City Council - Regular Meeting

If we could please call this, as is titled, the special city council meeting this day, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, scheduled to commence at 5:30 p.m. here in the city council chambers, of course, for city council business. Our agenda is a special agenda, so it can't be amended. Um, it's been properly noticed and we're going to start as we always do um with a prayer. And if all would stand for a prayer and as I ask you to, I look for someone who might want to lead us in a prayer.

Councilwoman Mary Lee enters on Q as I see. Oh, Pastor Lewis, if she would like to uh come on up to the microphone, that would be wonderful. Not something bishop. Let's see if that microphone is on. I don't know if that microphone is on. Try that pastor. Bishop.

Most gracious father in the name of Jesus, we thank you for this great assembly. Now God, let us conduct your business with decency and in order. Bless all those here. Bless our mayor, all those in their respectful places. And we give you the glory in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Michelle, would you lead us in the pledge?

To the flag of the United States of America. Thank you, Madame Clerk and members of the council. We'll move forward with the agenda is printed with a with a uh taking of a attendance to ensure the recording of a quorum with a roll call vote. With that, Madame Clerk, your microphone is on. You have the floor for uh a quorum for roll call attendance. Thank you. Gi Murray

here, Nicole Nelson, Denise Elmo, Jorge Cruz, Dasha Spel, Rolanda Smith, Akim Voy, Janet Her, Loretta Dub, Michelle Lions, Mary McBryley, Rachel Ortiz, Alfredo Castillo, Oh, come inside. Frederick Hes,

Maria, Kayla Medina, Maria Pereo, and Aida Martinez, Ernest Newton. We have 100% attendance. Mayor, thank you, Madam Clerk. With that knowledge and declare, of course, we have a quorum. Um, the first matter on the agenda is matters to be acted upon uh references consent calendar, but I know there's going to be an amendment as I understand it on 6325. Councilwoman Martinez, I understand you want to be recognized at this time. If that's correct, your microphone is on. You have the floor.

Thank you, mayor. At this time, I would like to make a motion to amend by substitution as discussed during committee the resolution regarding proposed amendment to the municipal code of ordinance 3.16.110 real property tax relief and maximum. Motion's been made and seconded. Is there a reference to an amendment that the clerk has and that all members of council have and have seen? Is that correct, madam uh councilwoman? Yes. Okay. Um it's a motion is made and seconded. It's made as amended. It's my understanding that everyone has the motion and the amendment. Does anybody want to be heard on this before we vote? I'll go by order of microphones. Uh, no. If anyone No one wants to be heard. Okay. We're going to vote at this time.

Motion to move item 63-25. Mayor, all in favor indicate by saying I. Any opposed?

Okay. So, unanimously uh voted on. Next item is 4525, budget appropriations committee report, general fund operating budget for fiscal year 26 and 27 and votes as follows. And if you have a copy of the agenda in front of you, you'll see that there are uh alphabetic designations for general fund items including revenue increases and decreases, appropriations, and um then of course um what would be considered an omnibus vote on the entire package. It's my understanding the budget committee chair or co-chair uh Councilman Newton is requesting to uh present this matter if that's so. Councilman, your microphone is on.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um the committee left off two items that we should have had in the budget. And before we begin the vote, I'd like to make a motion to amend the budget appropriations report by substitute the new document that has been placed before you and everybody's got a copy of it.

It's mine to say there's a a motion on the floor, Councilman Newton, and a a written copy of that has been distri clerk has it. I'll make sure she has a copy and she has it. Members of the measure, members of the council have it and there's a second. Is that a count? Councilwoman Janette Herren made the second. We have a motion and a second for uh this budget and appropriations committee report as amended. I got to read the amendment. Okay. Um the new document only increases three small changes in section C of the appropriate. Can I pause for a moment with you, Councilman? So to is it correct that we're referencing now under general fund uh subsection A revenue increases? Right,

Councilman Newton.

