City Council - Regular Meeting

Drink my friends. Recording in progress.

So much more.

Yeah, that one is very good. Don't worry about it. Enjoy that one, Charlie. which is actually all of you tonight. Seven of you are brand new. Excited to have you. My name is Drew Willis. I'm the very new city clerk [music] uh and clerk for the council most importantly for you all. This is my deputy Cassidy Flynn. Uh we've got members of the public here. The the meeting is being live broadcast and I think we are I think we actually have 24th. So I think we're going to go ahead and get started. So, uh, with that, I'm going to call the meeting to order and I need to take attendance. Anybody mind if I sit down? I'm actually falling out of

I also feeling quite that official. So, uh, councelor Albbright here. Councelor Baker here. Councelor Bixby here. I should be saying councelor elect, so forgive me. Councelor elect Block here. Councelor Elect Charm here. Uh, councelor Uab. Perfect. You just told me I got it there. Councelor Le Ferrell here. Councelor Le gets here. Councelor Le Golden here. Councelor Le Gordon here. Councelor Le Greenberg here. Councelor Elect Gman here. Councelor Le Irish here.

Councelor Elect Chaos here. Councelor Le Kelly here. Councelor Leman present. Councelor like Larry also present. Councilor like Lucas present and accounted for. Elect Malik here. Councelor elect here. Councelor here. Councelor elect here. Councelor electr here. Perfect.

24 counselors elect present. Uh, a little bit of little bit of bookkeeping before we really get started. And I get to give up this gavl. Thank god. Um, we have snacks up here. Most importantly, snack closet on on the other side of the chamber is open. For those of you who are new, if we take a recess, I'll I'm happy to show you where it is. Um, for those of you who are brand new or would like a refresher, we're going to hold at least a first round of new counselor training on Monday at 5:00. realize that's a little bit early, but it's before the council meeting. Most of you can attending meetings. If you all cannot make it that night or if some of you can't, we're glad to repeat it. This will be a little bit of an ongoing thing. We're going to start with mainly council related things and things related to the budget, the code of ethics, and things like that. But we'll also set up meetings for you with any of the city departments that you want to get familiar with with some of the things that go on around here. Um and with that we move on to the selection of the temporary presiding officer. Um it is traditionally the longest serving counselor that is currently serving and that is councelor Baker. Uh at this point I'll accept a motion and a second to appoint a temporary presiding officer.

Second. Thank you very much. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All of those in favor of the appointment of the temporary presiding officer, please say I. I say no.

That I surrender the gavl. Thank you. Honor from footwork.

Thank you colleagues. It's a real honor. This is for those of you who are new to this process. This is my purpose, but it doesn't mean I remember everything. So, all [clears throat] of you have license to poke me or wave or otherwise tell me that I've missed your stuff here. Um, so the first order of business is to adopt the rules of the caucus. The caucus, we are all for members of the public who are here. Um, while there are members of the current city council present, uh, and there are people who have been elected to the city council, we are all essentially the same as, uh, councilors elect. We're we're still civilians in a sense, but under curious process, we're governed by the open meeting law for purposes of our vote and our process. Um and uh the first order of business is to adopt the caucus rules which involve the how we select the president, vice president, and president emeritus. And I'd accept a motion to accept those rules. You all have seen them. Um if anybody needs a copy, I think the clerk has them.

Andy much second. Uh any discussion? If not, all those in favor say I. I.

Eyes have it. Good. So, um I'm going to just before we get to the nomination, I just seen questions about questions. He and I have conferred with the law department, but he sent an email out that I hope all of you saw clarifying that um as part of this process. The reason we have this process is to get to 13 affirmative votes for each officer. Um you will see that this process involves somewhat an unusual situation. Right now we're in a committee of a caucus, but when we go into the full council meeting, we will uh be duly sworn by the mayor and uh and then take the oath and and sit down and then we immediately go into a committee of the whole uh to conduct the elections and we do not report out the results of the elections if and until someone has 13 votes. Many moons ago, um there were a couple of people who ran for uh council and both had 12 votes in the caucus. They had 12 votes on inauguration day. They had 12 votes three months later. [laughter] Um and there that seemed to be somewhat inefficient. So this rule was adopted in order to try and remedy that difficulty. So if someone doesn't get to 13 votes at the first try, then those candidates who uh were part of that process who have not uh succeeded recede and then other candidates can be nominated and then you go round and round until you get to an end and you do that for each successive office. So any questions about that process? Yeah,

we'll be taking a break between votes.

