drink Water. Um you know, when these numbers and estimates uh came out again, they were three or four times what we're voting on this evening. I remember speaking um to John at the time and and asking him you know the possibilities of of what can be done and how we can go about doing it. Um you know getting a hold of Dave and all was you know then going right down the line of all you know you men and women here that um that have volunteered you know your your time your service uh your

effort uh to get this done. I know many of you uh know Steve personally. Um so it would be a special um project uh for you folks as well. And uh again, I just want to uh express uh my gratitude for everything that you're doing here. And um you know, it' be a special uh time when we do get a chance to unveil um the uh the place for Steve um you know, all the people that um you know have been a part of his life um in the past. So, thank you very much. Vice Mayor Non, would you come up for a minute? Mr. Deia,

thank you. Um, it's fitting tonight that all of you are giving back because that's who Steve Bottle was. And I think it took so long to get this done because he was waiting for all of you to give back. That's who he was as a person. As Brian Durkin pointed out and council rock pointed out, when Steve always gave back to others, he never expected anything in return. Steve was a person who was proud. He was strong, humble, and he was always giving to people. I've known Steve for a very, very long time. And when you see on Greater LOL's hat every day, the number four l High, he left Greater LOL to coach at L High because he wanted to be where his son was going. And then when you see the gifts that he left everybody, it's amazing to see that we all waited for all of you to come in and give back like he did. That's who Steve was. He never wanted anything for anything. He just went out and gave back. He built character in people. He pushed you beyond what you ever thought you could do. And if you didn't, he would call you every single day to make sure that you were okay. Even when he was, as Council Rook said, he wasn't in his best way. He would call and see how you were doing. And we thank all of you for being part of our city. I think it's important that we see this come together as a gift because that's what Steve was to all of us. He was a gift. So, I thank you all for donating your time. I thank Low Youth Baseball for all they're doing for the youth in our city. And you know, we sit here and we wonder why LOL is the best city in America and it's standing right behind us. Thank you again.

With that, Mr. Clerk, roll call. Need a motion, Mr. Ma'am, we have motion to adopt by Council Rook, seconded by Council Robinson. Roll call. Council Duran, yes. Council Leang, yes. Council Mcdana, yes. Council Mercia, yes. Council Non, yes. Council Robinson, yes. Council Rock, yes. Council Scott, yes. Council Chow, yes. Council Dakota. Mayor Gia,

yes. Thank you all again. We're going to go to the general. Mayor, if I could, I'd be remiss. Opening day is Saturday. The parade is from the Songest Arena to Lasher Park from 2:00 to 4:30. Come on out and have hot dogs and fun.

At this time, we're going to go to the general public hearings scheduled for 7:00 4.1 ordinance amend fee schedule out license give second reading. Wait, what? Okay. An ordinance amending the code of ordinances. City of Low Massachusetts with respect to chapter 150 thereof entitled fees by amending certain sections. Motion to accept by council. Oh, open up the hearing. I'm sorry. Anyone wishing to speak in favor?

In favor. In favor. That portion of the meeting. The hearing is closed. Anyone spi wishing to speak in opposition. Opposition. Opposition. That portion of the hearing is closed. Wish the body. Motion to approve. Motion approved by council noon. Seconded by council Robinson. Roll call. Council jer. Yes. Council Leang. Yes. Council Mcdana. Yes. Council Mercia. Yes. Council N. Yes. Council Robinson. Yes. Council Rock. Yes. Council Scott. Yes. Council Chow. Yes. Councilor Dakota. Mayor Gia. Yes. And yes.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Five. Utility public hearings. 5.1. Boston Gas. Request replacement of existing gas main on Fletcher Street from Suffk to Rock Street. Give second reading. Yeah. Vote authorizing the city manager on it. That's just read it off the off the Just read it off there.

Okay. Second reading. Boston gas replace existing gas made on Fletcher Street from Suffach to that open the hearing. Anyone wishing to speak in favor? In favor. In favor. Seeing no one. Anyone wishing to speak in opposition? Opposition. Opposition. That portion of the meeting is closed. What's the wish of the body? Move approval. Move approval by council mercy. Seconded by send it to her. Motion to refer to wire inspected by council mercia. Seconded by council Mcdana. Okay. Roll call.

All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. Back to motions. 6.4 Council Jan request the city manager have the appropriate department to address traffic safety concerns on East Marramax Street east of High Street. Seconded by councelor Chowo Council Jan Councel Durant

thank you uh Mr. Mayor, um, last Wednesday night there was a car accident on East Marramac Street across from the Immaculate Conception School with a vehicle going through the fence and landing in the front or a fence and landing in the front yard of a house. Um, I can understand why the neighbors are upset, especially since um, a number of parked cars have been hit on that block over the uh, several years. Um the neighbors have apparently asked for stop signs for a number of years at the corner of East Marramac and High Street to discourage speeding as cars come up East Marramac from downtown towards Nez Nesmouth Street. Um I don't know whether stop signs will help or whether other traffic calming measures would work. Um, so, um, if possible, I'd like the transportation engineer to look into what might be possible and whether there are other challenges or unintended consequences, um, that would need to be considered. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Dan. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. Motion to suspend the rules to take 6.5 and 6.8 together. Is that okay by the Sure. Absolutely. By council Chow. Seconded by councelor Nune. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 6.5. Councelor Nune request the mayor recognize the month of April as autism awareness month. 6.8. Council Chow requests mayor Ger on behalf of the city council recognize the month of April as autism acceptance month in the city of lol. Council noon. Mr. Mayor. Is anybody register to speak?

Do we have a speaker? Um so m Mr. Mayor this motion you filed last year as well uh the same families asking that we uh you know uh use the month of April as the autism awareness month. I think also is that um maybe the city can do is work in partnership of uh let's say grey low community foundation and or other partner like the bridge you know uh so that that's one way to to raise awareness other way is to maybe working with our community based organization to advocate for or promote understanding of of of the issue. Those are some of the thing I think I thought of. I think you know last year I don't remember what the family have done. Uh maybe Kachas can remember that last year. Uh but we need to continue to do that to raise awareness, promote understanding, acceptance of autism. Um you know and also at the same time too dispel the myth about autism you know. So um I know that I have a motion respond coming up and one of the idea is to lighten the bridge that we do that in partnership like I said greater low community foundation and all other partner you know so thank you.

Thank you councelor Cha.

Thank you Mr. Mayor. Um councelor Nuan um also made uh the motion as you've heard me mention many important things that are happening with the um organizations right now. Um I just want to make additional comment. Um it's worth highlighting right now that the former St. John school that in the process of um being acquired and putting bits out that's going to be dedicated to autism uh program to be right here in LOL at the school. Uh with that said um through you Mr. Mayor to Mr. Manager. I'm wondering if currently um are there partners currently in addition to greo community foundation um other organization like windf or um mass low or any other stakeholders currently currently uh focusing on autism in the city right now.

Uh thank you Mr. Mayor through to the council uh council that's what we will be doing we'll be reaching out to our partners especially Mr. Lahan over the greater community foundation to see how we can u light up the bridges as the council council noon was talking about but we can also make sure our social media uh you know recognizes the fact that uh April is autism awareness month uh so we can we can do all of this and we can ask our other partners UMass LOL Middle Sex Community College to to participate at that as well. Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you councelor Chowo Council Leang.