The first change is the increase in the Myra program, a salary account of $10,000. The second change is an increase in the city clerk's office salary account to add an additional 10,000 on top of the 10,000 that we added in committee. So the new total should be 20,000. And finally, to offset those two changes, this amendment makes $20,000 adjustment to arbitration line. Overall, the net of appropriation increase the same as does the rest of the budget as adopted by the budget committee.

All right. I'll move, mayor. I'm going to accept that as as a motion on uh 4525, the budget appropriation committee report A, revenue increases. Is that correct, Councilman? It's been second. Anybody want to be heard on this? C was amending. He's amending C. Well, he's amending the committee report and then we're going to go ABC. All right. All right. So, we're up. So, how do you want the a How do you Just for the record, let's be clear that he's amending uh the entire motion, the committee report, right? Okay. So, we want to But we're still going to have So, so council members know, we're still going to have individual votes on A, B, C, D, and then on uh E as well. That's right.

Okay. Just so everyone knows, you can vote any way you want on them, but I want people to know what they're voting on. Right now, we're voting voting to amend uh this, but we're going to have continuous votes. All right. Councilwoman Ferrer wants wants to be heard and then we'll vote unless someone else does. Counciloman, you have a floor. We're just voting on the amendment, right? To add. Yes. I'm sorry. How are we doing this when this is a special meeting? You can't add anything to the agenda. You can't You cannot You can amend the motion, though. Okay. I'd like a copy of the amendment as allowed under the city council rules. Okay. I'd like a copy. That's required on I've requested it and I'd like it.

Yeah. It's my understanding everyone already has one, but someone make sure that she has access to a copy if she wants one at this time and doesn't have one or additional copy if that be the case. I have the copy. Is there anyone else wants to be heard? The actual motion. Mayor, it reflects on the new budget. Okay. But I want the motion. Okay. So, the council woman has every council member has that. Every council member has that question. Thank you so much. All right. With that, no one else wants to be heard. Am I seeing someone over here that wants to be heard? Council, can I have a roll call vote on the amendment? So, do um I think we're okay with voice votes on these, right? Okay. So, we're going to vote on ear on a motion as amended.

Uh I've asked for for any comment or anything else. Everyone's fine, right? All in favor of by saying roll call. I've asked for a roll call on the amendment. Councilwoman, do you want to be heard before we voted? No. Move the question. I asked for roll call. All right. This is and actually listen, let's do we'll make everybody happy. I think we already voted, but you asked for a roll call vote. We'll take a roll call vote. Madame clerk, you requested a roll call vote. Please uh do a roll call vote for uh you I'm I'm identifying it as a 45 C. All right. Section C. Can I get a copy of the ro the motion?

Roll call vote. A vote of yes is to support the a motion as amended. A vote of no is of course opposed to it. Madam clerk, you have the floor for a roll call vote on this matter. Thank you. Gayen Muay. Yes. Nicole Nelson. Yes. Venice. Yes. Or Cruz. Yes. Dasha spell. Yes. Rolanda Smith. Yes. Akim Voy. Janet Herren. Absolutely. Loretta Dubag. Yes. Michelle Lions. Yes. Mara Brine. Richard Ortiz. Yeah. Alfredo Castillo. Yes. Frederick Hodes. Ivan Evas. Maria V.

Kayla Medina. Maria Pareda. No. Ana Martinez. Absolutely. Yes. Ernest Newton. Item passes. All right. It passes as the votes indicated. And and and just to clear the record up when I referenced A, I do need I I probably should have held it closer. I do see we're talking about C, which is appropriation increases. Correct, Councilman? Thank you so much, Councilman. Newton, you still have the floor. Um, I would assume we're on the budget. I want to thank Councilman Newton has the floor, please.

Can Councilman Newton has the floor, please? Councilman.