Uh you can under the new rules you can ask for such a break. Um we have brought provisions and fluids uh in the meantime. So but certainly anyone can ask for a break. Uh the law department cautions that again we are operating under open meetings. So um in purposes of make sure there's not a a quorum convening anywhere. I'm going to stay put unless I absolutely have to leave. But also we want to avoid serial um conversations in the sense that might violate the open spirit of the open meeting while it actual form. But yes, that's you asked for a short answer and I gave you a long one. My apologies. All right. Um, so at u any other questions about our process? Okay. Um at this point we proceed to uh the uh selection of the president and I would ask for nominations for president council and then uh if what we traditionally do is when the nominations are completed we close the nominations and then we invite each candidate to come and make a statement. I will say historically um uh brevity and effectiveness have been coincident in those statements but they don't have to be. So um any questions about the process? All right, I'm now Yes.

besides the nominators and the candidates, is there opportunity for discussion? Yes. Um so um at this point I would entertain anyone who has a nomination to make. Mr. Chairman, may I make an nomination? Yes. Uh Mr. Council like Lucas is recognized.

Thank you. So, I rise uh to make a nomination uh because it is uh become apparent over the last few hours that I do not have the necessary votes to become the next council president. Um I do hope the next council president can lead this esteemed body of 24 members, be a role model and a pillar in the community. um and effectively run our meetings in a more efficient way. Um I rise because I don't have the votes to become president and I do hope the next president can adopt some of the things that I would like to see happen other than the things that I previously mentioned. updating our city charter to give us more power and influence on the budget. I know that's something that councelor Farrell has mentioned to me on a number of occasions. Um, um, I would like to see more proclamations from counselors to Newton residents and the business community for their outstanding achievements. Um I would like uh the um call it the more experienced counselors to act as a role model for the newer counselors and we have seven this term. Um, another big um, challenge for this next president from the vote was, if you ask me, a split vote, but we definitely need to improve this. Um, and lastly, I hope the next city council president invites our leaders

from the state house. the state house um delegation. Thank you. And invite councilors Schwarz, Saniel, Lawn, and Senator Cream to the city council chamber where we can get updates from them. I hope the next city council president will do these things. And that is why I nominate my friend and colleague from W, John Ala. Thank you. Are there any other nominees? Yes. If I stand right here, do you need a second?

Oh, yes. We need a second. Thank you for reminding me. See, I told you right at the beginning. Okay. Second. Okay. Um, would you like to be recommended for

Thank you. I didn't mean to sit in the front. Um, I would like to nominate David Kais for president. Um, I don't have a speech about what I want him to do. I just want to talk about why I think David would be a really president. Um, we've already seen his experience as vice president. We've seen how he gets in the middle of and bridges the divide sometimes that exists amongst the counselors from one side to another. He knows what the city's about. I have faith that he would help create fair and balanced committees and spread us all out by war and committees that work best for us. And I have faith that he would do that and I hope you will consider voting for him. President

I'd like to second the nomination for councelor Kis. I served on several two committees with him for several years. and I had physically seen him bridge the gap between the various points of view on the council. I think he would do a good job to bring us together. Okay. Thank you very much.

This is this is a sign. Anybody else? You know, Woody Allen once said, "Man fights for food, but there must also be a beverage." Um, and now I think the tradition is to allow a statement from each of the nominees. I want to see if there are any. We have to I move to close nomination. Move to close nomination. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor say I.

I have it. So, at this point, nomination been closed. We can traditionally entertain a statement from each candidate if they wish to make one in the order of nomination. So you've been first nominated.