Thank you Mr. And um first I just want to uh apologize to my friends and neighbors that I didn't have time to um speak about this last week. Um so April is a special month as it's also autism awareness month. I want to take a moment to shine a light on our friends and family members with autism who often experience the world in different unique truly way. Many of them may be a bit more sensitive to things like bright light, loud sound or social situation and that's perfectly okay. Let's also cheers and thanks all the amazing caregivers in our community and beyond. Being aware means open our hearts and welcome everyone into our schools, our workplace and neighborhoods just as they are. is about creating inclusiveness spaces where everyone can express themsel and connect in their own unique special way. Inclusion is more than just a nice gesture. It's a basic right. It's all about listening more, making few assumption and celebrating the different perspectives that enrich our community here in law. So this autism awareness month, let's spread some kindness, patience, and accept and acceptance all. And let's give a big shout out to the dedicated parents and caregivers who work so hard every day. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Leang, Council Robinson.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, and I thank my colleagues for bringing this forward. I agree. I I I think another thing that works when we're looking to promote different things that that we support and stand behind that's community forward short video clips. I think we have a great team. Um we've seen in the past when we put together the short video clips highlighting some of this it really gets a lot of traction. I think if you look at the data it proves it. Um have them run on local TV LTC maybe inside l if we have to purchase or grab a couple spots to run whatever that is for the month. Um also available on city website. Those those short clips should be accessible to the public. They want to click on and say, "Hey, what what are we what is it this month?" Now they get to see that clip. Uh it kind of creates uh space that people can look forward to checking and get updated monthly. Um distributed as the manager said, distributed throughout our social media outlets. I think it's a a good idea as well to keep the outreach going. One thing I'd like to commend also is the administration. I think uh in the past couple years, I'm not sure how aware the public may be, but um this administration has been very mindful of of uh residents that that face some of these challenges on the daily life. And uh you've seen we built it into all of our open space projects when we could um through the ARPA program as well as festivals. I I know we've created safe space for individuals with our monster bash amongst many others. So, I'm glad to see that uh everybody's rolling in the same direction on this and uh let's let's continue to build that platform to highlight everything that the community deserves for information. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Robinson. Council Mcdana.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um this has been my whole career and is going to continue to be at September. Um but I I would just say that that over the last 10 years the the and before that but the the common refrain in special education and in I guess the kinds of spaces you know after school spaces extracurricular spaces where there are you know a lot of kids with autism um is that it's not like there's nothing temporary about about special education needs nor is it something that you grow out of. Um, I think that when we think about autism, you know, awareness or autism acceptance, it it's not just something that needs to be addressed at parks and playgrounds, as much as it is, and that is, you know, vitally necessary. There are also autistic 45-year-olds and autistic 75year-olds and everything in between. And as we continue to become more inclusive as a city, and I think this administration and and past councils have done a very good job moving in that direction, um thinking about how more more not just playgrounds need to be inclusive spaces. So, how can we have a more inclusive city hall? How can we have a more inclusive um and accessible uh library, city hall, senior center, etc. Um, and I think continuing to move in that direction would be would be great. But I thank both my colleagues for the motion.

Thank you, Council Mcdana. All in favor signify by saying I. Councelor Scott. Thank you. No, I was just going to ask if we could take 614 out of order. I believe we have a speaker. All in favor signify by saying I. Any oppose? So ordered. Council Scott. Which number? Suspend the rules. Council Scott. 615. 614. 614. Seconded by councelor Ror 614 mayor Gcher request the city manager to have the proper department name the area of Pucket Street from Marramac Street to Salem Street Mean Way in honor of UMass President Marty T. Mian seconded by councel noon we have a registered speaker Mr. Click.

There's no regist. Motion to suspend the rules by councelor Mcdana, seconded by councel Mercy to allow the speaker to speak. Just please state your name and address for the record.

Ken Harkkins, 110 Bigalow Street. I don't have a problem with uh Marty and what I have a problem with is back in 1978, this council agreed to name Dutton Street after Mayor Alene Simpson. I came to the council and spoke about it. They put one and and uh the city clerk was the acting manager at the time and he took care of he put a sign up for it. Uh I went to when you were over at the city count at the uh senior center doing hearings. Uh, I spoke to someone at the city manager's office about having a graffiti taken off of that sign and the sign was taken down and now there's a no parking sign there. Uh, that's kind of embarrassing and it kind of aggravates me. But I think that as you're spending money on fixing a area for Marty, you should also be looking at fixing something that occurred in 1978 when a lady broke the glass barrier before there was a glass barrier. And I would appreciate that being put to the council and have that rectified. You may have to research it, which you have to do that, but it occurred in 1978 when right after Eileen was mayor. I would appreciate that. I appreciate the fact that I was allowed to speak about it and I thank you very much. Have a good evening.

Thank you, Mr. Manager. Could we look into that, please? Thank you. With that, then that portion is closed. Committee member Mcdana. Committee member Mcdana. That's you. Okay. City Council Mcdana. Um, thank you, John Mcdana.

Thank you. That's me. Um, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I would actually wonder if we might I don't know if this is an amenda motion or it would be a substitute motion. Um, in looking, it looks like this the city council does have the authority to just name and rename streets whenever we want to. Uh, it was I Googled it. uh 243-6 naming of streets, city council has the authority to give names to all streets. Pretty good. Um and I would actually ask that where East Campus Pucket Street is a one-way street and then it crosses this tiny little bridge, kind of intersects weirdly with Father Moriceet and then resumes as Pucket Street in front of University Crossing and then continues on for who knows how long. Um, and so I think that it would be very appropriate if if the council if Mr. Mayor it's amendable to your original motion. If the council is amendable that that portion of Pucket Street that is I think entirely UMass LOL addresses I think maybe Boot Hydro has an address that might need to be considered but they are I looked the only nonUML nonUML address on that section of Pucket Street. Um, and so then I would I would offer the the substitute motion that the city council rename Bucket Street from Salem Street to Aken Street Me and Way.

Seconded by Councel Noon. Second on the motion. Council Noon.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I thank you for follow the motion, Mr. Mayor. Um, President Man I've served after law school, Suffach law school and then he went on to work for you know Tom Riley the district attorney office middle sex in 1991 ran for Congress and served 14 years and then chancellor of UMass law and now president of UMass Law. He certainly has an exceptional career and public service commitment. You know, he's he's his believe in focusing he believe and f focusing on giving back and investing in not just UMass institution but also in load as well. So the naming this naming the street after him, Mr. mayor is is the is an is a way to honor him for what he done for law. Thank you,

Council Jan. Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just have a question. So, I'm assuming that this would be kind of I don't know what you'd call it, like an overlay that the we're not changing the official name of the street. Yeah, we are. Or are we? Yes. So I I'm just trying to think about the implications about the post office and everything else for all because um I actually think Bashand Hall might be also here. Um if maybe I'm off on the corner, but this is so there are things that are not UMass LOL relate. I'm just trying to understand the implications and how quickly it gets done etc. I have no problem with the concept.

It stops it stops at Salem Street. So it's all a UMass LOL's property except for the hydro plant. So okay and um so we'll basically have the street named one thing here another thing here and then father set correct is the intent. Yeah like it like it does now it already does that. If you look you got French street stops and then pucket street starts right but now there'll be three. No, no, just just trying to understand sort of how whether it caused a hassle for anybody. Not that I have a problem with it's father Mara said council.

Wait a minute. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, since this is in the acre neighborhood, I um um what do you want? I like also to um you know make sure what the uh gentleman just said also uh being looked at in term of you know what happened and just just research and also we're on the motion. So I I know the gentleman got to say something that wasn't on the motion, but we're on the motion and the manager said he would take care of the part. Gentleman said,

"Okay, so I mean as long you know, this is this is great. Um this is will uh give some more light into the neighborhood and um you know probably can make the street u you know much more attentives and uh and and better." And so therefore, I mean, I I I support the motion and I I think it'll help uh the neighborhood and also the legacy of Mr. Mian as well. Thank you. Thank you, Council Leang. Council Chiao.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I wholeheartedly support uh the the motion. Uh thank uh Mr. Mian. He um president, he deserve it wholeheartedly. Grew up the the acre. uh pull himself up, reach the top to Congress, returned back to his hometown and uh make UMass law what it is today. He uh during his tenure and now sing as president of the UMass system. Um especially for UMass LOL, he increased uh student enrollment. Um you know have five new buildings on on campus. Um really put UMass LOL on the map. So, um I think um you know he deserved that that that street um to be named after him. My my questions or my concern maybe through you Mr. Mayor to the city manager if you could work with the chancellor because I know that the motion on the agenda which I was prepared to support and the amendment to it. I'm not quite sure what part of the street is which. So if you know the recommendation from the from the manager and chancellor Chen whatever area of the street that would be I would wholeheartly support that just you know it'd be fine. Thank you.