Thank you. I would like to first thank my co-chair and members of the budget committee for the long hours that we put in listening to departments to say thank you. I want to say that this is probably one of the best budgets we've had in this city in a long time because we tried to address seniors. We tried to keep the mill rate down, the car taxes, but I'm really proud to say that we finally did our part for the education of our children. because nowhere in the history of our city have we put this kind of money in to help. And I thank the board of ed for their teamwork. We work together and this is what happens when people come together with a common issue. Now, never in the history would we have taken our Peacquack money as $10 million and put it in the board of education. But the state said to us, "We want y'all to be players. Don't talk about it, be about it." I thank the mayor for putting five million starting the ball with five million this year, five million next year. But the city council stepped up and did what we had to do. Now, just like anything else, people said that's not enough. That's more than you had. And it is my understanding

from talking to the Bridgeport delegation there that the state is willing to put up whatever the board of ed needs if they sign into this compact with the state. And let me remind you that the state's already here helping the Bridgeport Board of Education. So I would hope that the board would take into consideration all the players are working together this next piece will get you over the line and that's what I'm hoping that the board will take it to another step and let the state which should be responsible for education hopefully that that will work in what we do and I like to yield to my co-chair who

appreciate that work diligently on putting the budget together. Councilman Ortiz, you have the floor. Okay. I want to thank my uh co-chair Newton for the appreciation. I want to thank every committee member who took their time and effort and coming out to do this budget and to my colleagues that showed up as well. It wasn't an easy easy decision. a lot of stuff that we did, but we did some compromising for a lot of my members for the board. Ed, I do appreciate it. Councilman Ortiz has the floor. Let's respect each other. Councilman, you have the floor.

Okay. Well, I'm going to appreciate that we actually committed a lot of funds to the board of ed also the mayor for keeping our taxes low, which he was always committed on that so we don't overburden our taxpayers on what we are funding. and and I'll I'm not going to get in big details, but I'll leave it as that. Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman. You have the floor.

Yeah. Don't touch it. Let me hit it. Ready? There you go. also And I appreciate that. This is not able. This is

Thank you. Okay. So, as I follow the lights, as I understand one of Councilman Newton's going to move the rest of the items so we can finish this item. If that's so, Council Newton, I'm entertaining your motions at this time. Councilman Newton, you have the floor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I make a motion that we accept that we go over to revenue decreases. A and move that. Just do. Yeah. Is there a motion? Revenue. I make a motion that we revenue. Any discussion on revenue decreases? A has been indicated. We'll vote on this item individually. Hearing and seeing none, all in favor indicate by saying I. Any opposed? It passes. Councilman Newton, did you want to be heard on B revenue decreases?

U make a motion that we revenue decreases. There's a motion to second. I'm looking for discussion if anyone would like to offer any. I see none. All in favor indicate by saying I. Any opposed, please indicate now so be recorded for the record. Noting that we've already voted on C. Councilman Newton. Number D. As amended. As amended. So the record's clear. We're on D. We voted on C earlier. D appropriate. All right. Clarify the record if anybody wants to disagree. Mayor. Okay. Wait. We're on We're on C, appropriation increases as amended, which is an item we discussed earlier and we'll add to a a formal vote. Secounc Martinez. Is there a second?

Second. Seconded by Councilman Ortiz. Are you with me, Madam Clerk? All in favor indicate by saying I. Any opposed? I want an indication. I see none. It passes unanimously. Go slow. I want to make sure she's got the record. Decreases. Now we are on D. Councilman, which is appropriation decreases. D. Madame Clerk has been made by Councilwoman Martinez, seconded by Councilman Ortiz. Uh, I see no hands or indication to be heard on this. And that I'm I'm sorry, Councilwoman. Thank you for Thank you. Thank you for for uh getting my attention so that I could turn your microphone on. Council woman, you have

All I ask is that the chair read the numbers into the record because some of the council members don't know what numbers they're voting on right now because we made an amendment. So, let's clear. And you're going too fast, mayor, cuz they I could see across the room. Some people don't know what we're really voting on. We're just voting on letters. The numbers always traditionally read into the record. That's fine. And with that, we will we will I will uh ask that the chair, Councilman Newton, we are on uh D appropriation decreases. I'll read it. I'll read it. Well, let's start since I didn't do it for the first one.