So I will be as brief as I possibly can. Uh but I do have a few words. First off, thank you for the nomination. I do see the role of uh the council president as simultaneously uh simple and complex. Uh simple in the sense that uh ultimately I see that there are two things that uh personally I I would like to see us accomplish together. Um and I would undertake these two things as as the as my agenda if you will. should I be so lucky as to be voted in? So the simple part I think of the role uh is that uh over the past couple of terms I have seen this council build stronger relationships across our community. And I don't just mean within this room or within this building. Certainly, we need strong relationships with our clerk's office. We need a strong relationship with school committee, mayor's office. Um, if I haven't said the clerk's office, I'm going to say it again. Uh, and certainly, uh, above all, residents and all of the groups that form across the entire city. As we all know, there are a lot of special interest groups here. I'm including all of them. I want to make sure that we are including not only special interest groups, PTO's but everyone else that I mentioned because the complex part of the job I think is in this room. There are 24 of us. We all have somewhat strong opinions. I'm going to guess

there are seven new opinions I'm looking forward to working with and understanding. We also have roughly 88,000 residents who expect a lot from us. And I think that it's incumbent upon us to figure out how to work together in a way that gets that done efficiently, as councelor uh Lucas just mentioned, effectively. But my goal is to be able to do what I can from the podium to get that done. I think that's, you know, the sum total of what I really want to talk about. But the complex part here is we're going to have to learn how to compromise and collaborate in ways that we are we have been and we need to continue to do it on a higher level. collective opinions are. It's okay if we debate those amongst ourselves, but at the end of the day, we have to be focused on helping each other get to a resolution and and I'd like to facilitate that best I can, right? Um, I I think that we not only owe that to each other, but I know that we owe it to the residents who elected all of us. So, from that perspective, um, I don't think anybody else would be here if we didn't see huge potential and headroom for this city. Um, I'd like to work together to to achieve it. Uh, with that said, we really appreciate your time.

I'd be honored. Thank you. We hear now from Thank you for the uh second. I really appreciate it. So colleagues, I'm honored and humbled to be nominated for president. If elected, I will work closely with whomever you choose as vice president so that together we can serve this council as an effective and unified team. This is a moment where I think we need a president with varied experience on the council, professional experience managing people, budgets and complex initiatives and a leadership style grounded in listening, respect and collaboration. And I bring that experience as former vice chair of both finance and public facilities. I learned what it means to lead a committee preparing for docket items, navigating unexpected challenges, and helping colleagues work towards thoughtful outcomes. As a two-time vice president, interview and select two city clerks, fill vacancies on boards and commissions. These experiences have given me a clear understanding of the demands of the presidency and have prepared me well to take them on. Professionally, I've managed staff and multi-million dollar budgets in large organizations. That background gives me a strong foundation from which to partner effectively not only with Drew Willis and the the clerk's office, but also with other departments. When I think about the presidency, I think about three core responsibilities. First, it's making sure we run a smooth operation on the council. Um, making sure every council member feels heard, established processes are adhered to,

and every council is treated with respect. This includes an active partnership with the clerk's office. And while the office is in excellent hands, the president plays an important role and I intend to remain closely engaged to anticipate challenge challenges and help to manage. Second, the president must build strong collaborative relationships with the school committee and the administration. I've done this as an existing vice president and between regular one-on- ones with the mayor and other meetings to ensure we're in communication. We I know that we cannot act in silos. We need alignment, communication, and clarity about shared priorities. Third, the president represents this body at public events. Showing up, as uh our former president always said, is important, and I know the community likes to see engagement, and respect for their local concerns. I'll take that with the vice president very seriously. If elected, my guiding principles will be respect, collaboration, and a commitment to strong, transparent processes. We made progress this term in how we treat one another, but we can do more. Remember, we agree on far more than Um and we need to build on that, acknowledge that and then foster active listening, trust and a culture where vigorous debate is welcome and compromise encourage. I strongly believe that allowing space for disagreement is healthy and understanding perspectives often can lead to constructive incorporation of overlooked views. Working with the vice president, committee assignments will be based on who is best positioned to lead. Uh we'll ensure the committees include a diversity of viewpoints so that recommendations are balanced. Finally, we have faced processes uh

across those challenges this term. Times when the community felt left out and where their input wasn't fully incorporated. Our constituents are our primary stakeholders and we owe them clarity, transparency, and trust. I want to work with the mayor's office to improve our processes so that residents feel heard and confident in our work. I'm running for president because I feel I have the experience, the temperament, and the instinct to lead collaboratively and independently. Thank you for considering me, and I ask you for your vote.