Thank you councel Robinson.

Thank you Mr. Mayor. Um I commend you for bringing this forward. It's through up and downs of low uh 80s 90s 2000s. Mr. has has always always been there for Lou. It's his home. He's proud of it. It shows gratefully. I think this is a great motion. Um, as far as where you want it, I support the original motion. If you make an amendment, I support it. I think it's nice when we get the opportunity to solidify appreciation for somebody while they're still with us and and show just exactly how much they've impacted our community. And I think this is a very nice gesture. So I thank my colleague for bringing this forward and whatever way uh that amendment or whatever on the floor ends up being, I I fully support this.

Thank you, Council Robinson. Councelor Mercier. Uh thank you, Mr. Samir. I do support your motion. Uh you're asking for a certain section which is UMass Lowel. I don't have a problem with that. That absolutely could be. It's an honor for Monty Mian. I think the world of money man but the substitute motion is taken uh well from Pucket Street we're going are we going all the way down Father Mariset Boulevard that's where Aken Street is.

No no no no it comes from the baseball park Aken Street you know where the baseball park is and where the UMass little towers are. So now you would have the baseball park part of it you would have the UMass Fox Hall part of it. The only thing that wouldn't be is the boot hydro plant. It would be. Oh, I see. You're going down. You're getting all of UMass little property. So it Oh, you're not touching Father Mariset Boulevard. You're going all the way down Pucket Street. Yeah. If you come over the Aken Street Bridge, you're going to take that right and from the ballpark to Salem Street would be named. All right. I I was going the other way. F down Father Maret Boulevard to Aken Street. Okay, I see where you're going now. I don't have a problem. I thought it was somewhere else.

Council Mcdana, thank you. Um, actually to the reason that I put forth the I don't I still don't know if this is an amendment or a substitute. Doesn't really matter. Um, it's an amendment.

It's an amendment. Thank you. Good. I don't know what the different I know what the difference is. I don't know how we decide which one we're doing. Um, the reason I put the amendment forward is because of how confusing the everyone has said enough about about, you know, President Mian, Chancellor Mi, and Congressman Mian. Um, but part of the impetus here was how confusing the mess of an intersection is when when you have uh people visiting UMass LOL as a former student at UMass LOL and I have friends from other colleges come over. It's like Pucket Street, Pucket Boulevard's on the other side of the river. I'm which Pucket. Okay, but now I'm on Pucket Street. Wait, that's a one-way street. Now I got to go down Father. Why I'm on now I'm on Father Moriceet. Okay, now I'm on a Okay, now I'm back where I was. And and so part of I think what I see here is as a as a double is winning twice is we honor uh President Mian, but we also make it much easier to navigate for for people who are not from the city of LOL, but who are now living as college students who have people coming to visit. You put, you know, whatever address me and Weey in and you're going to wind up there's no confusion. You're not going to Pucketville. You're not

Yeah. So I see it. Thank you, Council Rook. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, Mr. Mayor, I I trust your intention behind the motion. I think what you mean is correct. I also trust that you will make the right decision without the manager and with uh Chancellor Chen. So, I will support your motion. And if we could do a roll call, please. Could I say a couple things on the motion? I didn't even get to speak. It went right to you guys. That took much longer than I thought it would, Mr. Man.

Noon. I'm sorry, M. Councelor Rook. Mr. Mayor, you have three minutes.

When we get up there, we all becomes, huh? I I did the same thing. Um, no, it's a really an honor to be able to put this forward and I agree with we did speak to the university once this was said and see if this was something that could be done and and from Aken Street to Salem Street was okay with everybody as council rook said and I spoke to the manager also about it. But let let's talk about Marty Mian for a minute. You know, throughout his distinguished career, Marty man has exemplified what it means to lead with integrity, vision, and purpose. Marty has always been LOL, and I think everyone in this UMass system understands Marty is from LOL. From his years serving in the United States Congress to his transformative leadership in higher education, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to expanding opportunities and strengthening LOL. As president of the University of Massachusetts system, Marty has championed access, affordability, innovation, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have the chance to succeed and thrive in a university setting and in the city of LOL. His dedication has not only elevated the university system, but has also had a lasting impact on the city of LOL and beyond. When you read about UMass LOL in all of the college pamphlets you see, they tell you we're in the top 10 in almost everything, any every category, which we weren't before he became the chancellor and now president. What truly sets apart Marty is his ability to bring people together, to listen, to collaborate, and to move forward with shared purpose. Councelor Robinson and I met with him at one point about the Lasher Field and we all knew in this room that we couldn't ever afford to remodel that. It just

wasn't going to happen. And Marty being Marty would not commit to anything. He said, "I'll get back to you." And today it's going to be at the home of a college elite baseball team called the Little Spinners again. And what fitting tribute to name in front of that building Marty me. It's Me and Way, not Marty Mane Way, because you know if you ever met his family, his dad, Buster, would be the proudest person you ever met in your lifetime to see that name put on it. His leadership reflects a deep understanding that progress is built through partnership pres persevering and a genuine belief in the potential of others especially in here in lol. It's an honor to put this motion forward with all of you with all the support of the city councilors and my colleagues. So I thank all of you for giving me this opportunity to put this motion forward. Roll call. Mr. Clerk.

Um, point of order. Could we just know what we're voting on? Could we? We're just voting on it's okay. I'll read it. Thank you. May I get you request the city manager have the proper department name the area of Pucket Street from Aken Street to Salem Street. Me and Wei in honor of you. Mass President Martin T. Man. Councilor Jirean. Yes. Council Leang. Yes. Council Mcdana. Yes. Council Mercier. Yes. Council Non. Yes. Council Robinson. Yes. Council Rook. Yes. Council Scott. Yes. Council Chow. Yes. Councilor Dakota. Mayor Gia. Yes. 10 years.

Seven. Communications from the city manager. 7.1. Motion response. No, we're not. We haven't finished the motion. Oh, I'm sorry. I moved right through. I did. I am h I'm having one of those I am having one of those nights and counselor Rook is loving it. This is what happens when you take things out of order. 6.7 Mr. I'm sorry, Councelor Rock. I ruined your night. 6.7 Council Child request the city manager provide a status update on the repairs and improvement to the public way on East Street as originally requested on July 25th, 2023. seconded by council Leang, councelor Chiao.

Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to withdraw that motion that um I spent on the paving list already. Um so appreciate it. Thank you to the administration for moving on this. Thank you. Thank you, Council Chow. All in favor signify by saying I. Any oppose? So ordered. 6.9. Council child request the city mayor to have the proper department look into the feasibility of installing security cameras at the municipal parking lot at Couple Square boarded by Coral Street, Leroy Street, and Ling Street to enhance public safety and to deter legal dumping in the area. Seconded by councelor Mercia, Council Chow.

Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I do believe we have a person here that would like to speak on it from the neighborhood. Could I suspend the rule and have that person speak? motion to suspend the rules by councelor Charles, seconded by councelor Mcdana to allow resident to speak. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. Just state your name and address for the record.