Well, listen. What we can do is this. Let me do it this. Let's do this. Let's look. We're going to follow your advice, but here. Let's do it this way. We have to vote D and before we vote on the whole uh anchelot as they say which is Etal. He'll go through all the changes. Is that okay? Okay with you councilman. The totals that we the totals and if there's any other questions. Okay. Just let me get let's get D voted on. We'll do it. Is that okay with you Ken? All right. So moved. Is there a second? Second. All in favor indicate by saying I. All right. So we voted ABCD. Now we're on E which is actually I call the ominous the general fund budget. There's some questions that some items be identified. I'll get you one second, Councilwoman. And I'm gonna ask Councilman Newton to articulate those. Before you do, before you do,

not yet. Not yet. We are on the last item. E Councilwoman, and I'm going to recognize Councilwoman McBride because her microphone's on. And then Council Councilwoman McBride, you have the floor. We're on E. Do do you think it's possible that uh we could wait until you get through reading or saying what you have to say before we Yes. No vote. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And with that notation, Councilman Newton and other members of the council, you have the floor, Councilman Newton, to explain and and to identify the matters in the budget that have been requested by Councilwoman.

Councilwoman is absolutely correct. ID is absolutely correct. I should have read the total increases which is if you go to page one should have been 33 071 931 revenue. Oh, we don't have to move it. Just just keep stating the numbers in the So, we already voted on it. I'm just doing the next one. Just walk through the numbers. He should be 20,000 negative. Yes.

Decreases. The next one. Yeah. One more. It should be a negative 34572 561 page 4 which is an increase. I'm sorry. Which is an increase. And I think that's it. One more. I'm hearing page seven. Is that correct? Is the next item. And that's it. And the last one on page seven

should be 1520 630 decreases. Is that the last one? And then the last page. Councilwoman. None of it's on. Oh, this one. Sorry. You other did he cover it all? No. Did he make a mistake when he read the French line? Let me put your microphone on. Hold on. 33 million. Be reflecting the 34572 561. That's what he read. That's what he read into the record the first time. So, just correct that, Ernie. Okay. For the increases. You read the wrong You read the old one, not the amended one. You're right.

All right. Thank you. And then the last page, let me because I couldn't get that. So maybe the record didn't get it either. Is there a change that was just made? She articulated it. I articulated it. Mayor, he he read the act the original, not the amended number for B. So for clarification, if you're looking at the big document and it reflects the 33,71,000 actually should read 34,572 561. Right. Thank you. You're welcome, Councilwoman. And mayor, the last page, page nine, page nine, is the actual total of our budget, which is 655

474 539 is what our budget is. I will. Okay. Okay. So, at this time before we vote, uh, Councilman Heram, was your microphone on? Okay. Council Per, is your microphone on? I got to make sure this is right. You have the floor.

So, um, I am totally opposed to this overall budget. We have elected officials receiving salary increases in violation of the Connecticut State Constitution. We have council members wives and children receiving $10,000 increases in violation of our own ordinances and union agreements. There's tons people getting 21% increases, 13% increases. Um this is um it's not unusual in Bridgeport. I feel like I've been on speed dating right now. I've never seen a $688,000 budget just blown through. We have freshman members here who probably don't have any idea what justice happened because we went through five major budget votes in like seven minutes. So I'm an absolute no and I am going to the feds about the constitutional violations and salary increases. Thank you.

Thank you. The questions been moved new. Mr. Newton if council Newton will yield will vote otherwise I'm going to let you. All right. All in favor of Kate by saying I. I Any opposed? Opposed.

All right. Before we go to the uh next matter, which is the capital budget, I do want to thank the members of the council. Uh I know they're not here, but we were with them yesterday. The members of the state delegation, the members of the board of education, the superintendent, especially on the education budget this year. This was a historic commitment both locally and state to Bridgeport Public School children. There's never enough, but I want to thank the council for supporting the increases this year and next year. I think it's going to make a difference. I know the board of ed is here. It's been a pleasure to continue to work with you, superintendent. Let's keep it going for Bridgeport schools. Thank you.