Thank you. Uh question is anyone who wish to be heard at discussion before we take a vote. [clears throat] So, having um paid attention to politics in the city for a while, I recognize it's very difficult to um divine the will of the voters or the purpose of the voters, the reason why they may have elected any one of us. But occasionally that's not true. And occasionally it is clear. And I think it's clear this year when the third candidate in the Ward for at large race after they learned of of statements he'd made um that expressed what was largely viewed as intolerance of trans children and that

heard enough. I'll see you later. Wait, you got to vote. You got to vote. I'll be back for a vote. I'll be back for a vote. I'm just not going to listen to this group. Okay.

Um and uh the voters were very clear, I think, that that that was the factor in uh the race. And I think that we need to listen to what the voters have said. And I think um it would be a mistake to elevate to the presidency um one of the that candidates's uh earliest and strongest defenders and uh for that reason I urge us not to support that candidate and instead to support paving. I recognize that um this is not a typical statement and that I've taken a bit of a risk here, but I think that it is an important message that we need to um send to the voters and particularly the vulnerable voters, the trans kids and their families who um were really rocked um by what happened to Thank you. That's not yours is

I just will say I am stunningly disappointed with the statement that I just heard. I do not believe that this was an issue that was understood clearly by the voters. It was not expressed clear person about whom you were speaking. Anyone else wish to be here? [clears throat] Like

I just want to say that one of the one of the re the reasons that I would vote for president is to bring us together and um to find areas of where we can agree. Um, I think as a as a group together, we're we um have more value to the residents of Newton when we can work work uh comprehensively and understand that we're going to have our differences, but we need to focus on what we can do together. And that's what I'm hoping the next president will do. Um, and I'm keeping that foremost in my mind, whoever the next president is. Um, and I would like to see us be able to rise above, you know, our differences and focus on what we can do together.

Thank you. Anyone else wish to be heard? Councelor,

I'd just like to add since um it seems that um councelor Oliver was being criticized for who he supported. I also supported the candidate you're referring to and I don't regret it. I think he would have been a great city counselor and I think what happened to him was absolutely um that was bullying and um I've been told that that that's going to dog him for the rest of his life. certainly that Boston Globe article that was um pulling the Boston Globe into it after he'd apologized and uh it was it was the kind of behavior I thought we left behind a couple of years ago and I was some people may not remember but on a much smaller scale I was accused of being anti-LGBTQ uh and misqued in that effort and I thought we were done with that kind of thing and um it's the kind of thing that makes good people not want to run for that's the kind of thing that you say one thing and to me it was a dumb dad comment and uh he learned he apologized and yes it was his campaign I I called it strategically timed foe outrage uh right before ballots were going out and early voting and um I just want to express my disgust for that uh campaign against him.

Anyone else wish to be heard? Ah, thank you.

I think we're dangerously close to making this caucus about something other than what it's supposed to be about, which is who is best positioned to lead our council forward. Um, many of you know I ran for this position pretty hard the last time around and sort of found myself back in the mix to some degree this time around. Um, and I have thought long and hard about these experiences and I think that what both of our candidates really tried to express and I really do agree with is that there is a lot more than that unites the people in this room and the people in the city that divides us. And I know that was stated and I want to lift it up. What we have to decide now is how are we going to move forward? How are we going to work together? How are we going to heal wounds? I've had brutal campaigns. It's tough to move past them and move on. It really is. And some of those wounds never leave you.