Hi there. Uh my name is Aaron Pic. I live in 27 Leroy Street, which is basically a street behind Couple Square. Um if you you're aware, Couple Square is a pretty busy neighborhood. um probably about 10 years ago, they did a a a big renovation and they improved a lot and uh you know they the city did a great job in in revamping the whole whole uh whole square there. Um but throughout the years I've been there since um 2007 approaching 20 years now in the same neighborhood. So I've seen a lot of changes. A lot of it has been good but some recently it's been kind of a little bit bad. Um I I know um um uh councilor Chowo has uh installed uh lights last time at the the parking lot which improved a lot because that parking lot used to be so dark a lot of stuff goes shady stuff has been going on over there but since the light has has been in that lot I think that's been a lot improvement um but for for me what I've talked to councelor Chow about is about right now it's about the trash and about the illegal dumping that's that's going on over there because nobody really nobody really patrols that area. Um, it's busy. There's a lot of business in the front. Um, Hong Kong, Hong Kong restaurant, Hong Kong market and stuff like that. They It's a lot of a lot of foot traffic. Um, as of right now, there's no barrels, trash barrels at all on the back side. Um, I believe there's two currently in the front on Wester Street, but in the backside where the lots are, I I believe there there are none. So unfortunately without any trash barrel people just kind of throw stuff everywhere all the time. Um so I think if we can have some trash barrels out there that would be helpful. I mean it's not going to eliminate it but I think it's going to help reduce some of the trash that's out there. Um and I spoke to to console child about possibly

installing cameras. I know I don't know if that's within the budget or not but something that would discourage people from illegally dumping. It's not gonna 100% stop it, but I think it'll definitely reduce a lot a lot of that. Um like I I try to get a lot of my neighbors here and also business. I spoke to all of them and they're in agreement that we need to do something with that. Um they couldn't make it here today um on short notice, but they're they want something to be done back there. Um a camera would help help uh help with that. Also signage. Um also a lot of the local um pet owners would also walk that area and they would uh that unfortunately their pet would just relieve himself and they don't pick up after their their their pets. So unfortunately not a lot of people are able to walk that area. It's kind of filthy. So if you can have some kind of signage there to prevent that for for owners to pick up after their their their pets um barrels again that would be very helpful. Um um I don't that's pretty much it what I I kind of requested for and thank you for your time and hopefully we can get it done.

Thank you, Council Chiao.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I'd like to thank the speaker for for being here, the to speak on behalf of the the neighborhood. Um, first I'd like to thank the assistant city manager Sham Mashado um parks and the streets who actually want to clean up the air in the back um before this motion was actually being made. So the the motion uh tonight is for to physibility to install uh cameras. Um it's a public safety issues. Um so if the administration can do something about it be great. I know um my colleague special counselor Rita Mercier put similar motions about cameras at areas that are popular or shouldn't be popular for illegal dumping. So um you know just to prevent people from throwing trash around um that area as the speaker mentioned it's a combinations of uh the business corridor and residential. So it's very very important to have the area safe and clean. Thank you.

Thank you councelor Chow Council Leang.

Thank you Mr. mayor. Um I I been to that area I guess maybe five or six times a week. So um I know the area pretty well. I um I do agree also with the speaker that there's additional solution to just um beside installing a camera because I think by having camera there and process might be taking longer but uh increase more enforcement in term of like patrolling that might work and also at time I you know did see uh dog walkers you know actually didn't pick up you know uh the dog thing So I I I I do agree and it's it's real and it's happening there. Sometime we do uh see mattresses being uh put back there by the parking lots um uh the Leroy parking lot there and so along that stretch area. I think it needs a little bit more uh support and I I do uh agree again with the two solution that um yeah uh the speaker uh can put uh forth or ask about is basically more maybe trash bin on either side or also signage um as well. So thank you and this is I mean if if it's called for cameras then it'll be good but there should be some sort of short-term solution to this as well. Thank you.

Thank you councel Leang. Council Non.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think um Leroy there, I would um also ask through you to the managers to have uh the PW mark the parking as well that you can see the parking from one to the next. Um I know that um the Hong Kong market and the laundry mat lease some parking space from the city. Um and maybe having uh health inspector speaking to uh property owner the business owner there and help upkeep the areas as well. It's it's their responsibilities as well. Is there restaurants there, their markets there, their laundry mat there? So, working in conjunction with DPW to help clean that maybe once every other week. And I I agree with having trash can maybe one or two but also just get the um now that uh uh the weather is good you know it's hot out so mark the parking lane as well because you know that way people don't cross the lane and you know and and and and can see the vis can see it clear the parking space there. So thank you.

Thank you councel noon. All in favor signify by saying I. Any oppose? So ordered. 6.10. Council Mcdana requests the city manager work with the appropriate department to explore the feasibility of permitting seasonal lights or similar decorations over streets and commercial mixeduse districts. Seconded by councelor Robinson. Councelor McDonald.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, this motion came out of a series of conversations, a couple downtown business owners, couple of the um event throwing groups. I call them nonprofits, but it's like their whole nonprofit is throwing events. Um, and I I think really what they're looking for is that uh right now it's uh it's because of the historic district, we can't hang e even if property owners agreed they can't hang and you can't hang anything across the street e even on the the quieter streets or even when the roads are closed. And so I we're they're really just looking to see if there is any way to add some flexibility. Um, and I promised I would ask. So, thank you.

Thank you, Council Mcdana. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 6.11. Council Roberts request the city manager to provide the city council with usage options regarding waste and recycling bins regardless of age. Seconded by councelor Rook. Councelor Robinson.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, I know this is with the enterprise and everything we voted on. Um, I was contacted by a couple residents and they were upset because one gentleman lives alone. He's 60 years old, if that. I don't even think that. And he was wondering about obtaining a smaller size. He was told you have to be 65 to qualify to get the smaller size. That's why this motion came out. If we're going to be looking into all of these changes, if it's a oneperson household or they don't utilize all that space, would they have that option regardless of age? I mean, if if a senior in a 40-year-old person uses the same amount of trash, then I mean, I don't see why we would have to charge the full bin price for anybody that can make do with the smaller size. It's it's wasted space and it's additional cost to that person. Thank you, Councelor Robinson. Councelor Non,

thank you.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I I like uh councelor Robinson motion and you are too with council Scott. We should I mean I know that you know we just uh passed an ordinance a waste ordinance. Um you know and because we pay from general fund what this year what $3 million right around there. So in actuality the collect the money we collect from waste and recycle 6.3 and we have to take from general fund $3 million to pay for it in the uh enterprise fund for waste and recycle. Maybe we ought to think about maybe the managerial office and look at explore a possibility of pay as you throw. Just an idea.

Thank you, Councelor Noon. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 6.12. Councelor Scott request the city to report on legalities of commercial vehicles parked on public streets overnight in parking on impervious services. Seconded by council. Councelor Scott.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, of course, we have ordinances on the books already, but I've heard from so many residents about this. Um, there just so many questions around what is a commercial vehicle, what hours can they park on the street, what rules apply to them parking all over their yard. And what I've seen is this dramatic or what the residents have seen is this dramatic increase in commercial businesses that are not renting space and they're just parking, you know, 10, 12 vans on the road. So, there's people that just have a lot of questions and I know the city manager and the assistant city manager is always extremely responsive about these concerns. Um, but I'd just like to bring it forward kind of an informative piece for the public, what's allowed, what's not allowed. Um, have a shared understanding and then when the report comes back, possibly have a conversation about parking enforcement um outside of downtown and within the neighborhoods. So, thank you.

Thank you, Councelor Scott. All in favor signify by saying I. Any oppose? So ordered. 6.13. Council Scott. May I get you request city manager work with the sustainability council to explore cost-saving measures around trash, recycling, and yard waste. Council Scott.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, obviously, we're all aware of the dramatic increases in disposal costs that we've encountered, and we've gone to this enterprise account. Um, and what I don't want to do is go back again to residents again a year from now because the costs are going to keep going up. I mean, that's just the way things are going. Um, overseas doesn't want to take our trash anymore. It's harder and harder to dispose of it. Um, so I did have the opportunity originally, the first thing I served on was this was the recycling committee and sustainability council in the city and I thought it was a real resource for the city. We did a lot of research work. Um, so some of the things that I think that they could be a real valuable uh tool for is looking at um how we can lower contamination costs. Um there's going to be a possible mandate on curbside composting coming down the road from the state. Um so this is something they can get ahead of and and really work on that. 2030 is the the estimated date, which is an additional cost for the city. I don't know how that's, you know, going to play out, but they could look at that. Um the yard waist schedule, I know we all love our yard waste. I think we pick up 30 times a year. I looked at other towns, it's about 12. Um, now that we're paying for it as residents within the enterprise fund, I think it's something you might want to bring out to residents. What do they value and what do they want to keep and not keep now that it's their funds that are completely paying for it? Um, so these are the questions that in the pay as you throw obviously as an option for people like me that use less trash. Maybe that's something they want to to explore. So, thank you very much.