You guys are good. Thank you guys. Hello.

You know, they notice in Harford when Bridgeport comes together, they better get out of the way, right? It was a good It was a good good working together as a team. Very much. All right. The capital budget council president Council uh your microphone is on now. just going to use this one. Um, I make a I make a motion to amend the capital plan with substitution with the new documents that have been distributed to all city council members. This amendment cap amended capital plan offers three changes. First, per director of construction management Michelle Tero, it separates out the Howland and Reed roof project into a separate line item in the capital plan. The budget committee had voted to combine them. However, in order to apply for state reimbursements on these projects, we need to show that each project has been successfully authorized by the city council in separate line items. Second, we are fortunate that our state leg legislative delegation was able to secure 95% of the reimbursement for the state-of-the-arts zero net carbon elementary school on the east end. This is an incredible win for us in Hartford. Therefore, these revised capital plans show a much lower cost for the city of the new East End school over the next couple of years with the city only having to pay 5% of the projects plus items not eligible for state reimbursement. Finally, I've been speaking to some of my council colleagues about the pool being proposed at Central High School. This happened to be a proposed proposed in my district and appears to be a great opportunity for our community. However, I understand

that some of us have questions about how this project will work and be managed. So, I am proposing that we take it out of the capital plan just for now with the understanding that it will come back in front of the city council at at a later date. George Garcia is actively working with the city administration and Brent Foundation, Wakeman and Kuribbe on the proposed agreement outlining how this will work. When the agreement is ready, the city council for city council review, I will send the agreement and the capital plan amendments to the joint committee, including both budget committee and contracts as that both issues can be considered and voted on by the city council at the same time. I think this is a fair compromise and ensures that we have all of the information that we need to make sure this project is a true success in our community. Thank you. I heard the motion. I heard the second. Do I need to hear anything else? I guess I do. Councilwoman, you have the floor.

I'd like to uh add an amendment. I make a motion to move the $1 million in the 2027 capital plan. Sure. For the uh excuse me, for the East End school that was suddenly changed to 2028. We will not make uh excuse me, hold on. Hold on. Just procedurally. Procedurally. So, uh, let's take a half a step back. I think we made a motion and a second. Is that correct? And we had discussion. Okay. And in that discussion, you you're opposing another amendment. Councilwoman, I'm amending the amendment. Um, yes, you can. I don't know if we have to vote on the amendment first. No,

I think you vote the amendment first. If you if the amendment succeeds and you want to try and make an amendment at that time, I'll recognize you. All right. So the motion's on the floor. It's been second. Anybody else want to be heard on hearing? None. All in favor as this the amendment, right? All in favor indicate by saying I. Any opposed? Yours. All right. Now we have to take another vote. And so if you want to try and amend it, you can do it. But I'm going to obtain a vote first. Councilwoman, you want No, that's it. We don't need a motion as amended. So now it's amended. She wants to simpler. Councilwoman, uh,

I'd like to make a motion to amend the million dollars that's now in this revised capital plan for 2027. Move it into 228. Motion's made. Is there a second? Second. And now I'd like to debate it. Hold on. I didn't hear a second. Is there a second? There's a second. And I'd like to now comment on it. Uh, the the uh finest wants to know which item you're talking about. The East End School. Okay. You say it again. The East End School. What did you say? The East End School. I want Can I I I'm have debate. I have discussion. There's a motion is made. Second. Everybody heard it. Or we're going to take a roll call vote. I want to be You want to be heard on it? Okay. Councilman Newton, you have the floor.

I'd like to speak on Thank you.