But this is about the city. It's about being adults who work together to solve problems. And we have two really great candidates here. two people who love and both have experience now it won't surprise many David Kais some of you who have worked with us over time know that David and I were chair and vice chair of finance together for four years we've worked together in many other circumstances And one of the things that I love the most about David is that he wrestles with his decisions. So do I. I did not come into politics with a clear ideological view about any of the major issues that tend to or that I have seen divide the city over the last eight years that I've been doing this. And I try each time to listen to everybody, think about how that's going to inform my opinion, and vote for my heart. And David does that also. And I think that's why we've developed such um a collaborative and respectful relationship over time. And I think that his ability to represent the council, particularly when we have a new mayor, um, and we are going to need someone who is going to really represent the council's views. I think he's in an excellent position to be that counterpoint. I think he's in an excellent position to support our new clerk. And those of us who have been around have certainly seen we've had a lot of turnover in our clerk's office over time. We have a wonderful deputy and cassidy to continue to work with and

develop, but we need that professional leadership and steady hand. And that is what this is about. And I really don't want tonight's vote to suddenly turn into a reflection on something that it's not supposed to be about. And I do also want to say a kind word about John as well because despite the fact that I I think John knows and we've also had a really warm respectful working relationship and have disagreed on many working relationships

and have found as revolving accounts motion to cut um across every department in the school this year. Um, you know, sometimes you find yourself in strange situations. So, all I want to say is I genuinely believe however this turns out, we're going to be fine. But I would really love to see an end to Isles. We're not Washington DC. Please, let's not be that. And um, that's what I wanted to say. Let me recognize first councelor elect and recognize.

So I wanted to in sort of a similar vein to what councelor Gman just talked about. I want to reflect on the last thing that I did when I was the president back um couple of years ago. you know, that was the time when the MBTA Communities Act was the zoning for that was really hot and heavy in this city. And um we had one side of the the council that wanted to, you know, go as far as we possibly could, get as many units as we possibly could. And we had another side that was saying, "Oh my god, that's 10,000 units. That's too many units." Blah blah blah. So we we were divided on that. and um councelor Gentile and I who are often on o way opposite sides of the fence and I was the president and he was the spokesman for the other side. We found a way I I as the president and him as the spokesman for the other side. We found a way to find our way through that negotiation and get like Milton or we're going to sue you or they're going to sue us or something. Um, so I'm going to say something first about councelor Kais is that, you know, last night is a perfect example of it. we were on opposite sides of at least one of the issues, the two controversial issues and not really close on the other. And you and I, you know, that's fine. That brings us together. You vote your conscience. You you get we get it. We get there. We need someone who's willing to see both sides, but get us together and get us to an end. I' I've worked with um

councelor um the revolving the revolving fund thing. The three of us have worked together and going to continue to

and we're going to continue to work on it. Trying to get the revolving fund thing is settled. So I I've seen both both of these candidates work together across the aisle trying to get things done. Um, you know, I'm going to vote for councelor Kalis as well, but it's really, really important for us to find the place where we can work together. Um, and that's what the people in Ni want us to do. So, I'm just hoping that whatever we do, that's what we end up with. The place where we can work together. Well, I'd like to speak up because I think um my race has been invoked and referenced in this conversation, but perhaps more importantly because as far as I know, I'm the only member of the queer community that is in this body of counselors elect. And it is true from my experience that there is pain in that community from the last few months but also pain that that is seeking level. There are families that are scared that are hurting. There are families that are considering leaving their homes, moving across the world, leaving this country. I heard both of the candidates tonight speak about bringing community together and including community and that is so admirable and it is exactly what I think that we need at this time. I believe that the way that we're going to do that, I saw that displayed in my interactions with the council in the last few months, in the ways that councelor elect Mley uh counselor elect Kais um interacted with me and with

others. Um, and that spirit of inclusion, that spirit of of equity, I said it I said it throughout my campaign, is not about what you do, the way that you step aside to let good things happen, but it's about the work that you do to effectuate equity and justice for all. So, I hope that exactly in the spirit that we've all been speaking of, we will prioritize bringing our community together, bringing um bringing into city hall and into the work that we do the voices that are not always heard, that often feel left out or that are perhaps scared to come into the space and be heard. And I believe that exactly as everybody has said, we have this great opportunity ahead of us to be collaborators and to work together meaningfully. Um, for those reasons, I intend to vote for councelor elect Kis. But however you are planning to vote, I hope that you will keep those goals in mind that we have to bring everybody in um and work work collaboratively together from our committees to the whole council to the whole city and beyond. Thank you. Anyone else wish to be heard counselors would like to know the other night speak to the way that we conduct ourselves. I think it's in the spirit we should undertake this vote. Um and uh I'm now going to call for the clerk to call the role unless there's anyone else who wishes to be heard. And you at the point we'll do this alphabetically. Um and uh if you would announce the name of the candidate that you support. We have two candidates again for everyone's information. Uh councelor elect Oliver and councelor elect. So if you want council elect