Thank you, Councelor Scott. All in favor signify by saying I. Any oppose? So ordered. 7 7.1 motion response a jam area plans council Robinson Councel Mcdana Councel Robinson thank you Mr. um going through this. I I I thank you for the report. Um we're all well aware of the challenges we face over in this area in particular. Um I have to say enforcement has increased significantly from a year and a half, two years ago in some areas and not so much in others. Um we all know we can set our clocks. The nice weather's here with the protocols over. probably going to see a spike down in that area. And and I think we need to really look at it. Seemed like we had a a good grip on at least the routine patrolling and the routine. Hey, move it along. You you can't just hang. I took a ride by and and it seems like behind certain businesses over there now are coming gathering places again, especially due to the nice weather. Um it's it is tough. We we do understand we don't have that magic day center for people. It's Elliot Church has been a great partner in all this and they do provide some of the services during the day. But I I think we really do need to address and step up all in this area especially now that the nice weather's here and and be mindful of our businesses. Um we we know some of the challenges the businesses have been facing over there. So, anything we can do to really increase enforcement and maybe incorporate the uh transitional living uh center residents to work with us for for monthly cleanups in in the

general vicinity or or can we get some of these organizations involved to go in and do cleanups in that area to help, you know, address that broken window theory that we see sometimes down there. And so any assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Thank you, Council Robinson, Councelor Mcdana.

Thank you, uh, Mr. Mayor. Uh, and thank you to the administration, uh, for getting this response back. The only thing that I would, um, ask or I guess the two things that I'm one thing that I'm still looking for, and it's a longer term, and it wouldn't have it wouldn't have come from um, the from LPD, so I I it's not surprising, right? um would just be it's a longerterm concern around the lighting um on Jackson Street where the one side of the street is dark and this is this is not like you know where are my flood lights next week. This is just a it's a it's a long-term issue and it's I it is something that I hear about every time that there's a neighborhood meeting. Um, and then the other piece, and I don't remember if I talked about this on the on the floor or not, but um, that stretch of grass along Jackson Street is a so between Jackson Street and the canal. Um, is a a magnet for dog waste. Um, and it is abundant. And there are times that residents are putting out their own less than well they're PG-13 science about the dog waste which is you know I get it they're frustrated. Um but I think if if if there's any way that we could get like a dog waste bag over there I know I know the city still has a couple. Um I can't make the people pick it up but we could make it easier. And um I think to what councelor Robinson is saying, the the the broken windows thing, the the kind of general vibe of the neighborhood goes beyond just, you know, ongoing persistent issues. There's also, you know, I think lowerhanging fruit that can be addressed.

Thank you. Thank you, Council Mcdana, Council Leang.

I just also want to uh thank the city managers uh for for for this work. I know it's not enough and it's needed some more, but I drove by the other day and I saw a lot of kids are playing the parks and a family were walking around the areas. So, I'm assume something good's happening and that's why people are coming out and using the areas and stuff like that. So, it's a beginning and I just want to say thank you for that. So, um you know, especially when the weather's uh basically is getting warmer and uh families are coming out. So, it's a progress. Thank you. Motion accept and place on file by councelor Duran, seconded by councelor Chowo. Motion response B, department reports. Councelor Direan or councel Scott. Councelor Dan.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, this, um, this list was very helpful. Um, and I think it's helpful for residents to take a look at it to know what's been reported on and where they can find it. Um, because the the links are there. Um, however, uh, as councelor Scott suggested in the neighborhood subcommittee meeting we had on March 5th, um, I think she had suggested having a centralized place to find reports. I think that might be challenging because these all relate to different departments and they seem to be, you know, located sort of in that department. but maybe some sort of a wayfinding page on the city website so people can know where to look if they're looking for an audit report or a you know street paving report or whatever would be helpful. Um and then the original so I think that that could just make it easier on a going forward basis so it's not just sort of having to find this document and then searching. Um the original motion on January 20th was to create a schedule of reports to to be provided by the administration um on a regular basis annual, quarterly or monthly um so that rather than having to do an ad hoc mechanism where motions get put on the agenda for information, we can all work together to figure out which reports will be coming when. And I think that can help the administration prepare and and help residents know what's coming. Um, and I think the goal the goal as I stated at the time was to find a balance between providing more information um to the public that the public would find useful but without burdening the administration. So I think there may need to be a dialogue rather than a demand. And I have a list of things that I could suggest and I could take time now but um you know I don't need to do that. Um, but I've been thinking about this quite a while and I think we can all just do better in how

we work together and I know that is part of what the administration has been doing with uh what we'll hear as we get to the motion tracker. So, it kind of is a similar concept to that. Thank you. Thank you, Council J. Councelor Scott.

Thank you. I would just echo about the central location, I guess, for the reports. We were at the Highlands meeting last night and and a few people said, "Do you do you post, you know, what the city spends? you post you, it it's almost, you know, like it's hidden information and we don't want people to think that. So, if there's a way for residents, even if it's in the update section, you know, to put a this is all of our city reports links or something out there that we communicate that we're transparent and that could people can readily find information that they'd like to see. Thank you,

Auditor Oats, you made us all look really good last night with your reports and munas and everything. Motion to accept and place on file by councelor Rook, seconded by councel Robinson. Motion response C, wetlands do not disturb. Council Scott, thank you. And I just like to thank the DPD for this response. I think it was a very uh good balance between, you know, what what we were talking about about the 50 foot and the 25 ft making sure that not we're not stopping development and the city overly stopping it. Um, and I think this is good. We're protecting the wetlands and it's a step forward. So, I look forward to the ordinance. Thank you, manager Golden.

Uh, thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. Through to the council. Council is um if you wish to move forward, the suggestion that I was asked was that u we the council asks the law department to put an ordinance together. We'll bring the ordinance back and from that perspective, we would then refer to the conservation commission if the council so wishes. I'd make a motion to to do that. Motion by councelor Scott, seconded by councelor Rook. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. Council mercy. Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. It says the DPD staff re recommends implementing a 25- FFT no build zone. What is it now?

Mr. Mayor, there's no ordinance right now that prevents people. So it's at the conservations commission discretion when they review the applications. So that would be a good motion because Yeah, that's a good one. You want a roll call on that? It's up to council Scott. No, it's all right. It's all right. Yeah. Thank you. Motion to accept and place on file by councelor Noon, seconded by councelor Mercier. Motion response D. Sexual assault, child abuse prevention awareness month, victim's rights month. Councelor Noon.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I want to thanks Mr. Managers and CFO Connors for the report. Um the report indicated a few way identify a few way or way to raise awareness. uh one of which um you know to lighting the bridge u in honors of survival that's a nice way to do it and also promoting and prevention and raise awareness about the impact of sexual assault and children abuse or child abuse. It's also indicated that to work collaboratively with local partners and community organization to prevent violent and strengthen community well-being through you, Mr. Mayor, to the managers. Do we still have that um sexual assault/domemestic viol task force and how often do we meet?

Council, I would have to get back to you on the last meeting on that. Okay. Uh the uh the task force is that uh consists of varieties of organization including the DA and the court and everything else. Yes, it major. Sorry, Miss May. Uh three to the council. Yes, it does. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Council Noon. Motion accept and place on file by councelor Duran, seconded by councel Chow. 7.2 2 information report Winterfest 2026. Mr. Manager.