You know what? She's correct. I'll let you speak on your amendment first. Number two is detain. analysis. None of that has been done and people say

somebody asking I think you

Thank you. I have uh Councilwoman Martinez's microphone. Uh either you or Ernie or whoever wants to go and then I'll let Ernie go. Go ahead, Councilman Newton. And thank you, mayor. Let let me say something to this council so you know what your role is. We do not dictate to what the board of ed does. When Miss Pereira was on the board of ed, she made sure,

she made sure that the board of ed is the board of ed. Okay, now let me say this. We always talk about people sticking their nose and stuff that that don't belong to them. I would hope that you all would not vote for this because I will change my title to Councilman at large

and that means I'll stick my nose in your area. We've never done this. 95% the state legislature did us a favor. We had two schools. They said, "Listen, if you hold off on Harding and go with the SC school to to try to help bring students back into the city, we'll do a great favor for you when you apply for this funding." Now, I haven't heard of the board of ed, not the board, but the, you know, the state ever doing 95% of a construction project. Never heard of it. And I served in the legislature. We never did it when I was there. Miss Pereira,

thanks. Councilman, let's just finish up and vote. The council woman feels she speaks for the city of Bridgeport, but she doesn't speak for our district. And if the e Well, your district is the 138 the last time I looked at it's not the 139th. I would ask my colleagues to vote this amendment down. Thank you, Councilwoman Martinez. You have the floor.

Mayor, um, thank you for allowing me to speak. I just want to state that it's sad to say that we are here debating on dollars that are for the betterment of our children. For for the betterment of the education of our children, for the betterment of a better building for our children, for the betterment of disrespecting the legislative body who work so hard to get us 95% of this money to build a state-of-the-art and eliminate the outdated building that we currently have here in the city of Bridgeport. So this is the district that I represent and I stand and represent my constituents 210%. So we can have a debate on what district represents better than the next. But what I can say is that I am in full support of a new state-of-the-art school and I ask my council colleagues to do the same. Think about your grandchildren, your greatg grandandchildren and the buildings that they are to be entering soon to come. So, thank you and I ask for your support and I'm requesting a roll call vote. Thank you,

Curtis. Everything all right? You want to be heard? Everything all right? It's okay. He's fixing. All right. Did you want to be heard? Councilman Cruz. Councilman Cruz, did you want to be heard? Councilman Cruz has the floor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Again, I I fully support this uh budget. Excuse me. It is unfortunate that here we are debating uh America that just happened in Bridgeport coming up from the help of the state delegation. Curtis, it's like they've been praying for a mana from the sky and all of a sudden just came down.

Councilman, give me one minute. Tom, Curtis, thank you all of you, please. Councilman, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You know, sometimes we pray and prayer don't get answered too fast or the way we would like. It's in God's time that things happen. And the board of education with this new I don't like to use the word acting. I rather use superintendent Avery. Um that they've been praying for mana to come up from the sky for many years. And now that there's been a concerted effort with you, mayor, our city delegation, working hard in Hartford, basically twisting the arms of the governor to release a manner. Um, we can't go against this. I just pray that this will be an ongoing every year process, not a one-time miracle. an unear every year our school children should always have the full benefit of the city and the state for the proper education for our teachers for the superintendent for our board of education members who are outstanding doing the best that they can with what we give them we have to back them up so I want to thank uh the budget committee the co-chairs Mr. Newton Mr. Orz and the members for doing an outstanding job uh getting a lot of heat, but you guys held strong. So, I'm here in full support. I ask my council colleagues to do not support the amendment that's being presented to this body because it's just a delay tactic and it's a humiliation tactic. It's not going to happen. Not in our watch. Thank you,

Councilwoman. Lines, you have the floor. Yes. Thank you. Councilwoman Lions has the floor.

Thank you. I've been sitting on this and had the honor of sitting on this council for a very long time and it was thank you so much that we were able to stand together with each other. I have had never in all the years seen this. It's very emotional for me because it's something that when I step down here, when the time comes, it could be a legacy that we were able to work together. And hopefully as the time comes on, cuz I I was in the classroom. I was a PAR professional. I was a homeschool coordinator. Um, I worked really hard. I had the honor of winning five awards with the running with the pack and the parents. and I consider I see one of my teachers back there, math teacher. So, thank you so much. So, listen, God bless you and let's continue working together and with God's grace that more money will come and we could continue on bringing our children up to the level where they should because I worked in this especially in the special ed area. So, that's kind of a little special for me. Thank you so much and God bless you.