Oliver say his name and you want counselor. You say he did. Okay. Everybody prepared? I changed my understand

all over. It'd be helpful the public if you just call the last name. Sorry. [laughter] You said Oliver. Yes. Oliver. And then the next Yor speak. Councelor BL. Councelor Charm. Kais. Councelor Elect. Donabove. case.

No, sir. Like with great respect for the institution in which we will all serve and appreciation for his leadership and equinimity. I vote for John Oliver. Councelor elect Oliver. Councelor elect Golden. John Oliver. Councelor elect Gordon. Councelor Greenberg. Councelor Elect Gen. Kais. Councelor elect Irish.

Councelor elect Kais. Councelor elect Kellis. Councelor elect Princeton. Kayless. Councelor Elect Liry. Kais. Councelor Elect Lucas. Oliver. Council elect Malik. Oliver. Councelor Elect Mikley. Oliver. Council elect Oliver. [laughter]

I'll go with Oliver. Council electro David kiss silver Oliver counc

Oliver. So, the clerk's tally is that uh councelor elect Oliver has 13 votes and council elect Caleb has 11 votes. And under our rules, uh councelor elect Oliver is chosen by the caucus as the president-elect. So yes, um the provision is that I as designing officer continue for a little while longer if you're willing and that is to facilitate the selection of a vice president. We follow the same process, the same opportunity for comment after nominations are made. But at this point, u unless anyone has any questions, I would entertain a motion.

Excuse me. I'd entertain a any nominations for vice president. Uh councelor Gman, I saw your hand first. Yes. In the spirit of the the founding of our country and the way things worked, I think the second slate finisher for president would make a great vice president. I would nominate council meals for all the reasons he articulated. Second. Second. There's a second. U any Okay, I think we have a second. And any other nominations? Councelor Perrell, is it possible to move for a proclamation? Not yet. You have to close the nomination. May I close the nominations? Motion is made to close in a second. All those in favor say I. I.

Opposed. The nominations are closed. Now you may make a motion. I'd like to make a motion that we agree by acclamation that David Kais should be our next vice president. Thank you, David. There's a second. All those in favor will say I. Okay. I don't think he need the role. Um now the next vote is to select a president ameritus. Since um I have modest history in that role, I'm going to ask if the presidentele designate would be willing to chair the meeting in mystead. Would that be agreeable to the congress? Yes. Tradition. So I'm going to handle this job to you.

Okay. Hopefully the uh instru uh so uh the simplest uh way that I can read this without reading every word. Uh it uh we're at a point now where we need to open uh the nominations for the president ameritus. Uh, do I need to get a motion to do so? No.

Direct. So, I'm going to open uh nominations for President Emeritus. Uh, I saw Councelor uh Albbright's hand first. I nominate Council Electron. Second. [clears throat] Fantastic. Are there any other nominations? Move to close nominations. Seeing none, I will accept that nomination to uh or that motion to close nominations. And I see one hand. Do we have a comment or a second? Second. Second. Thank you. I'm going to get to my other part. Please get to the other part.

I would like to move that we accept this nomination by acclamation if that's appropriate. I believe that is completely in order. Are there any comments on that motion? All right. Uh then I think what we I need a second. [clears throat] I have a second. Fantastic. Thank you. Second. Great. You can see I'm going to need a few minutes to figure all this out. Uh so with that said uh all those in favor of that acclamation in support of President Emmeritus becoming councelor Baker councelor elect Baker please say I. Any opposed?

Thank thank you very much. I don't think we need to go to the roll call for that one either. Um

here's a guy. I just want to say thank you and that rather than dissuade you from what you just uh and I think really uh the last do I do this or do you do it now you have no idea what ah I need a motion to adjurnn fantastic do I have a second fantastic I believe in favor we're adjourned I