Uh, thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, and through you to the council. Council is, uh, a very exciting time. Obviously, I want to say thank you very much to everybody down in case, Mrs. D. Rogers, who's Mr. Rogers, who's here, Miss Silk, who is here. Uh, they have all of the information here, but it's something that you can kind of thumb through. Um, what I thought was very impressive was the estimated attendance being 13,000 people. Now, I want to say that it's because we throw one heck of a party. It could have also been because it was 45 degrees uh 50 degrees in the middle of uh uh the winter. So, um but the parking passes, the awards that were happening, the fact that um the uh uh the cake boss was in town and uh a special thank you to the uh the technical high school, Great Little Tech, for putting that together. As everyone probably noticed today, uh the the cake that buddy Vstro made is now encased and I know that that u the great old tech had everything to do with that making that happen. But uh we really heard a lot of activity, a lot going on. People really loved what we did. Uh so it's really here for any questions, thoughts, concerns. Uh if anyone has an idea of how we could do this better in the future, I'd love to know. Uh because I think we really knocked it out of the park. And thank you very much to the bsentennial uh uh uh organization that helped us fund some of this stuff. Uh some of the things that were happening was uh a little bit beyond what we would typically do uh as a as a typical winterfest. So thank you very much to um Miss Mahoney, Mr. Pangotakus, and Mr.

Thank you, Manager Golden Council Robinson.

Um thank you. Uh great job done by all. Um, one of the things that really jumped out the numbers piece here and and I think this is a goal. Can we work towards getting this kind of ROI so to say? Uh, 34 participating businesses and and on followup, 76% of businesses reported an excellent experience. I I I think that's huge. If there's a a way to follow up that 36 businesses or 34 businesses, 76% report an excellent experience. We need to figure out ways to put uh people at the uh business's doorstep like we did here. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Councelor Robinson. Motion to accept and place on file by councelor Jirean, seconded by councelor Mcdana. 7.2 2 information report motion tracker quarter 1 2026 Mr. Manager.

Uh thank you very much uh Mr. Mayor through the council. Council is this is thisformational that uh we're talking about the quarterly motion tracker. It is uh we are still uh this is a work in progress. Uh it is something that is obviously new to us as well. Uh this is all within our 311 system and um we are working out a few of the uh the kinks in it, but uh we'd appreciate any feedback that you may have on it or discussions to how to make this better in the future. Uh and I'll leave it to the council to make any of those calls or decisions that uh how we could change this to make it better. Motion to accept and place on file by council Leang, seconded by councelor Scott. 7.3 communication appointments of Nala O'Hara and Hunter Berby to the youth lol youth commission motion to accept and place on file by council rook seconded by councelor noon

from Mr. Mayor council mercy would it be possible when we get to the voting to take 8.1 8.2 8.4 48.5. The remaining votes in bundle them, please. Motion of bundle 8.1, 8.2, 8.4, and 8.5 by council me. Seconded by councel. I I would I'd like to have discussion on 8.5. Mr. Mayor, before we do that, can I ask for a suspension? I'm sorry, a point of personal privilege. Take an item that's not on the agenda. Yep. Do I have the motion by councelor Scott for personal privilege, seconded by councel rook. Thank you, Mr. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed?

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just is a time-sensitive issue. Residents have been reaching out to me all night asking me about uh Calvert. The street closed on Bela Street. I just wanted to see if you could quickly give an update for that, Mr. Manager.

Uh thank you very much, Mr. Mayor through to the council. Council, thank you very much for that and thank you for staying. Obviously, it's in right near the heart of your district. So, what we are uh what we experienced is a a problem over on the Bill Rick Street Culver. Um we've made the decision to shut it down. We've been in contact with Mass DOT and tomorrow I believe at 2:00 there is a meeting to have a discussion. We believe it's going to cost approximately $1.2 million to fix and with any hope um talking to our partners in the district over at Mass DOT, we're looking to apply for a grant. our engineers have already uh started to apply for this and that was back in November of 2025 into December. So it is our hope that in the next um I would say in the next week to two weeks we'll have this knowledge uh as to what mass dot would suggest. Uh we have really been working with Paul Steedman very closely uh in regards to this because another concern that we obviously have is Wuben Street. Uh many people may not know this but there's another culvert uh that goes through Wuben Street. So, we want to ensure that Bill Ricker Street is taken care of as soon as possible. And by as soon as possible, I mean if we uh are able to access the funds from the state to the uh up to $1 million, that would put the city on the hook for approximately $200,000 if our numbers are correct. At that point in time, um we would hope before the end of this year, this calendar year, that Bill Rick Street would be completed. But that is all uh to be determined within quite frankly in the next week to two weeks. So I'll gladly uh counsel bring something back or um as anformational once we have this meeting with mass DOT. As I said it will happen tomorrow. I'm not sure if it will uh be rectified tomorrow. But I cannot say enough about Mass DOT and how uh responsive quite frankly they've been. And uh and a shout out to our uh our engineers. They were

on this as of uh last year. We knew there was a problem. We're on top of it and um we're just glad that nothing nothing happened. So currently right now for the for the folks in the Bill Ricker Street area, it will be uh a little inconvenient uh because it will shut it will be shut down and I think it's shut down for the right purposes right now for the safety purposes. But I can get back to you in the next I hope uh within the next two weeks to give you a firm update. Yeah. And if you could email the council with an update on it all. Um and and obviously EM like EMS services, everyone's aware that the culprit is closed. Like that's kind of what's been brought up to me. They just want to make sure that that's been relayed. So I will uh that the road is closed

to the council. I will make sure that that has happened. But typically before engineering closes closes down a road, uh we make sure that that does happen. So uh I'll I'll check with the commissioner, the superintendent as well as the uh fire chief and pride. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you, Councelor Scott. Going back to the agenda, eight votes from mayor, 8.1 vote. So, can will we be just We should be able to ask questions on any one of them at the end. Yep. Yep. After they're read, just say which one you want to ask a question on and you can certainly ask questions.

8.1 vote accept deed 251 Church Street, wave four, reading a second reading by title. 8.2 vote accept deed 60 Claremont Street. Wave four reading second reading by title. 8.4 4 vote accept expend 2000 Walmart grant fire wave full reading and second reading by title 8.5 vote authorize city manage execute annual action plan FY26 FY27 wave full reading by title any cons councel Robinson thank you Mr. Mayor, an 8.5 through you to the manager. Um,

did we get any of the the the pretty much social service nonprofits applying for any of this money? And and if so, is it because of the regulations that that we're not really awarding any of that this year? Mr. Manager.

Uh, thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. To the council. Uh, we did uh there was less people this year due to the changes that um we brought forward. We did have a meeting to inform everybody uh that the federal government did make some changes, but at this point uh in time, we're looking that uh we believe we can do it from the in-house. We'll still be able to work with people uh from this. I know that Mr. uh Camilo's here to talk about this. Mr. Espia to talk about this as well, but um we are in a a time of change uh from the federal government. If this money were to go out and we were to allow it to go out and the federal government came back, they would actually be coming to the city after the whole pot.

Correct. To make the the CDBG monies whole if there was a problem. So at this point where um where we believe we can we can deal with this on from from the inside inside perspective. Now there is one and I'm going to lean on Mr. Espazito for that. um ES I think it's the ESG programs. Yeah, thank you Mr. Manager. So yeah, the the the only so everything has been affected by the federal regulations as the manager stated. Um

everything has to do with the restrictions particularly on DI language. We found out that several of those several of these organizations have that in in their um as part of their mission statements and their goals. And so that would affect in the future should any reporting back to the federal government uh make us uh be responsible for that funding that mostly affects CDBG funding in itself which is the the part what that would allocate the public services but it doesn't really affect ESG and it doesn't affect home funding except for the fact that there were reductions okay

in the funding itself but the the the allocation that was mostly affected and that we decided to shift the funding towards the city doing the work was the CDG funds. Thank you for that explanation. I just have one more question. Um I noticed we're allocating a 100,000 out of this to the bid. Isn't that kind of putting the cart before the horse? Um do we anticipate this being up and running in this fiscal year? The bid we the council hasn't even vetted what this looks like for sure yet and there's been no vote taken. So this requested allocation it's a little premature, don't you think? Um so we are in the process of drafting the MOU with the with the businesses. Uh we are having it reviewed by the legal department before the money actually signs the commitment from the city. So it's it's it's both ways. It's showing the businesses that we are committed to providing the respon the funding for the responsibilities that we have with the businesses. So that's in process. We are assuming we're hoping that actually gets executed this year so we can allocate this $100,000 for the bit for the bid. Okay.