Thank you. Councilwoman Herren, you have the floor and then we'll vote.

Thank you, Mayor. I think people forget that this project is not going to be done tomorrow. We've said this over and over and over again. It's going to be a process. We had this other superintendent that was here. There were all issues. There were all concerns and it was stopped. The master plan was done and there were recommendations put there. So now with the 95% coming down, we're putting 5% to get a new school, a state-of-the-art school. Yes, there are work to be done, but that's now the time we put that funding in there. It could take four or five years before, you know, the shovel hits the ground, but we have to show that we're putting a percentage in there for them to move forward. They have to do all the planning on this. That's where the board comes in. That's their responsibility to talk to their communities and do their work. We are not here to dictate to the board what they can and can't do with their buildings until they give them up. So when if they close the schools whatever they choose to do, that's still a plan in progress. Then those buildings come back to us and it goes on to tax base and then what we could do development. whoever comes in as a developer will choose and whoever is sitting in these seats at that time will be able to agree to those contracts. We have to start waking up and do the right thing for our kids. I'm always hearing, oh, we want black for the black and brown children. We want this, we want that. But anytime we come to a plan here, it's always chopped down. Why are we continuing to do that? So, I'm in agreement with this. I've said this before. I've said it to my council colleagues. It's not an overnight process. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay. We're going to vote. We're going to vote. It's a roll call. Look, I'm at this meeting just till we're done. I'm going to be the chair. Okay. A yes is on you're we're voting on your amendment. I'm not going to work. Well, get her a microphone. You're entitled to a microphone. Honestly, I can hear you.

I'm going to read my comments into the record. I want to appear that I represent every single family that attend. All right, here's what I'm going to do. It's going to be quicker this way. I'm going to let you read your comments in and then we're going to vote. Your light was not on. Oh, your microphone's broken. Gave me a portable one. Go ahead. You can use your council woman's uh next to you's microphone. Oh, it's it's lit. This is lit. You have the floor. If there's no objection here, here's what we're going to There's no objection. Apparently, I wasn't broadcasting. Let me let me let you let me get to you.

There's no objection. Councilwoman Praer will read her statement. It's on her amendment. We'll vote on her amendment by roll call vote and then we'll vote on the main motion regardless of whether the amendment arises or fails. Counciloman, you have the floor.

I want to be I need this because we we have litigation coming. I represent every single student and family that attends Edison School. The vast majority of students and family who attend Beersley School, I represent them. They have not been consulted. They have not even been informed that there's plans to close their schools. Although that's the condition of the new East End school. They do not want it. They are opposed to it. And I would know that because I'm the only person in this entire chamber who's gone to all four schools to speak with staff, parents, and children at all. That's a lie. Cuz I went to all school. Did you go to all? Did you go? No, I have to make

I'll give you the floor. You had We had one parent present to school.

Can I Can I finish? I am the only person who's been to all four schools, spent hours talking to staff, parents, students, and went to the neighboring properties because closing schools affects property values. I don't want to hear that this is a savings. It's not because the capital the the um master facilities plan says to renovate all three schools completely is 58 million and we're spending 146 million. And our taxpayers pay municipal taxes and they pay state taxes. This board, this acting superintendent has not followed their detailed school closure policy at

let please, we got to respect one another. You can finish your statement. I I encourage you to do it quickly. Not one bit of it. And all they have they have a facilities masters plan. It's never been adopted. No recommendation has been adopted. And by the way, the plan has numerous errors. So I'm on the record because we will have litigation file within 30 days. Still noted. Councilwoman, I'm gonna I'm gonna recognize you and you're off. Councilwoman McBride, I'm going to recognize you and then we'll vote because you have not spoken.