And and what happens if we don't end up allocating that that 100k say is it stay or can we allocate it elsewhere at that point? If we don't execute the MOU with the bid, if if that's not up and running by the end of the year and this money is sitting and we have to re-reapply for funds next year, what happens to the money unused? We have the flexibility of reallocate the 100,000 to something else that's related to economic development in the city. Okay, perfect. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Robinson. Council Mcdana, I thank my colleague for saying it first, but I I I do have a follow-up question on the on the bid allocation. I my I I share uh Councelor Robinson's concern, and that's that I mean I I've seen the draftou. I think the whole council has seen the draft. It was in anformational. We did not vote on the memorandum memorandum of understanding. Um, I I also in looking at other communities that have gone through a business improvement district process, I I understand that there are some very enthusiastic property owners. I I I get it. I've met with all of them, too. But these things don't happen in 8 months, right? Like this is the the petition process is just starting. You need half of your property owners and 60% of your assessed value. um to agree to this. And I I actually I I I agree with Councelor Robinson. This this I'm not I'm not saying this because I'm opposed necessarily to them eventually getting this $100,000, but I I have a hard time seeing us arriving at this point before the end of the year. And um sorry and I also just want to add that voting or looking at this allocation of funds before the public process of the me like before a public vote on a memorandum understanding before the neighborhood uh and other surrounding areas anyone in the city has had a chance to comment on this project feels rushed. Um that that's really my comment. Thank you.

Thank you Mr. Mcdana. Council Dan.

Uh thank you u Mr. Mayor. Um I guess I don't see things in the same way as the other counselors because I think there are other things on this list that are not completely baked yet. Um you know there are general economic development you know exactly how those loans are going to be spent etc is not necessarily something that's been figured out yet. So I guess I'm um you know I think this is a plan and that's what we're sort of working towards. I thank you, councelor, and um Mr. Mayor. So, we will have a 30-day commentary period that's required by HUD that that kicks in tomorrow and so we will use that 30-day to adjust anything that anything that would need to be adjusted in this allocations, but we are required to have this vote by the council and it's part of the regular process. Um, as far as the ability to reallocate the 100,000, it is flexible precisely because it's within the economic development bucket. So we we could move things around as long as they serve the same purpose.

Thank you, Council Duran. Councel Chow. Oh, you want to go again? Yeah, I just had one other question unrelated to that discussion. Um, when I look at the numbers for the prior fiscal year and this fiscal year, it looks like in a number of cases, the amount that the city will be receiving is higher than in the prior fiscal year, if I'm interpreting it correctly. Um so I just wanted to understand because that seemed surprising I guess. Thank you. No no we actually got reductions in all three. Um in CDVG we got a 5% reduction and pre in relation to last year. In ESG we got a 2.9 uh% reduction and in home a 3.8 reduction.

Okay. Yeah. I'm not sure I follow the numbers that way but that's helpful to when I'm looking at the details. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, councelor Jan. Councelor Chow.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor, and um on the clear want to speak on the 8.5 on the annual action plan. I actually um commend the administration for bringing the the vote forward tonight. It's very very timely. Um I happen to catch news that at the federal level there have been threat um to cut the CDBG money all those currently being being blocked right now. But um you just never know what's going to happen. So, it's important that we uh submit these award for tonight get on a timely manner. Um, councelor Robinson was I want to make a couple comments though. Um, uh, Councelor Robinson did allude to some of the cuts to the nonprofits and um, specifically so that the public are aware um, the funders have been cutting uh, the the homeless service um, the housing rehab and um, one of my favorite is the first-time home buyer. Um you know I think this is probably some of the mandates that the manager mentioned that uh we have to follow in order to keep on receiving the CDBG money. The second thing I'm concerned uh with is that the money for the senior center um I know through Mr. Mayor to Mr. manager. Um given what are the our prior discussion on uh the senior center and CDG CDG money is this still protocol if we still um follow compliance and things like that with this amount that we submitting to okay wonderful thank you

thank you councelor Chowo councelor non I'm all set Mr. Mayor Councel Dire uh thank you Mr. Mayor, if we're done with 8.5, um I had some comments or questions and comments on 8.1 and 8.2. Um first just to understand the process um with this kind of um I won't call it a tax taking but the equivalent I assume that the city is under no obligation to pay the equity to the um owner from whom the properties are received. City Solicer Williams.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, no, so there's two separate um sort of uh prongs that go along with the uh recent changes that went along with tax title and the uh there is a separate statute as referenced in there for deeds in lie of foreclosure. Um this is something that I know the city hasn't uh pursued at least you know recently in my time here and it's a very uh powerful weapon. It's very beneficial to the city. It it allows us to um completely remove land court from uh the entire process and we can move on quicker and honestly it's it really is better for both parties where some of them you know they when they owe upwards of $200,000 that's they're never going to get us that money and we know we're not going to get it but in situations like like this it works out it works out great. So in this scenario no we would not have to.

Thank you. Um, and do we have plans on how we're going to use these two properties? Just that that's a curiosity question. I've got a substantive one. No. Okay. Not at this time.

Okay. Not at this time. Thank you. So, I do have a question about the 251 Church Street property, um, which is one I pass frequently, and it is, uh, a triangle, um, right on, well, right on Church Street, right by the river, um, that is adjacent to 239 Church Street, which is a nail salon. and um per LOL deeds, these two properties and and others in the neighborhood have been sold back and forth between affiliated entities for a number of years. Every time I drive by these properties, um there are cars parked on 251 Church Street, the uh triangle that the city would be acquiring, and it's set up with stripes for parking. I took pictures the other day, but even if you just do a Google search, you will see cars parked there. So, I understand that the business might need the parking, but the owner, this seems like the owner of the building might be avoiding paying taxes on that property and maybe still allowing its tenants to use this now city-owned property for parking. Now, that may be the city's plan. It may be good for business, but um I would like to make a motion that the city manager either that we understand what the use will be and that either the business is notified not to use the space or there's an agreement put in place to ensure that you know parking, rent, liability, etc. is, you know, addressed clearly and intentionally.

Do we need a motion or do you want him just to look into it and get back to you? Um whatever is Yeah, Mr. manager. I can look into it. All right. You look into it and get back to you. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Council Robinson. Thank you through you to the manager. Um I just have a question on again this CDBG. Um a notice under the project delivery pieces 7 and a half% cost associated with administering public facility contracts including a 15% increase in fringe costs. What is that like? Can I get clarification on that please?

Mr. Manager. Uh, thank you very much. Uh, Mr. Mayor to the council. CDBG allows us to charge staff time if that's what your question is. If I we have to go any deeper than that as far as staff time. Some in one of the in one of them is for an inspector as well. Is that answering your question, councelor?

Yes or no? I mean I I see for one for example um prior amount was 346k this year it's almost it's 630 which is a significant increase but then it also uh points to 7.5% cost associated administering public facility contracts including a 15% infringe cost Mr. Manager. Thank you, M. Mayor of the council. That is what is allowed by CDBG to charge for that for fringe for fringe benefits, meaning if we're uh if we're using staff time, we can also pay for their health care, etc. out of that out of their insurance. I hope I'm answering your question.

Yeah. So it' be whatever whatever the resources necessary that's the max that you'd be able to allow towards the chargeback off of facilitating this entire pool of money for this specific earmark. That'd be correct. Okay. Thank you very much. I hope I Yes. No. Yeah. No. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you,

Council Mcdana. Thank you. Uh just one one more time on the on the business improvement district $100,000. Um I I I want to be really clear that this this is not um like a neutral economic development policy. We're working out the fin final details of who's going to receive the popup whatever that by many a as as people who live in downtown start finding out about the bid and they have questions and they have concerns and some of them are founded and some of them are a little you know however they they are real and I I I have my own reservations and I I also just want to stress that if we appropriate if we take this vote and $100,000 comes in and there is no bid to spend this money in this fiscal year, we can we can still spend this money somewhere else. Right.

Just one more time. Sorry. Correct. Yeah, that is correct.

Okay. I And the only and the last thing that I I would say because I' I've heard how the council has spoken but but I most of my colleagues the last time this came up and and colleague again tonight is that because this is not neutral, right? And I think this council has very recent experience with this. It is not uncommon that we take a vote or past councils take a vote on what looks to be, you know, a fairly mundane trash fee ordinance and then I think everyone in the city realizes what was passed and now they realize that they've been affected and then they reach out and then at the following meeting we have questions and all I'm all I just wanted to make sure right that before we appropriated the money and committed down the road and then all of a sudden residents pour forward and they go wait no we want to know about this and have you added that that you know we had that opportunity. So thank you. I'm glad we can still move the money. Thank you.

Thank you councelor Mcdana. Motion to adopt by councelor Rook, seconded by council noon. Roll call. Council Durant. Yes. Council Leang. Yes. Council Mcdana. Yes. Council Mercia. Yes. Council Noun. Yes. Council Robinson, yes. Councelor Rock, yes. Council Scott, yes. Council Chow, yes. Councelor Cotto, Mayor Gia, yes. 10 years.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Nine. Ordinances from the city manager 9.1 ordinance amend fee schedule. City clerk's office. Give first reading. Motion refer to public hearing on April 28th, 2026 at 7 p.m. by councelor Noon, seconded by councelor Mercia. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 10 reports of subcommittees 10.1 economic development subcommittee April 7th, 2026. Councelor Robinson,

thank you. Um, a subcommittee met and and I think a great conversation was established. Uh, present on roll call was myself, chairman Robinson, councelor Jirean, councelor Mcdana. Also present were Austin Ball, assistant CFO Maria Dickinson, DPD, Camille ES Espa, DPD, Allison Carter, DPD, Councelor Mercier, Councelor Non, Councelor Scott, Manager Golden, and Yvani Bay Rose. Um, at this meeting, we basically began the conversation centered around looking at the tax incentive programming. Um we the DPD was instrumental in laying out what a base tax uh incentive program looks like. Um we are all aware as we were presented in informative um display of how we're far below what other communities are offering and I think that kind of opens the door for some creative thinking internally. Um it's it's going to be a heavy lift to get to where we want to go ultimately because it's going to require a lot of internal coordination with this. But I think for the community, it's something that they should kind of be excited about because uh it's going to be again a a work in progress, but we're looking at every opportunity and and Council McDunn and myself met up for a coffee over the weekend and and another piece that really jumped out and it was brought to us by a resident in his district is we need to look to also um one of the things when we're looking at tax incentives and especially if it's district specific Pacific. We have a huge huge arts community that that is looking for space and all kinds of space. And I think those are the kind of initiatives that above and beyond a baseline package for tax incentives. We we can work and try to implement and come out with a a metric system where it's a sliding scale. You might get a

more lucrative tax incentive if you're willing to pretty much voluntarily work out a community benefits agreement to some extent. So, uh, it's a work in progress. I appreciate all the conversation and it was a great start and I look forward to success conversations. Thank you.

Thank you, Councelor Robinson. Motion accepted was a report of progress by councelor Rook, seconded by councelor Jirean. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 10.2. We'll wait till next week. Thank you, councelor Jirean. Petitions 11.1 Boston Gas request permission to replace existing cast iron gas man at 24 to 360 Gorm Street. Give first reading. Motion to refer to a public hearing on April 28, 2026 at 7 p.m. by councelor Scott, seconded by councelor Chow. All in favor signify by saying I. Any oppose? So ordered. 11.2 2 Boston Gas request permission to replace existing cast iron gas man at 67 to 94 Kinsman Street. Give first reading motion to refer to a public hearing on April 28, 2026 at 7 p.m. by Council Yang. Seconded by Councelor Mercia. All in favor signify by saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 11.3 National Grid request permission to install underground electric conduit at 50 Drakit Street. Give first reading. Motion to refer to public hearing on April 28, 2026 at 7 p.m. by Council Robinson, seconded by Council Mcdana. And there uh 12 city council executive session 12.1 executive session to consider and discuss ongoing negotiations relative to the disposition of 41 Herd Street. public discussion of which may have a detrimental effect on negotiating position of the city and further to consider and discuss collective bargaining strategies under the open meeting law chapter 3A section 21AB 23 of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts general laws public discussion of which may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the city. Motion enter executive session adjourned from

executive session by councelor Robinson seconded by councelor Mercia. Roll call. Councilor Jurian. Yes. Council Leang. Yes. Council Mcdana. Yes. Councilor Mercia. Yes. Council N. Yes. Council Robinson. Yes. Council Ro. Yes. Council Scott. Yes. Council Chow. Yes. Councilor Dakota. Mayor Gia. Yes. Announcements. Councelor Mercia.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like an announcement to come and celebrate 50 years with us. Join the Four Sisters Owl Diner as they celebrate 50 amazing years with our community. April 18th, Saturday, and April 19th on Sunday, enter to win a Weber gas grill. $700 value special deals of coffee for only 50 cents with any meal. started in 1976, 50 years ago. Bring your friends and family and help them celebrate this special milestone. Good food, good company, and a chance to win a great prize. Don't miss it. They would love to celebrate with you at the Four Sisters Owl Diner. Congratulations on your 50th anniversary. Thank you,

Councelor Dan.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um the NEMCOG the northern middle sex county of government council of governments has asked that I share that uh the citizens housing and chap uh planning association chapa is seeking elected and appointed officials to join a free six-month housing leadership academy program which would run from June through December. Applications are open until April 27th. The program covers ways that municipalities can address housing shortages. Um, as I said, the program is free. Uh, for information, you can either reach out to me or to NEMCOG or just Google Chapa, which is CHAP, Chapa Housing Leadership Academy. Thank you, Council Non.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. On behalf of my colleague, Council Chow and Council Lang, the announcement is for this Friday Cambodian genocide remembrance vigil. Uh it's going to be at JFC uh JFK Plaza starting from 5:00 to 6:30. Everyone invited uh on Saturday start in the morning at senior center there be Cambodian New Year's host by CMAA. The parade will started right around 12:30 uh to Clemente Park. But prior to the parade, there's soft ribbon cutting of the park. Clemente Park started at 11:30. Uh so um those are the invite uh to all uh to be to join us this u new year celebration but also the candle vigil or remembrance on Friday 5 to 6:30.

Thank you councelor New Council Leang. Uh thank you Mr. Mayor. Um I think councelor Newan already mentioned uh about the Clemente Park ribbon cutting. Uh that's going to be on Saturday. Um and also followed by the Cambodian New Year's from 12 to 5. Again, the ribbon cutting for the rubber Clemente Park is um will start at 11:30. So be there and we'll see you there. And then there's going to be a lot of fun with the Cambodian New Year coming up. Thank you, Council Rock.

Uh thank you, Mr. Man. Just to reiterate what I was talking about earlier this evening, uh we have the LOL youth baseball and softball parade uh starts at 2:00 um at the Sonus Arena and heads to Lasha Park I think leaves from uh 2 to 3:30. So hope to see everybody there. Thank you Sam.

Thank you councel Rook Council Leang. Um I think um also for those who's at home um the the senior center that will start the program for CMAA will begin at 9:00 a.m. So um go by if you want to see the traditional dances and also uh a lot of um activities happening prior to the uh uh the parade going toward uh the the Clemente Park and then the ribbon cutting. So, um, please, um, again, the event will start at 9:00 a.m. at the senior center if you want to join us over there. And then the ribbon cutting will be at 11:30. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Yang. Now, we'll go over to um, executive session. Thank you.