Well, um I hope that everything is recorded here to to today because if we happen to go to the FBI, I'm sure they're going to say, "Why are you speaking out of term like that? Why are you acting the way you acting like that?" So, we have to be careful about who we tell our business to. And then as far as as as far as I'm concerned, I think that I I sat there and watched the parents and the people the board of ed talk about the budget and I tell you what encouraged my heart were that the city of Bridgeport and the board of education was on the same page. Whatever. I worked for the board of ed almost 40 years and uh and the first thing that some of them said was this is a beginning. We have to think about the beginning. What can we draw on? And that's and that's exactly you know what was happening here. And I would like to say something else. Uh uh mayor I think I heard about 75 maybe a 100 people spoke that night. out of all the people that spoke and and and I've been thinking about this ever since that night. There were one person that gave a suggestion might have been bad, might have been good or whatever, but she said this is what we should do. You know, you can't talk about what is not and you don't have anything to contribute to the problem. What's going on? And tonight I really do want to uh we don't hardly agree on anything,

but I I hope that it's okay for me to call her name Janine Davis right there. She said if we do this, we could bring money to the board of education and then and what she said was to involve everybody. We cannot complain about everything that's going on. Otherwise, we'll get nothing done. And and and when some people here that was sitting on the board of education before, it was a totally mess. We stayed in in in in the paper. So, Mr. Mayor, that's all I got to say. Thank you. Was that good?

Thank you. I have I have council light on who never requested council. I just want to say uh the school budget is very important for our kids and change, but I still have some reserved feelings because I don't think in our city of Bridgeport that we have vocational training enough for our youth. I keep saying it and I'm going to keep saying it. You know, education is important, but not everybody's academically astute. We have trades and trades individuals make 80,000 $90,000 a year. And I hope that our school reflects some educational, vocational skill trainings for our youth because that is the future. Everybody's not going to go to college, but trades are very important and I just hope that our our board is listening because we have to go that way and find a way for that. Thank you very much, man.

Thank you. Our vote of yes is support Councilwoman Pereira's amendment to the amendment. Just so we're clear on what we're voting on, a vote of yes is support the amendment to the amendment which was offered and seconded by Councilwoman Pereira. After that, we'll vote on the main motion whether the amendment to the amendment succeeds or fails regardless. Council uh madam clerk, with all of that, you have the floor to call the roll call. Yes. Is again uh a vote to support the amendment to the amendment and a vote of no is not to. Council city clerk, you have the floor. Thank you. Yay. Nicole Nelson, Denise Elmo,

Cruz, Dasha spell, Rolanda Smith, Akim Void, Janet Herren, Loretta Dupac, Michelle Lions, Mary Mcbrley, Risha Ortiz, Alfredo Castillo, Alfredo Thank you, Fredd. I have any Maria Vaj. Maria. No.

Kayla Marina. Okay. Maria Pereira. Yes. And Martinez. Ernest Newton. Okay. The amendment to the amendment fails. There is now before us the motion made by Councilwoman Heron with the amendment to it is on the floor now and we're going to vote on it. But I know Councilwoman NVZ has a technical amendment. Sorry, hold on. Let me get your microphone on.

You have the floor. On page three of five, the city facilities assessment new senior deder error for FY2028. It should reflect a 100,000 for the total being of 200,000 for the year. My amendment is to amend from 200,000 to 100 which is reflected at the year end for $200,000. It was just a typographical Sounds like a typographical error. Regardless, is there a written copy that we provided to the clerk with the correction in it? Yes.

All right. Motion's made in second. Everybody's okay. Any questions on this? Anybody want to say anything? And then we'll move. So, it's an amendment. Then we'll vote the main motion and we're done. Okay. All in favor indicate by saying I. Second. Any opposed? Okay. As opposed as noted, Councilwoman Pereira's vote. And so we need a main motion on this. Oh, somebody on the floor. So now motion to approve as motion to approve as amended. Made by councilwoman heron right seconded by as amended. Seconded by council. Pick whoever you want or tease. And I'm not even going to look left and look right. I'm just going to Did you want to be heard? No. All in favor indicate by saying I.

Any is there a motion to adjurnn? All favors eyes. Hold up. Hold up. Council Cruz just wanted to say one thing.